THE TRUE EVIL FACE OF THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS...

Oh, if you ask me, the immorality pervading the global financial community has a face (and more important: THE IMPETUS!) in the form of United States Vice President Dick Cheney.

Dick Cheney's involvement with Halliburton getting contracts in Iraq after the US invasion of Iraq and Cheney's continued denial of his link to Halliburon makes a mockery of the ideas of morality, accountability and conscience that normally govern other human being.

That unreprimanded Cheney greed factor, observed by other corporate leaders, has given the corporate types the impression that they can do anything with impunity and reinforced the idea that they can get away with anything.

The public's awe of "celebrity financial whizzs" (people who make an insane amount of money -- never mind that the money-making methods are not morally sound) combined with the blatant greed (and utter lack of accountability) displayed via Cheney by the Bush administration has surely led to the state of the financial crisis today.

There are many other strains that have also directly led to the financial crisis, but if you look at Lehman Brothers' collapse and the rest of the domino effect of the "Cheney-immorality fallout", I am sure the immorality and double-standard that the Bush administration seemingly endorses can be built into a somewhat convincing case as one of the basis of the present financial cirisis worldwide.

Picture of Dick Cheney by Lawrence Jackson for AP

SARKOZY'S CREDIBILITY CLIMBS HIGHER

FINALLY! French President Nicolas Sarkozy is rising to the occasion and gaining some serious credibility as a leader with his EU-concerted effort to deal with the 2008 financial crisis.

Yes, Sarkozy -- do the job you were elected to do. We are not interested in how loving the relationship is with your new wife Carla Bruni is. (Or how hot Carla Bruni really is! She just is!)

I, like the rest of the world, was utterly disgusted by the lie Sarkozy told the electorate just to secure his election results (i.e. Sarkozy and his ex-wife Cecilia pretending their marriage was good when it was actually over during his final election push that successfully landed him the French Presidency).

Politicians need to know that the public are not really interested in their sexual escapades and carnal shenanigans -- the electorate only wants to know that politicians will do a good job serving the people.

Luckily, Sarkozy has left Carla Bruni behind as he goes about busily dealing with the financial crisis and dealing with fellow EU politicians as he should be!


Picture of Nicolas Sarkozy, ahem, climbing up behind Carla Bruni by Khaled el Fiqi for EPA.

FROM ZERO TO HERO... GORDON BROWN THE SUPER TECHNOCRAT!

It is interesting to see British Prime Minister Gordon Brown rise to the occasion as the global financial markets crumble under the weight of human greed and misguide drive to profit blindly.

Gordon Brown's method of nationalizing the banks in UK has been widely applauded and even the United States -- very, very reluctantly (shame on you for being so obnoxious Paulson!) and potentially bringing a greater sense of transparanecy and accountability into the world of banking is to be admired.

The present global crisis has saved Gordon Brown's career and he is shining in his role as a leader. All his experience from being the chancellor of the exchequer in the past is coming to the service on UK brilliantly and the world is able to see what a fine and brilliant technocrat Gordon Brown truly is.

Photo of Gordon Brown from AP.

PAUL KRUGMAN WINS 2008 NOBEL PRIZE IN ECONOMICS

One of the world's most famous economist, Paul Krugman has won the Nobel Prize in Economics.

His victory has cast a fresh light on Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tun Dr Mahathir as the duo carried out Krugman-esque protective measures to shield Malaysia from the 1997 economic crisis that gave almost all other Asian countries that mattered a financial whiplash. Malaysia rode through that crisis having taken its own self-prescribed bitter medicine.

Congrats Prof Krugman. PLEASE do read the excellent piece on Krugman's Nobel victory at: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2008/10/14/the-good-krugman.aspx


Photo of Paul Krugman by Dan Deitch from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15119040

FIDEL CASTRO... THE MR BLACKWELL OF AMERICAN POLITICS!

I can't wait to write a short story about Cuban ex-president Fidel Castro... but before that I must point out some of the more intriguing things he has said in recent times in relation to the US Presidential elections. He basically said of Barack Obama's survival thus far -- LITERALLY! -- things that are in the minds of millions of people around the world who know too well what is going through the minds of white supremacists in the US.

Here, read the following report from: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Castro_says_its_a_miracle_Obama_hasnt_been_assassinated/articleshow/3587065.cms

HEADLINE: Castro says it's a 'miracle' Obama hasn't been assassinated

HAVANA: Former Cuban president Fidel Castro charged that American society was marked by "profound racism" and that it was a "pure miracle" that US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has not been assassinated.

"Profound racism exists in the United States," Castro wrote in a commentary that appeared on the website Cubadebate Saturday as he weighed in on the US presidential race ahead of the November 4 election.

"Millions of whites cannot reconcile in their minds with the idea that a black man with his wife and children would move into the White House, which is called just like that -- White," he wrote.

He added that it was a "pure miracle" the Illinois senator, who became the first black politician to win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, had not been assassinated thus far.

The ailing Cuban communist leader, who handed power to his brother Raul earlier this year, described Obama as a politician who "has the habit of looking at his opponent with serenity and laughing at his rhetorical attacks."

Castro's comments came as a war of words with racial undertones marked the US White House race after civil rights icon John Lewis accused Republican candidate John McCain of sowing "hatred" against Obama, who is developing a commanding lead in opinion polls.

Castro also mocked McCain's poor grades at the naval academy and said Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin "knew nothing at all about anything."


(These most excellent photos are from the venerable New York Times' online edition. To see more Castro pictures, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/19/world/0219-CASTRO_index.html)

WHAT A ROTTEN THING TO DO TO PENANGITES.... SHAME ON YOU LIM GUAN ENG!

I have never been so furious as I was when I read the Sun's report today about Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng saying, "If a particular area is reclaimed, the foreshore and sea bed cease to exist factually, physically and legally... Therefore an argument that foreshore and sea bed will always exist, regardless of reclamation or otherwise, cannot hold water. In our view, the foreshore/sea bed cease to exist upon reclamation."

What utter crap! The statement not only shows that, as a leader, Lim Guan Eng does not have his heart in the right place as far as respecting the environment is concerned, but it also shows how easily he is manipulated by one-sided legal advice and does not see the larger public interest (of public ownership of places) as important.

One thing about Penangites that Lim Guan Eng needs to know is that we are against high-handed public officials. The rich and poor mingle freely in Penang because every thoroughbred Penangite knows that the being decent to one another and being fair to everyone we meet is a basic tenet in life.

(That's why if you bother to open your eyes and observe Penang drivers, you will instantly see that they think nothing of giving way to cyclists and motorcyclists on the road or stopping their cars/giving way to let other drivers from small lanes etc get into the flow of traffic.)

That slight socialist-communist bent in Penangites that makes true Penangites be decent to one another and having a ready smile for one another is what sets us Penangites apart from Malaysians from other states.

Lim Guan Eng needs to pay very close attention to the last two paragraphs of the Sun news report: "The purpose of the proviso (i.e. the National Land Code 1965) is to protect the coastal land by keeping it in permanent public ownership through the state," one lawyer said, continuing, "When a party gains freehold tenure of such land, it prevents the public and the state from having it back, except by paying for it at market price."

In the same report, kudos to Batu Uban assemblyman S. Raveentharan, a practising lawyer, who profoundly asked if future generations of Penangites would be able to enjoy beachfronts if the coastal areas become locked by reclaimed lands under freehold tenure.

Lim Guan Eng just weakened his political party's foothold in Penang by one big notch. If Barisan Nasional had any strategist worth his salt amongst them, they'd start capitalizing on this, in line with their aspirations for the next general election. (And no, please do not do this via that disgraceful, unlearned and worthless racist of a human being called Ahmad Ismail!)


Image of that most beautiful and character-rich tropical island called Penang from http://asiaforvisitors.com/malaysia/peninsula/penang/index.html

FOR COMPARISON WITH LUCIEN FREUD'S PAINTING, HERE'S THE QUEEN IN THE FLESH...

Yup, here is a photo of Queen E in the flesh, looking happy. She endorsed Lucien Freud's portrait of her, in case you wondered.

Photo of Queen Elizabeth is from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-503597/A-unlikely-revolutionary-Queen-subtly-changed-Monarchy-suit-modern-Britain.html

God Save the Queen!

The more I look at the paintings of Lucien Freud -- only through books and the Internet -- the more convincing is the argument that he is the greatest living artist of this modern ear.

My personal favourite is of course, Freud's painting of Queen Elizabeth, the present Queen of England (no, contrary to what most people think, Elton John is NOT the queen of England.)

Have a look at Freud's painting of the Queen (Elizabeth, I mean) and see for yourself. It was pianted between May 2000 and December 2001, with the Queen herself indulging Lucien in many sittings to allow him to best capture her in his brush strokes.

Lucien Freud is the grandson of Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Lucien is based in England, where he has lived since 1933. Lucien was born in 1922 (Dec 8) in Berlin.

SHORT STORY... AN ODE TO 30 ROCK AND ITS TALENTED LEADS

SHORT STORY: THE TINA FEY CONFEDERACY...


"God, this had better be good! It is 3am!!!" Liz Lemon screamed into the phone.

The unknown caller assured her, "Mizzz Lemon, it is most definitely worth your time! Trust us!"

"Who is this," Liz demanded, as the mystery started to get on her nerves.

"What we are about to ask you to do is patriotism of the highest order... what we are about to ask of you involves our national security...," the caller said, cleverly pacing himself for maximum dramatic effect.

If nothing else, he knew what a sucker Liz Lemon was for conspiratorial things and he was determined to milk it to the max.

"Ooo, tell me more," she demurely said, after pausing for a few seconds. "I am all ears..."

"Mizzz Lemon... we want you to step into Sarah Palin's shoes!," the caller said.

"Are you crazy?" Liz immediately shot back. "Are you insane?.... Anyway, how would you know if the shoe fits?"

"Mizzz Lemon, we cannot risk having a stupid woman like Sarah Palin possibly running this great Republican nation of ours! We will handle her capture, you don't have to worry your pretty little head about that. What you WOULD need to do is be at the place and the time that we tell you to, to make the switch!," the stranger went on.

The audacity of the suggestion silenced Liz for a few seconds. Which is an eternity, actually, if you knew Liz at all.

"And as for Sarah Palin's husband Todd..." the caller said, before he was immediately interrupted.

"DO I GET TO SCREW HIM?" Liz immediately shot back. "God, say YES! Say YES, dammit!" This single woman in New York was beginning to lose it. Her hormones were raging wilder than the Niagara Falls, worst even than the Brazilian forest ablaze from forest clearance!

"Yes, you will get to do that.... but on condition.... FOR GOD'S SAKE WOMAN -- STOP JUMPING UP AND DOWN ON YOUR BED!... thanks, that's better... as I was saying, on condition that you push through policies that we tell you to... Oh, dammit..." the caller cussed as he was distracted by some background noise.

"Oh my God -- is that Colleen's voice in the background? Jack, is that you?" Liz demanded.

"Don't be silly Mizzz Lemon! Of course it is NOT me."

"Hey, it IS you, Jack. Jack you son of a gun! I knew I recognized Elaine Stritch's voice in the background..."

"Stay in character Lemon! The name is Colleen Donaghy, not Elaine Stritch, THANK YOU! Yes, mother, I will get you your vodka lime... sheesh... that woman is like a Elvira, the walking dead and Godzilla all rolled into one!"

"Jack Donaghy! I can't believe you woke me up at this ungodly hour to play a prank on me! But I must say the voice distorter I got for you for your birthday yesterday works really well. I didn't recognize your voice at all! You almost got me! Hey, how come your mother's voice still sounds the same...?" Liz characteristically said.

"That because this woman is not of this Earth, that's why! YES MOTHER, I AM GETTING YOUR DRINK NOW! HOLD YOUR HORSES -- if you haven't devoured them yet!.... Gotta go Lemon. See you at work tomorrow!"

Photos:
1. 30 Rock cast (publicity shot)

2. Liz Lemon & Jack Donaghy photo from http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/30_rock/index.html

GREEN EYES: AN ORIGINAL SHORT STORY... WRITTEN IN TEN MINUTES!

"OMIGOD! Those are the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen! They look stunning. Did anyone else have green eyes in your family?"

Esther was a medical student, going out of her way to come see me that evening. She was intrigue by me. Earlier in the day, she'd come visiting a houseman -- junior doctor Mark who was her senior in college.

"No, no one in my family had green eyes. Everyone had brown eyes," I replied. I've had the questions directed at me so many times, but what my parents had taught me, always stayed with me: to be respectful of people. And that included answering questions (even those asked repeatedly, by different people, all the time) I'd realized that dealings with people deserve a level and decency and thoughtfulness lacking in this modern world.

"Hey Esther! Good to see you again! I see you are intrigued by my favorite patient!" Mark joined, and pulled up a chair next to Esther's.

"Hey you!" Esther said as she looked up and smiled. "I couldn't resist asking him about his green eyes! I hope you don't mind."

"No problems on my side. You have to ask the patient himself!" Mark replied.

"You're gonna be bored doc. I am going to repeat the story again," I told Mark.

"You're anything but boring," Mark diplomatically said.

"The eyes were initially brown, but it is a combination of unhappiness, chemical pollutants and plain old envy that have changed my eyes and, even my heart," I began.

Unlike most youngsters, I entered the world with a mighty sense of optimism about the goodness in people. But as I grew up, I began to see that people were not nice.

Naturally, I gravitated towards people who were like minded. I loved my friends and cared about them as they did love and care for me. But at work, as in the real world, you can't run away from people who are not so nice. You are walking on the street and someone might have had a bad day and that touches you in the way they walk in front of you, cut across you on the sidewalk -- whatever. Other people's vibes will come bearing down on you.

As an escape, I immersed myself in my work.I became quite good at what I did. It was a nice escape. But it didn't last long. Bad people can come and be part of the place where you work. Bad people, when they are also stupid -- that is a lethal combination! It is worse than good people who are dumb!

The bosses, in cutting costs, bought a building in a bad neighborhood that was a chemical plant and put us there. From industrial use, the building was peopled by office workers almost overnight.

Many of us complained of not feeling well. We were falling sick at the workplace. People were coughing throughout the day in the office. I pointed it out to the bosses. Coughing all day long is not normal! But no one listened. They didn't care.

I was becoming an angry person. And having tired of trying to get management to listen, I gradually felt envious of others who worked in safe places. Others, who made noise and were heard. I am a writer. I worked in the media. And every time I saw other media people, I wondered what'd it be like to work in their organization. But I had this thing called loyalty. Obviously, it was not worth anything.

People in other countries in the media were well taken care of. You see them on TV, and they are well paid, well looked after by their employers. You can see it from the joy they have in what they do... you can see it in their eyes. Why couldn't we be like that? Why are writers here not respected? Why are the writers here not built up to be all that they can be, like in those western countries?

The bitterness just kept growing. And one day, I before I knew it, people remarked about my green eyes. And after years of having worked in that toxic environment -- at 35, I had to go for a heart surgery. Particles in the air had clogged my arteries in my heart. And when they cut it open, the heart, they were shocked to see -- was green in color.

I sued the company, of course. But all those bastards who never did anything, never lifted a finger to investigate my complaints are dead. The toxins had gotten to them to.

Now, I am finding my soul again. I have started writing again. An I am here for my check-up. The doctors here keep me for a few days for tests and observation.

And that is how I've met you both wonderful people -- Mark and Esther! Good people are coming back into my life and I have again begun to feel the goodness that so filled me in my younger days!

"Sorry Mark, I tried to go through the story as fast as I could!" I said apologetically.

"Hey, never say that -- I am with you on this!" he said.

"I am glad you've gone back to writing again! I love your writings! I grew up reading your articles in the papers!" Esther said. "I'm so sorry, but I just have to touch you! My friends and I adore you!" she added, as she held my hand tightly.

"Hey, I saw him first! He's my friend!" Mark said, looking at Esther in a mock-territorial manner. Both laughed and had youthful, toothy smiles on their faces.

That is what life is all about, you know. The chance to be happy is so precious!




Image, cropped from a piece done by artist Roy Lichenstein

WARREN BUFFET SWOOPS IN ON THE BARGAIN BASEMENT MARKETS

It is interesting to see Warren Buffett go on a shopping spree as the markets are very, very low. He is an entrepreneur with deep pockets and he knows a bargain when he sees one and knows how to capitalize his funds.

So far, his legendary Berkshire Hathaway has invested US$3 billion in General Electric this week and US$5 billion in Goldman Sachs last week.

Photo of Warren Buffet from http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/2008/01/22/hang-out-with-people-better-than-you-warren-buffet/

MEOW! A FIVE-MINUTE ORIGINAL SHORT STORY... STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS... YOU KNOW LIKE, IN, URINATING... ONLY, THIS IS A CAT'S PERSPECTIVE

OMIGOD! What's wrong with me? She has not made any sound to attract my attention in 30 seconds! What is she doing? What's more important than me? NOTHING! Nothing is more important than me!

I'd better go see what she is up to? Oh, I'd better be nonchalant! Don't want the old girl to think I am desperate... I know, I will lick the back of my shoulder. Mmmm, that's nice. OMIGOD! If anyone could read my mind, they'd think I was speaking at bullet-speed! It'd be their own fault anyway -- they must pace themselves like an elegant cat if they want to read these thoughts of mine!
Yes, slow down when reading this human jottings of my thoughts.

I know, now I shall splay my legs and lick my bottom! Hmm, no more of that new cat food for me. I must boycott it next time she puts the filthy thing in my bowl Oh, time to sit up and clean my face. Left paw first... one, two three.... wipe, lick, wipe,lickwipelickwipe! Now, right paw.... Ok, I think I look nice and clean now. I am ready for the old girl now. I shall move soundlessly as only us excellent cats can... aah! there she is!

Shit! She's staring at the light box again on the table... ok, ok, must jump up... take up position... hesitate... take pre-leap pouncing position again... GOD! I am getting old!!! Ooomphff! Voila -- I am on the table!

"Hello there my little pussy cat! Where have you been sweetiekins? What do you want my little munchkins! What does baby want from mommy?" -- God, I wish I could understand what she is saying. But I like the tone of her voice. Sounds like she still loves me!

Iloveyoutoomummsiewumsy -- everytime I try to say that, it comes out as a pathetic, "MEOW!" Oh, well, I'd better start purring now... puuuuuurrrr! puuuuurr!

Ok, I must sit for second and look at her now and slay her with my impressive doe-eyed (gawd! --- why am I always referencing all these other animals!) look. Ok, now to stand up, tail upright, and walk towards her. Oh crap, this open lightbox cramps my style. I shall walk on the buttons now! Ooooooh -- this thing is nice and warm... I think I shall lie down here for a while! Mmmm...

"Sweetiekins! How is mumsie going to read her Sunday papers on the internet if you insist on lying down on my laptop keyboard like that? C'me here you bundle of joy! Let mommy kiss you! You are a naughty little baby boy Mister Tyler!"

Puuuuurrr! Puuuuurr!

Never fails -- every time!

The illustration is from the cover of the excellent graphic novel book by Joann Sfar, called "The Rabbi's Cat"

TAKING STOCK OF PAK LAH'S CONTRIBUTIONS...

In all the anger and disappointment that Malaysians supposedly feel towards Pak Lah, people have to realize that the main point of their extremely unhappy contention is that the anger has been brought about by his bad choice of cronies -- many of whom were entrusted with positions of power but instead got carried away by delusions of self-grandeur and invincibility and made enemies (or, to put it mildly, became EXTREMELY unlikeable piles of crap!) with people they were entrusted to lead.

That is the main reason Pak Lah seems to have lost the support of people. Of course, the other part of the reason was his tolerance of politicians who were so useless that the rakyat were so fed up and gave them a flat "get lost" vote of no confidence during the March 8 general election. Look at the list of losers and you will know who they are.

Pak Lah, from the perspective of Malaysia's progress as a country in the 21st century, has been crucial in liberating the minds of the people and granting people the freedom to express themselves (imagine trying to do that during Mahathir's time, if you dare!). He has somewhat strengthened the judiciary to a certain degree and I am sure all of us want to see the law take firmer root before someone else takes over the nation's leadership. Once the law is healthy, then the next person who takes over the leadership of this country -- if he misbehaves, can be systematically removed from power.

But liberal and progressive Malaysians have to mindful that whoever takes over the country in an untimely manner, will in very high probability revert back to draconian laws and rules of Mahathir's era on the pretext of safeguarding national interest (i.e. peace and racial harmony) and these bums will kill the freedom o expression that we Malaysians are now enjoying.

Remember -- many bastards are trying to helm power in Malaysia because there is so much money to be made by entering politics. Malaysian politics is the gateway to instant millionaire-dom. And money is an irresistible thing and will make greedy men do foolish things for short term gain. (We must blame the useless business community for this -- always bribing their way to glory at the expense of the average Malaysian's quality of life!)

And men who instigate others to engage in ugly racial tactics to undermine Pak Lah must be given a tight slap on the face and sent packing.

Lately, however, Pak Lah has misfired greatly in many of his moves he has made (politically and economically), possibly from the bad advice he has been given but ill-qualified people. This is why people seem impatient to move on from Pak Lah.

Photo from http://www.cnbc.com/id/25051200

PAUL NEWMAN -- THE DEATH OF AN ICON

Paul Newman, the beloved and highly respected Hollywood actor, has passed away, age 83, from cancer. The actor-director-producer-humanitarian/philanthropist has starred and appeared in more than 80 films since 1952.

For me, Newman -- who embodies masculine elegance -- is most famous for his star turn in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (with Robert Redford) in 1969.

He is an inspirational man whose presence will be greatly missed. A class act till the end!

Paul Newman photos from: E Online (in red - by Darron Cummings for AP on E-Online), Foxnews (portrait shot) and a 1960 B&W shot from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/popup?id=3206457&contentIndex=1&page=2&start=false (in the B&W shot, Newman, left, is with Austrian director Otto Premindger in the film Exodus). The other B&W portrait is from 1958's "The Long Hot Summer" (also from website http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/popup?id=3206457&contentIndex=1&start=false&page=1)

CANDIDATES' PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: MCCAIN IS AN UTTER DISGRACE

Republicans who caught the debate between Presidential hopefuls Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain must have been shocked by his appearance.

McCain never looked at Obama when McCain spoke. And when Obama rebutted McCain's points, McCain still never looked at Obama.

McCain came across as a nervous little white man, uncomfortable in the presence of a colored man.

It is bad enough that McCain always speaks in a way that seems like he is forcing himself to sound young, he is so insular in his view. His so-called experiences as a veteran mean nothing if he has not grown as a person.

(We expect an old man to sound his age -- like CNN's Larry King or even the late Republican President Ronald Reagan! Not sound like a 30-year old trapped in the body of 72-year old.)

Americans should wake up and know for sure that John McCain is not fit to enter the White House as the next President.

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA!



PHOTO: From the excellent New York Times.

KUDOS TO CNN

Credit must always be given where it is deserved and -- ALTHOUGH THIS IS VERY BELATED -- CNN deserves praise for its coverage of the onslaught of Hurricane Ike. The coverage showed the bravery of its staff and it showed a care and concern and intelligent analyses of events that reflect on the height that good journalism can reach.

CONGRATS CNN!

Coincidentally, these past few days, there is the aftermath coverage of people going back home after Hurricane Ike.

Photo of Hurricane Ike by Getty Images on BBC website.

SARA BAREILLES + JASON M'RAZ = HIT MAKERS!

There are two very important singers in the music industry today who write poignant and heartfelt AND MEANINGFUL pop songs: Sara Bareilles and Jason M'Raz.

Sara, of course, has that beautiful song called "Love Song" while Jason's song is that catchiest of wholesome ditties called "I'm Yours"

Do a search on these talented duo on youtube.com to check out their rather fab songs.

Photo of Sara Bareilles from the website http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_3012689.html

Photo of Jason M'Raz from the website http://www.popit.no/Smilefjes/Musikk/Tekster/Jeg-er-din41.aspx

GARDENING: BITTER GOURD

Momordica charantia. With a name like that, you'd half expect to see an exotic Italian chanteuse. But what you are faced with is bitter gourd, or as we say it in Bahasa Malaysia, peria. The Chinese call it foo-kwa.
Although the fruit (vegetable?) itself is warty in appearance, bitter gourd is a gorgeous tropical vine that can be grown easily from seed. The plant needs plenty of sun but, however, it is highly adaptable and can survive in partially shady environments as well, especially if your options of where you want to plant it is limited, i.e. near a porch or under the shade of a tree etc). The plant needs to be well watered (err, water it well, I did not mean water it with well-water) and a combination of loam-compost is ideal from healthy growth.
Bitter gourd's very bitter and crunchy flesh is edible. The fruit's core has seeds which are white when the fruit is still green but the pith will turn blood-red when the fruit has ripened to a golden-orange colour.
The sight of a ripe miniature gourd hanging on the vine is one of the prettiest sights that a gardener can hope to behold. If you leave the golden fruit on the vine long enough, it will burst by itself and the red seeds will be exposed. The gorgeous combination of red and gold is quite a sight, I must confess.
What fascinates me most about the bitter gourd plant is the fact that its many tendrils can literally reach out and grasp another plant or object for support -- across vast space sometimes! It's as if the plant has in-built sensors that know which direction the shoots should head in and this most subtle "movement" is reinforced by the tendrils that grab hold of things and twirl themselves around objects seemingly overnight, like a rhythmic gymnast whose ribbon-props have gone mad.
These magical acrobatic "leaps" that the bitter gourd plant makes as it grows is one reason why I call it the Michelle Yeoh of the plant world -- if you place a time-lapse motion-capture camera focused on it, I'd bet a million ringgit that it would be like you can see the botanical version of Crouching tiger hidden dragon!
The miniature bitter gourd makes an excellent ornamental plant for any garden, with the fruits growing to only 6cm-10cm long. The pretty dark green leaves and equally pretty yellow flowers do emit a strong herbal smell around the plant and this is all the more obvious when you trim or prune the plant. But it is a smell that is not noxious and bearable.
Despite the plant flowering easily and the fruits forming quite easily, having the bitter gourd ripen or grow into an edible size is a it of a challenge. Fertilise the plant well and good plant nutrition will ensure that the plant provides a bountiful harvest on a regular basis. A dose of potassium fertiliser should do the trick.
Nutrition-wise, bitter gourd contains vitamins A and C
Widely used in Asian cooking, bitter gourd is believed to be good for the health.
Be warned though that for diabetics, it can have the dangerous hypoglycemic effect (i.e. can lower blood-sugar level) when consumed in combination with diabetes medication. So, please do not mix it with diabetes medicine: talk to your doctor if you want to include bitter gourd in your diet.
For the rest of us, bitter gourd is a healthy inclusion in cooking.
Some even say that bitter gourd can also lower cholesterol levels, although this claim is not supported by extensive scientific research. Going even further, some people go as far as saying that it has anti-malarial properties. Again, no extensive tests have validated this claim.
What is a valid claim, though, is that all three main races in Malaysia are united in using it in their cooking and believe that the fruit lowers blood-sugar levels as well cholesterol-busting properties.

PHOTO: The ripe miniature bitter gourd is a pretty sight to behold indeed. Picture by FRANCIS DASS, Please credit FRANCIS DASS is you want to use this photo. Thanks.

GARDENING: A PLANT THAT GROWS ON YOU -- THE CAMPHOR PLANT

Indians have always had an excellent sense of oneness with existence and nature and, because of this, as one of the extensions, have developed a collective keen eye, a keen nose and a keen taste for the uses of herbs in the natural environment to improve health.
Go to any Indian household in Malaysia and you are sure to find herbs and medicinal plants being grown. These plants are revered, if not respected.
Besides Indian basil (tulasi), one plant you are sure to come by often will be karpuravalli. The latin name for it is supposed to be ‘coleus amboinicus’. Varyingly, it is also often spelt ‘ambonicus’.
This succulent plant with a pleasant herbal smell, grows very easily from cuttings.
And what's more, once it takes root, karpuravalli thrives, as if to beg you to give cuttings of itself to your friends who might be in need of it, in true Indian fashion of selflessness!
Once you do get cuttings of this brilliant green plant, it is best to leave it in a container of water. After a few days, roots will start sprouting and the shrubby plant is ready for a transplant into a pot.
As for soil, the black fertile soil sold in nurseries is perfect for a pot setting.
(A truly humble and undemanding plant, karpuravalli also grows easily on the ground with the minimum of care.)
If planted in a pot, it needs regular watering and a well-draining container. Water-logged pots will result in root-rot.
Since karpuravalli grows abundantly with ease, it is a good idea to trim and prune it regularly. I have found that this herbaceous wonder thrives is a semi-shaded area (i.e. exposure to direct sunlight for only a few hours a day, preferably the early morning sun, which Indians prefer).
Like the thick leaves, which are heart-shaped, the plant's stem is also soft and succulent.
Indians always turn to the karpuravalli leaves for respiratorial relief.
The leaves are either eaten raw, or placed in a cup of warm water (some even boil the leaves) which is then drunk. Alternately, the juice is hand-squeezed out of the thick leaves onto a spoon -- people use any of these ways to ingest the juice from the leaves -- to alleviate coughs as it has expectorant properties.
Although I love munching on the karpuravalli leaves in the mornings or evenings, I am afraid I am at a loss as to how to describe the taste.
If you search the Internet, in this respect, you might come across descriptions that say it is ‘camphor-like’ in smell and taste or a teensy-weensy ‘warm’ tasting. There’s definitely a hint of bitterness and sharpness to its taste. Now, what I'd like to see is an oenophile having a go at trying to wax lyrical about the complex taste of karpuravalli!
The leaves are also taken for indigestion and old school thought has it that if you place the squeezed leaves (paste) on your forehead (while lying down, and not wandering about, I am sure!), it also helps one to deal with headaches. Ditto for insect bites, apparently.
In Klang Valley and in Penang, karpuravalli is easily found in most Indian households. If you don't see it in someone's house, just ask around and you're sure to come across the plant before your six-degrees-of-separation options run out!
Personally, I have found that if you place the luxuriant and luscious green plants at the porch area or around the back of the house, the pleasant herbal smell is quite exhilarating to inhale when your open the doors in the morning, afternoon or night!

Photo: Karpuravalli (centre) is a plant that is as useful just as it is pleasant and soothing. Photo by Francis Dass (please credit Francis Dass if you want to use this photo. Thanks.)

REAPER ROCKS!

REAPER...

Eight TV (8TV) has consistently provided viewers with solid programming, always bringing in edgy new shows that raise the entertainment bar. A big thank you for bringing in the most excellent Reaper, 8TV!!!

Reaper, a comedy-drama, stars Bret Harrison (as Sam Oliver), Ray Wise (as Satan), the most excellent Tyler Labine (as Bert 'Sock' Wysocki), Rick Gonzalez (as Ben Gonzalez), Missy Peregrym (as Andi Prendergast), Donavon Stinson (as Ted) Valerie Rae Miller (as Josie) and Christine Willes (as Satan's not-so-little-helper Gladys)

In this show, Satan is a smart-suited middle-aged guy who is quite the charmer, albeit with a menacing streak (which Ray Wise holds back just enough, and just rightly so), to spare his little hapless agent Sam.

In this show which turns conventions on its head and, which is quite frankly, deliciously irreverent to the max, Sam confides in his two best buddies how his parents sold his soul to the devil and like the three musketeers (and sometimes, like the three stooges!) they go about capturing escaped evil souls for the devil. The trick is that they must capture each soul with a vessel -- that can range from a toaster to a remote-controlled car etc etc and deliver the thing to the lovable Gladys.

Sam is nicely played by Bret Harrison and Sam wise is an excellent choice for the Devil/Satan. But the first prize for the best casting on TV has to go to Tyler Labine. The comedy maestro Tyler's performance is, to repeat the words again, MOST EXCELLENT!

SHORT STORY... STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS... YOU KNOW LIKE, IN, URINATING...

SHORT STORY... STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS... YOU KNOW LIKE, IN, URINATING...

What kind of workplace leadership is this? It stinks worse than a pile of crap. Reduce the workforce -- mainly by sacking some seniors and making life difficult for other seniors. Then, when the headcount has been reduced, to mercilessly squeeze those who are left behind to pick up the slack.

You see, if this was a production/manufacturing plant or if this was related to clerical work, then it might seem like a good idea. Cost-wise, anyway. The fools are actually thumping their chests thinking what magnificent leaders they are! But businessmen, they are not!

In a creative industry like this, when you work the staff like slaves and tighten the screws, the inevitable that WILL happen is that the standards WILL drop. And standards have dropped indeed. Especially amongts those who have no passion for their work and have no love whatsoever for language. Most are duffers have no desire to master the language they write in! Or build up their social skills. What more can one say of EQ?

How can these un-leaders who have done so much damage be allowed to get away with this despicably short sighted corporate maneuvers? All this reflects on the country's leadership, as these leaders are the cronies of the politicians, you know.

I sit and look at the going ons and I do try to make my voice heard amongst. But there is only so much that a small fry can do. And if they want to be malicious, they can make my life miserable. I feel miserable to the utmost already.

The fourth estate is not something you mess around with. It is a sacred estate and its warriors must be protected and nurtured so that the nation will grow in its collective intellectual prowess and the average people's sphere of power and influence expands.

When will the light bulb of foresight light up? I still sit and wait and hope, even though I get no recognition for the noble aspirations that I hold so dear and embrace so close to my heart for my country. In my actions and in my work, I do my best. If you are the wrong shade of brown, things tend to go by, ignoring you.

A WAVE OF CHANGE AROUND THE WORLD...

There's an unstoppable wave of change that is sweeping over global politics -- politicians in power are being replaced, thanks to either strong judicial arms or people power.

All around the world, East and West -- be it Thailand, South Africa, Japan, Zimbabwe (even the weak British Prime Minister is being shown the exit door!) -- people are showing their displeasure at politicians who are ineffective or are more interested in protecting vested interests rather than working in the people's interests.

But, having said that, I must say that I have great misgivings about the name of the Japanese Prime Minister-to-be Taro Aso.
He is surely going to be the butt of jokes should either or both the Japanese economy or politics misfire!

And, politically, Thailand is simply tragic: from Shinawatra Thaksin's crony Samak to Somchai Wongsawat (latter who is Thaksin's brother -in-law) -- Thailand's politics is an epic tragedy in the making. Expect the tanks to roll out again soon, folks. Buy flowers next time you plan a visit to Thailand -- to give as offerings to soldiers and also for decorating tanks that roll around Bangkok.


Photos of:

1. Taro Aso from http://www.topnews.in/japans-governing-ldp-elects-taro-aso-new-leader-269698

2. Robert Mugabe photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1988/gallery/mugabe.shtml

3. Gordon Brown photo from http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/columnists/carolemalone/article26031.ece

4. Samak Sundaravej photo from http://www.thainewsland.com/?l=en&a=280968

5. Somchai Wongsawat photo from http://voanews.com/english/2008-09-16-voa16.cfm

A SWEET SEPTEMBER...

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his lovely wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail have made many Malaysians happy with their presence in Malaysian politics. They are a power couple who hold so much promise for a better and happier Malaysia.

Photo by Vincent Thian for AP

A VERY SHORT STORY... kind of X-rated

Impalin' the Palins

"Hey sweetiebun! You know what we are gonna do when we go live in the Whitehouse?", Todd whispered breathlessly, looking up intently at Sarah's chin.

Sarah put her book down and looked down and glared at Todd in his favourite school-marmish way and she said (just as he winked at her and flashed her a horny smile and grunted -- in case you wondered that's how small town folks are, always behaving as if they are a load of walking cliches).

Anyway, Sarah said: "Look here honey, McCain will be living in the Whitehouse. I am just a VP! Get that through your thick skull,", then she gently touched his head and said, "I mean, your beautiful thick skull," and she grunted at him too. They were like Marge and Homer Simpson all throaty giggles and horny laughter. Or, like turkeys gobbling in a farmyard. Take your pick.

Then, when he started gently grabbing her, she sternly said in a mock-threatening way, "Don't make me grab my shotgun!"

"You mean this," he put his hand on his crotch.

The two were in bed, and Todd had his head on her lap with their little baby sleeping beside him. Their conversation was at whisper level, so as not to awaken the baby.

Looking slightly serious, Todd then said, "C'mon, you know that McCain feller ain't got that much time and the Whitehouse is as good as yours! The first thing we are going to do when we take over the Whitehouse is we're gonna make a new Whitehouse baby! You'd like that, right!"

She didn't say anything. Sarah, smiled benignly at him, thinking to herself, "Great, Todd! Always thinking with your dick! The world will think the Whitehouse is really full of Republican fuckers! Gawd, I'd left him ages ago if the sex wasn't so good!"

THE END


Photo: Sarah and Todd Palin in photo by Al Grillo for Associated Press in NYT

NEW YORK TIMES' EDITORIAL ON SARAH PALIN

This editorial by New York Times, discussing Republican Sarah Palin as a very poor choice of vice-president candidate by Republican presidential candidate John McCain is a profound piece of writing. This is the kind of writing that sets NYT worlds apart from the others. Read it...

September 13, 2008
EDITORIAL
Gov. Palin’s Worldview

As we watched Sarah Palin on TV the last couple of days, we kept wondering what on earth John McCain was thinking.

If he seriously thought this first-term governor — with less than two years in office — was qualified to be president, if necessary, at such a dangerous time, it raises profound questions about his judgment. If the choice was, as we suspect, a tactical move, then it was shockingly irresponsible.

It was bad enough that Ms. Palin’s performance in the first televised interviews she has done since she joined the Republican ticket was so visibly scripted and lacking in awareness.

What made it so much worse is the strategy for which the Republicans have made Ms. Palin the frontwoman: win the White House not on ideas, but by denigrating experience, judgment and qualifications.

The idea that Americans want leaders who have none of those things — who are so blindly certain of what Ms. Palin calls “the mission” that they won’t even pause for reflection — shows a contempt for voters and raises frightening questions about how Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin plan to run this country.

One of the many bizarre moments in the questioning by ABC News’s Charles Gibson was when Ms. Palin, the governor of Alaska, excused her lack of international experience by sneering that Americans don’t want “somebody’s big fat résumé maybe that shows decades and decades in that Washington establishment where, yes, they’ve had opportunities to meet heads of state.”

We know we were all supposed to think of Joe Biden. But it sure sounded like a good description of Mr. McCain. Those decades of experience earned the Arizona senator the admiration of people in both parties. They are why he was our preferred candidate in the Republican primaries.

The interviews made clear why Americans should worry about Ms. Palin’s thin résumé and lack of experience. Consider her befuddlement when Mr. Gibson referred to President Bush’s “doctrine” and her remark about having insight into Russia because she can see it from her state.

But that is not what troubled us most about her remarks — and, remember, if they were scripted, that just means that they reflect Mr. McCain’s views all the more closely. Rather, it was the sense that thoughtfulness, knowledge and experience are handicaps for a president in a world populated by Al Qaeda terrorists, a rising China, epidemics of AIDS, poverty and fratricidal war in the developing world and deep economic distress at home.

Ms. Palin talked repeatedly about never blinking. When Mr. McCain asked her to run for vice president? “You have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission,” she said, that “you can’t blink.”

Fighting terrorism? “We must do whatever it takes, and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target.”

Her answers about why she had told her church that President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq was “God’s plan” did nothing to dispel our concerns about her confusion between faith and policy. Her claim that she was quoting a completely unrelated comment by Lincoln was absurd.

This nation has suffered through eight years of an ill-prepared and unblinkingly obstinate president. One who didn’t pause to think before he started a disastrous war of choice in Iraq. One who blithely looked the other way as the Taliban and Al Qaeda regrouped in Afghanistan. One who obstinately cut taxes and undercut all efforts at regulation, unleashing today’s profound economic crisis.

In a dangerous world, Americans need a president who knows that real strength requires serious thought and preparation.

Photo from New York Times

DELAYED REACTION -- TO LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Ok, I know this is kinda late, but I have to say this. The closing of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was fantastic. The London segment that was inserted into the closing ceremony, to indicate that the next Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012, was an utter disappointment. The London production was dismal and the personalities who represented the London Games were very unimpressive.

Photos:
1. The Bird's Nest photo is from Time -- Getty
2. Beijing logo from the Olympics website

USAIN BOLT -- COULD HAVE BEEN FASTER IN BEIJING 100M

A Norwegian physicist has answered the question running through the minds of more than a billion people who were watching the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and wondered what time Jamaica's Usain Bolt would have clocked in if he had not slowed down towards the end of the 100m sprint where he clocked 9.69 seconds.

The time that the Jamaican thunderBOLT would have clocked in was a staggering 9.55 seconds. Usain Bolt is now in the realm of true athletic legends -- places that athletic heroes go to when they send people's imagination into an uncontrollable tailspin with their astounding feats.

Photos from the incomparable New York Times

AEROSMITH'S PINK... STILL RED HOT

REDISCOVERING CLASSICS...

One of the best things about youtube.com is its power to let you rediscover great things, like the song Pink by Aerosmith. The song is catchy, with nice lyrics that tends towards the quirky and clever. The video is also very classy and arty. Right click on the main title to this entry to catch the video.

Photo of the inimitable Steven Tyler from the sun.co.uk

LIPSTICK ON A PIG... LIPSTICK ON MY COLLAR...

Barack Obama did something he should not have done: stoop to the low levels of the Republicans.

He sure did when he said, "...You can put Lipstick on a pig -- it is still a pig!"

The jibe is squarely directed at Republican Sarah Palin, the woman from probably the most corrupt state in the U.S. and the-now-an-interesting-choice-of-candidate-for-vice-president but-soon-to-be-a-costly-mistake-for-McCain gal.

Obama should have left her to her own downfall -- she is a failed mother (how she is going to govern the most powerful nation in the world when she can't even be a good parent, is anyone's guess), a creationist who is going to screw things up is a big way in this modern and increasingly free-thinking world (my bet is that she will be so out of whack with the rest of the world, that Europe is going to laugh all the way to the top position as the dominant world-influence peddler -- and let's face it, Europe is all about what people around teh world want: modernizing society; equality of the people and empowerment of the masses; and the U.S. is soon going to be non-invincible should Palin take a mistep)

Anyway, we managed to sit down with Miss Piggy, of The Muppets fame, and she had a thing or two to say about the Presidential election in the United States.

FD: Yo pig, what's up!?

Miss Piggy: Snort! Snort! Hey you lambchop! How ya doin?

FD: Doin good. WHat do you thin of Obama's crack about pigs and lipstick?

Miss Piggy: It was an utter insult! I am no Republican, in case you didn't know. I am a Democrat pig, like all them other pigs!

FD: Yikes! That didn't sound quite right! Anyway, do you actually wear lipstick?

Miss Piggy: I sure do. My favorite shade is pork-chop red!

FD: Pork-chop? Hmmm, I feel hungry suddenly. C'here my little bacon!

Miss Piggy: Err, ciao kids!

FD: Wow... that pig sure can fly!

And Miss Piggy ran like hell and disappeared into the horizon.



Photo of Miss Piggy from New York Times website.

Photo of Sarah "Lipstick on a pig" Palin from BBC MUNDO website.

HOT NEWS ANCHORS ON CNN

ANJALI RAO HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPRESSIVE NEWS ANCHOR ON CNN FOR A LONG TIME. SHE HAS GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH OVER THE YEARS. SHE IS STILL RIGHT THERE AT THE TOP. SHE HANDLES SERIOUS NEWS AND MAGAZINE PROGRAMS WITH EQUAL EASE ND HER CHEMISTRY WITH THE REST OF HER COLLEAGUES ON CNN IS SECOND TO NONE.

NOW, CNN HAS A NEW ADDITION, THE TREMENDOUSLY CLASSY KAUSHAL PATEL, POSSIBLY THE MOST GLAMOROUS NEWS ANCHOR ON THE PLANET TODAY. WOW! EVERY TIME KAUSHAL PATEL COMES ON AIR, SHE JUST ADDS SO MUCH OF THE GLAMOUR FACTOR TO THE TELEVISION THAT IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! SIZZLING KAUSHAL PATEL IS BOLLYWOOD ROYALTY PERSONIFIED!
PHOTOS:
1. ANJALI RAO -- PICTURE FROM CNN WEBSITE
2. KAUSHAL PATEL PHOTO FROM: http://www.unclebarky.com/abovethefold_files/page0_blog_entry841_2.jpg

REPUBLICANS CONSOLIDATE...

It seemed like President George W. Bush was coming to his senses when it was announced that a portion of the U.S. troops were going to be pulled out of Iraq. In reality, what it means is he is making the stage less messy for -- and we are using a very big 'IF' here -- if his fellow Republican John McCain becomes the next U.S. President. The aim is to keep the political power base in Republican hands.

With this cosmetic pull out from Iraq, Bush is cleaning his house for McCain. It might seem like a noble gesture -- but underneath it, the U.S. still attacked a sovereign nation (Iraq) when it invaded that middle east country. (That's why America's noise over Russia attacking Georgie which the U.S. tagged as an attack on a sovereign nation rings hollow.)

PHOTO OF GEORGE W. BUSH LOOKING YOUNG AND HANDSOME, FROM http://www.command-post.org/2004/2_archives/george_bush_uniform.jpg

DEARLY BELOVED... WILL THE REAL KIM JONG-ILL, ERR, JONG-IL, PLEASE STAND UP...

One of the worst fashion disasters walking the Earth, North Korea's Beloved Leader Kim Jong-Il, is MIA.

He missed North Korea's 60th annniversary bash and parade -- you know, military marching (in their rather fashionable feet stomping style!), military leaders vogue-ing on podium, military vehicles and weapons paraded proudly etc etc -- and the evil tongues of the world's media are wagging and hissing insanely about the status of his health. Some say Beloved Leader (that's what the North Koreans call him) has suffered a stroke. Others say, he has diabetes and a host of heart ailments. The North Koreans say Beloved Leader Kim Jong-Il isn't ill -- in fact, there is "no problem," they said, adding "not true" to claims that the fashion terrorist is ill. Or should that be IL?

Of, course the most evil tongue wagging -- and it has been wagging for quite while -- is Waseda University's North Korean expert Professor Toshimitsu Shigemura. This Japanese academic claims Beloved Leader Kim Jong-Il died in 2003 and look-alikes have been filling Beloved Leader's shoes.

Whatever the case might be, we have Team America: World Police, a 2004 puppet-animation film directed by South Park co-creator Trey Parker (the other co-creator is the aptly named Matt Stone). The side-splittingly anarchic Team America film has truly immortalized our Beloved Leader Kim Jong-Il, if you ask us.

THE BELOVED PHOTOS OF KIM JONG-IL ARE STILLS (NO, WE DIDN'T SAY STIFFS!!!) FROM TEAM AMERICA

MALAYSIAN UPPER MANAGEMENT... THERE'S NOTHING UPPER ABOUT IT

One of the main reasons this country is not doing as well as it should be is simple -- the people who have slithered into managerial and upper management posts are simply worth nothing!

There is no foresight in their policies nor the implementation of it, Malaysian bosses are busy padding their pockets instead of ensuring the every wage earner takes home something decent AND IS PROVIDED A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

My own experience has been that if you point out that there are ample anecdotal evidence to warrant a thorough investigation and testing of, for example, air quality in the work place -- and everyone turns a deaf ear to it! If, five years down the road, when all the staff are stricken with cancer (and trust me -- the majority of the employees are, unfortunately, very dim and would not be able to associate high numbers of, let's say, cancer cases within one office to the building in which they worked in) -- it will all be a very sad thing.

Is it too much to ask to have bosses who have a bit of intelligence and compassion to the well being and health of employees? This sickens me in every sense of the word.