Two Great Talents Lost In A Day

What a sad day for many people to see two great talents passing away - Michael Jackson the pop icon, and actress and poster girl of the 1970s-80s, Farrah Fawcett.
Unmistakeably the music of MJ would make every young man or woman snap his/her fingers. His signature "ooo" at intervals in his performances would make everyone scream, especially the women. MJ was unmatched and was a performer with his own style of music and dance, just as Elvis was. The journey for MJ was turbulent as he went from one operation to another, and he suffered fainting spells. The court litigation against him added to his woes. Bad publicity also dogged his career and I vividly recall his dangling his baby outside the window which was also slammed by the media and his critics. But whatever he did, he was an influence on people young and old. For a time, he was the King and he entertained. I remember his appearances on video clips like Heartlight City and stuff, together with others such as Lionel Richie, and how they took the world by storm.

And during that time, there was also Farrah in Charlie's Angles invariably got everyone glued to their television sets. Her sweeping hair style was a real sensation for the women during her time in the 1980s. Her posters were everyone at the women's hair salons, and magazine covers.

Today the curtains come down for the last time for both stars. We pray that they will go to the never never land where there will be no pain and no more hardship, and enjoy eternal peace and blessings. We mourn the loss of the two super stars.

Iranians seeking change

It's ironical how life comes a full circle and what's happening in Iran is an example. It was demonstrations like what we see now in Iran that overthrew the then Shah of Iran, but will history repeat itself. Apparently some political watchers are skeptical about the outcome of the present demonstrations, and rightly so because the current government is not like the Shah which didn't have any ground support. Ahmadinejad, according to the election results, secured more than 63.4% of the votes. Pro-Moussavi supporters are disputing the outcome. Moussavi scored 34.7%. Today's Friday sermon, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alluded the large turned out to a free election. He endorsed the results. The events consequent to his pronouncements would have to be closely watched. Whatever is said, Iran is fractured as pointed out by a commentator. The clerics certainly have a vested interest, to stay with Ahmadinejad and consolidate their positions.

Let's hope Tiananmen will not be replicated in Iran. Demonstrators would be allowed to express their feelings, and there would be minimum bloodshed. Ultimately a government must be of the people, by the people and for the people, or it is no government.

Jailing of US Journalists by North Korea

The job of a journalist is invariably demanding. Not only are they expected to bring the latest news to the world, they are often challenged by difficult circumstances to get the "breaks" so that we could be better informed of what's going on around us. The London news break about MPs who were making unacceptable expenses claims is one fine example of journalism. Often journalists are also made the scape goats by politicians and other newsmakers when events turned sour, or used as hostages for political mileage. The case of the two US journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who have been sentenced to 12 years hard labour by the North Korean regime is one case that comes to mind. North Korea must be punished for its habit of snatching citizens of other countries. They did this to countless Japanese. Now they turned to the two US journalists. A concerted effort must be made by the world to force the North Koreans to comply with civilized behaviour. Kim Jong Il must be put in his place. China must bear some responsibility for mollycoddling a despotic political leader. There is a time and a place for everyone. A mad man has his place in a mental institute, not at the helm of a government that is driving its people to doom.

The world community has enough of these antics. Some sense needs to be knocked into the head of Kim Jong Il. He is the one who should be in the hard labour camp. I hope it comes sooner than later.