Thaksin...a wedge between Hun Sen and Abhisit

The uncanny stance taken by Cambodia's PM Hun Sen at the ASEAN Summit in Thailand certainly raises many an eye-brows in the regional grouping. Prior to his allegience of friendship with Thaksin (outside Thai PM), Hun Sen had not made any public proclamation of the ties between them. Not only had Hun Sen not behaved well as the guest in a host country, but he has taken the additional step of creating a wedge between himself and the Thai PM Abhisit Vijjajiva at a meeting that is meant to be a dialogue among neighbours. Whether or not Hun Sen words are just rhetoric and his pronoucement to offer Thaksin the job as his country's economic adviser is a theatrical act to capture the awe of his audience, it certainly undermines the attempt by the regional group to promote a united front of Southeast Asian nations.
What's the motivation behind this whole episode could perhaps be seen in the context of the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The undulating terrain between the two countries are known to be havens for smugglers of all trades. Both countries from the economic standpoint are at different levels of playing field, and indeed the Thai army is better equipped than the Cambodians. But, one must not forget the ruthlessness and ferocity of the Cambodians during the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Certainly in a jungle warfare, military hardware may not always give the ground troops an upper hand, from the lessons learnt during the US-Vietnam War and even now in the war in Afghanistan and in Pakistan against the Talibans and others.

Pride takes on a high price in Asian culture. Both Hun Sen and Abhisit may find it difficult to come together for a handshake after the latter remarks about Thaksin. Now ASEAN has not only Mynammar (with its infamous human rights track record) as a thorn in their flesh, but the row between Cambodia and Thailand as a fish bone in its throat.

Earthquakes, underground nuclear tests

The recent slew of underground movements of tectonic plates should indeed raise eyebrows from geologists to turn their attention to the war mongers, who have been testing nuclear bombs underground over the past years. While I only attended Geo101, my suspicion is that the tectonic movements could have been accelerated and exacerbated by these tests. Indeed, Indonesia which bore the brunt of the plate movements, which inflicted untold hardships and misery on its people, is not responsible for any of these underground test but still there is room for experts to take a closer look at the occurrences.

Today, Iran is anxiously trying to join the ranks of the nuclear powers with North Korea competing and behaving like the antics of two spoilt kids trying to rush for a toy. In the context of the unnerving soil movements seen globally, from Taiwan across to Japan, down to Indonesia and the Mediterranean, we have to circumspect in doing what we think others can't see - underground. The ramification of one country's actions is taking a toll on another, with the loss of many innocent lives.

It is timely that a multi-disciplinary team of experts should dwell on this matter, and an organization like the United Nations should assemble it team of learned individuals to put the matter under the microscope. Alas, if we don't do something, we may all end up as - who knows - just nothing as the world disappears into dust.

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.

Let there be peace

The purring of the scooter attracted the barks from my two dogs. The postman is at the gate to deliver mails. Just as soon as the scooter made it way down the next turn, my dogs promptly pranced their way back to the house.

Life is peaceful from where I am. Plenty to eat, a lot to look forward to, and there's opportunities for everyone. My son has gone out with his girlfriend, while my wife is going to give my dogs a hair trim.

But reading about events around the world, it saddens me. Everyday lives are lost in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan because of political strife. And these deaths piled up when you add in the natural disasters that descended on countries like Bangla Desh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and so forth.

The world needs a relook. There was AIDS, then came bird flu, mad cow disease, SARS and now swine flu. So what's next?

Some blame it on the nuclear tests, others on the callous attitudes of manufactuers who dump toxic materials into the eco system, and yet other say it is the global warming. Till now there hasn't been an answer...not because there is no answer. More so, it is because there is no will. Countries and politicians are thinking of their own economic growth. Thinking of their own glory and wealth and politicians think of their own hold to power.

The only hope lies in non-government organizations and the stamina of their volunteers to soldier on till the day when all nations can come to an agreement to set out the framework for a new world order...and a new world peace.

Good luck, good health...

It's just funny how things come not by the dozen but by the droves. Even as I am recovering from saying farewell to my male Shih Tzu, I am now told by the vet that my female Maltese is suffering from nose cancer and probably has about six months or so to live. Well, if I were to backdate to the time when I first noticed a swelling on the bridge of her nose and her frequent sneezing, then at least two months would have gone by. We discussed chemo and radiation, but I guess having been associated with medical teams that handle cancer patients, I would just have to face the facts and move ahead.

All said, I was working with a client after some four years and now she has resigned to take up another job. Barely weeks after she tendered her resignation, it was time for me to send my maid back to Indonesia for her work contract has expired after two years. Thinking that these were just coincidences, I went to my usual watering hole, and there was the two guitar strollers who told me that they were leaving because their contract was terminated. So another "adios amigoes" and they sang their last seranade. But before they left, another solo guitarist who was performing at an affiliated pub also had his contract cut short, and strummed his last song one Saturday evening.

Tomorrow, and I hope it will be the last for now, I will be giving a lunch to bid one of my staff good luck and good health as he takes up another job. But at the way things are going at home, I may have to shake hands with my new maid because she's just unable to cope with her duties.

Well I am just thinking of the lyrics from one of the evergreen songs: "I wonder should I go, or should I stay...The band has only one more song to play..."