Perception

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... what else are we missing?
_________________________________________________________________
People's perception is always this: Renowned figures will never become like an ordinary person who will do the humblest stuff.

凯里再显他本色

从雪州回教党呼吁禁酒课题，给凯里两件事情发挥：一、凯里星期五主办一个讲座抗衡 “行动党的反回教”课题。他声称回教徒被行动党领袖的态度伤害。凯里几时开始那么关心禁酒课题呢？他现在竟然变成反酒英雄呢！二、凯里号召回教党退出民联，因为前者不再获得民联尊重。

他曾经被多家媒体访问，关于308大选成绩，其中讲过“我对国阵感到伤心，但我对于民主和马来西亚人感到高兴。”他真的讲出真心话吗？不，他是一个种族和宗教的极端者。他从英国牛津大学毕业，但没有学到英国人的民主。他倒首相纳吉的“一个马来西亚”的饭碗。

凯里在《星洲日报》的访问，也表示跟华裔要好。不过为何他向回教党拨火，使回教党的党员憎恨非回教徒和非马来人？

当然，凯里关于“行动党污辱回教”的这番话不会归纳为煽动性言论。人们在308大选前看到凯里的宗教和种族极端，即使他大选后很会掩饰，但因为从来不为自己过错醒觉，所以现在终于再显他狰狞本色。

在凯里呼吁回教党退出民联所给的借口上，他说回教党不再获得民联尊重。那么我呼吁回教党去问巫统的其他伙伴党，到底它们获得巫统尊重吗？它们几十年来都受到巫统压迫，哪来尊重？回教党也须再问问巫统的回教徒尊重吉兰丹的回教徒吗？

所以，凯里是最虚伪的政客，一个投机者。这个四楼的前首相军师，是造成308大学国阵失利的罪人之一。所以，奉劝凯里多点关心自己的政途，因为你下届大选能否被派上阵还是未知数呢！

The Healing Power of Pets

posted by Megan, selected from Ode magazine Aug 4, 2009
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-healing-power-of-pets.html

A unique American organization, Helping Hands Monkeys, trains monkeys to help paralyzed people function better in their daily lives. Many who are paralyzed spend hours each day by themselves, so the monkeys can be important in helping them get along without professional caregivers as well as a source of companionship. The monkeys bring food and drinks, help feed the paralyzed person, pick things up that are out of reach, put on a CD or video, and turn lights on and off.

While monkeys are exceptional in what they can do, all kinds of pets have a positive, healing effect on their owners. Studies reveal that having a pet is a better remedy against high blood pressure than commonly prescribed medications. A pet appears to be the strongest social indicator in predicting recovery from a serious heart condition. More and more often, doctors prescribe a pet for loneliness, depression, stress and other emotional problems. In the United States, half of all doctors reported they sometimes prescribe a pet to their patients.
Studies show that older people with pets pay considerably fewer visits to the doctor. Up to 16 percent less, according to Professor Judith Siegel of the School of Public Health at the University of California. That percentage is even higher for dog owners, reaching over 20 percent. According to Australian research, the presence of house pets in households saves the Australian government some 800 million to 1.5 billion US dollars a year in health costs.

Psychologists have long realized the healing power of pets. In the 1950s child psychologist Boris Levinson often had difficulty reaching his traumatized patients, until the day that his dog Jingles wandered into the treatment room, His young clients were pleased and spontaneously opened themselves up to the dog, and thus also to Levinson. He was the first to write about “the dog as co-therapist.”
Forty years later, many therapists make grateful use of the intimate bond between humans and animals. People experience pets as non-judgmental and unconditional in their affection, and so clients often consider the animal an ally, which helps foster a spirit of mutual trust and open sharing in therapy sessions. Because animals are often funny or endearing, they help dissipate the tension around a therapy session. Children, in particular, often talk more easily to an animal than a human. Sometimes all the therapist has to do is bring up an issue and then observe where the child and animal take it.

There are countless well-documented examples of successful animal-assisted therapy. A little boy who begins to heal his partially paralyzed hand by petting a dog. Abused children and prisoners who train a dog to learn how to not repeat the abusive behavior they have experienced. Autistic children who learn to communicate through contact with dolphins.

Animals have the potential to play a much greater role, particularly in hospitals and care institutions. A friendly dog can perform miracles with critically ill patients. Even a few fish in a fishbowl helps ease tensions in a dentist’s waiting room. Research has repeatedly shown that taking care of an animal (or even a plant) makes people happier and helps them live longer. Could this be because animals and plants can listen so well without ever contradicting us? A study of Canadian doctors once discovered that listening is the most important ingredient in healing. Dr. Samuel Corson, an expert in the area of animal therapy at Ohio State University puts it this way: “A dog is man’s best friend because he wags his tail and not his tongue.”

美国营养学家为椰油“平反” 纯椰油更健康

椰子树是热带地区常见的树木。从椰肉中提炼出的椰油，是很多热带地区人民经常食用的油脂。在椰油中含有90%的饱和脂肪，而摄取饱和脂肪含量高的食物是导致高胆固醇和心脏病的主要原因之一，因此一般人认为多吃椰油有损健康。

但是美国椰子研究中心主席、营养学家兼自然疗法医生布鲁斯·费佛最近表示，这种看法是不正确的。他说，刚开始他也以为椰油对健康有害，但在研究了大量文献资料之后发现，未经加工的纯椰油实际上比一般食用油更健康。

他解释说，饱和脂肪有很多种，而椰油中的饱和脂肪是可以预防心脏病的一种。在研究世界各国人民的饮食习惯和健康状况时，不难发现，饮食中常有椰子或椰油成分的民族是世界上心脏病患病率最低的。

费佛指出，各类脂肪中有98%属于长链脂肪酸，但纯椰油却是中链脂肪酸。因为中链脂肪酸的分子结构比长链脂肪酸的生物分子短，因此椰油比较容易被肠胃分解和消化，促进新陈代谢。长链脂肪酸能够通过肠胃壁被血液吸收，成为低密度胆固醇或称“坏胆固醇”，而椰油则不会这样。因此，椰油不会造成血管栓塞，也就不会导致心脏病。

费佛的临床经验表明，纯椰油对一些病人恢复健康有着一定的帮助，而这样的效果不只出现在心脏病病人身上，糖尿病、皮肤病等病人也同样受益。他举例说：“糖尿病患者体内的细胞会因为胰岛素不平衡而无法摄取所需的营养。除了椰油以外，所有其他油脂都要有一定的胰岛素存在才能把能量传到细胞里，使之继续存活。因此，椰油可以避免糖尿病人的健康进一步恶化。”

费佛的实践结果还发现，椰油不仅可用于防治心脏病和其他心血管疾病，还可以用于防治流行性感冒，阻止胆囊感染，消除持续性疲倦和缓解痔疮。还有资料显示，椰油可以防治消化道溃疡，减缓前列腺增生，治疗皮肤病，抑制丙型肝炎甚至癌症和艾滋病等。

来源: http://news.xinhuanet.com/health/2006-06/21/content_4725904.htm
摘自"北京青年报"

49th Anniversary of ISA 内安法令49周年

Today 1st of Aug is the 49th Anniversary of Internal Security Act. The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) called for a march from various meeting points in Kuala Lumpur to the National Palace. And a memorandum will be handed over to the King.

Many roads leading to KL city were set up with road blocks. And roads were closed too. Most of the crowd resorted to public transport. They walked by detours just by avoiding the police. Such a spirit in walking long distances has indeed conveyed a message to the Federal Authorities.

The crowd came to a figure of 20,000. The police prevented the people from moving forward. At 4.00 p.m they rounded up the people at Sogo Mall and Masjid Jamek LRT Station and firing tear gas and shooting chemical-laced water canons. Even when the people fleed into the nearby buildings, the canons were shot into the compounds. In fact, earlier there have been several rounds of firing the tear gas. By 6.00 p.m 438 people were arrested.

Najib the Prime Minister said the rally was unnecessary as the people could have given their opinions for a review of the Act. The problem is, people wanted an abolishment and not a review of the Act. No matter how you amend the Act, it is still an Act. It is likened to "changing the soup but not the medicine".

Locking up people without trial is against human rights. If the government thinks a particular person has committed a crime, why can't it proves itself right by bringing him or her to court?

Nazri, Minister in the PM's department, said that as long as BN is in power, ISA would not be abolished. Such a statement is not surprising as BN has been abusing its power all the while. I believed that a good government should always listen to the people.

今天8月1日是内安法令49周年。《废除内安法令运动》召集在吉隆坡市中心不同地点集会，以便步行至国家皇宫提呈一份备忘录给最高元首。

许多通往吉隆坡的路都有警察路障。许多路也被封锁了。许多人选择使用公共交通工具。他们绕道而行乃为了避开警察。如此行走长路途的精神真的是向联邦权势传达一个信息。

人群有2万。警方阻止了人群前进。在下午4时，警方包围Sogo广场和Jamek 回教堂高架轻快铁车站，并大肆发射摧泪弹和喷击加入了化学药的水炮。甚至人群逃入附近的建筑物，还把水炮喷击入里头。其实较早前已经发射几轮水炮了。至傍晚6时有438人被逮捕。

首相纳吉说集会根本是不需要的，人民大可提出意见以检讨法令。问题是，人民要的是法令的一个废除，而不是一个检讨。无论你怎样修改法令，它仍然是一个法令。它就好比换汤不换药。

没有提审一个人就把关起来乃违反人权。如果政府认为某人犯了罪的话，为何它不能藉着带他或她上法庭以证明它自己是对的？

首相暑部长纳兹里说只要国阵还执政，内安法令就不会被废除。这番话并并令人感到惊讶，因为一路来它滥用了它的权柄。我相信一个好的政府应该时常听人民。

















Pictures from “Malaysian Insider”
照片从《马来西亚局内人》

The Heart of August

by Henry Yap

After many days of reflection on the late BH Teoh’s incident. I finally come to my own words to describe what was transpiring.

Just one word:-Aselgeia.

Aselgeia in Greek denotes "excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness and lasciviousness.

This indicates a love of sin so reckless and so audacious that a man has ceased to care what God or man thinks of his actions, which contain the idea of shamelessness, outrageousness.

[It simply denotes wrong doing so open and so blatant that it has ceased to have any regard for what anyone may think or feel or say. \

The characteristics of 'aselgeia.' have wanton and undisciplined action. It is the action of a man who is at the mercy of his passions and his impulses and his emotions, and in whom the voice of calm reason has been silenced by the storms of self will.

It has respect neither for the persons nor the rights of anyone else. It is violent, insolvent, abusive, and audacious. Any thought and sympathy for the feelings of others has ceased to exist.

It is completely indifferent to public opinion and to public decency. A man may well begin to do a wrong thing in secret; at the beginning his one aim and desire may be to hide it from the eyes of men. He may love the wrong thing, and he may even be mastered by it, but he is still ashamed of it. But it is perfectly possible for him to come to the stage when he does openly and blatantly that which he did secretly and in concealment. He may come to a stage of sin when he is so lost to shame that he no longer cares what others see, and what they may say, or what they may think.

The terrible thing about Lasciviousness is that it is the act of a character which has lost that which ought to be its greatest defense--its self-respect, and its sense of shame. "Flesh and Spirit," by William Barclay.]

The journey for truth, justice, transparency, fairness, freedom, righteousness has just begun. It takes our unity, perseverance and willingness to make it happen.
Let the “Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia” come together to make Malaysia a better place for our children and their children to come.

大马人有很多查案专家

若我说大马人有很多查案专家，并不是夸口的。赵明福离奇坠楼事件，警方查案怠慢。到底为何怠慢，你知我知他们知。

这些日子以来，许多人提出了蛮多的疑问。许多人又质问为什么警方不这样这样作。

为什么我们都很有专家的本领？答案就是我们有许多的真实罪案被录制成的电影，感谢ASTRO。我们不是看到许多美国的罪案重演平吗？什么 FBI （联邦调查局）啦！Crime Watch （罪案监察）啦！CSI （罪案现场调查）啦！

所以，大马人不再是傻瓜，今天他们的智商能够举一反三的。因此警方和反贪委会办案，就好别让人感到人民比它们更精明。真正情况乃是，它们选择性地办案，精明不精明是看对国阵利不利。它们最好不要成为国际的笑柄，说大马有先进国的设备，却有第三国的查案水准。

如果我国警方和反贪机制不能让国人有信心的话，外国人多它们更没有信心。那么外资就会考虑在大马投资有多大保障？所以希望首相纳吉在大力作开放政策搞好经济的当儿，必须考虑这两个机制的公信力，让外资放心前来。

皇家委会只查盘问程序不查死因，赵明福家属：我们全家不能接受

转贴自《当今大马》：http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/109118

首相纳吉昨天针对赵明福命案的三项应对政策，让赵家先喜后忧；如今他们坚持政府应该设立一个皇家委员会，全权和全面地调查赵明福的离奇坠楼命案。

“这不是我们家属想要的，我们要的是一个全面的皇家调查委员会，以调查为什么明福会死在反贪污委员会总部。”

根据中文报章网站报导，赵家希望近期内能在行动党国会领袖林吉祥的带领下，会晤首相纳吉，表达他们这项立场。

赵明福妹妹赵丽兰，尽管看起来一连疲态，但她今天仍在马六甲亚罗亚也代表家属向媒体宣布上述的看法。

以下是赵家声明全文：

“对于首相昨天宣布的内阁决定，我们起初听到会成立皇家委员会，感到很欢迎，但是，现在我们知道了整个内容，我们很失望没调查明福的死因。这不是我们家属要的，我们要的是，全面的皇家委员会。

为什么明福会死在MACC总部，我们全家不能接受内阁的决定，只是成立皇委会调查MACC的盘问程序。

我代表家人，要求首相及内阁改变决定，来设立一个全面的皇家委员会，特别是来查出明福的死因。

吉祥向赵家说明皇委会实情

今天较早时间，林吉祥走访赵家，同时跟他们讨论首相昨天所宣布的皇家调查委员会事宜。

欧阳捍华的政治秘书赵明福在雪州反贪会办公大楼坠楼身亡，引起民间一片哗然。基于强大的舆论压力，首相纳吉昨天（22日）宣布设立一个由推事主持的验尸庭，以便鉴定赵明福的死因。

此外，首相也宣布成立一个具有特定权限的皇家委员会，探讨反贪污委员会所采用的盘问手法，并且鉴定反贪会在盘问赵明福的过程中是否侵犯人权。他同时也指示内政部与警方尽速完成调查，并且公布调查报告。

赵丽兰：知实情后大失所望

赵丽兰（左图右）表示，甫听到政府成立皇委会的消息，他们家人都很高兴和欢迎；但是当他们了解该皇委会不会针对赵明福死因进行调查后，就不禁大失所望。

“我代表我的家人，要求首相及内阁改变决定，以设立一个全面的皇家调查委员会，特别要查出明福的死因。”

她指出，他们无法接受一个仅止调查反贪会盘问过程是否违反人权的皇家调查委员会。

批纳兹里验DNA说法污蔑清白

针对首相署部长纳兹里昨天要求赵明福遗腹子检验DNA以验证生父身份的说法，赵丽兰批评纳兹里出言辱人，污蔑其哥哥赵明福和其未婚妻苏淑慧的清白。

《中国报》报导，她强调，苏淑慧所怀的孩子事实上就是出自赵明福。

“他这话已污辱了我的哥哥（明福）和嫂嫂（苏淑慧），他们都已是准备结婚的了。”

Justice for the Nation 为国家缔造正义（中文最下面）

Ean Yong Hian Wah (C) 欧阳捍华（中）

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid 雪州州务大臣卡立


Dear Prayer Warriors,

Yesterday Pastor Henry Yap and I attended the funeral service of Teoh Beng Hock at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih. The photos attached were captured by me at the scene. We were glad that we met another Pastor there. So we were relieved that we were not alone! Teoh was the political secretary to Opposition Party DAP’s Member of Parliament Ean Yong Hian Wah.

On 15th July officers from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) led Teoh back to their office for investigation. The next day Teoh was found sprawling on the 5th floor dead at Mazalam Building where MACC was located at the 14th floors. Teoh mysteriously fell from an upper floor.

Teoh bore the ordeal of a long night wait and the officer quizzed him from 1.00 a.m. to 3.45 a.m. Teoh was last seen loitering at MACC waiting lounge by his friend Tan Boon Wah who was also a witness. Later in the afternoon he was found dead. Since Teoh’s death, there were lots of unsolved questions that had cast doubts in people’s minds.

For the past month MACC has launched an intensive haul on the Lawmakers of Selangor Pakatan Rakyat. PR is the ruling coalition on the state level. The way MACC deliberately picked on PR is obviously politically motivated. Whereas any reports against the Federal coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) were dealt with snail-paced response.

Teoh was just an ordinary witness. Therefore, blasting him with such an inhumane mentor torture was an abuse of power. I thought such an act is only seen in a Dictator’s Regime? The MACC was a reformed institution formed hurriedly by former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi before he stepped down. Prior to this we have the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA). Abdullah wanted the MACC to be the same standard as Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Unfortunately by the way how MACC performed as a tool for the Federal Government’s political agenda, I would say that the institution was an utter failure!

As for the Royal Police Force, many Malaysians have long lost confidence in the institution. They acted in favor of BN. In Teoh’s case they were slow to investigate. They first classified it as “an accident” instead of “murder”. They ruled out foul-play. After much pressure from the public, then only they softened their stand a bit, and admitted that they don’t rule out foul-play. They should have cordoned off the entire MACC units at first-timing. Their slow actions have allowed the culprits to tamper with traces of evidence, and at the same time the culprits would have time to connect with each other to fabricate false testimonies.

Teoh was not related to Henry and me in any way. We attended his funeral because besides giving the family a moral support, we were doing it for a cause – letting the public know that we Christians care about justice in Malaysia.

I think Churches and Christian Institutions could have done better in matters of care and concern. Like Teoh’s case we could have done better, but our voice was quite silent! No, we don’t need to wait for a disaster like a flood, or a tsunami, or an earthquake before we rise up to help. Injustice in itself is a disaster! Malaysia has 10% or 2.7 million Christians (including the Roman Catholics). Most of the Christians are Chinese, follow by the Indians. In other words, two-thirds or 4 million more Chinese are still unsaved.

One of the reasons why the Chinese rejected Christianity is because they thought that Christians showed no interest in their social beliefs and encounters. Often times we Christians feel that it is so unholy to participate in the non-believers’ activities. And subsequently we lose touch with them because we are not interested to share their happiness and grievances. In matter like fighting for justice and a fairer society, the struggle is all left to the non-believers. Where are the Christians then? Wasn’t Jesus a fighter for justice? See how Jesus condemned the rotten governor Herod as a “fox”? In fighting for justice, Christians are so kiasi (afraid to die). Today there are Pastors who still discouraged their members from going into politics. There is no such thing as a corrupt nation on earth. A country is corrupt because on leadership, good people let it and bad people grabbed it.

I think Denomination Councils and Christian Institutions which represent different groups could consider setting up funds and play supportive roles in causes that would affect the fate of the country. Christians must prove themselves that they are not isolated from the communities. We should be compassionate in their ordeals and take a proactive role to reach out to them, irrespective of races.

Henry and I care about Teoh’s case because we care for the future of our next generations. There is a good article by Goh Keat Peng, an Elder from Gospel Hall, “I Cannot Be Neutral About Issues of Immorality” . You may read it at: http://ongohing.wordpress.com/.

祷告勇士们：

昨日我和叶挺隆牧师到士毛月富贵山庄出席赵明福的葬礼。附上的照片是我在现场拍摄的。我们高兴在那里遇到另一位牧师。所以我们感到松懈说我们并不寂寞！赵明福是在野阵线行动党国会议员欧阳捍华的政治秘书。

7月15日，反贪委员会的官员把明福带返办公室调查。隔日明福被发现卧尸在玛沙兰大厦第5层楼，而反贪委会办公室就在第14层楼。明福乃离奇从高处坠落。

明福承受长夜等候的煎熬，官员在凌晨1时才开始盘诘他直至凌晨3时3刻。明福最后被他的朋友陈文华看见在等候室是在清晨6时，后者也是被盘诘者。当天下午他即被发现死亡。自从明福死讯以来，有许多未解答问题使到人民充满疑问。

过去一个月，反贪委会大肆调查雪州民联的州立法议员，民联是雪州的执政政府。反贪委会故意挑剔民联乃明显出于政治激发的。而任何针对联邦阵线国阵的举报都以慢条斯理对待。

明福只是一个普通证人。所以，用这样的不人道精神折磨轰炸他乃一种滥权。我以为这样的作法只在一个独裁的政权才看到的？反贪委会是一个改革的机制，由前首相阿都拉在下台前仓促地设立的。它的前身是反贪局。阿都拉想反贪委会能够有好像香港的廉政公署一样的水准。不幸的，从反贪委会执行作联邦政府议程的工具形式看来，我可说该机制是一个全然的失败。

至于皇家警察部队，许多马来西亚人早已对此机制失去信心。他们作有利于国阵的行动。在明福的案件，他们缓慢行动。他们起初把它列为“一件意外案”来调查，而不是“谋杀案”。他们排除他杀。经过公众的压力后，他们才软化立场些少，承认他们不排除他杀的成分。他们应该第一时间封锁整个反贪委会办公楼。他们怠慢的行动使到凶手能够篡改证据痕迹，同时涉及者也有时间联系以串通伪造证词。

明福跟我和叶牧师没什么关系。我们出席葬礼，除了给丧家精神支持外，我们是为了一个目标而做－让公众知道说我们基督徒关心在马来西亚的正义。

我认为教会和基督教组织在照料和关心的事情上应该可以作得更好。诸如明福事件，我们可以作得更好，但我们的声音太沉寂了！不，我们不必等待一场灾难如一场水灾，或一场海啸，或一场地震，我们才起来帮助。不公义本身就是一场灾难！马来西亚有10％或270万基督徒（包括天主教徒）。华裔占了大多数，其次是印裔。换句话说，我们还有三分之二或400万华裔仍然还未得救。

华裔拒绝基督教的其一原因乃是以为基督徒对他们的社交信仰和遭遇不感兴趣。许多时候我们基督徒感到参与非信徒的活动是何等的不圣洁。结果我们失去与他们的联系，因为我们没有兴趣于分担他们的快乐和委屈。在争取正义和一个更公平的事情上，奋斗全部留给非信徒去办。那么基督徒在哪里呢？耶稣不是一位为正义的斗争者吗？看看耶稣不是叫那腐败的希律王“狐狸”吗？在为正义斗争，基督徒是何等的怕死。今日有牧师仍然不鼓励他们的会友参政。在世上并没有一个所谓的腐败国家。一个国家之所以腐败，在领导上，乃是因为好人放弃它，而坏人抢夺它。

我认为代表不同团体的宗派总会和基督教组织，在能够影响国家命运的目标上，可以考虑设立基金及扮演支持角色。基督徒必须证明自己他们不是与社群隔离的。我们必须不分种族地对他们痛苦的经验是富于同情心的，并拿起前摄的角色向他们伸出手。

我和叶牧师关心明福的事情因为我们关心我们下代的前途。如果你懂英文的话，一位福音堂长老的文章“我不能在不道德的课题上保持中立”写得很好，可在http://ongohing.wordpress.com/读到。

即使皇家委员会报告也不要太乐观

赵明福不明的死，首相纳吉将在三个选择中作决定：1、以警方调查结果为真相。2、成立独立调查委员会。3、成立皇家调查委员会。即使纳吉是选择第三项，得到的结果，百姓能够期待有什么对付行动吗？从过去一连串的皇家委员会的报告经验，希望大家不要太乐观，因为大家可能就会失望。

国阵几十年来就是这样，报告出炉后在国会跟在野党吵吵，然后就把整件事情当作若无其事的。

我国从来没有责任文化的，没有人会引咎辞职的。纳吉如果要巩固他的地位的话，若报告证实是反贪委会滥权，就应该炒该主席和涉及者鱿鱼，并且把他们控上法庭。

百姓已经对政府的主要机关失去信心了，包括警方，司法、反贪委会。纳吉若要赢取人民的信心，不是专靠派糖果政策。这样的政策已经过时了，因为百姓已经会想了，他们不会永远被政府派吃买心而满足的。有得吃但活在败坏风气环境里，你永远不快乐。但有正义，自然大家就丰衣足食。

悼赵明福

赵明福，一个对缔造民主的马来西亚充满抱负的大好青年，被雪州反贪委员会官员带走调查，却一去永远不能回头！

赵明福在沙亚南反贪委会楼层离奇坠楼死，反贪委会必须给全国人民一个交代。国人哀悼赵明福的当儿，也声讨一个乖离正轨的反贪机制。

赵明福是《星洲日报》前记者，《星洲日报》办报理念是维护国家的正义，在一片诸多报道限制的环境下尽力争取新闻自由，报社员工包括赵明福乃值得嘉许的。赵明福离开报馆参政，担任欧阳捍华政治秘书，显示他为国家前途的斗争满怀大志。

反贪委会查案方式，已经有许多个案让人民感到它并不公正。它对于民联的州属和议员，效率特别好，在没人举报的情况下自发调查。而对于国阵的州属和议员，则采用不必迅速或没有行动的处理方式。

反贪委会的盘诘方式，也必须尊重人权。人们不能理解为什么要选择在凌晨时间盘诘？晚上人们有权利休息。赵明福就是被带到办公室后，整晚让他呆在那里苦守至凌晨1时才开始盘诘直到凌晨3时多。这跟那些封闭国家故意不让人睡觉通宵盘诘，导致那些人精神崩溃，有什么分别？不可思议的是，赵明福只不过是一个政治秘书，奉命行事，何须这么高档地扣留盘诘，好像当他是什么大罪犯的？

前首相阿都拉希望设立一个跟香港廉政公署那样水准的反贪机制，看来他整顿反贪局后，这机制已经失败。我国的反贪委会明显并不独立操作，那么我国要打击贪污只论为空谈。

别忘记大马在世界廉洁指数排名低落得令国人不光彩，如果首相纳吉正在大力开放我国市场，却不能提升廉洁指数的话，外资还是对我国诸多犹疑不前的。

赵明福的死，已经让国人愤怒，如果政府和警方不透明化把真相揭露的话，将会打击纳吉百多天所建立的支持率。目前局势对民联有利，它们现在可以发动一个改革反贪委会的行动，以博得人民的支持。这行动将胜过国阵一筹，因为到目前为止，纳吉并没有承诺肃贪，国阵更不会放弃利用反贪委会的。

半桶水的国英文教学

在马哈迪时代，他为了搞马来人主义，其一行动是废除英文学校制，一概实行马来文制。现在他大谈后悔那件行动！6年前他提出中小学英文教数理，所以可说他当时才看到英文在国际的重要性。

6年前老马的政策是一人的决定，这是副首相慕尤丁爆料的。他说6年前这政策落实乃未请准内阁的（参阅7月13日《星洲日报》第4页）。可见一个首相权力能够一手遮天乃国家的悲哀，他的独裁只证明国阵是由巫统控制的。巫统和它的成员党不是盟友和盟友之间的伙伴关系，而是老板和雇工之间的关系，后者对前者言听计从。

难怪华裔越来越不认同马华代表华裔，印裔也不认同国大党代表印裔了！6年前虽然马哈迪一人的决定强行推行该政策，马华和国大党为什么不在内阁里面提出辩论呢？马华和国大党领袖不要狡辩说他们曾经提出异议，因为慕尤丁上述言论已经说明他们没有。

马哈迪既然看到英文在国际的重要性，但6年前以他的一人当道大权，为什么不索性宣布恢复英文学校制呢？若不能一下全国实行也可在一些城镇从小数目开始呀！其实老马心里很矛盾，一方面他认为英文重要，但另一方面又要维护马来人主义。结果搞出一个国英文半桶水的教学来！6年前仓促实行英文教数理，但精通英文的老师寥寥无几，数理老师以半桶水的英语教学，学生的成绩当然半桶水啦！

现在老马反对废除英文取马来人教数理政策，认为起码在中学维持这两科的英文教学。他发动在部落格民调，有多达85％支持中学以英文教数理。老马当年废除英文学校制，导致马来西亚在国际竞争力被削弱。不是吗？一个从我国脱离出去的新加坡，在世界地图只是弹丸小国，却早已经成为先进国了，我们呢？我国的教育制度半咸半淡，并且朝令夕改，加上强调单一民族主义，不惜牺牲他族人才，那么怎样跟别人竞争？

现在可笑的是，两个巨头，马华的翁诗杰和民政的许子根，都声称中四应该以英文教数理。我说可笑，乃是难道他们在内阁里面作决定时没有想到这点吗？抑或他们根本在国阵的声音没有分量？现在华裔和印裔家长都认为中学应该以英文教学，为什么内阁不先作个民调才来作决定？慕尤丁已经声明内阁的决定已经是最后的，那么如果内阁再改决定，慕尤丁的诚信就被打折扣了。

如果内阁不改为中学用英文教数理，担心的家长怎么办？那么，再穷也要送孩子去国际学校读书好了。我国的教育水准实在令人失去信心，不是吗？请看看国家的领袖，他们对自己国家的教育制度有信心吗？他们的孩子在哪里读书的？不是国际学校就是在外国！

怎样选择好西瓜？

路邊一整車西瓜，到底哪一顆才是好瓜，賣西瓜三十幾年的陳先生，用看的就看得出來。

西瓜底部的圈圈，越小越好，切開來看，果然，果肉又紅又紮實。

相反的，底部圈圈越大皮越厚越難吃，切開證實，不但不夠紅，還帶點白白的肉，明顯甜度大扣分。除了看西瓜底，

也要看西瓜頭，就是所謂的蒂頭，如果是直直的一條線，不要，如果是捲曲圈起來的，馬上買。

還有西瓜紋路和顏色，紋路整齊就是好瓜，如果花紋亂七八糟，裡面肯定也是一團糟，顏色呢，最好挑青綠色，不要拿霧霧白白的瓜，

掌握瓜頭捲，瓜尾小，瓜紋正，和瓜色綠這四大原則，保證你用看的就能買到滿意的瓜。
____________________________________
我的经验告诉我，瓜蒂越细，瓜皮越薄；瓜蒂越粗，瓜皮越厚。所以，要选择前者。

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service

Jul 7, 2009


Dear friends:

It was not my plan to watch Michael Jackson's star-studded memorial service in the Los Angeles Staples Center on TV this afternoon, but at the beginning I was glancing at the television and suddenly got hooked....

God was using the service, broadcast to many millions, maybe billions, worldwide, to announce the soon return of Jesus!!! No joke!

How did He do it? The opening song was by the Andrae Crouch Choir singing Andrae's classic, "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King..." I could hardly believe it. Knowing that this timely message went out all over the world, I was very, very moved. That has always been one of my all-time favorite songs and messages.

Okay, I was hooked.

Then the opening address was by Los Angeles Baptist Pastor Lucious Smith -- not by a Jehovah's Witness and not by a Muslim cleric. He also got my attention.

Then I heard Lionel Ritchie sing, "Jesus is Love."

One speaker said that the King of Pop is now in the presence of the King of Kings, whom everyone knows as none other than Jesus.

Bernice King, daughter of the late Martin Luther King, quoted the Scripture that "nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Not one time did I hear mention of the words Allah, Mohammed, Islam or Muslim, or Jehovah's Witness. To my surprise and delight, it was essentially a Christian service.

Personally, I think Michael Jackson was duped into embracing Islam, as was reported. He knew nothing about theology, and they probably told him that Muslims believe in Jesus. They do, but not the same Jesus. It is deception. It was reported to me that one time on television Jackson confessed to Geraldo Rivera that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. If he did, I doubt if he ever took it back

Overall, it was a very inspiring service. There were times when I wept. I believe God was pleased. He was surely glorified. There were many reminders to the worldwide audience that our time on earth is short and we must be ready for the next life, and the answer pointed to Jesus.

The "We are the World" song smacked of one-world brotherhood, but Jesus would endorse the idea of loving and caring for all people, as long as He is the focus.

Pastor Smith ended the service with a powerful benediction and prayer to the Father, and closed it with the thundering words, "In the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord!" It gave me goose bumps.

Amen.
Jim Bramlett

Source: http://www.injesus.com/index.php?module=message&task=view&MID=4B007GHX&GroupID=2A004N9G&print=1

神奇的椰子水: 痛風患者的救星

對於治療中西醫束手無策的痛風，椰子有著令人無法想像的神奇的療效，只要早晚飲用一顆新鮮椰子水，即使痛風情況嚴重到骨關節變形，依然可以康復。

國人尿酸過高的情形日趨嚴重，而尿酸過高的患者極有會發展成痛風。高尿酸的形成主要原因有二：一、尿酸產生過多；二、尿酸排泄減少。許多患者只有血清尿酸鹽濃度的增高而沒有臨床症狀，只有在發生關節炎時才稱?痛風。痛風的病理基礎是高尿酸血症，正常人血尿酸值是男性2.4 -7m g/dL，女性1.6 -5.2m g/dL。

當體液中尿酸濃度超過此值時當體液中尿酸濃度超過此值時,將因過剩而在組織中沈積，這種尿酸鹽的結晶沈積在關節滑膜、關節骨、軟骨而導致痛風性關節炎，沈積在皮下則形成痛風石。痛風的確是一種令病人非常痛苦的一種病症，當它發作的時候，可以說是「痛不欲生」，這種毛病還真會整人，發作時間通常是選擇在夜深人靜的時刻。

中西醫均會要求痛風患者不可以攝取高普林食物，然而這些食物可以說是最起碼的美食，要痛風病患完全不吃這些食物，說真的，這種治療的犧牲代價還不小呢！

高普林的禁忌食物包括有：雞、鴨、鵝、豬等內臟，以及魚、黃豆、發芽豆類、含酵母的飲料如養樂多、啤酒、豆苗、黃豆芽、蘆筍、紫菜、香菇雞肉汁、濃肉湯、牛肉汁、雞精、酵母粉、健素糖等等。

特別介紹椰子食療法，患者只要每天飲用一至三粒新鮮椰子水，一至兩個小時痛風就不再疼痛，連續飲用二至三個月，症狀即可消除。

許多人會耽心椰子會不會太涼？其實這是多慮了，因為患有痛風的人，本身體質會偏燥，高普林會不斷累積，椰子水正好可以清洗積存的痛風石，這是西藥很難做到的。

中風保住老命

患了中風，腦部的微血管，
會慢慢的破裂，遇到這種情形，千萬別慌，

患者無論在什麼地方(不管是浴室、臥房或客廳），
千萬不可搬動他。
因為，如果移動，會加速微血管的破裂。

所以要先原地把患者扶起坐穩以防止再摔倒，這時才開始（放血）。
家中如有專為注射用的針，當然最好，
如果沒有，就拿縫衣用的銅針，
或是大頭針，用火燒一下消毒，
就在患者的十個手指頭尖兒
（沒有固定穴道，大約距離手指甲一分之處）
刺上去，要刺出血來
(萬一血不出來，可用手擠），
等十個手指頭都流出血來(每指一滴)，
大約幾分鐘之後，患者就會自然清醒。

如果嘴也歪了，就拉他的耳朵，把耳朵拉紅，
在兩耳的耳垂兒的部位，各刺兩針，
也各流兩滴血，幾分鐘以後，嘴就恢復原狀了。

等患者一切恢復正常感覺沒有異狀時再送醫，
就一定可以轉危為安，否則，若是急著抬上救護車送醫，
經一路的顛跛震動恐怕還沒到醫院，他腦部微血管
差不多已經都破裂了。萬一能夠吉人天相，保全老命，
能像孫院長，容得勉強行動，那得要靠祖上的庇蔭了。
放血救命法，是住在新竹的中醫師夏伯挺先生說的。
且是經自己親身實驗，敢說百分之百有效。

大概是民國六十八年我在台中逢甲學院任教，
有天上午，我正在上課，一位老師跑到我的教室上氣不接下氣的說：
劉老師快來，主任中風了；我立刻跑到三樓，看到陳幅添主任，
氣色不正，語意模糊，嘴也歪了，很明顯的是中風了。

立即請工讀生到校門外的西藥房，買來一支注射用的針頭，
就在陳主任十個手指頭上直刺。
等十個手指尖兒都見血了（豆粒似的一滴），
大約幾分鐘以後，陳主任的氣色就變過來了，
兩眼也有神了，只有嘴還歪著，我就拉搓他的耳朵，
使之充血，等把耳朵拉紅，就在左右耳垂之處，
各刺兩針，待兩耳垂都流出兩滴血來，奇蹟就出現了，
大約不到三五分鐘，他的嘴形，恢復正常了，說話也清清楚楚了。
讓他靜坐一陣子，喝了一杯熱茶，才扶他下樓，
開車送到惠華醫院，打一罐點滴，休息了一夜，
第二天就出院回學校上課了。
一切照常工作，毫無後遺症。

反觀一般腦中風患者，
都是送醫院治療時，經過一路震盪血管急速破裂，
以致多數患者一病不起，所以腦中風，在死因排行榜上高居第二位，
其最幸運者，也僅能保住老命，而落得終身殘廢。

這是一個多麼可怕的病症。如果大家都能記住這（放血救命)的方法，
立刻施救，在短短時間它能起死回生，
而且保證百分之百的正常。
這個急救法，希望大家告訴大家。
那腦中風，在死因排行榜上，就可以除名了。

一颗8瓣的山竹 An 8-peel mangosteen

这是一颗山竹，它是马来西亚的“果后”，而榴连则是“果王”。果皮底凸起的花瓣，它们有多少瓣就等于有多少瓣肉。5，6和7瓣是最普遍的，而4和8瓣是罕有的。
This is a mangosteen, it is the Malaysian "queen of all fruits"， with durians being the king. The pattern on the bottom of the skin shows the number of peels of flesh it has. With 5, 6 and 7 peels being the most common, whereas 4 and 8 peels are rare.

告别心爱的树 Good-bye to my beloved tree

今天，我向那棵在我家门前心爱的树告别了！它陪伴了我们有10年日子。我不喜欢砍树，之所以把它砍掉乃想换一棵树。它虽然有几种颜色的花朵，但它全身是刺，加上它的花朵落下来都散散的，因此很难保养。

Today, I said good-bye to a tree which was by the front of my house. It kept us in companion for 10 years. I don't like to chop down trees, I did that as I wanted to change to other type of tree. Though its flowers were multicolored, it was thorny all over the body, and added to that, the flowers shed were messy, as such, it was hard to maintain.


之前 Before


之后 After

Reach out to the fans of Jacko

by Steve Oh

PART 1

The time for evangelism is here!

The media is in a frenzy over Michael Jackson's death. Every day it bombards us with news on him. His idiosyncracies are legendary, if not somewhat bizarre, and as the opportunistic media unravels more shocking news, the world will be kept entertained for a long time. And we may find opportunities to share better news about Jesus.

Michael Jackson's legacy is the warning there is a way that seems right but leads only to death.

Today the news, though unconfirmed, tell us at least twelve people have committed suicide on learning of Michael Jackson's death. Russian MJ impersonator, Palel Talalayev who was found with wrists cut said, " "I don't know why the doctors saved me. I want to be with Michael, and I will kill myself anyway, " he added. How tragic.

So the Reverend Jesse Jackson appeared on Youtube and appealed: " "It made Michael happy saying 'We Are The World'. Don't self destruct. We fall down sometimes, we get back up. That's the right thing to do. In Michael's name let's live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart as fools," said Jackson.

Well, Jesse, you've got a point, but people need to hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The brotherhood of man in Michael's name is as safe as the Tower of Babel. But I say in Jesus' name let us tell the world there is a way that seems right but only leads to death but only in Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

A cyber friend, Dr Lim, also Christian missions trainer, and fledgling painter, splitting his time between Singapore and Ireland wrote:

"Share the good news where ever we are:
Can do it one on one,
can teach a large group if there is opportunity for such.
Multiplication can be achieved by training others to be trainers....."

This Christian brother is active and fruitful and now has a passion to paint and puts meaningful text on his paintings. And he passes them around that others may benefit. What a positive life.

Every human idol is made of straw. Jesus is the true Rock of Salvation.

God shatters the world's confidence in the gods they erect. The devil wants to populate the lake of fire where he himself will be punished and we need to get alarmed and active to "snatch others from the fire" as Jude exhorts.

We need to be like Shamgar and use all we have even if it is not much and in his case a mere oxgoad to be productive.

We must be wary that while there is a flurry of impressive activity it must be like in the days when souls were "added to the church daily those who were saved." In fact today in Christian circles I hardly hear talk of 'soulsaving' or 'leading people to Christ' and when was the last time you heard a sermon on the 'lake of fire' or such concern?

Have we lost the plot?

PART 2

Michael Jackson as a young pop prodigy once sang,

"You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love, I'll be there"

Ironically and tragically, he was not able to save himself.

Idols desperately need salvation like a lot of their fans and we should not be afraid to reach out to them.

Rich and famous people are often lonely and confused. They don't know if someone is genuine or has some ulterior motive. They often believe in their own invincibility. But deep down they need love and affirmation like everyone else. We must never be afraid to reach out to those people.

The Bible says, 'The fear of man brings a snare but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.' Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of God Most High. It is our lack of faith and intimate relationship with God that constrains us from taking our 'royal' role seriously and speaking out boldly for God.

Audacity should be our middle name. I learned to be thick-skinned for Jesus early in my Christian life while out evangelising. Sometimes our Christian comrades may not understand. King David was audacious. His brothers chided him but because of his audacity Goliath died. We need to be audacious because God will fulfill our acts "prompted by our faith" because faith enables us to walk on water and slay the giants railing against God.

Many Christians I know short-sell themselves. They are limited by fear and what people will think of them if they did something different. But the man of faith is thick-skinned and will launch out in faith in exploits for God. They don't confine themselves in the comfort zone.

I am reading an old Readers Digest compilation of the lives of great men and women who changed history. Many are not Christian. So how much more we who have God with us should like William Carey, "attempt great things for God and expect great things from him." Their lives ought to inspire us to achieve exploits for God. Sadly there is a negative strain of thought among Christians that human achievements are futile so they live with mediocrity.

The truth is the devil whispers lies in our ears and gives us a million reasons why we can't or shan't do something for God. But we are to call his bluff and break off our bonds of fear and inertia. "I can do all things in Christ," Paul said, and I believe all of us can do something significant for God in the time we still have. "Greater things you shall do," Jesus said, and I believe him.

PART 3

Just do it!

When in 2000 I was doing a preaching circuit with Dr Ethel Nelson, the American author who wrote about the Chinese characters and their link to Genesis, I tried to see Singapore's former PM Lee K Yew, but his personal assistant told me he was overseas. He is a Confucius scholar and I thought it'd be a good idea to talk to him about what Confucious said about Jesus. In Penang we visited the largest Thai Buddhist temple and gave some Christian books to the Chief Abbot, and had a good conversation with him about Jesus.

When Michael Jackson came to Perth during his History world tour some years ago, tweny of us went outside the Perth Dome where he performed, to distribute a tract I had written called Michael Jackson, God and You. A pastor typed the tract for me and another arranged for its printing. And we went out to evangelise together. The Gospel was presented in a carefully crafted message. We distributed thousands of tracts until a security personnel representing MJ told us to move along, which we did - to a better spot. And I told him to pass on the tract to Michael Jackson.

Inside the Dome while waiting for MJ to perform, I saw thousands of people reading the simple yellow-coloured tract we had given out. When MJ performed he was terrific, and no one should doubt his genius at what he does. But almost in a flash I made a poignant observation. There was a scene where MJ appeared in some weird costume and I got the distinct impression, almost like a revelation from God that his countenance was like one of a Hindu deity!

Is it any wonder that MJ's album Thriller is among the highest sold music albums in history, if not the highest? Who is the father of fear in the world? Who does not feel fear when watching the video of MJ portrayed as some weird werewolf- like creature? Fear is the opposite of faith. It wasn't Michael's idea but he became the tool and even the most innocent people can become unwitting channels of evil.

George Harrison introduced the Beatles to Hinduism. He died a Hindu. And his favourite saying? "Love one another." The Beatles popularized Hinduism which merged into the Hippie and pop counter-culture of the late 60's and 70's readily.

This ancient religion is the Mother of Religions that will surely spread its tentacles in various forms to entice the world. In Perth the biggest and most expensive home in all of Australia is being built by a wealthy Hindu Indian couple who unashamedly spread their faith and will no doubt use their abode as a centre of influence. It is a few doors away from the Perth home of the previous Malaysian prime minister.

I once heard an American Baptist pastor's tape of a demon-possessed man boasting that the devil will use pop music to lead a whole generation astray. It has happened! But that does not mean pop music is evil because God is smarter and so should we be. God is always in control and his purpose cannot be thwarted. But he figures us in his plan.

Jesus warns that even the elect can be misled. It behooves us therefore to always be vigilant and to guard our hearts and minds against the people and things of the world that endear them to us. Michael Jackson's music is alluring, sensuous and grips the soul, and because of his complex persona, has old and young among his fans. The enemy of God often uses exceptional people to lead people away from God. They can even masquerade as 'angels of light' and false messiahs!

When the late Francis Schaeffer wrote of the counter-culture in the 60's and 70's the culture was still Christian in the West. But today it is tragically secular, even anti-Christian. So the counter-culture for us today may well be being Christian and against the culture of political correctness. History has gone full circle and we may well be today's counter-culturalists! Generations of Australians have never read the Bible or know the Gospel.

FINALLY

Let us make use of the opportunity of Michael Jackson's death to draw people into a conversation about the true meaning and purpose of life that he never discovered. This is more constructive than cynicism. We ought not to judge him for his failings, that God will surely do, but we can pray for his family and fans that many will come to know Jesus Christ.

Pray that God will turn many hearts to Jesus and that he will open their eyes to the truth. In John Chapter 17 we see how Jesus prayed for the world that they might know him through his disciples.

Let us pray that God will lead us to prepared hearts to share the Gospel with them and explain to them that Jesus Christ is the Lord of History and that Michael Jackson talented as he was, was nothing more than a frail and needy human being, even if he was the King of Pop. A king of straw!

The god of pop needed Jesus and so do we all and a world of unsaved souls.

Pray that many will come to know the King of kings and God will turn many hearts to himself. Some of us have children and young friends who like Michael Jackson. We should talk to them and counsel them and let them know that we all need to trust in God. And that if Michael Jackson had glorified God instead of himself, he might still be alive today.

Nevertheless our prayers are for the living and in humility we must pray for a very needy world. The organisers' website saw 500 million hits from people who want to attend a free memorial concert. That if true is astounding and I hope we will find creative ways to reach the unsaved.

PRAY for revival and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God's people everywhere that they may have the passion to preach the Gospel in bold, creative, and consistent ways to the unsaved.

How soon will America have a female president?

The prophecy is soon fulfilled. A well respected late pastor in America once prophesied that America will have a female president. And she will be the last president of America.

Palin resignation ignites 2012 speculation
Rachel D'Oro - Associated Press Writer - 7/4/2009 6:50:00 AM

WASILLA, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's surprise announcement on Friday that she's stepping down from the post at the end of this month has set off a storm of speculation about her next political move.

Supporters and critics alike say the former GOP vice presidential candidate's resignation as governor is an inexplicable move for a high profile Republican widely seen as a contender for a White House run in 2012.

Palin's abrupt announcement rattled the Republican Party but left open the possibility of a presidential run. She and her staff are keeping mum on her future plans.

Palin's spokesman, David Murrow, said the governor didn't say anything to him about this being her "political finale."

"She's looking forward to serving the public outside the governor's chair," he said.

And Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin's political action committee, said the group continues to accept donations on its Web site, which saw an uptick in contributions Friday afternoon.

The announcement caught even current and former Palin advisers by surprise. Former members of Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign team, now dispersed across the country, traded perplexed e-mails and phone calls about the vice presidential nominee's decision to step down.

In a hastily arranged news conference at her home in Wasilla, a suburb of Anchorage, Palin said she had decided against running for re-election as Alaska's governor, and believed it was best to leave office even though she had 1.5 years left to her term. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take her place.

"Many just accept that lame duck status, and they hit that road," Palin said. "They draw a paycheck. They kind of milk it. And I'm not going to put Alaskans through that."

Meghan Stapleton, Palin's personal spokeswoman, shot down speculation that ranged wildly from Palin dropping out of politics altogether to eyeing runs against fellow Alaska Republicans Rep. Don Young and Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Palin's comment about serving outside government refers to the present, she said.

Stapleton, however, said it's too early to say whether Palin would seek the presidency. In the meantime, the governor will continue to work to bring "positive change as a citizen without a title right now," she said.

"Her vision is what's best for Alaska, which translates into what's best for America," Stapleton said.

At the news conference, Palin alluded to how she could help change the country and help military members - an indication that she didn't think her time on the national stage was over.

Palin's decision not to seek re-election is a familiar one for those considering a presidential campaign. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney chose not to seek another term as he geared up for an unsuccessful 2008 presidential bid. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced he won't seek another term, giving him plenty of free time ahead of a potential 2012 bid. But Romney completed his term and Pawlenty plans to finish his.

Palin, 45, also has the potential to make far more money in the private sector than the $125,000 or so she has been making as governor. She already had a deal with publisher HarperCollins to produce her memoirs, with publication planned for next spring. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Six-figure book deals are common for high-profile political figures.

Pro-family leader, Gary Bauer, says he's not surprised that some liberal commentators are describing Palin's sudden resignation as political suicide. He says the liberals are gloating believing they have kocked off another conservative leader.

But Bauer says while the Left's attacks against Palin have been savage enough to drive almost anyone from office, he doesn't believe she is running from a fight. According to Bauer, the resignation frees Palin up to campaign in the lower 48 states, build a top notch political organization and improve her issue development work. " In six months," Bauer says, " we will know whether the gamble worked, but I for one am hoping it does."

Another possible GOP contender for the White House in 2012, Mitt Romney, issued a statement Friday wishing Palin and her family well. He said "I know she will continue to be a strong voice in the Republican Party."

我赞成吉打行动党退出吉打民联

我赞成吉打行动党退出吉打民联，因为行动党必须现在开始一直要向民联传达一个声音，就是为了利民的政策，行动党是不会妥协的。回教党在吉打一党独大，根本不必靠行动党和公正党都可以任意妄为的。

回教党一意孤行铲平州内有30年历史及唯一的宰猪场，可见一旦回教党能够掌权中央的话，非回教徒的利益都一一地从国家消失。回教党又想跟巫统组织联合政府，搞什么马来人大团结的东西，可见回教党一直只是利用民联阵线作为隐藏意图的踏脚石。

行动党必须给回教党和公正党传达一个信息，即你们如果只是想利用我们，我们宁愿不要执政中央，但我也不让你们入主中央，大家永远都作在野党。

巫统51年都不晓得华人对“猪”的课题很敏感的，到今天莱士雅丁还玩弄此课题，硬硬要把A型H1N1流感称为猪流感，简直就是政治自杀。所以，任何政党要关闭养猪场而没替代安排的政策都没好死的。

行动党这样以“退出”的政策与民联合作是值得人民赞赏的，因为这样是为了正义有骨气。看看马华，过去51年只是通过内部协商，结果呢？华裔的利益都被巫统否定。人民现在对政治应该醒悟了，尤其是华印裔，我们不要林敬益所形容的作乞丐向巫统讨吃。甚至回教党都受到巫统欺侮，为何回教党不能醒悟？

我鼓励吉打马华的一国一州议员也退出吉打国阵以示支持养猪业。

Kedah MCA should quit Barisan too!

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/2/nation/4239366&sec=nation

ALOR SETAR: The state DAP has decided to quit the Pakatan Rakyat citing “undelivered promises” by the Kedah government as one of the reasons.

The PAS-led state government was also accused of not giving equal treatment to all Kedahans.

State DAP chairman Thomas Su said the decision was made via a resolution yesterday, adding he would inform the DAP headquarters of it.

“This is our (Kedah DAP’s) decision. The final decision will be made by our national leaders,” he told reporters after witnessing the demolition of an illegal pig slaughterhouse by the Alor Setar City Council in Kampung Berjaya in Jalan Putra here yesterday.

The demolition of the slaughterhouse was another reason which had prompted the state DAP to quit the pact.

Su said the state DAP, which holds one seat in Kedah’s 36-seat legislature, was upset over the incident, accusing the state government of not handling the matter properly.

“Although the slaughterhouse was operating on land belonging to the Alor Setar City Council, the state government has the power to postpone the demolition. This will give more time for the Kedah Pig Traders and Slaughterer Association which operates the slaughterhouse to find a new site,” he said.

Mayor Datuk Khazali Din was quoted as saying recently that the abattoir had been erected illegally on the site for the past 30 years.

The council had ordered the association to vacate the place several times since 1995 with the latest in May this year.

At the Parliament lobby, Pakatan leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the pact’s leadership would discuss the matter today.

DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the Kedah DAP’s decision was “an act of frustration” as the state government had a number of unresolved issues in the past year.

“DAP has only one seat in Kedah. Many non-Malays come to them for help. Many of these issues are sensitive as well,” she said.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

This was another example of insensitivity of the Malays about livelihood of Chinese. Swines are a major food to the Chinese. Anything touching on the issue will face backlash. Look at Rais Yatim who was so stubborn that the A-type H1N1 Influenza be called Swine Influenza. He was not sensitive to the feeling of Chinese. So now you wonder why the Chinese don't support BN?

DAP was right in the sense that it conveys a message through quitting. This is not similar with MCA. MCA always made the excuse that it will negotiate within BN spirit. But at the end of the day the results were negative.

If MCA wanted to regain the support of Chinese, I urge the one MP and one State Assemblyman of Kedah MCA to quit BN as a suppor for sustaining the swine industry.

Same-sex 'marriage' loses support among Americans

It is a piece of good news. The Holy Spirit is bringing revival to USA. When Americans walk in the fear of God, they will prosper again.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 6/28/2009 4:00:00

A recent poll indicates that Americans are not as supportive of homosexual "marriage" as they once were.


homosexual flag

A CBS-New York Times survey shows that support for redefining marriage to include same-gender couples has declined. Jenny Tyree of Focus on the Family Action tells OneNewsNow that, according to The New York Times, the figure dropped slightly -- but she believes nine percentage points is more than slightly.

"I think that this really digs into what Americans really feel about marriage -- that they like that [marriage is] defined between a man and a woman," she contends. "And also it's a bit of a backlash against the five states whose legislative bodies have redefined marriage very recently within the last several months."

Part of the drop may also relate to the continuing battle to defeat California's Proposition 8, she says, in which voters defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

"I think Americans really saw the intolerance that occurred after the Proposition 8 vote back in November," she recalls. "They saw that many who want to redefine marriage were not happy with really what the people decide, and what the people decided in California was to continue to define marriage the way it has been defined."

After the election, several lawsuits were filed to try to overturn the voters' decision. Another federal lawsuit challenging it was filed just last week. Tyree believes the poll also sends a strong message to the White House, which has stated as a goal to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

中国人笑贫不笑娼？

印尼宣布不允许它们的女性来马来西亚当女佣，依赖惯女佣的国人一时彷徨无助，设法解决“空缺”。以前曾经辩论过关于引进中国女子来我国当女佣的课题，这回各阶层人士再次争论不休。妇女组织反对这政策，同时朝野政党女性代议士也同声一气地反对，此朝野“合作”的情形在我国实在少见！

关于此课题，我询问了一位嫁来我国的中国朋友之看法，她认为中国人不会来
的。什么理由让她如此定断呢？她说：“女佣获得这么少工资，中国人有一句话说「笑贫不笑娼」嘛，她们宁愿做不三不四的工作也不会当女佣的。”她这番话真的一言惊醒梦中人！我思考她说的话，激发我对中国龙女在我国的一些遭遇之看法。

有理，区区500令吉的女佣工资，倒不如留在中国，何须离乡背井挣皮毛般的收入？过去发生在我国的例子，中国人被骗子游说可以在我国挖金，每个月最少两千马币。结果来到，有的做劳工，有的不兴而归，而女的被逼当应召女郎。在过去警方袭击风月场所，逮捕不少的中国龙女。并且国人听到“某某地方有中国龙女服务”的这番话是很平常的。

我不赞成引进中国女佣，一来这对我国华裔不光彩，中国女子何竟要在别人面
前让人看不起？要申请中国人来工作，引进中国老师才让我国华人光彩呢！二来她们在华裔的家庭，基于大家是华人，男主人与她们动情的机会比与其他国家的女佣更大。我不介意被许多男人骂，男家主与印尼女佣偷情的个案其实不少（华裔的弊病就是家丑不宜外扬），那么同种族的中国女佣将发生更多这类事。三来许多中国人偷偷潜入我国淘金，她们是否会通过当合法女佣来逃走，在外面风月场所做工呢？那是一个未知数。

确实中国龙女滥用签证在我国进行不道德活动，令我感到穷人的哀歌真的唱不完。试问如果她们在家乡生活好，何须离乡背井做这些对人欢笑背人愁的工呢？目前全世界都知道中国的经济增长是全世界最高的。中国越来越富有，但仍然有这么多穷人没获得照顾，出尽法宝往外国跳飞机，中国政府不知有何感想？曾经在4年前美国不是控诉中国没有好好地照顾自己的国民，以致出现这类中国人跳飞机的浪潮吗？

要解决淫业，先解决贫穷

到底中国人的观念里，他们是骂娼抑或是颂娼呢？答案是很矛盾的。首先请问
是谁供养这些妓女的呢？就是那些玩世不恭的男性，这些人是骂娼还是颂娼的？这不言而喻！其次请问是谁在当妓女的呢？大家都认定是贫穷人家的女子！那么她们的父母知道后是否会骂她们？正常的父母都会责骂并会感到羞耻，因为女儿是靠着牺牲色相来养活家人。

一些国家曾经有人对多名妓女作个调查，得到的数据显示大部分人是为了生计。所以，一日贫穷问题不获得解决，就一日仍然会有不道德的行业在我们的左右的。中国人并非真的“笑贫不笑娼”，乃是穷人家在逼不得已的情形下走上娼妓之路。一旦她们走上这条路，便是痛苦，疾病和心灵受损的开始。它续而引发更多社会和家庭问题，这对一个国家的发展打击威胁不轻呢！所以，有道德意识的国家领袖和社会人士，务要致力于解决贫穷的问题，也当灌输给那些有金钱需要的女性正面地去学习爱护自己身体。

迈克杰逊巨星陨落

迈克杰逊，那位被举我流行音乐王的巨星陨落了！他6月26日死于位于洛杉矶住宅，享年50岁。初步说他死于心脏病，但还需进一步化验。

以下是我在2005年写的一篇文章，当时我祝福他，希望他能走向光明。但从表面上看来，他并没有成为一个基督徒，可惜。人生就是这样，当我们丰富时，我们没有去想功名财利只能属于我们几十载而已。它们不能给我们永生，只有接受耶稣基督作救主才能得到。

看看这幅图画，这仁兄是一个迈克杰逊的支持者。当迈克正承受一连串的法庭审讯期间，他显得非常焦虑和失望。一身迈克的打扮，在他前面放置两幅匾牌，一个宣示迈克“爱”地球，一个宣示迈克是“无辜的”。

迈克杰逊被控性侵犯少年和儿童的10项罪名的案件，2005年6月13日被判无罪释放。这案件经过4个月的审讯，全世界的媒体都追踪报道。案件下判的法庭审讯，法官还批准通过互联网让全世界收看。宣判结果信息一出，守候在法庭外的麦可歌迷，甚至全世界的歌迷都欢喜若狂，美国报纸出“号外”，可见世人对这位杰出的艺人迈克是何等地支持。

迈克被判无罪释放，都是在我和许多人的预料之下。法官罗得尼也把陪审团的声明当众宣读：“我们这群陪审团感到世人的眼目带来的压力。”这是最明显的提示，那种压力不好受，也等于说压力致使他们应该作怎样的决定。法官继续读说他们要求准许他们回去“我们的私生活，像先前隐姓埋名地来，也要隐姓埋名地回家。”虽然陪审团以“不信孩童的母亲的供词，但他们放过迈克，就只好爪爪脑袋发出会心的微笑感叹一句“这就是美国司法”。

迈克这位一代流行歌曲天王，以陶醉人心的情调风靡全球。基于他有些歌曲插入西方的不良意识，加上他的舞台动作有点不文雅，所以在1990年代来吉隆坡的默迪卡体育场表演时，受到许多保守的国人抗议，但最终还是成功地主办。迈克的性格有点怪僻，例如他在自己身上的过分阵容导致皮肤出现症状，也使不少人士鄙视。但其实他人的心地不错，还有慈善的一面常捐助救济社会事工。

希望这案件能够给迈克很大的启示，他获得了恩典不受牢狱之灾，不等于他没有犯下罪行。所以希望他日后以他的歌艺才干和热心的公德，活出一个新造的迈克杰逊来。诸如迈克的辩护律师彼得说：“公义已经获得伸张，迈克杰逊现在是一个无罪的人。”迈克全世界的歌迷都高兴见到他无罪释放，其他人也该认可在法律面前人人平等，凡在法律下不被定罪的，他就是一个自由的人。相信在这宗案件中，大家也学习到，人更要谨慎地维护道德律。过去4个月大家可看到迈克承受审讯，控方的证人暴露出许多被告的不雅内情，尽受尴尬的折磨，实在可怕。所以华人有句俗语是值得思考的：“生不入官门，死不入地狱。”

7 Ways to Slash Cancer Risk

by Melanie Haiken

Would you change your lifestyle if you could slash your risk of getting cancer by a third or even half? That’s the challenge posed by a huge new report just released by The American Institute for Cancer Research that pulls together and analyzes the most comprehensive data on cancer prevention yet.

Okay, I admit it, you’re not going to like some of this advice, and neither are your family members. I know I don’t. Give up salami, one of my favorite lunch options? Yikes. And alcohol? As native Californians who grew up going wine tasting in the Napa Valley whenever possible, my siblings would be really sad if family dinners were no longer accompanied by a bottle of good zinfandel or pinot. And what’s a burrito without a cold beer and lime to go with it?

But this evidence is so compelling that I think all of us in Cancer World are going to have to look twice at some of our lifestyle choices and may feel newly motivated to make changes, or nag at our loved ones to do so. Imagine, by following these guidelines, we could prevent:

More than 45 percent of colon cancer cases
(Translation: 49,000 people would not get colon cancer)
38 percent of breast cancer cases
(Translation: 70,000 people would not get breast cancer)
One third of all the most common cancers
This report is a big deal because the experts who compiled it looked at every major study and based their recommendations on hard evidence of what really works to reduce cancer risk. “This is the practical application of five years of work sorting through what the science really says,” said panel member Steve Zeisel, MD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

1. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day. As well as helping prevent weight gain, research shows that activity itself helps prevent cancer by keeping hormone levels healthy, which is important because having high levels of some hormones can increase cancer risk.

2. Lower your weight to the lower end of the body-mass index for your height. Even more important, banish belly fat, which acts like a ‘hormone pump’ releasing estrogen into the bloodstream as well as raising levels of other hormones. This is strongly linked to colon cancer and probably to cancers of the pancreas and endometrium (lining of the uterus), as well as breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women.

3. Avoid sugary drinks and high-calorie foods. Cutting out foods made from white flour and sugar, such as candy, pastries, and other baked goods that aren’t whole grain, is one of the fastest ways to lose weight, and is also healthier for blood sugar balance.

4. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

5. Eat less red meat and little or no processed meat. Experts say there’s no longer any doubt that eating beef, pork, and other red meats raises the risk of colorectal cancer. Red meat contains heme iron and other substances that damage the colon lining, making way for tumor growth. Processed meat is even worse. When meat is preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or by the addition of preservatives, cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) are formed that damage cells in the body, leading to cancer. While studies show we can eat up to 18 ounces a week of red meat without raising cancer risk, research shows that cancer risk starts to increase with any portion of processed meat.

6. Limit alcohol to two drinks a day for men, 1 for women–but none is best of all. Unfortunately for all those of us who like a drink now and then, there’s convincing evidence that alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and colon. This one got hit with a double-whammy of evidence this week; the National Cancer Institute also reported the results of a huge study detailing the risks of alcohol for women. Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, cancer blogger for the American Cancer Society, spelled it out in black and white: “there is no level of alcohol consumption that could be called safe.” Scientists are still researching how alcohol causes cancer. One theory is that alcohol can directly damage DNA, increasing our risk of cancer. Research shows that alcohol is particularly harmful when combined with smoking.

7. Limit salt intake. Salt and salt-preserved foods are linked to stomach and other digestive cancers; limit salt to 2400 milligrams to be safe.One last thing; this report did not even address smoking, because experts consider that such a no-brainer at this point. Smokers increase their chances of getting almost all kinds of cancer every time they light up. So the only recommendation is, don’t.

分析国阵当今实力

国阵自去年308大选失去三分之二优势至今，当今它的实力是提升了抑或倒退了呢？我们来看看一些现象，让人民断定它的实力：

一、在西马的几场补选，国阵不是惨败就是不敢参选。而国阵在砂拉越的州席乃赢在金钱政治加上选民的资讯不通。

二、前首相阿都拉从一个全国最高身份落泊到成为一个后坐议员，这是全世界只有在大马才看到的政治情况。可想象若美国前总统小布什在卸任后成为一个参议员，那是什么样的体统？全世界的至高领袖在卸职后，都会留给自己尊严辞去议员职位，免得在国会被煎熬得尴尬痛苦。

另一个该辞职的是马华前总会长黄家定。而国大党主席三美威鲁则比较幸运，因他在大选中被淘汰。至于民政党主席许子根本来好像三美的命运，但却靠走后门不光彩地进入国会，肯定需要很厚的脸皮才能够顶得住民联议员的白眼！

然而他们在当今国阵这么弱的时刻，哪里敢辞职？因为对选举成绩心里有数。

三、霹雳州的政变，国阵不敢重新委托州民选择政府。

四、回教党提出与国阵组织联合政府，现在民联宣告没谈判的意思。作为首相的纳吉却却心急，他说回教徒感到失望，这番话让人看到他其实已经落得要去哀求回教党回心转意。作为首相，他又提出“一个马来西亚”治国方针，又要搞种族宗教政治，号召马来人大团结，到底他的立场是什么？过去51年国阵强大的时候，它根本不会看在眼里。

五、马华在华裔的心中，地位越来越衰微。马华在去年大选后的三、四个月里敢怒敢言，甚至敢责怪巫统的嚣张把国阵成员党拖下水。但后来渐渐又恢复大选前的老样子。现在它仍然是受巫统拖拉着鼻子走，巫统几时有尊重过马华在作决定前先咨询后者？如果马华再无法能够令自己与巫统同起同坐的话，对不起，马华，我估计下届大选你们会只剩下赢得少于10个国席。

同时我并不看好蔡细历能够为马华挽救什么实力。他被委任为国阵高官，可能就是他政途的坟墓。蔡细历应该考虑加入民联，因为我预计柔佛是下届变天的州属。所以他应该用3年时间带领支持者为自己铺路，否则享受官位太久要退出时已经太迟了。

Najib was not prepared to let go racial politics

I pitied PM Najib. His 1Malaysia motto for governance is definitely a failure. When Pakatan Rakyat had dismissed the idea of Unity Government between PAS and UMNO, Najib was disappointed.

Najib claimed that many Muslims were disappointed. So he pleaded that PAS would push through the talk. It is clear evidence that Najib was not prepared to let go racial politics!

Najib is pitiful. When the time BN was strong, do you think it will consider such proposal by PAS? No way! BN will not even bother to entertain such thoughts.

Barisan Nasional is now standing on thin ice. By next Gen. Election, BN will face the threat of losing power to govern. So Najib has become so humble to plead. If he couldn't get the support from PAS, he will be the the last and shortest-ruled PM.

Najib played with racial and religious issues. He is still living in the past when the Malays used to call for racial and Islamic unity. BN lost her two-third majority in last year 308 GE. The result showed that people rejected playing race-cards.

Therefore, if Najib is so blur about the mistake BN had made, and still step his feet in the dung-pit, he will be stinked all over.

Growing the AG Way

Bucking the trend of denominational decline, Assemblies of God churches continue to grow in membership, according to the latest report.

For an astounding 19th year in a row, the number of people who consider themselves Assemblies of God (AG) adherents increased—this year to more than 2.8 followers, marking a 1.3 percent rise. The news comes on the heels of a recent nationwide study that found most mainline groups—including Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Lutherans—in decline.

"The increase by more than 1 percent is significant," said statistician Sherri Doty, who contributed to the denomination's Annual Church Ministries Report. "The U.S. population grows by about 1 percent a year, [so] this is an indication that we are growing faster than the population. And in light of the steady declines in attendance by other religious organizations over the past years, this is encouraging news."

Weekly church attendance among AG churches grew by 1.6 percent, while baptisms grew 0.5 percent. The report also indicated, however, that fewer non-Christians were committing their lives to Christ at an AG church.

"We are grateful for another year of growth as we continue to focus on prayer, church planting and revitalization, pastoral leadership training and enhanced local ministry resources," states General Secretary James Bradford. "Some of our hardest work is yet ahead of us, but we are encouraged and aiming at accelerated growth in the future." [AG News, 6/17/09]

Sleep more, weigh less

by Deborah Kesten

Lots of weight loss products promise miracles. One in particular that I recall says a magic pill lets you lose weight while you sleep. Now, groundbreaking new studies are revealing that you don’t even need a mystical (and questionable) potion to lose weight while sleeping; what women in particular need is sleep itself for effortless weight loss. (Do you know of an easier way to lose weight than indulging in lots of restful sleep?) There’s one caveat though: women need to sleep enough hours to reap the rewards; skimp on sleep and the converse occurs–you’re more likely to put on pounds.

Counting Zzzzzz’s

Are women really more prone to put on pounds when they don’t get enough sleep? Absolutely, says Sanjay Patel, M.D., the lead investigator of the study that revealed the link. To come to this unexpected conclusion, Dr. Patel and his team conducted the largest study of its kind. Starting in 1986, they began to track the sleep habits of almost 70,000 middle-aged women; at the same time, they linked the number of hours each slept each night to weight gain. The sleep-less, weigh-more link was there at the start of the study: women who slept 5 hours or less nightly already weighed about 5.4 pounds more than those who managed seven hours or more each night. Over the next 10 years, the more sleep-deprived women gained an average of 1.6 pounds yearly. While this may not seem like much, over a period of 10 years, this could mean 16 added pounds, or 32 pounds over a 20-year period.

Over the course of the 16-year study, the researchers found that about 33% of women who sleep five hours or less per night are at greatest risk for weight gain. Specifically, these women gained 33 pounds or more over time, while 15% of them gained even more weight and became obese. In comparison, 12% of the women who sleep just one hour more each night for an average of six hours are likely to gain weight, with 6% becoming obese; those who typically manage 7 hours or more nightly gained the least weight.

Womens’ Sleepless World

If you’re a woman and you find it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep, you have a lot of company. When the National Sleep Foundation conducted a national poll, they found that 67 percent of women experience some kind of sleep problem. There can be lots of reasons for this, but a key culprit seems to be the hormonal mix that occurs between first pregnancy through menopause (which is generally between our twenties into our fifties). During this time, hormone shifts can lead to changes in mood that range from calmness to high-pitched anxiety. The hormone link? Naturally occurring low levels of progesterone can especially lead to a sense of “being on edge.” Add a “you-can-have-it-all” sensibility that permeates our culture, and you have a recipe for sleeplessness.

Fight Fat with Sleep

Luckily, there are ways to work with too little sleep, and in the process, lower the odds of weight gain. First, put “worry mode” on pause. If ruminating on problems is causing sleep deprivation, write your worries on a piece of paper and decide on a specific time–the next day–when you’ll give them some attention. Other suggestions: sip some soothing chamomile tea, or read a relaxing book before going to sleep. Discover what works best for you, then commit to sleeping 7 hours nightly, the number of hours experts suggest for women to ward off weight gain.

PAS must prove herself that she is capable of forming government

by Steve Oh

As for the PAS call to ban civic group Sisters in Islam many Malaysian civic groups, eminent persons and politicians and individuals have remonstrated against the PAS proposal. Rightly so.

As for PAS wanting to ban Sisters-in-Islam, if PAS wants to retain its image as a progressive political party capable of forming government, then it has to show us it is capable of distinguishing between freedom and coercion.

It would help its cause if it does not resort to calling for the ban of a group of women whose only wrong appears to be their challenging of our false ideas about many things.

This PAS proposal is downright dictatorial. There is something for them to learn from the present political situation in Iran. You need foresight and flexibility to run a diverse and mature urbanized country such as Malaysia.

So far PAS, has shown it has a hard time catching up and may be its own worst enemy in trying to win a Pyrrhic battle against Sisters in Islam and their supporters, amidst growing public support.

If political parties whose modus operandi in debate is unable to win our hearts and minds through rational dialogue, and have to resort to strong-arm measures such as bans and censorship, then they prove they are unsuitable politicians and unworthy of our support. Who wants the semblance of a Taliban administration?

Trafficking charge a shame for the whole country

by Steve Oh

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Malaysia blacklisted for human trafficking.

This report is yet another reason why the government has to crack down on corruption within its enforcement agencies.

For a long time now Malaysians have been aware of the immigration rot and its involvement in human trafficking and the public has been informed through media reports and blogs. Even Rela has been implicated yet the government seems reluctant to arrest the problem with the same gusto it sends its police to crack down on dissidents.

Human trafficking is an assault on human dignity, on humanity itself, and can't be condoned in a country that makes loud noises about morality but seems to be blind and deaf to the plight of the victims.

I recall reading accounts of refugees being abused, and females raped by Malaysian enforcement personnel. Such news is on public record. Yet the authorities have not stopped the illegal and inhumane activity.

Malaysia often prides itself as being a head above the rest of its neighbours in many things. But this latest indictment by the Americans who have the evidence to support their allegations cannot be ignored. It is a crime against humanity and a betrayal of all that the country stands for and the perpetrators must be brought to account.

Go after those who collude with the criminals and who grab a share in the proceeds of a crime against humanity. Confiscate the proceeds of the crime and establish a fund for the victims.

The proper response is an immediate task force formed of the police and other non-immigration personnel and respected community leaders to urgently crack down on this despicable and treacherous activity that has tarnished the country's image at home and abroad.

It is a shameful crime that no decent Malaysian should ever have to live with in their own backyard. I shall be pleased to be a member of this task force, however dangerous, if it sees the light of day.

But how serious is the government in restoring the country's seriously tainted image abroad? This blacklisting will put the country on the moral back foot and make it lose its moral authority to comment or act on other moral issues. Is this what the government wants?

Let's hope we see real moral leadership and a government response to arrest those evil people and dishonest immigration officials who make the lives of others hell on earth.

Civic groups should not relent in sending the message to the government that corruption involving the loss of public funds is one thing but corruption among government officials resulting in the victimization, even deaths of refugees and foreigners must not be tolerated.

Any government response short of an immediate crackdown will be seen as abetting the perpetrators. After all, the blacklist is not something new to Malaysians but a confirmation that human trafficking exists in their country and brings shame on all our heads.

Malaysia blacklisted for human trafficking

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/106614

The United States has put Malaysia back on the blacklist of countries trafficking in people after removing the country from the list last year.

The State Department annual ‘Trafficking in Persons Report 2009′, which examined efforts in more than 173 countries to combat trafficking for forced labour, prostitution, military service and other purposes, has Malaysia sharing the blacklist with 16 other countries.

Among the 17 countries on the blacklist are Burma, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. “Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labour,” said the report, which was released by the US State Department today.

Malaysia was elevated from the blacklist in 2008 to the ‘Tier 2′ watch list after plunging into the dreaded ‘Tier 3′ two years ago. The country was first blacklisted in 2001 but its ranking improved to ‘Tier 2′ in subsequent years until 2007. In that year, it was relegated to ‘Tier 3′ but last year, the report said “significant efforts being made to comply with minimum standards of combating human trafficking” which resulted in Malaysia being removed from the blacklist.

“Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, despite some progress in enforcing the country’s new anti-trafficking law,” said the 2009 report.

It said that while the government took initial actions under the 2007 anti-trafficking law against sex trafficking, it has yet to fully address issues of human trafficking.

Refugees ‘sold’ by Immigration Officials

The report referred to another report by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee two months ago which found the involvement of Immigration Department officials in trafficking Burmese refugees. According to the report, Malaysian immigration officials sold refugees for approximately US$200 (RM700) per person to traffickers operating along Thailand’s southern border.

In turn, the traffickers demanded ransom – ranging from US$300 (RM1,000) for children to US$575 (RM2,000) for adults – in exchange for their freedom. “Informed sources estimated 20 percent of the victims were unable to pay the ransom, and were sold for the purpose of labour and commercial sexual exploitation.” It said that so far little action has been taken since the release of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee report in April.

“The Malaysian police is investigating the allegations with the cooperation of the Immigration Department, as publicly confirmed by the prime minister but no officials were arrested, prosecuted, or convicted for involvement in trafficking during the reporting period,” it lamented.

Migrant workers victimised

The report is also scathing in describing the country’s treatment of migrant labourers. “Some migrant workers are victimised by their employers, employment agents, or traffickers who supply migrant labourers and victims of sex trafficking. Some victims suffer conditions including physical and sexual abuse, forced drug use, debt bondage, non-payment of wages, threats, confinement, and withholding of travel documents to restrict their freedom of movement.”

The report pointed out that the government continue to condone the confiscation of passports by employers, while employers passed the government’s ‘immigration levy’ on to the low-skilled migrant workers, which facilitated debt bondage.

It also said that women from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Mongolia, and China are forced into prostitution after being lured to Malaysia with promises of legitimate employment.

The report concluded that the government had made only “limited efforts” to prevent trafficking in persons over the last year.“As a regional economic leader approaching developed nation status, Malaysia has the resources and government infrastructure to do more in addressing trafficking in persons,” said the report.

Malaysia could face sanctions

Countries on the blacklist could face sanctions, including the withholding by US of non-humanitarian, non-trade related foreign aid. They would also be subject to withholding of funding for government officials to participate in educational and cultural exchange programmes.

On a bright note, the report named Malaysia’s Alice Nah as one of its nine 2009 ‘heroes’. Nah, who is from the Migration Working Group, has raised government and public awareness through online articles describing the plight of trafficking victims, refugees, and migrant workers.

“In January 2009, Nah wrote about the trafficking of Burmese refugees along the Malaysia-Thailand border. Her article increased local and international attention to the issue and raised public awareness within Malaysia,” it said.

父亲节感言

每年母亲节和父亲节，教会出席人数总比平常的礼拜聚会更踊跃。儿女们都带着父母亲来领受牧师的祝福祷告。

身为一个牧师，每年这两个节期讲道都感触良多。尤其是父亲节，基于父亲都忙碌于在外“找吃”，所以平常做礼拜的群众比较少父亲的。父亲也往往比母亲接触孩子的时间少，能够邀请到父亲参加教会并不容易，因为不少孩子受到母亲的影响力和亲切感比父亲的来得大。

感触良多也因为每个家庭都有一本难念的经，无论你是作孩子还是父母的，若不是靠一个“包容”的形态非能够建造美满家庭的。我想到一个父亲，他的太太得着怪病几年行动不方便，但他不离不弃悉心照顾他。他对两个不是亲生儿子也照顾有嘉，如同己出，在我心目中他是一个伟大的丈夫和父亲，今年我打算表扬他。

节期扮演缔造家庭和社会和谐的角色本意是好的，但在一个资本主义充斥的社会之大前提下，商业化掩盖了实质的意义。“双亲节又到了，我买了Gintel；阿爸我爱你，送你部Gintel。”几千块钱的礼物，不是要买就能买的。诸如这类趁节期抢一羹市场的广告，在这竞争时代已屡见不鲜。我在幻想着一个谐音：“阿爸我爱你，送你部Gen 2。”其实真正的孝心并非等到什么节期才来行动的，也未必要以名贵的物质来表达的。若真的是如此，一个收入仅仅够用的孩子岂不是不能行孝？

孝心是心态的问题，一个平常日子懂得向父母感恩的孩子，比一个在节期才想到感恩的更强。华人也喜欢给父母亲风光的葬礼，若平常都好好对待父母亲还可接受，若不，那只是做给人看而已。华人有句俗语：“生前请我吃粒豆，好过死后请我吃猪头！”

但愿天下父母们把孩子抚养成为社会英才，也但愿天下孩子们常常向父母感恩。

为什么人生气时，说话用喊的？ Why do people shout instead of talking when they are angry?

One day, a professor asked his students 'Why do we SHOUT instead of speaking when we are ANGRY?'


All the students thought for a while. One answered, 'Because we lost our cool. That's why we SHOUT.'


The professor asked again, 'But the person is just right next to you, why can't we talk softly instead of SHOUTING?'


Almost all gave their opinions but none made the professor satisfy.


Finally the professor explained, 'When we are ANGRY, our hearts drift apart. In order to cover up the DISTANCE, we instinctively SHOUTED instead of speaking so as to make the other party hear us.'


'But as we SHOUTED, we got ANGRIER. And subsequently our hearts drifted further apart. So we had to SHOUT even louder...'


'It is the reverse when we were in love. Not only we didn't shout, we whispered into each other's ears. Why?'


'Because our hearts were very closed to each other, were almost never been apart. As our love deepened, we reached a state of mutual communication when words were not even needed.'


'We had mutual understanding just by exchanging of sight,' concluded the professor.


'Therefore, when we are quarreling, DON'T speak words that will make our hearts drift apart. WAIT for a few days. When you feel that your heart is no longer far apart, communicate nicely from thence..