Buddhism and Islam: A Crisis Emerges
3 mad rant(s) » Add your own! RANDTed: stmaverick at 4:39:00 AM
From the BBC News website:
Attack on giant Pakistan Buddha
Suspected pro-Taleban militants have tried to blow up an ancient carving of Buddha in north-west Pakistan. The statue, thought to date from the second century BC, sustained only minimal damage in the attack near Manglore in remote Swat district. The area has seen a rise in attacks on "un-Islamic" targets in recent months. This is the first such attack in Pakistan and is reminiscent of the Taleban's 2001 destruction of the giant Buddhas at Bamiyan in Afghanistan.
[ Read article ]
The last time this happened was at Bamiyan, Afghanistan [ read article ], where the world's largest Buddhist statues were destroyed by the then-ruling Taliban regime for being "un-Islamic". Although the Taliban are now no longer in power, and on the run from US-NATO forces pursuing them in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan bordering Pakistan, already new extremists have stepped forward in Pakistan to continue their heinous crimes.
..the Bamiyan Buddhas survived for sixteen centuries in the remote fastness of the Afghan Hindu Kush. Neither the ravages of time, nor the conquering armies of Islam--not even the scourge of Genghis Khan--had laid them low.. - Andrew Forbes, CPAmedia.com
Supposedly following the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, an international organization was established to protect and conserve religious sites worldwide [ read article ]. Granted, their jurisdiction probably accounts for nothing in the tribal-controlled border regions of Pakistan. Still, this startling lack of action on their part (aside from the expected cries of outrage and condemnation) is worrisome, as it demonstrates the terrorists' capability to continue their activities unimpeded, despite the world's opposition and horror.
It is obvious enough that the terrorists possess an agenda against all those who are not Muslims. Even better, considering events in Iraq (and the Middle East in general), they're more than willing to wage war against Muslims as well who do not see their side of the coin. Isn't it any wonder Islamophobia is at its height, and the United States is taking an increasingly hardline stance against nations suspected of harboring Muslim terrorists?
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;;How did I get here? The pain so unexpected & undeserved & for some reason cleared away the cobwebs. I realized I didn't hate the cabinet door, I hated my life, my house, my family. My backyard, my power mower. Nothing would ever change, nothing new would ever be expected; it had to end, & it did. Now in the dark world where I dwell ugly things & surprising things, & sometimes little wondrous things spill out at me constantly, & I can count on nothing. - Robert Arctor, 'A Scanner Darkly'
Robert Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is the boyfriend of Donna Hawthorne, a Substance D dealer. Robert Arctor and his housemates, Barris (Robert Downey Jr.) and Luckman (Woody Harrelson), are all heavy drug users and spend much of their time having drug-induced conversations.
However, in secret, Arctor is an undercover operative for the Anaheim Police Department. Wearing a scramble suit that disguises his identity (even from the other police officers with whom he works), his task is to uproot the dealers of Substance D in the government's increasingly disturbing war against the dregs of society.
Codenamed "Fred", he is trying to get close to Donna to identify her supplier, but she's refusing his sexual advances, and Arctor's housemates are beginning to suspect the reality of the relationship.
Things begin take a turn for the worse when "Fred" is ordered by his superior, "Hank", to spy on Arctor because the police suspect Arctor is the key to busting a major drug operation. In the meantime, Arctor's housemates are becoming increasingly paranoid with the idea that the police are out to get them.
And so begins a strange cycle where the hunter is hunting himself, yet doesn't seem to realize the true nature of everything going on around him. The film centers a lot around the concept of paranoia and the effects of drug abuse, accentuated further by the fact that the entire film is rendered as an animated graphic novel. It seems like the whole world is being viewed through the eyes of an addict, and thus adds another layer of interest to the entire serving.
The ending might not be to many people's liking, but, without giving too much away, it also raises a few more interesting questions of ethics and 'doing the right thing for the greater good'. However, overall, I enjoyed the movie despite its overtly dark and depressing mood. Comic humor is provided by the inane conversations between Arctor and his housemates, as well as the idiosyncratic Freck, who's hallucinations are always a source of comedy.
Ultimately, if you're into twisting conspiracy theories or have a taste for intelligent fair like this, I'd definitely recommend this movie. Be prepared to not understand a lot of parts, though; as Arctor becomes lost in the convoluted world that becomes his reality, things might just be just as blur for you.
- saintmaverick -
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;;X said he's a nice boy. I would hardly think so. Maybe its because I'm connected to the victim. His family probably think, he's so young, let him free. But if they'd step out as the general member of public. What would a reasonable member of the public say?
He stabbed and slashed her 24 times. Slashed her face, from one eye, past her nose, right down her cheeks. Stabbed somewhere almost to her heart, then slashed her back when she turned to close the door to the toilet, where she died, bleeding from the 24 stabs and slashes.
He was 13. What makes a 13 year old do things like these? Tell me? Seriously... There is something seriously mentally wrong with this boy, I dont know whether some bad spirit took over his mind or he's just inborn with this instict, but eventhough its been 5 years, I hardly think its enough for a person to be reformed. People who go in for killing, come out after decades and still kill.
If they'd just do something like put him under parole and constant mental checks it will help determine whether he's actually ok in the head down the road. It seems like justice isnt doing well in trying to avoid future calamities. Seriously... it's endangering everyone else out there to let him just walk out free with no strings attached.
I'm seriously sorry for those related to this fella, but as another member of the public, I wouldnt want me of my child grow up to live in such a society with people with such backgrounds walk scotch free.
Blame it on her? She's playful I know, but shes nice too. She was with me just a few days before that happened. She was sitting on my lap, playing around and joking with me, I know well enough. The newspaper plastered all facts to state that she was a bully. Thats because the boy is still ALIVE, she's NOT and she cant defend what she said or did not say. BIAS judgement. They make it in such a way that states as though she asked for it.
Can you imagine, if you son/daughter calls someone fatty. Fine, scold the kid, the other kid prolly gets pissed and says something bad back, but to stab 24 times. Now if you think he deserves to be free and that he's ok in the head... okay... Whatever but fine, think you as a kid, would you stab a person 24 times, slash her face, try to stab her in the heart just because she calls you that? No? Precisely, only a person with something reaaaallly wrong would.
Would you kill a person because he/she called you fatty? ? ? ?
If they would actually monitor him, it would be acceptable.
He hid the weapon, he knew what he did was wrong, he fled from the scene, they convicted him, but what happened, ... the courts cant sentence the boy, because the Child Act 2000 doesnt provide for them to do so.... .... zzzz
Karpal Singh, one defending him agrees too, that the laws should be ammended. Dont you see that as this case sets precedence to the fact that minors can get away free for murder by spending a short period of time, comparatively to adults.
Dont you see that it gives the impression that people can ask kids to murder in their place, and there is possibilty for all parties to walk free just within a few years?
think, you say its absurd, but there are many opportunists out there!!
I do know the fact that there will be people opposing my statement here. Its important to see both sides, but I dont think there's any way for me to be less pissed with the judgement. Even the lowest of sentences, freaking parole couldnt be placed upon him. Its not much to ask for. But hey, ...
*insert cynical comment here*
RIP Mei Fong, its almost 5 years since then.
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;;It's the deadliest shooting rampage to date to occur in the United States. A gunman meticulously prepared himself with weapons, ammunition and body armor for an assault on the Virginia Tech university campus, killing 32 people.
Rumours abound that the attack resulted from what was supposed to be a lovers' feud. His girlfriend, who was from Virginia Tech, had left him for another guy. She was the main target of the attack, it was claimed.
Details are sketchy, but investigations are underway to find out the real cause of the attack. Our hearts go out to the men and women of VT, and you have our deepest sympathies and condolences.
For more information:
- Gunman kills 32 at Virginia Tech before being killed
- Highly unlikely this was a spur of the moment emotional move (VT shooting)
- God Bless Virginia Tech
~verus rara avis~
Comrade's Update: Virginia. Tech President: Gunman was student from South Korea.
[ Read more! ]
;;Another school/campus shooting has occurred in the US of A. This one happened in Virginia Tech university and is the worst shooting to date. Altogether 33 people including the gunmen were shot dead. Everyone knows this is a tragedy for the victims, their friends and family, and America. But, we must realise the ease of gun possession is the main cause of the tragedy.
All I can say is American lawmakers and their gun lobbyist should examine their consciences. Do these people have to be so detached from reality? Prove is everywhere that tight gun controls safe lives. Ever heard of shooting sprees in Malaysia? Maybe before 1970 there were such incidents. The UK has a knife problem which costs lives but don't result in massacres. Knife massacres? I don't think so.
Self defence isn't a valid argument for gun ownership. Guns are designed to kill not only to disable a attacker. Tasers are safer to use. Invoking one amendment in the US Constitution that permits militias is ludicrous. It's obviously an offence to have a militia under the current US government. Militias are only permitted if there's a foreign occupation of America.
Therefore, it's accurate to say guns to many Americans is about arrogance. Power comes with the possession of powerful weapons. Guns feed the classic American thinking of might. Their adventures overseas already prove that America thinks its so high and mighty. Gun possession only reaffirms this primitive mentality. Elephant seals get their harems by fighting. The strongest bull wins. Americans like Bush think like an elephant seal. The show of force apparently forces people to kowtow. That's seriously utter stupidity! The world doesn't work that way. Look at Iraq.
Coming back to gun control we see the foolishness of America. Ego is more important than lives. These people will not control guns until thousands of Americans die in a single shooting spree!
There is also a further evil in the massacre. The Western media has shown its true colours once again this time. Sure, we will all agree that the Virginia Tech massacre is worthy of mention and is a tragedy but what of the 129 civilians killed in the suicide bombing? When it comes to news, people care about things like proximity and oddity. That may be unfortunate, but it's also human nature and it's one of the first lessons in journalism. Humans are just like that. It's also too bad that Westerners think their lives are worth a thousand gold bars whereas the other people are worthless.
If we didn't think like that the world would be heaven now. No more starvation. No more wars. No more suffering. Is human nature inherently evil?
~multum in parvo~
P.S: People are also more interested in shallow celebrities who waste money, talk trash and don't know how to keep their legs shut (zippers close for males) sometimes producing little shallow humans.
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;;He just coldly said,"Gimme all your money."
Have you ever been mugged? Well three of my friends including arbiter (Jaspreet aka. Kwatra) my best friend and fellow RANDTSter have experienced an encounter with muggers. One was mugged, one was "saved" and another fought back and escaped. Here are their tales.
Let me first talk about Shum my fellow Law classmate from Ipoh who told me about almost being mugged or robbed yesterday.
On Tuesday afternoon he walked back to his rented home from KDU to drop of his laptop before heading to Ikea. His home is not really far from the college. He had his laptop with him. As he reached the gate of his residence there were two suspicious Indian guys standing in front of the gate across the road. Shum became suspicious and spooked so he quickly opened his gate and dashed in the house. After keeping his laptop he went for the door of his home. Upon opening it he saw the suspicious men again. This time was standing in front of his gate and the other was obscured by bushes. Fearing for his safety he called Melvin (big and tall Punjabi) and gang to "save" him. When Melvin and gang arrived, the Indian guys disappeared. Shum was saved for the day.
Jaspreet's experience was far scarier as it involved violence, strength, bravery and speed. I was told this true story last week about Jaspreet being grabbed from behind a couple of weeks ago by juggernaut himself.
He was walking on a road near KDU one morning. All of a sudden an African criminal-student one head taller than him grabbed our friend from behind. He just coldly said,"Gimme all your money." Not wanting to give up his stuff Jaspreet turned and quickly pushed the black menace to the ground. He then just quickly darted to the Petronas station nearby. After a while Jaspreet walked out of the petrol station and his assaulter was nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, Jaspreet didn't see his attacker's face so there was no use reporting the incident. However, I suspect there's an African criminal studying in KDU.
Let's now shift our attention to Denish from Bahau, my new friend for a violent finale. He told me yesterday about being mugged not too long ago.
Denish was walking around his neighbourhood on one night. Out of nowhere two Indian criminals grabbed and dragged him into a dark back alley. One of them immediately gave our poor friend two punches. The other grabbed Denish's handphone. They claimed Denish was disturbing their sister which was obviously a lie. They then shouted a few profanities and warned him about disturbing their "imaginary" sister. He was then pushed to the ground and those thugs walked off with his handphone. Denish is a tall and slightly thin dude. Was he easy prey or numbers emboldened those human trash?
The stories of my friends prove that crime can really hit home!
Crime is now a serious issue in Malaysia. Do you fear the current crime rate? Please share your encounters with criminals as comments for this post too. I know that my language is as stiff as wood so maybe you all could elaborate your experiences in a more fluid way.
~multum in parvo~
P.S: Don't worry too much about crime instead try eating sliced papaya enhanced with a squeeze of lime just as I always do.
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