When Stupidity Hits Mankind!

Today is one of those days as I turn my lights off and tuck myself into bed, my eyes just won't shut. Thoughts are running through my mind and people just have a way to get at me. Unfortunately, I am not alone tonight. As I walked back to my office from my last pre-law paper, my boss informed me about the tragic shooting that happened in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.
For a moment there, I hoped he was joking. I would rather someone come out with a sick joke than actually literally shooting children. Since then, I would not stop reading articles, keeping myself updated with whatever that was going on.
Now, when I started this blog, I told myself to never blog about articles in United States. United States is too complicated for me to all 'politician' on it. But today, it disgust me. Not politics. But humans themselves!
It disgust me that at times when a nation have lost 26 people (including the gunman), people will come up talking about gun control, constitution, politics, and psychiatric evaluation. Honestly, is it so hard to just simply feel sad for the people who have lost a member of their family? Is it necessary to find a reason to why a shooting spree happened?
No joke he had mental illness! Which person in the right mind would kill his mother at home, drive to the elementary school she volunteers at and shoot 24 other people before taking his own life away? Anyone who has the slightest common sense can come up with that. We don't need you giving us an article justifying why he did it.
What happened to a tribute article to the victims? Never thought about it? I know exactly why! Cause at times like this, producing an article about the lifetime story of the shooter is more important than the victims who lost their lives to them. How about the principal's lifetime story? Even after being shot, she fought herself to alert the school. How about the teachers who put their lives out there to drag these children into classrooms and cabinets to protect them?
It is sick to think about what society has driven us into and what media has turned into. Why are we giving so much credit to the criminals? Is it really important? We do need answers as to why a crime occur, but do we really need a whole page article about the shooter up to his elementary school friends?
I don't know about you, but personally, honestly, I would rather read 18 pages, each contributing to every child as to what they loved, what they enjoyed, their family, their friend, and another 6 pages of the adults about what were their favorite food, which school did they attend than a whole page telling me where the shooter's father lived, the brother, how he was in school and how he is mentally ill!
Like I've said, anyone with the slightest common sense knows he's sick!
Not even done yet. People who come up and say, 'Well, guess its time to look into the constitution and gun control law' ... in case you haven't noticed, half these people who go on a shooting spree, does not legally own them! It doesn't even have anything to do with your policies! Adam Lanza was 20! He could not legally obtain a weapon even if he wanted to!!!
I came home today, cleaned my apartment, and stared at it blankly. I am separated from my family by the Pacific Ocean. I imagined the face of my mother if she received a call from the authorities and said they found my body, dead. Tears started running down my face.
I know my dear family and friends back in Asia are following the news right now and are as shaken as I am. By the end of the day, what I am trying to get across is, it is okay to just grieve or feel sad or just cry. No need to bring politics and long descriptions into everything that happened. Some said it was wrong for President Obama to cry. Personally, I don't see why is it. Every parent in every corner of this world will be crying for the victim's parents today. Every child in this world will feel sad for these children yet grateful for their parents and their lives today.
My heart goes out to all the families and friends of all victims today. Young or old, they belonged to a family, they had a duty to themselves, their society, and they are a loss.
_____________________________
Just a side one real quick.
Couple of days ago, there was a lady who was shot in Marquette. Her life is not in danger and is now safe. Why I brought this up? It is because, I have the habit of reading the comments of articles each time I am done reading to just see what people thought about it and came across one who said, 'This place is becoming the ghetto'...
Forgive me if I'm about to offend anyone. GO GET SOME EDUCATION! Ghetto doesn't mean shooting and taking drugs! It was a term used WAYYYYY back then to describe the slums where African American slaves lived! They were forced there because they were a minority.
Ghetto could also be used to describe an area where it is occupied by a certain ethnic group cause of social and economical issues - which then again, leads to minorities who are pushed and not accepted in society!
Ignorance gets me. I do acknowledge there is the whole 'slang' term or whatever. But the 'slang' itself is wrong. Back in those days, in 'ghetto areas', minorities helped each other. How often do you see a minority just standing up and decides to pull the trigger on his own race cause 'he feels like it'.
Calling a place ghetto, DOES NOT justify why there's shooting, killing, deaths, or drugs. 
It simply means, like I've said, an area where it is occupied by a a certain ethnic group. And if you think because it is occupied by a certain ethnic group that a place becomes dangerous, let me tell you this, GO F*CK YOURSELF & HIDE IN A CORNER! Cause obviously, people like you, do not benefit the already sickening society we live in.
GHETTO DOES NOT MEAN VIOLENCE AND DRUGS!
__________________________________
I'm sorry I haven't been updating! With the semester ending, you'll definitely hear more from me! Good night dear readers!

Crime Rates

Back in 2011, Malaysia gained recognition with the Global Peace Index ranking 19th out of 153 countries. It was a big step for Malaysia because in 2009, it was ranked only at 26th.

Now, we all must be thinking, that it is a safe country. I'm not sure if that is what you want to think. According to the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin, the crime index of Malaysia had then decreased by 11%. I have friends and family in Malaysia. Better still, I live in Malaysia. Here's what I have to say about it. If security have improved, why do people worry about stepping out of their homes? Some people are even afraid of their own homes. Is 2009 really worst than 2011? Better yet, is 2011 better than 2012?

And if Malaysia is one of the safest country, I don't dare think about any other countries that are ranked below Malaysia. Just recently in May, before I return to Malaysia, a child, Nayati Shamelin Moodliar was kidnapped. Thanks to the public, Moodliar was safely returned to his home.

Since then, it was crimes after crimes, after crimes. Read this article and it is up to you to judge if Malaysia IS one of the SAFEST countries.

Violent crime rates in Malaysia by The Star (click the title)

Those aren't even all of it. How about the three ladies who were hit on their heads by 2 men in Jusco, Cheras Selatan; the lady who was attacked in Mid-Valley; the three snatch thief cases that happened in one day with only an hour gap; and the spikes left on Federal Highway nearby KDU ? Lets not even mention the psychotic criminal who went around throwing acid at people last year (2011) ! Ironic? YES!

I'm sorry, but there is no way I'm believing that Malaysia's crime index has reduced. If it is anything, the cases reported at police stations were ignored or not everyone reported their cases.

Now, with all that said, someone asked me if I think that crime rates correlate with unemployment. Honestly, if I have the stats, I will put it up. But here is what I think.

Crime rate is not only affected by unemployment. Government and citizens play an important role in affecting the crime rate. Honestly, who in Malaysia has not tried to bribe a police officer? Was the police officer bribed? We all know the truthful answer. Police officer holds a job, yet, isn't bribery a form of crime?

And in my opinion, the government could do better. Robbers and snatch thieves, all they want is money. WHY?! Cause everything in Malaysia is expensive. Yet, pay here is low. Lawmakers in Malaysia had recently amend the law saying that minimum wage for foreign workers has to be RM1500 while local workers has to receive a minimum wage of RM900 a month respectively. Let me break it down for you.

A plate of noodle is RM5. We have three meals a day, so that makes it RM15 a day. There is 30 days a month, which adds up to RM450. Rent is about RM400 a month. All that adds up to RM850. How about transportation? Transportation in Malaysia is bad. So, everyone owns at least a motorcycle. RM50 for gas a month isn't enough!

I'm not saying that employers should increase their employees' wages, but the government should really start subsidizing more on food and petrol, improvising public transportation, and control immigrant workers!

That's the government's part. As for the people, we should really stop complaining about the wages. Money is still money, little or a lot. No developed country gained prosperity by robbing and snatching.

So, does crime rate correlate to unemployment, yes, but it also correlates to inflation. People with RM900 a month can barely survive. So how do you want people with no jobs to survive? What more when there's inflation almost every other year??? ROB! SNATCH! KIDNAP! That's their only answer.

Conclusion:
1. Malaysia is the safest country in SE Asia as quoted by News Straits Times, 07 March 2012.
2. Unemployment does affect crime rates
3. Unemployment, Inflation and Crime Rates all correlates
4. Government plays an important role in keeping a country safe

I wanna hear from fellow Malaysians! All week I've been reading articles and all that is said is that Malaysia has a decreasing crime index but when I open newspaper everyday, I see crimes! Not only that, I see dissatisfaction towards the way crimes are being handled! Its your turn to voice out :)

Getting Paid

Welcome back to my lovely readers and as for new readers, welcome.

On this very special Monday, we'll talk about the working people and their pay. Of course we're not going to talk about a pay of a part-time student or freelancer. We're going to be discussing the pay of the lovely ministers in Singapore. I know this has been a long debated issue. And since 2010, lawmakers of Singapore have pushed for a pay cut. And even with the pay cut, the dear Prime Minister of Singapore has the highest paying salary of US$1.7million (S$2.2million) while the President has a pay of S$1.54million.

If you're wondering why I sound upset, let me share a little something with you.

The President of United States only gets paid US$450,000 including his expenses.

Here's a list of Prime Ministers and their pay (these countries are said to have one of the highest paid politicians):

Germany: US$298,480

South Africa: US$283,595

Canada: US$296,400

Australia: US$365,065

France: US$304,746

Ireland: US$287,900

Hong Kong: US$554,545

To quote Bloomberg, here's what is written on the January 4, 2012 news:

'“An entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama but you can’t please everyone,” said Eugene Tan, a political commentator and assistant professor of law at the Singapore Management University.'

Of course you can't please everyone. But the pleasing should be towards the people, no? Government is there not so the people could please them! It is just plain ridiculous. And when Mr Eugene Tan stated that 'an entry-level minister will still make more than President Obama', he was no where near kidding cause an entry level minister makes S$1.1 million (US$869,340) a year! That's more than two times of Obama's pay (without the expenses).

Now, enough with the minister. Let's talk about an average worker in Singapore. A full-time employee. To be fair, let's compare them to other government workers shall we? For instance, teachers. Government is the guidance to a country. Teachers are guidance to the young generations. To me, they do almost the same amount of work. Except, the ministers have more little minions to help them complete an assignment. Whereas teachers only got themselves to correct all assignments, set exam papers, teach, prepare lectures and everything else ! Teachers' starting salary is only S$39,000 (US$30,822) a year. And that is only, and only if, the teacher mentioned holds a degree with HONORS. I guess working for a private company will get you more pay than that. 

I'm not complaining about a teachers' pay being too high, but I say that's too low. I've seen how some of my teachers worked back when I go to school in Singapore. They barely even close their eyes for a 4-hour sleep! I dare say more than 75% of the ministers to take home S$1.1million a night, goes to bed happily every night. I knew politics was dirty all along. But I just wanted to make a point in this post.

The pay used to pay these entry-level ministers, is it really needed? They have yet to prove themselves useful even. And dear Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, I don't mean to insult you, but honestly, do you really not feel bad taking that much of money? And these money, are hard earned money by your people. I'm not saying you shouldn't be paid, but I'm saying, with your 36% cut, this is still a lot! People get taxed the moment they earn above S$22,000 a year of 2%. The 2% looks like a small figure. But it honestly isn't. 

Transportation in Singapore is convenient, but expensive. Food is yummy, but then again, its expensive. School is said to be subsidized, but then again, its expensive. To raise a child in Singapore is not easy. There is the Baby Bonus plan. But that only apply to the third child. The problem is, before having the third child, a family might have already break apart due to the high price of HDBs, education, etc (which I'll talk about later next week or so). 

Then, your answer to our troubles is to take a loan. Honey baby, do you really want your young generation to start the working world in debts? And when we tell you things are expensive and that the government could subsidize more, there you go increasing the price for bus fare. And when we complain about immigrants and PRs, you tell us we don't want to have children. Well, its not that we don't want to. Waitresses and waiters, to executives all wants children. But we're all stressed out for our career because we need money! We need money to first have a shelter over our heads before we could even start a family. 

Take another pay cut, put it into education, housing, or transportation, and you can and will see a difference. Maybe not instantaneously, but surely you will. 

P/S I do not dislike Singapore. I love my country more than ever, but someone gotta see the flaws and polish it to make it move forward. We can't be little minions and just follow. We study history for a reason. To learn from it. 

That's all I have for you guys today! Please share if you think its worth reading, or sound off at the comments area below. 

Have a blessed week ahead!

Children and Work

Many around the world gets furious upon hearing that child labor still exist. Some say its a horrible thing. Personally, I disagree with child labor too. Children were born innocent into this world and they were meant to be pampered and loved. However, far far away from where I sit now, in Africa, thousands and millions are putting their two hands to work for ... I don't know. Do they even get USD 1 a day? Cocoa is rich in the Ivory Coast, and back in my early days of college, I've learnt that child labor is really huge there too.

So here's what I have to share. Agree or disagree, its up to you. 

One day, as I was driving a couple of my friends (Africa origin) I asked them about the condition in Africa. And when I showed disagreement about companies using child labor in Africa, this is what one of them replied me: Afina, you have to understand, there's a difference between child slavery and child labor. Honestly, I don't see a problem with child labor. Their parents salary itself cannot support them. The children needs to live and if work it is, then it is what it is. They need the money.

At that moment, I disagree with her. In my mind I thought, why not they just don't have children then. Then I saw another problem. They were humans too. And with the lack of education, who was going to teach them about sexual reproduction and family planning? It lingered in my mind for a very long time. Then today, as I was walking down the streets of Singapore, I see children crying over toys and ice-cream. Then I suddenly thought of what my friend had to say.

I never had to suffer as a child. I never had to put my own two hands to work. And thus, I was more concerned over the children having to work than the reality. If there is one thing I were to raise awareness to in Africa, it wouldn't be the fact that children are put to work. Instead, it'll be the fact that their adults are under paid. If only they were paid the pay they deserve, only if they were seen as humans and not robots, maybe these children then wouldn't have to be put to work.

But till then, I won't boycott products that use child labor, cause these children need the money. Be it for food, be it as their hope to achieve what we achieve with our parents' money, its their hope. If we were to boycott those companies, and the world stop paying these children, then where is their money going to come from? They don't have parents who earn USD 5 an hour.

When I was a child, I told my grandmother that one day, I'm going to be so rich, that I'll buy Africa and feed all the starving children. She laughed and say, 'your kind intention can't save everyone'.

We as humans act as we feel, but we barely put ourselves in their shoes. Africa has a very corrupted government no doubt. But which country doesn't?

Now its your turn, what do you think bout child labor in Africa?

Here's a few video to show you how cocoa is made. Cocoa, the one we all put in our mouth.

The Challenge to Make Chocolate :
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3

In the Beginning

This is the first post and thus, I shan't make it too long. Here's a little intro, I've no interest in politics when I was little. However, when I went over to the States and learned about it, I started falling in love with it. It is dirty and it is messy, but I give credit to my dear friend Justin and professor Dr William Ball for my passion in politics.

This blog isn't meant to insult any government body, country, or person. I also hope that with all the soon-to-come post, we all keep in mind there are different races and religion and lets not be judgmental or bias over one another. I start this blog with the hope to share my opinion and to hear what all of you have to say. There is no right or wrong in politics. Bare in mind though, that your comments will be removed if it is found to be racist. I shall not tolerate racism in this blog.

Now, about this blog. I'm not going to focus on one country. I'm going to be bouncing back and forth between countries that I've learned and studied about. Now, we all know that there is also no perfection in politics. So if there's anything that you readers don't see fit, then please do comment. There's so many ways to see things that it is amazing to my eyes sometimes to see what people have to say about a simple issue.

There will be voting polls up once in awhile and I really do hope I get the maximum feedback. This blog, like I've mentioned in the header was meant to serve as the public's voice and not mine. The truth is not always sweet and yes, it takes one man to start but it takes more than one to be carried out. Not only that, I really hope this blog will grow, and as it does, so will my understanding for politics!

I'll be updating this blog once a week every Monday. So to help me kick off next week, why not I'll let you guys start it off. Sound off on what you want next week's topic to be!