Monday, May 19, 2008

TO BE OR NOT TO BE



"To be, or not to be, that is the question;
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to — 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life,
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action."

This soliloquy of the Danish Prince Hamlet has been given multiple interpretations although its influence have stretched from Star Trek to Sesame Street. But for this purpose I would go with E Possers' interpretation: He opined that "This soliloquy is a meditation on the central theme of the duties and temptations of a noble mind in an evil world".

Of course it is apparently apt here to take another of Willie Shakespeare's immortal line when the ghost of the King (McDuff), was seen by an officer of the palace guards, walking over the palace walls. The guard thus said: "Something is rotten in the House of Denmark". This of course has only one interpretation: to describe corruption or a situation when something is really wrong.

The question: To cross over or not to cross over?

When a company's books show an incremental slide, can the CEO asks for loyalty. Loyalty may not put bread on the table. What would you do?

When the building is burning, do you call a meeting to discuss how to put out the fire. If you are not suicidal, you would vacate the building? I would. Still looking for the fire-hose or the fire-hydrant amongst thick undergrowth of mismanagement and non-maintenance?

When KD Barisan Nasional is already showing signs of arthritic disfigurements and its rudder lost or stolen for personal gains....shouldn't it sail towards the dry docks....but lets say it cannot make the journey to the dry docks, what should the "sailors" in KD Barisan Nasional do? Sink or swim together. That's stujpid, when KD Pakatan Rakyat has its life-boats circling the decrepit 62(?)year old imitation of a proud ship of yesteryears. I alway maintain that there are still some good men in UMNO but what can a few good men do to right so many arrogant wrongs?
Already, some of the registered owners of the ship are deregistering their ownership! NO?


There is this debate going on currently about the morality of "to cross or not to cross". I for one hold strongly to this fact that it was the people who voted whoever into parliament. It is the common sense thing to go back to their constituency and say honestly:, " I cannot serve you well in this type of "climate" ....with your endorsement, can I cross over to more conducive clime?" And if they say yes and they find out that money was involved to improve the climate, the people must without any hesitation "decapitate" this turncoat.

What say you, people?

10 comments:

Henry A said...

"ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for her" are noble words.
Come on everyone lets 'pakat'and do whats right for the 'Rakyat'.

Anonymous said...

When the ship is sinking, the message that goes out is SOS (save our souls).
Any ship in the vicinity is expected to respond so these souls can be saved from drowning.
This is done by `crossing over` from the sinking ship to the rescue ship.

Anonymous said...

Sir,

I had that honor to write a Chapter on Tun for a coffee-table book that was launched by His Majesty the previous Agung.

Yes I am not ashamed to say that I held Tun in high esteem when writing that Chapter some years ago.

But today seeing what Tun is doing and his arguments which are crusading along racial sentiments, it makes me weep.

Why is this man who once was admired by several countries including Japan, wanting to go down history so contorted?

He could have taken that path of guided wisdom, sharing his experience and brilliant mind to help the nation to continue to strengthen itself upon his retirement.

He makes it sound like as if all those from the opposition camps are villains and thieves out to rob the nation of freedom, democracy, its wealth and power concentrations.

And in the process it is tantamount to denying the citizens their rights for they voted these people in.

I cannot help but think that the cobwebs are everywhere and our politicians are slowly getting entangled with each passing day.

As they sling it out in a desperate ditch, the question that remains unanswered is: at whose cost?

I worry for the rakyat -- you and me included. Why do we continue to pay the price for the sins of our politicans?

Anonymous said...

Hoi tolong cari Samy vellu, dia punya party sudah kosong tak ada member lagi, Mungkim mamak sama mamak boleh kowtim jadi boleh buka party member MIC Baru

Anonymous said...

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Edmund Burke-philosopher & politician

Old Fart said...

Poor Haris..finds himself alone on this one.

Its a good principle to stand on when you have fine weather.

There is a storm out there. KD Barisan Nasional captained by UMNO is sinking. If not, its at least destroying everything that it is carrying on board. That includes the country itself.

I say jump! Sooner the better. Unfortunately, calling for a democratic like meeting of constituents at your local town hall might just set off a series of events you can well bet UMNO will have to initiate to remain captain may end up with nothing to stay on board for. Just see Myanmar and you can see for yourself.

Anonymous said...

Break The Chain... jump la!

One day a man went to the Circus. He saw many animals; some very powerful. He noticed that all of the very powerful animals were kept caged up. All except for the Elephant. The Elephant looked to be probably the strongest of all. But, the only thing used to restrain him was a little bracelet and chain around one leg fastened to the ground with a peg! The man wondered why the Elephant didn't try to break free from this restraint. He noticed a man who was taking care of the animals and asked him this question. "Why doesn’t this powerful Elephant try to break free from this little chain"? The animal keeper just laughed and said: "Many years ago when the Elephant was small and not as strong as he is now, he did try over and over to break free. But he just couldn't do it. Finally, he just gave up and has never tried again to break free. He doesn't realize that with time he has grown bigger and stronger. He just thinks, "What's the use! I can't do it. I tried before and couldn't do it. I won't even try."

Sometimes we forget that circumstances change... jump la!

Anonymous said...

I say let the people decided.

If they have voted the rep in at one party, let the rep go back to the people by resigning and seek re-election asap if they intend to join another party.

flyer168 said...

Dear Zorro,

For as long as PM & his UMNOputras are in self denial , still on their BLIND self destruct trajectory... then it is definitely the Final Curtain & check-mate for BN !

The reduced strength of the remnant UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc including the good BN members, cannot champion their party’s cause to the rayaat. They are intimidated to sing the same BN tune which is all rhetorics ! Talk is Cheap, anyone can do it !

The Honest & Dedicated will need to break away & Resign from BN (UMNO,MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc) to allow an Honest & Dedicated representative to be re-elected to convince the rayaat & sincerely “Walk their Talk”.

One by one....steadily...they will jump ship with a choice to live another day in the PR lifeboats or DROWN forever !

What more is there to say or advise !

Just sit back & watch more action with the great BN Domino Tsunami.

Referring to J. D. Lovrenciear's comments, may I as a layman commend him on his very astute & intellectual Blog comments, do keep up your comments.

Now may I be allowed to answer his question: "Why is this man who once was admired by several countries including Japan, wanting to go down history so contorted?"

God created this universe with its diverse nations, etc & beings as innocent & pure with a basic universal norm as mentioned in all religious text.

This universe has enough for everyones’ need but not GREED !

Then Man interpeted those basic norms...to be better, etc...for MONETARY gains & now blame God for Man’s folly which has resulted in Global warming, disasters, famine, etc.

There was nothing wrong with Malaysia, UMNO, MCA MIC,etc.

Our Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, “Bapa Malaysia” & his 1st cabinet were all established Noble & Humble people (professionally, financially & socially with good family backgrounds), had NOBLE intentions for this nation & its people to achieve Independence from the Colonials.

Everyone in general was of ONE mind - multi-cultural with no racial, cultural & religious barriers - it was a beautiful Malaya, then Malaysia where everyone were friendly & buddies - males, females, young & old !

Since then.....WHERE DID WE GO WRONG ????

Our Bapa Malaysia was "too friendly with with all his children, adopted children, etc & his rayaat" so he was betrayed, back-stabbed & the rest is HISTORY !

Yes, “This universe has enough for everyones’ need but not GREED !”

Man then created...& we the rayaat went along to support the need for such leaders,policies,etc.

The cycle of soft to firm,to autocratic leaders evolved as the rayaat chose/elected them.

When the job was done, the euphoria (patronised by their cronies, supporters within & outside the Party) brought the leaders to the next level of confidence & firmness, to overconfident, then autocratic & finally arrogant.

The monster that the rayaat chose/elected/created becomes uncontrollable & refuses to listen to the peoples' sentiment, pleas, etc, to accept criticism, to apologise & correct the situation - in self denial !

"Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" - The Greed for Status, Power, Croonies, Supporters & Money
!
To step down gracefully would be POSSIBLE (like Tun Tan Siew Sin , one of our admirable Finance Minister & many others during his time ) if they have Honour, Integrity, Transparency, etc without any Skeletons in their closet.....but with our present Politicians and their "Gravy Train" which they encouraged, WILL NOT ALLOW them an "Honourable Exit".

Anytime anyone points their finger at somebody, three fingers are pointed at themselves - we are the cause of our problems or rather...WE allowed it to happen !

History has shown us over and over again...but Man never wants to LISTEN & LEARN - as in the Phillipines with Marcos, Indonesia with Suharto, Singapore with LKY & now it is at our doorsteps.

Each & everyone of the Politicians, Govt servants including us... have a choice to decide.

Recycled politicians have past histories which might not be acceptable to Head of States, parties , constituencies , our investigative bloggers & the rayaat.

I personally believe that ultimately God will anoint the True Leaders of this great nation not necessary from any party.

Who knows...a Phoenix could arise from the ashes of BN as a True Leader for Malaysia & Malaysians!

Just look at YB LGE, the new CM of Penang. God blessed him (which even he did not expect) for his sufferings & abuse by Man in trying to help the Innocent.

Anonymous said...

Jump for the sake of the nation.

The time is now, not a momemt too soon.

Give us back our country.

We want to live, work and play as Malaysians, once more.

So Jump, say I.