The Insider

It was a movie I came across while browsing for the latest news on the satellite channels. It was based on a true story with addition for dramatic effect. It is basically a story of a Head of Research unit of a Big Corporation in the US who was sacked for standing up. He did not want to compromise his belief and principle which he thought was crucial to human health and life. He went through hell! Even his wife left him for not being able to cope and support him.

Of course he found a person who also shared the same principle on life. The principle on integrity, accountability and responsibility. These people were prepared to go against the tide and gave away everything. Indeed they finally triumphed in their life although it was not easy. I am sure they were satisfied with the outcome of their battle for the cause that they believed in in spite of the sacrifices they had to make.

It was almost a prophetic coincidence for the show to be aired today, in the light of the most recent events in this country. The extent of challenges and tribulations people who hold onto noble principles are being unravelled for all to see. To most people it may be hard to swallow but to these selected few, it is their destiny to serve the humanity no matter the price they have to pay. I wonder what is in their heart and soul that sets them apart from the ordinary and mere mortal.

BTW, I thought Russell Crowe and Al Pacino did very well in the film version of the real Insider!

100 Days of Ding Dong

When the sun rose on 9th March 2008, it was like a new dawn with rays of hope. Indeed some hopes are higher than others but still many were hoping for better life. This kind of hope is still there, nevertheless. However the earlier optimism is slowly diminishing withthe kind of ding dong and flip flop being shown. I am talking about the 4 PR governed states. Yes it was not easy to come and occupies the vacant sits with the little experience in governing. It was a very steep learning curve if success were to be gained over nights... This is quite understandable. However the basic element of being together among the PR components that is communicating with each other is obviously not resolved. You still get an excited member easily pronounced about certain things without proper communication internally. Then the oethers had to back pedalled. Then you also have a top guy happily says things on top of his head giving an impression that every action/decision he makes should be told to the Rakyat. He is then seen like another flip flop legend. The question is why can a proper mechanism be put in place to avoid opening your backside to be whacked. This is knowing that there are so many out there who want to see the backside whacked left, right and centre.

Unless the lessons are learned, and learned fast, weakenesses identified and strengthened, gaps closed and rectified, life will be tougher for the next whatever remaining of the 363 x 5 days term to the next election! It is sad that with all the hopes, some PR government seems to fall in the same trap befallen the previous BN governments. While the intention may be good or all done in good faith, the art of governing is far from satisfactory. But then again that is the challenge that we ought to face and overcome. Here hoping that things will only get better!

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Part 1

'[A] masterful follow-up to....The Kite Runner. Not to be missed. A Thousand Splendid Suns will tear at your heart' - Chicago Sun-Times

'A stirring read....almost impossible to resist.' - Entertainment Weekly

'Uplifting, Enlightening, Universal.' - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

'Once again the setting is Afghanistan, but this time [Hosseini] has taken the last thirty-three years of that country's tumultuous history of war and oppression and told it on an intimate scale, through the lives of two women.' - The New York Times

'A brave, honorable, big-hearted book.' - The Washington Post

'This engaging, heartbreaking novel soars.' - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

''When the journey continues, the search will go on until the sun sets" - White Eagle

Double Jeopardy - Part 1

'When mobster Al Moroconi is charged with orchestrating a heinous crime against a young woman, the first defense attorney on the case mysteriously disappears. TravisByre - a smart Dallas cop who recently traded his badge for a law degree - is appointed by a federal judge to speak for the defense.

Then Moroconi vanishes into the Dallas underworld - taking Travis's reputation with him. Running for his life, Travis comes to a horrifying realization: the charge against Moroconi is just a cover for something much bigger and more foul.....'

William Bernhardt
www.ballantinebooks.com

Personal v Professional

It was rather sad these days to see many people in the 'professional' line could not differentiate between personal interest and professional interest. Most think that since they work in certain professions, they thought they are professionals realising very little the true meaning of professionalism. How often these days one hears about top management of an organisation or a corporate body making decision based on other than professionalism. In trying to justify their personal actions they would resort to all sorts of dirty tricks at their disposal without really feeling any remorse. These people become an arrogant lot. They thought the trust and responsibility given to them is a licence to do anything they like and they wish without being accountable. As a result those unfortunate people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time would suffer.

Why can't people be honest and do the right thing professionally? Is it because of incompetence, lack of knowledge or fear of own weaknesses? Or is it the fear of own shadow? But then again, if one is above board and beyond reproach what is there to be fear of the shadow? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. Go and figure it out!

Parental Visit

The previous weekend was a return trip home with the kids. It was a family occasion celebrating one of the third generation getting hitched. I managed to take time off to go back home although the occasion was somewhere else. It was a time to renew family ties with relatives who have not crossed our paths for some time. After a good rest, it was time to return to the city. The trip was generally exciting although rather tiring driving over 600km in a day. It was worth it, nonetheless to see mum and dad....