| Obama for Putrajaya |  |  |  |
| Posted by admin | |
| Tuesday, 21 October 2008 11:57 | |
| Azly Rahman "…Haji Ramli Street was a dirt lane where Obama used to while away the hours kicking a soccer ball. In the long rainy season, it turned to thick, mucky soup; Obama and his friends wore plastic bags over their shoes to walk though it," said Adi, who at 46 is the same age as Obama….
… "His mother often went to the church, but Barry was Muslim. He went to the mosque. I remember him wearing a sarong," said Adi. "… given the increasing diversity of America's population, the dangers of sectarianism have never been greater. Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers. … And even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools? Would we go with James Dobson's, or Al Sharpton's? Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is ok and that eating shellfish is abomination? How about Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith? Or should we just stick to the Sermon on the Mount - a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defence Department would survive its application?" Barack Hussein Obama for prime minister of Malaysia? Of course this is a silly proposition, unless Malaysia is USA's 52nd state! We would like to see Malaysia evolve into a country in which race nor religion matter in the appointment of prime ministers. What matter one's moral righteousness, intellectual depth, uncompromising multiculturalist outlook, undying championing of the Constitution, prioritising of needs versus wants, and commitment to a two-term (eight year) prime ministership.
Obama's America votes With less than two weeks before the most exciting US Presidential election, Americans are again, as in the tradition of its democracy, getting an education of what it takes to be a president and what it means to be a voter. Will the United States see her first "most hybridised", "hypertextualised", "heteroglossic" president in Barack Obama? And how can Malaysia learn from yet another interesting episode in American history? No, I am not campaigning for Obama, McCain, Bidden, or Palin. Being a permanent resident, I cannot vote for America's president anyway - not yet. Nor have I campaigned for any prime ministerial candidate of Malaysia - not yet, as I am still waiting for a leader Malaysia deserves. At this moment, I am more interested in analysing phenomena and to write about what is dear to my heart: the possibility of a republic of virtue that begins with a republic of the self. Barack is a phenomena America is coming to terms with. He is an embodiment of America the absurd – of a white America wishing to move away from "whiteness" and dropping the "knapsack of white privilege". Barack means 'barkath' or 'blessings' perhaps this country needs to escape from a military-industrial complex it created. Barack is a product of two of America' best Ivy League traditions; a Columbia University graduate in Politics and International Relations and a Harvard graduate in Law. He is "hybridised," with a Kansas-born white mother and a Kenyan father and an Indonesian stepfather. He is also said to be a distant cousin of Vice President Dick Cheney whose ancestors are said to be great monarchs of Europe. Barack has lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, New York, and Illinois. His Indonesian childhood experience as Barry Soetoro, son of Lolo Soetoro, has brought him fond memories of growing up Javanese and mingling with Muslims children in a secular school mistaken as 'radical madrasah' by right-wing Republican Islamophobic media spinmasters. Hey, but what if Barack is a Muslim and proud of it - should Middle America freak out? Such is testament of how racialised this country is and how uncultured and ignorant Middle America can be. But that experience makes Barack Hussein Obama a deeply kaleidoscopic, hybridised, and cosmopolitan America citizen of the world, I presume.
Barack, Harlem, and the Bronx Barack's New York years at West 116th Street, at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) put him in touch with the reality of the "Harlem-ness and the Bronx-ness" of America. A few more blocks down West 120th Amsterdam and Broadway, one sees a different reality of a Third World America. America of the 'projects' against the backdrop of graffiti, ever-new dance forms, and gangsta rap, hip hop, and reggaeton Barack's education at Columbia must have accorded him with the nurturing of empathy especially for the multicultural poor. His Harvard years must have trained his mind in the cognitive tradition of John F. Kennedy. He is an articulate man whose oratorical skills can even surpass that of the accomplished African-American actor Denzel Washington's. Barack can even appear cameo in Denzel's next movie perhaps called Abraham Lincoln Resurrected; the story of Barack Obama. Barack represents the emergence of America the radical multicultural; a breakdown of grand narrative and hopefully a shift from America the warmonger to America the diplomat and peacemaker. John McCain, a former prisoner of war, represents what America must evolve out of, replaced by a young and sensible man of all seasons and all reasons: Barack Obama. United States of America must now be called United Socialist America, with the disappearance of Wall Street and the nationalisation of the US "central" bank. Casino capitalism which has gambled away the lives of many locally and nationally is making way for a form of capitalism we do not yet know its name.
What Malaysia deserves Malaysia need a new Barack Obama as prime minister. Well not necessarily a Columbia and Harvard graduate but someone with a good education and a good heart and a good set of analytical skills. Most importantly Malaysia needs a prime minister for all Malaysians, not only for this or that race. In Malaysia's Barack will lie a man or woman who can dismantle all race-base policies. Malaysia do not need a John McCain as prime minister. In the Malaysia of John McCain, we will have a system of control akin to militarism, in which secret patronage politics, authoritarianism, and regimentation of a synthesis of Oriental Despotism and modern corporate crony capitalism reigns. If we are to have an Obamanised Malaysia, we will have longer campaigns that makes the prime-ministerial race more intelligent. Creating more respect for our democratic institutions more respect for the rule of law, more informed citizenry whom will not tolerate civil rights violation and more articulated promise for radical educational reform. Most importantly a prime minister committed to dismantling any form of race-base political parties - politics that will always be the root of Malaysia's postmodern/hypermodern ethic and religious conflicts. Of course Barack Obama will never become a prime minister of Malaysia. It is a silly proposition. But may Malaysia be blessed with a leader it deserves at a time when the old regime, with its own "Bush-ism and Reaganomics as twin ideology, is rudely demanding for its rights to continue to rule a restless and radicalised multicultural nation. Of course Obama would not want to belong in any of Malaysia's race-based party - something that'll painfully remind him of Jim Crow, Montgomery and Selma, Alabama.
Comments (14)  ... written by New Malaysian, October 21, 2008 12:31:32 "I ain't votin' for no Hussien", may be the sectarian, communal cry of much of middle America, be he a hybrid of Colunbia and Harvard, of politics and law. Too much propaganda on Iraq has seeped into the average American to now try and pry the Hussein out or to render it neutral. Much as it looks like a hands down win for Barrack Obama, it is my humble opinion that the American pysche cannot allow for a black man to be President no matter how many times more qualified than his rival he is. Come November the world will witness the swearing in of another White Male American to drive in the final nail on the demise of the USA as the solitary world power....... report abuse disagree 22 agree 6 ... written by Awaken64, October 21, 2008 12:34:24 Will OBAMA win? Less than 2 weeks for the world to witness if history can be made!!! As for Malaysia sad case of amnesia!!! report abuse disagree 2 agree 8 ... written by asguard, October 21, 2008 12:47:10 A mirror reflection of malaysia...in American system.... report abuse disagree 0 agree 3 ... written by mahkota, October 21, 2008 12:58:02 As long as UMNO presidential election determines who the next PM is, there will never be a PM for all Malaysians. To be the UMNO President, one has to play to the UMNO gallery of ketuanan melayu mentality.  report abuse disagree 1 agree 17 ... written by skc, October 21, 2008 13:36:57 Didnt know he is a muslim. Bravo to USA for having the first Colour and first Muslim as the president. report abuse disagree 20 agree 5 ... written by clarity, October 21, 2008 13:42:29 Well, it took them abour 30 years to be free from the clutches of racism Obama will win the election for sure and it shows that a coloured man can even become the President of the US. So for a non=malay to be PM maybe 40 to 50 years. Strange that rascism is practised for different reasons in this country. In US and the West, racism is they are white and everybody is black or neutral except the chinese who is classified as neutral. report abuse disagree 0 agree 4 ... written by Rainbowseahorse, October 21, 2008 14:23:02 I have lived & worked in the U.S.A for quite a long time, and they get their share of racism and superiority complex there too.... and I would not want to compare our country’s democratic system to the USA. True that the USA will most probably, for the very first time ever in their long history, get an Afro-American to be their President come this November. But the USA was founded and issued their Declaration of Independence from GB on 4/July/1776…..hmmmm, that would be around 232 years ago; right? Sure took them long enough to finally get round to having, and accepting, a none White President! Hope it doesn’t take our Malaysia that long to get a non Malay as Prime Minister! report abuse disagree 0 agree 14 ... written by teo siew chin, October 21, 2008 14:24:09 "... moral righteousness, intellectual depth, uncompromising multiculturalist outlook, undying championing of the Constitution, prioritising of needs versus wants..." ------------------------------ does that describe our powers-that-be here? ok... make it simple... just name one will do..  report abuse disagree 0 agree 6 ... written by Rainbowseahorse, October 21, 2008 14:25:16 "clarity", don't forget the Hispanics, American Indians & Eskimos/Inuits. report abuse disagree 0 agree 2 ... written by Melly, October 21, 2008 15:41:49 Sir, Christian teachings has only one teaching i.e according to the bible. The emphasis on the Old Testament (in Hebrew)is on the Jews & the New Testament(Greek) on the Non-Jews ( generally speaking). Taking a context here and there, using the translated version alone, will not only be out of context, but, will confuse you to kingdom come. Shalom. report abuse disagree 2 agree 3 ... written by renoir, October 21, 2008 16:29:27 New Malaysian wrote: >"I ain't votin' for no Hussien", may be the sectarian, communal cry of much of middle America ...it is my humble opinion that the American pysche cannot allow for a black man to be President no matter how many times more qualified than his rival he is.]] Quite perceptive of you - an old Colonel friend who was a Vietnam vet told me some years back that he'd like Colin Powell to take over instead of Bush Jr, but feared that should Powell run and win, he might be shot by some crazies. This was the same warning given by Hilary regarding Obama during the recent nomination campaign. Now I know that Obama has been pandering to AIPAC for some time, and might very well be the Tweedledum to McCain's Tweedledee. However, should he turn against his sponsors he might very well end up like JFK. Incidentallyl, though Middle America is often called the Bible Belt, that does not mean that its people are necessarily conservative: this was the place of the famous socialist vice-president Henry Wallace, who was picked by FDR to run the Agriculture department. It was under Wallace that American farmers became a force to reckon with on the world's stage, both for its productivity and modern scientific methods. Then there was the irrepressile Eugene Debs, who was imprisoned for his labor activities such as the Pullman Strike, and who founded the International Labor Organization as well as the Socialist Democratic Party of the US. The Midwest was a place of the Progressive movement and numerous other movements involving worker rights. That it's also a place with religious people isn't surprising: true Christians are always pro-people and socialistic, the kind who remember the Biblical injunction of sharing even our last loaf of bread. Dr.Azly wrote: >United States of America must now be called United Socialist America, with the disappearance of Wall Street and the nationalisation of the US "central" bank.]] Unfortunately, Paulson's bailout involves pumping money into companies by buying preferred stock - otherwise known as non-voting "shares." This means that while taxpayer money is used to bailout the companies, the government will have no say in how the organization is run (quite unlike Europe whose governments would have a say on management matters). Thus, the money is a shot in the arm for the rich, not the people most affected - the debtors. Hence the protests all around the United States. LChuah report abuse disagree 0 agree 10 ... written by SocratesI, October 21, 2008 16:42:33 DSAI is the Obama of Malaysia ! Although he is much older and that is good, 'cos that means he has even more experience than Obama, and Malaysia needs Strong Leadership now, one that will reform our Govt. and with enough experience not to make too many mistakes ! LKS would also make a very effective "Support" DPM with his Integrity and straight punches from the shoulder ! Probably better than Biden ! report abuse disagree 4 agree 9 ... written by bugisman, October 22, 2008 00:43:09 obama is a liar. he's lying thru his teeth everyday, come on, he thinks there's 57 states in US??? while 5th grade already knew it's only 50 states. there's video to prove this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw he's muslim but portray himself as staunch christian along with his racist priest. he even blurted it out during one interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw we don't mind black or white or even grey to be president or christian, muslim, buddhist etc... but we need someone who has integrity and honest. sadly, he's jus another celebrity politician. not to mention his link with bill ayers, yes he may be 8yr old when bill ayer bombed the country but his corporate link while he was already an adult with bill ayer was still left unanswered. also, his controversy of his NATURAL BORN CITIZENSHIP is still questionable, and avoided by him. to be a president, he/she must be natural born not naturalized. yes, we need change, in the nation and the world. and we shall vote for a change but not just because he's the potential first coloured president. even then, he's not entirely black, he's half white. so why can't we call him white president and must it be 'black'? and his policy is just another passe NEP, sharing wealth, wtf. make the hardworking ppl pay higher taxes % while the 'not so hardworking' ones enjoy the fruit of the hardworking ones. isn't that jus another NEP? by taxing the ppl who makes more than 250k per annum that means, there will retard economy growth. imagine whenever we almost reach the 250k mark, we pull hand-brake jus to avoid benefit the non-hardworking folks. that's just another NEP. real policty of another communism. looks like our potential 1st "so-called black" president will create greater slump to the world economy crisis.... time to pack our bag. so should vote for a president that dont know how many states in the country? promoting wealth sharing instead of wealth creation? pretentious christian while is actually a muslim? looks like US is just another bodohland.... report abuse disagree 12 agree 4 ... written by bugisman, October 22, 2008 01:01:03 written by SocratesI, October 21, 2008 16:42:33 and certainly Obama is not DSAI, anwar is much better than him in many aspect. jus name one, the real administration experience will do., obama has never held any administrative office before. basically, he has absolutely NO administraion experience nor global/international exposure. at time like this, the world economy is melting, we need a REAL administrator not a Management Trainee. and there's a foundamental difference in economy belief, anwar embrace wealth creation, fair & justice, while obama push for communist wealth sharing system. anwar push for better inflation and economy maintenance by lessen the people's burden and reward the hardworking folks with merit, obama push for increasing the taxes for the people who work hard and punish those that deserve credits.. i would say, anwar would be a better president than obama. note: not jus msian's media is being spinned, US's media are also being spinned left side centered, the democrats owns the media... to add to that, obama was recently awarded as the AdAge's Marketer of the Year, so that jus explained it all...all talks...potential good actions? well, how much can you expect from a "Management Trainee"? well, jus another bodohland...as i've said.... report abuse disagree 9 agree 1 |
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