5 years ago..

I looked like that! Now after so much stress i look.... Old haih

Five signs it is time to walk away

I can totally relate to this article! I love the comments given by the public too..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2207612/Five-signs-time-WALK-AWAY.html

H&M opening at Lot 10

Were you at the H&M public opening at Lot 10?
Were you part of the tremendously long queue outside?
Were you part of the queue waiting to try on clothes?

Lol... I was not. I was only a passerby and the above scenarios was what I saw. H&M has two floors in Lot 10. I realised they took over Debenhams lot. Debenhams is now located in Star Hill. How many times has Debemhams moved already? Four? Five?

Anyway, I did not get a chance to step into H&M. I have been to the ones in USA, but was never a big fan of their stuff.

Then it had me thinking: with Forever 21 and H&M here, I really wish someome could bring New York and Company to KL. Thats my favourite brand from USA! Dang, brings back memories of being in USA....

Anti-Abortion Protests and Free Speech

A US-Style Pro-life "Mobilisation"

 On 26 September, 40 Days for Life will begin “the largest and longest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilisation in history”.   The organisation is US-based, but operates worldwide. Ostensibly it exists to organise 40 days of Christian prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach.  It just so happens this will be directly outside nine UK abortion providers including BPAS, Marie Stopes and NHS hospitals.

"Hold my hand Mama, Don't Kill Me" etc

In our country it is clearly legal and permissible to organise a prayer vigil.  It is also permissible to seek advice on a termination and to have one carried out, within the terms of the law.  The question arises of what happens when the exercise of the first of these impinges on the second.

40 Days states that Christ taught us that some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting, and that these acts will bring an end to abortion. On its website it quotes from the Book of Chronicles about wicked people being listened to from heaven, and having their sins forgiven.  However, many would say it is less God’s intervention than the actions of its 500K+ members, which have led to the specific measurable results it boasts of.  These include having closed down 24 abortion centres, 69 workers having quit their jobs, and having “saved” 5,928 babies to date worldwide.

40 Days is not a simple prayer group: it is a highly organised body that agitates to obstruct and prevent individual women seeking legal terminations.  Participants book specific timeslots over its website at the locations targeted.  There’s a code of conduct for participants, none of which prohibits displaying distressing images, or photographing or filming attendees (all of which have happened previously at 40 Day vigils in the UK).  Last week members of the anti-abortion group, Abort67, were found not guilty of public order offences for displaying large images of aborted foetuses and approaching women entering a clinic in Brighton.   One complainant had apparently been raped; another was attending following a miscarriage.

"I disagree your view, but defend your right to say it"

Most of us would doubtless subscribe broadly to the old line (misattributed to Voltaire) that we might disagree with someone’s view, but defend their right to say it.  This suggests an acceptance that freedom of speech should be an absolute, unlimited right.  In fact, almost everywhere the right is qualified, and for very good reason.   In the US, the First Amendment is limited by a series of cases such as Schenck v US (the famous quote about free speech not protecting falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing panic).  In Europe, Article 10(2) of the ECHR specifically sets out permissible limitations on freedom of expression.  We can, and should, argue about the parameters: draw the precise line where you will on the incitement of violence, hate speech, child pornography etc.  It is about balancing free speech with other values and rights society wishes to defend.

A great quote, even if he didn't actually say it

What is often missing, however, is an understanding that the context is sometimes as relevant as the words themselves.   I personally have no problem with “Racist Tram Woman” expressing her views about immigration on a YouTube video.  I’d probably listen for a bit, switch off and feel pity that someone has so much hatred.  No harm done: she is entitled to her views and I chose to listen.  However, I do have an issue when the same words are directed at specific people on public transport.  Their right not to feel threatened, to a quiet journey, and to not be racially abused in front of their children conflicts with her right to express her views.  The place and context are highly relevant.  Similarly, shout “fire” at me in a soggy English field and I’d look round and not be alarmed, but in a crowded room I can well see why your right should be restricted. 

Fortunately most people realise that just because a right exists, doesn't mean it is must be exercised it in all contexts at all times.  I don’t need the law to dictate to me that I shouldn’t make cancer jokes to someone whose mother died of cancer.  I inherently see the harm in that, even if I “have the right” to do so.  Like most people in society, I try to exercise my rights mindful of others.

The Problem of Westboro Church

The problem comes when a minority of people use their speech to deliberately conflict with other people’s rights.  Westboro Baptist Church is famous for picketing soldiers’ funerals with “God Hates Fags” signs.  They believe God is punishing America by the deaths for its “gay tolerance”.  This led in August to President Obama’s signing a federal law that prohibited protests near military funerals.  A Californian law was also signed this week that prevents protests within 300 feet of all funerals (Aids victims’ families have also been targeted).   

"Christian love"?  Still, it's their right to express it

Free speech is the absolute cornerstone of a healthy, democratic society and restrictions on it must be limited and for good reason.  The above laws attempt to balance First Amendment rights with the rights of others to privacy and dignity, in the specific very upsetting context of a funeral.  They permit the Westboro Baptists to express their views, but do not allow them to do so in a particular, limited place.

Genuine Prayer/ Education/ Protest or Targeted Individual Intimidation?

With this example in mind, we return to anti-abortion groups.  I do not agree with 40 Days that a woman may possess “evil demons that must be cast out”, but if they wish to “educate about abortion” on the Internet, on street corners, in newspapers or in their churches, they should feel free.  If they wish to change our abortion laws, they should march, lobby and bring the issue to politicians’ attention.  They could do this far more effectively in Westminster than outside an NHS hospital in Southampton.  If they truly believe that prayer and fasting will bring an end to abortion, they are welcome to organise vigils entirely free of food in any number of venues.  They presumably need not be outside clinics for an omnipresent God to hear them.

Abort 67 protestors/ "educators"

They are, of course, however highly disingenuous about their intentions.  They are groups that seek to bring about the end of abortion by influencing individuals in the difficult and sometimes deeply traumatic position of an unwanted pregnancy.   They protest in front of clinics.  It is hard to view their actions as not being direct intimidation. Their aims are quite transparent: to scare women off from having terminations and to close down services offering them.

We are faced again with a balancing act.  There’s the wider social interest in protecting free speech, and the two sets of individual conflicting rights: the protestors who want to impose their personal values; and the rights of potentially vulnerable women to have privacy, access entirely legal services, and not feel threatened.  A law that moves their vigils away from the doors of clinics undoubtedly involves a limited restriction on free speech.  The protestors are still free to express their views, just not in a specific context, where it is likely to deliberately impinge on the rights of others.  As such I’m clear where the balance rests for me, just as I’m clear that US-style anti-abortion tactics are here to stay in this country.


[The text of this by me first appeared on the New Statesman website on 22 September 2012]

Aurora

GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER: Ernesto Olivares Busto

How stunning is this! This season's first amazing northern lights played and swayed in the skies over Reykjavik last week, granting a stunning display of plasmic green for anyone who bothered to look up into the midnight heavens.

The key elements of an auroral show - crisp weather, ionized solar wind and darkness (not available in the summer months, remember) - plus the gorgeous lighting of downtown Smoke City came together beautifully for Ernesto and his camera. Be sure to keep an eye out for them this weekend because, as SpaceWeather.com puts it, "The onset of northern autumn means it's aurora season. For reasons researchers don't fully understand, equinoxes are the best times to see Northern Lights," and today is the Autumn Equinox. In addition, a nice flow of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field this weekend.

Ernesto is the caretaker of Our House, an award-winning hostel that I mentioned in a previous post. He takes consistently amazing photos of his adopted city, many of them from the balcony of the hostel. Go visit his Facebook Page, Rvk Pics, to see more of his great photography.

So, Gleðilega Haustjafndægur, everyone! May you find lovely balance in your life!!

Snow Skin Mooncakes for sale

I am selling homemade snow skin mooncakes. 1 box consist of four mooncakes. 1 box cost RM56.

My mooncakes comes with a choice of filling:
1) Lotus
2) White lotus
3) Yam
4) Red bean

Free delivery. To order, send me an email to obinetreats@gmail.com or sms or whatsapp your order(s) to 0122002169.
Tell me:
1) quantity ( as in number of boxes)
2) type of fillings
3) Full Name
4) Contact number
5) Address for delivery
6) Date of delivery

Since It is freshly baked, so special request such as lesser sugar or additional Almond bits for your mooncakes is possible.
Orders need to be sent in at least two days before the delivery date.

Any further inquiries, please email obinetreats@gmail.com.
Also, for more Obine treats for parties or tea or functions, visit obinetreats.blogspot.com

Humour #2: He is famous