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Corporate Cash in Politics
www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22donate.html
When money - big money - enters the realm of politics and governance, it infects the entire democratic system; from the very idea of "government of the people, by the people, for the people"*, to the people in the administration, and such corruption (for what else could it be?) will eventually ( Read more... ) -
On Religion
I still remember why I took Philosophy of Religion back in Year 2. Debates with friends, family and my own self about the existence of God had yielded no answers for me, and I was so frustrated that not a day went by that I didn't think about the existence of God. When I saw that SMU was offering Philosophy of Religion, I enrolled without a second ( Read more... ) -
So many dreams I've yet to find.
Would really like to spend a month or so this summer backpacking around the region. Would particularly like to do the Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand region.
Anyone up for this? -
Hope for the Hopeless?
This is what we are doing to our fellow human beings:
edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/01/06/japan.bomb.victim.dies/index.html
When this man got bombed, it was Japan's fault for refusing to back down from the war. (And not America's use of an atomic bomb, as opposed to conventional weaponry.)
As time passes, he ceases to be a man and becomes an icon ( Read more... ) -
Slow Down, World
"We feel we are part of something mysterious and we would like to know how it all works."
"... the only thing we require to be good philosophers is the faculty of wonder. Babies have this faculty. That is not surprising. After a few short months in the womb they slip out into a brand-new reality. But as they grow up the faculty of wonder seems to ( Read more... ) -
Tribute to Gilmore Girls
I've always spoken of, but never really explained, my love for Gilmore Girls. I had caught snatches of episodes on Channel 5 in the past, but was never really compelled to sit down and follow the series. Aptly enough, it was my mom who got me started on the show. I bought the first season on DVD for her birthday present (she had caught part of the ( Read more... ) -
Favourite Things to Do on Christmas Day
I love Christmas, or rather the idea of Christmas. I love the commercial idea of Christmas, to be more specific. My Christmases the past few years have been pretty staid, but I've enjoyed them nevertheless. The cool weather, the holiday movies they screen on TV, the nice dinners. The wines and chocolate. There are no countdowns for me, no Orchard ( Read more... ) -
We are Selfish Pricks.
IPE exam later and I am excited!!! The prospect of filling up the blank exam booklet with my thoughts and the luxury of 2hrs to do an essay... now that's life. No racing against the clock and doing a half-assed job on each of the many essays you have to complete.
Something by way of Jose (courtesy of IPE professor):
http://www.ginandtacos.com/ ( Read more... ) -
Subtleties of the American Empire/Superpower/Hyperpower
It just occurred to me that although America is not an empire in the conventional sense as demonstrated by Pax Britannica, if one stops to consider the sheer extent and depth of American influence in the world, it has achieved something far greater than an empire. In place of colonies, it has economies intricately intertwined with its own and ( Read more... ) -
Up
Watched "Up" yesterday and it was utterly heart-wrenching for me. From start to end I was very nearly sobbing (although part of the reason may be because of my seemingly insurmountable pile of readings...). The artwork was so damn good, and one song in particular ("Married Life") was so versatile - all they had to do was increase its tempo during ( Read more... )