Confirmed Croaked!

One of the greatest warmongers in the world!

Heinz Alfred Kissinger, a figure synonymous with moral bankruptcy, orchestrated a heinous chapter in US history by spearheading the indiscriminate three-year long carpet-bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. This ruthless secret campaign claimed the lives of at least 150,000 innocent civilians and played a pivotal role in paving the way for the barbaric Khmer Rouge regime.

Kissinger also sanctioned dropping two million tons of bombs on Laos. Unexploded ordnance from that campaign continues to claim lives today.

Kissinger also incited and enabled Indonesia’s genocide in East Timor which resulted in a brutal occupation and the killing of around 200,000 people.

Kissinger’s nefarious influence extended beyond Southeast Asia, as he actively guided the US government in subverting a democratically elected government in Chile, setting the stage for a reprehensible military coup. His counsel also led to the arming of Pakistan’s tyrannical dictator, whose regime callously slaughtered at least 200,000 inhabitants of present-day Bangladesh.

In a chilling display of callousness, Kissinger, in 1976, provided unwavering support to right-wing military leaders in Argentina, urging them to expedite their oppressive actions with the chilling words, “If there are things that have to be done, you should do them quickly.” The consequence was a ghastly era marked by widespread human rights abuses, where tens of thousands of individuals endured torture, assassination, or the sinister act of being “disappeared.”

Despite being an architect of war and suffering, Kissinger shockingly shared in the accolades of a Nobel Peace Prize. This disturbing irony reached new heights when he found an ally in then-President Trump, who, with alarming obliviousness, praised Kissinger’s “immense talent,” further highlighting the moral bankruptcy that seems to be a recurring theme in Kissinger’s legacy.

Despite being a Jew himself, Kissinger once told Nixon “If they put Jews into gas chambers in the Soviet Union, it is not an American concern.” This was when Jews were persecuted in the USSR.

Kissinger was also instrumental in Turkiye’s invasion of Greece and Cyprus.

There are also other atrocities he was complicit in.

If this post won’t stimulate you out of your somnolance to realize that Kissinger was no saint, but a war criminal and a diabolical war-mongering Nazi with oceans of blood on his hands, then you have no hope of being able to ever understand anything.

Kissinger croaked on Wednesday. I have no doubt Lucifer in hell knows what to do with him.

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You Found What?!

What have you found?

A pair of jeans?

From 1966 to 1977, a parachurch organization launched an evangelical campaign named “I Found It!” Ten different types of media were used. Remember, this was before the Internet. Every other day, people saw the message “I Found It!” staring in their faces. Those three words were everywhere you can imagine them to be possibly on – in the newspapers, on billboards, on posters in coffee shops, on bumper stickers stuck to cars, etc; it was impossible not to notice the slogan.

The parachurch organization partnered with 200 churches and used the slogan to prepare the ground. The aim was to present Christianity to the population, but just before its culmination (in a mass rally), there was a small “hijack” of sorts. A local company selling jeans placed an ad teasing readers by saying “Yes, I Found It!” and then started to advertise its jeans.

Nevertheless, the parachurch organization claimed victory, by claiming that through the campaign, the gospel reached more than seventy thousand people and resulted in more than five thousand of them signing up for classes to know more about Christianity.

Sun Tzu says “Know your enemy, know yourself, a hundred battles, a hundred victories.”

If the parachurch organization had enough intel to work with, its campagn, costing tens of thousands of dollars, would not have ended in an anticlimactic whimper. Imagine how much more powerful the campaign’s impact would have been if people had not been distracted by the advert from the jeans company.

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Confirmed Croaked?

Tiagong the wannabe spawn of the devil has croaked, around the last week of September/first week of October.

When I heard it yesterday, I greeted the hearsay with much jubilation.

Let the celebrations begin, if confirmed.

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Master Guru of Snake Oil

Peter Drucker hated being called a “guru.” People used the word, he said, only because “charlatan” was too hard to spell.

I am also wary of people who prefix their names with “Master” or refer to themselves as “Master” something or other like “Master trainer” or “Master chef” or “Master tailor” etc.

I keep a wary eye on those egoistic pricks who refer to themselves as something “Master” like “Reiki Master,” or “Kung Fu Master” etc.

And I resist the urge to puke when I come across shitheads who refer to themselves as “Grand Master” this and “Grand Master” that. Those are the worst! “Grand” my  fat lardy ass!

Also, I think gullible and psychologically fragile mental weaklings who refer to their teachers or counselors as “masters” or “gurus” are stupid, clueless and vulnerable and have already been scammed or conned, often without even realizing that they have been scammed or conned.

Well, there’s a sucker born every minute, a quote believed to be said by P T Barnum, who was a master con man, oops!

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39th Wedding Anniversary

Thirty-nine years ago, at the tender ages of 27 and 26, we embarked on our journey into matrimony. It was a time of halcyon enchantment, where the cares of the world appeared distant and unreal. Those days, oh, how they shimmer like a dream, the era of our nascent love, steeped in the ethereal glow of wedded harmony – a scene plucked from the reels of some timeless romance. Those were the days when the world seemed to pause, as if in deference to our love. We were but fledgling lovers, cocooned in the embrace of marital enchantment – a story woven with the threads of a timeless romance.

But time has woven its threads, and today, my physical being bears the weight of countless pains, while my thoughts navigate through a labyrinth of endless worries. They say you are only ever as happy as your unhappiest child, and to that, I would add grandchild too! As responsible parents and grandparents, it’s hard to mentally detach from the lives of your brood or clan, kith and kin. On a daily basis, a cascade of anxieties courses through my mind, like whispers of a distant storm. In the midst of this tempest, amidst a changed world, weathered by the weight of a body wrecked with pain and relentless physical discomfort due to stenosis of my spinal canal and osteoarthritis of my left hip, I still find solace in the unwavering presence of my beloved wife.

No doubt she too has become a different person over the years; very quick to give as good as she gets. Every conversation risks being becoming an argument, very often due to no fault of hers. (I am the trigger.) Every encounter risks being yet another bout of exasperation on my part. (Oh, where is that soft-spoken doe-eyed girl I fell in love with eons ago?)

But despite that, the constancy of her support is my anchor, a testament to her unwavering acceptance of my quirks.

She has so much to carry on her narrow shoulders – the weight of the world, in fact! Yet, she stands beside me, a steadfast beacon of unwavering support, sharing my pain while embracing my idiosyncrasies, ill temper, impatience, irritability, grouchiness and cantankerousness with a gentle understanding and forebearance that soothes the tumult within.

In her company, I see the silhouette of those untroubled days, and I am reminded that love’s tapestry is woven not just with threads of bliss, but also the threads of shared burdens, of tender resilience, and enduring companionship.

Together, we share the burdens that life has bestowed upon us, drawing strength from the profound connection that has only deepened with time.

So on to yet another year of marital bliss!

Hopefully – fingers crossed – neither I nor my beloved wife gets taken away before the next anniversary!

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Obligations

In the intricate dance of human interactions, the concept of “give and take” is a fundamental principle that underpins harmonious relationships and societal balance. At its core, this concept revolves around the reciprocity of actions and the understanding that every interaction involves an exchange of some kind.

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

You gave me a job, I support you by doing my utmost. I don’t go around bad-mouthing you. I don’t rage-quit the moment I’m not happy – note: there is no perfect employer/job/boss – and if I really have to jump ship for whatever reason, I do so amicably without burning bridges. (Singapore’s unemployment rate averages around 2%. Be thankful you have a job! Retrenchments increased to 3,820 in the first quarter of this year. Again I say, be thankful you have a job! And be grateful! And, for your own sake, please hang on to that job. From having a regular income – whatever the amount – to zero income is no fun!)

You are hired to perform a customer-facing job, you don’t turn up for work with a head full of dandruff or show up looking like you’ve just slept in your clothes the night before.

You gifted me with a birthday present last year; I’ll make sure I’ll bless you one on your birthday this year.

Quid pro quo.

Give and take.

Last Christmas you received a little something from me; this Christmas it is expected that you return my generosity.

The dollar value of what’s being exchanged is of secondary importance, it’s the thought that counts. Really!

(However, before I go on, let me state categorically that I personally harbor no expectation of any kind. When I give, I am not giving in anticipation of receiving something back. I enjoy blessing people with gifts. It brings me much joy. I learned this from my mum. Her mantra: “Give till it hurts. Feed people with so much good food till they can’t eat anymore, then give them more food to bring home to share with others. Be generous! Don’t do things half way! Be nice all the way!)

Obligations, whether explicit or implicit, are the threads that weave individuals and communities together. They create a sense of responsibility and commitment, fostering trust and cooperation. Embracing obligations involves understanding that every action has a consequence, and every connection carries a certain level of commitment.

When someone made a deposit into your emotional bank account, and you have withdrawn from it, it is only right that you also make a deposit into that person’s emotional bank account, that is, you return the favor.

Of course, the world is divided into givers and takers. The fact of the matter is that takers acquire more, but givers sleep better. (Givers need to know how to set limits and boundaries, because many takers don’t know how to stop taking.)

Obligations, often seen as duties or responsibilities, are intertwined with the give and take philosophy. Navigating obligations involves recognizing the significance of equitable giving and taking. Striking the right balance ensures that relationships remain sustainable and enriching. It’s not about keeping a scrupulous tally or account of favors, but rather, it’s about embracing a spirit of generosity and reciprocity. The keyword is “reciprocity” or what I refer to as the “law of reciprocal returns.”

By embracing the art of give and take and recognizing the significance of obligations, we create a tapestry of interconnectedness. Just as we receive support and assistance in times of need, we are also obliged to extend our hand when others require it. When you are blessed with more, you do not up your standard of living; instead you should up the amount of your giving. There is a saying: “To whom much has been given, much is expected.” The widow in the Bible gave only two mites (the tiniest denomination of the curency in use at that time) but they were all she had, she gave her all, and she was greatly blessed in return. Such cyclical exchanges form the cornerstone of a resilient society, where empathy, cooperation, and the willingness to share enrich the lives of all.

Indeed, in a world where relationships are the backbone of our experiences, mastering the balance between give and take while approaching obligations with sincerity can lead us towards a more fulfilling and compassionate existence.

The give and take of life is an intricate choreography of obligations. In this dance, each step taken and received becomes a harmonious melody that enriches our lives and strengthens the bonds we share.

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“Responsibility” is Not a Cheap Word

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around people who say they will do something but then fail to do it.

They place zero weightage on the word “responsibility.”

To walk away from promises is moral turpitude as far as I am concerned.

A responsible person follows through on his promises and his obligations.

If you say you will do something, do it!

Watch your “saying to doing” ratio!

You don’t say you will do it, and then hope someone else will do it for you.

Avoiding responsibility comes with a short-term gain but a long term cost. It destroys a sense of purpose and prevents resilience in the face of adversity on both an individual and societal level.

It is important to be clear about your responsibilities and make a habit of following through on your promises. This will ensure that others are aware of your commitments and expectations.

Your work is your hallmark, by the fruits of your labor, others will know your character.

Being responsible also means doing a good job!

Whenever you have responsibility for something or someone, it is your duty to ensure that you do a good job. If you have a responsibility for your dog, for example, you should feed it every day to keep it healthy. If you do not feed it and it becomes sick, the consequence will be disastrous. If you don’t walk the dog on a daily basis and let it poop outside and clean up after it, it’s going to shit all over your house. And you will literally be living in a shit house. Unless you like it. Some people do like to wallow in shit. I hope you are not one of those. Pet ownership is not to be taken lightly.

Being socially responsible also means contributing in a way that maximizes your personal strengths. This can be done in your work, volunteer activities or even leisure activities. Developing and applying these unique strengths will help you feel useful, which can give you a sense of purpose. Otherwise you will just be a zombie, or a walking dead. (By the way, some people have died years ago, but still exists from day to day moving like robots, as if in a trance, with nary a meaning to their daily existence. Yup, died in his 20’s, but still alive at 70.)

Yup, when you make a promise to do something, you must keep your word. This demonstrates your level of trustworthiness and dependability to others. It is also a reflection of your integrity, and will earn you respect. Once you renege on your responsibility, no one will trust you anymore. Failing to fulfill our responsibilities damages our reputation and erodes trust.

You have a responsibility to keep your promises, even if it’s difficult. If you are not able to fulfill a commitment within the specified timeframe, it’s important to communicate this to the people you’ve made promises to. This will give them an opportunity to make other plans for the same time frame.

Sidestepping your responsibility comes with a high price in the long term. It robs you of a sense of purpose, and it robs others of your unique strengths, which I assume you do have some. Indeed, cultivating and applying your unique talents in a way that is beneficial to others helps you develop a sense of purpose that stretches beyond your individual capacity. This builds resilience amidst adversity.

It is a powerful thing to be responsible for transforming the chaos of potential into a habitable reality, and the more you practice being responsible, the better you will become at it. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your life.

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Tokenism, Lip Service, Empty Talk

A father promised his little son that he will buy the little boy a toy helicopter after work.

The little boy waited in anticipation all day.

When his dad came home from work, there was no toy helicopter.

The boy was heartbroken.

Unlike his father who probably had a thousand and one thing to occupy him at work, all that little boy had, in his simple mind, was a child’s wish that his desire will be fulfilled, that a toy helicopter would be in his hands that evening.

Unlike his dad, that was the one and only thought occupying his childish mind all day.

As adults, we still say things to pacify people, including to fellow adults:

I’ll visit you one day.

Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.

I’ll help keep the house clean.

You are a maestro leading the field and I will always seek your advice and benefit from your experience.

Those who cook need not do the dishes, I’ll wash.

I promise to help take care of the dog.

I’ll fix your bicycle for you.

I’ll water your plants.

We will move to a nicer place.

You are always on my mind, how can I forget you?

I have your best interest at heart.

All my decisions are being made in consideration of you.

Etc.

But we don’t often mean it, right?

We don’t mean what we say, and we don’t say what we mean, right?

We didn’t buy that toy helicopter in the hope that the little boy will forget.

We didn’t really have any intention of hopping onto a plane to fly across continents to visit a dear one.

We didn’t have any wish to care for a sick relative.

We didn’t really have time for housework.

You may be a maestro but I will rather stupidly use my finite intellect and go against your advice, and if I fail or look like a laughing stock, then so be it.

We thought since you were the one cooking, you might as well do the washing.

We have no desire to walk the dog.

We didn’t have any motivation to fix your bicycle.

We conveniently forgot to water your plants.

Moving to another place involves so much work and we were too occupied with the nitty-gritty of life to deal with that.

Sure, you are always on my mind but I make decisions based on my own needs and my own priorities. You are not on my priority list.

Sure, I think of you but it is my own life I am concerned with.

And since I am the master of my own destiny, I make decisions related to my own life.

Many of the things I said were said to make you feel good, hoping you will not hold me to my words.

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Vengeance, Sweet Revenge

Once upon a time, in the whimsical realm of ancient wisdom and folklore, there existed a captivating adage that resonated with the timeless pursuit of justice: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” Its enchanting allure transcended cultural boundaries and found its parallel in the realm of the Far East, where the melodious whispers of Chinese gave birth to the poetic expression, “junzi baochou, shi nian bu wan.” Translated, it evoked a profound notion – a virtuous soul seeking retribution need not be bound by the constraints of time, for even a decade shall not render it too late.

Yes, the thirst for revenge must be quenched but it doesn’t have to happen now.

Those sagely words in Chinese carried profound significance, urging restraint in the face of indignation. It was a whispered melody of prudence, reminding the vengeful heart to abstain from hasty actions. Patience, it declared, was a precious virtue to be treasured. The passage of time, like a gentle breeze, was to be allowed to sweep away the embers of hostility, cloaking them in an ethereal shroud of forgetfulness. Thus, the unsuspecting foe would be lulled into complacency, casting aside any remnants of caution or suspicion.

But beware, for beneath the whimsical façade lay a wellspring of determination and conviction. The very notion of retribution, once embraced, was to be pursued with unwavering dedication. There existed no room for half-hearted endeavors or tepid measures. If one dared to deliver a blow upon one’s nemesis, it was an unspoken pact that the retaliation would have to be painful and resolute. An eye for an eye, it whispered, as the gentle caress of justice found its mark as the knife with jagged edge not only stabs, but twists and then stabs again and twists again until all blood is drained from one’s archenemy.

Oh, but it didn’t end there, for the bloodless can still live, if barely. The tale took a dark twist, revealing the depths to which vengeance could descend. With a sinister gleam in the eye and a chilling smile upon the lips, the protagonist would orchestrate a symphony of torment. The tormentor, now fully unveiled, would unleash upon the unsuspecting foe a series of trials that would make them yearn for the solace of nonexistence. Every fiber of their being would cry out in anguish, their very existence teetering on the precipice of regret.

But one must ponder, when does the thirst for retribution find its satiation?
I know the answer to that vexing question, and it involves six pallbearers carrying a body to a funeral home. And it’s not my body.

In this realm where whimsy intertwines with the gravity of human desires, the concept of revenge takes on a life of its own. It dances upon the winds of time, weaving a tale of patience, dedication, and the dark allure of sweet retribution. As the sun sets upon the enchanted horizon, its final rays illuminate the contours of a choice – will I succumb to the allure of revenge, or will I let it dissipate like smoke in the wind, choosing the path of forgiveness and redemption instead?

I have chosen the former.

The Bible quotes God as saying “Vengeance is mine, I will replay.”

I disagree.

If that is true, why are there still lawyers?

Christian lawyers.

Lawyers who go to church.

The Presbyterian ones are the cockiest and smuggest ones.

Calvinism be dammed!

Flawed theology!

Some of these misguided Bible-thumping zealots seem to think that we are all going to hell, except them.

(Shhh, they don’t know that spiritual arrogance is a sin too.)

Vengeance is mine, not the Lord’s.

I will execute.

I don’t forgive.

Period.

And if you should die before I get to you, remember I can go after your descendants haha.

I admire Chinese emperors of ancient times who in their vengeance would eliminate not only particular generations of a clan or family but the entire clan or family. That’s the way revenge should be. Yes, wiped off the surface of the earth.

I am reminded of what a Cuban friend’s dad once said: “If you really want to hurt your enemy, hurt someone or something he loves and return the damaged person or thing to him.”

Bravo!

That’s for loved ones of my enemy. But as for my own dear enemy himself, you cock-sucker, before you know it, by my hands, your body will match room temperature.

I will take you to algor mortis haha.

Be at one with ambient temperature, bottom-feeding asshole!

The pleasure is wholly mine.

Mission accomplished!

Hallelujah!

Sabrage the Dom Pérignon!

Open the Louis XIII!

Light the Cohiba Behike!

Fly in Beluga from Iran and A5 wagyu from the Land of the Rising Sun!

Spit on your fucking grave!

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Cantankerous Termagant

If you are going to spend your whole life judging how misbehaved people are, you are going to be one miserable loser.

Honestly, unless you are perfect, you have no business condemning other people.

I know a termagant – I was told that’s the term for a female curmudgeon – who has appointed herself policewoman of the world; this woman who hails from Afghanistan, an ex-colleague of mine, my co-author for several research journal articles, criticizes everyone, chastises everyone, honks at drivers on the road, take swipes at people whose behavior she deems unacceptable, etc. In short, she is an overall pain in the rectum, a shit-stirrer extraordinaire and a very unpleasant and difficult person to be with, especially when she’s driving. She would drive like a speedemon, doesn’t give way to anyone, curse other drivers on the road, in short, drive very recklessly with nary a care for the passengers in her own car! This Karen is worse than Otto, that cranky, anal-retentive character played by Tom Hanks in the movie A Man Named Otto, which is based on the Swedish movie A Man Named Ove which is adapted from the Swedish book A Man Named Ove, phew! Why are remakes even necessary when the original is already so good?

Stenosis of the spinal canal, leading to extreme pain caused by pinched nerves plus osteoarthritis of the left hip, are two conditions that form the asteroid that cratered my life. Many friends and acquaintances would check on me periodically. But not this termagant despite all the “concern” she professes for me, she is cold and impersonal and this is definitely an area that she has fallen short of. Not once has she asked “How’s your back/hip?” For someone reared on the principles of integrity and sincerity, this tantamount to apostasy.

But of course, she cannot be given feedback, no matter how constructive. In her eyes, she is perfect, she can do no wrong. Extra helping of spicy chilli sauce into her food despite a bad throat, a bowlful of pork lard despite her religion and an increasingly thickening waist. But who can criticize? Afghans are known for amputating or beheading those they don’t like and this alpha Afghani bitch will easily bite my head off.

Don’t blame us men for choosing to be non-verbal, becoming the so-called strong silent types. Opening our mouths usually means an assault of verbal diarrhea from some fat, ugly termagant who’s a know-it-all. So better shut the fuck up rather than opening our mouths only to be corrected, rebuked, rebuffed, reprimanded and made to feel like idiots, humiliated but restrained by the law from murdering anyone.

It is my shit luck recently to know quite a few women like that in my life – women who are convinced they are always right, who cannot be corrected, who could not and would not take criticism, who will argue to their death even though they are dead wrong about certain facts – for example how to say certain words/brand names, like “Cetaphil” (correct) versus “Khetaphil” (wrong) – these are the Jezebels, the alpha bitches who will never admit they’ve made mistakes, who will never ever apologize for the errors of their ways. They strut around as if their clitorises are more gigantic than our penises and they lord over everyone. I am sure they contribute massively to the early demise of the male gender.

In the King James Version of the Bible, Matthew 7:5 reads:

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

People who are so critical of others often forget to turn the mirror on themselves.

As for me I have learned that not harboring expectations is best for my peace of mind.

Expectations are resentments waiting to happen.

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