Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Eyeing some company logos sent by a friend
Bonus Logo
While Apple is probably one of the more stable companies in our economy, with a robust and diverse set of high-demand products... we just couldn't resist this one.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Eyeing the Malaysian BMX team
The Malaysian BMX riders to the Asean BMX Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Eyeing the weather forecasting in the United States
It was autumn, and the Red Indians asked their New Chief if the winterwas going to be cold or mild. Since he was a Red Indian chief in amodern society, he couldn't tell what the weather was going to be.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his Tribe that thewinter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the villageshould collect wood to be prepared.
But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea.He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service andasked 'Is the coming winter going to be cold?'
'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed,'the weather man Responded.
So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect evenmore wood. A week later, he called the National Weather Service again.'Is it going to be a very cold winter?'
'Yes,' the man at National Wea ther Service again replied, 'It'sdefinitely going to be a very cold winter.'
The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collectevery scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later, he called theNational Weather Service again. 'Are you absolutely sure that thewinter is going to be very cold?'
'Absolutely,' The Man replied. 'It's going to be one of thecoldest winters ever.'
'How can you be so sure?' the Chief asked.
The weatherman replied, 'The Red Indians are collecting wood like Crazy.'
This is how Stock Markets work!!!
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his Tribe that thewinter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the villageshould collect wood to be prepared.
But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea.He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service andasked 'Is the coming winter going to be cold?'
'It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed,'the weather man Responded.
So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect evenmore wood. A week later, he called the National Weather Service again.'Is it going to be a very cold winter?'
'Yes,' the man at National Wea ther Service again replied, 'It'sdefinitely going to be a very cold winter.'
The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collectevery scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later, he called theNational Weather Service again. 'Are you absolutely sure that thewinter is going to be very cold?'
'Absolutely,' The Man replied. 'It's going to be one of thecoldest winters ever.'
'How can you be so sure?' the Chief asked.
The weatherman replied, 'The Red Indians are collecting wood like Crazy.'
This is how Stock Markets work!!!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Eyeing the garlic magic
Before you go to bed at night, prepare this magic potion: Finely chop or use the food blender to chop up two cloves of fresh garlic and let it expose to the air for a few minutes while you wash up your blender or chopping board.
The chopping releases the enzyme allinase in the garlic. Gather the
chopped garlic on a spoon and swallow it with water.
The garlic will travel your entire digestive tract while you sleep and scavenge and neutralize all the toxins, carcinogens, harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, foreign chemical before they can harm your healthy cells.
Swallowing the chopped garlic will not give you garlic breath, as long as you don't chew it. You brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before you go to bed anyway.
In the morning, drink a big glass of water. Your first bowel movement will have a strong garlic odor and you will know that the harmful stuff have been eliminated from your body. Try it, especially if you have had a bad eating day.
The chopping releases the enzyme allinase in the garlic. Gather the
chopped garlic on a spoon and swallow it with water.
The garlic will travel your entire digestive tract while you sleep and scavenge and neutralize all the toxins, carcinogens, harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, foreign chemical before they can harm your healthy cells.
Swallowing the chopped garlic will not give you garlic breath, as long as you don't chew it. You brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before you go to bed anyway.
In the morning, drink a big glass of water. Your first bowel movement will have a strong garlic odor and you will know that the harmful stuff have been eliminated from your body. Try it, especially if you have had a bad eating day.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Eyeing the Sports Development Act Malaysia
ISMAIL SABRI YAAKOB
THE Sports Development Act is expected to be amended as the general consensus at the National Sports Convention was that the implementation of the Act has been poor and the actual objective not met.
Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the proposed amendments have been given to various parties for feedback.
"However, the final decision whether to amend the Act lies with the government. There is belief that it has to be amended as there are several loopholes which need to be tightened," said Ismail Sabri.
Yesterday's discussions centred on whether an association or office bearers should be suspended in the event of disputes.
"It is unfair to punish the athletes if the associations are poorly run. I totally disagree that the association should be suspended. Instead, the Act should punish office bearers," said Naim.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Eyeing the Strengthening US Malaysia ties
Kaj Roland Wren was born in Califonia and Norina Mohd Nordin was born in Kuala Lumpur. They got married in Norwich, Connecticut recently and had their wedding ceremony at the Subang Sheraton Selangor Ballroom on the 9th of November, 2008. Congratulations to the both of them and also to the bride's father Dato Hj Mohd Nordin Idris and mother Datin Hajjah Nora.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Eyeing the Razak Baginda's fate
It must have been a great relief for Razak Baginda to be released and not called up to make his defense in the Altantuya murder case. I think it is justified because I personally do not think that he blew up Altantuya. He might have and spent some quality time with her and enjoyed the relationship. But we cannot forsee him strapping her up and to blast her off. I had guessed as much and pleased that my opinion on him is right.
Whether he had asked people to take care of her and how it should have been taken care of, only GOD knows. Its up to the people being told to disclose the actual scenario.
Somebody must have blown her up. And I guess its up to the courts to get the culprits now. Somebody may have instructed somebody to do the act of blowing Altantuya up, so you need to charge him for "subahat". Maybe in their defense Chief Inspector Izilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar will tell all.
Anyway after all these months I guess what need to be said had been said.
The moral of the story is, for those husbands who love their wifes, don't fool around. And those who are fooling around to stop being a fool. For those models who think of some funtime with people's husband, better stop it or the consequence is very serious, you might get blown up.
It is a misadventure which no one wants to experience. Will Razak Baginda dare to look at another model now?
Whether he had asked people to take care of her and how it should have been taken care of, only GOD knows. Its up to the people being told to disclose the actual scenario.
Somebody must have blown her up. And I guess its up to the courts to get the culprits now. Somebody may have instructed somebody to do the act of blowing Altantuya up, so you need to charge him for "subahat". Maybe in their defense Chief Inspector Izilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar will tell all.
Anyway after all these months I guess what need to be said had been said.
The moral of the story is, for those husbands who love their wifes, don't fool around. And those who are fooling around to stop being a fool. For those models who think of some funtime with people's husband, better stop it or the consequence is very serious, you might get blown up.
It is a misadventure which no one wants to experience. Will Razak Baginda dare to look at another model now?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Eyeing the 5 minute Management Course
FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend..
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.
Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure..
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg..
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand.. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager..
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull.. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..
Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend..
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Eyeing this Theresa Kok rampage
Dear Chamil,
My dear friend, please watch your back, a lot of unidentified creatures have escaped and they might do harm to you.
Some of them are like "siapa makan cabai dia berasa pedas". They do not understand that seloka, pantun, cerpen are ways and means of wise people communicating.
In this civil society of ours will bound to be people monkeying. Ada setengah itu tak pernah punyai jawatan dan kuasa. Jadi kalau dapat tempat, maka jadi lah mereka macam monyet dapat bunga. Berkecai lah bunga itu dibuatnya. Bersabar lah saudara kerana akhirnya monyet itu akan ditangkap juga dan dimasukkan kedalam sangkarnya. Siapa monyet tu? Kalau disebut nama akan disaman nya kita. Allah hu Alam.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Eyeing the neurological test
1- Find the C below. Do not use any cursor help.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2- If y ou already found the C, now find the 6 below.
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999699999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
3- Now find the N below. It's a little more difficult..
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass this 3 tests,
you can cancel
your annual visit to your neurologist.
Your brain is great and you're far from having Al
zheimer Disease.
Congratulations!
2- If y ou already found the C, now find the 6 below.
999999999999999999999999999999
999999999999999999999999999999
999999999999999999999999999999
999969999999999999999999999999
999999999999999999999999999999
999999999999999999999999999999
3- Now find the N below. It's a little more difficult..
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass this 3 tests,
you can cancel
your annual visit to your neurologist.
Your brain is great and you're far from having Al
zheimer Disease.
Congratulations!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Eyeing IT instructions-Let's use English only
Subject: Why We Use English for IT
Why Malaysian Government insists on using English for math and science?
This is because the whole world uses the language as an information and/or technology language. How dangerous it will be if we try to use Bahasa , especially in school. See example below:-
Hardware = barangkeras
Software = baranglembut
Joystick = batang gembira
Plug and Play = cucuk dan main
Port = lubang
Server = pelayan
Client = pelanggan
Try to translate this:
ENGLISH:
That server gives a plug and play service to the client using either hardware or software joystick. The joystick goes into the port of the client.
Now in BAHASA:
Pelayan itu memberi pelanggannya layanan cucuk dan main dengan menggunakan batang gembira jenis keras atau lembut. Batang gembira itu akan dimasukkan ke dalam lubang pelanggan.
Why Malaysian Government insists on using English for math and science?
This is because the whole world uses the language as an information and/or technology language. How dangerous it will be if we try to use Bahasa , especially in school. See example below:-
Hardware = barangkeras
Software = baranglembut
Joystick = batang gembira
Plug and Play = cucuk dan main
Port = lubang
Server = pelayan
Client = pelanggan
Try to translate this:
ENGLISH:
That server gives a plug and play service to the client using either hardware or software joystick. The joystick goes into the port of the client.
Now in BAHASA:
Pelayan itu memberi pelanggannya layanan cucuk dan main dengan menggunakan batang gembira jenis keras atau lembut. Batang gembira itu akan dimasukkan ke dalam lubang pelanggan.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Eyeing the Barisan Nasional Direct Membership concept
BN direct
Pendahuluan:
Masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama diMalaysia memerlukan satu forum politik yang baru untuk menempoh fasa Malaysia sebagai negara maju (developed country) apabila Wawasan 2020 berjaya dilaksana dengan sepenohnya dalam masa 12 tahun lagi. Asas nya(foundation)wajib dimulakan sekarang untuk di uji dalam sekurang kurang nya dua pilihanraya umum.
Tujuan dan matlamat:
Mengujudkan satu forum dimana
Perlaksanaan:
Pada peringkat pertama nya Barisan Nasional perlu menerima keahlian secara terus (direct membership).
Syarat keahlian terus ialah sesaorang yang ingin memohon mestilah seorang pengundi yang berdaftar dan mempunyai alamat email.
Kelulusan keahlian adalah secara otomatik.
Keahlian nya sah di lokaliti nya sahaja (bila ada perpindahan perlu mendaftar semula).
Sistem perwakilan:
Ahli ahli di caucus lokaliti (L) akan memilih seorang wakil ke caucus daerah mengundi (DM).
Ahli ahli di caucus daerah mengundi (DM) akan memilih seorang perwakilan ke caucus Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).
Ahli ahli di caucus DUN akan memilih seorang perwakilan ke caucus Parlimen.
Ahli ahli di caucus Parlimen memilih tiga wakil untuk menganggotai Majlis Tertinggi Barisan Nasional.
Pemilihan perwakilan di setiap peringkat akan dicapai dengan pengundian secara sulit melalui pengundian secara pos dan atau online yang ditadbir urus oleh Bahagian Keahlian Terus Barisan Nasional (HQ).
Ahli di setiap peringkat akan mendaftarkan minat untuk menawarkan diri sebagai perwakilan di peringkat mereka ke Bahagian Keahlian Terus Barisan Nasional (HQ) melalui borang atau template online yang disediakan.
Jadual pemilihan perwakilan:
Januari – Wakil (L) ke (DM)
Februari – Wakil (DM) ke (DUN)
March – Wakil (DUN) ke Parlimen
April – Wakil Parlimen ke Majlis Tertinggi
(Perwakilan disetiap peringkat dipilih satu tahun sekali dan boleh menjadi perwakilan sekali sahaja seumur hidup).
Perwakilan di setiap peringkat akan bertindak sebagai Pegawai Perhubungan HQ di peringkat masing masing.Untuk tempoh tahun yang disandang jawatan sebagai perwakilan peringkat
ahli itu memainkan peranan sebagai pegawai perhubungan (moderator) diperingkat yang mereka dipilih sahaja.
Data Keahlian:
1. Nama
2. Tarikh Lahir
3. Negeri
4. Kod Lokaliti
5. Kod Daerah Mengundi
6. Kod Dewan Undangan Negeri
7. Kod Parlimen
Nota:
Untuk keberkesanan perlaksanaan, satu sistem pengkalan data perlu dibina dan komunikasi diantara ahli dan juga dengan ibu pejabat dilaksanakan melalui email.
Log in Ahli ialah nombor kad pengenalan nya sementara password peringkat pertama ialah kod pemilih pilihanraya nya. Ahli boleh mengubah password nya satelah lulus keahlian.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Eyeing the Petro Dollar Petro Euro issues
*Why the Dollar Bubble is about to Burst?*
IRAN HAS REALLY DONE IT...more deadlier than the nuclear..
The Voice (issue 264 -) ran an article beginning, ' Iran has really gone and done it now. No, they haven't sent their first nuclear sub in to the Persian Gulf . They are about to launch something much more deadly next week the Iran Bourse will open to trade oil, not in dollars
but in Euros' This apparently insignificant event has consequences far greater for the US people, indeed all for us all, than is imaginable.
Currently almost all oil buying and selling is in US-dollars through exchanges in London and New York .. It is not accidental they are both US-owned. The Wall Street crash in 1929 sparked off global depression and World War II. During that war the US supplied provisions and
ammunitions to all its allies, refusing currency and demanding gold payments in exchange.
By 1945, 80% of the world's gold was sitting in US vaults. The dollar became the one undisputed global reserve currency -- it was treated world-wide as `safer than gold'. The Bretton Woods agreement was established. The US took full advantage over the next decades and printed
dollars like there was no tomorrow. The US exported many mountains of dollars, paying for ever-increasing amounts of commodities, tax cuts for the rich, many wars abroad, mercenaries, spies and politicians the world over. You see, this did not affect inflation at home! The US got it all for free! Well, maybe for a forest or two. Over subsequent decades the world's vaults bulged at the seams and more and more vaults were built, just for US dollars. Each year, the US spends many more dollars abroad that at home. Analysts pretty much agree that outside the US , of the savings, or reserves, of all other countries, in gold and all currencies -- that a massive 66% of this total wealth is in US dollars!
In 1971 several countries simultaneously tried to sell a small portion of their dollars to the US for gold. Krassimir Petrov, (Ph. D. in Economics at Ohio University ) recently wrote, 'The US Government defaulted on its payment on August 15, 1971 . While popular spin told the story
of`severing the link between the dollar and gold', in reality the denial to pay back in gold was an act of bankruptcy by the US Government.' The 1945 Breton Woods agreement was unilaterally smashed.
The dollar and US economy were on a precipice resembling Germany in 1929.The US now had to find a way for the rest of the world to believe and have faith in the paper dollar. The solution was in oil, in the petrodollar. The US viciously bullied first Saudi Arabia and then OPEC
to sell oil for dollars only -- it worked, the dollar was saved. Now countries had to keep dollars to buy much needed oil. And the US could buy oil all over the world, free of charge. What a Houdini for the US ! Oil replaced gold as the new foundation to stop the paper dollar sinking.
Since 1971, the US printed even more mountains of dollars to spend abroad.
The trade deficit grew and grew. The US sucked-in much of the world's products for next to nothing. More vaults were built.
Expert, CóilÃnn Nunan, wrote in 2003, 'The dollar is the de facto world reserve currency: the US currency accounts for approximately two thirds of all official exchange reserves. More than four-fifths of all foreign exchange transactions and half of all world exports are denominated in dollars. In addition, all IMF loans are denominated in dollars.'
Dr Bulent Gukay of Keele University recently wrote, 'This system of the US dollar acting as global reserve currency in oil trade keeps the demand for the dollar `artificially' high. This enables the US to carry out printing dollars at the price of next to nothing to fund increased military spending and consumer spending on imports. There is no theoretical limit to the amount of dollars that can be printed. As long as the US has no serious challengers, and the other states have confidence in the US dollar, the system functions.'
Until recently, the US-dollar has been safe. However, since 1990 Western Europe has been busy growing, swallowing up central and Eastern Europe ..French and German bosses were jealous of the US ability to buy goods and people the world over for nothing. They wanted a slice of the free cake too.
Further, they now had the power and established the euro in late 1999 against massive US-inspired opposition across Europe , especially from Britain - paid for in dollars of course. But the euro succeeded. Only months after the euro-launch, Saddam's Iraq announced it was switching from selling oil in dollars only, to euros only -- breaking the OPEC agreement.. Iran , Russia , Venezuela , Libya , all began talking openly of switching too -- were the floodgates about to be opened?
Then aero planes flew into the twin-towers in September 2001. Was this another Houdini chance to save the US (petro) dollar and the biggest financial/economic crash in history? War preparations began in the US But first war-fever had to be created -- and truth was the first casualty. Other oil producing countries watched-on. In 2000 Iraq began selling oil in euros.
In 2002, Iraq changed all their petro-dollars in their vaults into euros. Afew months later,
the US began their invasion of Iraq ...
The whole world was watching: very few aware that the US was engaging in the first oil currency, or petro-dollar war. After the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, remember, the US secured oil areas first. Their first sales in August were, of course, in dollars, again. The only government building in Baghdad not bombed was the Oil Ministry! It does not matter how many people are murdered -- for the US , the petro-dollar must be saved as the only way to buy and sell oil - otherwise the US economy will crash, and much more besides. In early 2003, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela talked openly of selling half of its oil in euros (the other half is bought by the US ). *On 12 April 2003, the US-supported business leaders and some generals in Venezuela kidnapped Chavez and attempted a coup. The masses rose against this and the Army followed suit. The coup failed. This was bad for the US ...*
In November 2000 the euro/dollar was at $0.82 dollars, its lowest ever, and still diving, but when Iraq started selling oil in euros, the euro dive was halted. In April 2002 senior OPEC reps talked about trading in euros and the euro shot up. In June 2003 the US occupiers of Iraq switched trading back to dollars and the euro fell against the dollar again. In August 2003 Iran starts to sell oil in euros to some European countries and the euro rises sharply. In the winter of 2003-4 Russian and OPEC politicians talked seriously of switching oil/gas sales to the euro and the euro rose.
In February 2004 OPEC met and made no decision to turn to the euro -- and
yes, the euro fell against the dollar. In June 2004 Iran announced it would build an oil bourse to rival London and New York , and again, the euro rose. The euro stands at $1.27 and has been climbing of late. But matters this month became far, far worse for the US
dollar. On 5th May Iran registered its own Oil Bourse, the IOB. Not only are they now
selling oil in euros from abroad -- they have established an actual Oil Bourse, a global trading centre for all countries to buy and sell their oil!
In Chavez's recent visit to London ; he talked openly about supporting the Iranian Oil Bourse, and selling oil in euros. When asked in London about the new arms embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela , Chavez prophetically dismissed the US as 'a paper tiger'.
Currently, almost all the world's oil is sold on either the NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange, or the IPE, London's International Petroleum Exchange. Both are owned by US citizens and both sell and buy only in US dollars. The success of the Iran Oil Bourse makes sense to Europe , which buys 70% of Iran 's oil. It makes sense for Russia , which sells 66% of its oil to Europe ... But worse for the US , China and India have already stated they are very interested in the new Iranian Oil Bourse.
If there is a tactical-nuclear strike on - deja-vu -`weapons of mass destruction' in Iran , who would bet against a certain Oil Exchange and more, being bombed too?
And worse for Bush. It makes sense for Europe , China , India and Japan-- as well as all the other countries mentioned above -- to buy and sell oil in Euro's. They will certainly have to stock-up on euros now, and they will sell dollars to do so. The euro is far more stable than the debt-ridden dollar. The IMF has recently highlighted US economic difficulties and the trade deficit strangling the US-- there is no way out.
The problem for so many countries now is how to get rid of their vaults full of dollars, before it crashes? And the US has bullied so many countries for so many decades around the world, that many will see a chance to kick the bully back. The US cannot accept even 5% of the world's dollars -- it would crash the US economy dragging much of the world with it, especially Britain ...
To survive, as the Scottish Socialist Voice article stated, 'the US , needs to generate a trade surplus to get out of this one. Problem is it can't.' This is spot on. To do that they must force US workers into near slavery, to get paid less than Chinese or Indian workers. We all know that this will not happen.
What will happen in the US ? Chaos for sure. Maybe a workers revolution, but looking at the situation as it is now, it is more likely to be a re-run of Germany post-1929, and some form of extreme-right mass movement will emerge...
Does Europe and China/Asia have the economic independence and strength to stop the whole world's economies collapsing with the US ? Their vaults are full to the brim with dollars.
The US has to find a way to pay for its dollar-imperialist exploitation of the world since 1945.. Somehow, eventually, it has to account for every dollar in every vault in the world.
Bombing Iran could backfire tremendously. It would bring Iran openly into the war in Iraq , behind the Shiite majority. The US cannot cope even now with the much smaller Iraqi insurgency. Perhaps the US will feed into the Sunni v Shiite conflict and turn it into a wider Middle-East civil-war.
However, this is so dangerous for global oil supplies. Further, they know that this would be temporary, as some country somewhere else, will establish a euro-oil-exchange, perhaps in Brussels ..
There is one `solution' -- scrap the dollar and print a whole new currency for the US .. This will destroy 66% of the rest of the world's savings/reserves in one swoop. Imagine the implications? Such are the desperate things now swimming around heads in the White House, Wall Street
and Pentagon.
Another is to do as Germany did, just before invading Poland in 1938. The Nazis filmed a mock Polish Army attack on Germany , to win hearts and minds at home. But again, this is a finger in the dam. So, how is the US going to escape this time? The only global arena of total superiority left is military. Who knows what horrors lie ahead. A new world war is one tool by which the US could discipline its `allies' into keeping the dollar in their vaults.
The task of socialists today is to explain to as many as possible, especially our class, that the coming crisis belongs purely to capitalism and (dollar) imperialism. Not people of other cultures, not Islam, not the axis of evil or their so-called WMDs. Their system alone is to blame.
The new Iranian Oil Bourse, the IOB, is situated in a new building on the free-trade-zone island of Kish , in the Persian Gulf .. It's computers and software are all set to go. The IOB was supposed to be up and running last March, but many pressures forced a postponement. Where the pressure came from is obvious. It was internationally registered on 5th May and supposed to open mid-May, but its opening was put off, some saying the oil-mafia was involved, along with much international pressure.
.............................
In 2007 Crude was trades around 60 usd. Everyone know dollar was getting weaker and weaker day by day. Than US with the help of their two NYMEX & IPE exchange started rising the price of crude by Future trading on crude( called speculation). Today crude is around 140 usd. It means whole world who were paying 60 usd, now paying 140 usd, means demand of dollar increase to 230% and dollar start again rising. Even OPEC recently that in hike of crude, 60% contribution is due to speculation (Future market). Moral of story is USA has & will go to destroy any nation to keep its monopoly of dollar in world.
IRAN HAS REALLY DONE IT...more deadlier than the nuclear..
The Voice (issue 264 -) ran an article beginning, ' Iran has really gone and done it now. No, they haven't sent their first nuclear sub in to the Persian Gulf . They are about to launch something much more deadly next week the Iran Bourse will open to trade oil, not in dollars
but in Euros' This apparently insignificant event has consequences far greater for the US people, indeed all for us all, than is imaginable.
Currently almost all oil buying and selling is in US-dollars through exchanges in London and New York .. It is not accidental they are both US-owned. The Wall Street crash in 1929 sparked off global depression and World War II. During that war the US supplied provisions and
ammunitions to all its allies, refusing currency and demanding gold payments in exchange.
By 1945, 80% of the world's gold was sitting in US vaults. The dollar became the one undisputed global reserve currency -- it was treated world-wide as `safer than gold'. The Bretton Woods agreement was established. The US took full advantage over the next decades and printed
dollars like there was no tomorrow. The US exported many mountains of dollars, paying for ever-increasing amounts of commodities, tax cuts for the rich, many wars abroad, mercenaries, spies and politicians the world over. You see, this did not affect inflation at home! The US got it all for free! Well, maybe for a forest or two. Over subsequent decades the world's vaults bulged at the seams and more and more vaults were built, just for US dollars. Each year, the US spends many more dollars abroad that at home. Analysts pretty much agree that outside the US , of the savings, or reserves, of all other countries, in gold and all currencies -- that a massive 66% of this total wealth is in US dollars!
In 1971 several countries simultaneously tried to sell a small portion of their dollars to the US for gold. Krassimir Petrov, (Ph. D. in Economics at Ohio University ) recently wrote, 'The US Government defaulted on its payment on August 15, 1971 . While popular spin told the story
of`severing the link between the dollar and gold', in reality the denial to pay back in gold was an act of bankruptcy by the US Government.' The 1945 Breton Woods agreement was unilaterally smashed.
The dollar and US economy were on a precipice resembling Germany in 1929.The US now had to find a way for the rest of the world to believe and have faith in the paper dollar. The solution was in oil, in the petrodollar. The US viciously bullied first Saudi Arabia and then OPEC
to sell oil for dollars only -- it worked, the dollar was saved. Now countries had to keep dollars to buy much needed oil. And the US could buy oil all over the world, free of charge. What a Houdini for the US ! Oil replaced gold as the new foundation to stop the paper dollar sinking.
Since 1971, the US printed even more mountains of dollars to spend abroad.
The trade deficit grew and grew. The US sucked-in much of the world's products for next to nothing. More vaults were built.
Expert, CóilÃnn Nunan, wrote in 2003, 'The dollar is the de facto world reserve currency: the US currency accounts for approximately two thirds of all official exchange reserves. More than four-fifths of all foreign exchange transactions and half of all world exports are denominated in dollars. In addition, all IMF loans are denominated in dollars.'
Dr Bulent Gukay of Keele University recently wrote, 'This system of the US dollar acting as global reserve currency in oil trade keeps the demand for the dollar `artificially' high. This enables the US to carry out printing dollars at the price of next to nothing to fund increased military spending and consumer spending on imports. There is no theoretical limit to the amount of dollars that can be printed. As long as the US has no serious challengers, and the other states have confidence in the US dollar, the system functions.'
Until recently, the US-dollar has been safe. However, since 1990 Western Europe has been busy growing, swallowing up central and Eastern Europe ..French and German bosses were jealous of the US ability to buy goods and people the world over for nothing. They wanted a slice of the free cake too.
Further, they now had the power and established the euro in late 1999 against massive US-inspired opposition across Europe , especially from Britain - paid for in dollars of course. But the euro succeeded. Only months after the euro-launch, Saddam's Iraq announced it was switching from selling oil in dollars only, to euros only -- breaking the OPEC agreement.. Iran , Russia , Venezuela , Libya , all began talking openly of switching too -- were the floodgates about to be opened?
Then aero planes flew into the twin-towers in September 2001. Was this another Houdini chance to save the US (petro) dollar and the biggest financial/economic crash in history? War preparations began in the US But first war-fever had to be created -- and truth was the first casualty. Other oil producing countries watched-on. In 2000 Iraq began selling oil in euros.
In 2002, Iraq changed all their petro-dollars in their vaults into euros. Afew months later,
the US began their invasion of Iraq ...
The whole world was watching: very few aware that the US was engaging in the first oil currency, or petro-dollar war. After the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, remember, the US secured oil areas first. Their first sales in August were, of course, in dollars, again. The only government building in Baghdad not bombed was the Oil Ministry! It does not matter how many people are murdered -- for the US , the petro-dollar must be saved as the only way to buy and sell oil - otherwise the US economy will crash, and much more besides. In early 2003, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela talked openly of selling half of its oil in euros (the other half is bought by the US ). *On 12 April 2003, the US-supported business leaders and some generals in Venezuela kidnapped Chavez and attempted a coup. The masses rose against this and the Army followed suit. The coup failed. This was bad for the US ...*
In November 2000 the euro/dollar was at $0.82 dollars, its lowest ever, and still diving, but when Iraq started selling oil in euros, the euro dive was halted. In April 2002 senior OPEC reps talked about trading in euros and the euro shot up. In June 2003 the US occupiers of Iraq switched trading back to dollars and the euro fell against the dollar again. In August 2003 Iran starts to sell oil in euros to some European countries and the euro rises sharply. In the winter of 2003-4 Russian and OPEC politicians talked seriously of switching oil/gas sales to the euro and the euro rose.
In February 2004 OPEC met and made no decision to turn to the euro -- and
yes, the euro fell against the dollar. In June 2004 Iran announced it would build an oil bourse to rival London and New York , and again, the euro rose. The euro stands at $1.27 and has been climbing of late. But matters this month became far, far worse for the US
dollar. On 5th May Iran registered its own Oil Bourse, the IOB. Not only are they now
selling oil in euros from abroad -- they have established an actual Oil Bourse, a global trading centre for all countries to buy and sell their oil!
In Chavez's recent visit to London ; he talked openly about supporting the Iranian Oil Bourse, and selling oil in euros. When asked in London about the new arms embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela , Chavez prophetically dismissed the US as 'a paper tiger'.
Currently, almost all the world's oil is sold on either the NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange, or the IPE, London's International Petroleum Exchange. Both are owned by US citizens and both sell and buy only in US dollars. The success of the Iran Oil Bourse makes sense to Europe , which buys 70% of Iran 's oil. It makes sense for Russia , which sells 66% of its oil to Europe ... But worse for the US , China and India have already stated they are very interested in the new Iranian Oil Bourse.
If there is a tactical-nuclear strike on - deja-vu -`weapons of mass destruction' in Iran , who would bet against a certain Oil Exchange and more, being bombed too?
And worse for Bush. It makes sense for Europe , China , India and Japan-- as well as all the other countries mentioned above -- to buy and sell oil in Euro's. They will certainly have to stock-up on euros now, and they will sell dollars to do so. The euro is far more stable than the debt-ridden dollar. The IMF has recently highlighted US economic difficulties and the trade deficit strangling the US-- there is no way out.
The problem for so many countries now is how to get rid of their vaults full of dollars, before it crashes? And the US has bullied so many countries for so many decades around the world, that many will see a chance to kick the bully back. The US cannot accept even 5% of the world's dollars -- it would crash the US economy dragging much of the world with it, especially Britain ...
To survive, as the Scottish Socialist Voice article stated, 'the US , needs to generate a trade surplus to get out of this one. Problem is it can't.' This is spot on. To do that they must force US workers into near slavery, to get paid less than Chinese or Indian workers. We all know that this will not happen.
What will happen in the US ? Chaos for sure. Maybe a workers revolution, but looking at the situation as it is now, it is more likely to be a re-run of Germany post-1929, and some form of extreme-right mass movement will emerge...
Does Europe and China/Asia have the economic independence and strength to stop the whole world's economies collapsing with the US ? Their vaults are full to the brim with dollars.
The US has to find a way to pay for its dollar-imperialist exploitation of the world since 1945.. Somehow, eventually, it has to account for every dollar in every vault in the world.
Bombing Iran could backfire tremendously. It would bring Iran openly into the war in Iraq , behind the Shiite majority. The US cannot cope even now with the much smaller Iraqi insurgency. Perhaps the US will feed into the Sunni v Shiite conflict and turn it into a wider Middle-East civil-war.
However, this is so dangerous for global oil supplies. Further, they know that this would be temporary, as some country somewhere else, will establish a euro-oil-exchange, perhaps in Brussels ..
There is one `solution' -- scrap the dollar and print a whole new currency for the US .. This will destroy 66% of the rest of the world's savings/reserves in one swoop. Imagine the implications? Such are the desperate things now swimming around heads in the White House, Wall Street
and Pentagon.
Another is to do as Germany did, just before invading Poland in 1938. The Nazis filmed a mock Polish Army attack on Germany , to win hearts and minds at home. But again, this is a finger in the dam. So, how is the US going to escape this time? The only global arena of total superiority left is military. Who knows what horrors lie ahead. A new world war is one tool by which the US could discipline its `allies' into keeping the dollar in their vaults.
The task of socialists today is to explain to as many as possible, especially our class, that the coming crisis belongs purely to capitalism and (dollar) imperialism. Not people of other cultures, not Islam, not the axis of evil or their so-called WMDs. Their system alone is to blame.
The new Iranian Oil Bourse, the IOB, is situated in a new building on the free-trade-zone island of Kish , in the Persian Gulf .. It's computers and software are all set to go. The IOB was supposed to be up and running last March, but many pressures forced a postponement. Where the pressure came from is obvious. It was internationally registered on 5th May and supposed to open mid-May, but its opening was put off, some saying the oil-mafia was involved, along with much international pressure.
.............................
In 2007 Crude was trades around 60 usd. Everyone know dollar was getting weaker and weaker day by day. Than US with the help of their two NYMEX & IPE exchange started rising the price of crude by Future trading on crude( called speculation). Today crude is around 140 usd. It means whole world who were paying 60 usd, now paying 140 usd, means demand of dollar increase to 230% and dollar start again rising. Even OPEC recently that in hike of crude, 60% contribution is due to speculation (Future market). Moral of story is USA has & will go to destroy any nation to keep its monopoly of dollar in world.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Eyeing these few words
I am presenting this only to my smart friends. See if you can figure out what these words have in common.
1 Banana
2 Dresser
3 Grammar
4 Potato
5 Revive
6 Uneven
7 Assess
Are you peeking or have you already given up? Give it another try . Look at each word carefully.
Answer: No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.
(Thought I had the answer, but I did not go far enough.)
Answer:
In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word,
and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.
1 Banana
2 Dresser
3 Grammar
4 Potato
5 Revive
6 Uneven
7 Assess
Are you peeking or have you already given up? Give it another try . Look at each word carefully.
Answer: No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.
(Thought I had the answer, but I did not go far enough.)
Answer:
In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word,
and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
EYEING THE BENEFITS OF CYCLING
Benefits of Cycling
When looking to lose weight, diets rarely work long-term, regular exercise always does. Any type of regular exercise is of benefit, but cycling is particularly good because fewer injuries occur as a result of it.
Cycling is also a great calorie user which has various benefits.
According to the British Heart Foundation, cycling at least 20 miles per week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease to less than half that for non-cyclists.
Cycling at a gentle 12 mph on a flat road uses 450 kcal per hour. It also makes you feel younger and reduces stress. It is also claimed that cycling raises the speed of your metabolism for hours afterwards, so your body continues to burn calories even after exercise.
Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity (except when going uphill). This is beneficial to the lungs which expand to push as much oxygen into the body as possible and the heart which beats faster to transport this oxygen around your body. A strong heart and powerful lungs form the basis of general fitness.
Even if you cycle only a few miles per day, your muscles will gain the benefit, usually becoming trimmer and more toned. The main muscles you use when cycling are the upper thigh muscles, backside, and calf muscles.
Exercising releases what are known as endorphins into your blood - these create a feeling of contentment and happiness, therefore helping to reduce stress. Naturally, if you cycle in pleasant suroundings - your contentment level will be even greater!
Cycling is good for your heart and health
Everyday cycling, where the exercise leaves you breathing heavily but not being out of breath, is an effective and enjoyable form of aerobic exercise. This is the type of exercise that is most effective at promoting good health. For example, cycling reduces the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and the most common form of diabetes.1,2,3,4
One rough calculation suggests that new cyclists covering short distances can reduce their risk of death (mainly due to the reduction of heart disease) by as much as 22 per cent.
Cycling will help with weight management
Cycling can be part of a programme to lose weight2 because it burns the energy supplied by a chocolate bar or a couple of alcoholic drinks in an hour (about 300 calories). A 15-minute bike ride to and from work five times a week burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year.6 That kind of cycling pattern also meets the Government's latest target on exercise: that we should take part in some mild to moderate physical activity that leaves us out of breath for at least 30 minutes five times a week.
Cycling can improve your mood
Cycling can have positive effects on how we feel too.2 Moderate exercise has been found to reduce levels of depression and stress, improve mood and raise self-esteem, and has also been found to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Cycling can help to maintain strength and coordination
There can also be indirect benefits in terms of reducing injuries from falls, which can be seriously disabling, especially in older people. The strength and co-ordination that regular cycling brings make them less likely. Physically active older people have much reduced rates of hip fracture.
How cycling improves fitness
A study carried out for the Department of Transport found that 'even a small amount of cycling can lead to significant gains in fitness'. The study found that aerobic fitness was boosted by 11 per cent after just six weeks of cycling 'short distances' four times a week.8 If cycling the equivalent of four miles to and from work in total a day the aerobic benefit increased to 17 per cent.8
According to the Department of Transport study people who do not exercise who start cycling move from the third of the population who are the least fit, to the fittest half of the population in just a few months.8
Leg strength also improved in the cyclists in the study. This is more important than it seems because leg strength improves other mobility by allowing people to get out of chairs more easily, and helps older people especially avoid falls and the broken bones and other injuries associated with them.8
Cycling, the researchers behind the study concluded, is 'one of the few physical activities which can be undertaken by the majority of the population as part of a daily routine'.
Cyclists breathe in less fumes than car drivers
If you are worried about traffic fumes, there may be no need. Cyclists and pedestrians actually absorb lower levels of pollutants from traffic fumes than car drivers.
Who can cycle?
There are no real age barriers to cycling, and people of most fitness levels can cycle, slowly and gently if necessary. Anyone with heart disease or other conditions affecting their activity should, of course, consult their doctor before starting any exercise programme. Those of all body shapes and all but the most extreme body weights can ride a bike.
Getting Started
What sets cycling apart from most other forms of exercise is how well it fits into our busy, modern lifestyles. Apart from the bicycle itself (and a recommended protective helmet) no other equipment is needed, no special time needs to be set, and no special clothes are needed (although you might want to leave your best suit on the hanger). Instead of spending time stuck in a car or bus, you spend it on the bike, there is no need to find extra time to exercise.
It's as easy as riding a bike. You simply start to use a bike when you would otherwise have gone by car, bus, train or on foot. How much you ride depends on you, your fitness and your lifestyle. New cyclists could start off by using the bike to pop a few hundred yards down the road to the shops or the post box, and gradually increase the distance they cover. In a few weeks aerobic fitness will have improved and you will be able to ride for miles without feeling anything more than a little puffed out.
Helmets
There is still some argument, but there is increasing evidence that cycle helmets can reduce the number and severity of head injuries in cyclists. To be any good at all the helmet must be worn correctly and be close fitting without being pushed to the back of the head. Get expert advice from someone in a bike shop. But remember, the health benefits of cycling significantly outweigh the risks of cycling.
Keep at it
Most cyclists are 'utility' cyclists where the bike is a way of getting from A to B, and getting some exercise is an added bonus. Nearly three-quarters of journeys people make are of five miles or less, and these could be acheived by most people.12 On reasonably flat ground you will soon be able to cover at least four to six miles in half an hour - faster than cars in many towns and cities.
But those bitten by the bike bug may improve their fitness and may make long rides to work, or may choose to go leisure cycling where they cover 30-50 miles a day.
Competitive individuals may want to start racing - against other cyclists or against the clock.
Fitter individuals with a taste for adventure may choose to try mountain biking, speeding down specially made trails on the side of hills, leaping over dips and jumping over obstacles.
These more active cyclists are likely to increase their health benefits. In general the more active an individual is, the healthier they are. But, whichever form of cycling you choose to pursue, remember to have fun while you're doing it. As you are whizzing past drivers stuck in a queue, you can enjoy the fact that not only are you getting to your destination quicker, but you are getting fit at the same time.
When looking to lose weight, diets rarely work long-term, regular exercise always does. Any type of regular exercise is of benefit, but cycling is particularly good because fewer injuries occur as a result of it.
Cycling is also a great calorie user which has various benefits.
According to the British Heart Foundation, cycling at least 20 miles per week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease to less than half that for non-cyclists.
Cycling at a gentle 12 mph on a flat road uses 450 kcal per hour. It also makes you feel younger and reduces stress. It is also claimed that cycling raises the speed of your metabolism for hours afterwards, so your body continues to burn calories even after exercise.
Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity (except when going uphill). This is beneficial to the lungs which expand to push as much oxygen into the body as possible and the heart which beats faster to transport this oxygen around your body. A strong heart and powerful lungs form the basis of general fitness.
Even if you cycle only a few miles per day, your muscles will gain the benefit, usually becoming trimmer and more toned. The main muscles you use when cycling are the upper thigh muscles, backside, and calf muscles.
Exercising releases what are known as endorphins into your blood - these create a feeling of contentment and happiness, therefore helping to reduce stress. Naturally, if you cycle in pleasant suroundings - your contentment level will be even greater!
Cycling is good for your heart and health
Everyday cycling, where the exercise leaves you breathing heavily but not being out of breath, is an effective and enjoyable form of aerobic exercise. This is the type of exercise that is most effective at promoting good health. For example, cycling reduces the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and the most common form of diabetes.1,2,3,4
One rough calculation suggests that new cyclists covering short distances can reduce their risk of death (mainly due to the reduction of heart disease) by as much as 22 per cent.
Cycling will help with weight management
Cycling can be part of a programme to lose weight2 because it burns the energy supplied by a chocolate bar or a couple of alcoholic drinks in an hour (about 300 calories). A 15-minute bike ride to and from work five times a week burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year.6 That kind of cycling pattern also meets the Government's latest target on exercise: that we should take part in some mild to moderate physical activity that leaves us out of breath for at least 30 minutes five times a week.
Cycling can improve your mood
Cycling can have positive effects on how we feel too.2 Moderate exercise has been found to reduce levels of depression and stress, improve mood and raise self-esteem, and has also been found to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Cycling can help to maintain strength and coordination
There can also be indirect benefits in terms of reducing injuries from falls, which can be seriously disabling, especially in older people. The strength and co-ordination that regular cycling brings make them less likely. Physically active older people have much reduced rates of hip fracture.
How cycling improves fitness
A study carried out for the Department of Transport found that 'even a small amount of cycling can lead to significant gains in fitness'. The study found that aerobic fitness was boosted by 11 per cent after just six weeks of cycling 'short distances' four times a week.8 If cycling the equivalent of four miles to and from work in total a day the aerobic benefit increased to 17 per cent.8
According to the Department of Transport study people who do not exercise who start cycling move from the third of the population who are the least fit, to the fittest half of the population in just a few months.8
Leg strength also improved in the cyclists in the study. This is more important than it seems because leg strength improves other mobility by allowing people to get out of chairs more easily, and helps older people especially avoid falls and the broken bones and other injuries associated with them.8
Cycling, the researchers behind the study concluded, is 'one of the few physical activities which can be undertaken by the majority of the population as part of a daily routine'.
Cyclists breathe in less fumes than car drivers
If you are worried about traffic fumes, there may be no need. Cyclists and pedestrians actually absorb lower levels of pollutants from traffic fumes than car drivers.
Who can cycle?
There are no real age barriers to cycling, and people of most fitness levels can cycle, slowly and gently if necessary. Anyone with heart disease or other conditions affecting their activity should, of course, consult their doctor before starting any exercise programme. Those of all body shapes and all but the most extreme body weights can ride a bike.
Getting Started
What sets cycling apart from most other forms of exercise is how well it fits into our busy, modern lifestyles. Apart from the bicycle itself (and a recommended protective helmet) no other equipment is needed, no special time needs to be set, and no special clothes are needed (although you might want to leave your best suit on the hanger). Instead of spending time stuck in a car or bus, you spend it on the bike, there is no need to find extra time to exercise.
It's as easy as riding a bike. You simply start to use a bike when you would otherwise have gone by car, bus, train or on foot. How much you ride depends on you, your fitness and your lifestyle. New cyclists could start off by using the bike to pop a few hundred yards down the road to the shops or the post box, and gradually increase the distance they cover. In a few weeks aerobic fitness will have improved and you will be able to ride for miles without feeling anything more than a little puffed out.
Helmets
There is still some argument, but there is increasing evidence that cycle helmets can reduce the number and severity of head injuries in cyclists. To be any good at all the helmet must be worn correctly and be close fitting without being pushed to the back of the head. Get expert advice from someone in a bike shop. But remember, the health benefits of cycling significantly outweigh the risks of cycling.
Keep at it
Most cyclists are 'utility' cyclists where the bike is a way of getting from A to B, and getting some exercise is an added bonus. Nearly three-quarters of journeys people make are of five miles or less, and these could be acheived by most people.12 On reasonably flat ground you will soon be able to cover at least four to six miles in half an hour - faster than cars in many towns and cities.
But those bitten by the bike bug may improve their fitness and may make long rides to work, or may choose to go leisure cycling where they cover 30-50 miles a day.
Competitive individuals may want to start racing - against other cyclists or against the clock.
Fitter individuals with a taste for adventure may choose to try mountain biking, speeding down specially made trails on the side of hills, leaping over dips and jumping over obstacles.
These more active cyclists are likely to increase their health benefits. In general the more active an individual is, the healthier they are. But, whichever form of cycling you choose to pursue, remember to have fun while you're doing it. As you are whizzing past drivers stuck in a queue, you can enjoy the fact that not only are you getting to your destination quicker, but you are getting fit at the same time.
Eyeing the Orang Asal plight
KUALA LUMPUR: Police yesterday stopped a march by a group of indigenous people seeking greater protection of their rights.
The memorandum was to urge the government to honour the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People (DRIP), to which Malaysia is a signatory.
Their demands included the establishment of an Orang Asli native court in Peninsular Malaysia, the repeal of laws which marginalise the Orang Asal or indigenous people and an end to the government's practise of leasing native customary rights land without consulting native communities.
Today is the first anniversary of the DRIP.
However, police ordered the group to disperse just as it stepped out of the building at 10.15am.
They claimed that police had earlier assured them that the march could go on.
"We were given assurances this morning.
"All we want is to walk to the palace to hand over the memorandum," JOAS president Adrian Lasimbang said.
Lasimbang said JOAS had sent letters to the authorities and palace officials two weeks ago to notify them of the march.
"But the police only responded two days ago. They sent us a letter asking us to go to the police station."
Dang Wangi police chief ACP Mohamad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said the police stopped the march because the organisers had failed to obtain a permit.
Forced to disperse, the group retreated into the Central Market building.
There, Lasimbang and two other JOAS representatives briefed the media on the contents of the memorandum.
The nine-page memorandum highlighted articles from the DRIP and the plight of the indigenous peoples of Malay-sia.
Among the issues were encroachment on native customary rights land, violation of the right to self-governance and pressures to assimilate.
"JOAS has carried out a study comparing the declaration with local policies concerning Orang Asal," said Lasimbang.
"It is sad that the policies don't meet the standards. We Orang Asal have been marginalised for so long.
"The government has a commitment to implement all policies according to the declaration
"The handing over of the memorandum to the king is a symbolic gesture.
"We want to create more awareness about our problems and hope the public will respect us," JOAS member Mark Bujang said.
He said the Orang Asli had been labelled "anti-development and anti-establishment" for decades.
"We're not anti-development. We just want it on our terms and any development must benefit our communities.
"We want to be included in the decision-making process."
Bujang said native land issues were especially important because the Orang Asli's identities were related to the land.
"Our lives are tied to the land. Land is sacred to us. How can you take our native land from us?"
Lifir Tangkak from the Jakun settlement of Kampung Buluh Nipis, Pahang, took an eight-hour bus ride to lend his support to the cause.
"The authorities don't recognise our rights. They take our land indiscriminately.
"This must stop," the 70-year-old said.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Eyeing Pak Lah's comments on the transition of power
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- It is not proper for the transfer of power plan between the prime minister and his deputy be raised again, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The prime minister said this was because all efforts must now be focused on fulfulling the people's want -- development.
He said raising the power transition plan would only give rise to all kinds of speculation and campaigning.
"There are those who want the tranfer of power to take place as scheduled while others want it to be hastened," he told reporters after a meeting with Khazanah Nasional's senior officials at the Finance Ministry, here Friday.
Abdullah was asked to comment on his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's reported statement that he left it to Umno members to decide on the date for the transfer of power.
According to the plan, Abdullah will hand over the posts of prime minister, Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president to Najib in June 2010.
Abdullah reiterated that the decision on the transfer of power had already been agreed upon by him and Najib, and endorsed by the other party leaders and the cabinet.
The prime minister said the plan's rationale was to maintain political stability in the country so that efforts could be focused on development.
He said the political instability of late had caused the people to be fed up with the political stories and speculations going on not-stop, while Umno members had become restless and uneasy with the political uncertainties in the country.
"We need to think of the people's feelings and not just about ourselves and our politics," he said.
Abdullah said for the sake of political stability and the good of the party, efforts must be focused on meeting the people's want -- development.
-- BERNAMA
Yes Pak Lah. The third eye entirely agrees with you a hundred percent.
Think of the people's feelings and not just about yourself and your politics.
Please listen carefully to what you commented and understand it properly.
What are the people's feeling right now?
The prime minister said this was because all efforts must now be focused on fulfulling the people's want -- development.
He said raising the power transition plan would only give rise to all kinds of speculation and campaigning.
"There are those who want the tranfer of power to take place as scheduled while others want it to be hastened," he told reporters after a meeting with Khazanah Nasional's senior officials at the Finance Ministry, here Friday.
Abdullah was asked to comment on his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's reported statement that he left it to Umno members to decide on the date for the transfer of power.
According to the plan, Abdullah will hand over the posts of prime minister, Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president to Najib in June 2010.
Abdullah reiterated that the decision on the transfer of power had already been agreed upon by him and Najib, and endorsed by the other party leaders and the cabinet.
The prime minister said the plan's rationale was to maintain political stability in the country so that efforts could be focused on development.
He said the political instability of late had caused the people to be fed up with the political stories and speculations going on not-stop, while Umno members had become restless and uneasy with the political uncertainties in the country.
"We need to think of the people's feelings and not just about ourselves and our politics," he said.
Abdullah said for the sake of political stability and the good of the party, efforts must be focused on meeting the people's want -- development.
-- BERNAMA
Yes Pak Lah. The third eye entirely agrees with you a hundred percent.
Think of the people's feelings and not just about yourself and your politics.
Please listen carefully to what you commented and understand it properly.
What are the people's feeling right now?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Eyeing the difference
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of this countries. This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt, that are more than 2000 years old and are poor.
On the other hand, Canada, Australia & New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries and are rich.
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available
natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw material from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate of the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality. It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries
of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then?
The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture.On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for saving & investment.
8.Will of super action.
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
We are not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us.We are poor because we lack attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Eyeing the fasting month of Ramadhan
In the name of Allaah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
Ramadaan: It’s Virtues and Benefits
Compiled by Imran Ayub
Alhamdulilah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from our souls’ evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allaah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) God except Allaah – alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His ‘Abd (servant) and messenger
1. The name “Ramadaan”
The word Ramadaan comes from the word Ramad, which refers to “the heat of the stones arising from the intense heat of the sun.” the ninth month was named Ramadaan because when the Arabs changed he names of the months from the ancient language, they named them according to the seasons in which they happen to fall. This month, which used to be called Naatiq, fell during the summer, the time of extreme heat.[1]
2. The merits of Ramadaan
2.1 The Devils are chained, the Gates of Hell are locked and the Gates of Paradise are opened.
Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allaah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.”[2]
All of this is done during the first night of the blessed month. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When it is the first night of the month of Ramadaan the evil devils are chained. The gates of the Fire are locked – not a single gate is opened, and the gates of Paradise are opened – not a single gate is locked, and a caller calls out: O seeker of good come forward, and O seeker of evil withhold, and there are many whom Allaah frees from the Fire, and that is every night.”[3]
So evil is lessened in this blessed month since the evil jinn are bound with chains, shackles and bonds. Thus, they are unable to corrupt the people as they do at other times, since the Muslims are occupied with fasting which subdues desires, and with reciting Qur’aan and with other acts of worship which refine and purify the souls. The Lord of Honour and Power says:
“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious ).”[4]
Therefore, the gates of Hell are locked and the gates of Paradise are opened since righteousness are many and good words are plentiful.[5]
2.2 Sins get Forgiven
Fasting in Ramadaan is also an opportunity to atone of one’s sins.[6] Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[7]
Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): Verily the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: “Five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadaan to Ramadaan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins.”[8] One should take advantage of all the rewards and blessings of this sacred month, especially since he does not know when his time of death will come.
2.3 Protection from Evil
Fasting also provides protection from evil for those who sincerely fast. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “Fasting is a shield.”[9]
2.4 Special Reward
Allaah has a special reward which He personally gives one who fasts faithfully. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Allaah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: Allaah, the Exalted and Majestic, said: “Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting. By Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allaah on the Day of judgment than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy, one when he breaks the fast he is glad with the breaking of (the fast) and one when he meets his Lord he is glad with his fast.”[10]
2.5 Qur’an was Revealed
Perhaps the greatest and most unique merit of Ramadaan lies in the fact that the Qur’an, which is the last and only unchanged book of Divine Guidance remaining in the world, was revealed during this month.[11] Allaah, the Almighty states, “The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”[12]
2.6 One’s Dua is accepted
The person, who fasts in Ramadan, will have his Dua accepted before the time of iftaar (the breaking of the fast). Allaah has created this life as a test for human beings, and there comes times where he faces difficulties and problems. Therefore, he should always turn back to his Lord, who will help ease and eliminate the obstacles he is facing. Allaah offers the time before iftaar as a means for Muslims to have their Dua answered and accepted.[13]
Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al – ‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed there is for the fasting person, when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected.”[14]
2.7 Freedom from the Fire is granted.
Every night in Ramadaan, Allaah chooses people to be saved from the hell fire. Simple acts can be a reason for people to be saved. This includes even feeding a fasting person.[15] Narrated Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “There are in the month of Ramadan in everyday and night those to who Allaah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.”[16]
2.8 One will receive mountains of reward on the judgment day.
In the month of Ramadan, we commonly here from people that Allaah multiplies the good deeds by 70. If one is to do a deed now, he would have to do it 70 times in order to receive the equivalent amount of one deed done in Ramadan. However, this is actually based on a weak hadeeth.[17] The reason I added it here is to make everyone aware of this.[18
In reality, good deeds are multiplied from 10 – 700 times in Ramadaan, and every other month and nothing is exempted from that apart from fasting, for its reward is immense and unlimited, as can be seen in the following hadeeth Qudsi: Narrated Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrating about his Lord, The Most High, said, "Allaah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allaah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allaah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times: and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allaah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allaah will write one bad deed (in his account) ."[19]
2.9 He will be among the true Followers of the Prophets and Martyrs
Narrated 'Amr ibn Murrah al – Juhanee (may Allaah be pleased with him), “A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him), what if I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, and that you are the Messenger of Allaah, and I observe five daily prayers, and I pay the Zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadaan, then amongst whom shall I be?’ He said, ‘Among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs.’”[20]
And It is Only Allaah Who grants success. May Allaah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.
------------------------------
References:
× ‘Fasting In Ramadaan’, by Sheikh Saleem al – Hilaalee and ‘Alee ‘Abdul Hameed, al – Hidaayah Publishers, 1999
× ‘Islamic Studies Book 3’, by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, IIPH publishers, 2005
× ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, by Hafiz Salah – ud – Din Yusuf, Darussalam publishers, 199
× ‘Ramadaan’, by Sheikh Ahmad Musa Jibreel, http://www.ahmadjibril.com/
[1] E. W. Lane, Lane’s Lexicon, Vol. 1, P. 1156 – 1157. As quoted in ‘Islamic Studies Book 3’, p. 186
[2] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 497; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2361
[3] Sunan at – Tirmithee, Number 682, Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 1642, and Ibn Khuzaymah, 3/188. This chain of narration is Hasan; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 12
[4] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:183
[5] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 11 – 12
[6] Ibid.,
[7] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125
[8] Saheeh Muslim, Book 002, Number 0450
[9] Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2565
[10] Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2566
[11] ‘Islamic Studies Book 3’, p. 187
[12] The Noble Qur’an, Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:185
[14] Sunan Ibn Maajah, 1/557; al – Haakim, 1/422; Ibn as – Sunnee, Number 128; at – Tayaalisee, Number 299; through two chains of narration from him and al – Boosairee said: 2/81: This isnaad is Saheeh, its narrators are reliable; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61. Classed Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah, Number 1432; as quoted in ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 14
[16] Reported by al – Bazzaar, Number 3142 and Ahmad, 2/254 by way of al – A’mash: from Aboo Saalih: from Jaabir. Ibn Maajah, Number 1643, reports it from him in shortened form through a different chain, and it is Saheeh. And the supplication which is granted is at the time of breaking the fast (Iftaar) [Refer to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
[17] Refer to Sheikh al-Albaanee in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da’eefah wa’l-Mawdoo’ah, vol. 2/262. no. 871; as quoted in http://www.islam-qa.com/index.
[18] Ibid.,
[19] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 498; Saheeh Muslim, Book 001, Number 0237
[20] Reported by Ibn Hibaan, in az – Zawaa’id, Number 19 and its chain of narration is Saheeh; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 18
Compiled from various sources.
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