During a hiking trip(another story) I was talking to my friend, a Burmese, about the conditions back home. I am always interested in the lives of people in other countries and I like to ask basic and silly questions like "do you guys have traffic lights" or "what do you eat for breakfast".
During the course of our conversation, I discovered that the whole country is run by the military. They have their own cabinet, their own departments and their own state run companies. The burmese army is multi-talented.
They can control agriculture, telecommunications, the banking system, the health and education system and about everything else in the country.
They can also deal with naughty people well. Trials don't run for ages-ages like they do in many countries. Almost all trials are short and sweet, almost like formalities.
The army is running the country on its own and it must be an uphill task,since they are facing economic sanctions. Their health care system is not bad, basic but providing pretty much all the medical needs of the population. There are many well trained burmese doctors working in our country and they can attest to that.
They had one major problem in 1990, when they lost the elections. They dealt with the problem in a novel and original way, they didn't hand over power and the head of the coalition that won is still under house arrest.
I just wonder whether all in the ruling party are of one mind, or do they have their own internal power struggles and strife's? Who inherits the position of the head of state and how is the selection process?
We are an open democratic country. But do we have our pride intact? We and pretty much
every other small nation have to face human rights accusations from the mighty and oh-so morally superior US. They got very angry when one of our politicians was subjected to a police investigations.
We so very spoilt and dependant on their buying power to keep us comfortable. I am not saying and over authoritative government is good, but sometimes I think our government lacks a strong backbone.
Soft parents breed rude spoilt children.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
BAD CALL
I cant believe a pregnant mother died in front of me. When I look back, there were a few more things I could have done in a better way. I knew things were going to turn bad for her before anyone had a clue. I couldn't word it, I couldn't point anything abnormal out and she was so fine. She looked okay in every one's eyes but mine. This doesn't make me feel gifted or clever in anyway. On the contrary, I am kicking myself. I choose to ignore my instinct and rather than watch over her like a hawk. I told myself its just some silly paranoia. If I had listened to my instinct, will things have turned out differently? I will never know. Was she medically salvageable? No one will ever find out.
The worse part is that I am no amateur in sensing danger. I have repeatedly done it. I can literally smell trouble. Sounds even more silly when I ignored my intuition ,doesn't it?
Our brain is capable of many weird and wonderful things we are only beginning to understand. Everybody has some degree of intuition. Even cows and goats can sense when they are going to be slaughtered. Practically every woman who was a victim of a sexual crime will tell you that she felt hunted the whole day. Good cops can sense when their quarry is near. Likewise for the crooks!
What happens when we repeatedly ignore our intuition, instinct, sixth sense or whatever we call it? The same things that happens when don't use a muscle. It will inevitably atrophy.
On another note, I learned how much I am capable of. Despite my inner turmoil, I somehow managed to work as usual after the tragedy. When I am a specialist, if such an incident happens to one of my medical officers, I will make sure he/she gets off duty straight away. Its common sense. In any other place, that is standard protocol. As I mentioned before, I am working in a special place with lots of fun, excitement and challenges. The other thing that sort of kept my spirits up was the thought of my friends who sprung up from all over the hospital to help. Thanks guys.
The worse part is that I am no amateur in sensing danger. I have repeatedly done it. I can literally smell trouble. Sounds even more silly when I ignored my intuition ,doesn't it?
Our brain is capable of many weird and wonderful things we are only beginning to understand. Everybody has some degree of intuition. Even cows and goats can sense when they are going to be slaughtered. Practically every woman who was a victim of a sexual crime will tell you that she felt hunted the whole day. Good cops can sense when their quarry is near. Likewise for the crooks!
What happens when we repeatedly ignore our intuition, instinct, sixth sense or whatever we call it? The same things that happens when don't use a muscle. It will inevitably atrophy.
On another note, I learned how much I am capable of. Despite my inner turmoil, I somehow managed to work as usual after the tragedy. When I am a specialist, if such an incident happens to one of my medical officers, I will make sure he/she gets off duty straight away. Its common sense. In any other place, that is standard protocol. As I mentioned before, I am working in a special place with lots of fun, excitement and challenges. The other thing that sort of kept my spirits up was the thought of my friends who sprung up from all over the hospital to help. Thanks guys.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
SHASTRI'S HIKE
Its been some time since I actually wrote something. Life has been busy and exciting. Early in the month, I took shastri for a hike and my younger brother got most of the trip on his new SLR. Its up a hill called bukit tabur near my house. Its nice to live close to a quartz hill but as you can see from a picture, there is rampant environment destruction.
Shastri is one tough three year old and amazed some of the climbers we saw on our way up.
Most of the hill is formed by the pretty but wotrthless quartz and the view is good. Its overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
Shastri may have been up it but the bukit tabur is not for beginners and climbers have fallen to their death before. Always go prepared and take sensible precautions.
Shastri is one tough three year old and amazed some of the climbers we saw on our way up.
Most of the hill is formed by the pretty but wotrthless quartz and the view is good. Its overlooking the Klang Gates dam.
Shastri may have been up it but the bukit tabur is not for beginners and climbers have fallen to their death before. Always go prepared and take sensible precautions.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
IRRATIONAL BULLSHIT
One of the advantages of a blog spot is that you have the right to rant whatever you want on it. Here I go.
A patient is not supposed to receive HIV tainted blood. A military aircraft is not supposed to have technical problem and crash in some one's house and kill civilians during a drill. Knee replacement patients are not supposed to develop post op joint infection. It sucks. It really is unfair. But these bloody things happen all the time in the real world. Time and time again. We should not tolerate such things, we should investigate, learn and rectify.
Kugan's death in custody is exactly the same thing.
His parents have every right to grieve, file a wrong full death suit and sue the government. An OKT should not die in custody. It just must not happen!
But look at the crap the acclaimed malaysiakini is dishing. Check out the their free column, 'will kugan get the justice he deserves'. I don't doubt most of those comments are what the public is feeling at the moment. But we all know how irrationality spreads and about herd mentality. A news portal is supposed to correct misconceptions and not give rise to bullshit like malaysikini does.
Comments by a malaysian: Has the force (police) done anything to be proud of? It seems to him that they are more interested in catching pirated disc peddlers. One good cop is a paraplegic after an ambush went wrong three years ago in Grand Seasons Hotel. Two crooks nearly died and an entire gang of robbers went down during that ops. The notorious Nine Sea Dragons are all behind bars after they got their asses kicked in Klang. A group of students who kidnapped and torched their friend for ransom are now facing the death sentence. Another group who hacked a doctor in Bangsar to death is also in jail. Does 'a malaysian' know what happened to Mat Commando, the Evo 5 gang, and the mamak gang? Does it occur to him that a lot all the lives are risked during intelligence gathering to make a successful drug bust? No. Instead, to him, the people charged with protecting him have become his biggest enemy. Has he lost his mind?
Peter Ooi spoke some sense. But, in contrast to A Malaysian, anyone's comments will make sense.
Xroy, came out with a conspiracy theory, concerning a criminal police force. There are many, many things he doesn't know. The truth Xroy is much, much more that you could stomach. By the way, have you ever entertained the thought about a 'criminal US government' and their repeated attempts to topple our government. Something to ponder....
MP raised some points about Obama's action to ban torture and thinks we should follow their example. He has valid points, and the innocence of a 5 year old.
Megat Z made a good point, stating that the initial 'water the lungs' is probably just a medical finding. The follow up investigation is important.
Sritharan and Milton Yap both have good comments on Syed Hamid going after the two deputy ministers who appeared at the mortuary in good faith.Unfortunately, Milton Yap has little or no knowledge regarding medical reports(Buy an ICD 10) and suggested the doctor who wrote the report should have his license revoked and be charged with perversion of justice. Looks like we all have a sadist in us.
Vijay is angry with Palanivel for suggesting the matter be investigated by a comittee, instead stating that is a time for justice and retribution. That statement sounds so much more catchy. Watching too many zorro movies vijay?
'In any other country, those in high places would have resinged by now.' Every other country has a decent and honourable government but us. Did malaysiakini get little kids to comment on the issue? Which other countries? Heard about the stuff that goes in the NYPD, the shooting and subsequent death of a teenage commuter in the UK and the 'soft' interrogation techniques approved by the us marines.Not to mention what goes on behind the doors of a superpower like China or an ultarian government like singapore. Shall we talk about India?Looks like our Malaysiakini reader needs to get up and smell the shit stained roses of life in today's world. Or better yet vijay, look up to the great pakatan government to form a truly honourable government. They the saviours of malaysia in the twenty first century. Ask the Kapar MP, he will tell you. Vijay should just stick to his zorro movies. The real world sucks big time.
A patient is not supposed to receive HIV tainted blood. A military aircraft is not supposed to have technical problem and crash in some one's house and kill civilians during a drill. Knee replacement patients are not supposed to develop post op joint infection. It sucks. It really is unfair. But these bloody things happen all the time in the real world. Time and time again. We should not tolerate such things, we should investigate, learn and rectify.
Kugan's death in custody is exactly the same thing.
His parents have every right to grieve, file a wrong full death suit and sue the government. An OKT should not die in custody. It just must not happen!
But look at the crap the acclaimed malaysiakini is dishing. Check out the their free column, 'will kugan get the justice he deserves'. I don't doubt most of those comments are what the public is feeling at the moment. But we all know how irrationality spreads and about herd mentality. A news portal is supposed to correct misconceptions and not give rise to bullshit like malaysikini does.
Comments by a malaysian: Has the force (police) done anything to be proud of? It seems to him that they are more interested in catching pirated disc peddlers. One good cop is a paraplegic after an ambush went wrong three years ago in Grand Seasons Hotel. Two crooks nearly died and an entire gang of robbers went down during that ops. The notorious Nine Sea Dragons are all behind bars after they got their asses kicked in Klang. A group of students who kidnapped and torched their friend for ransom are now facing the death sentence. Another group who hacked a doctor in Bangsar to death is also in jail. Does 'a malaysian' know what happened to Mat Commando, the Evo 5 gang, and the mamak gang? Does it occur to him that a lot all the lives are risked during intelligence gathering to make a successful drug bust? No. Instead, to him, the people charged with protecting him have become his biggest enemy. Has he lost his mind?
Peter Ooi spoke some sense. But, in contrast to A Malaysian, anyone's comments will make sense.
Xroy, came out with a conspiracy theory, concerning a criminal police force. There are many, many things he doesn't know. The truth Xroy is much, much more that you could stomach. By the way, have you ever entertained the thought about a 'criminal US government' and their repeated attempts to topple our government. Something to ponder....
MP raised some points about Obama's action to ban torture and thinks we should follow their example. He has valid points, and the innocence of a 5 year old.
Megat Z made a good point, stating that the initial 'water the lungs' is probably just a medical finding. The follow up investigation is important.
Sritharan and Milton Yap both have good comments on Syed Hamid going after the two deputy ministers who appeared at the mortuary in good faith.Unfortunately, Milton Yap has little or no knowledge regarding medical reports(Buy an ICD 10) and suggested the doctor who wrote the report should have his license revoked and be charged with perversion of justice. Looks like we all have a sadist in us.
Vijay is angry with Palanivel for suggesting the matter be investigated by a comittee, instead stating that is a time for justice and retribution. That statement sounds so much more catchy. Watching too many zorro movies vijay?
'In any other country, those in high places would have resinged by now.' Every other country has a decent and honourable government but us. Did malaysiakini get little kids to comment on the issue? Which other countries? Heard about the stuff that goes in the NYPD, the shooting and subsequent death of a teenage commuter in the UK and the 'soft' interrogation techniques approved by the us marines.Not to mention what goes on behind the doors of a superpower like China or an ultarian government like singapore. Shall we talk about India?Looks like our Malaysiakini reader needs to get up and smell the shit stained roses of life in today's world. Or better yet vijay, look up to the great pakatan government to form a truly honourable government. They the saviours of malaysia in the twenty first century. Ask the Kapar MP, he will tell you. Vijay should just stick to his zorro movies. The real world sucks big time.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
GONE IN A FLASH
We had this gentleman who was recovering from a bad case of pancreatitis in ICU. It was a stormy recovery, but the patient was never critically ill at any one point of time. He and his family did interact with us often enough and they were all sharp and keen to know about his progress.
He was certainly getting better and on the morning of his planned discharge, was actually sitting on a chair. I was post call and handing over to my friend.
By afternoon, he intubated, ventilated and on high, high inotropes. Dying, in front of all of us. Something went badly wrong.
He died early next morning.
Damn.
He was certainly getting better and on the morning of his planned discharge, was actually sitting on a chair. I was post call and handing over to my friend.
By afternoon, he intubated, ventilated and on high, high inotropes. Dying, in front of all of us. Something went badly wrong.
He died early next morning.
Damn.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
DEATH IN CUSTODY
Its all over the papers, malaysiakini, on makkal.org, on nearly every anti-establishment website you can think of. The death of young Kugan in custody.
He was arrested, interrogated and apparently led the cops to the recovery of stolen cars. He also lost his life in the process. He died after five days. It takes a lot to snuff the life out of a fit healthy person.
An unhappy group( I wont refer to them as a mob) barged into a mortuary and took photos of his battered body. My heartfelt condolences to his parents. No parent should see their children in such condition.
I am writing my opinions in this blog so I don't care what others think.
We can learn a few things from this tragedy.
1.Being intricately familiar with both 'our' world, the 'underworld' and the criminal justice system, my comments should count for something. Sorry, but cant elaborate more.
2. Being an Indian, I get distressed when I see another Indian treated badly. A Malay, a Chinese, Japanese and anyone would feel the same. We all are not Kugan's parents. They have the right to feel whatever they are feeling. Many of us do not know and cannot even imagine their feelings. Don't all of us get over emotional, and start blaming all the cops, accusing UMNO of bigotry and nazi behaviour, blaming najib and pak lah and looking towards the great Pakatan as a saviour. Nobody has the right to politicise any one's death.
3. It is not acceptable when someone dies in custody. A death in police custody destroys the credibility of the police. Reduced credibility of the cops is demoralising to the whole police force and country, retards our criminal justice system and allows more crooks to walk free at the end of the day. We, the unarmed public would be the ultimate losers in such a scenario.
As such, the case should be thoroughly investigated.
4. Is Kugan a criminal? The case is under police investigation and none of us should comment.
5. He got detained by the cops and died. NEVER GET INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. That's the surest way to never die in custody. Not a full proof way but the best way I can think of. There is a small group of Indian criminal gangs that operate within the Klang valley. But they are not the Italian Mafia. Poorly educated, financially weak and ill equipped to deal with the law when in catches up with them, many are subjected to all the injustices in the criminal justice system. They cant hire good lawyers, they can't post bail, they cant communicate well with the judge and are often denied bail. Many are abandoned by their 'gangs' and their poor parents languish outside the lock-up. To all Indians, the law isn't kind to us, please shun from all forms of criminal activity before many more die in custody. CRIME JUST DOESN'T PAY.
6. Many of us Indians are Hindus. As such, we believe in the law of karma. Don't do things that make people curse at you. Don't harm the population. don't extort, don't terrorise people, don't brandish weapons at every opportunity. Bad things happen when people curse you. Once again, its not a full proof way to stay out of trouble but it helps.
7. The police are not evil corrupted bigots who hate us. They are normal people. Trust me, I know many of them. I am not defending those accused in Kugan's murder. I am telling you what I know. They receive reports from victims all day long. They have seen a grown man cry when his car got jacked with his wife and daughters in it. They have seen parang cuts in those who did not surrender their vehicles. They are not trained like medical doctors to view all life as equal. They have an inbred hatred of all crooks. That's how things are. If you get caught by them being naughty( I am not talking about speeding) you are in for a hard time. DON'T GET CAUGHT. CRIME DOESN'T PAY.
8. Think about this. Why should the police beat and physically abuse Indian detainees? Anything personal? They can protect themselves. They have nothing to fear from criminal gangs. Bad guys are not a threat to them. Each blow they deliver lands them closer to the possibility of going to jail. A jailed cop is in a bad way. Why would any law enforcer take such a risk? A common hatred for all Indian people? Be objective and logical before we hurl all sorts of accusations at anyone, whoever they may be.
9.We don't have a CSI but our Special Branch is one of the best in the world. These are the same guys who won a twelve year war against the communist. They spend hours and days away from their family, have no 'additional' income due to the undercover nature of their job and risk their lives. They know who the crooks are. Think about it, do they gain anything from labelling you,me and every other muthu as bad guys? Don't ever be the bad guy in their books. Once anyone gets labelled as a troublemaker, the local CID is going to come down hard on them.
I am not be role model of Indian youth. I am sending a very different message from what Hindraf sends. As such, I don't expect my comments on the issue to make me a community hero. But I am telling every Indian youth the way things are in this country. They really should stay away from crime. There shouldn't be any of our young ones behind bars.
He was arrested, interrogated and apparently led the cops to the recovery of stolen cars. He also lost his life in the process. He died after five days. It takes a lot to snuff the life out of a fit healthy person.
An unhappy group( I wont refer to them as a mob) barged into a mortuary and took photos of his battered body. My heartfelt condolences to his parents. No parent should see their children in such condition.
I am writing my opinions in this blog so I don't care what others think.
We can learn a few things from this tragedy.
1.Being intricately familiar with both 'our' world, the 'underworld' and the criminal justice system, my comments should count for something. Sorry, but cant elaborate more.
2. Being an Indian, I get distressed when I see another Indian treated badly. A Malay, a Chinese, Japanese and anyone would feel the same. We all are not Kugan's parents. They have the right to feel whatever they are feeling. Many of us do not know and cannot even imagine their feelings. Don't all of us get over emotional, and start blaming all the cops, accusing UMNO of bigotry and nazi behaviour, blaming najib and pak lah and looking towards the great Pakatan as a saviour. Nobody has the right to politicise any one's death.
3. It is not acceptable when someone dies in custody. A death in police custody destroys the credibility of the police. Reduced credibility of the cops is demoralising to the whole police force and country, retards our criminal justice system and allows more crooks to walk free at the end of the day. We, the unarmed public would be the ultimate losers in such a scenario.
As such, the case should be thoroughly investigated.
4. Is Kugan a criminal? The case is under police investigation and none of us should comment.
5. He got detained by the cops and died. NEVER GET INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. That's the surest way to never die in custody. Not a full proof way but the best way I can think of. There is a small group of Indian criminal gangs that operate within the Klang valley. But they are not the Italian Mafia. Poorly educated, financially weak and ill equipped to deal with the law when in catches up with them, many are subjected to all the injustices in the criminal justice system. They cant hire good lawyers, they can't post bail, they cant communicate well with the judge and are often denied bail. Many are abandoned by their 'gangs' and their poor parents languish outside the lock-up. To all Indians, the law isn't kind to us, please shun from all forms of criminal activity before many more die in custody. CRIME JUST DOESN'T PAY.
6. Many of us Indians are Hindus. As such, we believe in the law of karma. Don't do things that make people curse at you. Don't harm the population. don't extort, don't terrorise people, don't brandish weapons at every opportunity. Bad things happen when people curse you. Once again, its not a full proof way to stay out of trouble but it helps.
7. The police are not evil corrupted bigots who hate us. They are normal people. Trust me, I know many of them. I am not defending those accused in Kugan's murder. I am telling you what I know. They receive reports from victims all day long. They have seen a grown man cry when his car got jacked with his wife and daughters in it. They have seen parang cuts in those who did not surrender their vehicles. They are not trained like medical doctors to view all life as equal. They have an inbred hatred of all crooks. That's how things are. If you get caught by them being naughty( I am not talking about speeding) you are in for a hard time. DON'T GET CAUGHT. CRIME DOESN'T PAY.
8. Think about this. Why should the police beat and physically abuse Indian detainees? Anything personal? They can protect themselves. They have nothing to fear from criminal gangs. Bad guys are not a threat to them. Each blow they deliver lands them closer to the possibility of going to jail. A jailed cop is in a bad way. Why would any law enforcer take such a risk? A common hatred for all Indian people? Be objective and logical before we hurl all sorts of accusations at anyone, whoever they may be.
9.We don't have a CSI but our Special Branch is one of the best in the world. These are the same guys who won a twelve year war against the communist. They spend hours and days away from their family, have no 'additional' income due to the undercover nature of their job and risk their lives. They know who the crooks are. Think about it, do they gain anything from labelling you,me and every other muthu as bad guys? Don't ever be the bad guy in their books. Once anyone gets labelled as a troublemaker, the local CID is going to come down hard on them.
I am not be role model of Indian youth. I am sending a very different message from what Hindraf sends. As such, I don't expect my comments on the issue to make me a community hero. But I am telling every Indian youth the way things are in this country. They really should stay away from crime. There shouldn't be any of our young ones behind bars.
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