Fairness May 31, 2009

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Again, I will talk about balance. It seems like balance is a topic that I will repeat again and again.

All of us know that the world is built under the law of physics and chemistry. The law of cause and effect, the eternity law, etc, etc. As it can all goes with an equation, the balance between both side of the equation will always stay the same.

However, sadly, sometimes we cannot accept the truth itself. The truth that the world will always stay in balance and it will never change.

Plus, we also cannot accept that there’s no gray area in the world we’re living in. there’s only black and white. When we are not moving towards the white, then we are moving towards the black, vice versa.

And as always nothing in the wordl is a true black or a true white, although there’s no gray. within black, there’s little white, and vice versa.

So here I want to say, that we got to accept the truth. The world is a fair world although it seems not fair to us. We are rich because somebody out there is poor. We can eat well because somebody out there is starving.

Because someone will laugh in the end, today we must feel the hurt.

The world is not a fair world if everytime we love someone, that one will also love us. If it is so, then there’ll be no heart break. However, the world is fair because when we love someone, that one may not love us. Why? Cause probably that one is just not for us.

That’s why, actually there’s no reason to suffer from our pain. As human, pain is our glory, sadness is the joy. There’s no way to run, case it is not our right to feel all happiness in the world.

One more thing. Everything in the world is fragile. everything can just change like that. No one expect them to change, no one think they’ll change. but suddenly it turns around and change everything. Nothing we can hold on, so letting go is always an option.

Always know, that the change of the world is not in our hand, but how we manage ourself through it is our choice.

Diplomacy May 18, 2009

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Diplomacy is something important in our life. We do diplomacy everyday which we usually call chat. However, diplomacy itself is not as same as a chat. Diplomacy is an art of speaking and maneuvering action which is often used when a country start to choose their political stance.

In order to reach an excellent standard in diplomatic skills, there are somethings that we must put our attention on.

1) Emotion is a big no. The point here is do not express anything you feel. When you disagree, smile and nod. When you agree, try to rebut as if you’re disagree. When the discussion is going to an intense, laugh and poke your opposition.

A diplomats must be able to bring the situation according to his will and make no vivid expression upon what he think or what he feel. Why? Cause when a diplomats show what he feels, what he really think, what’s his goal, opposition will easily manage to encounter them or else. We do not want this to happen.

2) Though emotion must not be shown, atmosphere of kindness is a must. Do your opposition good. Ease others pain and they will make your path easy.

3) Only say what’s final. Anything beyond or behind that must not be spoken. Every of our steps should not be vivid. we make our decision and stance from the first, but shall not show them from the very start. Even when the final is near, out intension should still be blur.

4) Create no or positive perception. Poeple perception is important. Negative perception is not always bad however usually gain unwanted response. However, positive response is usually useful, however, this may be bad for your maneuver since a sudden change may hurt your reputation in instance. Therefore, usually people make a blur perceptuion, so that people keep questioning the real intention without realizing where we want to go. A neutral perception is the best here since it enabling you to do any manuever. Therefore, it is just fine to change our decision in order to shape the public opinion [about changing anything see number 5].

5) Make a once and for all standard. This will shape the public perception about who you are. This is absolutely important since we do not want people to ignore us since we do no have stance at all. A standard is important. If you want to shape your image as a maverick person, then be independent. If you want to shape your image as a strategist, then keep your mouth silent. Remember that once your image was shaped, you must not go from your image or it gonna be a lifetime failure.

 

Remember that in diplomacy there are no enemies and there are no friends. However everybody is your “best friends” and your “best partner”.

Human Right vs Human Sanity April 19, 2009

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I. Essence of Human Right

History

In the very early age of the earth, people already look for justice. This Justice then become the very basic of Human Right, right to be treated the same. One of the oldest that supported this is the Code of Hamurabi, which describe clearly the rights of women, rights of men, rights of slaves, etc, with  one of its most famous quotes, hand for hand, eye for eye.

The development of religion in all part of Asia, also shown the great need of people upon justice. The Bible, Qur’an, all describe the rights and the responsibility that every man bear.

In Europe, Greece is the most famous Kingdom with it’s philosophy and code of conduct. Their philosophers described everything started from ethics, to political philosophy, to philosophy of mind and language.

Still, one power that ancient people cannot go against: kings.

As the world approaches to the modern world, the people was getting sick with kings and tyrats that leave the people in deaths while they enjoy glorious days above the law. This, later become the background of the people movement, which starts with the Magna Carta, which said that everybody is under the law, including kings.

No Freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseised of his Freehold, or Liberties, or free Customs, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any other wise destroyed; nor will We not pass upon him, nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment of his Peers, or by the Law of the Land. We will sell to no man, we will not deny or defer to any man either Justice or Right

-Magna Carta-

This process of defending the Human Right continued through the French revolution and the Bill of Rights in United States.

Development

Justice for people, is the basic foundation of every Human right as has been stated above. However, this Justice doesn’t stop here. People demanded something more from the government. They demand the right to speak up their mind. They demand their rights to have their own religion. They demand their right to be rich. Therefore, this demands become a movement of liberalism which cover themselves with the title of democracy.

From the very basic needs of Justice, then it continues to grow. Now, there are 5 basic needs that UN approved.

1. right to be free from poverty
2. right to have religion
3. right to speak up their mind
4. right to live
5. right to be judge equally under the law

This development is not enough. By using the view of natural Law, there are 3 rights that John Locke said far before the UN created, which are:

1. Life- everyone is entitled to live once they are created
2. Liberty- everyone is entitled to do anything they want to so long as it doesn’t conflict with the first right.
3. Estate- everyone is entitled to own all they create or gain through gift or trade so long as it doesn’t conflict with the first two rights.

Everything are just fine but the liberty part. Everyone is entitled with the right to do anything the won’t as long as it doesn’t conflict with others.

This liberty than become the basic argumens for thousands of cases. From Feminism, Gay Marriage, Abortion, to Cigarretes law.

II. Essence of Freedom

Nature of Freedom

Before discussing things much further, we must acknowledge the nature of freedom, of the liberty itself.

The word freedom is a state where one have full control of what one going to do. In other words he is free to choose what he is going to do. This shown that he has no boundaries to do whatever he want to do.

This understanding is very important because this is the basic of next point.

Two Types of Freedom

What differentiates freedom? Going back to the definition of Freedom itself, which one have full control to CHOOSE what he is going to do, it is clear that it is not the freedom that different, but the path that one choose, differentiates them.

Freedom to be Free

Take a case, as one choose what one going to do with the freedom one have. When he choose to use that state of Freedom to be free, unleashes the chain that binds him, throw the burden on his shoulders, he come to the real state of freedom. The freedom above freedom.

But of course we all acknowledge that this kind of freedom is a total chaos. Moral degradation, Stuctural destruction, all starts from this state of freedom.

However, it is a natural law that every human have the right to choose what they want to do. I would say that is very true. But if we implemented it to this point, nothing but chaos will happen.

Why we can do abortion? because it is the mother’s right to do whatever she wants with her body. Why we should approve gay marriage? Because it is their right to love each others. Why we can do euthanasia? Because, because, because!  And above all of that, it is beacuse man have right to do anything he want as long as he prepared to face the consequences.

Can you see the lack of the statement that is bolded? If they keeping their right to do whatever they want, it is far to late. As we know, consequences never come first. The job must been done before the consequences come.

This gives no limitation of the man’s rights. And I would like to say that this kind of freedom is no more freedom, but it is wilderness!!

Freedom to be Controlled

In another case, if man use his freedom to control himself. Again, back to the definition, that freedom means that man have the right to choose what he is going to do. And if he choose to limit his own freedom, the opposites will come. 

This limitation to the one’s freedom must be implemented.

Take a clear good example. God.

I would like to say that God is omnipotent. Ain’t he powerful enough to do sins? If it is true that he is the omnipotent, of course he have the very right, the every power to do crimes. Ok, God can’t steal, God can’t kill, how about becoming unfair? I’m sure that God is more than able to keep the sun for believers and let the non-believers see no light.

This point we see clearly how to use freedom to limit the freedom itself. Let’s say God. God limit himself so he do nothing but holiness.

Take another example. The president of United States have highest rank in the army. No general, even the four stars general, can move the army without his approval. He have the full access to all US silo and launch the nuclear missiles to all over the world. Does he do that?

He doesn’t do that. But does he have the right to do it? Yes. So why he doesn’t do that? Cause he hold himself not to do that.

So here we see that a controllable freedom is a resposible freedom. A kind of freedom that may bring good to others.

III. Conclusion

Here we see what is Human right, we also see what is freedom. Human right ensure man’s freedom. Freedom is the essence of Human Right. This two is one package that cannot be separated.

however, the way we approach them is the most important part. Do we choose to limit ourself within the ethics and the moral values. Are we willing to use our freedom to limit our freedom?

We all responsible for what we have done. rather we are going to create chaos or create a good living for all, it is our decision. We are free to decide. It is our liberty.

Do we choose to be part of the wilderness? Do we choose to be insane?

Or

Do we choose to stay sane and keep the order till our death with our freedom?

again, it is our choice…

Decision in Time April 6, 2009

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“So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you must decide is how to use the time that is given to you.”
         -Gandalf, Lord of the Rings-

 

This quotation is taken from the first LOTR novel. Just when Frodo starts to feel weary about the journey he have to go, he started whining and told Gandalf that he’s sick with the reality he’s in. and there Gandalf said that sentence. And there, Gandalf said something that is applicable for us.

The condition you’re in, the situation surrounds you, is something that you cannot change. The situation change accordingly to how other people act and how you act upon it. Thus, the flow itself cannot be stopped, however, controlable.

In some cases, third parties can have a significant effect to our condition. In my princeton essay (in which I discussed the same thing), I can picturized this third party effect well. Third parties can have a huge impact just with simple thing, for example, issues. False issues can ruin you in times when you are not ready to face them.

The dramatic change in condition is actually not the reason why we cannot control them. However, usually, we are stressed out by that dramatic change and take a quick step without judging the long-term effect in the future. Which then, bring chaos to our life.

The time itself is a limited. “The time that is given to you” is not the unlimited time to do something. The time has a limit which is also determined by the condition. Sadly, most of the time, we do not know the limitation of our time. We act rushly, in order to make evrything better, which then turn against us.

What is needed during times like this, is no more than wisdom. Wisdom to choose which right and wrong, to see the real condition from the most objective point of view. I once went through such problem and lost control on my act. How I wish to keep those wisdom in hands. The next thing that is also important is emotion control. Angry not too soon, happy not too quick, hold the emotion, look what’s behind the scene. Cause I don’t need to tell you, what happening behind truly determine the next scene.

And yes, it is ours to decide what we gonna do in the time that is given to us. How our future will be, what will we go through are determined by how we decide upon things surround us. Thus, kep the wisdom, decide well.

 

This is my essay, if you’re too curious…

It was my 11^th grade and I was a very busy student. I had the position as the head of the class and I was the member of SMAK 1 Cup Committee. In the same time, I must prepare myself for several upcoming competitions and Biology Science Olympiad. However, in those times, my friends kept cheering me up and we often teased each other, hang out to somewhere, or just gathered around.

 

Everything goes just like that until the day when we teased one of my friends with a girl. Somehow, I was attracted to the girl. Starting from that day, I tried to get myself close to her. It was a pleasing experience to be with her. She helped me studying the Biology Olympiad, she told me lot of interesting stories, gave me inspirations and encouragement. I always wonder if one day I can repay her kindness.

 

It was all went really fine until she asked me about girl that I liked. I will never forget that time. I could not lie, but I knew it was not the right time for me to say that I love her. Therefore, I gave her clues that leads to the answer that she was the one that I love. Just as my predictions, everything changes when she knew that she was the one that I love.

 

Horrible I would say. Our relationship changed dramatically. Even more, in the same time, fake news about her came to me, that she backstabbed me. It was actually silly news if I was in a normal situation. However, things went the other way, as I got so mad at her for that “backstabbing”. That anger made me once berated her without a clear reason. Strangely, she never argued; she only kept everything inside.

 

After six months of broken relationship, suddenly my mobile rang and I saw a text message from her, congratulating me for my birthday. My eyes were opened and I realize that it was fake news that I heard. It was a shock for me and I started a plan to apologize.

 

I was ready if she got angry with me. I knew I was wrong and reckless in taking decision. However, she just smiled and forgave me. I tried once again to please her, but things were not the same as before. The relationship would never return to how it used to be.

 

I regret time when I decided to do something that I knew that was not the time yet. However, I learn something here. I learn that it is all about how we used the moment, about how we do something on the right time. No matter what we do, no matter how well we planned it before, if the time has not come yet, we will get nothing good. All that we need to do is to decide how we use the time that is given to us.

Life in My Sight… March 27, 2009

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After taking a huge amount of earth oxygen supply for 17 years and writing history for some peoples, here I start to think about the essence of life.

I won’t take this to deep, but I really just want to share about what life is in my opinion. I believe that this opinion and view of mine, already shaped me in such a way to see the world. This perspective probably the reason of all my action.

For me, I can picturize life as two kind of game.

1) Chess

For me life is just like chess. But this time, a very huge board chess with millions of players. In an 8×8 chess board, a single move can determine the end of the game. Same with the life we’re in.

Everybody want to make themselves as the leader of the board. Thus, they must eliminate others kings. We count our steps, we anticipate others movement and open ways for our own. We let people do what they want if they do not cross our importance. If they dare to go against ours, there shall be no mercy.

Maneuvers and tricks must be done. Play the words, play the mind, play the hands. A complex movement with combination of several troops can bring you to triumph.

Sacrifice oftenly needed. For a little winning, we must dare to put a big thing on risks. But of course, that little winning is not a mere wining, but a glorious path to victory. To sacrifice things that we like, things that we love, friends, partners, sometimes needed. I bet now you start to curse me, but that’s the fact. Psychology will name this, “out from your comfort zone”. There are lot of examples that people can rise when they left their friends. When they dropped the bomb on their partner.

And in order to be the winner, perfection is a must. How to count steps well, to predict every movement, to be the best in everything are the top priority.

2) Poker

Once I thaught it’s like monoploy, but then I choose poker. Poker is a famous card game that actually is really simple but very complex.

There are points that must be seen in this game.

• Cards : This is the most obvious thing that you must put your attention on. Your own cards. It is a double? It is prospective? Just as in your life. Is what you have right now useful? Is it not?
• Others’ cards : What card does your friend have? What card does your opponent have? Is it prospective? You’ll never know.
• The table’s cards : Does the card on the table support your card? Or support your opponent’s card? Does your surroundings help you to improve? Or they make other’s to improve?
• The bet : The steps of your opponents is crucial. Does they fold and let that round go? Or does they play the card and put the bet on it? Is it big or small?

This game really represent the life, I and you live in. You must know the situation you’re in and catious with what others have. To bluff is necessary, but stay cautious. To not be greedy, but to make others corrupted slowly till their death. To always stay calm and take everythings with smile, and stay sharp and deadly inside. To not express what you feel, but to deeply feel what others’ feel.

Know exactly when to take a rest and fold your card. As they say, do not be greedy. Know also exactly when to hold your cards, and but your bet and stay cautious. Isn’t that the essence of success?

 

People that always talking about love and mercy, never look at the real true world. People that live under the pressure will know this. Good man was killed, while Bad man praised. One that dropped bomb and kill millions is respected, while one that stay not sided and neutral is forgotten. That is the world we’re living in. 

I realized that, this kind of philosophy cannot be accepted by many people. But I see clearly, that the world I am living in, is not a paradise where people shares and do kindness. I’m living in an unfair world, where there’s always someone who will be kicked out. There’s always someone that perfectly healthy and someone that handicapped. Someone rich and someone poor. The rich want to be richer and the poor seldomly can fight.

Rather you agree or not, this is just my own perspective of life.  A controversial perspective as usual.

Human Right and Government Rules March 15, 2009

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Here we know that human right is the right that every human have. The very essential right that everybody have.

Everything began from England with their Magna Carta, which make everyone’s position is same in front of law. This means that no one can surpress others in front of law. It keeps developing till 1776, the US declaration of Independence and keep going until after the WWII, with the Geneva Conventions and Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

In the first time, human right ensures only the very rights of human

• freedom to voice their opinion
• frredom to live
• freedom to have a religion
• freedom to be freed from poverty

However, today, human right has been expanded to the very aspect of human rights. So therefore, if we want to summarize the human right today it gonna sound: Every man have right to do whatever he want according to his will, as long as he’s ready to bear the consequences. From this basis, gay marriage, abortion, etc are being legalized.

In the other hand, we must not forget about the presence of Government. Here government, which nature is to protect and build the country, has the omnipotent power, called law. In order to make a prosperous, wealthy country, government need to do whatever necessary to fulfill their nature.

What’s the relation between this two topic, human right and government rules? There are cases, lots of cases, where human right and government rules clash each other. Just take simple example, gay marriage.

Do gay people have right to marry? Yes, they have. As long as they are alive, they have right to do that. But the government, in order to keep the culture and moral value, have the power to prohibit it. Then, this case can go to the court and take years for the final decision.

Then actually it comes back to the first question, how far does the human right extend, and how far does the law can reach.

First let us see the nature of law. Law was made for prevention and act as judge. Inside law, there are penalties for those who disobey them, but basically they were made just for prevention. What if a man who knows the law, but still go agaisnt them. In this case government can’t do anything to prevented it, so there the law goes with their second function, to punished. And after all, the law was made for one purpose only: Uphold the welfare of all people that live under it.

Still, usually govt put weight on the prevention function to scare people with ultimate penalties. For example, usually junta will come with thousands of laws that limit people movement so they can secure their governmental position.

But, back to the nature of law itself. It was made to uphold society’s welfare. And society can only be upholded if their rights were fulfilled. So here, it is clear that law, cannot and cannot go across the human right. Theerfore law cannot forbid people from doing gay marriage, cause this law will do harm against human right.

Still, the government have another option to forbid it, by not giving approval. Here, we must see that government, also have rights in order to uphold the national welfare. They cannot put attention on every minor group since they have obligation to uphold the whole nation, although those group also have right. In this case, government are legal to approve or not since they have the right to do it. But again, not with law. [This also goes with abortion, where the government can give law about the illegal abortion and not legalize abortion, so every abortion is illegal, where trhis is just political strategy. but here, the government CANNOT give law that against abortion itself]

However, we must remember that not everytime, human right must be fulfilled. Remember the obligation of the govt. In time like crisis or national emergency, govt have the right to do limitation on human right. As in time of war, the govt have the right to limit for example one race’s right to be treated equally. This can goes in a sudden political turbulences that threaten the whole nation security.

In conclusion, human right is absolute. Law and govt cannot do anything against it.  However, it is the govt right to do political maneuver on it, so the right is not approved by the govt. Still, in national emergency situation, human right can be limited.