Dickens' message clear & simple for everyone

Last night, my wife Po Chin and I went to the cinema nearby to watch Disney' s new movie, A Christmas Carol. We like it very much indeed. The message is clear and simple enough for children and adults alike; and I hope more of Charles Dickens' masterpieces, such as A Tale Of Two Cities, would also be similarly animated and screened on stages.

Dickens ' Christianity for his beloved children

Obama to add more US troops for Afghan War

After three months of emotional as well as rational debates, it is now almost certain that President Obama would order a surge of American forces in the range of 25,000- 35,000 to fight the war in Afghanistan. Public opinions in America on the war reportedly remain very divided. Steve Coll's Ghost Wars is still the best introduction to the prelude to the incessant and extremely bloody conflicts in the disordered region.

Ainsworth chides Obama over Afghan "hiatus"

Ainsworth chides Obama over Afghan "hiatus"

British Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth reportedly blamed America' s President Barack Obama for the ''hiatus'' or delay in making a decision on whether to move more US soldiers to Afghanistan to fight the war.

Obama to make Afghan decision "within days"

Obama to make Afghan decision "within days"

The White House is reportedly going to make announcement " within days " on whether the United States will send more American soldiers to Afghanistan to continue fighting the unexpectedly resilient enemy. The American decision will affect in one way or another it's strategic relations with India on one hand, and Pakistan and Iran on the other. Needless to say, all the three regional powers in the security complex will react to the decision to serve their own values and also interests.

Opportunity cost of Afghan surge for America

Opportunity cost of Afghan surge for America

Indeed, how to finance the proposed surge of American troops for the war in Afghanistan without cutting the budgetary allocation for social reforms within America has become a fairly real issue in Washington. The financial dimension of General McChrystal's strategy of surge was not very clear at the earlier stage of the evidently emotional debates.

Cost of more American troops for Afghan War

Dickens' Christian booklet & Malay translation

I really don't think the BN Government would dare to classify a Malay -language translation of Charles Dickens' The Life of Our Lord as being 'subversive' or 'undesirable'. However, it could still cari pasal on hair-splitting points, such as whether the term 'God' is rendered as 'Allah'. I am very supportive of efforts to translate more works of litarature, whether Western, Chinese or Indian, into Malay to further enrich the national language and also broaden the minds of younger Malaysians. The national language must serve to liberate, not shackle, the minds.

Human 'souls' not property of BN government

Dickens ' Christianity for his beloved children

Besides the well- known novels, Charles Dickens also produced a very short booklet titled The Life of Our Lord (now republished by, among other, Simon & Schuster ) which was originally written in 1846 - 1849 for the private education or family upbringing of his beloved children. It was only released for the first time in 1934 in the New York Times.

Christmas trees appear early in Kuala Lumpur

Christmas trees appear early in Kuala Lumpur

Christmas trees have already appeared in several business outlets in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Richer or poorer, many peoples all over the world still joyfully remember the humble birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Christmas carols will certainly be heard very soon in many languages.

Charles Dickens' timeless work now animated

Cost of more American troops for Afghan War

There is still no decision yet on whether more American troops should be sent to Afghanistan and one of the reasons for the delay is said to be the question of how to pay for the surge amid economic recession. Seen in this new light, it is indeed not very fair to criticise President Obama personally for "dithering" or being "indecisive" on this matter. On the contrary, it can be argued that Obama is trying to be prudent.

US military's operational request now official

Batang Kali Massacre book positively assessed

Many of my learned as well as knowledgeable friends in Ipoh, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney and London who have read Slaughter & Deception At Batang Kali, written by Ian Ward and Norma Miraflor, agree that it is well-researched and remarkably informative. We certainly would like to hear opposing viewpoints, if there are any.

Critical questions of Batang Kali Massacre '48

America urges Myanmar junta to free Suu Kyi

In Singapore, President Barack Obama has urged the military junta in Myanmar to free the most symbolic opposition leader Ang San Suu Kyi who has lost her personal liberty for fourteen years in her own nation. Clare Street shares the opinion that Aung San Suu Kyi should be freed for Myanmar' s national reconciliation to be realised meaningfully and for Myanmar to regain its honour and respect in the region and world.

John Yettaw defends his mission in Myanmar

Human 'souls' not property of BN government

The decision of the BN Government to disallow The Herald to publish a Kadazandusun- language segment is still not acceptable because it does not own any religion, language or human 'soul' like it owns cars. Seen in this light, it has no business in whether 'Allah' is 'God' or not.

Ministry to renew license for Catholic weekly

My observation on P1 Wimax's advertisement

Generally speaking, there is nothing objectionable at all in the Malay-language word potong, but its use within the very specific context of the controversial P 1 Wimax advertisement does spread vulgar ideas in an open environment that includes curious children and teenagers.

More balanced perspective on ICT Revolution

Ministry to renew license for Catholic weekly

A Home Ministry spokesman has clarified that the government is not terminating the publishing permit of Catholic publication The Herald.

Oppose arbitrary decision on Catholic weekly

Oppose arbitrary decision on Catholic weekly

The arbitrary decision of the government not to renew the publishing permit for Catholic weekly The Herald is certainly objectionable, and must be opposed by all who cherish the freedom of religion and faith.

Ozawa's anti-Christian comments unbecoming

The anti-Christian comments openly aired by the secretary-general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan Mr. Ichiro Ozawa is unbecoming. Ozama' s knowledge of Western societies is, to put it simply, shallow.

US media observations on Obama's Asian tour

American president Barack Obama is coming to Asia pretty soon. The Los Angeles Times and Washington Post, among other media outlets, have published two features to examine the trip from various angles. Clare Street wishes President Obama a delightful journey to the East.

No M'sia & Indonesia in Obama's Asian journey

Charles Dickens' timeless work now animated

Disney has just released an animated version of A Christmas Carol. It was originally penned by Charles Dickens who also wrote Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, David Copperfield and also other works of modern English literature that are well known and well liked worldwide, including the Chinese-language part 'in the Far East'. Disney also produced an animated and English version of the Chinese legend Mulan in 1998, and it is still easily available in VCDs and DVDs.

Victor Hugo's deep message in Les Miserables

Farewell to Dr. Chandran Mohandas Jeshurun

Prominent and dedicated scholar of regional history and international relations, Dr. Chandran Mohandas Jeshurun, 69, was laid to rest this afternoon after his dear mother and some 200 relatives, friends and colleagues of all races bid him farewell at the St. Mary' s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur. Rest in everlasting peace, my dear friend and teacher.

Prayer for Dr. Chandran Jeshurun at St. Mary

Prayer for Dr. Chandran Jeshurun at St. Mary

Dr. Chandran Jeshurun's funeral service will be held at 1.00 pm today at the St. Mary' s Anglican Cathedral (beside Dataran Merdeka in KL). A very dedicated scholar of regional history and international affairs, as well as my personal friend, he passed away yesterday at 3.15 p.m.

Spirit & ideals of Dr. M.K. Rajakumar live on

My impressions of Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

While I am certainly not a Muslim and I do not want to be involved in the theological debates among Muslims, I must also very frankly and honestly admit that Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin always impresses me with the striking clarity of his mind, which is evidently reason-based. I also think Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is a teacher of moral courage who can make contributions to the process of civilisational dialogues. I am glad both sides of the partisan divide have come to his defence.