Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Analysts: PN-held states can't sabotage PM's Raya charm offensive by Isabelle Leong
Friday, April 21, 2023
Malaysiakini : “It is definitely related to the state elections which may be held at the end of June or the beginning of July.
“And
the best time for him to meet the people is during the Raya
celebration,” Universiti Utara Malaysia’s political analyst Mohd
Azizuddin Mohd Sani said.
Universiti Utara Malaysia’s political analyst Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani
He
opined that the opposition leaders would not risk sabotaging Anwar’s
Aidilfitri-do in order to show that they have the people’s best interest
at heart.
Sharing Azizuddin's sentiments, Universiti Malaya
academic Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it would not be advantageous for
the opposition bloc to politicise an event held especially for the
people.
“They can’t possibly politicise a religious celebration or turn every day into politics,” Awang Azman said.
“Don’t
look at it from a political point of view and try seeing the federal
government’s sincerity to forge a better relationship with the state
elections, although they are on different sides of the political
divide.”
Awang Azman said the events would increase the visibility
of Anwar's administration as well as restore the confidence of people
in those states who shifted to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the
parliamentary elections last year.
"This is to ensure that the
people in these states can 'feel' Anwar's administration, not just on
national issues, but also the local sentiments.
"Anwar is adopting the personal touch approach by going to the people."
Risk inciting federal-level hostility
Political
scientist Wong Chin Huat said opposition state governments would likely
not want to risk inciting federal-level hostility as Anwar's
administration was still very early in its term.
Wong is of the
opinion that the opposition would be at the losing end if its leaders
decide to pick a fight or play politics leading up to the event.
"The federal government would only gain if they can show the responsibility lies with the other party," he said.
He
saw the involvement of the opposition state governments in the open
house as a smart move as it could be interpreted as an attempt, in the
wider atmosphere, to “cool down” the political temperature.
"Antagonism between the government and opposition was common during BN's time.
"If
this continues, it will help PN to mobilise its ground and alienate
some Malay swing voters who might vote for Pakatan Harapan otherwise."
Putrajaya
had also seized the opportunity to convey a message to PN voters
through its friendly and professional attitude, he said.
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat
"It
wants to show that the presence of PN state governments is accepted by
the Harapan-led federal government - that they are not threatened and
there is no urgency for voters to vote for PN, no matter what or who the
local candidate is."
However, Singapore Institute of
International Affairs (SIIA) senior fellow Oh Ei Sun cautioned event
coordinators – Prime Minister’s Department’s Performance and
Coordination Unit (Pacu) – against letting their guards down.
“It is in the ordinary course of politics that rival political camps would try to trip each other.
“So the organisers would have to take extra care so as to ensure the smooth running of the events,” Oh said.
Anwar’s bid to stop ‘green wave’
While
concurring that it is an obvious attempt by Anwar’s administration to
stake a symbolic political claim in the heart of the traditionally
PAS-dominated states, Oh is of the view that it is an exercise in
futility.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun
“I think he (Anwar) is just doing the best he could to try to stop a bit of the much-anticipated green-wave electoral onslaught.
“I think he is only putting up some semblance of a political fight.
“He
knows very well that nobody could really stop the green wave. They
(PAS) are not only politically but also religiously invincible,” he
alleged.
This comes after the prime minister’s Aidilfitri open house was moved out of the Klang Valley for the first time in history.
Aside from Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, similar events will also be held in Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
State governments will be hosting the events and supported by a federal ministry.
The chief minister or menteri besar of the states involved will also be invited.