MUIZO

Day trip to another city.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:26:00 +0000

Wouldn't it be nice to just get out and travel to another city just for the day? I have this traveling fantasy in my mind for awhile. I love the idea of unpremeditated and aimless excursion out of town. The closest I had to this was an unplanned day trip to London sometime last year. I think I just had a deadline and was trying to ease off before exam season kicked in.

Ahh, the idea of randomness: go online, book a flight somewhere and spend a few hours in a different environment and go back in the evening. Just walk around the streets, getting lost and at the same time finding out new things. I almost had that opportunity a couple weeks back. Book a ticket to Milan and return the next day. However, due to the circumstances at that time, I had to abandon the plan. If only it was an avoidable one.

I'm currently setting my sights on a day trip to a particular city. But I know it'll be a difficult one considering that its early of the year; and for scholars, academics, students and so on, that's a few months away from the finals. Or in other words, crunch time! The upcoming academic break is in March for Easter, but I won't be around then. The only logical time of the year I can go is between the month of February and early March, provided I have the financial means to go.

Oh well, only time (and money) can tell...

Setback

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Apparently my research paper has come to another stumbling block. Looking at it positively, seeing it as a setback. Setback will come once in a while, but not letting it slide as a total failure.

Me being an optimist..

Final Year Research

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:59:00 +0000

Its 1 am and I have an early day tomorrow. Yet here I am, wrecking my brains and gathering thoughts on how I am going to tackle December and January workload. I (might) have GRE test at the end of the month, though I've yet to register for the tests but that is the plan, two essays due and a specific idea that I need to prepare for my Final Year Conference awaiting in January. On top of that I have a dissertation project to think about and that is 8,000-10,000 words I've yet started.

Back home during the summer I thought I had a general sense of where I was going with my dissertation. My topic: 'To what extent does China practised their claims of non-confrontational assertiveness policy towards the US and her neighbours.' I was so sure, that I had drafted about 1,000 words and I was ready!

...or so I thought.

Fast forward to November, I started to question my own research topic. But more enlightening was when I attended my 2 week of dissertation class and was told that a 'to what extent' isn't the kind of question you should approach. So I had to rethink, and upon continuous reconsiderations, I realised that my original research was a bit blergh! Even worst, I had this sense of realisation a week prior to my research design deadline, and coincidentally, I had an important class the same time and day as my supervisor. I tried to contact my supervisor but my email came unanswered. I was screwed.

But then, I reached an epiphany. That same week, President Obama was due to arrive in Bali, Indonesia for the East Asia Summit, the first with the US and Russia's inclusion. Then it dawned to me that this meeting was to described as an important one because the American inclusion came the same year when the South China sea is the current hotspot of the world to some extent. This Summit will surely have a certain impact towards three main countries' in contention: US-China-ASEAN, especially with the territorial disputes and navigational freedom issues that tainted the three countries' relations.

My research heading and question, I decided are:

'ASEAN to China: Its South China Sea, not China owned Sea. Understanding the role of East Asian Summit in solving regional issues':With the recent inclusion of the United States in the East Asian Summit (EAS), how crucial will the EAS in setting the conditions for key regional cooperation, in particular with the recent territorial dispute in the South China Sea?

The main crux of my issue is China and her relationship with ASEAN and the role of the US in EAS whether their presence is seen as a balancing act or a re-engagement of relations with Asia, a region where they have neglected largely, until recently. The main hypotheses that I wish to answer are:

Whether the East Asian Summit (EAS) will be the main forum for a continued regional cooperation and conflict management for East Asia but specifically ASEAN in this case as now the United States has been included as a member.
Whether China is holding to their claims of a Non-Confrontational Assertiveness policy with her neighbors, specifically ASEAN now that another territorial dispute had occurred in the middle of 2011.

I'm really looking forward with how I'm going to tackle this!

Would you bear watching 74 hours of this?

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:05:00 +0000

...apparently a guy made a video of him counting as long as he possibly could, and he managed for 74 hours apparently. I didn't watch the whole thing so I can't say if he was actually counting the whole 74 hours or did some activity in between (like you know, eating, bathing or doing your business in the toilet). The longest video in Youtube was a video of a some weird blank thing (256 hours) but apparently, since there's blank and nothing actually in the video, some don't really consider it as a video per se, so maybe this guy's video could be in contention?

Book Review: Writing Security: United States Foreign Policy and the Politics of Identity David Campbell

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:36:00 +0000

In ‘Writing Security: United States Foreign Policy and the Politics of Identity’, David Campbell discusses the role of identity in the understanding of contemporary world politics, in particular that of state’s security. According to Campbell, the experiences of the United States’ foreign policy from past events and even today help show us how the role of identity is crucial in security studies and politics. He used the American experiences during the Cold War as his main case study.

Campbell’s main argument in the book challenges the traditional conception of security, in particular from the realists and neorealists traditions that are shaped by the distribution of relative power and anarchic world structure, arguing that the theory is limited. Instead he focuses on the role of identity and language of discourse at the focal point. He argues different states possess different identities, which then leads to a difference in interests, moving away from the realists’ assumption that all states have the same selfish attributes. (1998:24) The role of identity and the understanding of it are crucial in contemporary political studies in particular in perceiving threats from the external (i.e. the notion of ‘Us vs. Them’). The NSc-68 for instance, identifies the Soviets as possessing ‘threatening’ values, as opposed to the ‘good’ American values. (1998: 78). For Campbell, the interpretation of threats by the political actors is crucial.

The main strength of this book is that it provides readers with an informative outlook of security study from the constructivist point of view. Campbell’s usage of a wide range of official data and transcripts (e.g. NSC-68) strengthens his argument on the role of ‘discourse’ especially how security is constructed and developed as a form of identity. This is helpful to understand political security far away from the realm of the realists and neorealists understandings. Similarly, his concise arguments in the book provide an easy understanding on the main tenets of constructivism provides a refreshing idea of security, far from the realm of traditional security studies. However, upon further reading, I can’t help but to notice that his arguments overestimated the role of identity and discourse especially when viewing security issues as a social construction. If threats are socially constructed, then how does one identify it and find a solution for it? He did not provide a solutions/suggestion how one can overcome security issues. Nevertheless, the book is an interesting read and undoubtedly useful.

Yuna's Nirvana song cover.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Totally unexpected. Yes, I know little of this singer, but what I do know is she makes a beautiful cover of a Nirvana's song, 'Come As You Are'. Love that soothing voice she has, and the folky feel of the song. Video was taken in the streets of New York City.

via YunaMusicOfficial

My essay in impasse...

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:15:00 +0000

IN NEED OF HELP!

I'm in the midst of writing out an essay assignment due late January. I know a month away from deadline is a long way to go (believe me, in the average students' calendar it is a long way to go) but this year, I'm hoping for a change of attitude in how I do my work. Furthermore, its in my best interest to finish things early since we're doing our dissertation as a final's project (also I'll be away from Bristol this holiday so that is part of the reason/motivation). Second year wasn't my best in terms of academic expectations and results, so before things go down for the worse (Nauzubillah) I'd rather take a precautionary measure as a 'self-crisis management'. And so here I am, down to my last 600 or so words to go. Stuck and a bit brain-drained, convincing myself that its just one of those days when writer's block get the best of me. Perhaps a little epiphany will do, but I need a lightbulb moment.

Sometimes I wonder, how do they do it? No, let me rephrase that: How do they, those A students, those second to none students, Ace-rs do about their things? Do a lot of readings? Did that, Ask many questions? Scratched that off too! So what takes? Perhaps my option for now is to seek help, perhaps from my tutors/lecturers, you know, have a heart to heart moment. Problem is some of them, instead of help me connect the dots, alleviate the problem even more. I have a tendency to get myself confused after a short visit to the tutors' offices. While others on the other hand, will be unavailable, like ever!

Maybe just an excuse to blog my thoughts out and distract myself from the essay, but I really need to get things moving again, desperately.

Thoughts of my life abroad: Life so far and as hoped.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:19:00 +0000

My first 'detailed' post about life in Bristol was dated November 24th 2009. To think that it was over two years ago. Time flies by so fast that cum July, Insyallah, I'll finish my studies here in Bristol. I really felt like yesterday that I wrote that post. Bristol is definitely an interesting place and path that I've come across. I really love Bristol, the place and weather, and when I graduate, I can't wait to take along my parents to see this place, that they've come to know only from conversations on Skype. I will surely miss this place. If permitted, I'll surely come again to this city and visit the places where I've been to.

A mixture of victorian and modern architectures decorate and illuminate the city. Art and technology are synonymous to Bristol and this is evident in her history (Google to believe it;)). And with an institution of hundred of years of history, it doesn't take long for one to want to come here and be part of the Bristol's luminous alma mater.

However, in spite of experiencing and being blessed to have lived in Bristol, some thoughts still linger in my head. Perhaps, I render myself a confession...

I have to admit though, that the student life here I find unfitting for me. Maybe I was in denial in the whole time, but I come to realise that my college experience here is rather bland. Of course, there are some perks and benefits of being a UOB student, like having small days of classes (currently I'm running on a 2-3 days of class per week, with 2 hours each day), meeting new friends and having the privilege to have been mentored by important people in politics and international relations academia, but I somewhat feel its not my kind of environment. Something is just amiss.

I'm more of a city person, and living around large tall concrete buildings inspires me and gets me going. Indeed Bristol is a large city, and the University is situated at the heart of it, but it just feels like I'm out of place sometime. For an adventurous person like me, I'd weirdly spend much of my time at home or visit other cities outside of Bristol like Cardiff and London for a time or two. I'd never take time and explore the place throughout. It may sound disappointing and a bit of a let down, but the reality is, I just can't wait to get out and explore other avenues and environment. I crave for those 'sakai' first-timers' experience you get when being in a new place. What I'm saying is: I want a new city.

July may still be a long way to go, but like I wrote in my intro, it only felt like yesterday when I first wrote my first detailed post on Bristol, only to realise that I wrote it over 2 years ago. Time flies by really fast that I hope July will come sooner.

Armed and ready, June is that date to wait for. I can't wait!

WORLD...

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:17:00 +0000

...at the end of the day, after a hard all out thinking about life and the wonders of it, I'll look back and realise, that the world is... a weird place to live in...and the World's Hairiest Person (or the fact there is such world record) reminds me of that reality, all the time...

Ilmiyah and Person: Separating the two?

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:47:00 +0000

During the summer, I met up with a friend back home of whom is currently studying in an overseas institution for his undergraduate degree. As often, like many other people, we would ask how's life and how's the environment over there, is it different from home and how he's coping with life away from the family. When talking about education there, one point he made that struck a chord with me.

In the academic field, even myself when I first started my University life, lecturers and tutors would always remind us that although they have the responsibility to teach, often times they won't impose their own personal thoughts on opinion over something towards others. As educators, they have made sort of an oath not force their opinions towards their students or fellow academics be the normative opinions or point of view. Instead, they are entrusted to teach and inform others that this is that and thus leave the students to figure out their own opinion over the matter, be it the sciences, the arts or simply the political.

Going back to my friend's case, I was appalled to learn that what had happened to him was otherwise. His educators, the folks who are supposed to pave the ways to the process of thoughts so that those students can create their own prejudices on things, we're instead feeding them with false information and present them as facts. However strong these 'educators'' claims on those things, whether or not they've personally seen or were personally affected by what they claimed as 'facts', for me such measures are deceitful and plain wrong. Educators, especially academic educators are considered to be objective individuals. They are those few people whom are specialists in their field of study must always be aware of this. Sure, people have their own personal bias over things, but one must bear in mind, that such opinions are subjective. The fault and danger in this might lead to a domino effect that in turn lead to a society of bias. Meanwhile, in the realm of academics, such 'facts' can be misleading. Surely, I believe universities aren't meant to be that way.

The differences between the 'Ilmiyah' or the academics and personal are crystal clear. The former, like I said earlier, is meant to pave a way for thoughts to develop. Your mother your cook rice, but how it ends up depends on the style of cooking you want, you can fry it, add sauce to it and so on, whichever is to your personal liking. The latter however, is more out of touch with the bigger picture. You mother cook the rice, but she won't want you to do anything to it. Eventually, it doesn't go with your liking. As a result you feel like what you are restricted in terms of serving your appetite and ends up not having much choice. Won't it? The same goes to our learning process. In the end, this authoritative learning is only bad for you and everyone.

Luckily enough, my friend was fast enough to catch and realise this. But how about the others? If their thoughts are programmed specifically on that certain issues, it will be rather difficult to change it, is it not? So at the end of the day, those so called educators not only create a batch of 'faulty intellectuals' on a yearly basis, but also a society of hate, bias and thick minded individuals. The end result? Only time will tell, unless someone is willing enough to change that. I hope our schools of thought and educational system aren't like that.

A thing or two from AirAsia?

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:26:00 +0000

I've been reading blogs from affluent and respected Malay leaders, in particular from our neighbouring Malaysia, for the past 3-4 years. I've been so influenced and so interested with their ideas especially when they discuss about governance and running a company/corporation/financial institutions of sorts. Be it Anwar Ibrahim or Tun Mahathir, I'm always impressed with these leaders, despite knowing of their opposite beliefs in things, both personal and professional opinions. For me, its not what they accused of each other in doing, nor whether the former is the lesser evil than the other, or vice versa. Of course, I have my own personal opinion regarding these individuals, but that's not for me to judge. But importantly, its what they accomplished during their previous or current tenure of Malay-Islamic figures in today's fast-moving world.

The other day, continuing my routine of blog readings, I came across Tun Mahathir's recent post about a Malaysian Airlines-AirAsia cooperation venture that was developed a few weeks ago. Apparently, there were some 'noises' in the local news criticising this venture. As we all know, Malaysian Airlines, or MAS is Malaysia's national airline but of late had been overtaken but the success of AirAsia, the country's main budget airline. In their early days, AirAsia began their flights focusing mainly in the domestic-peninsular Malaysia routes. But in recent years, the company had grown and had opened up domestic flights stretching towards East Malaysia to Sarawak and Sabah. More significant was their expansion from domestic flights to international flights beginning from ASEAN routes to most of Asia, Australia and even Europe.

This sudden but rapid growth that AirAsia had achieved hurt MAS and as a result, the national carrier was forced to shut down certain routes and had to undergo cuts to balance the books. Mahathir during his tenure as Prime Minister of Malaysia and even today has been a sole supporter of AirAsia and this show of support most definitely did more harm than good for any national carriers of whom are struggling.

In his posting, he wrote:

I support MAS/Air Asia cooperation because for years now I have been fed-up with the management of MAS. Government had supported MAS with funds and protection but MAS had never done well.

Citing poor management in spite of a high governmental backing for the Airline sparks a little resemblance with our own struggling national fleet, RBA. I would however like to highlight that I know little of the actual situation of RBA, and my diagnosis of the problem being mainly due to poor management derived from first hand opinions of relatives and friends whom are currently working there. But the signs says it all, don't they? E.g. CEO changes every few years, cutbacks, price hikes, etc.

Going back to Tun Mahathir's post, I think its better if I copy and paste the rest of the post and hopefully you can reflect for yourself that maybe RBA can learn a thing or two from AirAsia, especially in terms of managing an airline wisely. As we all know, RBA is not a large-international-Singapore-Airline-esque carrier, but more of a regional carrier.

I'm no economist, and most definitely not a business person, just a politics student who likes to see things on the other side of world, therefore take this particular blogpost as perhaps one of many spectrums of finding ways to sustain our national carrier, rather than a criticism or word of frustration from a Bruneian on what is happening with our national airline company. After all, no one, not even Tun Mahathir if he's a Bruneian, would want their national carrier to fail and die.

4. I visited the head office of Air Asia and I flew Air Asia to London and I understand a little how Air Asia operates.

5. Let us take one example. Air Asia Airbus A340 flew into Stanstead, England, with a full load of passengers and I mean full load. The business class was full.

6. I will not mention the VIP treatment that I got. It is not standard and therefore it should not be cited as an example.

7. But what I noticed about the operation is that having flown for 13 hours non stop KL-London, the aircraft flew back to KL one-and-a-half hours later (with a different crew of course).

8. But MAS aircrafts stay on the ground in Heathrow for at least 12 hours. On some routes the air crew would stay in hotels for four days before flying back.

9. When airlines stay on the ground they will not help earn income for the company. Instead they have to pay ground parking charges. Commercial aircrafts should be flying most of the time. Then and then only will they earn money for airlines. And air crews should fly after the statutory rest requirement. Can it be that four days rest is required to certify that crews are fit to fly.

10. This is just one example of not so good management. MAS has a huge staff but Air Asia make-do with a very much smaller staff. They engage in multi-tasking. In fact Air Asia does everything possible to minimise overheads. It would be interesting to compare MAS’ overheads per aircraft against that of Air Asia.

11. Long ago I told a very senior man in MAS to learn from Air Asia its operations and how to cut cost. I don’t know whether he did.

Thank you SJ

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:07:00 +0000

An icon of his time, an innovator, a nerd, an entrepreneur and an inspiration. His ideas, visions and character had definitely impacted the world and individuals alike. He had made technology available to us at home and presently at the tip of our fingers. Its amazing that the news of Steve Jobs passing had touched our hearts despite knowing little about him. Perhaps its suffice to say that he did so by letting his innovation and ideas do the talking.

While watching the news update about his shocking death, I was taken aback with Steve Jobs's words during a commencement speech at Stanford in 1996. He said:

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Indeed, our time is limited, and at that time Steve Jobs knew better, after having his first brush with death with pancreatic cancer a year before he made that speech. At the end of the speech, he gave an advice that pretty much sums what our life, ethics and mind set should be to succeed:

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Rest in Peace Steve. And thank you for the wonders you created.

Third time around: Finals

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:46:00 +0000

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.
-Abraham Lincoln

I've can officially say that I've settled down here in Bristol. This year will be my final year in Bristol. Looking forward for the graduation date cum July. As like the previous years, I've moved out form the previous flat and now had moved in to a new one. This time I'm living in a cozy Victorian house over at Burlington Road, along the Whiteladies Road just 10 minutes off my faculty.

Things have certainly been different now. Funny how time have flown by so fast; thinking that a couple of years ago I just started, obviously curious and excited, figuring out how different University life is with the accustomed secondary and sixth form years. Still, my main challenges and concerns at that time were surviving life abroad and getting out of shell, out of my comfort zone. I was weaponless, only equipping myself with (now I realised rather limited) knowledge. Studying politics in the beginning was rather a mountain to climb, my everest. My main reflections on politics at that time were that it was about governance, and the type of governance certain states are practicing/running on i.e. democratic and socialist, right wing and left wing and so on. Little did I know that its beyond that.

Presently, I'm nearing the end of my undergraduate days, and hopefully towards post graduate life. This year I'll begin writing on my dissertation paper. It strikes me, that every year will definitely present a new challenge for me. Not that I find it negative; but significantly, I find it as a source of growth and betterment. I see it as a benchmark and hopefully an indication of what one is capable of doing. From here, I hope I'll understand things as connecting dots, that at the end of the day, I'll figure out reasons to what makes me where I am that day.

I'm definitely looking forward to that challenge!

Duty of the press: Defending Brunei Times.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 06:45:00 +0000

In light of the recent tragedy that occurred in a primary school in Mabohai, whereby a teacher accidentally hit two children when reversing, that as we all know led to the tragic death of the two pupils. News of the tragedy spread throughout the country, and the local news outlet reported the incident. One of them, Brunei Times followed up the news and brought out something different. They showed photos of the mourning family members of the two victims and one photo even showed the Islamic-wrapped body of one of the victims.

I personally welcomed such kind of news reporting, to the extent that the photos shown in the Brunei Times front page was powerful enough to touch me. For me the report was as real as it can get. It serves as a 'moral of the story' kind of reporting, but at the same time producing objective and comprehensive news coverage. It was in depth, although noticeably reluctant in providing readers the full details of the accident e.g. the name of the teacher that drove the car (but understandable possibly due to health and security reasons) or what kind of car used.

Despite my appreciation to Brunei Times, others however have mixed feelings about it. Undeniably, I believe that us Bruneians aren't used to such tragic images shown in our local papers. Additionally, the close-knit nature of our population too contribute to the sensitivity of the news. And recent tweets and op-eds from Brunei Times have shown some of those dissatisfaction. Some argued that the photos aren't suitable to be printed as they might come as 'sensitive' and 'disrespectful'. To some extent, issues of privacy for the victims' family members needed to be addressed, instead of sensationalising it for the sake of newspaper sell-out.

Personally for me, its the kind of things that I feel common newspapers in Brunei are lacking. The media ethics that are socially and politically controlled too may contribute, as well as the local opinions on things are strong in our community sometimes restrict comprehensive news going out. If such tragedy occurs, and the news media reports it, they're accused of being disrespectful and not sensitive to the feelings of the individuals involved. Little do we realise that the role of journalists is to be objective and honest, therefore avoiding any personal opinions and offering news coverage for the benefit of readers. Yes, some news reports may come as sensitive, especially in our small close-knit society but its the inevitable nature of news reporting. Furthermore, I believe we are a curious society and that's proven based on the manner of the people in the social media like twitter and facebook (at least amongst me and my friends' facebook and twitter) reacted when friends and relatives posted about the incident in their newsfeed. All were asking whom involved and where the incident occurred. Is it not better to know about the news from the formal news outlet rather than the word of mouth?

With regards to the issue of sensationalism in the reporting, I would have to disagree with the accusation. Primarily because we all know, there is no point of sensationalising the tragedy and we know that based on our society and the way we were brought up. Again I would stress that the role of the news media is to report things and from what I see, Brunei Times did just that. Moreover, like I said earlier, the photos presented were appropriate enough for public viewing and that it had a powerful and 'moral of the story' impact on the readers, at least for me and plentiful of others.

The whole dissatisfactions from some factions of the public I believe are sincere in intention, rooted in our beautiful ethics and traditions of respect for the mourning, but for me this incident was too tragic not to report. Plus, in the whole fervor of Hari Raya celebration and the growing number of road fatalities presently, the news was unfortunately fitting to remind road users and motorists that accidents happen everywhere.

I applaud Brunei Times for their report despite knowing the consequences of our strong public opinion. As for the victims' family members, condolences for the loss of your loved ones. Al Fatihah.

The Hedgehog and The Fox?

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:18:00 +0000

In the recent ordeals that the United States faced, namely the earthquake near the capital DC and New York, the Irene hurricane in the East Coast and now possibly the Katia hurricane developing at the Atlantic Ocean, one can find it difficult to imagine how nation's head of government, the uniting figure and the World's powerful man will be able to cope in maintaining his vote for the upcoming elections next year. Doubled with the aftermaths and current crises as a result of the 'Arab Spring', how will the world, and importantly the Americans view him?

In an essay written by Isiah Berlin, The Hedgehog and the Fox, Berlin explains that in this world, what separates one with the another is the way they think of things. The fox, the animal that is characterised as being adventurous, outdoorsy and opportunistic. To survive in different climate and conditions they would tend to adapt to things. Hedgehogs on the other hand are more seclusive. They are nocturnal and depending on the seasons, would choose to hibernate, rendering them less active in comparison with the fox. But despite their less active lifestyle they too, like the fox, are capable to adapt to many things.

The analogy of the Hedgehog and the Fox is perhaps applicable to President Obama in today's politics. In times of crisis, Obama is sometimes seen as the perfect emphatic figure and the Tucson, Arizona shootings of Congresswoman Giffords exemplified that. In this event, he pleaded with fellow politicians, be it Republican or Democrats, the strongly divided and opinionated news media and general public to unite in times of sadness and grief. The president sent a powerful tone in which the media strongly appraised to what was known as a strongly 'emotionally charged' speech, and some even suggested it as 'one of his best moments' in his presidency. He called on everyone honor the victims of the shootings, "rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame", referring to how the media lambasted both parties as the cause of the shooting via fear mongering. Similarly, the killing of Osama bin Laden proved to be another of the president's 'best moments'. In his speech, being the bearer of good news, he took everyone by surprised on a sudden breaking announcement aired to all US's major networks that the lives lost by the terrorist leader and his networks in the September 11 attacks had be recounted and avenged for. Both of these occasions, both good and bad showed how the president possessed a skewed talent and characteristic in lifting the nations spirits. Additionally, his approval ratings and popularity soared. In this context, we can see that Obama is that Fox that I talked about earlier, the Fox that knows many a things that are beneficial to him.

However, alternatively, Obama seems to possess both sides of the coin in the sense that one can also view him as the Hedgehog. Obama, although tactful of uniting a highly polarised nation, finds himself in deep trenches with the concurrent economic crisis and subsequently job crisis. With the world again economically unstable with the Greek economic collapse and bail-out, a very precarious Spain and Portugal as well as the soaring oil prices as a result of the 'Arab Spring', finding a smooth spot for America's just-recovered-but-frailing again economy will be difficult for the first African-American President. Although promising a many during his HOPE theme presidential campaign in 2008, little showing can actually be said with regards to the campaign promises he made. Already members of the congress from both parties as well as the news media are questioning him in his leadership in the tumultuous economic recovery plan, at the same time pushing him to do more on jobs.

He may embodies that of the fox in times of crises and unity, pleading everyone to be in the same vein as he is throughout the ordeal, but de facto a hedgehog in his policies towards the economy and jobs, which by now we all can see in itself, needs a 'Change we can believe in'. But as for now, Obama will surely need to step up in his policies. With the announcement of his new job policy within a few hours time, the nation in need of a miracle hopes for the better. Obama is nevertheless in a very tricky position with his two main opposites for the next election, Rick Perry, media dubbed carbon copy of George W. Bush, and Mitt Romney, the popular and financially stable and resourceful politician gaining momentum in the recent opinion polls. Armed with excellent records in job creation within their own respective states as well as effective economic recovery policies, both politicians stand and present their own versions and plans on how deliver a successful economic recovery and employment policies that might topple that of Obama's any day. Perhaps one can predict that this upcoming policy will be the deciding factor on whether Obama will be a two-term president during next year's presidential election, or whether just another flop, like his predecessors before him, wanting to do more, with very little time.

Technology and the Weinergate

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:23:00 +0000

In light of the recent 'Weinergate' saga, it strikes me how technology can both ease your life, in the way that information can come and go with the speed of light, but at the same time unfortunately, it can bring you into ruins. In short, technology is a double edge sword. In case you are not aware with the whole 'Weinergate' sage is all about, last week New York Democrat Congressman, Gov. Anthony Weiner's posted a twitter picture of his erecting 'man part' to one of his female followers. Unfortunately, what was meant to be a DM (direct message), came up to be an open message tweet where all followers can view the uploaded photo. Initial report suggested an account hack, but last week, he eventually admitted to the cock up. (No pun intended)

What are the consequences?

The pros:

Yes they make things easier, everything is in reach.

Networking is made easier, which is helpful in many ways.

Information is spread in a matter of seconds, and same goes to receiving them.

Pretty much the things we can obtain to sum it up.

But we have to be aware of the things that may come up on the flip side.

The cons:

As much as MOST things are made easier, it does not necessarily apply to all. (online banking can be a hassle!)

Networking is indeed easier, but don't abuse it (as what had happened in the Weinergate)

Information, as it spread out faster, same things go when for negative things as well. Same too for misconstrued information (e.g. gossips and unnecessary distractions)

So going back to politics, Congressman Weiner is in fact an effective politician. His ratings are always high, highly popular and undeniably effective. All this can be proven based on his 12 year rein in the congress seat, holding on to the incumbency since 1999. On top of that he has passed a number of bills, and strong advocate for health care bills, the main agenda run by President Obama and the Democrats. Last year, he was dubbed as the leading contender for 2013 mayoral run for New York City. All in all life ain't bad for this congressman.

But literally with a single tweet, and imperium that of the social media, the lewd image of his concealed man-part traveled the 'onlinesphere' and eventually made it to the news. As a consequence, the long years taken to build his reputation almost falling into tatters, the trusts especially from his constituents is questioned and last but not least, calls for his resignation from both Democrats and Republicans are made. At the moment, he is insistent, but sought a leave of absent from the House for a 'Professional treatment', and we don't know how long he'll stand.

Personally, I'm in between on whether he should resign or not. On one side of the argument, I feel its appropriate that he resigns and get out of the political spotlight. As previous cases have shown, politicians or public figures with sexual misconduct holding office, such as Elliot Spitzer or Ted Heggard, careers didn't last long after scandals broke out. But on the other side of the argument, President Clinton is the best counter argument for this. As we all know, his ratings fell for a moment, and like Governor Weiner, calls for resignation and more extreme, indictments were made. But he ended his presidency as a highly popular president. And to compare Weiner's conduct with the others, I can honestly say that it ain't that bad. However at the end of the day, its not the one man's opinion that matters, or the politicians' call for resignation, but its what the voters think. Unless of course, the Governor himself decides he is toast!

Strengthening of political alliance, my perspective on US-Japan Alliance

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:50:00 +0000

While revising on the US-Japan alliance topic for my East Asia politics unit recently, I am just compelled to comment on certain things about the 60 years bonds the two countries have with each other.

Japan, being the main US ally in East Asia, why aren't they granted at least a similar political footing and standard as countries in the West. It seems to me, that the West sees Japan as a 'second best' nation in terms of their position in international politics.
Why aren't they granted a permanent seat in the UNSC? While China, was afforded that privilege in spite of their lack, if not same level of soft power and influence in the world in comparison to Japan. Is it only because China possesses Nuclear capability that they are afforded the seat? Also, why is there just a single representation from Asia in this seat, and ironically, with all due respect to China, held by a country that aren't really representative of the region.
What is the whole point of a US-Japan alliance post cold war? Isn't it time that Japan reconsiders their pacifist standpoint and build their own defence unit and capability?

Being an Asian, I am so infatuated with Japan's progress. Looking back on the country's history, Japan isn't short of a good case of an 'enliven state', being from an emerging great power after the Russo-Japanese war (the first Asian state to defeat a western power), to a sustainable emerging economic giant, only to destroy themselves with the World War II alliance with Nazi Germany and later conquered almost half of Asia in that war. Defeated and forced to surrender by the US via the Nuclear bombshell that rocked the country, Japan had to rebuild itself and put their negative World War II reputation away from the spotlight, and doing so by creating firstly a strong and important alliance with the US, and later added to their new constitution (possibly drafted with/by the US) a Pacifist stance by prohibiting themselves their own military force and security of the country was to be in the hands of the US Marine Corps based in the Okinawa Island. From here and thereof, apart from national unity and so on, the main focus was placed solely on economic growth. The amazing part about this restructuring process was the rate and ethics put in place to make that vision achievable. At the end of the day, Japan leaped frogged industrialised-developed countries like Britain and France (later EU) and placed themselves at the second spot in the World's Largest economy list. Interesting right? Not quite, actually.

Beyond the spectacular rise of economic prowess not just in the region but the world in general, Japan is de facto an 'odd power' in the region. Despite being technologically advanced and economically successful, they lacked one luxury that most countries in the world that even out tiny our country Brunei possesses, the capacity to have their own military forces, restricted and bounded by their constitution, which make it seems that they are an 'incomplete power'. To date, Japan in spite of not having such capacity, they do however possess defence technology to deter external attacks. Moreover, the role of security enforcer for the country is held by the American forces based in Okinawa. As such, the US-Japan alliance importance not just for strategic economic and friendship relations, but in terms of geo-political and security reasons as well. But the issue that both countries have even until today is that the US-Japan alliance mimic much of an on-off love affair. Some scenarios in the two countries' relations where a lot of disagreements and frustrations were evident. At times, Japan was compelled to follow US's footsteps in terms of agreeing with things that would embitter the Japanese public opinion, such as signing a treaty with China in the early 70's after Nixon's visit to Beijing. Much of the terms in the treaty weren't necessarily favourable to the Japanese, forcing Japan to accept most of the Chinese government's demands. Perhaps this treaty was desirable for both parties since it was afterall during the height of the Cold War and the West would rely on China's relationship to curb Russia's influence in particular during the Vietnam War. Furthermore, Japan was of US' strategic importance in terms of being the main American ally in the region, geographical location and being the host country for American bases in Okinawa. Japan similarly recognised the point and importance of this as they are clustered by socialist threats from their neighbours notably China and the Korean Peninsula, and especially so when North Korea acquired Nuclear capability not long after. US protection was deemed imperative. As it may be fruitful for US, it was not necessarily so for Japan. The treaty was obviously a let down knowing that in 1978, the Sino-Japanese relations were on the rocks again over a territorial dispute, on the island of Senkaku/Daiyou that is still ongoing today.

As the Cold War had ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall, as much as one questions the point of NATO's existence, one might question the point of the Cold War era treaty that US and Japan had between them. This led to a series of 'redefinition' in the terms and meanings of the US-Japan alliance, often times Japan seeking at least an equal footing from US and the West in part of their contributions during the Cold War. This however was a futile cause. From my opinion, Japan was and is still viewed as second best by the West, despite everything. And frustration was evident after the 2008 elections in Japan, whereby the longest ruling party in Japan, LDP lost their seats and eventually their power in the government to DPJ, a party with a breed of young and new generation politicians. Led by Hatoyama, their aims were ambitious, seeing Japan's future outside of the former LDP standpoint. They wanted more autonomy and an equal footing in the regional and world politics. This change of administration led to a change of perspective, and eventually calls for a redefinition of US-Japan alliance were made, and part of this was the question of Okinawa, in which the DPJ administration wanted back from the US. In the world stage, they also claimed for a permanent place in the UNSC, with the wanting an official backing from the US. From this point, we can see the fragility and how rocky the US-Japan alliance has evolved into.

The US-Japan alliance is indeed important for both countries, no doubt. However, with the US currently consumed with issues elsewhere, in particular their agenda post 9/11 and the Middle East as well as the Afghanistan and Iraq situation, how much can they actually take? On top of that, a rising China which rise resembles that of past Germany and actions which involved them to not shy of using force towards their neighbours, and an attention seeking and provocative North Korea would launch test missiles from time to time to send a message to the world that they are to be feared, isn't it time already that Japan should refocus their attention on building their own military front, not just for the sake of deterring those 'negative' connotations but their own personal security as a whole?

In my opinion, Japan deserves more after all that they've gone through. I do however believe that US should keep their presence in Okinawa. US position from herein would be to keep tabs and as Joseph Nye would put it, acts as a 'stabilizer' in the region. In return, Japan should put more attention on placing the security of their nation, and reduce their reliance from US. From the US part, they should allow Japan to do so without any agitation or negativity. Afterall, Japan is one of US oldest and strongest ally in the region, and they've proven themselves as being reliable in spite of some US policies in the region that disfavoured Japan's position. On top of that, I think expectations between the two countries must be met with agreement. They should learn to compromise on certain aspects of things especially on a broader context of security in the region. Importantly, for the sake of peace and stability and survival, constant engagement must be made between US, Japan, China and North Korea, and possibly from here some sort of assurances can be made with each other.

Long Form Library

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:12:00 +0000

Came across this post about an interesting way to manage your books and sofa in case you have a limited space in your room. Introducing: Long Form Library!

A genius means of solving those space problems and headaches, plus, the assembled lighting around the shelves/sofa makes this furniture not just a cozy corner for you relax at but also an attractive accessory in every room. Created by Thomas Mills of ifsodoso, this incredible bookshelf incorporates a cozy reading nook in its interior ring, with storage for 400 books, along with integrated accent and reading lights.

Awesome innit?

For more info, check out ifsodoso's site HERE

Need to spark the literature!

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:02:00 +0000

WANTED!

A BOOK TO READ.

SOMETHING THAT AIN'T TOO LOVEY DOVEY OR LAME.

JUST WANT TO EXPLORE MORE LITERATURE.

..........

New York by Gehry

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:43:00 +0000

I've a great obsession towards the concrete jungle, the Big Apple, the City synonymous with the American Dream; New York. I'm just amazed with the buildings and skyscrapers and structures thats built in the city.

A wonderful clip by Gehry, simply titled as 'New York'.

The Anti-Restaurant Support Movement

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Have you ever heard of the Anti-Restaurant Support Movement?

I didn't until I watched this episode of one of Jamie Oliver's named Jamie's American Road. Basically the show revolves around Jamie's uncovering of authentic local foods from different origins and communities, states by states in America's multi-faceted and colourful nation. In the New York episode, he introduced to the viewers a movement, aptly and straightforwardly dubbed as the Anti-Restaurant Support Movement, which is actually illegal (yes, illegal) underground restaurant. In his blog entry regarding the episode and movement, he wrote:

'The people who run these ‘supper clubs’ open their homes to strangers and feed them restaurant-quality meals, without the inflated prices and hurried service.'

It may not be as pleasing for the eyes to read, and the ears to hear, but after watching the episode, I found it unique, interesting and importantly authentic. Reflecting this concept in local Bruneian context, I find it amusing and ironic in terms of how 'authentic' and 'local' the restaurants are when its evident (at least whenever I go into these restaurants) that the staffs, from the waitress/waiters to the cooks, aren't even local. Although I won't go far and even try to criticise those restauranteurs, I'm merely highlighting the importance of identity in our food, and what a way to show that when locals are the ones who cook it, something that Jamie managed to uncover and show us on TV.

I'm not going to suggest our own Bruneian version of Anti-Restaurant Support Movement, wouldn't it be nice though to experience a wholly Bruneian fervor with local staffs, from waiters to cooks, serving and making wonders in our taste buds! That for me is THE Bruneian food experience!

Just a thought...:)

N.B. Jamie's blog post can be read here.

A few weeks 'til home.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:23:00 +0000

I never realise that time moves this fast. It will be a few weeks until home. I'm definitely excited! But before I can dwell in the excitement, I've 3 essays to complete and 3 exam papers to sit. In between those two things, I'll have to (well, actually I'm compelled to) be cracking with revisions. As much as I'm dreading my daily encounter with books and lecture notes, I have to keep myself motivated and positive. Besides that, assure myself and keep my mind at ease despite the pressures I am in currently.

And to make that achievable, I basically went off to London the other day, ALONE. (Train from Bristol to London is one hour and fifty minutes one way). Although I won't scratch it as one in my list of achievements, I have some sense of independence in me, that most of the time I do feel proud of. But importantly, I achieved that feeling of ease in my mind that I wanted. London, in my opinion is a very metropolitan city. Its huge, diverse and 'different'. Its always bustling and the people I noticed is always on the move. The last bit, its 'different' in the sense that each time I go there, there is always something different going on. I love that kind of environment!

And to think that my second year is ending soon, which automatically means that I've a year left to be in the UK afterwards, makes me ponder on my current journey of learning abroad. Although I'm most certain that I'll be doing my postgraduate studies after my degree, where it will is still yet to be decided. I want to go places and explore this world since I'm given the chance. I'm pretty much influenced by the people here in the UK and the US of how they want to view the world. I noticed that they like to travel and go backpacking in different parts of the world. What's interesting to me is the way in which they do it: they don't go all first class luxury traveling or holiday at the hotel, they would usually opt for the cheap, sometimes dirty dormitories and their option of destinations are usually Thrid World countries, like Africa and India. In case you didn't catch my vibe, yes, I would want to go backpacking one day:)

Enough with my travelling fantasies, gonna go back to my essays and revision notes!

Brunei, home is where the heart is.

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:10:00 +0000

I'm back. Its been two weeks actually. All in all, LOVING IT!

I've been going places around Brunei: Times Square, Gadong, Kiulap, even Lambak and other places that I won't usually go to. I've basically fulfilled my food cravings and caught up with close friends. Importantly, I've been enjoying plenty of time with the family, specifically the new addition of the house, my 2 months old baby niece.

Weather is understandably warm, though weirdly heavy thunderstorms come now and then. It happened the other when I was driving on my way to a friend's house that I realised that it was raining so heavy almost blurring my vision on the road, when an hour earlier, the weather was sunny-desert warm. And apparently it's been that way since a few months back. But I guess thats Brunei.

Exams and assignment deadlines is just around the corner. I'm kind of slacking to be honest. Pretty worried about that but I'm keeping myself collected and focused and hopefully will see work done and dealt with soon. Having friends coming by and a lot of things planned can sometimes hinder my revisions, that's why I'm trying my best to start off the revisions soon.

Anyhow, I'll be home until the end of the month and arrive in London just in time for the Royal Wedding (though I'm still unsure of going out to the streets in London as it'll be hectic there), but eitherway I want to join the Royal Wedding fervor thats playing around not just in the UK itself but elsewhere as well, even Brunei. On top of that, there will be a Junjung Ziarah evening with the Sultan in London on the 1st of May, and that will surely be exciting!

Rest bite!

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Ahh.. what a hectic past few weeks I had. I was pretty much drowned with assignments and presentations. It was a good run I guess, although the workload really overwhelmed me. I basically had to juggle my time around as I had both presentation and essay deadline fallen on the same day, and therefore knew that it was going to be tough. But, Alhamdulillah, I managed although I feel that my effort I placed on the work wasn't that great. The moment I dealt with everything up, it felt like a whole load of burden lifted from me. It was such an ease!

Anyhow, its all passed now, and my focus now is more about home. I miss home, I miss the food, the people and most of all, the family. I'll be returning home soon for the upcoming Easter Break and I'm hoping to catch up with friends and probably get my head away from Uni just for the time being (exams just around the corner, can't totally put my attention away hehe). I hope a month at home and away from Uni (like literally) may provide me with a well needed restbite.

So yea, I just recently settled all things that required settling before my return date, like home for nextyear and all those things. Even bought some 'ole-ole' for the family. Speaking about next year's home, me and my housemate found a place around this place at Burlington Road, just 10 minutes away from our department. The house is basically a very large Victorian house, although we're only renting the third floor. But the room size is nice and the resident landlord seems like a pleasant old lady. I hope it'll be an interesting year, next year!

Anyways, gonna head back to my readings for next week's tutorials. Hope I'll find the time to blog more! Cheers!

Monmouth QB Alex Tanney

muiz018@gmail.com (Muizo Salleh) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:33:00 +0000

Last time I posted a video of Johnny Mac's trick shots. So recently, another trick shot video by Monmouth QB Alex Tanney. He came up with sort of a reply to Johnny Mac's QB's accuracy with this video:

How did they do it? I don't have a clue!