Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Innocent Cartoons and Fancy Brands? Think Again...

Warning: Watching cartoons, dramas and movies, reading comics, and vying for the Brand may NOT be as fun and indulging as before after reading what is below. If you think it is better to keep "the fun and indulgement" of doing those stuffs (not all, but overwhelmingly many), then EXIT now! If you wish to continue, then I pray may we together open the parachute of our mind.

Before I begin with what I am going to elaborate in this post, allow me to quote a translation of Al-Nas, a chapter in the Noble Qur'an, which more or less as follows:
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King (or Ruler) of Mankind, The God (for judge) of Mankind, - From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper), - (The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind, - Among Jinns and among Men. (The Qur'an 114:1-6)

When I was a little child, perhaps people of my age, cartoons such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, the Lion King etc. were the "staple food" of our life (yes, I mean that quite literally). Why not? Those cartoons teach "good values" such as being good to other people, being loyal etc.? And what's wrong with watching cartoons, other than school hours and homework sessions, for kids? They are totally harmless and what more, cartoons spur creativity among children and make their parents easier to take care of them because they don't go out and play outside the house that make them "tame". I for once, subsribed to this line of thinking...

Next is about the Brands and their so-acclaimed luxury, statuses, deliciousness (whatever positive qualities associated to them). No, I am not talking about the things here (this is a different story altogether), rather, I am talking about the logos, mottos, and catch-phrases that may be familiar to us. So familiar that we don't even have to take our time to memorize those logos and catch-phrases over and over again that they suddenly come at the tip of our tongue at the first instance's call - we are imbued with them. Harmless?

Yes, those were harmless, fun, invigorating, indulging, etc. (and so I thought) until I get acquainted with the term subliminal message (watch the video clips I am about to provide and you'll know the definition). Yes, the subliminal messages are all around us. We did not realize them because they are so sublime (halus). They are powerful tools used to penetrate our mind and instill us with values and ideas without we even realizing them. That's how powerful they are.

Are you ready to shatter your childhood dream of being a cartoon hero and do away with all those the egos of branded stuff ? You can still turn back, NOW! If not, here you go...

Sex Subliminal Message in Cartoons and Advertisements


Sex Subliminal Message in a Very Famous Ninja Cartoon of Our Time


More Sex Subliminal Message from One of the Most Favorited Cartoons of My Time


Subliminal Messages from Popular Brands and Cartoons (some images may be recur, similar to videos before)


Getting acquainted with subliminal messages and where they hide already? Now, do the "detective role" yourself. See if you can pick them up. (Hint: not necessarily, but not limited to, graphics; they may come in form of sounds as well):



To conclude, now remember the Whisper mentioned in the Quran as I quoted earlier? Yes, sublime indeed, they are. They have agendas to poison our mind and cloud our thinking and so we must protect ourselves from those malevolent agendas by equipping ourselves with due knowledge and sharpen our senses - especially our mind and our spirituality. An advice for me and you: be ever watchful of what enters our mind; what are seemingly innocent are not necessarily innocent. I pray we be safe from those evil whispers.

Perhaps it is time to rethink and reassess ourselves - are we still dreaming in broad daylight? Are we dreaming while we are awake and live in a false reality?

The Bible reminds us:
"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

O God, "show us the straight way"! (The Quran 1:6)

Amin.



Monday, January 26, 2009

President Obama's Foreign Policy: No CHANGE? A Comment by Dr. Ron Paul

Have you have ever heard about Dr. Ron Paul? I bet not many outside the United States (and even in the United States herself) know much about him because of the media blackout he suffered. Just a very quick introduction about him: he was a running candidate of the Republican party for President (yes, that's the same party as John Mc Cain and Sarah Palin; Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were candidates from the Democratic party); he is a present Congressman of Texas. More about Dr. Paul here.

Listen to what he has to say about President Obama's foreign policy:



Dr. Paul, from time to time, posts his video responses at YouTube. Why not visit his site at YouTube here?

Sunday, January 25, 2009

President Ahmadinejad 2008 Christmas Speech

This is yet another moving speech made by President Ahmadinejad. I think Jews, Muslims, Christians, the people who hold to the values of Abrahamic faith, and the people of conscience should listen to this:

President Ahmadinejad's Interview with Larry King

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran, is depicted as notorious in the United States by its media and its government. Being curious about his notoriety (is he really that bad as a man and as a President?), I sought through YouTube videos as usual and found President Ahmadinejad's interview with Larry King dated on Sept. 23, 2008:

(Part 1)


Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Judge the man yourself!

p/s:

I like the ending part (Part 6) of the interview when Mr. King asked how many children does President Ahmadinejad have. Then, the President smiled and answered, "1 girl and 2 sons".

The President later mentioned, "in America too, I know the family is given a lot of values".

Mr. King then thanked the President and described the conversation as "... very illuminating, fast-paced hour". It seemed both enjoyed talking to each other.

In the end, we are people, aren't we? ;)

What Now, is President Obama Planning a War with Pakistan?

This video just left me scratching my head without feeling scratchy:




Questions and more questions...

Friday, January 23, 2009

Er... President Obama, First Days in Office and Seventeen People Dead Under Your Order Alrealdy?

And so the confetti and trumpets celebrating the 44th President and the 1st African-American President of the United States is over. Euphoric scenes can be seen in US media depicting a sea of people attending Mr. Obama's inauguration. Fair enough.

But, Mr. Obama, WHY did you decide to kill seventeen people during the first day of your office in the name of "war on terrorism"?



You should have know better President Bush used the very same reason for his invasion of Iraq, a war which you vehemently oppose. Where is the audacity of hope that you promise to the forgotten corners of the world? Does this means that this is just another "audacity" in American foreign policy to destablize another region (after the Middle East) of the world?

Where is HOPE and CHANGE that you trumpeted throughout your campaign? Are we dreaming an empty hope here? Is change that you promise is only a change in venue of war that your country is waging?

Mr. Obama, on the day you won your ticket as a President of the United States, the world cheered for you hoping that you would be a symbol of the end of racism, a symbol of tolerance, a symbol of peace, and a symbol of United States' reclaim of her honor. While I agree with you that there are tremendous tasks ahead for you and the American people, you should have know better that by launching a covert operation (and killing people) during the first days of your Presidentship does not bode well in your record as well as dealing with a very intricate issue in Indo-Pakistan area right now. Why do you think your ally, President Musharraf, do not agree with the attack on the first place? Don't tell me that you are discounting your own ally's opinion: remember that American troops are in fact in their territories right now and they ought to know better!

Now that you are the 44th President of the United States and there is only one American President in the office and that is you; can you please make a statement about Gaza? The world is much it the waiting of what this new President of hope and change has to say about the ongoing issues of Israeli-Palestinian confict that are currently robbing thousands of lives in just a few weeks. Don't tell me business as usual for the Palestinians and the Israelis; quite obviously, if you watch YouTube about Gaza, business is not as usual as you may expect (or you may already know).

Last but not least, what is your plan about current financial crisis haunting your nation and the world right now? Your people and the world is waiting for your words right now. Will we hear a whole series of bailouts again in the media or is there a more viable alternative other than helping these corporate giants on their knees and helping ordinary Americans instead? Hey, perhaps you should listen more to guy such as Ron Paul in formulating your methods to tackle current financial crisis - his voice is so cornered in the Congress and yet is so sound when it comes to addressing about issues regarding Israel-Palestine and the economy.

Just a rant from a boy who really HOPE for CHANGE from POVERTY to PROSPERITY, INJUSTICE to JUSTICE, INDIFFERENCE to CONSCIENTIOUSNESS, and from INSECURITY to PEACE really do happen during my time.

We don't want another war, please.

The world is watching you, dear Mr. President.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

My God is NOT One-Eyed!

Out of all movies, documentaries and series that I watch, this one made me cry, literally:

The Arrivals

For this, I wish to thank Noreagaaa and Achernahr Production for their great effort producing this series; may Allah bless you all.

My God is NOT One-Eyed!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"A letter from a Christian to Muslim women"

I think this is a brilliant article that I decided to post it on my blog. It is a MUST READ for all girls and ladies (of course for guys, it would be a very good read, too). Thanks Hanis for bringing this up.

A letter from a Christian to Muslim women
March 7th, 2007
By Joanna Francis
Writer, Journalist - USA


Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist “war on terror,” the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has hildren around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it’s not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can’t help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness.

Yes, it’s strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.

Through Temptation

They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, afterthey’ve finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes.

They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse, and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don’t bite.

Self-Value

I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the “pearl of great value” spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they’re cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you.

The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman’s sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don’t even want purity anymore. They don’t recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too! Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don’t let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan’s trap. It is fool’s gold.

A Woman’s Heart

I’ll let you in on a little secret, just in case you’re curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us, just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it’s not even enjoyable! That’s the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears.

Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what’s in another woman’s heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman’s heart is the same everywhere. We love. That’s what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman’s body and heart be safe to love. Don’t settle for anything less. It’s not worth it. You won’t even like it and you’ll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he’ll leave you.

Self-Denial

Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there’s still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it. Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It’s not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot. Don’t be fooled, my sisters. Don’t let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your “toothpaste” carefully!

I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration.

From your Christian sister "With Love"


* This article is republished with the kind permission of the author. The original can
be found on Crescent and the Cross. Joanna Francis is a writer and journalist. She
manages her own blog.

Source:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/note.php?note_id=50621652060&ref=nf

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Solidarity for the Palestinians: Witness the Conscience Awakens!

No, the world will not be deceived anymore:



(If you like the background song, you can download it here.)

For Palestine, for justice, and for peace; this young lady is a fine example of the cause. We may not be as her, but her spirit is worthy to be followed:



There's a lot to be done this year hereafter.


But let's get our voice right. It's not the Jews that we are against; we are against the Zionists!



And this is what some Jews (not Zionists!) have to say about war in Gaza:






What are difference between Zionism and Judaism, you may ask? Perhaps these short clips may give some answers:






It is also important to note that not all Israelis support the war. Witness a Gaza war protest in Tel Aviv:



Now things can be quite curious, eh? Perhaps its time to educate ourselves more about Israel-Palestine issue and about Zionism.

Hint: YouTube may be a good place to start. Search 'Zionism and Judaism', 'Gaza protest', 'Israel' and there's a good chance that you can come up with tons of videos about pertaining topics.

But there's no shortcut if we want to really understand these complex topics (Israel-Palestine conflict, Zionism and Judaism), though; we really must read a lot, join forums, and be engaged with the communities.

Now, care to get involved and ride along the peace train?