When Gandhiji was studying law at the University College of London, there was a professor, whose last name was Peters, who felt animosity for Gandhiji, and because Gandhi never lowered his head towards him, their "arguments" were very common.
One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University and Gandhiji came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor, in his arrogance, said, "Mr Gandhi: you do not understand... a pig and a bird do not sit together to eat ", to which Gandhiji replies, "You do not worry professor, I'll fly away ", and he went and sat at another table.
Mr. Peters, green of rage, decides to take revenge on the next test, but Gandhiji responds brilliantly to all questions. Then, Mr. Peters asked him the following question, "Mr Gandhi, if you are walking down the street and find a package, and within it there is a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money; which one will you take?"
Without hesitating, Gandhiji responded, "the one with the money, of course".
Mr. Peters, smiling, said, "I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom.
"Each one takes what one doesn't have", responded Gandhiji indifferently.
Mr. Peters, already hysteric, writes on the exam sheet the word "idiot" and gives it to Gandhiji. Gandhiji takes the exam sheet and sits down. A few minutes later, Gandhiji goes to the professor and says, "Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade."
How we wish we have that kind of wisdom and wit to deal with some critics. As a blogger and fairly active in commenting in other websites, I had been ridiculed with a simple 'Fuck you' (even a kid can say that); or on my acronym, 'Kosong' that I have nothing in my brain (obviously they never heard of nor appreciate self-deprecating humour); and those bigots who would not open their minds to different opinions.
In Malaysia, it is particularly difficult to comment without fear of being charged under Sedition Act, OSA or even ISA. The laws are in place and it is only up to those in charge to select a provision to charge anyone with it. If the laws are discriminatory and unfair, based on race or religion, how are we to criticise without mentioning it? The late Karpal Singh was charged with sedition merely for mentioning something provided in the law, and despite being disabled, prosecution even asked for custodial sentence! Anwar was charged and jailed under Sodomy 1, yet he was charged again under Sodomy 2, unprecedented under a law which had never been used on someone else before. His acquittal in the High Court was appealed by prosecution and he was found guilty by Court of Appeal, on dubious grounds, much to the surprise of lawyers all over the world.
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One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University and Gandhiji came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor, in his arrogance, said, "Mr Gandhi: you do not understand... a pig and a bird do not sit together to eat ", to which Gandhiji replies, "You do not worry professor, I'll fly away ", and he went and sat at another table.
Mr. Peters, green of rage, decides to take revenge on the next test, but Gandhiji responds brilliantly to all questions. Then, Mr. Peters asked him the following question, "Mr Gandhi, if you are walking down the street and find a package, and within it there is a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money; which one will you take?"
Without hesitating, Gandhiji responded, "the one with the money, of course".
Mr. Peters, smiling, said, "I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom.
"Each one takes what one doesn't have", responded Gandhiji indifferently.
Mr. Peters, already hysteric, writes on the exam sheet the word "idiot" and gives it to Gandhiji. Gandhiji takes the exam sheet and sits down. A few minutes later, Gandhiji goes to the professor and says, "Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade."
How we wish we have that kind of wisdom and wit to deal with some critics. As a blogger and fairly active in commenting in other websites, I had been ridiculed with a simple 'Fuck you' (even a kid can say that); or on my acronym, 'Kosong' that I have nothing in my brain (obviously they never heard of nor appreciate self-deprecating humour); and those bigots who would not open their minds to different opinions.
In Malaysia, it is particularly difficult to comment without fear of being charged under Sedition Act, OSA or even ISA. The laws are in place and it is only up to those in charge to select a provision to charge anyone with it. If the laws are discriminatory and unfair, based on race or religion, how are we to criticise without mentioning it? The late Karpal Singh was charged with sedition merely for mentioning something provided in the law, and despite being disabled, prosecution even asked for custodial sentence! Anwar was charged and jailed under Sodomy 1, yet he was charged again under Sodomy 2, unprecedented under a law which had never been used on someone else before. His acquittal in the High Court was appealed by prosecution and he was found guilty by Court of Appeal, on dubious grounds, much to the surprise of lawyers all over the world.
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