How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Monday, March 26, 2012

A bit on how US planned the attack to get Osama

Watched an Astro documentary last night on how US planned the assault to kill Osama, which took six months of preparation (imagine the costs) and to some, ten years too late. A replica of the mansion in Pakistan was built in US to train the crack SEAL team so that they could familiarize with the real thing. But the actual mission was fraught with possible dangers like tripping wires, booby traps and even suicide bombs.

Highlights included the tight secrecy necessary to ensure success. It involved encroaching into Pakistan territory without prior permission. Even those taking part did not know who was the target (code-named 'Geronimo') until the last minute before action began. Meetings of high level officials in the White House which involved the arrival of many cars were downplayed to the extent of hiding the cars parked, away from public view. Even the order of pizzas were done to avoid suspicion! On the eve of the planned mission, President Obama even attended a function where Osama's name was mentioned by someone at the mic who did not know of the real situation and Obama just smiled. On the day itself, President Obama even played golf to avoid suspicion. But he played 9 holes instead of his usual 18. Imagine the white lies told to families of those involved in the top level discussion.

With modern technology, President Obama and his trusted aides could see live on a huge screen what actually went on with the mission in Pakistan, except for a few minutes when it was pitch dark. There was an unexpected accident which involved a helicopter just before the start of the attack on the ground which caused much anxiety to the President and his men. Towards the end of the mission, a decision was made to blow up the downed copter so that its high-tech equipment would not land in the wrong hands. The loud explosion actually alerted an internet user who tweeted about it!

The most unusual part was when a person who looked like Osama was shot dead, there was not even a tape measure to measure his height, which was believed to be 6ft. 4 in.! A SEAL member was asked to lie down next to the corpse in order to estimate his height!

Some background information...

Youtube: Target: Osama bin Laden
Link

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