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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

What Can We Do To Stop the Violence?

My heart is broken. Human suffering is too much to bear. 20,000 children are starving to death daily, needlessly, while the 250 richest people on the planet have as much wealth as 3 billion humans*. And how many of our daughters are being abused, raped and sold into slavery? And how many of our sons are being killed and being asked to kill in senseless wars justified by anything and everything all the way up to God. And how many species are going extinct every year. Do we care? How could we not?

Something is wrong with this picture! That is obvious.

It is too easy to say "they are bad and we are the victim"; or, less commonly, "I am bad and you are the victim". That is more of the same.

We can only realize, for ourselves, that we need each other, that this is not sustainable. We can only realize, for ourselves, that, we are all the same; that we all need the same things; that we all have things to contribute; that we are all in the same boat; that we are all better off cooperating and sharing rather than warring.

We cooperate or we perish! Well, perish we will anyway, but what kind of trip do you want to have on the way?

Peace or war? Love or violence? What happens when violence meets violence? What happens when love meets violence? What does that look like?

Are you willing? I am, for I think it will look better than what I see now. I suspect it is nothing like we fear. I suspect it is more than we can imagine.

Will you join me? One day, you will. Why wait? (For many good reasons, none of which is based in reality; all of which are based on a concept.)

Here I Am - meeting violence with love, and it feels like it will break my heart. It feels like it will destroy me, but I think it is healing me.

I think that meeting violence with love looks like healing, not like illness and death.

Will you join me now?

*I guarantee you that these numbers are inaccurate. It could be far worse, and even if it were better, it is not by much. To pursue the exact number is to miss the point, (but if you happen to know or want to find the exact number, please, share it with me).

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When India Lost Its Virginity

A couple of weeks earlier I attended the "Unladylike" show by Radhika Vas, where she explained in her one hour stand up that how she was educated by her mother to preserve her pious virginity for her marriage; a common story of all girls in India. We have grown seeing movies where the hero approaches the heroine for his first The Kiss and girl slides up her dupatta to her nose and says, "shaadi ke baad".

Virginity of woman is probably the most talked about yet least publicized topic of our country. Nobody cares about men's virginity or chaste. Although both can be defined as utter non-sense, don't they?

But why I am talking about virginity? Or am I?

Actually, this post is influenced by recent "new revolutionary" laws passed by the Khaps and Haji Ali committee that are anti-gender and oppose sane logic. Don't worry, I am not going to beat the same old turkey again. Media is full of that shit.

What I would like to discuss here is a country so conservative about sex has an undertone of sex in its spiritual and religious motivations. Whether they are Hindus or Muslims or Christians, they all have concepts of Heaven and Hell. And if you compare them, they are almost similar in their descriptions. When Kasab was motivated to take part in the Mumbai AK-47 Marathon, he was told that Allah will call him to heaven for his bravery where he will have lot of food, luxuries and of course, women!

"Pandiji" told Abhishek during his Upnayan Sanskar (thread ceremony) that he should follow "brahmacharya" and should not look at girls to preserve his chaste. If he follows the rules, he will go to heaven. The Hindu description of heaven has the luxuries, palaces of gold, rich fruits and ofcourse the Women! The Apsaras... named Urvashi, Rambha etc.

It shows how deeply we are programmed as a male dominating society. The descriptions of our religious pinnacles also use Women as motivation, as if they are some objects of amusement. At the same time, repress conversation on sex.

And what do they mean when they say there will be women in heaven? To have an affair with them, don't they? So why wait to go to heaven to enjoy basic needs of life?

Don't they have better things to do in heaven? I mean think about how to better the world, take care of poor and helpless with their "heavenly" powers. By their definition, why do they leave the "impure" things like sex for a "pure" place like heaven. If this Earth is "mrityulok" (world of death) then let us do all the "sins" here! So that we can do better things in heaven or hell, whatever.

Now I understand, since everyone in heaven is busy releasing their held-up frustration, they don't have time to take care of activities on Earth. And we are left here alone to handle our situation and people of different genders are not even allowed to mingle.

I dig deep in the issue and find out that the Medieval History of the World is the major culprit. When there were fights for power and religion was discovered as a powerful tool to unite people against oppressors. Knowledge and Wisdom from India was spreading across the World and it was used by some powerful people to win over their people and against the oppressors.

Unfortunately, the same wisdom was twisted and used against India for to exploit the natural wealth it had.

This era of wars across the world among nations had created an unsecure environment where the oppressors celebrated their victory by raping the slave woman. They were also let free to exploit people of defeated nation.

Country that we live in today is a country that has undergone thousands of years of slavery. Our religions, scriptures and philosophies have all lost the purity of their virginity in pity battles of power. This has somewhere hurt the Manhood of people across. The same frustration is reflected in the way our men behave in this country. The Pseudo Manhood, once hurt by more mean and wicked - hurt by their treachery and cheat needs to find a shelter. They need someone to showcase their pseudo masculinity. Woman of India unfortunately have always been that strength to the man and hence are also the victims.

The country which lost its purity, chaste and virginity once hundreds of years ago is trying to overcome that shadow of terror by protecting virginity of the woman of its land. How sad!

A body's virginity may not have any implication in real life however, in this pursuit of showing pseudo-power, the Soul has definitely lost its virginity and THAT is irreparable.

Pakistan Is Just Another Country

Many people see Pakistan different to what it is portrayed. I will not discuss any kind of social or political problems here but for a moment let's take a look of what really is Pakistan made up of.

I see the deaths and injuries and bombings but can anyone name a single city which is free from political fighting and social unrest? I see the differences between the different political parties of Pakistan but can anyone name a single Country where every political party seems to agree? I see innocent people getting punished for nothing but please can anyone show me a country where the innocent do not suffer and there is equal distribution of wealth? I surely notice the high rate of corruption in Pakistan but please tell me which country is exactly corruption free? Things could go on and on but what I am trying to highlight is that Pakistan is just another country. It has its problems but the good times have come too.

The people do not know what lies in Pakistan just because it is not presented the right way. Countries like USA and India have their issues as well but with corporations like Apple and Google, people seem to forget that they have to face certain problems too.

Let's focus on the good side of Pakistan. The company of Alkaram Towels produced around 60 million exports in 2011 and they are aiming big. The chairman of the country was unfortunate as his father passed away when he was only nine and now he has thousands of employs.

The young engineers of Pakistan at universities like Nust are highly talented and only need a good platform to achieve something extra ordinary. They are standing shoulder to shoulder in the world of advanced technology and people do not know this. Why does not the media highlight this?

The competition in this country is unbelievable. A janitor can score top marks in matriculation exams and people think that it is a country full of uneducated people. The youngest I.T professional belonged to Pakistan and met Bill Gates. Millions of young teenagers would die for something like that and our young lady made it look so easy and yet Pakistan is the worst of all?

I understand the news and the acts of terrorism and all the matters of national security but this country has the potential to go on and become one of the most developing countries of all time. The country only needs to be seen under a different light and a little help from the western world can improve the economic conditions of this country dramatically. Pakistan does not need any aid or help, it just needs to be portrayed in a better way.

Saad Basir.

Problems In Our Country

Thank heaven for Harry Potter! The fact that the Harry Potter books are selling off the shelves indicates a large group of children are still reading. However, the problem is that more children and even adults rather play computer games than read books. Microsoft's big new field to corner is to produce computer games. But those games are better than kids sitting in basements playing poker, a new questionable pastime. Yes, there are still some kids playing sports outside. But there is a growing problem with steroids.

The thing in vogue in today's business world is to obtain the highest possible salary. It does not matter how good or capable public company officials are or are not. Some of the largest company failures have had presidents who earned millions in that position. But when being prosecuted in court for the company's failure, these presidents claimed they knew nothing. How could a president demand an outlandish salary if he/she doesn't know what the company is doing? The epitome is John Mack, the new president of Morgan Stanley. John Mack demanded in his contract, signed June 30, that his pay for the next two years be no less than the average pay package received by the CEO's at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Stanley, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns. If that average turned out to be more than the $25 million, he was to be paid. What about reviews of how he was performing his duties and doing his job?

The recent news reports that an American is paying Russia $25 million to fly to the space station. Russia is now offering to fly anyone around the moon for $100 million. Obviously the extreme wealthy have no problem finding way to spend their money, but not in the United States.

In scanning the cable television channels, there was a program on surfing the waves. It showed young people in their twenties surfing the waves daily. The program ended with the same group on a beautiful yacht, looking for bigger waves around the world. Are these young men and women wealthy enough that they don't have to work and can afford to operate a yacht? Where does their cash flow come from?

It seems that there must be problems with the distribution of wealth in our country. The bulk of Americans can't afford small luxuries, if even necessary food and medicine. The Federal government gives tax breaks to the wealthy, stating that there will be trickle-down to lower classes. Being wealthy means having enough money to get whatever you desire. How do the lower tax obligations given to the wealthy trickle-down to create jobs for the less fortunate, when the wealthy are spending as much as they can already?

Excessive financial compensation destroys initiative. It is wrong. Europe learned, from feudal times, that excess wealth was unacceptable. Corporate executives around the world perform as well or better than the high salaried executives in the United States. The obvious excesses will eventually bring down our civilization. Past societies such as: the Romans, the Russian nobility, the French nobility and the Spanish rulers of South and Central America could not see the excesses that brought their downfalls.

Why I Buy From My Local Community Sikh Owned Business

Whenever I have a choice, I buy from a Sikh. Why? Asides from the models and successes I have witnessed from the Italian, Jewish, Russian, Guajarati, Mormon and other communities, buying from a Sikh will help invest in the future of Sikhs. Historically, ethnic communities purchased within their own community due to proximity, understanding of cultural needs, and familiarity with the system. Another reason was to keep the fruits of one's labor "within the community". Eventually, investing and reinvesting in one's community leads to professionals who do not forget their roots. In the U.S., some of the most thriving communities maintain their origins by keeping the dollar circulating within the community. The dollar lasts about nineteen days in the Jewish community, about twenty-four days in the Italian community, and about twenty-eight days in the Asian community. * How long will it last in the Sikh Community? This is a task for any Sikh student seeking a community project of worthwhile impact. My estimation for the longevity of the dollar is less than five days, as Sikhs in the United States do not own businesses which provide adequate resources needed on a day-to-day basis. Other than a few "Indian" stores selling Punjabi attire and goods, very few businesses are main stream such as car dealerships, grocery chain stores, banks, insurance companies etc. These types of businesses generally keep money circulating within the community much longer and are currently not available as "Sikh owned".

If possible and practical, I support the community buying consciously from a Sikh-owned and operated business. To be clear, this doesn't mean I suggest ignoring non-Sikh alternatives. It means that if an equivalent alternative exists, I choose in favor of the community. Doing so holds a Sikh-owned business more accountable to the community and promotes business integrity. However, I do not advocate, nor personally engage in, transactions with any unethical business, Sikh-owned or otherwise. Generally speaking, there are clear communal advantages to this sort of system; dasvandh or "donations" are much more likely to be directed to Sikh institutions from a successful, Sikh-owned business than a non-Sikh-owned business. These donations are obviously more likely to help fund Khalsa Schools, programs for community drug rehabilitation, medical assistance, women's shelters, mentor-ship programs, scholarships, and other services our communities are severely lacking.

Essential to a community's survival and collective prosperity is its own cooperation and support from the collective membership. As consumers, the opportunities for us to support are ample in our community: grocery establishments, car repair and purchase, jewelers, medical, dental, loans & banking, real estate, wedding services, journalism, media, clothing/tailoring, travel, architects, transportation, etc. As business owners, we should strive for the establishment and retention of ethics, integrity, and community involvement within the Sikh community and our local neighborhoods. We should be involved politically with our municipalities and work collectively with higher governments. As consumers, we should demand honest service and promote awareness of good Sikh-owned businesses. As business owners, we have opportunities to be mentors, tutors, interns, activists, counselors, and more. We can, in fact, be liaisons between universities/colleges and Sikh institutions, and help aid them financially.

In my role as a financial controller, I understand that integrity in numbers is fundamental to a successful and sustained enterprise. I also understand that a financially independent entity is powerful and tenacious and, has become a vital asset to any community hoping to grow in the U.S. And any entity needs a portfolio of hands with various skills to lead it forward to everlasting success. Finally, it must be far-sighted and must see well into the future to remain a going concern. These very aspects are fundamental to the success and prosperity of a prominent community, such as the Sikhs. We have an opportunity, everyday, to not only build a positive business model and a self-sustainable society, but also to create a platform for our future leaders as well. That is why I pledge "Buy Sikh, Support Sikh".

One practical contribution we all can make for the time being is the purchase of GAS!! Compile a list of Sikh owned gas stations in your local area and post the addresses in the local gurudwaras. The more these Sikh owned small businesses sell the more they thrive. Go to a Sikh owned dry cleaner, pizza place and Subway sandwiches etc. It takes only a very small effort to compile such a list for your local area, but it is something which will go a long way for the economical development of our community. As our current political system in the US pushes jobs and the dollar over-seas this grass roots method will help keep the dollars here in the US. Helping our own community will help the entire nation. As a whole, seva comes in many forms, and this is just one. And the only sacrifice it requires is pumping gas at the right gas station and buying a lunch at the right sandwich shop.

Note: I worked for a commercial real estate firm many years ago. The President of this firm was Jewish. He was involved in a local synagogue and encouraged internship and professional opportunities to the younger members of the congregation. His message was that this would eventually encourage those members to aspire to become future CEOs, CFOs, lobbyists, business owners, professionals, all the while becoming advocates for the congregation and the community at large. This was a dream of a true visionary. Who says we cannot do the same? This can be accomplished with a strong, united and active grass roots movement.

Please promote "Buy-Sikh Support Sikh" to realize this vision.

*Financialcall.com Ending Leakage in Black America

The Most Warlike!

A multiple choice question for you! What country of the following five countries would be considered the most warlike: a. the former USSR, b. Russia today, c. Israel, d. The United States, e. North Korea? The obvious answer is, d. the United States.

The U.S. has, on its own initiative, entered into the Korean War and then the Vietnam War. We were involved in Lebanon, Kosovo, Panama, two wars with Iraq, Afghanistan and we invaded Granada. We bankrolled trouble in Iran before its revolution and in Guatemala. The U.S, secrete involvement in Chile and many other places was exposed after the fact by accident. Note, all of these actions were voluntary. Not one of these countries ever openly attacked or was aggressive towards the U.S. In operations where we did enjoy other countries participating, the United States was always the instigator and led in supplying the majority of troops and equipment. Except for the USSR in Afghanistan and North Korea attacking South Korea, what other country initiated any war?

Our basic lifestyle includes many citizens owning arms such as: rifles, pistols and multi-firing guns. These multi-firing guns can't be used for hunting, self-protection or even for target practice. In the past most popular movies were about gun-fighting cowboys. Today there are many styles of military groups training regularly. We have ROTC programs and army reserve training in schools. Our country keeps military bases in many countries around the world. Senator John McCain, senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, upon visiting Afghanistan stated on February 22nd that our country should maintain a base in that country, only for our military benefit. What kind of military advantage could we benefit from in that isolated country? How could we support it, or more importantly against what countries, or even why? When talking about Iraq a very respected and honored senior marine general, Lt. General James Mattis stated, "It is fun shooting people."

What more can we do to protect ourselves has become the U.S. way of thinking as a country. We respond by developing more and better aggressive weapons. The current Bush administration is asking for additional money to upgrade and develop more atomic weapons. The U.S. exceeds the budgets on its many aggressive weapons, using the continual ruse of defense. Yet, our country spends a pittance on actual defense against terrorists. We continually build weapon systems to defend against no known enemy. We then create enemies out of countries which in no way can directly affront or hurt us. The currently used military planning revokes the balance or power theory that stood us so well through the standoff with the USSR, a major power then. Iraq's threat was overblown. Iraq was a country that had a long and costly standoff in its war with Iran, and was humiliated in the Gulf War. Yet Iraq was played up as a threat and a major military challenge. The other current bogeyman is North Korea. North Korea is a country without any navy, air force, modern weapons (other than potential atomic weapons) and can't even feed its people. North Korea has no oil reserves. Is that a threat?

Here is a fact that no one will disclose. Today, admittedly, our country's economy is 80% services. That means the balance is in manufacturing. We all know that the major manufacturing companies have outsourced production. Just look at our auto industry and our motion picture industry. Therefore, a major portion of that 20% manufacturing has to be the huge amount of money our government spends on armaments. How wonderful for making basic capital investments for the future of our country. Probably our fantastic growth rate is made up of government's increased spending on these armaments.

Has the point been proven? The United States is the most warlike.