Ervan’s Weltanschauung

Sometimes, I just do not know what to say when I read or hear certain quarters in Malaysia telling others to boycott certain products or brandnames. I will not interfere in other people’s decision on boycotting certain things, but sometimes, I do wonder if they have really checked thoroughly before proceeding to boycott the products.

Okay, let me start with the obvious. The recent Zionist attack on Lebanon. They’ve been calls by certain quarters to ban brands or organisations that is sympathetic with the Jews. You noticed that I used the word Zionist and not Jews. I also use the word Al-Qaeda and not Muslim terrorists to differentiate two things that may be the same family but essentially different. If you want the media not to use the word Muslim terrorists, we as the Muslims, should also learn to use the word Zionist and not Jew, and Bush administration and not American aggression in addressing the current political climate.

But back to the boycott. Okay, let me take a few examples, the best I can think of right now is Starbucks. Hmm, boycott Starbucks. And yes, I am a regular patron at Starbucks. And yes, I know the Chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz is a Jew. Because he is a Jew, people assume that he is sympathetic to the Zionist regime. But that’s it. What most prefer to ommit, is his rags to riches story, and his vision and dedication that led Starbucks where it is now. If it was not for him, Starbucks would be another coffee bean store with one or two shops in Seattle….and I shall not go into how Starbucks is an excellent employer that you seldom hear their employees complaining about the management.

And people do want to boycott Starbucks? Their only sin was that they care for their employees. Something many big corporations find it hard to do…..

I wish they look at themselves first before telling people to do so.

And how about Nestle? Supposedly another brand that is sympathetic for the Zionist cause. Sometimes I wonder if people do have a look if Nestle’s competitors are the one behind the boycott. And oh yeah, for those people who boycott Nestle, and complains about the low returns by EPF, have a look at the Nestle Malaysia’s annual report. Then you will see close to 8 % of Nestle Malaysia is owned by EPF, with another 4 % owned by TABUNG HAJI.

And my favourite was the call by certain Malaysian public on boycotting PETRONAS. I had a good laugh over that, especially when some say they want to buy their petrol from Shell. I laugh, because all the petrol within the Klang Valley came from a shared pipeline coming from the Shell and PETRONAS refineries in PD and Melaka. It’s funny when you see some who proudly go to the Shell station and say he was boycotting PETRONAS. Little that he knew that he could have gotten the unleaded fuel from the PETRONAS refinery in Melaka. Btw, retail marketing does not bring in the money, refineries do.

I guess there is too much greed, and jealousy in the world, that sometimes, people take advantage of certain political stage in order to undo their own competition. Sometimes we, humans, have to ask ourselves. Do we really deserve a place in this world?

And remember, it is best if you help yourself first, then your family, then neighbours and friends, and then only do you help strangers. That’s the simple tenet of charity. Sometimes I too see the way some just boycott blindly, that they do not realise they are compromising their own family’s source of income. I just hope that people will see the big picture, and then they will know the right and best course of action. For we humans, do have a rather short sighted views at times.

Finally found some time to watch reimagined Battlestar Galactica. Have to say, you need to watch the pilot episodes then you’ll understand the whole story. I remember watching the series from the middle, and could not comprehend why there is a Boomer on the Galactica and another Boomer in Caprica. I assumed that they were Cylon copies, but when I watched the pilot, I understood.

Battlestar Galactica is no longer like the original series. In the original series, the Galactica is one of the best Battlestar in the fleet. Now, it is one of the oldest and was about to be turned into a museum. Most of the human (except Adama and Tigh) lacks the experience to fight the Cylons. Not to say if you do have the experience will help much. Cylons have evolved so much that they are now fighting way differently from Adama’s times.

And the crew, they are sooo human. No longer the best of the best. All have flaws, drinker, father-som strained relationships and stubborn pilots. Gives plenty of room for storylines. But central to the plot, remains the same.
They survived a holocaust by the Cylons and is now in search of the 13th Colony, a planet called Earth. Another human colony where they can see the other 12 colonies from Earth. Like the old show, the present Battlestar Galactica mixes folklore and legends from our time. Propelling the idea, that mankind came to Earth from outer space. A place called Kobol.

I am glad, for once, we have a sci-fi show that adheres to Newton’s law for once. And yes, the stars do not move as you move across the void And you can’t hear the Vipers, coz, of course, there is no air in space.
The newest addition is Laura Roslyn, the President of the Colonies. Who used to be the Secretary of Education. Here, the producers added the political element in the show. And they even included Richard Hatch (who was the original Apollo) as one shrewd politiciian cum freedom fighter. So far, I am impressed, she became the beacon of light for the colonies, that even Apollo (Lee Adama) stoody by her, even refusing the orders of Commander Adama, his dad. She got loads of balls, and have to say, her decisions, has always been correct. She might felt that she made the wrong decision when they had to leave some ships behind, but at least, the majority survived. Difficult decision, as she could not save all.

Overall, Battlestar Galactica is a must see. Here we can see the worse and the best of humans in war. Fighting a common enemy, who might turn out to be the good guys here. Best explained by Adama during Galactica’s Decommissioning Ceremony..

“The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but –

Sometimes it’s too high.

You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question, why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed, spite, jealousy. And we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we’ve done.

Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn’t our fault, not really. You cannot play God then wash your hands of the things that you’ve created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can’t hide from the things that you’ve done anymore.”