Merdeka. Do we need another theme?

Merdeka. 

A powerful word and a powerful idea. And one that can be found at the heart of not a few nations. 

Idependence. Standing on your own. This was the word, the idea that brought people of different colours, creeds, together over fifty years ago, right here in this land we now know as Malaysia. 

In today's paper I read that, "All four Pakatan Rakyat states have agreed to adopt the Coalition's National Day theme of Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa (One Nation, One Country, One Soul). What a load of horse shit! 

It's just as bad as the BN's 1Malaysia. The only consolation is that those Pakatan States won't be spending on their themed activities anywhere near what BN has on its themed activites. And that's about the only consolation. 

Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa? 1Malaysia? 

Halo?? Wake up??!! 

What could possibly be stronger, clearer or more meaningful than Merdeka! 

Merdeka is already an idea. You need another idea to celebrate that idea? What talking you man??!! Go fire you Ad Agency, Your PR agency etc! 

There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING, more powerful or relevant than the idea of Merdeka - Independence. 

Except, of course, unless it is the broader idea of BEBAS or freedom which also encompasses the idea of MERDEKA or independence. 

Because when you look into it, that is what our forefathers were fighting for when they fought for independence. The freedom to make their own choices. 

Here I see political parties and coalitions trying to outdo each other. Either by the themes they come up with or by the mud they try to sling at each other. 

History is a great teacher. Read Governor Cavenagh's memoirs. 

Governor Cavenagh? You don't know? 

What are they teaching in history today? 

Governor William Orfeur Cavenagh was governor before Jervois and Andrew Clarke. Anyway, Cavenagh remarked in his memoirs that he did not understand how men who otherwise stood for honesty, justice and truth (I paraphrase here), could end up twisting, exaggerating and completely mangling truth, when they faced each other on opposite sides in Parliament. 

What he said then is every bit as true today. 

And these people are the ones we have placed our trust in to lead us, and to act on our behalf in our best interests? 

Shame on you. You behave worse than kindergarden children. 

BEBAS. If you don't like MERDEKA so much that you have to think up new themes, why not BEBAS? Freedom. 

Freedom from tyranny. Freedom from lies and corruption. Freedom from nepotism and despotism. Freedom from crime. Freedom from injustice. Freedom from tampering with public votes. Freedom from radioactivity and health hazzards. 

For those who have not yet done so, PLEASE read my wall. Click the LYNAS article link and read all of it. ALL of it. Read it slowly. It will show you why, if you do not protest now and have LYNAS shut down BEFORE the general elections, later it may be too late. Then click the other link with the LYNAS facepic badge and show your support. Or if you don't like that, then at least put on a Bersih badge. 

BEBAS. Freedom. People have the power. But only if they see it. 

The people we elect into government, are just that. People WE elect. 

Years ago in the Philippines it was not so much about people wanting Aquino heading the country. It was more that they were sick and tired of the Marcos regime. 

THEY THE PEOPLE made it happen there. We the people can make it happen here. 

I don't like threats. Do you? But that is what the people WE elect into government, to represent OUR interests, have been doing. Threatening us. I do not know about you, but I think that is just wrong. 

We do not need any more themes. We do not need any more ideas. There are none as powerful, short, sweet, succinct as MERDEKA or BEBAS. 

This national day, let us celebrate our independence. Let us celebrate our freedom.