It ain't over till the FTA ladies sign

March 31 2007. That was the cut-off date for the Bush Administration to use its current Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to quicken negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with friendly countries such as Malaysia.

It isn't happening but nothing to crow about by those who oppose any FTA between Malaysia and the United States, and for that matter the US and other nations.

It ain't over till the FTA ladies sign, despite the end of the TPA by June 2007, as negotiations will still continue between Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz and the US Trade Representative Susan Schwab.

Or rather, by their respective negotiators.

Of course, opinions are diverse on the FTA. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers are of course supportive while critics are naturally against the agreement.

After going through the laundry list of arguments and counter-arguments, we think the FTA provides a workable mechanism for Malaysia to export more goods and services - where possible and where quality is not an issue - to the United States.

And vice-versa.

Any fear of freeing trade, and we have with ASEAN and soon ASEAN with China, is reflective of being shown up as incompetent to conduct trade and services.

One has to remember that the great Malaccan Empire was founded on free trade though the greed of those who wanted to control that trade led to conquests by European powers, as alluded in Star Wars.

Meanwhile, the fat lady is doing her sound checks.



Test. Test. One. Two. Three. Test. Test

Kuliyyah Jummat (2) : FACM Atromen KJ Selamat Ken Lah Kami!!!

Pic source: Maverick SM

Kembali kita untuk edisi petang kuliyyah Jummat minggu ini.

Seperti yang telah dijanjikan minggu lepas kita akan akhiri Kuliyyah Jumaat kita dengan Indeks Korupsi SiPM.

Minggu ini indeksnya seperti berikut:

Indeks Korupsi SiPM 23 Mac 2007
1. Johari Baharum: 10 mata
2. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: 2 mata
3. Khairy Jamaluddin: -5 mata

Ramai pasti akan tertanya kenapa KJ mendapat -5 mata minggu ini.

Ini kerana saya tertarik dengan surat pembaca Malaysiakini yang telah mencadangkan KJ untuk menjadi Ketua BPR.

Atromen makhlok yae sangat mulio
Atromen manusio biaso
Tak dok sapo hok yae dapat lawe dio...

Dulu KJ diselar sebagai 'Autarman', tetapi kalau dicalonkan (secara rasmi) sebagai Ketua BPR yang baru, Pak Lah boleh meneruskan peperangannya menentang rasuah!

KJ akan mendapat kuasa untuk membaik-pulih kerajaan dan juga sistem politik Malaysia.

KJ boleh menjadi Ultraman yang sebenar dan menyelamatkan Malaysia!

Bulehnyo betuka rupo
Gapo sajo lawenyo
Dimano pun juo tetap ado
N0k tulong kito

Dengan kuasa itu KJ akan dapat menolong semua rakyat Malaysia yang dibelengu oleh masalah korupsi dan juga ahli politik yang mencuri duit rakyat untuk kepentingan sendiri ataupun politik mereka!

Selamat ken lah kami
Selamat... ken bumi
Dok harap ken nyo batue
Dari Atromen...

Selain dari beralihnya kuasa politik ke SiPM, perlantikan KJ mungkin menjadi jawapan rakyat Malaysia untuk kembali membenteras rasuah dengan berkesan!

Hidup pun jadi ame
Tak dok lagi gangue
Darilah Raksaso Deneso
Dan jugok gapo sajo...

Dan apabila KJ berjaya, maka tiadalah lagi buaya rasuah dah korupsi diMalaysia. Tiada lagi masaalah seperti kes Johari Baharom, Zulkipli Mat Noor, Kasidah Gaddam dan lain lain!

(Repeat All 3x)

Tetapi kalau KJ dicalonkan secara rasmi dan menolak jawatan Ketua BPR, maka SiPM terpaksa menambahkan 1000 mata kerana tidak serius menangani rasuah dan korupsi.

Sekian, Salam Jumaat!

inspirasi dari the Malay Male.

Frogs dog blogs

It's Friday and it has been raining this past week. It is also World Meteorological Day.

And blogs and bloggers have been under attack by the powers-that-be unable to figure out that they no longer hold sway in controlling information or disinformation.

That everyone can provide both. And they do.

That frogs can either hop about and croak or stay under the coconut shell and still croak.



Rub it. Rub it. Yes, we are rubbing it in.