Spaced out

Spaced out
By Elisabeth Attwood

Recognising,finding and maintaining happiness is the theme of Shrink. Henry Carter (Kevin Spacey) is psychiatrist to the stars in Hollywood with two best-selling self-help books. When his wife commits suicide, they only way he can dull the pain of grief is by chain-smoking marijuana. His father, a doctor, sends him a teenage patient (Jemma, played with dignity by Keke Palmer) whose mother has committed suicide. The pair work through the process of healing together.

All the principle characters are unhappy. Robin Williams plays an alcoholic actor, a character rather close to home considering his own struggle with the bottled in his early career. Dallas Roberts delivers a striking performance as a neurotic Hollywood agent whose expression of his fears makes for some uncomfortable scenes.

Moments of genuine pathos are glimpsed, such as when Jemma asks Henry to open her mother's suicide letter...

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The review was captivating, and certainly sold the movie to me. A lot of it thanks to the rich storyline. As I only read the review on the plane, I didn't get to watch it. But it has already kept me interested. The funny thing is the movie is passed with cuts as a M18 in Singapore. I knew the plot would be controversial according to Singapore's standard.

I was right. Will wait to see the original movie one day.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1247692/

A Tale of Two ASEAN

Writings from the Equator:

On the same day yesterday, two American envoys met with the respectable Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, apparently in a move to establish a healthier and more engaging relationship with the repressive country of Myanmar; the Premier of Cambodia made a gesture to agitate his relationship with Thailand by appointing the fugitive former prime minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra as Cambodia's economic advisor.

Such is the nation state politics we experience in Southeast Asia. On the one hand, some goodwill is being done to repair relationships and hopefully, towards developing a more democractic Southeast Asia. But on the other hand, Thaksin Shinawatra faced with several criminal charges for his corruption during his terms in office is being greeted with fame and acceptance from Thailand's traditional rival Cambodia.

There are still a lot of uncertainities and points of tension in the region, and the abovementioned are just the political ones. There is still no sign that free elections will be held in Myanmar, and political prisoners are unlikely to be treated leniently. The once powerful and richest tycoon-premier Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand is flexing his muscles as a wounded animal to fight for his survival if not comeback, with the help of his connection.

There is still a lack of impartial, noble and people-centred leaders in the region. Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand are just three of the 10-nation ASEAN. While we see many cases of injustice still being carried out, we desperately need inspiring, clean leaders in the region to lead these countries towards just and fairer societies. The needy, their livelihood and their fragile habitat - our environment are at stake.

Like the title of Nelson Mandela's book, we need to press on, on this 'Long Walk to Freedom'.

US envoys meet Myanmar's Suu Kyi
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/11/200911464942621839.html

Thaksin made Cambodian advisor
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/159113/cambodia-makes-thailand-thaksin-adviser-government

Anger can be a good and important thing: The positive value of controlled anger

I am someone who is quite naturally short-tempered. When I let anger get the better of me, I have most probably tried to do things my way, I know I should not be angry. But anger can be a good and important thing. Let us discover the positive value of controlled anger today.

What are some things that we get angry about? If you read the newspaper, many people were outraged by the sentence given to Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She was trialled inside closed door for a crime that did not even exist. Her house was broken into by an American intruder but the prosecutors argued that she violated rules of her house arrest.

Her sentencing was not only unjust but politically motivated. The United Nations, European Union, UK, US and some countries in ASEAN were quick to express their outrage, and requested for her immediate release.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9, TNIV)

For most of the past 20 years, she has been silenced by the military junta. One may ask, “who could speak for Aung San Suu Kyi?”

The anger of the international community was translated into action to push for sanctions, embargoes and the likes. Downing Street released a strongly word statement. Gordon Brown dismissed the trial as a "monstrous" sham.[i] Surely this anger is good and important for the democracy of Myanmar. I would be worried if we were not angry about what happened in Myanmar, or concerned about the lives of our neighbours next door.

I would say, controlled anger is not only a good thing but it is Christian and godly as well. People call it ‘righteous anger’. We ought to be angry about unrighteousness. It is sad but it is also true that there is so much injustice in the world every day. We cannot but be angry about that sort of thing. But even if you are angry, do not sin. (cf. Ephesians 4:26-27, NJB)

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[i] Aung San Suu Kyi found guilty - sentence will keep her out of election

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6790986.ece