On CAFTA

I don’t close my eyes on the possibility of problems related to CAFTA. But, I don’t like when people are really close minded and suffer some kind of psychological block towards openness and the other. We should focus to the opportunities as well. I believe that more trade will bring peace and prosperity. I believe that signing and joining CAFTA means fulfilling the mandate of Indonesian constitution to maintain friendship among states and world peace. Yes, I am a left-wing, and the left has always been internationalist.

A Paradox of Today

I believe that loving your beloved ones does not imply that anything they do is good and appropriate. You could criticize them for sure, and you should criticize them when they are wrong, and that doesn’t mean you betray or insult them. I heavily criticize Indonesia and Islam (see my latest article if you don’t believe), not because I hate them, but because I am their son, and I believe that I should criticize wrong practices and beliefs or my own society. It is good to be a religious and nationalist person, but you gotta have a bit dose of ‘agnosticism’ and ‘internationalism’ in order to have a sharp and healthy mind…not because you don’t believe your religion or love your nation.

Another Adventure Session

I know it’s tiring, but I’m really excited about this thing. For me, it is a higher stage of activism and contribution to our society, from national to global level *woot.

Identity Card

Record! I am an Arab/ And my identity card is number fifty thousand/ I have eight children/ And the ninth is coming after a summer/ Will you be angry?/ Record!/ I am an Arab/ I have a name without a title/ Patient in a country/ Where people are enraged . . . I do not hate people/ Nor do I encroach/ But if I become hungry/ The usurper’s flesh will be my food/ Beware../ Beware../ Of my hunger/ And my anger!

Mahmoud Darwish, Palestinian Poet, 1964

Ready For The Floor

My deepest condolences to Haiti’s earthquake victims…you guys are not alone, may the recovery process will be going well.

Actually I just get stuck in the middle of my paperworks. That’s the reason why I am in the mood of blogging and writing this post now.

Anyway, I’m thinking to write another article. Probably I’m gonna write about CAFTA, especially because we are having huge debate about it in Indonesia. Sometimes I just confuse with our MPs; how come they never know (or learn) about basic economics *sigh

*currently listening to: Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor

Debut in Japan

My article got published in The Japan Times. Looking forward to read the printed version of it.

May God always lead me the way – for Islam, Indonesia and Humanity

Mrs. Cold

Another snowy night of Japan’s winter. Today was so terrible. I went to campus for doing TA job and because of the weather all class was cancelled. Waste of time, and no salary for today.

Nevertheless, I have a very good news. The Japan Times said that they’re gonna publish my article on Friday. Another chance to develop and capitalize myself. Keep learning, working and praying, ’cause it’s a never-ending process.

*Currently Listening to: KoC-Mrs.  Cold

Heavy Snow

Yup, it is snowing heavily outside, and when I check my schedule book, I’m supposed to be free tonight (meaning no specific tasks), so I ended up looking at this blog and try to write something.

Lately I’ve been pondering a lot. About Islam, about Indonesia, about everything. Tonight I also just had a wonderful discussion with my Sri Lankan and Syrian friends in the middle of student newspaper meeting. It was really stimulating indeed.

I just can’t stop thinking about anything. From geopolitics to sociology, from political theory to theology, from ancient times to postmodern era. It’s already a part of my habit. Not in the sense of merely thinking about something, but more into Descartian notion of  ’I think therefore I am’.

By the way, it’s already 2010 now. Guess I really have to do something real. Action talks louder than speech, and probably that’s the most realistic thing to contribute to our human civilization.

Talking about my future plan, seems that I really have to decide which grad school I want to enroll in. I just had discussion with my friend, and he has good reasons to stay in Japan. Nevertheless, I want to experience more new things, learn new knowledge, and be wiser. I want to get out of this comfort zone called Japan. More importantly, I have to think about the scholarship. It seems that there is no choice except to move forward.

Probably I have to write more articles as well. I just finished a book review on Mahbubani’s work for the student newspaper. I’m thinking to write another piece of article for Global Politics. I also want to reach out to other newspapers and magazines, but haven’t found the way to do that.

I also have to work on my classes’ assignments. One response paper, two presentations, one research presentations, one final exam and two final reports to end this semester peacefully.

It’s already 2 am and I have 1st period class. I guess I have to stop here and take a rest for a while because now it’s the time to get outside and climb the mountain to face the reality.

Btw, if you want to check my pieces of article and my circle activities, just go directly to this link.

*book: Edward Said – The Question of Palestine, music: Kings of Convenience, preparing for their concert in Osaka !

In Trade We Believe

Responding to his statement, I argued, “well if we see the current condition in Indonesia and the Islamic world, trade is probably my only hope, only by doing trade people can forget their differences and the desire to fight and battle against each other and turn it into something beneficial and good for everyone. As the old liberal saying says, when goods cannot cross borders, arms will. Economic modernization in Muslim countries, eventually will lead to socio-political modernization as well in the end.”

I’ve invaded Britain

Check this out