Archive for October, 2008

Suspicion 2

Monday, October 27th, 2008
The strangest thing is the quick rise and the quick fall in oil price. Who is behind it? Let’s take a look at the post from the 28 Oct 2008 Business Day: 

— Oil prices sank below $60 a barrel in London yesterday, hitting a 17-month low on worries that a global recession would sap energy demand, and as the US currency strengthened against the euro. In early trading, Brent North Sea crude for December delivery dropped to $59,02 a barrel, the lowest point since February last year. The contract later stood at $62,28, down $1,87 from Friday’s close.

New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery, tumbled to $61,30 a barrel, a price last seen in May last year.

The market extended last week’s heavy losses to plunge underneath the psychological barrier of $60 a barrel in London for the first time since March last year.

“Crude prices have continued to slide as global recessionary concerns intensified after dramatic falls in Asian financial markets which saw Tokyo’s Nikkei index fall to its lowest levels since 1982,” said Sucden analyst Nimit Khamar.

“Prices are more or less tracking the movements of global equity markets at the moment, as market participants view the indices as a gauge for economic conditions and hence an indicator for future oil demand.”

On Friday, even after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) announced a 1,5-million- barrel-a-day cut, oil fell $3,69 to settle at $64,15. Prices have plunged 57% from a record $147,27 on July 11.

“The mood is fairly negative, reflecting worry about the international economic outlook,” said David Moore, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney.

“If there are further weak economic data in the US or Europe, prices could come under more downward pressure.”

Iran’s Opec governor, Mohammad Ali Khatibi, said on Sunday a reduction in production “will be considered” at the group’s next meeting in Algiers in December.

Moore said: “I thought the Opec cut was a fairly decisive act, but concerns of recession in the major economies remain dominant.” Sapa-AFP-AP

When we examine the collapse of the world biggest banks and corporations, we will be able to gauge this suspicion. 30 years ago, there were some hanky panky things going on in the world financial market in the name of Capitalism. Little did we know that Capitalism is afterall not the best answer to the Economy of the world. The very strength of capitalism is its weakest point. A new world order for the financial arena is coming forth. It may be Socialism???? or Social-Capitalism? 

No one really knows which form it will come. Certainly the economists of the world are looking to a way to update the old Capitalism mode. It may take years to achieve. The Poors are many and they are getting poorer and the Richs are getting richer. It will come a time when the poors will be so poor that they will rise up against the richs. Social-Capitalism is coined by me. It may be worth look at. Since many countries are advocating no one should live below the poverty line and social security for all the needy including the old and the young and the disabled. Yes many developed nations are doing that already. The question of ownerships and assets have to be re-examined so not to allow artificial inflation and escallating cost like the recent case of the oil price. Some of the basic ingredients or staple food must be controlled and easily accessible to all people. only the luxury items are not controlled. there should also a limit at the top end to check abuses and wastages.

The early church in the New Testament was doing just that. There were lots of poor people then and the rich people of the church sold lands and propperties to share. Some took it as Communism. Outwardly it looks like Communism but the philosophy is greatly different. The poor were looked after through shared food and basic essentials. Those who could work and earn should be able to carry on to earn. There was social security for the poor. The able bodied people should go out and bring back more help. Back in the days of the NT, there was no control over the prices and abuses and wastages. Some form of mechanism must come forth to control and monitor the over-pricing and abuses and wastages. It may not seem to be very exciting on the onset but there are plenty rooms for freedom and expression. It is, as I call it, RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM. Capitalism sets no limit both at the top and bottom ends. But RESPONSIBE FREEDOM will create a narrower platform for Freedom and Play where it should cause excessive suffering and hurts to the less advantages.

Can we begin within our churches? Why not?      

 

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A Wretched World or A Damaged World

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Even the world’s strongest corporations and safest banks are collapsing like dominoes. Why? How can it be?

There were signs of the coming credit crunch and subprime loan losses sometime ago. Why wasn’t there AnyNo one raise the alarm or make known to the public or create interest or awareness in its pursuit? At least I can think of a few possibilities of reactions from the people in the world today:
1.  Ignorance - there are masses of people who are really ignorant of what is going on in the world. They just live day by day. On the surface, it seems that their lives are less burdened and freer. But a closer look reviews a different picture. They are actually the victims and under the mercy of all the ‘big powers’ who manipulate the world economy to suit their likings and fill their pockets.
2.  Indifference - many people are just plainly indifferent to what is happening in the world. They are just interested in making money and earning a living. Of course, there are those who cannot make ends meet. But they are also those who are just not bothered.
3.  Procastinate - some knew about it but keep hoping that it will not come so soon. Their lifestyles did not change and they did not make any provision for the rainy days.
4.  Addiction - they are those who have gotten their hands wet and refuse to pull out.

The one word to describe the present stage of the world is SIN. It is due to the sinful desires and evil manipulation of human greed and pride. The Malaysian government keeps saying that we have strong fundamentals and we will not go into recession. The lesson of the 2004 Tsunami should serve as a reminder for all of us in the world. When the Earthquake occurred near Acheh, the giant Tsunami swept and killed hundreds of thousand of lives away. Though the city of Acheh was badly damaged and suffered greatly, the whole world too mourned and got mentally and morally affected. Now when the so-called strong nations in the world are affected, we are not spared either. The effects has not come yet but it will possibly come in a year or two. When it comes, it will take a full cycle of seven years to recover. It is like in Joseph’s days that the 7 bad years will completely wipe off the 7 good years.

First, we are in a wretched world. Corruption is rampant. All because of greed and power. Jesus has warned us that in the last days wickedness will increase many fold. We have to work very very hard to be SALT to prevent the decay; and to be LIGHT to distinguish and expel the darkness. The sad episode is that the Church is in such a confused state of affairs. Truth has been compromised by allowing the canon laws which are changed to suit the likings of humankind. Leaders are fighting for power and position irrespective of integrity and truth.

Second, we are in a damaged world. The moral and ethics of the world has gone to the drain. People no longer are interested in honesty and honour. Almost everything is measured by gain and satisfaction. Human beings have damaged the world by sacking and stripping it of all its good value.

Why are the people so terrible? corrupt? immoral? unethical? senseless? merciless?
Making lots of wealth in expense of the poor.
Putting Melamine into milk powder for quick gain.
Destroying lives for self satisfaction and belief.
Causing wars and unrest in order to sell more weapons. 
Cheating as the prime motivator.
Lying as the way of life.

Is the Church able to offer help? When can the Church begin to help?  Can the world be better? Can the world look to the Church for leadership and compassion? What have we done?

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