Comment on Freedom and Development go hand in hand, says UMs Dr Lee Hwok Aun by Phua Kai Lit

Posted on by

September 10, 2014

by Lee Shi-Ian

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/um-lecturers-reveal-why-freedom-is-a-sign-of-a-countrys-maturity

Lee, the UM Academic Staff Union coordinator for the Solidarity4AzmiSharom movement, cited Norway, Sweden and Taiwan as examples of developed countries which also encouraged freedom.

Do not judge development merely based on financial factors only. Freedom is also another measure of a countrys development and maturity, Lee told a crowd of students after the lunchtime hartal, or strike, held to protest against the Sedition Act and the sedition charges against UM Law Professor Dr Azmi Sharom.

Azmi also spoke to the crowd of about 100 students, who braved the hot weather to listen to the outdoor lectures on freedom. Many of the students participated in the protest earlier.

Azmi said freedom of expression was very important as it played a vital role in a nations development, saying without conflicting ideas, there would be no good ideas.If everyone was just a follower who agreed with what their leaders said, the nation would just chug along without any new ideas or creativity, Azmi said.

Ami is also President of the UM Academic Staff Union. Lee and Azmi were joined by another academician from Monash University, Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa (left pic with Din Merican) who is also the chairman of the non-governmental organisation Islamic Renaissance Front.Farouk said people like Azmi were a rarity as they were bold and courageous enough to speak up instead of keeping silent.

Academicians should also share their knowledge with the world, and not merely within the confines of a classroom or academic journal.

Lee said countries which have more freedom such as Taiwan, Norway and Sweden have all achieved developed nation status, and this included freedom of the press.The principles of Vision 2020 are not being adhered to by Putrajaya, which is using a colonial-era law in the Sedition Act 1948 more frequently than ever now.

See the rest here:

Comment on Freedom and Development go hand in hand, says UMs Dr Lee Hwok Aun by Phua Kai Lit

Will Scots Heed Ancient Call for Freedom?

Posted on by

Exclusive: The Sept. 18 referendum on Scottish independence pits the ancient lure of freedom from English dominance against practical economic issues of the future. Continued union seemed to be winning but a late surge for separation has made the outcome a toss-up, as Don North reports.

By Don North

Anyone who has seen the movie Braveheart with Mel Gibson playing the Scottish hero William Wallace can understand the historic animosities between Scotland and its powerful neighbor to the south, England. Set mostly in the late Thirteenth Century, the movie tells the story of an early fight for Scottish freedom, albeit with many Hollywood fictional flourishes.

But the substance was true. Wallace led a Scottish uprising against Englands tyrannical Edward I and despite some stunning victories including the Battle of Stirling Wallaces army was ultimately defeated. After his capture and treason trial in 1305, Wallace was dragged naked through the streets of London and then tortured to death on the execution grounds of Smithfield. In the movie version, his last word was: Freedom!

A statue of William Wallace at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle. (Photo credit: Don North)

Wallaces severed body parts were sent north to be displayed as a warning to other Scottish rebels. But as the movie notes this grisly message had a different impact, helping to inspire more resistance led by Robert the Bruce, the other great warrior for Scottish freedom who defeated Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The union of the two countries in 1707, after centuries of hostilities and bloodshed, was regarded by many Scots as a shotgun marriage that more than300 years later has not diluted the differences in outlook and attitude between the ill-matched partners.

Beyond their stubborn desire forfreedom and their deep-seated pride, the Scots are not known to forgive ancient quarrels easily and their history of hatred toward the English is part of the back story in the referendum for Scottish independence on Sept. 18.

In some ways, the vote will hinge on whether the Scots side with their ancient heritage of resisting English domination or accept that their economic future is brighter as part of the United Kingdom.

Theres also the issue of anti-Scottish bigotry in English literature and society. For instance, Dr. Samuel Johnson In 1773 wrote a much quoted maxim, The noblest prospect that a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England. An unease towards the English, a suspicion that they are social superiors, has for centuries troubled the Scottish psyche.

Continue reading here:

Will Scots Heed Ancient Call for Freedom?

‘Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Multiplayer’ Teased Cyborg Co Op Gamemode New – Video

Posted on by


#39;Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Multiplayer #39; Teased Cyborg Co Op Gamemode New
#39;Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Multiplayer #39; Teased Cyborg Co Op Gamemode New. Hey guys, don #39;t forget to "LIKE" and "SUBSCRIBE" if you want to see more content from me. Also, don #39;t forget to...

By: Call Of Duty

Read more:

'Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Multiplayer' Teased Cyborg Co Op Gamemode New - Video

Top 8 beaches in Achaea Peloponnese Greece (Don’t turn back Silent Partner) – Video

Posted on by


Top 8 beaches in Achaea Peloponnese Greece (Don #39;t turn back Silent Partner)
Greece Travel Video Greece Tourist Attractions Greece Best Beaches Greece honeymoon Greece has been an attraction for international visitors since antiquity for its rich and long history, Mediterra...

By: Danai Moraiti

Continue reading here:

Top 8 beaches in Achaea Peloponnese Greece (Don't turn back Silent Partner) - Video

Gov. Christie Vetoes Limit On Smoking At Parks, Beaches

Posted on by

Get Breaking News First

Receive News, Politics, and Entertainment Headlines Each Morning.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a measure to limit smoking in the states parks and beaches.

In his veto message released Wednesday night, Christie pointed to numerous municipalities that have already banned smoking in their parks and beaches, and argued the issue is better left to local officials to decide for their constituents.

While I appreciate the sponsors concerns regarding the health risks poses by smoking and secondhand smoke, I am not persuaded that a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all State ban on smoking in public parks and beaches is advisable at this time, he wrote.

Smoking would have been banned at parks and limited at beaches under the bill approved by the state Senate and Assembly in June. It garnered overwhelming support in both chambers.

The bill aimed to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, cut down on litter and curtail fire risks. Violators would have been fined at least $250 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeated violations.

The Senates health committee chair had called the measure a great compromise at the time of its passage, noting the Assembly had previously passed a bill that called for an outright ban on smoking at beaches.

Christies decision was sharply criticized by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, one of the bills sponsors.

This is extremely unfortunate from both a public health perspective and from an environmental perspective, she said in a statement issued shortly after the veto was announced. I would have hoped the governor would have joined the overwhelming majority of the legislature who supported this bill by standing up for the publics best interests.

View original post here:

Gov. Christie Vetoes Limit On Smoking At Parks, Beaches

Christie vetoes limit on smoking at parks, beaches

Posted on by

By - Associated Press - Wednesday, September 10, 2014

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a measure to limit smoking in the states parks and beaches.

In his veto message released Wednesday night, Christie pointed to numerous municipalities that have already banned smoking in their parks and beaches, and argued the issue is better left to local officials to decide for their constituents.

While I appreciate the sponsors concerns regarding the health risks poses by smoking and secondhand smoke, I am not persuaded that a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all State ban on smoking in public parks and beaches is advisable at this time, he wrote.

Smoking would have been banned at parks and limited at beaches under the bill approved by the state Senate and Assembly in June. It garnered overwhelming support in both chambers.

The bill aimed to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, cut down on litter and curtail fire risks. Violators would have been fined at least $250 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeated violations.

The Senates health committee chair had called the measure a great compromise at the time of its passage, noting the Assembly had previously passed a bill that called for an outright ban on smoking at beaches.

Christies decision was sharply criticized by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, one of the bills sponsors.

This is extremely unfortunate from both a public health perspective and from an environmental perspective, she said in a statement issued shortly after the veto was announced. I would have hoped the governor would have joined the overwhelming majority of the legislature who supported this bill by standing up for the publics best interests.

Several shore towns including Belmar, Seaside Heights, Long Branch already ban smoking.

View original post here:

Christie vetoes limit on smoking at parks, beaches

Did a Meteor strike Nicaragua? Pro Astronomy doesn’t understand Poverty. – Video

Posted on by


Did a Meteor strike Nicaragua? Pro Astronomy doesn #39;t understand Poverty.
https://www.youtube.com/thornews Pro NASA Astronomers were quick to "debunk" the Nicaragua meteor strike and the American Media was quick to back them up 100%. All parties involved also used...

By: thornews

Continued here:

Did a Meteor strike Nicaragua? Pro Astronomy doesn't understand Poverty. - Video

Record-Breaking Number of More Than 2,800 Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials and Studies Will Showcase Worldwide …

Posted on by

Contact Information

Available for logged-in reporters only

Newswise Fairfax, Va., September 10, 2014The American Society for Radiation Oncologys (ASTROs) 56th Annual Meeting, to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, September 14-17, 2014, is the nations premier scientific meeting in radiation oncology, and the results of 2,874 radiation oncology-specific research studies and clinical trials conducted around the world will be presented at the four-day meeting. The 2014 Annual Meeting is expected to attract more than 11,000 oncologists from all disciplines and members of the entire radiation oncology care team from the U.S. and internationally.

ASTRO will present five News Briefings and a Meet-The-Expert session live, on-site and online to highlight the 18 most innovative clinical trials and studies of the 56th Annual Meeting.

What: Five live, webcast News Briefings and one Meet-The-Expert presentation from ASTROs 56th Annual Meeting at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Downloadable news photos, audio recordings and slides will be available online at the end of each day: http://www.astro.org/AMpress

When: Sunday, September 14 Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2014 News Briefing Schedule: Sunday, September 14 at 2:45 p.m. Pacific time ASTRO 2014: Hot Topics Bruce G. Haffty, MD, FASTRO, ASTRO president and chair of the 2014 Annual Meeting Steering Committee How: https://astro.adobeconnect.com/pressbrief1

Monday, September 15 at 8:15 a.m. Pacific time Developments in Prostate Cancer Moderated by Colleen A.F. Lawton, MD, FASTRO How: https://astro.adobeconnect.com/pressbrief2

Monday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Patient-reported Outcomes Moderated by Tracy A. Balboni, MD, MPH How: https://astro.adobeconnect.com/pressbrief3

Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time Advances in Lung Cancer Moderated by Benjamin Movsas, MD, FASTRO How: https://astro.adobeconnect.com/pressbrief4

Continued here:

Record-Breaking Number of More Than 2,800 Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials and Studies Will Showcase Worldwide ...

Richard Frisch explores the promise and perils of artificial intelligence

Posted on by

Westonite Richard Frisch presents Artificial intelligence: What is it? What is it becoming? Exploring its promise and its perils at the September meeting of the Trumbull PC Users Group of Connecticut.

The talk takes place Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:45 p.m. at the Trumbull Public Library, 33 Quality Street, Trumbull.

Mr. Frisch explains how the world is suffused with artificial intelligence (AI) agents. AI helps choose what books you buy, what movies you see, and even who you date. It puts the smart in your smartphone and will soon drive your car. AI makes most of the trades on Wall Street, and controls vital energy, water, and transportation infrastructure, he said.

Artificial intelligence has a dark side, too. We may be forced to compete with a rival more cunning, more powerful, and more alien than we imagine, Mr. Frisch said.

Participants will learn more about what AI is doing today and what it may become tomorrow.

Mr. Frischs previous presentations to TCPUG were Charles Babbage: The Man Who Invented the Computer (2012), and Apples Post-PC Era Explained (2011).

Mr. Frisch is the chief technology officer for Global Strategy Group, a national public affairs firm, and for Karlinsky LLC, a New York City-based law firm. He also runs RHFtech, a tech support firm for small businesses and Connecticut municipalities. He is a past president of FCUG and an active member of CTPC, making frequent presentations and running the CTPC Random Access meeting program.

Mr. Frisch and his family have lived in Weston since 1987.

More:

Richard Frisch explores the promise and perils of artificial intelligence