Mostly, its been catching up with the pallies at the Press Club. And work of course.
Its also been a while since I joined them in any civil society vigils and forums. I have been trying to get my business off the ground but that has proven to be tough. Blogging for now is a pleasure! And time for that remains far and few between.
I have been keeping myself posted with what’s going on and that’s why I thought this post is timely.
When I started blogging, it was largely due to the injustice I had to experience resulting from my wife being terminated from Malaysia Airlines due to her being pregnant with our third child. Thanks to my blogging buddies and largely to the help from Haris Ibrahim, it now awaits the verdict at the Industrial courts. Haris had enlisted his many favours from his other legal buddies to help Audra and me out by providing pro bono legal help. Thanks Balan. And It was also at that time that Rocky and Jeff Ooi got sued by that newspaper. Yup. And things took off like a rocket, for All Blogs that is. Before you could say Superkellyfragulisticxpalledocious, we had a committee of Pro Tem members, and subsequently a very successful fund raiser. And along the way, many bloggers came and went. Some are here to stay. Some just faded away.
But haven’t we forgot that when we started All Blogs, we wowed to stay ‘Apolitical’?
Yes, we threw our support for what we thought would be Barisan Rakyat politicians. We thought, at least I thought they would help us change certain things. Promises came and gone. No local council elections. We were asked to accept Pakatan Rakyat instead.
Datelines came and gone. But one thing still remained. Bloggers and their undying quest to make their voices heard. But lately, the voices of these bloggers seem to be that of their political comrades. Claims of these Political Masters are their paymasters remains just that.
What was a group that enjoyed it’s camaraderie has now turned into ‘us’ versus ‘them’.
It seems now, that these bloggers who proclaimed that they were going to share their views are now pulling those with the same train of though and turning them against those who actually share their thoughts.
I have taken a great step back to observe these bloggers. The middle ground is no more. At least according to those bent on seeing change in the government, never mind that the one in power was actually put in by majority of voters in their own constituencies.
They see fit that they are going to put all their weight behind the one man who has been hailed ‘Bakal Perdana Menteri’. Never mind his failed promises. Never mind his argument to lower subsidies so that it can be channeled to the Rakyat. (It is happening now, but BN is doing it, but its just unacceptable that BN has actually woken up from their long slumber) Whatever happened to being vigilant few who promised to bring the corrupt to justice? Entrapment? Waivers of RM2million of guaratees? Yes, BN is still ffing up!
The truth is, both sides, BN and PR have proven themselves to be the same. No difference. Barring of Journalist. Channelling of Education funds, increased spending for religious purposes (forgetting about the other religions in the process) and so much more.
Bloggers, like it or not has been neutralized. PR has done their part in inducing those who want to see them in power. Those who have not leaned too much in PR’s favour are deemed ‘Pro UMNO’.
I still consider people like Haris, Bernard, Shar, Stephen, Gus, Arthur, and the many more who fish regularly as my friends, in fact I count at least two of them as my brothers. I still see Rocky, Sam, Ena, Rusdi at the Press Club. Mee Rebus is still as welcoming a Tuesday as is a Saturday. Tok Mommy, Ruslani, undoubtedly the most hospitable host one can ever find! We still meet and talk shop no matter which side we prefer.
The one thing that is certain is that the divide between pro and against, whichever side you want to see the winner, is growing greater. And each side does not admit that they are also pulling their readers along with them. Or more aptly, influencing their readers, as the blog along.
I see this. I can’t stop it.
Why? I am now on the payroll of my masters. I can’t show off my fancy BMW M5. I can’t stay in my newly built 3.5 million bungalow. And I definitely cannot spend my wads of RM100 bills because I do not want to be seen as being bought.
Yup. This miserable 80 visitors a day blogger is sooooooooo gooooooooood at what he does that some people actually believe that the Prime Minister to be cannot do without.
Oh yes……electricity at blog house has been cut too, because we cannot use our hidden money to pay for it!
In the meantime, all the President’s Men and Women cannot put back ‘Apolitical’ back into Blogosphere!
Read here to know more on why his view is biased and his is not...
