Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Apples. . .
------------------Girls-------------------
------are like apples--------
-----on trees. The best ones-------
---are at the top of the tree.--------
--The boys don't want to reach-----
--for the good ones because they--
-r afraid of falling and getting hurt.-
-Instead, they get the rotten apples-
from the ground that aren't as good,
but easy. So the apples up top think
something is wrong with them when in-
-reality they're amazing. They just--
---have to wait for the right boy to
---- come along, the one who's-
----------- brave enough to-----------
------------climb all-------------
------------the way------------
------------to the top--------
------------of the tree.---------
A Strong Women. . .
A strong woman
is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter. She is not afraid to be afraid.
is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter. She is not afraid to be afraid.
A strong woman
is both soft and powerful. She takes compliments to heart and treats herself like the queen that she is.
is both soft and powerful. She takes compliments to heart and treats herself like the queen that she is.
A strong woman
is equally visionary and decisive. She is able to hope when things look hopeless. She is both practical and spiritual.
is equally visionary and decisive. She is able to hope when things look hopeless. She is both practical and spiritual.
A strong woman
in her essenceis a gift to all the world
in her essenceis a gift to all the world
Very Scary
A woman went boating one Sunday taking with her some cans of coke which she put into the refrigerator of the boat. On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit. She died on Wednesday. The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis. This was traced to the can of coke she drank from, not using a glass. Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and hence the disease Leptospirosis. Rat urine contains toxic and deadly substances. It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part of soda cans before drinking out of them. The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned. A study at NYCU showed that the tops of soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i .e.) full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of fatal accident.
TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!!
TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!!
Good Night Around The World
HOLLAND: Goeden nagt
AUSTRALIE: Night Mate
USA: Goodnite
DUITSLAND: Släfin si wöl
South Africa:
Are the doors locked, are the windows closed?
Did you pull in the car and activate the alarm?
Are the Rotweilers on their post?
Sleep tight, don't worry, Eskom will switch off the lights!
This is sosososo True !!!!!!!!
AUSTRALIE: Night Mate
USA: Goodnite
DUITSLAND: Släfin si wöl
South Africa:
Are the doors locked, are the windows closed?
Did you pull in the car and activate the alarm?
Are the Rotweilers on their post?
Sleep tight, don't worry, Eskom will switch off the lights!
This is sosososo True !!!!!!!!
VERY SAD! YOU WILL WANT TO CRY.
It's about a Muslim man named Rashid. He says ..
"I was not a practising Muslim, I had bad friends. I enjoyed going out with them. I was almost never home, but always at gatherings with friends, in these gatherings we backbited, gossiped and made fun of ppl. I was especially known among my friends to make jokes and ppl were impressed by the way I was so good at it.
One night (at the time I was 30 and married and my wife was pregnant with our 1st child) I was as usual gathered with my friends and talking useless talk. I was telling them how I was at the market one day and I saw a blind man and I put my leg out in front of this man and the blind man tripped and fell on his face. My friends laughed and so on. When I went back home that night, my wife told me 'where have u been?' 'I am so tired and sick and I think I am in labor.' A tear dropped down her cheek. I felt guilty, for I hadn't cared about my wife properly. I quickly took her to the hospital. She was in pain for a long time and could not give birth, I waited patiently, but eventually I left and told the hospital to call me when she gave birth.
An hour later, they called telling me my wife had given birth to baby boy named Salem. I quickly went to the hospital. I asked which room my wife was in. They told me I 1st had to see the doctor. I got mad at them and said "What doctor? I want to see my son!?!" they insisted that I see the doctor first. So I went to the doctor, she first talked to me about calamities and that one must accept the will (qadar) of Allah.
Then she told me, 'your son is blind!' My lowered my head and remembered the blind man I tripped and made fun of I didn't know what to say, I thanked the doctor for her kindness and went to see my wife. My wife was not sad, rather she accepted the will of Allah (swt). She had always advised me not to make fun of ppl and not to gossip and backbite.
We left the hospital. I did not care about Salem, I did not like him, I pretended that he wasn't even in the house. But, my wife loved Salem very much and cared for him. Salem grew and he began to crawl, he wasn't crawling properly. When he began to walk, we discovered that he was handicapped. This was too much for me.
Later, my wife gave birth to 2 boys, Omar and Khalid. Years passed, Salem and his brothers grew. I continued to hang out with my bad friends and did not like to be at home. However, my wife was patient with me and she always made dua that Allah guide me.
One Friday, I woke up at 11 am (which was early for me) and was getting ready to go to a walimah (I did not go to Jummah). I got dressed, put on a sweater, and was about to head out the door when I saw Salem (who was 10 yrs old) crying very loudly in the living room. So, for the first time in 10 years I cared and went to ask him why he was>crying. When Salem felt me coming near, he stopped crying and pushed me away as if to say, "Now you care, where were you for the past 10 yrs!" Salem was calling his mother and brothers, but no one was answering him, so he went to his room. I followed him. At first, he would not tell me why he was crying. Do you know why he was crying? His brother Omar, who normally took him to the masjid, was late. Salem was afraid that since it was a Friday, he would not be able to get a spot in the front row at the mosque.
I said, "is thaT why you cried Salem?" Salem answered positively. I, out of disbelief from what I heard, forgot about my friends and the walimah. I then told Salem that I would take him to the mosque. Salem could not believe what he had heard. He thought his father was mocking him. He then began to cry. I wiped Salem's tears and took him by his hand to take him to the car.
Salem refused. He said the mosque is near, and he wants to walk there by foot. I could not remember the last time I went to the mosque. The mosque was full, but I was able to find a spot for Salem in the first row.
After prayer was over, Salem asked me to get him a copy of the Quran. I thought, 'how can he want a Quran if he is blind!!!!' so I gave him one anyway so that his feelings would not be hurt. Salem then asked me to open to surat al-kahf. So when I opened it for him, Salem began to recite. He had memorized the entire surah.
I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I took a Quran and began to read. I asked Allah for forgiveness and guidance. I then began to sob like a child. There were still people in the mosque, so I tried to hide my tears.. I couldn't. I began to sob loudly. I felt a small hand wiping my tears away. It was Salem. He hugged me and I thought, 'you aren't the blind one, for I am, because I ran after the evil people who would drag me into hell-fire.'
From that day on I never missed a prayer at the mosque. My wife was really happy. I left all my bad friends and tasted the sweetness of eman. I went to halaqas. I became closer to Allah and to my family. I thanked Allah for this great blessing. One day my pious friends decided to go to a far away place to make dawah. I hesitated about going, I made istikharah and asked my wife, to my surprise she encouraged me to go. She was so happy, for before I used to travel w/o asking her.
I told Salem that I would be traveling, he hugged me with his tiny arms, bidding me farewell. I was away for 3 months and I would call my family and I missed them greatly, especially Salem. Whenever, I called I would ask for him but he was either at school or the mosque. Everytime I told my wife how much I missed him, she would laugh cheerfully. Except for the last call, she did not laugh but her voice had changed. I told her to say salam to Salem and she said "Insha Allah" and was quiet.
I finally came back home and hoped Salem would open the door for me, but Khaled did. Then I saw my wife, her face had changed. I asked her "what's wrong?" she replied "nothing." Then I remembered Salem, and asked "where is he?" My wife lowered her head and did not answer. A tear dropped down her cheek. I screamed at her, "where's Salem, where is he?'" My son Khaled (4 yrs old), said "Daddy, Thalem went to Jannah, he is with Allah." My wife could not handle it and she broke down in tears and left the room.. I found out later that Salem had got sick with a fever and went to hospital 2 weeks before I arrived. The fever worsened and his mother stayed by his side and until his soul departed his body.
"NEVER TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED; YOU MAY NOT REALISE HOW LITTLE TIME WE HAVE LEFT.
EVEN THE SMALLEST/WEAKEST PERSON IN THIS WORLD CAN MAKE AN IMPACT; AFTER ALL WE ALL SHARE THE SAME CREATOR MAY THE ALMIGHTY MAKE US HUMBLE INSHALLAH
"I was not a practising Muslim, I had bad friends. I enjoyed going out with them. I was almost never home, but always at gatherings with friends, in these gatherings we backbited, gossiped and made fun of ppl. I was especially known among my friends to make jokes and ppl were impressed by the way I was so good at it.
One night (at the time I was 30 and married and my wife was pregnant with our 1st child) I was as usual gathered with my friends and talking useless talk. I was telling them how I was at the market one day and I saw a blind man and I put my leg out in front of this man and the blind man tripped and fell on his face. My friends laughed and so on. When I went back home that night, my wife told me 'where have u been?' 'I am so tired and sick and I think I am in labor.' A tear dropped down her cheek. I felt guilty, for I hadn't cared about my wife properly. I quickly took her to the hospital. She was in pain for a long time and could not give birth, I waited patiently, but eventually I left and told the hospital to call me when she gave birth.
An hour later, they called telling me my wife had given birth to baby boy named Salem. I quickly went to the hospital. I asked which room my wife was in. They told me I 1st had to see the doctor. I got mad at them and said "What doctor? I want to see my son!?!" they insisted that I see the doctor first. So I went to the doctor, she first talked to me about calamities and that one must accept the will (qadar) of Allah.
Then she told me, 'your son is blind!' My lowered my head and remembered the blind man I tripped and made fun of I didn't know what to say, I thanked the doctor for her kindness and went to see my wife. My wife was not sad, rather she accepted the will of Allah (swt). She had always advised me not to make fun of ppl and not to gossip and backbite.
We left the hospital. I did not care about Salem, I did not like him, I pretended that he wasn't even in the house. But, my wife loved Salem very much and cared for him. Salem grew and he began to crawl, he wasn't crawling properly. When he began to walk, we discovered that he was handicapped. This was too much for me.
Later, my wife gave birth to 2 boys, Omar and Khalid. Years passed, Salem and his brothers grew. I continued to hang out with my bad friends and did not like to be at home. However, my wife was patient with me and she always made dua that Allah guide me.
One Friday, I woke up at 11 am (which was early for me) and was getting ready to go to a walimah (I did not go to Jummah). I got dressed, put on a sweater, and was about to head out the door when I saw Salem (who was 10 yrs old) crying very loudly in the living room. So, for the first time in 10 years I cared and went to ask him why he was>crying. When Salem felt me coming near, he stopped crying and pushed me away as if to say, "Now you care, where were you for the past 10 yrs!" Salem was calling his mother and brothers, but no one was answering him, so he went to his room. I followed him. At first, he would not tell me why he was crying. Do you know why he was crying? His brother Omar, who normally took him to the masjid, was late. Salem was afraid that since it was a Friday, he would not be able to get a spot in the front row at the mosque.
I said, "is thaT why you cried Salem?" Salem answered positively. I, out of disbelief from what I heard, forgot about my friends and the walimah. I then told Salem that I would take him to the mosque. Salem could not believe what he had heard. He thought his father was mocking him. He then began to cry. I wiped Salem's tears and took him by his hand to take him to the car.
Salem refused. He said the mosque is near, and he wants to walk there by foot. I could not remember the last time I went to the mosque. The mosque was full, but I was able to find a spot for Salem in the first row.
After prayer was over, Salem asked me to get him a copy of the Quran. I thought, 'how can he want a Quran if he is blind!!!!' so I gave him one anyway so that his feelings would not be hurt. Salem then asked me to open to surat al-kahf. So when I opened it for him, Salem began to recite. He had memorized the entire surah.
I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I took a Quran and began to read. I asked Allah for forgiveness and guidance. I then began to sob like a child. There were still people in the mosque, so I tried to hide my tears.. I couldn't. I began to sob loudly. I felt a small hand wiping my tears away. It was Salem. He hugged me and I thought, 'you aren't the blind one, for I am, because I ran after the evil people who would drag me into hell-fire.'
From that day on I never missed a prayer at the mosque. My wife was really happy. I left all my bad friends and tasted the sweetness of eman. I went to halaqas. I became closer to Allah and to my family. I thanked Allah for this great blessing. One day my pious friends decided to go to a far away place to make dawah. I hesitated about going, I made istikharah and asked my wife, to my surprise she encouraged me to go. She was so happy, for before I used to travel w/o asking her.
I told Salem that I would be traveling, he hugged me with his tiny arms, bidding me farewell. I was away for 3 months and I would call my family and I missed them greatly, especially Salem. Whenever, I called I would ask for him but he was either at school or the mosque. Everytime I told my wife how much I missed him, she would laugh cheerfully. Except for the last call, she did not laugh but her voice had changed. I told her to say salam to Salem and she said "Insha Allah" and was quiet.
I finally came back home and hoped Salem would open the door for me, but Khaled did. Then I saw my wife, her face had changed. I asked her "what's wrong?" she replied "nothing." Then I remembered Salem, and asked "where is he?" My wife lowered her head and did not answer. A tear dropped down her cheek. I screamed at her, "where's Salem, where is he?'" My son Khaled (4 yrs old), said "Daddy, Thalem went to Jannah, he is with Allah." My wife could not handle it and she broke down in tears and left the room.. I found out later that Salem had got sick with a fever and went to hospital 2 weeks before I arrived. The fever worsened and his mother stayed by his side and until his soul departed his body.
"NEVER TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED; YOU MAY NOT REALISE HOW LITTLE TIME WE HAVE LEFT.
EVEN THE SMALLEST/WEAKEST PERSON IN THIS WORLD CAN MAKE AN IMPACT; AFTER ALL WE ALL SHARE THE SAME CREATOR MAY THE ALMIGHTY MAKE US HUMBLE INSHALLAH
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Animal Farm
Animal Farm was a satirical fable written by George Orwell. The fable was written in light of the Russian revolution. The book starts off with a dream that Old major had. The ideal was of 'Animalism' i.e. the freedom of the animals from oppression by humans. This ideal is brought to life by the animals. From the start, the pigs assume authority. With their authority they begin having more privileges over the other animals. The initial course begins to alter. Orwell is showing how people in authority change their motives and interprets situations differently for personal gain. This shows that power is very corrupting. Greed is a very nasty thing. He is telling us that a classless and totally equal society can never be established. Also, people are gullible (in this instance shown through the animals). Thus far the novel has been very intense, informative and a mind opener.Tuesday, May 6, 2008
PROPAGANDA
Literal meaning: Propaganda is a concerted set of the messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of the people. Instead of impartially providing information, propaganda in its most of the basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda
Origination: The word originates from the Latin name Congregatio de Propaganda Fide ("Congregation for the Spreading of the Faith") of a congregation founded by Pope Gregory V in 1422, shortly after the start of the Children's Crusade. This department of the pontifical administration was charged with the spread of Catholicism and with the regulation of ecclesiastical affairs in mission territory.
The Latin adjective propaganda, which is a form of the gerundive of the verb propago (from pro- "forth" + *pag-, root of pangere "to fasten"), means "that which is to be spread" and does not carry a connotation of information, misleading or otherwise. The modern sense dates from World War I, when the term evolved to be mainly associated with politics.
Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, radio, television, posters, communication and print media. In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current-affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public-service announce "spots" or as long-running advertorials. Propaganda campaigns often follow a strategic transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group.
(wikepedia meaning)
My interpretation: propaganda is a teqnique used to have your say. Propaganda is used to get people on your side. To get them to believe that what you are saying is right and the truth. Different types of propaganda targets different groups of people. Propagana can be known as a tool to help people think differently. Propaganda starts from an idea. Than propaganda is used to believe that ideology. The whole truth is never told. Only one side of the truth is told. The language of propaganda is very subtle and inviting. Propaganda on its own is not sensational and dramatic. The mass media sensationalizes and dramatizes propaganda. Propaganda promotes coloqualism and uses a lot of political jargon. Propaganda appeals to emotion rather than intellect.
Propaganda Techniques
Assertion:
Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true. They often imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up, but that it should merely be accepted without question. Examples of assertion, although somewhat scarce in wartime propaganda, can be found often in modern advertising propaganda. Any time an advertiser states that their product is the best without providing evidence for this, they are using an assertion. The subject, ideally, should simply agree to the statement without searching for additional information or reasoning. Assertions, although usually simple to spot, are often dangerous forms of propaganda because they often include falsehoods or lies.
Bandwagon:
Bandwagon is one of the most common techniques in both wartime and peacetime and plays an important part in modern advertising. Bandwagon is an appeal to the subject to follow the crowd, to join in because others are doing so as well. Bandwagon propaganda is, essentially, trying to convince the subject that one side is the winning side, because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to believe that since so many people have joined, that victory is inevitable and defeat impossible. Since the average person always wants to be on the winning side, he or she is compelled to join in. However, in modern propaganda, bandwagon has taken a new twist. The subject is to be convinced by the propaganda that since everyone else is doing it, they will be left out if they do not. This is, effectively, the opposite of the other type of bandwagon, but usually provokes the same results. Subjects of bandwagon are compelled to join in because everyone else is doing so as well. When confronted with bandwagon propaganda, we should weigh the pros and cons of joining in independently from the amount of people who have already joined, and, as with most types of propaganda, we should seek more information.
Card stacking:
Card stacking involves only presenting information that is positive to an idea or proposal and omitting information contrary to it. Card stacking is used in almost all forms of propaganda, and is extremely effective in convincing the public. Although the majority of information presented by the card stacking approach is true, it is dangerous because it omits important information. The best way to deal with card stacking is to get more information.
Glittering Generalities:
Glittering generalities occurs very often in politics and political propaganda. Glittering generalities are words that have different positive meaning for individual subjects, but are linked to highly valued concepts. When these words are used, they demand approval without thinking, simply because such an important concept is involved. The concept of democracy has a positive connotation to them because it is linked to a concept that they value. Words often used as glittering generalities are honor, glory, love of country, and especially in the United States, freedom. When coming across with glittering generalities, we should especially consider the merits of the idea itself when separated from specific words.
Simplification (Stereotyping):
Simplification is extremely similar to pinpointing the enemy, in that it often reduces a complex situation to a clear-cut choice involving good and evil. This technique is often useful in swaying uneducated audiences. When faced with simplification, it is often useful to examine other factors and pieces of the proposal or idea, and, as with all other forms of propaganda, it is essential to get more information.
(internet-propaganda techniques)
Origination: The word originates from the Latin name Congregatio de Propaganda Fide ("Congregation for the Spreading of the Faith") of a congregation founded by Pope Gregory V in 1422, shortly after the start of the Children's Crusade. This department of the pontifical administration was charged with the spread of Catholicism and with the regulation of ecclesiastical affairs in mission territory.
The Latin adjective propaganda, which is a form of the gerundive of the verb propago (from pro- "forth" + *pag-, root of pangere "to fasten"), means "that which is to be spread" and does not carry a connotation of information, misleading or otherwise. The modern sense dates from World War I, when the term evolved to be mainly associated with politics.
Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, radio, television, posters, communication and print media. In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current-affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public-service announce "spots" or as long-running advertorials. Propaganda campaigns often follow a strategic transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group.
(wikepedia meaning)
My interpretation: propaganda is a teqnique used to have your say. Propaganda is used to get people on your side. To get them to believe that what you are saying is right and the truth. Different types of propaganda targets different groups of people. Propagana can be known as a tool to help people think differently. Propaganda starts from an idea. Than propaganda is used to believe that ideology. The whole truth is never told. Only one side of the truth is told. The language of propaganda is very subtle and inviting. Propaganda on its own is not sensational and dramatic. The mass media sensationalizes and dramatizes propaganda. Propaganda promotes coloqualism and uses a lot of political jargon. Propaganda appeals to emotion rather than intellect.
Propaganda Techniques
Assertion:
Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true. They often imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up, but that it should merely be accepted without question. Examples of assertion, although somewhat scarce in wartime propaganda, can be found often in modern advertising propaganda. Any time an advertiser states that their product is the best without providing evidence for this, they are using an assertion. The subject, ideally, should simply agree to the statement without searching for additional information or reasoning. Assertions, although usually simple to spot, are often dangerous forms of propaganda because they often include falsehoods or lies.
Bandwagon:
Bandwagon is one of the most common techniques in both wartime and peacetime and plays an important part in modern advertising. Bandwagon is an appeal to the subject to follow the crowd, to join in because others are doing so as well. Bandwagon propaganda is, essentially, trying to convince the subject that one side is the winning side, because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to believe that since so many people have joined, that victory is inevitable and defeat impossible. Since the average person always wants to be on the winning side, he or she is compelled to join in. However, in modern propaganda, bandwagon has taken a new twist. The subject is to be convinced by the propaganda that since everyone else is doing it, they will be left out if they do not. This is, effectively, the opposite of the other type of bandwagon, but usually provokes the same results. Subjects of bandwagon are compelled to join in because everyone else is doing so as well. When confronted with bandwagon propaganda, we should weigh the pros and cons of joining in independently from the amount of people who have already joined, and, as with most types of propaganda, we should seek more information.
Card stacking:
Card stacking involves only presenting information that is positive to an idea or proposal and omitting information contrary to it. Card stacking is used in almost all forms of propaganda, and is extremely effective in convincing the public. Although the majority of information presented by the card stacking approach is true, it is dangerous because it omits important information. The best way to deal with card stacking is to get more information.
Glittering Generalities:
Glittering generalities occurs very often in politics and political propaganda. Glittering generalities are words that have different positive meaning for individual subjects, but are linked to highly valued concepts. When these words are used, they demand approval without thinking, simply because such an important concept is involved. The concept of democracy has a positive connotation to them because it is linked to a concept that they value. Words often used as glittering generalities are honor, glory, love of country, and especially in the United States, freedom. When coming across with glittering generalities, we should especially consider the merits of the idea itself when separated from specific words.
Simplification (Stereotyping):
Simplification is extremely similar to pinpointing the enemy, in that it often reduces a complex situation to a clear-cut choice involving good and evil. This technique is often useful in swaying uneducated audiences. When faced with simplification, it is often useful to examine other factors and pieces of the proposal or idea, and, as with all other forms of propaganda, it is essential to get more information.
(internet-propaganda techniques)
(www.thematzats.com/propaganda/prop/tsld003.htm - 2k)
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