Black . White . Grey

MYTH ~ "Well to Hell Hoax"

2008-06-23T23:00:00.007+08:00

Monad Says: Check out the truth based on scientific evidence and use logical thinking. What has caused the drilling project to stop? Will it be possible to continue the drilling process?

The "Well to Hell" is a fictitious borehole in the Soviet Union which was purportedly drilled so deep that it broke through to hell. This urban legend has been circulating on the Internet since at least 1997. It is first attested in English as a 1989 broadcast by Trinity Broadcasting Network, which had picked up the story from Finnish newspaper reports.

The legend and its basis

The legend holds that scientists in Siberia had drilled a hole nine miles (14.5 km) deep before hitting a pocket of air. Intrigued by this unexpected discovery, they lowered an extremely heat tolerant microphone, along with other sensory equipment, into the well. The temperature deep within was a 2,000°F (1,100°C) — heat from a chamber of fire from which screams of the damned could be heard.

Soviet scientists had, in fact, drilled a hole almost eight miles deep in Kola (the Kola Superdeep Borehole), and found some interesting geological anomalies, although they reported no supernatural encounters. Temperatures reached 180°C (360 °F), making deeper drilling prohibitively expensive.

Propagation

United States tabloids soon ran the story, and sound files – recordings of those alleged supplications from the damned – began appearing on various sites across the Internet. The story eventually made its way to TBN, which broadcasted it on the network, claiming it to be "proof" of the literal existence of Hell as taught in Christianity.

Age Rendalen, a Norwegian teacher, disgusted with what he perceived to be mass gullibility, decided to augment the tale at TBN's expense. Having heard the original story on TBN during a visit to the US, he wrote to the network, originally claiming that he disbelieved the tale but, upon his return to Norway, supposedly read a "factual account" of the story. According to Rendalen, the "story" claimed not only that the cursed well was real, but that a bat-like apparition had risen out of it before blazing a trail across the Russian sky.

Rendalen deliberately mistranslated a Norwegian article – an insignificant piece about a local building inspector – and submitted both the original story and the "translation" to TBN, along with a letter which included his real name, phone number, and address, as well as those of a pastor friend who knew about the hoax and had agreed to expose it to anyone who called seeking verification.

However, TBN never bothered to verify Rendalen's claims (which would have immediately led to the hoax being exposed) and aired the story as "proof" of the validity of the original story.

TRENDS ~ Tips on Pumping Petrol

2008-06-17T21:59:00.018+08:00

Monad Says: Here are some scientific tips on how to optimise petrol usage and how/when to get the best petrol for your car usage.

Important Tips While Pumping Petrol

Here's some petrol saving tips.

Someone who has been in petroleum pipeline business for about 31 years and is currently working for the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline in San Jose, CA wrote the following information:

We deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period from the pipe line; one day it's diesel, the next day it's jet fuel and gasoline. We have 34 storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons. Here are some tricks to help you get your money's worth.

1. PUMP IN THE MORNING ~ Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground; and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so if you're filling up in the afternoon or in the evening, what should be a gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and temperature of the fuel (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products) are significant. Every truckload that we load is temperature -compensated so that the indicated gallonage is actually the amount pumped. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for businesses, but service stations don't have temperature compensation at their pumps.

2. DUN PUMP WHEN THERE'S A TANKER ~ If a tanker truck is filling the station's tank at the time you want to buy gas, do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered, and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car's tank.

3. THE 50% TANK REFILL RULE ~ Fill up when your gas tank is half-full (or half-empty), because the more gas you have in your tank the less air there is and ! gasoline evaporates rapidly, especially when it's warm. (Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating 'roof' membrane to act as a barrier between the gas and the atmosphere, thereby minimizing evaporation.)

4. PUMP SLOWLY ~ If you look at the trigger you'll see that it has three delivery settings: slow, medium and high. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the high setting. You should be pumping at the slow setting, thereby minimizing vapors created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump are corrugated; the corrugations act as a return path for vapor recovery from gas that already has been metered. If you are pumping at the high setting, the agitated gasoline contains more vapor, which is being sucked back into the underground tank, so you're getting less gas for your money.

Hope this will help to ease your 'pain @ the pump'!

Source: One Motoring Forum

NEWS ~ "Miss International Queen"

2007-11-12T23:59:00.000+08:00

Monad Says: Last Sunday, a Thai business student wept and embraced her rivals after being crowned the world's most beautiful transsexual. Tanyarat Jirapatpakon was named Miss International Queen 2007, besting 23 glamourous transsexuals who had come to the Thai beach resort of Pattaya from as far as Germany and Puerto Rico for a shot at the coveted diamond crown. The Thai's extravagant yet elegant costumes and dedication to environmental causes helped carry the big day. However, the controversial aspects of transsexual remains a social issue in many countries. Will transsexuals be legally recognized and accepted in the society of conservative Asians? What are your views?

Black: Male, Female plus "She-Male"!

White: Male & Female Only!

Grey: Although the controversial issue of transsexual is against the law of nature, it remains a persistent phenomenon in our society today. Many countries chose to adopt a grey policy, especially towards the issue on human rights of transsexuals, gays and lesbians, where governments enact laws and bans in efforts to discourage it but somehow it may not be enforced in a strict sense. Perhaps, some limited breathing space is created for these groups. Should our legal system allow a special code to recognise transsexual gender entity and establish their legal rights?

Video Credit: Reuters

Miss International Queen 2007 Tanyarat Jirapatpakon (C) of Thailand is kissed by the runner-up Chanel Madrigal (L) of Philippines and Aleika Barros (R) of Brazil in the world's biggest transsexual beauty contest held in Pattaya, Thailand.

THAILAND: (Pattaya) — Dressed in a flowing yellow gown with matching earrings, a demure Thai business student wept and embraced her rivals after being crowned the world's most beautiful transsexual.

Tanyarat Jirapatpakon was named Miss International Queen 2007 on Sunday, besting 23 stunning transsexuals who had come to the Thai beach resort of Pattaya from as far as Germany and Puerto Rico for a shot at the diamond crown.

The Thai's extravagant yet elegant costumes and dedication to environmental causes helped carry the day, taking her past runners-up Aleika Barros of Brazil and Chanel Madrigal of the Philippines.

"I feel excited and so happy. Everybody enjoyed the contest and I didn't expect anything like this," the 21-year-old said from atop her throne after winning 10,000 dollars and the title.

In a nation obsessed with beauty pageants and famous for its sexual tolerance, this elaborate contest is taken every bit as seriously as the more traditional competitions.

Contestants' costumes can cost up to one million baht (33,000 dollars), and the audience was treated to all the glitz and glam of conventional beauty pageants, complete with swimsuit and evening-wear rounds.

"This is the night I have been preparing for my whole life," gushed Colombia's Melania Armenta, a 25-year-old model.

Festivities began on Saturday evening, with last year's winner Erica Andrews performing "Mexican Aztec" -- an upbeat, pulsating dance homage to her homeland complete with ancient pyramids, flashing native symbols and historic outfits.

In the costume round, Tanyarat had to compete against a butterfly, a swan and a Mercedes Benz, but the top prize in the category was given to Japan's Beni Tsukishima for her authentic kabuki ensemble.

Tanyarat's angelic white-beaded evening wear, fit for the grandest of galas, gave way to the more salacious floral pink bikini in the swimsuit competition, showing off her shapely legs and slim figure.

But she finally wooed the crowd with dedication to loftier issues.

"Global warming is one of the most serious problems the world faces today," she said when asked how she helps educate people on environmental issues.

"I tell them to 'think about it'. It's your world too," she said.

The crowd, consisting of mostly Thais and the occasional bewildered tourist, cheered loudly for the homegrown favourite but were upstaged by feverish, flag-waving Filipinos who supported four of their compatriots.

Tiffany's Show Pattaya, which runs the event and claims to be the world's largest transsexual cabaret, said more than 25 million Thai television viewers had been expected to tune in.

Known in Thailand as "kathoey," or the third gender, Thai transsexuals have slowly been leaving cabarets for mainstream success in music and other endeavours, helped in part by the popularity of beauty contests.

Participants praised Thailand for its progressive attitude towards sexuality.

"There is still a lot of discrimination against people like me in the Philippines," said 24-year-old Rain Marie Madrigal, from Manila.

"Thailand is like a utopia for transgender people."

(Source: AFP)

More Readings:

AFP News

Photos

TRENDS ~ "Yellow Ribbon Project"

2007-09-15T23:59:00.000+08:00

Monad Says: The "Yellow Ribbon Project" is a meaningful and inspiring initiative that raises awareness of giving chances to ex-offenders who sincerely want to improve themselves and helping them to regain acceptance in the community. Can we accept these sincere ex-offenders again in our society with a forgiving heart?

Black: These convicted ex-offenders have already served their due term in prison under the country's law.

White: The mission of "Yellow Ribbon Project" is to help this group of ex-offenders who are hoping to regain social acceptance.

Grey: Every ex-offender have their own story about why they are put behind the bars. How can this group of ex-offenders gain support and acceptance in our society again? Are we prepared to take the 'risk' and pledge our support by wearing the yellow ribbon?

Image Credit: YRP

SINGAPORE: The inspiration for the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP) is linked to a popular song in the 70s, 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree'.

"I'm really still in prison and my love, she holds the key, a simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free..."

The 3 lines from the lyrics above, aptly describes how ex-offenders are actually incarcerated in 2 prisons. The first is the physical prison. However, it is a matter of time before ex-offenders are released. However, when they are released, they enter into a second 'prison', which is the psychological and social imprisonment. The "she" who holds the key to unlocking the second 'prison', refers to the ex-offender's family, friends, neighbours, employers, colleagues, volunteers, religious group and the community at large.

About the Song ~ "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree"

The song is believed to be based on an actual incident that occurred on-board a southern bus bound for Miami in Florida, USA. One of the passengers explained to the driver that he was just out of prison, having served three years for passing bad checks.

In a letter to his wife, he had written that she didn't have to wait for him; but, if she was still interested, she could let him know by tying a yellow ribbon around the only oak tree in the city square. As the bus rolled down the U.S. 17, nearing the man's hometown of White Oak, Georgia, the driver was asked to slow down so that all the passengers could see whether the ribbon was in place.

To the man's tearful relief, it was. The driver pulled over and phoned the story in to the wire services, which spread all over the country. Songwriters Irwin levine and L. Russell Brown read about it the newspaper then put together their million-selling ballad.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
Words and Music by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown
Performed by Tony Orlando

I'm coming home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been there three long years Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the oak tree'
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
'cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison
And my love, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Now the whole darn bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole oak tree
I'm comin' home, mmm, mmm
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree...

(Source: YRP)

More Readings:

Yellow Ribbon Project

ChannelNewsAsia

MCYS

NEWS ~ "Negarakuku?"

2007-08-18T23:59:00.000+08:00

Monad Says: This incident involved a Malaysian student studying in Taiwan. He has created a highly controversial rap video depicting Malaysia's national anthem and posted it online at YouTube.com. As a result, it sparked strong protests in Malaysia. What's your say?

Black: Malaysian authorities are currently investigating the case involving a YouTube video of a student rapping to the national anthem using allegedly seditious lyrics. Thousands of people have already viewed the 6-min video clip made by NameWee, a 24-year-old Malaysian student (his real name is Wee Meng Chee 黃明志) at Taiwan's Ming Chuan University. He also poked fun at Muslim morning prayers broadcast from mosques, corrupt policemen and laid-back civil servants, who are mostly Malays. Some lyrics implied that Malays are arrogant and Chinese are hardworking. Angry Malaysians protested that the video ridiculed Malaysia's national anthem and official religion Islam. Malaysia’s Internal Security Ministry said police would investigate the video clip case to determine whether the student has violated the country's strict sedition laws. If convicted, he is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine.

White: In response, Mr. Wee Meng Chee, who studies at the Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, insisted he was patriotic and didn't mean to be seditious or to attack the government (according to The Star newspaper). "I'm simply reflecting the truth about our society through my music and I did not mean to offend anyone by producing such a video clip. I still love my country," Wee was quoted as saying. Wee said in the report that he wrote the song in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th independence celebration on 31 Aug, describing it as his "gift" to the country. He claimed that he has already removed the video from the Web site after receiving negative responses but it was uploaded again by some other supporters, the newspaper said. His Dad has also made a public apology at a press conference on behalf of Wee in Malaysia.

Grey: What is Wee’s real intention? Was it politically motivated or just another 'creative' work by him? (Wee has created other similar works previously). The fact is that his video clip has gained growing number of supporters worldwide. Some even praised him for boldness and creative talents! Although patriotism can be demonstrated in many ways, Wee decided to craft a rap video to express his mixed patriotic sentiments towards his home country Malaysia. Did he ever consider the possible implications linked to this video clip in the eyes of fellow Malaysians? Probably he did not expect to create such a huge impact. How would Malaysian authorities handle this case? Is it appropriate to punish Wee by sedition law? At the start of the video, Wee made a clever 'Durian' analogy about his video that some people would condemn Durian as ugly-looking and pungent whereas some would appreciate its texture and fragrance...It all depends on individual's sense of smell!

Some Grey Notes:

* The fact is that Wee re-produced Malaysia's national anthem in a controversial style and rapped it in a seemingly 'patriotic' tone. This incident happened during a sensitive period (as Malaysia's 50th National Day falls on 31 Aug).

* The title of Malaysia's national anthem is "Negaraku" meaning "My Country". What does he mean by "Negarakuku"? Some people commented that "Negarakuku" means "My Negaraku"? However, the term "kuku" (in Chinese) has a different meaning!

* In the video clip, Wee demonstrated 'patriotism' by using a symbolic item such as the Malaysia national flag as a backdrop. Malaysia's national anthem and video clips of its tourism promotion scenes are edited and fused with images/scenes he created. This could also become a case of intellectual property rights infringement.

* Some people may have misinterpreted Wee's intention. Perhaps he did not mean to insult Islam, but merely highlighted that those early morning Adhan prayer broadcasts through the loudspeakers are daily 'morning calls' to non-muslims.

* The contents in Wee's video are mostly based on his personal views and frustrations over certain aspects he observed within Malaysia and its government. Wee's style is consistent with his previous works such as the 'Muar Chinese' rap song. However, it contains pro-Chinese tone and some crude racial remarks. If this case is not handled properly, it could set a negative precedent and may even spark unnecessary racial conflict within Malaysia.

Video Credit: YouTube

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities are investigating the YouTube video of a student rapping to the national anthem using allegedly seditious lyrics, the Straits Times reported on Wednesday citing officials.

Nearly half a million people have already watched the six-minute video by Namewee, a 24-year-old Malaysian student at Taiwan's Ming Chuan University, a log on the popular video sharing site showed.

In the intro to the video, which shows a Malaysian flag in the background, Namewee dedicates the song to "all Malaysians, specially the government".

According to the paper, the song – in a mixture of Mandarin and Bahasa – contained lyrics which "touched on racially-sensitive issues by sarcastically singing the morning call to prayer for Muslims".

A partial translation of the lyrics circulating in the Internet says they also portray Malaysian police as corrupt extortionists.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum said police would look at the video clip to determine whether the student violated the country's strict sedition laws.

"If he has, we will act against him under the Sedition Act," Johari said.

Originally enacted by British colonial authorities, sedition is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 5,000 ringgit (1,400 dollars).

Rights groups and press freedom activists have previously accused Malaysian authorities of applying the law to stifle political critics.

Liow Tiong, the deputy youth and sports minister, said that while Namewee may have only tried to express his nationalism, he had inadvertently insulted the national anthem.

"He seems patriotic but needs guidance to show his patriotism in the proper way," he said, adding he should not have disparaged national symbols.

At the end of the video clip, Namewee says in Bahasa "Don't sue me. I don't have money."

CD versions of the song are reportedly being sold secretly in Kuala Lumpur bazaars or night markets.

- AFP/so

(Source: ChannelNewsAsia.com)
Date: 08 August 2007 1530 hrs (SST)

More Readings:

ChannelNewsAsia (14 Aug)
YouTube
Wikipedia
Namewee.com
Penang Watch
PJ Net
Miri Community
The Malaysian Bar
Malaysia Today
ReCom.org
Pro-Mahathir (Blogger)
MonsterBlog (Blogger)
YouTube - ("Namewee in Taiwan News")
YouTube - ("Malaysia's Foreign Minister ~ Negarakuku")
YouTube - by namewee ("Muar Chinese Part 1")
YouTube - by namewee ("Muar Chinese Part 2")
YouTube - by namewee ("Muar Story Part 1")
YouTube - by namewee ("Muar Story Part 2")
YouTube - by namewee ("Down With Ah-Bian!")

NEWS ~ "Authenticity of Buddha Tooth Relic"

2007-08-01T23:59:00.000+08:00

Monad: This is an issue regarding the authenticity of a symbolic religious treasure, the Buddha Tooth Relic. What are your views?

Black: The general public demanded to know the truth and some suggested official verification. Scientifically, there are supporting evidence from expert sources claiming that the Buddha tooth relic does not belong to a human being but rather it may be from a herbivorous animal.

White: This issue has made headlines in Singapore. The religious organisation has a responsibility towards public accountability. The head of Buddha Tooth Relic temple has already made a statement on their stand. However, the discussion still goes on.

Grey: What has sparked this issue? What is the significance in contending the authenticity of the Buddha Tooth Relic? How should Buddhists respond to such issues whenever queries are raised? Will the authorities ever convince the general public and bring the issue to a proper closure?

Photo Credit: Dharma.Net

SINGAPORE: Some people are still questioning the authenticity of the Buddha tooth relic housed in a temple along South Bridge Road.

The relic is stored in a stupa on the fourth floor of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

No one is allowed to enter the chamber, but one can see the stupa from the outside.

The stupa was built using 420 kilograms of gold, donated by devotees who can only visit the tooth relic twice a year - the first day of the Lunar New Year and Vesak Day.

The only other way to see the tooth relic is through brochures, which could be why people are made more curious about its authenticity.

However, some experts have reportedly questioned whether the tooth is from the Buddha himself.

Renowned artist Tan Swie Hian had done some research on Buddhism and believes it teaches the pursuit of truth.

He said: "I don't mind praying to a buffalo's tooth provided I'm told it is one. Let me get it right before my prayer. The Buddha's teaching is all about seeing things as they are and this is nothing to do with Buddhism or faith. It is a claim that can be easily, conclusively proven by science."

The founder of Nei Xue Tang, a Buddhist art museum, said he had received similar-looking tooth relics when he visited Myanmar previously.

Woon Wee Teng said: "Many monks gave them to me. They told me these teeth are quite similar to the one in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. They told me to bring them home to Singapore and put in the museum to display. Of course, I'm very careful. I must do due diligence. What I did was to take them back, check with the vet......dentists - they're all forensics. They confirmed that these are non-human, herbivore's teeth. So I make a decision to not display them."

Mr Woon added that if a temple has the Buddha tooth, then, as a public institution, it has the responsibility to prove its authenticity.

The responsibility is even greater if the temple is collecting public money, he said.

Ong Kim Dee, a donor, agreed: "Since we've donated the money, we need to know the truth."

"The Reverend Fa Zhao has to come out to speak the truth. You cannot simply brush it off and say, 'if you think it's real, it's real'. It's not correct," said Liau Ming Ong, another donor.

"We mustn't be seen by the outside world, internationally that we can't tell the difference between a horse's tooth and a human tooth. That would be a disaster....an embarrassment. I think they (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple) should get it right and since it's so clear that it's a herbivore's tooth, then they must rectify it," said Mr Woon.

And, verifying the authenticity of all displays is something the Asian Civilisations Museum takes seriously.

Tan Huism, Deputy Director of Asian Civilisation Museum's Curation and Collections, said: "We would look at the pieces and see how they compare with similar pieces from other museums. Of course, you could also do a scientific testing."

When contacted, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple's monk, who was overseas, said he was unable to comment.
But within the temple grounds, there are many notices explaining its position on the tooth relic.

It said the suggestion of DNA testing, while simple, is a practical challenge to conduct.

It added that DNA testing is also invasive and that it is unlikely that any Buddhist temple and their devotees would agree to such a test on what they believe to be the Buddha's tooth. - CNA/ch/ir

(Source: ChannelNewsAsia.com)
Date: 22 July 2007 2149 hrs (SST)

More Readings:

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Wikipedia
The Straits Times
ST Discussion Board
ST STOMP
Buddhist Channel (15 Jul)
Buddhist Channel (22 Jul)
SG Forums
Yahoo! News (India)
AsiaMedia
Alvin Lim (Blogger)