Guest Blogger: Of Big Mac and Teh Tarik

This written by my close friend, R Droto, who happens to be this month's Guest Blogger. You can read more of his writings here.


By R Droto

"I'm lovin' it"

Where in the world is peace? Well, it lies in your hand, for Goodness' sake! Flat out your hand, no, your fingers until you clearly see your palm. Then, close your thumb, ring finger and your pinkie. And there you go, PEACE - grinning until you see your glistening teeth in front of the mirror, water or its equivalent. Indeed, peace is actually in your hand. You are the one who would call the shot!

Remember a clown with a curly reddish hair and one-foot long shoes with circular shape at the edge? He also wears red and white stripes t-shirt. You must have noticed this guy if you like to eat strawberry Sundae and Big Mac burger. If you don't, I bet you are always using the drive-thru.

It is confusing. It truly is. Undoubtedly, people are starting to detest the regime for their merciless massacre in a land which they unwaveringly claim theirs. Historically speaking, the land was occupied by Arabs (Muslims, Christians and whatnot) for thousands of years, after which there were lots of conflicts that culminated in wars.

I know, I know, people are now hoping to get lowest possible prices for teh tarik, hence, price war breaks out. It's a good thing though to have a war like this. That shows how perfectly competitive teh tarik stalls are. Yeah, how ironic!

Not surprisingly, there are also some who couldn't be bothered by the situation in Gaza. Why? Let's see whether or not their all-time favourite fast food is still the aforementioned. Some might go straight off saying that the global economy is experiencing its recession, much to the extent that the situation may be worse off in a few months time. Hence, boycotting their Big Macs wouldn’t do any good to the global economy.

Fingers crossed, no more 1930s Great Depression. It could, however be justified if the economy is bent on agonizing people of all walks. Try to switch from Conventional Financial System to Islamic Financial System. Chances are, no one would be cast aside. Everyone is entitled to equal rights regardless of their status and social classes. Justified? Give it a shot then.

Granted, young children are being slaughtered in Gaza City, granted, the US doesn't give it a damn, instead it continues supplying military aid to the violent regime, granted people are still having starbucks coffee, granted president-elect Obama keeps quiet, granted, teh tarik dah kurang manis - though good for health.

Seeing children with limbs being torn off is so emotionally poignant. If only I were UAE's prime minister, if only I were the Iranian president, if only I were Barack Obama - I would have done whatever I could to put a halt to the massacre - OR technically called the genocide.

The root-beer (or Coca-cola for that matter) of the problem is none other than the extremists. Well, extremists being extremists. Nothing matters other than their own ideology with which they vow to do whatever it takes to disseminate. Dealing with them is a hell of a chore. Negotiation? This will do any good so long as both sides of the aisle unanimously abide by the resolution. Yeah, Strawberry Sundae will, at the end of the day, melt (if not being eaten instantly).

An old friend of mine was fervently advocating the military means by Israel as a tool to wipe out the entire Hamas population. Like an old man finishing off his last drops of teh tarik, but in a more subtle way. Infamous weapons like those of chemical are deployed to subtly obliterate the population; like a child licking the remaining BBQ sauce on the burger cover. What he believes - which is also what I believe, is that, there are always two sides of the story. One is right while another is wrong - or else, both are wrong which is presumably due to their selfish and baseless ideologies.

One wonders, the UN calls for a ceasefire was not being entertained. So, what’s the use of having a UN? What’s the use of coffee if it's not for Starbucks, The Coffee Beans and the like? Well, if we look back retrospectively, never once did Israel give a damn to UN's demand, let alone OIC's, let alone Middle-east countries, let alone South-east Asia's OR even Malaysia, for that matter! As written by a renowned scholar, 14 millions Jews in the world can actually outlast peoples from the other side of the divide. They have, indeed, done wonders for the world whilst others are still crawling to find the meaning of life - or kowtowing to the demands of these so-called economic-super-powerful people.

Speaking about economy, in Malaysia for instance, Pak Lah's heir-apparent has been very wary in facing the impending calamity of financial turmoil – which will come ashore at any time. After assuming the Finance Ministry Office, he comes out with RM7b stimulus package, which can, in a way or another, avert Malaysia from plunging into depression in the near future. It’s like a rose-coloured vision of a young country, isn’t it? Hope it isn't going to be just another bailout-er. Hence, more Teh Tarik stalls can be built by the ranks offering obscenely low prices for the combo tarik-and-roti-canai-kosong (AKA value meal)!

Now, I'm REALLY lovin' it!


Glossary
The tarik : An all-time favourite beverage by most Malaysians during breakfast. Made from tea and milk.


R Droto tries very hard to be sarcastic, but to no avail. He is committed to getting pleasure in writing which has become his favourite pastime since 2007. Will be pursuing his first degree in Commerce in Melbourne next month, he hopes to find comfort in getting his messages crossed.