“A Nation’s Strength” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes a nation’s pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly…
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

Does it seem anywhere remotely apply to Kuwait?

Should have been “Expatriates men who work while the citizens sleep..“?

That’s what makes a nation great, not wealth.

Michael Jackson – Moonwalker, The King of Pop dies

Jackson died of cardiac arrest at UCLA Medical Center.

His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.

He was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Ind. Among their No. 1 hits were “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”

He was born August 28, 1958 – one of 9 kids. His father reportedly nicknamed him “Big Nose”.

Mike was born a cute African-American guy. “Normal”, if you will, and very talented. Despite the current, sad stories about his lonely, sad childhood, Mike grew up surrounded by famous people and an adoring public. At age 5, Mike and his brothers were the amazing ‘Jackson 5′. They played locally, then in New York and Philly. They were “discovered” by Gladys Knight and pianist Billy Taylor at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. By age 11, Mike was a Superstar. At age 13 he went solo and had his first #1 hit at 14 with “Ben” (a touching love song to a rat). Who knew he’d get addicted to plastic surgery, face accusations of child molestation and end up America’s Most Famous Sideshow?

During production of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, Jackson’s scalp sustains burns when an explosion sets his hair on fire.

Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994, and they divorced in 1996. Later that year, Jackson married Deborah Rowe, a former nurse for his dermatologist. They had two children together: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, now 12; and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. Rowe filed for divorce in 1999.

Jackson also had a third child, Prince Michael II. Now 7, Jackson said the boy nicknamed Blanket as a baby was his biological child born from a surrogate mother.

Thriller, released in 1982, is the biggest-selling album of all time, shifting 65m copies, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

He scored seven UK number ones as a solo artist and won a total of 13 Grammy awards.

I got a booty of $ 10 million one fine morning?

What would you do with a booty of $ 10 million that you happen to get one fine morning?

This question is towards a study of the different mentalities and priorities of one’s life and how much important money is in his pursuit of his purpose of life.

Will it make you lazy? or more productive?

Will it make you greedy? or more thrifty?

Be very open and give your answers in the comments. All of them will be posted.

An Excellent Anti-Smoking Ad

The message is very clear and apparent. You have got to be present there physically to play with your grand children.

Kuwait Sports image gets a dent

Reports say that Kuwait’s Olympic Committee could be suspended if a local law is not changed to guarantee the autonomy of sports organizations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. The IOC said it had tried for two years to find a solution with government authorities over the independent operation of Kuwait’s national Olympic Committee (NOC) and the country’s sports bodies but that deadlines had not been respected.

The (IOC) executive board decided today to suspend the NOC of Kuwait effective August 1 in order to protect the Olympic movement in Kuwait from interference by the Kuwaiti public authorities,” the IOC said in a statement. It said government authorities had until July 31 to amend the country’s sports law to avoid the suspension coming into force.

So all the sportsmen of Kuwait; get up and make the authorities to accordingly, so that the talent of Kuwaiti sportsmen is showcased to the world and not buried in the beaurecracy.

Make them ACT NOW!

NBK – Kuwait Climate Advisory – outdated or incorrect?

http://beta.nbk.com/careers/localknowledge_en_gb.aspx

It says:

“During the summer, which lasts from May to September, the weather is hot. With temperatures ranging from 40°C to 42°C, residents are advised to stay out of the sun during afternoons.”

As far as I have known Kuwait, the extremes are in the range of 47-50. Sometimes even 50+.  So what if nobody declares it officially. It is a fact, that cannot be denied.

Is NBK trying to conservative and not reflect the ground realities or is the website content being developed by somebody sitting in US and who just goes by the official reports.

Its time to wake up, NBK. Get real and say the TRUTH.

Update 1:

Well, it seems people do not like to be reviewed negatively. It is a healthy criticism which makes one improve and give it thier 100%.  Some people cannot digest the truth, especially if is it bitter.

Lets hear what you feel. Is it right?

5 min wake up & go – Jap style

This video shows you just how to get up, eat breakfast, get dressed and get ready for work in just five minutes. Presto!

The way he puts on his pants is classy. Putting on the neck button is stylish. But what is gr8 is the way he puts on his tie. Absolutely fantastic.

Obama’s speech to the Muslims & the world – Egypt

I quote Obama:

“We have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”

The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.”

Very powerful and meaningful words; words that can belittle any religious preacher of the highest order.

Three cheers to Obama. There IS hope for the world.

Obama has over shadowed Osama.

How the World reacted to this speech

Human Slinky

This is just freaky & awsome. This is no animation.

You won’t believe it till you see the man come out of it.

Friendly crocodile

Incredible