Human organs, scarcities, and sale: morality revisited

Read a tiny journal of medical ethics today and thought it has got to do with an article I posted early - titled The Island.

"Despite stringent and fine tuned laws most jurisdictions are not able to curb organ trafficking. Nor are they able to provide organs to the needy. There are reports of the kidnapping and murder of children and adults to "harvest" their organs. Millions of people are suffering, not because the organs are not available but because "morality" does not allow them to have access to the organs. Arguments against organ sale are grounded in two broad considerations: (1) sale is contrary to human dignity, and (2) sale violates equity. Both these objections are examined in this article and it is concluded that they reflect a state of moral paternalism rather than pragmatism. It is argued that a live human body constitutes a vital source of supply of organs and tissues and that the possibilities of its optimum utilisation should be explored. Commercialisation should be curbed not by depriving a needy person of his genuine requirements but by making the enforcement agencies efficient"

An Insider's Perspective

There have been lots of talks about Arsenal, supporters or anti-Arsenal crowd. In respects to new season just getting underway in days, how should this once-before-unbeatable team be described as in a modern day today? As they are waving goodbyes to Highbury and entering into a new stadium in 2006/07 season, a trophyless term is nearly unthinkable. With the sore departure of our captain to Juve - Patrick Vieira, critics have been raised as to fractionally if not radically re-building the squad. This may be argued that Arsene Wenger should and/or could have done more to additions to squad than he did. By far, Arsenal have only added one major signing - a Belarusian Aleksander Hleb from VFB Stuttgart.

After seeing the Community Shield as a defeat to Chelsea, our new boy no. 13, who is far from being afraid of the giant Chelsea tight defense, looked to be an influential figure on the pitch. His run and control of the ball was simply incredible. This is also to put up that Arsenal have brought on a great performance against Chelsea though result did not matter, well... at least in a personal perspectives. There were lots of positive elements should be enjoyed. Arsenal were still very much up to a branch of attacking football, simply terrorizing Chelsea defense on many occasions with speedy run, classy touches, and flowing passing. What did worry me was the Gunners defense that was awful at times, looking far from assured. Speaking to rebuilding the squad, I strongly reckon this area is where Arsene Wenger should be scratching his head on. On the field further up, Wenger may have been credited for cashing in the proceeds from the sales of Patrick Vieira, who was still very much marketable. Center midfield should look well equipped with the likes of Gilberto Flamini, Fabrecas, and Hleb. Latter is versatile to supplement both flanks while Fabrecas has also shown proficiency on the right. These flexibilities should be enjoyed if Pires and/ or Ljungberg were short. Mind you, Reyes could also fill up Pires� preferred position.

Our available strikers may, though I am not convinced at times, be just right under required consideration. Henry is always a certain no. 14 in the team if he stays suspension and injury free. Bergkamp seems far from being able to play at a consistently high level; the non-flying Dutchman further curtails striking options when it comes to European competitions. Much responsibility is inevitable to be resting on Henry, Reyes, and van Persie, the latter two are contingent upon the situation that Reyes is not dropped deep and Persie is to be pleaded not guilty with sexual charges in Holland.


What exacerbates, I would suggest, situation could be the transfer of a captain armband to our no. 14, who has far greater responsibility to bear on the field. To some extent, having given more workloads to Henry may just make him lose focus on his stunning performance again. Ultimately, I hope Wenger would give a chance to Quincy who wonderfully shined in World Cup Youth competition last months.

To me, Arsene looks short of having 'plan B' and is saving up betting chips that is equivalent to putting all eggs in one bucket again this season.

Life is a Zero-sum Game

There are two types of people in this world, first being those who come with a quality of self-centered characteristic. This clique of people is strong, determined, and always in the right state of mind to be in control. Another group is those who were born with a blank piece of sheet, not giving a d*mn what goes around and blindly let the first group to fill up the sheet.

Most Recognisable Football Site

One of the most read football websites by the production of ESPN channel - http://www.soccernet.com. It would absolutely be flattering and you will be out of words if your questions were posted up and got read by million of visitors around the globe. How does it even feel when a veteran ESPN commentator answering your question raised?

If you have a read the following links closely enough, you may just discover the trick of it ^^...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=8811

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=8455

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=5931

Message of da Bottle

"If you listen just a little closer
and if you would stay just a moment longer.
You might be able to hear these drops of regret
fall into the bucket
And you might be able to see these drops of sorry"
filling up the bottle
But if I bring you just a little closer
and if I could hold you just a moment longer
I might be able to take back those drops of regret
and empty that bucket
And I might be able to soak up those drops of sweet "sorry"
and break open that bottle
We made this fairy tale into a very short story
You deserved a much better ending
and for this.....
I am very very sorry..…
I knew the easiest thing for you is to forgive me for what I have done.
The hardest thing is for you to forget what I did...
Regardless of how many "sorry" I have....
did you know what, babe.....
When you can't forget is just another way of saying you can't forgive?"

The Island

The Island.... you're going to the island, transported to the world's last paradise, yes, you have been chosen. Lincoln Six-Echo, one of many flawfree-made inhabitants that dwell in a carefully controlled, if not perfectly designed, environment. Like all of his peers, he hopes to be chosen, by means of lottery, to go to the world's last paradise - the uncontaminated island. But he unsteadily questions every single existent in his very own dwelling place, only to discover that he was, like all of his peers, made to provide possible damage of his 'origin'......

A scientific movie that shows to be contentious, having been directed by Michael Bay and starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. For those who have seen the firm, did anyone of you question the core issues of the firm? What if, which are likely, human clones are to happen? Where does the moral lie? The equation of this issue cannot be less than politics, religions, sciences, and atheists etc.... any mankind you can think of to date.

Is it 'legitimate' to clone humans and later on transplant the required parts of the body to its counterpart? Answering this question, there are further considerations to be taken into account. Let's assume there is a God, a set of principles is held in faith so that we are made to believe that our creator is God but no one else. Cloning human beings is anything but sin where one goes beyond God's plan. It is even more controversial when a scientist 'harvests' a cloned being where s/he literally commits 'murdering'. An atheist may just not disagree more....

What if there is no God and we are only abandoned kinds? Does it feel 'ok' when a scientist 'makes' and then kills off a being to save a baby with tumour? Or let the infant cease to live and replace the cloned one....... one another? No easy answer. An ideal situation could be to 'creating' the counterpart if and only if needed, by approach to imprinting no memory to the human clone... basically, gives them no chance to live. Make and harvest. It is probably one of the disturbing scenes that many would go against the idea of human cloning. That is, creating a bunch of literally human beings who eat, sleep, game, and socialize etc.... then you take back their lives for the purpose of others'. But again, there will be no 'them', absolutely nothing had it not been their creator - scientist. Is it just a matter of the timing as to when to kill off the being or should there be no human cloning altogether? Think carefully for those who stick with the latter.

It gets pretty familiar to the daily news now, what is the difference when one aborts and puts a baby's life to an end just after giving birth? Former is legal while the latter isn't..... a matter of when again?

We will find out what is going to happen about human cloning for the coming generation.... no matter what, it does not seem to be under our power to get the final say.

When I Miss U

I miss you deeply, but I am without you and have yet to get you back in my arms. Yet I know I need to surppress my feelings and to put off the burning flame in my heart. When I master the routine of thinking about you being just a mere habit, it is where I die inside.... I will then let you fly free without feeling the pain my soul could bear.... but again, that makes me miss you even more.

Brotherhood

Hi guys, haven't heard from you for quite a while. How are you all doing there? When I was reviewing some of the composed photos, I was thinking to myself Gee~ U guys have grown a lot. Well, appearance of cos, what did u think? Also, side way huehuehue lols. Gratefully, I enjoyed very much the 2005 CNY & beach outing photos very much. Thanks

Before I call it a day, will introduce u guys to my faithful readers. (Left to right) Kin - not too sure of his personality but i'd reckon he's an extremist, little cowboy - no one cares abt his real name since we've been calling him affectionately for years, Man - we thought he was 'beautiful' as girl, his nick was more famously known as "Angel spreads flowers" doesnt make sense does it? the motive of wanting to know him was be'coz of his sisters only lol jk jk... actually it was his next to kin, Gel - same goes for him, was more infamously known as "lady killer". Virtually many gals fell for his preys jk jk.. lolz. (more troubling one, in green) Paul & Balak last but not least Beckham, it tells a lot about this lad just getting to know his names doesnt it? Quiet simply, he is unpredictable, as simple and difficult as that. Lei - one of an extinct kind, loyal to his friends and faithful to his beloved ones. Downside is he is a fast driver by which he sees no one ever drives in front of him, what adds things worse was his battle car, which was no more than a 2.4L Hilux , and Tak in black, black T-shirt I mean, not "Man is Black" hehuehue lol.

You guys have been with me for almost one-third of my life, need I say more?

Octopus ><, or is it?

??? what the heck is that ??? I was tidying my bedroom and noticed 'he' kinda caught my attention tonight, though he has been sitting there in a prominent location of the shelf all this while. Thanks guys for giving me such a thoughtful B'day present. YES, not being sarcastic I have contemplated a lot about the function or dyfunction of this little fella. Sadly, I have yet to find out what it is for. It is written at the bottom of this little fella "Munchkin HOT Patent Pending". It will be appreciated if anyone can tell me what it does (wckwb@yahoo.com).

P/s: Octopus can't have 6 legs, can they? .... well, mine does... >.<

Survivor

It is not easy to survive in a competitive environment. To stand out you will need to dig in and work hard. Do you want me to tell you this? Hard work does not guarantee success, but the latter cannot be done without hard work. Similarly, there is no short-cut to heaven, nor is there to success. Bullshit may take you to success, but it won't KEEP you there.

Sport 4 Thoughts

Eugene McCarthy says being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important. But I say Love is the only game where two parties can be the winner. To be successful, you have to be smart enough to fall in love with the same person, and dumb enough to give unconditionally.

Keep it Within Urself

Viewing a movie trailer gives u lots of curiosity, excitement, expectancy etc...... most crucially it is stimulating, instantaneous, directive, inspiring, and thought provoking. The effect of it is right on the spot, making you really desire to see it and uncovering your curiosity. In many cases, it may not turn out as fabulous as what it is perceived in the preview. What leads to afterward would be disappointment, complaint, criticism and in a more extreme case - regret altogether. Would it not make logic if you could reserve the facet of curiosity at the first place by not taking an advanced step? God may put us under the freedom to make choices in life; nevertheless some choices are not meant to be decided upon but to be lived with that comes its way. For example, luv.

Some feelings are not meant to be pursued, likewise some conversion of friendships to loved ones are not supposed to eventuate. Even some solid ground of affection should not be consolidated. Many have claimed that friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never. I have learnt to take thing less seriously and not to take it for granted because in some way god may just take away the things you presently want it most, I have also somehow learnt to love someone without wanting the needs of her being by my side, discovering the gratitude of loving somebody by not possessing her but by means of thinking about her on occasions, wishing her happiness and health to be my fulfillment. For now I realise true love expects nothing in return, for the one does is not real but pure investment. Like a movie trailer, the sparkling short-lived scenes & experiences of a crush, even an infatuation, is solidly ever-lasting and most timelessly beautiful if kept deep down inside your heart.

"True love hears what is not spoken, and understands what is not explained, for love doesn't work in the mouth, nor the mind, but in the heart"

Amateur Soccer ^^

4-week winter break is imminently coming to an end & 2005 2nd semester is just around the corner. Just wanna take this special prilivege to thank you guys for the once-a-week soccer arragnment for the past 4 weeks. It has been wonderful... it truly has. So brush off all the excitement and get prepared for the new challenge.

Drive Safe in WA

I thought this photo was partcularly distinctive and was gonna write a thank-you note other than cracking up a factual joke. Well, I am sticking with the latter one since the 'patrician object' is already in this very photo lolz.Though the 2nd patrician is not here, you will realise why it is when you read on.

Did you ever get pulled over and yelled at by Police officer something like "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?"... "YOU ALMOST HIT OUR CAR YOU KNOW?"..... ARE YOU DRUNK?" This actually happened with this white & super-power-steering Honda Accord. When asked what was wrong, luckily the driver did not answer "my tyre is botak (bold)" lolz. "Are you drunk" asked the officer, driver explained in anxiety "no, 'cos I lost grip on the steering wheel". "Be careful" yelled the officer. In fact, we were expecting a breath-test on alcohol level but given that moment of the night was pretty wet as a result of early pouring, the officer somehow convinced the driver's statement. I know you (driver) will kill me when you read this lol, so I am prepared to share my own experience as well.

I would reckon I was the unlucky one, considering I got pulled over and had my breath tested by the WA police twice for the past 6 months or so. The more cracking one happened a couple of months ago and with this and the early incidents (above) it leaves a never-failing laughter among the group. What happened was I was turning right into a traffic-lighted & two-laned junction. As soon as the light turned green I switched from my lane to stay on left without signaling (while the officer had been behind me), soon after the annoying red & blue flashing light was on with an unbearable sound "biu biu~" Hahaha---- LOL. There I was getting a series of lectures and my breath tested. What cracked my whole clique up was the police saying "dont do it in front of officers" I.e. Do not cross the lane without putting your signal while you are aware that an officer has been behind you purposively.

P/s: His tyre was in fact totally botak (no joke lols)

Da powerhouse, da captain, da inspiration-er..... a goner.

Early last month I have had an article written regarding the fare-wells of Bergkamp and Highbury. It did not take long to shaken me when an astonishing news broke out as one of our Highbury favourites leaving us for good - PV4, Patrick Vieira 4.

As a faithful Arsenal fan, I am not prepared to probe into nor would I speculate the insights of the selling of our influential captain. All I can say is when Pat no longer services for the Gunner, it would take an enormous piece of Arsenal away. Thank you for the beautiful nine years you gave us, thanks for standing up for the lads when we got bullied by those a**holes, thank you for the last kick of the ball as an Arsenal player that won us the famous English FA cup, thanks for leading the Gunners to an unforgettable unbeaten season, thanks for the bonds you have established in the squad, thank you Pat, you will always be special for Arsenal, always in our hearts and our minds.

All the best Pat, we will all love you as a person and a player, ALWAYS.

Luv

Many couples would kinda come and go in some point of this period during the year. I thought it might be heartwarming to share a beautiful article for those who wanna stand firm.

If you're afraid to love a person because of friendship, you have two choices: either tell what you feel and let the love take place or hide the feeling under a friendship full of pretensions.

It's hard for two people to love each other when they live in two different worlds but when these two worlds collide and become one, that's what you call magic!

Love can never be so beautiful without friendship. One leads to another and the process is irreversible. The best of lovers is the greatest of friends!

I like you because you're my friend, and because you are my friend I care, and because I care, I love you. I don't love you because you are my friend, I love you because I do!

Sometimes I've asked myself, what would make me happy? To think that I have everything else, I get what I want. Then I realized it was YOU, too bad 'cause it's you i can't have. I can't choose who I'm gonna love, but I also can't love who chooses to love me.

And you can't blame me in choosing to love you as much as I can't blame you for not learning to love me. I'm sorry if you can't love me the way you loved the one before me, so I'll let you go find him/her and hope someday you'll see that the one true love you're looking for was the one who set you free.

"How can I say goodbye to someone I never had? Why do tears fall for someone who was never mine? Why is that I miss someone I was never with and I ask why I love someone whose love was never mine?"

Isn't it funny we're trying to catch the attention of the one we think we love; we hardly notice the one we're really looking for was just there. You don't notice them 'till they are in the arms of someone else.

Food for thought, think of this: Have you really cared for someone more than you expected?

Have you ever tried to love him/her despite of all the pain?

Will you keep on loving him/her as he/she whispers someone else's name? Will you?

It's better to lose your pride with someone you love rather than lose that someone you love with your useless pride. When you love someone, don't expect that person to love you back the same amount. One of you will be head, the other behind. It's either you catch up or the other waits.

When you love, you must not accept anything in return, for if you do, you're not loving but Investing.

If you love, you must prepare to accept pain, for if you expect happiness, you're not loving but using. True love hears what is not spoken, and understands what is not explained, for love doesn't work in the mouth, nor the mind, but in the heart...

Love is like standing on wet cement, the longer you stay the harder it is to leave and you can never go without leaving your prints behind.

Don't love a person like a flower, because a flower dies in season. Love them like a river because a river flows forever.

Love doesn't have to have a happy ending, 'cause love doesn't have to end at all.

Never be afraid to fall in love. It may hurt a lot, it may give you aches and pains, but if you don't follow your heart, in the end you will cry even more for not giving love a chance.

Love may leave your heart like shattered glass, but keep in mind that there's someone who'll be willing to endure the pain of picking up the pieces so you could be whole again.

The cruelest thing a guy could do to a girl is to let her fall in love when he doesn't intend to catch her fall! And fooling around with her feelings like they meant nothing. (This goes for gals as well).

Karma

If I were all alone, I should be somewhere but not be here.

If I got sucked in with all the uncontrollable pre-events, I would not resist but to go with the flow.

If the worlds wanted to test me with the hardest trials, I should get on a good ride and wait for what comes along the way.

If things were there for me to be conscious of which I failed, I would be willing to re-take the opportunity irrespective of what it takes.

If things are not meant to be now, I shall keep my head down and be patient to get to where I want to be.

If people could not forgive me for what I have done and/ or how I have made them feel, I would quietly bear the karma with no objections.

If..... and If...


For you to have the courage, let the instincts guide you.

What Shapes the Foundation of Beings?

What lies underneath this once-before-tallest building, KLCC, in the World? What holds the bricks firm together? What shapes the beautiful lightings with enormous electricity power? ... and the questions go on.... Seeing the twins tower makes me recall a famous quote, it goes something like this: "All love that has no friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon sand".

It Is What U Do Defines U

It may not be regarded as one of my favourites but its slow development to thrills somehow satified my expectation. At first I was full of anticipations that the movie would be very much Spiderman-like where the 'traditional' Batman's actions and custume are openly unveiled throughout the show. Rather, the heroic apperance did not last long with its full reveal only coming unambiguous at the 2nd half of the firm. Nevertheless, there should be no complaints about the firm which we paid $7.50, considering the show ran over 2 hours (longer than conventional ones - one and a half hours). In true fact, we did not expect to have this firm seen this evening but the more massive one by Steven Spielberg - War of the Worlds. Believe it or not, it was full.

Some conversations worth mentioning in Batman, though. Katie has a philosophical statement "It is not who you are underneath, but it is what you do that defines you". What a sophisticated or maybe incontestable opinion. Further, Freeman asked "why do we fall?", "so that we could pick ourselves up" answered he.

Little Creature

His name is Jumbo (well, if it is how it is spelt). A friend's pet of mine. He is so tidy yet he weighs over 12 kgs!!!! What a food lover. A more telling story is his size, he does not run much as many WON'T take a pug for walk in a regular basis. This little fella even gets breathing problem for the sake of 'creeping' up and down the staircase lol. Embrassingly, I even thought it was an animal other than dog as he kinda freaked me out upon our first meeting. Having more opportunities to 'tease' him, he is absolutely a loving pet with the quality of, friendliness, approachability, and playfulness though unreliability as such.