‘Of the countless countries in the world, Obama chose only Malaysia to speak directly to, from the steps of the Capital, before billions around the globe.'

On Obama takes oath as first black US president

Vijay: Like the rest of the world, I could not but feel inspired and heartened by Barack Obama's presidential address.

Just as he did in his acceptance speech just a few weeks ago, he fired up all of us with the confidence born out of knowing that change is at hand with hope and triumph over fear.

Yet as a Malaysian, I am even more prouder and stand even taller. This pride comes from the realisation that of the countless countries in the world, Obama chose only Malaysia to speak directly to, from the steps of the Capital, before billions around the globe.

We have to acknowledge and respond, as virtue demands, to his call and perhaps warning to Malaysia that:

‘To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.'

No doubt Umno will hearken to this reminder and invitation.

HL Ooi: ‘To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.' - excerpt from Obama's inaugural speech.

‘The 23 people who were detained at the PJ anti-ISA candlelight vigil on Nov 9, 2008 will be charged in the Petaling Jaya court at 2pm on Thursday, January 22, 2009. - article in ‘Malaysia Today', Jan 20, 2009.

Does the statement from President Obama serve as a warning to those who are running the federal government in Malaysia?

On Plasma and LCD TV buyers beware!

Scott South:

The writer has missed a couple of points on buying wide-screen plasma and LCD TVs.

While the aspect ratio of modern TVs is 16:9 and Astro transmits in analogue 4:3, thus distorting the picture, that is easily rectifiable.

As far as I know, every wide-screen TV has an aspect-ratio mode button allowing you to switch back and forth between ‘wide' and ‘normal.'

Not only that, but one can select various ‘zoom' levels to increase or decrease the overall size of any picture, whether wide or normal.

This is useful when a station such as ‘Turner Classic Movies' is transmitting a film in letterbox format ie, wide-screen but reduced greatly in size to become wide-screen within the 4:3 (normal) picture. Selecting a zoom option allows the film to fill the screen.

Yes, digital signals are available in most countries, but as far as I know, only North America and Japan are broadcasting in High Definition, which is currently at 1080p.

Even free-to-air antenna signals are broadcast in High Definition in the US, although not for all programming.

It may interest consumer electronics aficionados that there is a third technology in use in North America, with much larger screens and quite cheap: microdisplay, especially DLP (digital light processing, a Texas Instruments technology).

My 61' Samsung DLP set was US$4,000 in 2004 but now a superior replacement can be bought for US$1,600.

On Corruption report lodged against S'gor MB

Seetha Veerasingham: Mohd Nazree's complaint is that Abdul Khalid had bought the cattle for RM110,400 using money from a state agency.

Khalid had bought cattle and distributed them to the poor. Selangor is not in Malaysia and Bandar Tun razak is not in Israel.

Why make a big fuss on this issue? Nazree, ask what happened to the Eurocopter deal, the Scomi scandal, Perwaja Steel, the submarine purchase etc.

Those are a billion ringgit business. Is this cattle thing what you call corruption?

Jesmine: Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus, being the chairperson of Gerak, please keep focused on the real issues in Malaysia. Don't follow the footsteps of our current ruling leaders and embarrass yourself

So Khalid used state funds to sponsor 46 cattle to be slaughtered and distributed to Bandar Tun Razak residents in Kuala Lumpur for the Hari Raya Korban last December.

What is the issue? How is this corruption? Please make good use of your time as Gerak chairperson and don't waste Malaysian people's time with such ridiculous reports.

On Change or be voted out, warns Najib

Millionth Citizen: It's a good call by Najib for Umno to buck up or risked being replaced in the 13th GE. But can a leopard actually change its spots?

Pak Lah tried to. But to no avail. Why? Maybe because the party's bad habits are too entrenched until they have become a culture, easily discerned in everyday life by the rakyat .

Or is that the Umno Supreme Council does not want to change? Or making just cosmetic changes like keeping ISA, changing the name of the ACA to MACC, the tough grip on the judiciary and so on.

Can Najib change everything or at least some of the more important things? Will the rakyat believe him? Or will BN be relegated to become second ranked. We shall wait and see.

On 'MIC vs Muthu' probe wrapped up in 30 mins

Yuvan: I am surprised that the probe lasted 30 minutes! It should have been over in just three minutes!

The disciplinary committee (or whatever) knows the fate of Muthupalaniappan in MIC. What is there to probe and why all this drama? This is typical of MIC and its leaders.

As long as Samy Vellu behaves like a ‘warlord' and continues to live in a dream world (thinking that he still has the support of the Indian Malaysian community), MIC and its future is doomed.

A lot of the leaders in BN have not learned any lesson from the outcome of the last general elections and you can bet that Samy Vellu and his trusted lieutenants are among them.

Believe me, we have a lot of Robert Mugabes in our local political arena.

On Demo against language switch on Mar 7

Aneel David Kannabhiran: I am strongly in favour of the teaching of not only maths and science in English but all subjects as well, from primary to the tertiary level.

A sound proficiency in the English language is of paramount importance to maintain any semblance of competitiveness in this increasingly globalised world.

What has been observed over the past two or so decades is the pathetic inadequacy of many a young Malaysian student unable to string a proper English sentence together, thereby severely handicapping him when entering the job market.

Intead of clamouring for the banishment of English, efforts should be concentrated on recruiting and training qualified and dedicated English-speaking teachers, which would mean teacher training colleges would also have English as their medium of instruction.

The issue is not one of ‘upholding nationalism' or ‘preserving the national language' but one of competetiveness and viability.

This issue has been used for political mileage by parties on both sides of the divide to curry favour amongst the Malay-speaking populace who for some while now have been labouring under the false illusion - perpetrated by these very same politicians - that their so-called 'supremacy' is slowly being eroded.

Their place and standing will definitely end up on the rocks if they continue to reject and deny the fact that a strong command of the English language is imperative to their survival in this global economy.

On Ezam vows to 'diminish' Anwar's influence

Chua See Ka: Please do not report anything about Ezam. I feel shameful whenever I read news about him. He is worth nothing.

Anwar has already replied to him with the strong words ‘So what?' It is more than enough.

On Ministry to probe Herald's use of 'Allah' despite ban

Thomas Cranmer: The Christian is asked to obey God first, but so long as there is no conflict with this first duty, he is to obey those who are put in authority above him; even if he hates it.

Subjecting oneself to authority is to be humble and to put the wishes of another above your own preference.

It is worth remembering that Jesus himself submitted freely to authority, even to the authority He knew would put Him to death without cause.

With this in mind, I worry about the true motivation behind the decision of The Herald to use the word ‘Allah' against the order of civil authority. Would the Malay language readership truly be confused by the use of one of the alternative words?

Pride and vainglory are one of the most powerful snares laid by the Devil to catch every Christian.

If it would be a real problem not to use the word Allah, that is to say, a problem beyond having to swallow one's pride, then there is justification behind the decision.

If not, then perhaps it is time for the staff of The Herald to show Malaysia the values of true Christianity and withdraw from their position to the greater glory of God.

On Matter of time before Sri Lankan army retreats

Proud Malaysian Tamil: I am a Malaysian Tamil and I have never once supported the LTTE and the absolute nonsense they have put Sri Lanka through. I have met enough Tamils who have fled Sri Lanka because of the brutality of the LTTE.

If you don't join them, then the next best option is to leave the country because they will kill you.

This so called 'brave' Tamil supremo that the writer is talking about has the blood of tens of thousands on his hands (Sinhalese and Tamils).

The faster the Sri Lankan army captures him, the better.

I am proud of Tamils like Abdul Kalam, world chess champion V Anand, current Indian home minister and renowned economist P Chidambaram, South African freedom fighter George Naicker, Nobel laureates Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

I am not proud of Prabhakaran though. And for heaven's sake, please don't claim to represent the Malaysian Tamils. We have enough of people doing that for the moment.