DEMOCRACY and UM

Democracy is a political government either carried out directly by the people (direct democracy) or by means of elected representatives of the people (Representative democracy). The term is derived from the Greek: δημοκρατία - (dēmokratía) "rule of the people",^[1] which was coined from δῆμος (dêmos) "people" and κράτος (krátos) "power", in the middle of the fifth-fourth century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notablyAthens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.^[2] Even though there is no specific, universally accepted definition of 'democracy',^[3] there are two principles that any definition of democracy includes, equality and freedom.^{[4][dubious – discuss]} These principles are reflected by all citizens being equal before the law, and having equal access to power,^[5] and freedom is secured by legitimized rights and liberties, which are generally protected by aconstitution.^[6][7]

There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedoms for their citizens than others.^[8][9] However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances, such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule could accumulate power and become harmful to the democracy itself.^[10][11][12]

The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government or constitutional protections of individual liberties from democratic power it is possible for dissenting individuals to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority". An essential process in representative democracies is competitive elections, that are fair both substantively^[13] and procedurally.^[14] Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speechand freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests.^[15][16]

Popular sovereignty is common but not a universal motivating subject for establishing a democracy. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights. Many people use the term "democracy" as shorthand forliberal democracy, which may include additional elements such as political pluralism, equality before the law, the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights, and elements of civil society outside the government.

In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a supporting attribute, but in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the dominant philosophy is parliamentary sovereignty (though in practice judicial independence is generally maintained). In other cases, "democracy" is used to mean direct democracy. Though the term "democracy" is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to private organizations and other groups.

Democracy has its origins in Ancient Greece.^[17][18] However other cultures have significantly contributed to the evolution of democracy such as Ancient Rome,^[17] Europe,^[17] and North and South America.^[19] The concept of representative democracy arose largely from ideas and institutions that developed during the European Middle Ages and the Age of Enlightenment and in the American and French Revolutions.^[20] Democracy has been called the "last form of government" and has spread considerably across the globe.^[21] The Right to vote has been expanded in many Jurisdictions over time from relatively narrow groups (such as wealthy men of a particular ethnic group), with New Zealand the first nation to grant universal suffrage for all its citizens in 1893. Suffrage still remains a controversial issue with regard to disputed territories, areas with significant immigration, and countries that exclude certain demographic groups.

( Extracted from Wikipedia.)

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The question asked:

1. Does democratic principles applicable or apply to our system in higher education institution? UM?

2. Does e-Voting really "democratic"?

3. What are the options left for the losing candidates? To oppose via demonstration? Letters??

Cheers

Jackson Yee

Sex myth BusteD!!!

Sex myths busted

Of late, there has been a growing concern over the increasing number of our youths, particularly students, getting involved in unhealthy activities. Today what we concern is the problem the child born out of wedlock which the youngsters need to be blamed. I found out that this article may be useful for our youngster nowadays. This article can acts as reference and also increase the knowledge of someone. It’s good to know more that ignorant about this facts.

As I believe that most of us very curious and want to know more about the topic above. A proverb sounds curiosity killed the cat. Let’s reveal your curiosity.

There are as many sex myths and facts as there are couples. Whether we appreciate them or not, we still like to know about sex myths and facts and if they are true or false. Here are some facts which we sometimes like to ignore.

1. You can't get pregnant during your period - False!

There's a chance that you can get pregnant during a period, particularly towards the end of your menstrual cycle. Unprotected sex also increases the risk infection by sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

2. You can't get pregnant during unprotected sex if the man pulls out before he ejaculates - False!

Even if your partner doesn't ejaculate, sperm can still be present. It only takes one sperm to get you pregnant, and the fluid can also contain sexually transmitted infections.

Some men aren't aware that they are ejaculating until it's too late, and it's easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment.

3. You can't get pregnant while having sex standing up, or in the shower - False!

If you have unprotected sex you can get pregnant, no matter how or where you do it.

4. You can't get pregnant while on the pill - False!

The chances of getting pregnant while taking the contraceptive pill are virtually nil, provided you are following the instructions correctly and consistently.

But if you miss pills, are on antibiotics, or have sickness and diarrhoea, you need to use condoms for the next seven days.

5. It's safe to have sex as soon as you're on the pill - False!

Different types of contraceptive pills take different times to kick in. This can range from 0-14 days.

Always follow the instructions prescribed with your type of pill, and use an additional form of contraception such as condoms during the time it takes for your choice of pill become effective.

6. Peeing after sex washes out sperm and prevents pregnancy - False!

For a start, urine exits the bladder through the urethra, which lies above of the vaginal opening. Which means any sperm in the vagina won't even get wet when you pee.

7. Men want sex more than women do - False !

Women want sex too - but they are guided by other emotions as well. For instance, house work, kids and holding onto a job are good enough reasons to go off sex completely.

So women are exhausted. Plus, hormones make them feel like having a lot of sex during certain times of the month, rather than all of the time.

And, because they tend to attach more emotions to sex than men do, they aren't going to beg their partners for action if they've been giving them attitude.

8. Happy couples have good sex most of the time - False!

Show me a couple that's having out-of-control, raging sex every night after years of sharing the same bed, and I'll show you a pig that can fly.

Life and all its pressures get in the way for all of us. Does it mean your friend is lying if she claims to have fabulous sex after five years of marriage and two kids?

Maybe. Or maybe she thinks you have a great sex life and doesn't want to admit she doesn't. Or maybe her definition of great sex is different than yours. Or maybe she really does have terrific sex... once a month. It's all subjective.

9. Men are more promiscuous than women - True !

The real truth is, this one is probably true, but by much less than you think. When polled about their sex lives, men overestimate while women underestimate, due to societal pressures. It's also totally dependent on how attractive the people in question are.

An attractive, sexually liberated woman is likely to have had more partners than a not-so-fab-looking guy around the same age, for instance. It's called opportunity.

10. Women don't like porn or dirty sex -False!

Women love porn. It gives them new ideas and tricks to try out to make their partners happy. Plus, a lot of them are exchanged on emails or discussed between giggles next to water coolers in the office.

Anyone who thinks men are the only ones mentally undressing that sexy passenger on the metro is deluded.

11. Men always want sex - False!

You need to give more credit to your partner than that. But if he is below 18 and has landed his first girlfriend, then perhaps it is true.

However, as men get older responsibilities, daily pressures, work, bills etc. come in the way and he cannot think of sex all the time. But one look, and he is ready to jump into bed - that’s also true!

This article is adapted from http://www.dailychilli.com/news/686-sex-myths-busted.

Writer: Joey Tan

New Year's Day

Do u know that the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1.

ANCIENT NEW YEARS
The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

THE CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.

During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.

Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century.

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR
Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

"http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm”

Relieving Stress

Quick Ways to Relieve Stress

We are currently living in a capitalist society where money and power rule. Therefore, many of us have become workaholics and often overlook signs of tiredness in order to stay on track. However, there is a slight problem we do not know how to manage our stress, which is definitely not a good thing! Stress has been linked to mental or emotional such as depression, anxiety, and anger. It also related to physical illnesses such as weakens the immune system. Therefore, it is more than important that you constantly work on reducing your stress level in order to maintain your overall health.

To release stress, you must pause and give your body the opportunity to go into a different "mode". You want to "change your vibrations" from the inside. Firstly, you should become conscious and aware of your thoughts and feelings. When they are negative or when you are feeling uneasy, disturbed, anxious and others, you should know that you are resonating with what you don't want.

Try to figure out what is bothering you. All feelings, subtle or intense, are preceded by a thought or outside stimulant. Do whatever you need to do to re-focus your attention, so that you change your state, which changes your resonance. The following activities will change your state in the moment, and, if practiced as part of your routine of life, they will help to permanently reprogram you.

· Take rhythmic breaths - any rhythm is fine through your nose

· "Sigh" deeply - if you're in a state of tension/anxiety only, not if you're depressed.

· Long breaths in or rapid, strong breaths out - Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. This breath will wake you up from depression.

· Alter your physiology - Tony Robbins is big on this one. Change the way you stand, the way you hold your shoulders and head, the way you walk, look up instead of down, smile instead of frown.

· Talk to yourself until you change your perception and thoughts and see the situation from a new perspective.

· Talk to someone else who is willing to listen, and/or can help you see things differently.

· Visualize - create a mental picture of what you want, in full detail.

· Affirm - repeat meaningful, inspiring affirmations or statements.

· Meditate - sit quietly and breathe gently even five minutes is beneficial.

· Pray positively - as if you believe you deserve the "good" in life.

· Give gratitude - think of what you have to be thankful for.

· Relax - lie down, relax and listen to peaceful music, a subliminal or "healing" tape.

· Be entertained - watch a TV program you enjoy; rent a video; go to a movie, etc.

· Take a brisk walk - bring your walkman and listen to a positive tape or uplifting music.

· Exercise - jog, run, lift weights, go to the gym, go bowling and others

· Movement - do yoga postures, tai chi, flowing dance movements and others

· Does something creative - sing, draw, dance, write, play drums, paint, play the piano, mold clay, finger paint, etc.

· Play at your hobby - if you don't have one, and have been thinking about it, pursue that hobby, for it will help you in the future to change your resonance.

· Read from a motivating or inspiring book - a few pages will do as long as it's enough to change your focus.

· Listen to a few moments of a tape that informs, inspires and/or motivates you.

· Laugh - if you can't think of anything funny, read from a funny book, watch a funny TV show or video, or do whatever it takes to laugh.

In time you'll find that many of your attitudes and responses are automatically different. You will be less "charged" by things and people that formerly bothered you and you will more frequently vibrate with higher, more positive frequencies, and those frequencies will draw more of the things you want to you.

The above is taken from Dynamic Self-Healing Manuals.

Pesta Tanglung Chinese Community 2009

30 September 2009

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, it is also sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival.¹

The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is usually around late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is a date that parallels the autumn and spring Equinoxes of the solar calendar. This traditional festival is celebrated by the Chinese community whole over world even though it is in different way of celebration. [1]

In this year, as usual, our college Chinese committee also cel

ebrated the mooncake festival. It is one of the annual Chinese committee programme, namely Pesta Tanglung Chinese Committee (PTCC), which is one of the grand activities in the college.

PTCC started with the barbeque dinner among the Chinese committee family. After that, there was also a riddle solving session .The participants were asked to solve the riddles which were hanged up under the lanterns.

After the barbeque, comes the time for prize giving ceremony. Each of the Chinese committee family was asked to present their lanterns in front of the stage. The lanterns were judged based on groups’ creativity. The function was ended with the announcement of first prize winner, the Black Tangerine family.

Then, it’s time to light the lanterns and have a stroll around the 12^th residential college!

Such kind of activities should be carried out every year. Through this activity, it will strengthen the relationship among the Chinese committee of 12th college. But, it would be better if the Chinese committee of 12th residential college can make the effort to open the participation to all the residents without having regards to their races. As we are living under the same roof, it is no offence for us to celebrate this traditional festival together.[2]

Author : Chung Moi Hua

Edited : Jackson

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[1] Google Search, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

[2] Personal suggestion by the author.