Blog Posts

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

US MSM Trumped

For the 1st time, I watched the presidential inauguration fully & then watched the 1st official press briefing by the White House with excitement, & really listened. 


I was always under the impression that he would win, and I believed this even before he even ran for President. (I'll tell you why I believed this in my next blog). Although I did not follow the campaigning period much, but as the elections got closer, I paid more attention to the news reports. 

For a moment, I thought, well... looks like he might not win after all, based on what I read in the news. But the more attention I paid to the news, the more I find the US mainstream media (MSM) guilty of using all its tricks to find faults, to demean and undermine Donald J. Trump. 

I don't know what their political agenda is and who is behind them, but it includes brainwashing and misleading the public who are ignorant and easily swayed by headlines. I know how the media would manipulate information & also withhold information via selective reporting, through the process of video & writing. 


I work in the entertainment & media industry, and I studied journalism. My degree was from a US University and I think of the US as my 2nd home. And throughout my 20 years in the industry, I have done enough producing, directing, writing, interviewing, handling talent, including reality TV shows as a large part of my portfolio, as well as writing and handling press releases for some clients, to know how to manipulate the power of the media. 

See this video and you'll understand what I am talking about...


For instance, the US MSM first made a big deal comparing crowds at Obama's vs Trump's inauguration, and when the White House issued their statement on viewership, the media then turned around and accused Trump of being petty! 


It disappoints me because I looked up to the creativity of the American media which has led the advancement of the media around the world, and to their business, marketing and creative achievements. 

But looks like in this instance, most of these media were not interested in making good content, but were taking cheap shots to spin negative and sensational content with an objective of tearing down a particular leader they don't like -- maybe for the sake of ratings or because of their own pre-conceived prejudices, or maybe they were unhappy because they support another candidate, or maybe they were unhappy because Trump is his own man and stands up to them, but for me, it has shattered my respect for the US mainstream media. 


In my country, 12 hours ahead of New York, we have the opposite thing happening as our mainstream media is largely controlled by the government as their propaganda machine. Any media that publishes any hint of scandal and corruption by the leader, or opposes the leader, stand the risk of being arrested and detained at any time, without trial, the media publication or its broadcast banned, license revoked and all their computers confiscated! 

You can say there is little press freedom. But having said that, as part of the media, we also respect that we have the great opportunity to contribute to nation building, and to inspire our people to a better life.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Closing Ceremony for Grandma

Yesterday was the 'closing ceremony' of mourning for my maternal Grandma's passing away. This marks the official end of the 3-year mourning period customarily observed by our traditions. In actual fact, it is only 2 years, but tradition again says it is considered a 3-year period.

These scenes were almost similar to that of her funeral, except that her body is not there. And there were no wreaths or visitors, except the closest family members.


Once again, we changed into our mourning clothes -- white for  Grandma's children, blue for her grandchildren and green for her great grandchildren.

Tears still rolled down cheeks as the Taoist monk led us in a chant of prayer, and we bowed and offered respect in smokes of joss sticks for her. Roast pork, rice cakes, buns filled with meat, and more were laid out on a table in front of her -- the party organized for heaven, by earth.

According to Taoist Chinese beliefs, her spirit is in another dimension, and as we offer and call upon her spirit, she comes and consumes of the dishes in her own way. Our family got her a new home with 2 servants, and a new Mercedez with a driver, as Grandma can't drive!

These were taken to be burnt, and the belief is that she will receive this gift in the other world and it will be her earthly family's gift, adding to a beautiful life there for her.

Folded paper money for the afterworld, representing gold and silver ingots were added by the sackful.


One last roundsof remembrance led by the monk ringing a bell.

Then, with a light of fire, the paper house, servants, car and all kinds of wealth burnt beautifully and was 'transfered' immediately and received by Grandma. 

We then went home and changed out of our mourning outfits, and into red attire to signify life on earth. And my uncle, her eldest son, whose house was her 'official' residence on earth, hung up the red banner of abundance again. The four words from right to left are “金玉满堂” which directly translated means "gold & jade fill our halls."

Her death was exactly one week from Chinese New Year, a time that was filled with so much love and magic, that it challenged my own beliefs in the existence of the loving spirit beings in another dimension. 

http://irriessechia.blogspot.my/2015/05/grandma-guan-yin-and-spiritual-beings.html (My blog post from 2015)

My 6th sense has proven stronger over the last 3-4 years. I took this impromptu photo the year we gave her a grand birthday. She passed on one year after. 

And our journey continues...