tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257589452024-03-06T01:22:53.501-08:00Journey of LifeAktivitas Jalan-jalan dan tugas dinasPormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-61741053658006120982016-08-31T22:24:00.000-07:002016-08-31T22:25:44.435-07:00Klenteng Agung Sam Phoo Khong di Semarang<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINZMxCDgnxQZ74B8ScvVbnWWBynbMgS1ltf8gpoAv7xlIL_ke6zIubXcPn-_g8957bOtDu5qPVaAob1flNwzawnzedHeupwcpG9dtRluqAoYBCGYTEWmPhTGPG_TobxlIvtuJ8w/s1600/IMG_20160826_101340-744436.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINZMxCDgnxQZ74B8ScvVbnWWBynbMgS1ltf8gpoAv7xlIL_ke6zIubXcPn-_g8957bOtDu5qPVaAob1flNwzawnzedHeupwcpG9dtRluqAoYBCGYTEWmPhTGPG_TobxlIvtuJ8w/s320/IMG_20160826_101340-744436.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6325230740001003458" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N2zS-CKnzUoAkW-15fZeMXxUBNyE5909vj8DNptqTT6Jf3Qx6V0WOGmZX24Azmx3vJOL9Se3uaEH2dN-Htdr_oYxlzSbF7sKEPC4VZxsgTQb6TBMBFQj-4R7eM-D6PfQeSyvZA/s1600/IMG_20160826_100323-745798.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N2zS-CKnzUoAkW-15fZeMXxUBNyE5909vj8DNptqTT6Jf3Qx6V0WOGmZX24Azmx3vJOL9Se3uaEH2dN-Htdr_oYxlzSbF7sKEPC4VZxsgTQb6TBMBFQj-4R7eM-D6PfQeSyvZA/s320/IMG_20160826_100323-745798.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6325230749249164338" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93kE8eWUofCXqQCafVz5oqEBmf9eUfF_tW1HKGejc3ZAJfa-zVYmn4D2XBSUxrF7bWmc-M2bc-9RQanYhy2Pq-KJFZ7P61Xnatc8aomdao2Spmm351K_-SwFdrMgd3omaWKoV-Q/s1600/IMG_20160826_100201-747012.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93kE8eWUofCXqQCafVz5oqEBmf9eUfF_tW1HKGejc3ZAJfa-zVYmn4D2XBSUxrF7bWmc-M2bc-9RQanYhy2Pq-KJFZ7P61Xnatc8aomdao2Spmm351K_-SwFdrMgd3omaWKoV-Q/s320/IMG_20160826_100201-747012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6325230754889987106" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODbVIOkbOSIrFgyOOKN8kEZWpOcYTb43M6YkiXAF_OKdWt82LFLuPe1_7a1aV9J63jYgEQDu3WwUh5dbRyfhADo5kCSougcT0_rrd7dq9hg-AneEP0CbVtLlSYLQMTmYqWYgLTA/s1600/IMG_20160826_100024-748352.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODbVIOkbOSIrFgyOOKN8kEZWpOcYTb43M6YkiXAF_OKdWt82LFLuPe1_7a1aV9J63jYgEQDu3WwUh5dbRyfhADo5kCSougcT0_rrd7dq9hg-AneEP0CbVtLlSYLQMTmYqWYgLTA/s320/IMG_20160826_100024-748352.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6325230758993211858" /></a></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Telkomsel network.</div>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-18855656058432562072014-07-04T00:21:00.001-07:002014-07-04T00:21:37.240-07:00The Jakarta Post Editorial: Endorsing Jokowi There is no such thing as being neutral when the stakes are so high. While endeavoring as best we can to remain objective in our news reporting, our journalism has always stood on the belief of the right moral ground when grave choices must be made.<p>We were not silent during reformasi. Neither have we been shy when power is abused or civil rights trespassed.<p>Good men and women cannot stay idle and do nothing. Speak out when persecution occurs, stand firm in rejecting the tide of sinister forces. <p>At certain junctures in a nation's life, its people are called upon to make stark choices. No longer is it a mere ballot cast for one candidate over another, but rather a moral choice on the fate of the nation.<p>Russia faced such a choice in 1996, during a runoff between independent incumbent Boris Yeltsin against Gennady Zyuganov representing the old-guard Communist Party. It was a moral choice for hope versus remnants of the past. They chose hope.<p>In five days this nation too will make a moral choice. In an election like no other — divisive in its campaigning, precarious in its consequences — Indonesians will be required to determine the future of our body politic with a single piercing of a ballot paper.<p>The Jakarta Post in its 31-year history has never endorsed a single candidate or party during an election. Even though our standpoint is often clear, the Post has always stood above the political fray.<p>But in an election like no other, we are morally bound to not stand by and do nothing. We do not expect our endorsement to sway votes. But we cannot idly sit on the fence when the alternative is too ominous to consider.<p>Each candidate in the presidential election has qualities in his declared platform. They have been dissected at length the past three weeks. And voters will sway one way or another based on it. Yet there is also a sizable part of society who are undecided in their preference.<p>In such a case, perhaps one can consider who not to vote for as their reasoning for that moral choice.<p>Our deliberations are dictated on the values by which the Post has always stood firmly for: pluralism, human rights, civil society and reformasi.<p>We are encouraged that one candidate has displayed a factual record of rejecting faith-based politics. At the same time we are horrified that the other affiliates himself with hard-line Islamic groups who would tear the secular nature of the country apart. Religious thugs who forward an intolerant agenda, running a campaign highlighting polarizing issues for short-term gain.<p>We are further perplexed at the nation's fleeting memory of past human rights crimes. A man who has admitted to abducting rights activists — be it carrying out orders or of his own volition — has no place at the helm of the world's third-largest democracy.<p>Our democracy will not consolidate if people's mind-set remains wedged in a security approach in which militarism is an ideal. A sense that one candidate tends to regard civilian supremacy as subordinate to military efficacy.<p>This nation should be proud of its military, but only if those in uniform acknowledge themselves as servants of the democratic, civilian governance.<p>As one candidate offers a break from the past, the other romanticizes the Soeharto era.<p>One is determined to reject the collusion of power and business, while the other is embedded in a New Order-style of transactional politics that betrays the spirit of reformasi.<p>Rarely in an election has the choice been so definitive. Never before has a candidate ticked all the boxes on our negative checklist. And for that we cannot do nothing.<p>Therefore the Post feels obliged to openly declare its endorsement of the candidacy of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Jusuf Kalla as president and vice president in the July 9 election. It is an endorsement we do not take lightly. <p>But it is an endorsement we believe to be morally right.<p> <br><a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/07/04/editorial-endorsing-jokowi.html">http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/07/04/editorial-endorsing-jokowi.html</a>
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-24567106157582170722014-02-03T00:20:00.001-08:002014-02-03T00:20:15.093-08:00Why Japan Is GreatWhy Japan Is Great<p>An eye opener for present day people.  Above all, there is no religion to guide them to be amongst the most honest, disciplined, educated, courteous, prosperous, humble, consciously clean and developed society of the world. There are over 30,000 Japanese above the ages of 100 in 2010, and there are the fewest number of Policemen per person to control crime.<br> <br>Read this beautiful Information about Japan<br> <br> <br>1 - Did you know that Japanese children clean their schools every day for a quarter of an hour with teachers, which... led to the emergence of a Japanese generation who is modest and keen on cleanliness.<p>2 - Did you know that any Japanese citizen who has a dog must carry bag and special bags to pick up dog droppings. Hygiene and their eagerness to address cleanliness is part of Japanese ethics.<p>3 - Did you know that hygiene worker in Japan is called "health engineer" and can command salary of USD 5000 to 8000 per month, and a cleaner is subjected to written and oral tests!!<p>4 - Did you know that Japan does not have any natural resources, and they are exposed to hundreds of earthquakes a year but do not prevent her from becoming the second largest economy in the world? -<p>5 - Did you know that Hiroshima returned to what it was economically vibrant before the fall of the atomic bomb in just ten years?<p>6 - Did you know that Japan prevents the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoor<p>7 - Did you know that in Japan students from the first to sixth primary year must learn ethics in dealing with people -<p>8 - Did you know that the Japanese even though one of the richest people in the world but they do not have servants. The parents are responsible for the house and children -<p>9 - Did you know that there is no examination from the first to the third primary level; because the goal of education is to instill concepts and character building, not just examination and indoctrination. -<p>10 - Did you know that if you go to a buffet restaurant in Japan you will notice people only eat as much as they need without any waste. No wasteful food.<p>11 - Did you know that the rate of delayed trains in Japan is about 7 seconds per year!! They appreciate the value of time, very punctual to minutes and seconds<p>12 -. Did you know that children in schools brush their teeth (sterile) and clean their teeth after a meal at school; They maintain their health from an early age -<p>13 - Did you know that students take half an hour to finish their meals to ensure right digestion When asked about this concern, they said: These students are the future of Japan<p> <br> <br>After the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan here are some things the world should learn from them.<br>10 things to learn from japan-                        <p><br>1. THE CALM<p>Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.<p>2. THE DIGNITY<p>Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.<p>3. THE ABILITY<p>The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.<p>4. THE GRACE<p>People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.<p>5. THE ORDER<p>No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.<p>6. THE SACRIFICE<p>Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?<p>7. THE TENDERNESS<p>Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.<p>8. THE TRAINING<p>The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.<p>9. THE MEDIA<p>They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.<p>10. THE CONSCIENCE<p>When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly<br> <br>EIP<br> <br>Source: mailing list of pendidikan Katolik
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-52897130486079998072014-01-08T22:43:00.001-08:002014-01-08T22:43:55.783-08:00Sharpen your ShawOnce upon a time a very strong wood-cutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he got it. The salary was really good and so were the working conditions. For that reason, the wood cutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to fell the trees. The first day, the wood-cutter brought down 15 trees, "congratulations," the boss said. " Carry on with your work!" Highly motivated by the words of his boss, the wood cutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 10 trees down. The third day he tried even harder, but he was only able to bring down 7 trees. Day after day he was bringing lesser number of trees down." I must be losing my strength", the wood cutter thought.
<br>He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on." When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked." Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut the trees..."
<br>That's right. Most of us NEVER update our skills. We think that whatever we have learned is very much enough. But good is not good when better result is expected. Sharpening our skills from time to time is needed and that is the key to success.
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<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-84011843000048296022013-11-20T17:07:00.001-08:002013-11-20T17:07:55.871-08:00Larantuka Beach, Reinha City (East of Nusa Tenggara)<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYBvtmFHK5vE4d7ngu2QGP2Y6axeY1_KvF_kk4FiAX8QRXiUG2t6pDOaUa12izyW0AjcYpiPxV-zgv_zYxgOJNsgmvKixtSb7zsRlM2RLInkuGEYAEcZFaYJVta8mqNjD-M0BcQ/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA1LTAwNDQzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-775872"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYBvtmFHK5vE4d7ngu2QGP2Y6axeY1_KvF_kk4FiAX8QRXiUG2t6pDOaUa12izyW0AjcYpiPxV-zgv_zYxgOJNsgmvKixtSb7zsRlM2RLInkuGEYAEcZFaYJVta8mqNjD-M0BcQ/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA1LTAwNDQzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-775872" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948512855236710530" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvv_BHESb7m2Z92EYo1fY_4w-3mlhSz_FyoUUQVvB5-xGPWumwKBph88jnefjRrZG7_56h88OKBTlRNQRXNNgnKEUS3eGUvU459lLY9Y5wiYMYvXHhhr8oqKrTj68hgHyAoYVtg/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA0LTAwNDQyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-780222"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvv_BHESb7m2Z92EYo1fY_4w-3mlhSz_FyoUUQVvB5-xGPWumwKBph88jnefjRrZG7_56h88OKBTlRNQRXNNgnKEUS3eGUvU459lLY9Y5wiYMYvXHhhr8oqKrTj68hgHyAoYVtg/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA0LTAwNDQyLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-780222" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948512871040426210" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTky0Bcuru2fw30kY8hiVWgQ5oqW6y3mYJ_59HwZv_1dNj40EkYoYqt77DiPxdIi0QrDu3YLlaV0EDaLmSKU5UUby6iOeh0aVTACuYQiIKiNCYXLwbjb3vhCUcpwGF71Yipu__Q/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA1LTAwNDQ3LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-782864"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTky0Bcuru2fw30kY8hiVWgQ5oqW6y3mYJ_59HwZv_1dNj40EkYoYqt77DiPxdIi0QrDu3YLlaV0EDaLmSKU5UUby6iOeh0aVTACuYQiIKiNCYXLwbjb3vhCUcpwGF71Yipu__Q/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMwNzA1LTAwNDQ3LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-782864" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948512883207901026" /></a></p>It's an amazing place to visit...
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-69761342129361270552013-11-20T01:47:00.000-08:002013-11-20T01:53:36.410-08:00Sungailiat, Bangka island (Kepulauan Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyKEDhCGlJxNOVf2bsK4f9kCBJQY98MhftUKlaTEp-MaL7SzBbYmA5Qbt0ZQV9GovQwu6YcUDdAbSKny5t1UgXGMMnKFHpNH3Oxe95tTAyVbt9f4Rkciy_vJYXEgh8M16z9JmyA/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDEwLTAwNTM0LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-763858" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948276150302828610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyKEDhCGlJxNOVf2bsK4f9kCBJQY98MhftUKlaTEp-MaL7SzBbYmA5Qbt0ZQV9GovQwu6YcUDdAbSKny5t1UgXGMMnKFHpNH3Oxe95tTAyVbt9f4Rkciy_vJYXEgh8M16z9JmyA/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDEwLTAwNTM0LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-763858" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAROVG7yVXVCG2znv2oflZeemvIHaBeNUsxClJYmES8T2npuVV3-s8j8qYWAo6Hc0M-oSBoLhtYWXLoRP-5vtkTECbv6PmV4pkePN_2oJOOyicZxpRwWHvJL3hmBJxbQA-we5yEw/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDExLTAwNTM3LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-767008" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948276162366163314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAROVG7yVXVCG2znv2oflZeemvIHaBeNUsxClJYmES8T2npuVV3-s8j8qYWAo6Hc0M-oSBoLhtYWXLoRP-5vtkTECbv6PmV4pkePN_2oJOOyicZxpRwWHvJL3hmBJxbQA-we5yEw/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDExLTAwNTM3LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-767008" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQnQy0VUjFrn8Hp8WEjlfRigFfU_HTyVfPC2Lt4ANh48cuPuzSXUSppsgwSjb1CpGrdKpJ6IUITMigsI18HMP3t6aP_dzNACfz4KXwCxttn7CnP2bqOUEGuOUJsdwGTeLkGkXHw/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDEwLTAwNTMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-769153" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948276169395656594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQnQy0VUjFrn8Hp8WEjlfRigFfU_HTyVfPC2Lt4ANh48cuPuzSXUSppsgwSjb1CpGrdKpJ6IUITMigsI18HMP3t6aP_dzNACfz4KXwCxttn7CnP2bqOUEGuOUJsdwGTeLkGkXHw/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTMxMDEwLTAwNTMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-769153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's amazing for tourism.
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Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-8636638036448435752013-11-20T01:44:00.001-08:002013-11-20T01:51:46.447-08:00Toba Lake Panorama (North Sumatera, Indonesia)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA2wg059WBQilGItFMysqWCJW0av8SDDAWfTTmJzCzmt1PMEyUeAWL9hn-xGGNpFtZFQ2Bq6dyUZTgYOrfI50kffgAWLCSNmQaQEQ1AbB9YEMAUBa1-xPUs6dxS9U6oRZasY1BA/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FRGFuYXUgVG9iYS0yMDEzMTExMy0wMDU3NC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-781274" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948274938586759586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA2wg059WBQilGItFMysqWCJW0av8SDDAWfTTmJzCzmt1PMEyUeAWL9hn-xGGNpFtZFQ2Bq6dyUZTgYOrfI50kffgAWLCSNmQaQEQ1AbB9YEMAUBa1-xPUs6dxS9U6oRZasY1BA/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FRGFuYXUgVG9iYS0yMDEzMTExMy0wMDU3NC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-781274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS5UaqOgSZiFHFwE0tZzNp9yjUNIjlZQN0kOaVq29WuR2kFQtZrhcFJD9dnMMVfN0zI23E6eR_t3n6qFILra9eX98S7yVL8Z2X25O1XYXTuMGFcXCWwKazc09-mO0nGgUcwUz9A/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FR2lyc2FuZyBTaXBhbmdhbiBCb2xvbi0yMDEzMTExMS0wMDU2Ny5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-784008" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948274945769554258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS5UaqOgSZiFHFwE0tZzNp9yjUNIjlZQN0kOaVq29WuR2kFQtZrhcFJD9dnMMVfN0zI23E6eR_t3n6qFILra9eX98S7yVL8Z2X25O1XYXTuMGFcXCWwKazc09-mO0nGgUcwUz9A/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FR2lyc2FuZyBTaXBhbmdhbiBCb2xvbi0yMDEzMTExMS0wMDU2Ny5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-784008" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oS4D0feFtKOXzQOznahUYJREqpmN4ebp0y1vEdYyjOWkkS4NfbL8kfOBY0jm03xSATVS3B2o4NnQ1-d0I82BGsrf5K5FQGoO60sCgIR3NsbmfAS0IBLf7zNtnhU9lcejBxcA2g/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FR2lyc2FuZyBTaXBhbmdhbiBCb2xvbi0yMDEzMTExMS0wMDU2OC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-786012" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948274954350447586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oS4D0feFtKOXzQOznahUYJREqpmN4ebp0y1vEdYyjOWkkS4NfbL8kfOBY0jm03xSATVS3B2o4NnQ1-d0I82BGsrf5K5FQGoO60sCgIR3NsbmfAS0IBLf7zNtnhU9lcejBxcA2g/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FR2lyc2FuZyBTaXBhbmdhbiBCb2xvbi0yMDEzMTExMS0wMDU2OC5qcGc%253D%253F%253D-786012" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pormadi's collection</td></tr>
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You can visit Toba lake, and rent a hotel there. It's amazing
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Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-43395059830707492892013-10-22T23:21:00.001-07:002013-10-22T23:21:38.715-07:00Keep your Value!A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a US$ 500 note. In the room of 200 participants, He asked, "Who would like this US$ 500 note?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this note to one of you but first let me do this."
<br>He proceeded to crumple the note up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money. You still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth US$ 500-. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. Remember, no matter what has happened or what will happen, never lose your value. Don't ever forget it! "VALUE HAS A VALUE ONLY IF ITS VALUE IS VALUED."
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<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-52521614217649192522013-09-03T15:47:00.001-07:002013-09-03T15:47:35.963-07:00"What's Outrageous? Poverty Wages!" The Role of Religious Leaders in Worker Justice (Joseph A. McCartin)"What's outrageous? Poverty wages!" This chant, echoed by thousands of striking fast food workers as they marched in the streets in New York, Chicago, and dozens of other cities on August 29, has begun to arouse the American conscience this Labor Day. The fast food industry produces billions in profits for corporations like McDonald's and Burger King. But, according to the organizers of the recent walkouts, fast food workers in New York City make only 25% of what they need to survive from their jobs. Fast food workers in other cities aren't much better off. In many ways, their struggle symbolizes the immorality of an economy that is producing jobs that keep workers poor. Who can argue with picket signs that say, "We can't survive on $7.25"?<p>It is not surprising that religious leaders have been conspicuously present on many of the fast food workers' picket lines. The recent protests have seen priests and ministers, rabbi and imams joining hands with fast food workers. The nation's largest labor-religious coalition, Interfaith Worker Justice, which is sponsoring Labor Day prayer services in cities across the country honoring the dignity of labor, has taken up their cause. So has Rev. Cheri Kroon, of the Flatbush Reform Church in Brooklyn. In April Rev. Kroon told the New York Times that her community was "filled with fast-food workers who have been suffering due to low wages, no sick days and unsafe working conditions."<p>The faith leaders now rallying to support fast food workers' demands for a living wage are reviving one of America's oldest and most powerful arguments for social justice, one deeply rooted in religious ideals. Many of those marching today for a fifteen-dollar wage for fast food workers might not realize that the very term "living wage" was first popularized by an American Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor John A. Ryan. In 1906 Fr. Ryan published a book called A Living Wage, which argued that workers deserved to earn enough to support themselves and their families in dignity. Over the next three decades, Ryan emerged as the nation's most forceful moral advocate for minimum wage. Many saw the passage of the federal minimum wage law in 1938 as a fulfillment of Ryan's long crusade.<p>But it was not just Ryan and Catholic co-religionists who helped elevate the ideal of a living wage in the United States. Two years after Ryan's book, the Methodist Episcopal Church adopted a "Social Creed" that endorsed the idea of "a living wage in every industry," and the nation's most prominent Jewish rabbi, Stephen Wise also took up this call.<p>Not only have religious leaders from across the spectrum consistently defended the living wage demand over the last century, activists from many faiths have spent much of the last decade laying the moral groundwork for the fight for justice that is now being waged by fast food workers.<p>The nation's first living wage ordinance passed in Baltimore in 1994. Soon fights for the living wage spread to many cities. It did not take long for religious communities to get involved. A decade ago many faiths began to go on record again in support of living wage demands. The Disciples of Christ adopted a resolution in 2005. In 2006, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council of North America, issued a fatwa indicating that living wage demands were consistent with Islamic Shari'ah law.<p>In 2008 Rabbi Jill Jacobs authored a teshuvah (legal position) on the obligation to pay a living wage was passed by the Conservative Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, and that same year the Presbyterian Church's "Social Creed for the 21st Century" endorsed the living wage demand. Many other denominations followed suit.<p>Today, the living wage ideal has been broadly embraced by the nation's religions, and the Catholic Church, which helped introduce living wage demand in the early 20th century, seems poised to provide leadership on the issue again. "Not paying a just wage, not providing work, focusing exclusively on the balance books, on financial statements, only looking at making personal profit. That goes against God!" says Pope Francis, the world's most visible religious leader.<p>As workers take to the streets to fight for a living wage in fast food and other low paying industries, they can take comfort from knowing the nation's religions are increasingly aligned with their cause. That is one reason for hope this Labor Day that we might finally reverse the trend toward inequality that has so long afflicted us.<p>Source: Joseph A. McCartin ("The Huffington Post," September 1, 2013)<br>
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-73242431164697566682013-08-06T05:23:00.001-07:002013-08-06T05:23:26.350-07:00Pope Francis Reforms Threaten Some Catholics, Changes Not Welcomed By All Nicole Winfield (AP, July 31, 2013)Vatican City - The Francis Revolution is underway. Not everyone is pleased.<p>Four months into his papacy, Francis has called on young Catholics in the trenches to take up spiritual arms to shake up a dusty, doctrinaire church that is losing faithful and relevance. He has said women must have a greater role – not as priests, but a place in the church that recognizes that Mary is more important than any of the apostles. And he has turned the Vatican upside down, quite possibly knocking the wind out of a poisonously homophobic culture by merely uttering the word "gay" and saying: so what?<p>In between, he has charmed millions of faithful and the mainstream news media, drawing the second-largest crowd ever to a papal Mass. That should provide some insurance as he goes about doing what he was elected to do: reform not just the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy but the church itself, using his own persona and personal history as a model.<p>"He is restoring credibility to Catholicism," said church historian Alberto Melloni.<p>Such enthusiasm isn't shared across the board.<p>Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, had coddled traditionalist Catholics attached to the old Latin Mass and opposed to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council. That group greeted Francis' election with concern – and now is watching its worst fears come true. Francis has spoken out both publicly and privately against such "restoratist groups," which he accuses of being navel-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century.<p>His recent decision to forbid priests of a religious order from celebrating the old Latin Mass without explicit authorization seemed to be abrogating one of the big initiatives of Benedict's papacy, a 2007 decree allowing broader use of the pre-Vatican II Latin liturgy for all who want it. The Vatican denied he was contradicting Benedict, but these traditional Catholics see in Francis' words and deeds a threat. They are in something of a retreat.<p>"Be smart. There will be time in the future for people to sort what Vatican II means and what it doesn't mean," the Rev. John Zuhlsdorf warned his traditionalist readers in a recent blog post. "But mark my words: If you gripe about Vatican II right now, in this present environment, you could lose what you have attained."<p>Even more mainstream conservative Catholics aren't thrilled with Francis.<p>In a recent interview with the National Catholic Reporter, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput said right-wing Catholics "generally have not been really happy" with Francis.<p>To be sure, Francis has not changed anything about church teaching. Nothing he has said or done is contrary to doctrine; everything he has said and done champions the Christian concepts of loving the sinner but not the sin and having a church that is compassionate, welcoming and merciful.<p>But tone and priorities can themselves constitute change, especially when considering issues that aren't being emphasized, such as church doctrine on abortion, gay marriage and other issues frequently referenced by Benedict and Pope John Paul II.<p>The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, used the word "gay" for perhaps the first time in its 150-year history on Wednesday, in an article marveling at the change Francis has brought.<p>"In just a few words, the novelty has been expressed clearly and without threatening the church's tradition," the newspaper said about Francis' comments on gays and women. "You can change everything without changing the basic rules, those on which Catholic tradition are based."<p>The biggest headline came in Francis' inflight news conference on the way home from Brazil this week, when he was asked about a trusted monsignor who reportedly once had a gay lover.<p>"Who am I to judge?" he asked, when it comes to the sexual orientation of priests, as long as they are searching for God and have good will.<p>Under normal circumstances, given the sexual morality at play in the Catholic Church, outing someone as actively gay is a death knell for career advancement. Vatican officials considering high-profile appointments often weigh whether someone is "ricattabile" – blackmailable.<p>But Francis said he investigated the allegations himself and found nothing to back them up. And that regardless, if someone is gay and repents, God not only forgives but forgets. Francis said everyone else should too. By calling out the blackmail for what it is, Francis may well have clipped the wings of an ugly but common practice at the Vatican.<p>Francis also made headlines with his call for the church to develop a new theology of women's role, saying it's not enough to have altar girls or a woman heading a Vatican department given the critical role that women have in helping the church grow.<p>While those comments topped the news from the 82-minute news conference, he revealed plenty of other insights that reinforce the idea that a very different papacy is underway.<p>- Annulments: He said the church's judicial system of annulling marriages must be "looked at again" because church tribunals simply aren't up to the task. That could be welcome news to many Catholics who often have to wait years for an annulment, the process by which the church determines that a marriage effectively never took place.<p>- Divorce and remarriage: He suggested an opening in church teaching which forbids a divorced and remarried Catholic from taking communion unless they get an annulment, saying: "This is a time for mercy."<p>- Church governance: He said his decision to appoint eight cardinals to advise him was based on explicit requests from cardinals at the conclave that elected him who wanted "outsiders" – not Vatican officials – governing the church. Francis obliged, essentially creating a parallel government for the church alongside the Vatican bureaucracy: a pope and a cabinet of cardinals representing the church in each of the continents.<p>And then there was Rio.<p>From the moment he touched down, it was clear change was afoot. No armored popemobile, just a simple Fiat sedan – one that got swarmed by adoring fans when it got lost and stuck in traffic. Rather than recoil in fear, Francis rolled down his window. Given that popes until recently were carried around on a chair to keep them above the fray, that gesture alone was revolutionary.<p><p>He told 35,000 pilgrims from his native Argentina to make a "mess" in their dioceses, shake things up and go out into the streets to spread their faith, even at the expense of confrontation with their bishops. He led by example, diving into the crowds in one of Rio's most violent slums.<p><p>"Either you do the trip as it needs to be done, or you don't do it at all," he told Brazil's TV Globo. He said he simply couldn't have visited Rio "closed up in a glass box."<br>
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-51231303134161769422013-05-15T17:13:00.001-07:002013-05-15T17:13:18.010-07:00Frans Magnis Suseno about World Stateman Award to our President Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoLadies and Gentlemen of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF),<p>I am a Catholic Priest and professor of philosophy in Jakarta. In<br>Indonesia we learnt that you are going to bestow this year's World<br>Stateman Award to our President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono because of<br>his merits regarding religious tolerance.<p>This is a shame, a shame for you. It discredits any claim you might<br>make as a an institution with moral intentions.<p>How can you take such a decision without asking concerned people in<br>Indonesia? Hopefully you have not made this decission in response to<br>prodding by people of our Government or of the entourage of the<br>President.<p>Do you not know about the growing difficulties of Christians to get<br>permits for opening places of prayer, about the growing number of<br>forced closures of churches, about the growth of regulations tha make<br>worshipping for minorities more difficult, thus about growing<br>intolerance on the grassroot level? And particularly, have you never<br>heard about the shameful and quite dangerous attitudes of hardline<br>religious groups towards so called deviant teachings, meaning members<br>of the Achmadiyah and the Shia communities, and the government of<br>Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono just doing nothing and saying nothing to<br>protect them? Hundreds of their people have under Susilo Bambang<br>Yudhoyono's presidentship been driven out of their houses, they still<br>live miserably in places like sports halls, there have allready<br>Achmadis and Shia people been killed (so that the question arises<br>whether Indonesia will deteriorate to conditions like Pakistan dan<br>Iran [favor of President G. W. Bush] where every months hundreds of<br>Shia people are being killed because of religious motivations)?<p>Do you not know that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his up<br>to now 8 1/2 years in office has not a single time said something to<br>the Indonesian people, that they should respect their minorities? That<br>he has shamefully avoided responsibility regarding growing violence towards Achmadiyah and Shia people?<p>Again, whom did you ask for information before making you award<br>choice? What could be your motivation to bestow upon this President a<br>reward for religious tolerance who so obviously lacks any courage to<br>do his duty protecting minorities?<p>I have to add that I am not a radical, not even a "human right<br>extremist" (if such exist). I am just appaled about so much hypocrisy.<br>You are playing in the hands of those - still few - radicals that want<br>to purify Indonesia of all what they regard as heresies and heathen.<p>Franz Magnis-Suseno SJ<p>(Source Exclusive)
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-78152295455646218002013-03-27T23:10:00.001-07:002013-03-27T23:10:29.079-07:00The 7 C's of HappinessWhat are the critical ingredients for experiencing genuine happiness? Here are seven elements of life that I believe are essential to the attainment of human happiness. I call them the "7C's in the pursuit of happiness." One is not more important than any of the others.<p>1. Compassion<br>In order to evolve into a state of happiness, you must develop your in-born ability to care about life, to value life in all its forms, to engage in loving, kind actions, to cultivate an attitude of what Nobel laureate, Dr. Albert Schweitzer called "reverence for life,". (including your own).<p>2. Contentment<br>Inner calm. Peace of mind and heart does not mean acceptance of everything that happens. It does mean letting go of fear. When you live life fearlessly, you experience a kind of peace that permeates every cell of your body, every thought of your mind, every emotion of your heart, every element of your spirit.<p>3. Connection<br>Without effectively connecting to other humans, you become less than human yourself. Connection means involving yourself in relationship to everyone around you, connecting to your own inner life, and becoming aware of the environment in which you live. Learn to create a high quality relationship, and your happiness is almost guaranteed.<p>4. Communication<br>Communication is our primary method for connection. It increases your knowledge, your understanding, and your awareness. Language is precious. Words are the building blocks of all happiness.<p>5. Commitment<br>Oprah Winfrey says that what motivates her to get up in the morning is "my commitment to my life and fulfilling my life purpose." If one of your life's purposes is to enhance your happiness, committing your life to the service of others brings more happiness than you can imagine. Happiness requires you commit yourself to something larger than yourself.<p>6. Consciousness<br>Most spiritual teachers believe we are living in a sleep-like or dream state. In order to be happy, one must increase one's awareness of life. And the single awareness that is most conducive to happiness is: the impermanence of everything. Life is in a constant state of flux, of change, of rhythm and of evolution.<p>7. Creativity<br>Creating your life experience by consciously choosing your thoughts, your actions, your decisions and your attitudes will allow you to attain personal happiness regardless of external circumstances. The pursuit of happiness is not something you search for or attain from outside your skin. Happiness develops from within. You were born to be happy. You were given life to experience happiness. Pursuing it is your right. Sail the 7 C's of happiness and the pursuit of it becomes obvious and being alive becomes the happiest of moments.<p>***
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-19190319482638550332013-03-17T19:02:00.001-07:002013-03-17T19:02:46.847-07:00One example is Better than 10.000 Words of AdviceBy Pormadi Simbolon<p>In the public, we can find that the word of 'integrity' are often be a simply toyed and be a sweet word on the tongue.<p>The public can see an example of the recruitment of leadership. How to be a leader, for example: village heads, district, regents, governors, members of Parliament, the President, etc. One of requirement is a must to have an integrity.<p>One more important requirement for officially and commonly practiced in the government to strengthen the integrity of a leader is to say the pledge or oath before God, and accompanied by one of his priests.<p>In fact, some of those who were subsequently elected in leadership many of them do not have integrity.<p>Many of them while addressing an official speech: they prohibit subordinates doing corruption, but they themselves corrupt. When they ask a subordinate to be disciplined, but they break down the rule of discipline. They requested subordinates to maintain ethical manner, but they do not have their own manners. They prohibit public not to watch porn's video for morality reason, but they do.<p>Integrity<br>Integrity is defined that words are harmony with action, performance. Someone isto be said having integrity if the words embodied in the act.<p>When campaigning, Joko Widodo promised, if they win the election for governor, they will issue Jakarta healthy cards and Jakarta smart cards to the people in need as an effort to build a welfare society. The promise was fulfilled, when Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and her partner Tjahaya Basuki Purnama (Ahok) won the elections for the governor and deputy governor of Jakarta.<p>Hypocrisy<br>The lack of integrity as well as hypocrisy. Hypocrisy shows the surface of an action is just as self-image, but actually, there is a cover-up decay.<p>Equally, however, a religious leader or religious scholars, in Javanese language, "iso khotbah, ora iso ngelakoni ", may preach, but could not do it. He preached that the people must live away from the prohibitions of Allah, but he deviated from the commandments of God.<p>Now, we need not the speech of a leader, if it does not have the effectiveness and side effects for the listener. For example, a speech about vision of Indonesia in future is to protect all citizens of Indonesia and promote the general welfare. This speech will not have the power to influence the public when there is a minority in the field and their human rights are not protected. It's called hypocrisy, and it has no integrity.<p>Professor Sharif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta, Azyumardi Azra, see the leaders of this nation as a sign of lack of practicing integrity, but hypocrisy. As a result, values disorientation occurs in almost all aspects of life. Some people also take the bypass road, easy to find their own way, and no longer believe in the law (Kompas, 9/3).<p>Hypocrisy show lack of integrity of the leader. Azyumardi give an example, when leaders asked the political elite not noisy, but at the same time it noisy with the internal crisis in the party.<p>Needed One Example<br>People are already tired of looking at the leaders with no integrity. Public need an example of integrity. We can see an evident from the winning pair and Ahok Jokowi the Jakarta gubernatorial election. <p>For the public, it is true the words of these wise men: one example is far better than 10.000 words of advice. For people, samples of Jokowi's work in Solo and Ahok's work in East Belitung is convincing enough to encourage them to choose Jokowi-Ahok as leader in DKI Jakarta Province.<p>Looking forward, the word and the meaning of integrity in choosing leaders should no longer be mocked. Soon there will be election for presidential candidate and representatives' candidate. This is a chance where the public must see examples or role models that they had done in the past to be choosed for the candidates as well as candidates for president and vice president,and also representatives candidate.<p>Pormadi Simbolon is an alumnus STFT Widya Sasana Malang
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-32314528186111775952013-03-08T02:40:00.001-08:002013-03-08T02:40:42.735-08:00"The beggar and Pope John Paul II"A Priest from New York went to Rome for an audience with Pope John Paul ll. Whilst in Rome, before his meeting he decided to go to a church to pray. As he walked through the door he saw a beggar sitting on the steps, which is not uncommon, and yet he sensed something familiar about him. When he had finished praying he walked back out and decided to speak to the beggar, at which time they realised that they knew each other and had gone to Seminary together. The beggar revealed how he had been a Priest and had `crashed and burned' in his vocation.<p>Later, when the Priest had an audience with the Pope, he joined the line of people who were processing past, and when his turn came, he gave in to a holy impulse and fell to his knees asking the Pope to pray for the beggar he had met earlier, telling him of how he was a Priest but had now fallen on hard times.<br>The Pope gave the Priest an invitation to bring the beggar to dinner with him that evening. The Priest immediately went from St Peters to the small church and found the beggar was still on the steps. The Priest told the beggar of the invitation they had been given from John Paul ll. The beggar said that he could not possibly do such a thing, but the Priest insisted telling him he was not going to this meal without him. He then took the beggar to his hotel room and gave him a loan of his razor and some clothes.<p>The two men arrived an hour later at the Papal apartments and sat down and ate a nice meal with the Pope. An hour later the Pope asked the Priest to kindly leave him alone with his friend. The Priest found out, later that evening, what had happened when he left the room:<br>The Pope turned to the beggar and said, "Would you hear my confession?" The beggar replied, "but I am not a Priest anymore!" The Pope then told him, "once a Priest, you are always a Priest." But the beggar told the Pope that he was out of good standing with the church. The Pope replied, "I am the Bishop of Rome, I can reinstate you right now," which he then does.The Pope then knelt before the beggar and confessed his sins. The beggar-Priest barely got the words of absolution out before he fell on his knees and with tears in his eyes asks the Pope to hear his confession. Once the beggar-Priest was restored to Christ and in a state of grace, the Pope asked the other Priest to come back into the room. The Pope asked him which church he had found his friend at, upon learning he then told the beggar-Priest, "for your first pastoral assignment I want you to go to this church and report for duty, because you will be an associate there, with a special outreach to your fellow beggars on the street" – and to this day that is where the beggar-Priest works, helping the dispossessed.<p>And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."(John 20:22 & 23).<p>Note: It is a true story, as been told by EWTN and that Dr Scott Hahn has met the Priest in this story in person.<br>(Milis ApiKatolik)
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-6396838821748080012012-12-31T09:29:00.001-08:002012-12-31T09:29:36.959-08:00Happy New YearIts time to look back on what we had done and achieved and look forward to our plans for the coming year. 365 days ahead, 365 new grace awaits, 365 challenges to be faced, and 365 support from me to you. May all good blessing continue to be with us, you and your family in year 2013.
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<br>HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013.
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-17925085477771591892012-09-28T23:33:00.000-07:002012-09-28T23:38:20.481-07:00Rampant student brawls and our character educationThe latest series of student brawls in Jakarta that has claimed two lives has harshly reminded us to revisit and reevaluate our system of character education.<p>Believed to have a long history of brawling, students from two senior high schools in South Jakarta fought each other after school hours on Monday, brandishing sharp weapons and hurling stones violently, ending in the death of a student. <p>Although some have argued that the incident was an assault rather than a student brawl, I would argue that some student brawl cases might have assaults in them, and at the heart of the brawl is violence.<p>Within 48 hours, another life was lost in South Jakarta following a brawl between students of two vocational schools. The student was killed after being stabbed in the stomach.<p>While violent teenage behavior occurs everywhere, school brawls are more common in Indonesia. A student brawl is a form of collective social behavior of adolescent aberration and aggressive behavior resulting from group conformity. Usually a conflict flares up between two schools, and on the battlefield, students are actually wearing their school uniforms.<p>Student brawls are nothing new in our country, but it is very devastating to learn that the number of cases is mounting rather than abating. <p>The National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) recorded at least 128 school brawl cases in 2010, which rose to 339 last year. The brawls claimed 82 lives last year, up from 40 in 2010. More worryingly, acts of violence involving students became more prevalent when character education was integrated into the school curriculum.<p>Therefore, these statistics should prompt us to revisit and evaluate the current system of character education. Are we teaching them the right things?<p>I still remember when I had a Pancasila moral education lesson (PMP or now civics) back in secondary school during the New Order era, I was only asked to memorize the principles of and the attitudes that reflect Pancasila state ideology. That time I was questioning myself, why bother memorizing good attitudes but not practicing them?<p>Character education is not simply a formal lesson that occurs at a cognitive level (moral knowledge), but rather, it should go beyond understanding and arrive at reflecting upon what is right and doing the right thing.<p>For instance, an elementary school teacher in my region implemented an exemplary form of character education. She brought her students to a nursing home and assigned the students to assist and entertain the elderly. <p>Surprisingly, those eight-year-old children played games with the elderly, sang a song, read them a story and even did a small stitching project. In short, students have to feel and experience for themselves the concepts of love, respect, empathy and many other good traits and characteristics.<p>Simply expelling students from schools due to their role in a brawl does not resolve the problem, but may instead perpetuate the culture of violence. The expulsion will deprive the students of their bright future and may lead them to a larger gang of criminals.<p>Character education should not only be shouldered by teachers alone. There should be a harmonious synergy among schools, families, communities and the government as the stakeholders of national education. This is because character is not taught, rather, it is shaped.<p>Ki Hajar Dewantara, the founding father of national education, has bequeathed to us a prophetic motto: "Ing ngarso sung tuladha; ing madya mangun karsa; tut wuri handayani," which means "Provide a model; create an intention; and give constructive support." <p>His philosophy on education reflected in this motto is still relevant now. It echoes to the system of character education that has become one of our chief concerns nowadays.<p>Teachers, parents, communities and the government should be models, motivators and supporters for young generations — modeling good character, motivating youth to do good things and supporting them to do the right thing. <p>Character building is a long-term project that requires patience and perseverance.<p>Here are some questions that may help us contemplate our awareness of character education for our children. How can we ask our students/children to think if we do all the thinking? <p>How can we ask our students/children to talk, if we do all the talking? How can we ask our students/children to respect us, if we do not respect them?<p>The writer is a researcher at the Center for Multiculturalism, Democracy and Character Building in the Semarang State University.<p>Source: <a href="http://thejakartapost.com">thejakartapost.com</a>
<br>Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-37619056336587917102012-07-04T23:17:00.000-07:002012-07-04T23:18:23.068-07:00Developing Nation's Character and Culture<br />
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by Pormadi Simbolon<br />
The issue today is the nation's
character left in the life of society, nation and state. Educational character
of the nation further and further away from the spirit of religious values,
Pancasila<span lang="EN-US"> (five priciples)</span>,
and culture. Increasing problems in society such as corruption, violence,
sexual abuse, vandalism, fighting mass, consumptive economic life, political
life is not productive and so more and more valued as a result of the
abandonment of religious values, culture and Pancasila. Solutions offered are
rules, laws, increased enforcement and tougher.</div>
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Another alternative is
often raised to overcome, at least reduce the problem of national character are
dealt it is through education, including religious education. Religious
education is one of the preventive and was considered to improve the quality of
young people today.</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Character<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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In the dictionary of philosophy
(Lorens <span lang="EN-US">Bagus</span>, 2002),
one of <span lang="EN-US">meaning</span> the
character described as "the name of a number of personal characteristics
that include such things as behavior, habits, likes, dislikes, abilities,
tendencies, potential, values, and patterns of thought.</div>
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Some people describe the meaning
of the character as the attitude of honesty and courage to speak according to
reality, keep their promises and do not spill the beans and act consistently,
only words and deeds. Thus the character is a choice. We create characters
every time we make a choice: to face or avoid something difficult; bend the
truth or the firm support it, taking shortcuts or pay the price.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">From</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">that description,</span> we can
conclude that the character is one's personal character is formed in the
environment, including culture. This means that the development of
culture and national character can only be done in a process of life that do
not release the individual from the social environment, culture, society and
culture. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Sources of values<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Character is personality that is
formed from the internalization of various virtues which are believed and used as the basis for
the perspective, think, act, and act. Virtue consists of a number of values,
morals, and values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>such as honesty, courage to act,
trustworthy, and respectful to others. These values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>can be identified from various sources, including:</div>
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<i>Culture</i>: no human life without culture and values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>that affect their lives. Cultural values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>were used as the basis for giving meaning to the concept and meaning
of the communication between people. </div>
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<i>Religion</i>: Indonesia is a society of religious people. Therefore,
the lives of individuals, communities and nations are always based on religious
teachings and beliefs. Politically, any state of life based on values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>derived from religion. </div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">N</span>ational
agreement, Pancasila</i>: the unitary Republic of Indonesia established on the
basis of the principles of nationhood and statehood, called Pancasila. Pancasila
<span lang="EN-US">f</span>ound on <span lang="EN-US">our</span> Constitution <span lang="EN-US">(UUD 1945) and </span>further
elaborated in the articles contained in the
Constitution. Pancasila<span lang="EN-US">’s</span>
values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>globally are: divinity, humanity, unity,
deliberative /democratic and social justice. </div>
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Some of the values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>identified (Kemdiknas, 2010) from various sources to serve as the
nation's character is: <i>religious
attitudes and behavior, honesty, tolerance, discipline, hard work, creative,
independent, demo</i><i>cratic,
curiosity, love the country, recognize excellence, friendship/ communicative,
love peace, love reading, environmental care, social care, and responsibility</i>.</div>
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These are the values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>that must be developed and used as a character not only in school,
but also in the family, neighborhood (village), national and international.
Embodiment of these values <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>is the responsibility of all, government,
and society.</div>
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We may need to learn from
the Korean nation. Korea became a strong and prosperous nation for all its
citizens are systematically trained to think ahead (visionary), has a hard work
ethic is high, and always struggling.</div>
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Korea <span lang="EN-US">before</span>, still in poor condition,
collapsed, and the colonized. But now, the country rose and advanced to the
advanced and expansive as each generation of youth is given a character
education (work hard and never give up) is grounded in the history of the
Korean struggle against the invaders. Korea is a nation of intelligent,
superior and sovereign. Indonesia, when? We eagerly await the results of
ongoing efforts by the Government of the cultural and educational development
of the nation's character.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Developing</span>
character through education<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Today the Ministry of Education
and Culture was incessant echoing the nation's culture and character education.
It is very appropriate and in accordance with the mandate of Law Decree No. 20
of 2003 on National Education System of the function and purpose of national
education. Article 3 of the Education Law that says "<i>National Education functions to develop and shape the character and
civilization of the nation's dignity in the context of the intellectual life of
the nation, aimed at developing the potential of human learners to be faithful
and devoted to God Almighty, noble, healthy, knowledgeable, skilled , creative,
independent, and become citizens of a democratic and responsibl</i><i><span lang="EN-US">”</span>e</i>. Formulation of national education goals is a formulation
of Indonesia's human quality that must be developed within<span lang="EN-US"> and aimed at </span>each educational unit.
Therefore, the formula is the basis for the development of culture and national
character.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Developtment of </span> culture and character of the nation based on
religious values, Pancasila and culture, so important to see the situation and
condition of Indonesia that is still underdeveloped in many areas, particularly
in the areas of living together. It is important to overcome, or at least to
reduce blemishes, corruption, violence, offensive statements, hypocrisy, <span lang="EN-US">bad moral</span> and collective
evil. <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Pormadi Simbolon is an alumnus of STFT Widya
Sasana Malang, worked in Jakarta</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-2891486037927161282012-06-27T21:09:00.003-07:002012-06-27T21:09:47.647-07:00Let's reject intolerance through writing!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">There are many ways to reject intolerance in religious faith. One of them is rejecting intolerance through writing on mylot or other media both newspaper or internet. </span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">Intolerance is an enemy of the peace life in the world. Intolerance is not accordance to human nature. God loves all people in the world regardless what is their religion.</span>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-1894331430214520122012-06-27T00:45:00.000-07:002012-06-27T00:45:27.762-07:00Sending an article or opinion to a newspaper<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I try to write many opinion and sending it to some newspapers. Most of them it is not published. Only a small number is published. I am happy. I get amount money that adding my pcoket money. </span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I think I must improve my skill writing and others languages in order to get a good writing. Besides, I should read many books according to competences. Rejecting my writing is not something bad for me. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">My experiences, someone neger give up to try the best.</span></span>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-39563877002822202092012-06-22T01:36:00.000-07:002012-06-22T01:36:48.108-07:00Integrity of the faithful<br />
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Sermon / homily:</div>
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Integrity of the Faithful</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Source of
meditation: </span>Matthew 6:19-23</div>
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<br /></div>
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Public spotlight on problems <span lang="EN-US"> of nation </span>today is the issue of self
integrity and character of the nation. <span lang="EN-US">Money is v</span>iewed as an absolute property that meets happiness.
This encourages people to pursue worldly possessions with corruption. More and
more people neglect and abandon the spirit of religious values <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>and the
Pancasila<span lang="EN-US">.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span>As a result, the nation's integrity and character of the more
questionable.</div>
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The solution offered by the observers and thinkers, law
enforcement and education is character. Then how about we the faithful? What
can we do?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Religion is a source of values <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>that can serve as
our nation's character as a child. Each religion offers the spirit of religious
values <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>that are
not contrary to Pancasila.</div>
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Reading today confirmed the teaching of Jesus for us who
believe in Him. At least three points that can build integrity and character we
as believers.</div>
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<i>The first, gather the
heavenly treasure.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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In conditions like today, the teachings of Jesus are very
relevant, because many people become selfish and give an absolute value for
money and property. Jesus reminds Christians that the goal is to collect
treasure worth far more glorious and eternal, the heavenly treasure. This
property can be anything that means noble and eternal, which is generated due
to the lack of sharing, forgiving one another, to suffer for Christ, doing
good, and so forth. That is a treasure to be collected by all Christians with all
their heart.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Secondly, keep your
heart in order not to be enslaved by possessions.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Heavenly treasures is not easy, because in essence is a
matter of perspective. Christians should be careful not to be easily tempted by
what he saw. Christians should also be aware that in relation to the property,
we are required to be strictly between the use of property or property
enslaved. When we are enslaved by the property, then we are further away from
God, and vice versa.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Third, the eye is the
lamp of the body<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your
whole body of light, if your eye is bad, your whole body gelaplah. ... If the
light within you is darkness, how pekatnya darkness.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A parable is a very touching and profound. The eyes are one
of the important organs in our body. <span lang="EN-US">Eyes are</span> a good window to look out and to look into. Through our
eyes can see what lies beyond us. If our eyes are good, we can catch our sights
beyond the obvious. On the other hand, through our eyes, people can see what's
on in our hearts. If our eyes are red, those that capture our hearts raging
anger. If our eyes are puffy, people perceive that our hearts are troubled. If
our eyes lit up, people perceive that there is joy in our hearts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Given the importance of the eyes, then we need to keep and
use the spring as well. The eyes are always directed to the good stuff will
reflect the good. So, get used to listening to the good stuff.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Instead, the eyes are always directed to the bad things that
will<span lang="EN-US">, </span>reflects the
ugliness. So, keep your eyes well, do not get excited<span lang="EN-US">, </span>glaring things that are not good.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The third point is if <span lang="EN-US">we refelct and do</span> nicely, it will bring us to joy. The integrity
of ourselves even more firmly. We can be witnesses of Christ to those around us
by way of the truth<span lang="EN-US">, Kings of
Heaven</span>.</div>
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We realize how much God loves us. For God confirms seek
heavenly treasures, together with the search for the truth of God first, then
happiness will be transferred to <span lang="EN-US">us</span>. God does not want <span lang="EN-US">us to be</span> worr<span lang="EN-US">ied,
</span>because it is he prepared for us in many ways he wants. It requires of
us is faith in the truth of God. AMEN</div>
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<br /></div>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-72532146875493139302012-06-22T00:26:00.002-07:002012-06-22T00:26:38.464-07:0024 Truths about Yourself that you should Know<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">And one thing that you should not forget about all your life on this earth ... </span><br />
<br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">(1) Your presence is a gift to the world. (2) You are unique and only you are like you in this world. (3)Your life can be what you want. (4)One day you pass through will never be played again (5)Count your blessings, not your problem. (6) You can go through all obstacles whatever comes into your life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">(7) In your self there are so many answers. (8) In this life, you must be a person who understands org, have the courage and strong. (9)Do not put limits on yourself. (10) So many dreams are waiting to be realized. (11) The decisions you make today will affect your future. (12) Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize. (13) No more waste your energy issue, (14) The longer you are silent on the issue, the more weight it for yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">(15) Do not take things too seriously. (16) Live in peace, not life in regret. (17) Remember that just a little love can change someone's life. (18) Lots of love can make this world full of wonders. (19) Remember that friendship is a wise investment. (20) Assets of life are the ones that exist and interact around you. (21) Realize that it's never too late. (22) Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. (23) Have health, hope and happiness. (24)Take time to pray to the Lord. </span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">And do not ever forget... even a day ....that you are very special. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-1089357389301884902012-06-20T20:37:00.000-07:002012-06-20T20:37:00.311-07:00Begin from education in family<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I see that some people can not be tolerant to other religion. It is shown in local and international newsapaer. A certain religious group killed others for keeping their pure religious teachings. What is the root of this intolerance? Maybe, religious teachings. </span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I think the solution is a good education. Children should be teached to respect others. Children are the future of family and nation and world citizen. Parents take a big role in here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-41376319240685167582012-06-20T19:56:00.000-07:002012-06-20T19:59:46.077-07:00Let's learn to live our live<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Let's
learn to live our lives for the sake of self-improvement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Beautiful
only temporary, lasting only a memory, sincerity only comes from the heart, not
easy to find the lost, not easy to chase a dream, but it is more difficult to
retain an existing one. Because even if grasped can be detached as well. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember
the adage, "If you do not have what you like, then to care what you have
today"</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Let's
learn to accept what is and think positively .... Luxury house like a palace,
countless possessions, position, and a remarkable position, but .. When the
last breath came, a needle could not be taken away. Ply could not have. What
else would contested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What
else would boast? So Live the life with the conviction of conscience, not too
calculating. Do not just selfish. Do not like to hurt others especially to
those who contributed to us. Learn, no day without love. Always tolerant and
yield. Cheerful life, free ... Nothing that can not be released with sincerity
... There was no pain that is unforgivable. There was no resentment that can
not be deleted ..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Live
the life with all the positive properties that we have .... If your heart as
clear as water, do not let him mess. If your day as white cloud, do not let it clouds.
If your day as beautiful as the moon, decorate him with affection.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(NN-BBM)</span>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-63006024383616306642012-01-25T01:39:00.001-08:002012-03-23T10:22:29.004-07:00The U.S., Indonesia & the New York Times<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/24/the-u-s-indonesia-the-new-york-times/</span></div>
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The '65 Massacres: Complicity and Cover-Up</div>
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The U.S., Indonesia & the New York Times</h1>
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by CONN HALLINAN<br />
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Why is the <em>New York Times</em> concealing the key role that the United States played in the 1965 coup in Indonesia that ended up killing somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million people? In a story Jan. 19—"Indonesia Chips Away At the Enforced Silence Around a Dark History"—the <em>Times</em> writes that the coup was "one of the darkest periods in modern Indonesian history, and the least discussed, until now."</div>
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Indeed it is, but the <em>Times</em> is not only continuing to ignore U.S. involvement in planning and carrying out the coup, but apparently doesn't even bother to read its own clip files from that time that reported the Johnson administration's "delight with the news from Indonesia." The newspaper also reported a cable by Secretary of State Dean Rusk supporting the "campaign against the communists" and assuring the leader of the coup, General Suharto, that the "U.S. government [is] generally sympathetic with, and admiring of, what the army is doing."</div>
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What the Indonesian Army was doing was raping and beheading communists, leftists, and trade unionists. Many people were savagely tortured to death by the military and its right-wing Muslim allies in the Nahdlatul Ulama and the Muhammadiyah. A number of those butchered were fingered by U.S. intelligence.</div>
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According to a three-part series in the July 1999 <em>Sidney Morning Herald</em>, interviews with Indonesian political prisoners, and examinations of U.S. and Australian documents, "Western powers urged the Indonesian military commanders to seize upon the false claims of a coup attempt instigated by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), in order to carry out one of the greatest civilian massacres of the 20<sup>th</sup> century and establish a military dictatorship."</div>
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General Suharto claimed that the PKI was behind the assassination of six leading generals on the night of July 30, 1965, the incident that ignited the coup. But the <em>Herald</em> series included interviews with two of the men involved in the so-called July 30 putsch, both of who claim the PKI had nothing to do with the uprising. At the time, the PKI was part of a coalition government, had foresworn violence, and had an official policy of a "peaceful transition" to socialism. In fact, the organization made no attempt to mobilize its three million members to resist the coup.</div>
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The U.S. made sure that very few of those communists—as well as the leaders of peasant, women, union, and youth organizations— survived the holocaust. According to U.S. National Security Archives published by George Washington University, U.S. intelligence agents fingered many of those people. Then U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Marshall Green, said that an Embassy list of top Communist leaders "is being used by the Indonesian security authorities that seem to lack even the simplest overt information on PKI leadership at the time…"</div>
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The U.S. was well aware of the scale of the killings. In an April 15, 1966 telegram to Washington, the Embassy wrote, "We frankly do not know whether the real figure [of PKI killed] is closer to 100,000 or 1,000,000, but believe it wiser to err on the side of the lower estimates, especially when questioned by the press."</div>
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Besides helping the military track down and murder any leftists, the U.S. also supplied the right-wing Kap-Gestapu movement with money. Writing in a memo to then Assistant Secretary of State McGeorge Bundy, Green wrote "The chances of detection or subsequent revelation of our support in this instance are as minimal as any black bag operation can be."</div>
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<em>States News Service</em> reporter Kathy Kadane interviewed several former diplomats and intelligence agents and found that the list turned over to the Indonesian security forces had around 5,000 names on it. "It was really a big help to the Army," former embassy political officer Robert J. Martens told Kadane. "They probably killed a lot of people, and I probably have a lot of blood on my hands, but that is not all bad. There is a time when you have to strike hard at a decisive moment."</div>
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At the time, Washington was beginning a major escalation of the Vietnam War, and the Johnson administration was fixated on its mythical domino theory that communists were about to take over Asia. The U.S. considered Indonesia to be a strategically important country, not only because it controlled important sea passages, but also because it was rich in raw materials in which U.S. corporations were heavily invested. These included Richfield and Mobil oil companies, Uniroyal, Union Carbide, Eastern Airlines, Singer Sewing Machines, National Cash Register, and the Freeport McMorRan gold and copper mining company.</div>
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At the time, Indonesian President Sukarno was one of the leaders of the "third force" movement, an alliance of nations that tried to keep itself aloof from the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The 1955 Bangdung Conference drew countries from throughout Asia and Africa to Indonesia to create an anti-colonialist, non-aligned movement. It also drew the ire of the U.S, which refused to send a representative to Bangdung.</div>
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In the polarized world of the Cold War, non-alignment was not acceptable to Washington, and the U.S. began using a combination of diplomacy, military force and outright subversion to undermine countries like Indonesia and to bring them into alliances with the U.S. and its allies. The CIA encouraged separatist movements in the oil-rich provinces of Sumatra and Sulawesi. The British and the Australians were also up to their elbows in the 1965 coup, and France increased its trade with Indonesia following the massacre.</div>
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The relations between Jakarta and Washington are long and sordid. The U.S. gave Indonesia the green light to invade and occupy East Timor, an act that resulted in the death of over 200,000 people, or one-third of the Timorese population, a kill ratio greater than Pol Pot's genocidal mania in Cambodia. Washington is also supportive of Indonesia's seizure of Irian Jaya (West Papua) and, rather than condemning the brutality of the occupation, has blamed much of the violence on the local natives.</div>
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The Cold War is over, but not U.S. interests in Asia. The Obama administration is pouring military forces into the region and has made it clear that it intends to contest China's growing influence in Asia and Southeast Asia. Here Indonesia is key. Some 80 percent of China's energy supplies pass through Indonesian-controlled waters, and Indonesia is still a gold mine—literally in the case of Freeport McMoRan on Irian Jaya—of valuable resources.</div>
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So once again, the U.S. is turning a blind eye to the brutal and repressive Indonesian military that doesn't fight wars but is devilishly good at suppressing its own people and cornering many of those resources for itself. The recent decision by the White House to begin working with Kopassus—Indonesia's equivalent of the Nazi SS—is a case in point. Kopassus has been implicated in torture and murder in Irian Jaya and played a key role in the 1999 sacking of East Timor that destroyed 70 percent of that country's infrastructure following Timor's independence vote. Over 1500 Timorese were killed and 250,000 kidnapped to Indonesian West Timor.</div>
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It appears that Indonesians are beginning to speak up about the horrors of the 1965 coup. Books like Geoffrey Robinson's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0801481724/counterpunchmaga">The Dark Side of Paradise</a>" and Robert Lemelson's documentary film, "40 Years of Silence: an Indonesian Tragedy," are slowly grindingg away at the history manufactured by the military dictatorship.</div>
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But the U.S. has yet to come clean on its role in the 1965 horror, and the <em>New York Times</em> has apparently decided to continue that silence, perhaps because once again Indonesia is pivotal to Washington's plans for Asia?</div>
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<em><strong>CONN HALLINAN</strong> can be read at <a href="http://dispatchesfromtheedgeblog.wordpress.com/">dispatchesfromtheedgeblog.wordpress.com</a> and <a href="http://middleempireseries.wordpress.com/">middleempireseries.wordpress.com</a>. He is a contributor to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1849351104/counterpunchmaga">Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion.</a></em></div>
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__,_._,___</div>Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25758945.post-20765103928600362242011-12-21T15:37:00.001-08:002012-03-23T10:23:55.584-07:00Christians alarm: forbidden to celebrate Christmas in JavaASIA/INDONESIA - Christians alarm: forbidden to celebrate Christmas in Java <br />
Bogor (Agenzia Fides) - Thanks to an unfortunate alliance between the civil authorities and Islamic extremist groups, the Catholic faithful of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Parung, south of Jakarta (in the Diocese of Bogor), cannot celebrate Christmas Mass. <br />
A garrison of Islamic extremists appeared a few days near the church. A banner reads ominously: "We, the Muslim people of Parung, support and will put into practice the decree of Regent No 453.2/556, which orders to stop the religious activities of the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist". <br />
Local sources of Fides confirm that the Regency of Bogor (administrative unit) has issued an order "prohibiting Christians public religious activities " and, in fact, does not allow the Christians to celebrate Christmas, citing "security reasons". <br />
"It is a story that repeats itself and that also took place last year when we celebrated Christmas in a parking lot," says a Catholic from Parung to Fides. The faithful are scared of violence and fear those who approach the church.<br />
Christmas celebrations and any public expression of religion will not be allowed, even to the "Indonesian Christian Church" (Gereja Kristen Indonesia, GKI) in Bogor. The GKI, Protestant denomination with a strong presence on the island of Java, continues its struggle for the rule of law: though having received regular approval to build a church in Bogor, the realization of the work is hindered by the Islamic militants and also by the Mayor of Bogor, Diani Budiarto, who issued an order revoking the permit (see Fides 23/07/2011).<br />
The unfavorable climate towards Christians also extends to the churches already built. Fr. Emanuel Harja, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Indonesia, explains to Fides: "There is unrest in the area of West Java for the presence of Islamic militants Defenders Front (FPI). <br />
During 2011 there have been several incidents of violence. For many in the Christian communities the right to worship and practice their faith is severely limited or denied. Extremist groups are small but strong, and would only like an Islamic nation and to impose the Sharia law. But this goes against the Constitution, against the Pancasila (the five basic principles of the country) and against pluralism that is a fundamental character of Indonesia. <br />
The authorities have the obligation to stop them, but sometimes this does not happen". The PMS National Director concludes: "We express our solidarity to the Christians in Bogor. A road that can be taken to try to overcome the problem is dialogue and interaction between Christian and Muslim leaders, to desist extremists from their intentions " . (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2011) <br />
By: Ignatius Ismartono
<br />Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®Pormadi Simbolon,SShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622135610780088629noreply@blogger.com0