Creeping Islamic state

Beyond our imagination, the Indonesian Islamic State (NII) teachings have spread to many layers of society, but the way the government plays down the lurking danger that may cost the existence of Indonesia is regrettable.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto raised many eyebrows when he, in response to brainwashing practices involved in the recruitment of NII members, regarded the clandestine organization as having no potential to endanger national integrity.

Unfortunately, Djoko’s statement is too good to be true.

Due to its aspiration to form a state that breaches the Constitution, NII makes no difference from the now defunct Free Aceh Movement and the Free Papua Organization, which the government used to and is trying hard to quell due to their secession movement, which is a serious crime.

For years NII has been recruiting members, many of them students and even political party members and government officials, and collecting funds, findings that should give cause for concern not only to the government but also the public at large.

No less surprising is the confession of a former NII minister, Imam Supriyanto, who said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party donated US$10,000 to an Islamic boarding school widely rumored to have been used to promote NII ideology and recruit followers.

Not to mention a possibility that NII deposited billions of rupiah into the now defunct Bank Century, prompting the House of Representatives to ask the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre to verify the report.

NII may have not transformed its dream to build an Islamic state into an armed movement as the Aceh rebels and the old NII did, and Papua separatist group is perpetrating, but the ideology war NII is waging could be more effective, particularly if people lose their confidence in democracy and a prosperous and just society envisioned by our founding fathers.

Indonesian modern history has seen the commitment to a nation state that preserves plurality surviving a series of efforts to change the Pancasila state ideology to Islam, either through constitutional or unconstitutional ways.

The fourth and latest constitutional amendment in 2002 confirmed that the Pancasila ideology, which does not recognize the Islamic state, was final and would be maintained as it stood.

Sadly the political elites have been compromising the national consensus by giving false hope to an Islamic state or a quasi of it for short-term interest and political gains. The passage of regional ordinances that are inspired by Islamic law in many regencies and provinces is a trick the elites have deliberately chosen, regardless of its repercussions which many warn as creeping Islamization.

The hard-won democracy has allowed everybody to exercise their freedom, but there is always a limit. The freedom shall not put the nation state that was built on blood and sufferings of our founding fathers at stake.

It was this concern that perhaps triggered noted Muslim scholar, the late Nurcholish Madjid, to consistently uphold his famous and hopefully everlasting motto “Islam yes, Islamic parties no”.

Getting The Best Gaming Computer Is Easier By Making Great Choices

It used to be that video games and computer games were a geek activity that was more or less relegated to those who played only once in a while. This was more for teen males and did not extend much past that. Today, things are a whole lot different and you are going to find that a lot of people would love to have the best gaming computer their money can buy because they are huge fans of these types of games. Since computer games are a lot more advanced than video games, many people favor these types of games. That is definitely a big part of what makes them want to have the best tech advantages possible. You will certainly find plenty of value in investing in the best gaming computer that can suit your needs, but you do want to make sure that you are picking one that is more suited to your style of gaming. This is where it can be helpful to read reviews of the various options out there to see what has been working for other gamers who enjoy the kind of games that you do. Once you get to looking, you are going to see that this is a terrific way to get more for yourself and make your games a lot more enjoyable.

If you take the time to shop for the best, one of the things you are going to notice is that people have very strong opinions out there. For some, there is a certain brand that makes the best gaming computer on the market, but others are a bit more maverick about things. They prefer either to build their own machine or have an expert build it to their exact specifications. They want custom gaming computers that will feature just the hardware they want. This could be due to them wanting to have high end parts or it may be due to them wanting the best gaming computer on a budget. Whatever the reason, this can be a good choice but you should be prepared to spend a little bit more if you go this route. It is certainly much simpler for most of us, though, if we choose this.

You are going to find that you get much better values when you look on the web not just for the products, but for the kind of info that helps you make better decisions. You can get all the specs and make sure you get the very best so easily. This is a fantastic way to find a great machine and to get the best gaming experience possible.

Are You Focusing On What You Really Want?

Imagine you're happily driving down a country road on a clear, sunny day. Suddenly a semi truck crosses the center line and is heading right at you. Heart pounding and adrenaline rushing, you react. Will you avert disaster? Maybe. Maybe not. In this moment, your life depends on where you focus.

Professional driving instructors tell us that what people usually do in emergency situations is to stay focused on the object they are trying to avoid. In driving, where your eyes and mind are focused is most often where you will steer.

Unfortunately, if you were focused on the truck in the situation above you would likely steer right into it. The route to safety is to focus on where you want to go. In this case, you'd look away from the truck to a place that's safer. You would then automatically steer the car in that direction. Safe!

You may be wondering, "What the heck does that have to do with creating more pleasure, passion, and purpose in my life?"

My response is "A great deal!" As in the example of the truck, your life depends on where you focus.

Focusing on What You Don't Want Steers You to More of That

Often when we are feeling stuck, dissatisfied, confused, or unhappy we are focused on what we DON'T want. We are looking at the truck we'd like to avoid.

We're thinking or saying "I don't want to be in this miserable job another day" or "I don't want to work on this project" or "I don't want to have pizza for dinner tonight."

From the big events to the small details in life, we tend to put a lot of our thoughts and attention on precisely what we don't want.

So, what's the problem with that? Well, it's kind of like steering your car into the truck. The more you focus on what you don't want, the more you head in that direction.

Your mind is wired to create whatever you focus on.

Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" and Maxwell Maltz's "Psychocybernetics" are two classic books on this subject. These and other researchers tell us that the mind can't tell the difference between something you're thinking about that you want and something you're thinking about that you do not want.

Whatever you think about, your mind goes to work to make that happen.

Getting More of What You Really Do Want

If you'd like to get more of what you want in life (pleasure, passion, purpose), shift your focus away from what you don't want and clearly, purposefully towards what you do want. 

Your mind will go to work creating that. You'll get unstuck. Your energy will increase. Solutions, alternatives, and options will come to you more easily.

Here's a recent personal example. At the end of a long day, I was getting ready to prepare dinner. I'd been grocery shopping and had the ingredients for three complex dishes I hadn't made before.

Hungry and tired, I reviewed the recipes but quickly became frustrated and overwhelmed. I started saying to myself "I don't want to make these dishes. I don't want this to be so hard. I don't want these recipes to be so complicated."

Those thoughts increased my agitation. I felt stuck and upset. Then I took a deep breath. I asked myself, "What do I really want in this situation right now?" (Besides a personal chef!)

The answer was "I want to make a healthy and great tasting dinner in a way that is fast and easy for me."

I quickly saw a solution I'd been unable to see minutes before: make only one of the new dishes that night along with a simple salad and save the other new recipes for another evening.

So that's what I did. The cooking was less stressful and the food turned out great. I switched from what I didn't want to what I did want. And it worked!

Are you focused on what you want or what you don't want?

I know many (maybe most) of us have an ingrained habit pattern that focuses us on what we don't want. Changing this pattern can be challenging. And I've seen with myself and my clients that it's definitely worth doing!

In Your Life

The more you focus on what you do want, the more pleasure, passion, and purpose you will create in your life. Focus on the clear road ahead, not on the truck coming at you. Try experimenting with this.

1) When you're feeling stuck, stressed, worried, angry, unhappy, or upset, become aware of what you're focusing on. You may be focusing on exactly what you don't want.

2) As soon as you notice you're focusing on what you DON'T want, ask yourself, "What DO I want in this situation?"

3) Purposefully and intentionally, change your focus to and keep your focus on what you do want.

4) Repeat as needed.

Enjoy! 

3 Ways To Get Approved For A Student Credit Card

If you're a college student, you know how expensive books, movies and tuition can be. And if you only work during the summer break, you may be looking for a way to stretch your funds through the cold winter months. Fortunately, a student credit card can help. Find one with low interest and good terms, and you can charge during the lean times and then pay it off when you're making money on your summer job.

To get a student credit card, follow these guidelines:

1. Find some cards for comparison.

It's easier than you think. Credit card companies often set up tables and booths at college fairs. You may even find fliers or applications around campus. And you can always find a student credit card with an online search. Be sure that the cards you're considering are specifically student cards. Credit cards aimed at students tend to have more lenient credit score and credit history criteria, and they also tend to have lower interest rates.

2. Pick the one with the best terms.

Not all credit cards are created equal! Since your student credit card is probably your first, educate yourself a bit about the terms and jargon you'll encounter. Choose one with a low interest rate, since that's the "extra" amount your credit card will tack onto your balance each month. Look for one with a longer grace period, too, which is the amount of time you have to make a payment before interest begins accruing. Other things you should look for is a card with no annual fee and a low late payment fee.

3. Apply!

Simply fill out the application--either on paper, online or on the phone--and answer the questions on the form. You'll need to reveal all the basics, like your name, current address and phone number. You'll also need to provide them with a "permanent" address and phone number. The application will include lines for information about your school, your school's address, your enrollment status and your year of graduation. It's possible they'll ask about your bank accounts and employment.

If you're currently employed or have significant savings in the bank, chances are your line of credit--the maximum balance you can hold on your card--will be higher. But even if you only have a summer job, you should still be able to qualify for $500 - $1,000 in credit. 

Fundraising Publicity Tips

The success of your fundraiser depends on how much publicity your group can attract. Community awareness of your fundraising need and your fundraising offering will always increase your results.
Here are some fundraising publicity tips:

Publicity Tip #1 - Use your website
If you don't have one, get one. Use it to communicate your goals,thank your sponsors, highlight periodic offerings, recognize successes, honor individual contributors, etc.
Promote your web site on all your materials.

Publicity Tip #2 - Actively seek more publicity
Get the word out about your fundraiser in as many ways as possible. Get into as many neighborhood newsletters and other public forms of communication as you can.
Send out press releases to the local media and invite coverage with photo opps at your fun events.

Publicity Tip #3 - Utilize any gathering
Make announcements at other events to spread the word, display products, take orders, make sales, and recruit volunteers.
Take a joint venture approach to marketing your group by giving something of value back to all those who join your team.

Publicity Tip #4 - Goal awareness
Heavily promote the goal of your fundraiser in all communications, particularly between sellers and buyers. A good cause gets the money out.
Make sure that all participants know the specific reason why the money is being raised.

Publicity Tip #5 - Communication
Use all available means of increasing awareness of your group's efforts including roadside signs, e-mail lists, phone calling tree, newsletter, flyers, posters, bulletin boards, recorded hotline messages, etc. 

Publicity Tip #6 - Sponsorship decals
Offer these free to supporting merchants. Sell to membership level supporters. Use the glass stick-on type for storefronts or vehicle windows.
This "branding" gets the word out to the community that your organization has a strong support base.

Publicity Tip #7 - Bumper stickers
Sell your organization year round with every fundraiser by offering one that says "Proud Supporter of _____." Give one to every volunteer and group member.

Publicity Tip #8 - Flyers everywhere
Hit local mailboxes (follow postal regulations) and car windshields in shopping centers. Give fundraiser details in your flyer in a way that promotes sales and gives contact information.

Put a coupon or free gift offer into the flyer that will keep it from being thrown away. Your merchant base will help provide the offers because this is free advertising for them.
For example, a flyer including a car wash, dry cleaners, or oil change coupon. (Or even all three!)

Publicity Tip #9 - Build an e-mail list
Ask for an e-mail address for a newsletter distribution when you're fundraising. Have opt-in links on your web site.
Build an online community of supporters by offering them extras available only at your site.
Put your fundraising publicity plan in place today. You'll reap the benefits in continued growth and additional fundraising success for years to come.