On www.photoblogs.org glance at the 'Hot Photoblogs' section and you will see Shazeen Samad Photography (at least at the time I am writing this post).

Shazeen, my friend, I believe you have been vindicated proper.

I tried www.wii.com and landed in a site which looked like a 12-year-old's class project - the reviews of the published games and the lack of upcoming ones were most disappointing. I tried www.playstation3.com and www.ps3.com ending up nowhere.

To get the low-down on the PS3 I finally decided to go to www.sony.com and navigate their menus, ending up at www.us.playstation.com/PS3/PS3Games (talk about long-winded). This site had all the content a PS3-seeker would want, albeit a dull template and colour scheme. Later on, I figured out that www.playstation.com did end up pointing me at www.us.playstation.com/PS3/PS3Games, again after some navigation.

In comparison, one just has to type www.xbox.com or www.xbox360.com on one's address bar and gets transported to all that needs to be learned about the Microsoft console. The Xbox site looks far less apprehensive than the PS3 site, and has better navigational aspects. Then again, everything finally boils down to the visual content of the games. Since I do not own either a PS3 or an Xbox360, the material I made comparisons on were from the respective sites. Here are some of the comparisons I made:

• Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) vs. Gears of War (Xbox360)


• Call of Duty 3 (PS3) vs. Call of Duty 3 (Xbox360)


• Rainbow Six Vegas (PS3) vs. Rainbow Six Vegas (Xbox360)


• Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3) vs. Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Xbox360)

Feature analysis gives us these points to ponder over:

• Both the Blu-Ray and the HD-DVD are being touted as near-equals


• The online content for both consoles are similar


• The Xbox360 offers better content-management (especially music) than the PS3


• The PS3's picture-handling options, including the gallery, are more comprehensive


• Subscriptions to network/media options are almost at par with either console


• The PS3 has a myriad of memory card reading options (available on the more expensive version only)

I say the clear winner is the Xbox360, not only because it 'got there' a year ahead, but also since the PS3 has been nothing but a glorified piece of engineering prowess with very little enhancement in the accompanying content - both in terms of the promotional material as well as the games themselves - over the Xbox360.

He started off with an ace and ended the match with a point gifted from an unforced error by a flabbergasted Blake, who seemed to be there more to witness 'history written', as Etienne de Villiers put it, than to clinch a victory. In the end, the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup championship of 2006 was concluded with a resounding victory for the number one player of the world, Roger Federer - the majestic 'lion king' from Switzerland.

Taking the first set 6-0, Federer established his superiority over the match from the very start. As was his intention throughout the championship, his gameplan consisted of playing Blake at his own game. The difference between the two players were the accuracy of the shots and the quickness off the line on the part of a much-empowered Federer.

That the media touted Federer as the player to eventually oust Bjorn Borg certainly would not have helped Blake's confidence. However, in the second set, the American looked to be putting up a fight before Federer stamped his authority on Blake's fourth service game to take the set 6-3.

Moments when the world number one looked relenting were those when his own mistakes played to Blake's advantage, allowing Blake to claw away 3 games in the second set and 4 in the third. However, at no point in the match did Federer look out of form, let alone vulnerable. The end of the match saw a frustrated Blake accepting the near-flawlessness of arguably the greatest tennis player - Federer had 41 winners to Blake's 18. Federer won 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

During the ceremony following the match, both players showed much respect for each other, both in their off-stage interactions with each other as well as in their speeches. Blake accepting the outcome in gentlemanly grace and Federer with his renowned humbleness. Federer said his final farewells to this year's tennis season by thanking his girlfriend Mirka whom he credited for his continuing success.

The head-to-head statistics between the two players now stand at 6 wins for Federer and none for Blake. Next year promises both to be one filled with numerous battles between these two great tennis players as well as potentially the moment which sees the crowning of the greatest tennis player of all time: Roger Federer.

Once upon a time a father had a son
And the son and father had lots of fun
But loneliness in bed gave the father strife
So he grabbed himself a second wife
The wife was prepackaged with a son
Whom the father loved more than his real one
His true son was dismayed and went away
Got married and his own son came into the fray
The new father avoided his own one
For the sake of the future of his son
But lest he forget, the popular reflexion
Says 'like father, like son'

The Guidelines for Registration of Colleges, published by the Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security, is utterly hilarious. The document states all the requirements for registration in Dhivehi and specifies in English the content layout (no details whatsoever) of proposals made by parties interested. No wonder foreign institutes are dissuaded.

It is a fact that many Maldivians are concerned with the policies governing the tourism industry of the Maldives. Most concerns stem from the obvious polarity of the distribution of resources - tens of thousands receive a fraction when a handful enjoy magnitudes of the bounty. I reckon this disparity sprouts from ill-conceived policies - especially the Tourism Masterplan.

You're saying 'if you're so smart, why don't you make a policy yourself', aren't you? See if you like this proposition as a fundamental policy:

• Hotel - a hotel is defined as a property where accommodation can be rented, and services and facilities available (charged or otherwise).


• Resort - a resort is a self-sufficient hotel which patrons can opt to stay at as the only abode throughout the duration of their stay in the Maldives (wherein the resort provides all facilities and services needed by its patrons).


• Lease - hotel/resort properties shall be leased to individuals or legal entities under agreement. All such lease agreements shall expire on or before the 30th year from the date of signing.


• Assessment scheme - a scheme under which all bids will be assessed shall be published as part of the terms of the lease agreement. An integral part of this assessment scheme shall be a barometric scoring system which gives scores proportionate to the number of partners in the principle legal entity (implying that the lowest possible points shall be scored by bids of individual persons). If two or more parties attain the same scores, a winner shall be drawn from an open lottery.


• Partners - the partners of any legal entity, party to a lease agreement, may not sell, transfer or pledge their shares for a period of at least 15 years from the date of signing the lease agreement.


• Investment - once an individual or legal entity has been awarded a resort, they shall incorporate an investment firm (or a VC) of which the principle owner of the lease agreement shall attain no less than 20% of all shares. These shares shall not be relinquished, sold or pledged for a period of at least 15 years. The share structure of the investment firm may not be revised for a period of at least 15 years.


• Tax - a revenue tax of 3% of the gross revenue or a fixed sum of USD500,000.00, whichever is greater, shall be levied from the investing firm annually. Hotel/resort properties which have been leased before the ratification of this policy shall adhere to this new policy, and the taxation clause herein, from whence the existing agreements of such properties are terminated/expired.

Dear reader,

• Do you lack job security?


• Are you harbouring fears over the consequences of being fired?


• Are you afraid that you may not find proper employment if you get laid off?

If your answers are 'yes' to the above questions, I would appreciate your replies to the following ones:

• 1. Are your contributions to your organisation considered essential or valuable?


• 2. If the answer to the above question is 'no', are you working towards seeking positions in which you can make such contributions?


• 3. If the answer to question 2. is 'no', what is stopping you in the quest to gain promotions, and thereby attain positions of authority in your organisation?


• 4. Do these apprehensions over the security of your job stem from a) your lack of knowledge or experience in your area of expertise, b) your inability to maintain your professional consistency or c) your concern for loved ones?


• 5. If your answer to part c) of question 4. is 'yes', are you attaining the skills and proficiency required to become competitive in your line of work, and if not, are you training yourself in other areas of expertise in the hopes of become multi-talented?

You wonder why I ask you these questions? So many people tout fears over job security as the main reason for their reluctance to voice out their needs and concerns. I see this as a major deterrent in the quest for 'reform', and wish to understand the reasons behind these fears and apprehensions. I also wish to know what your views are with regards to rectifying this issue.

I thank you in advance for your comments and considerations.

I say the best way to tackle the political conundrums facing the Maldives is through education. Did I hear you scoff? Yes, everyone knows education is the key, but (again) no one's doing anything about it. Still, you are wondering how I could help break the deadlock, eh dear reader?

Here is a thought: what if a pressure group was formed to force the relevant education departments to enact a subject that covers Maldivian politics. We could call that subject Maldivian Citizenship. Still wondering about how this will help, are you not?

One of the many reasons why political parties cannot exert enough pressure on the government is because of their precarious existence due to the belay of the bill of the political party system. Since opposition activities are being (deliberately?) kept in limbo, creating a subject for teaching the political system of the Maldives (including the rights of citizenship) is the perfect workaround. The present regulations pertaining to the establishment and running of educational institutions do not prevent the teaching of politics or subject-matter related to politics. Even if there were regulations which prevent teaching subjects which present political distention, one can always stick to educating students about the constitution and the Law (including the implications/insinuations of all articles and clauses therein).

What say thee?

The Mandate of ZBP

• What is ZBP? - the Zero Barrier Party (ZBP) shall be a political party which shall criticize the Government of Maldives towards constantly improving its governance.


• Pacifism - ZBP shall inherently exercise pacifism, opting only the use of non-violent means in undertaking its activities. Members failing to do so shall have their memberships revoked and their crimes, if any, tried in a court of law.


• Goals? - ZBP will have three quintessential tasks: 1) enforcing transparent governance on the Government of Maldives such that all inquisitions of any citizen or legal entity should be answered, 2) making all policies open and fair such that all citizens/legal entities have equal rights to attain resources and opportunities governed by policies, and 3) implementing the legal infrastructure necessary to sustain the transparent governance and open policies.


• Elections - the party shall require at least half of its members to vote for any decisions it makes in an open ballot, unless otherwise stated in The Mandate of ZBP or other documentation ratified by the members of the party. The party shall not make any decision unless ratified by such an electoral process.


• Finances - all acquisition, dispersion and investment of finances for and of ZBP are subject to acceptance by at least 50% of the members of the party.


• Amendment of the mandate of ZBP - any additions, amendments and deletions made to The Mandate of ZBP can occur only upon acceptance by at least 50% of the members of the party.


• Implementation and enhancement - implementations and enhancements brought to the party's processes, organization structure, departments, committees, pressure groups and all relevant rules and regulations can only be carried out by committees comprising members elected by the members of the party. In this regard, the task of constituting the initial administrative department shall rest upon a committee elected by the members of the party.


• Law - ZBP shall be governed by the articles of 'this bill of law' upon its ratification.


• General assembly - ZBP shall hold a general assembly within the course of 30 days from receiving necessary 'licenses'/permissions from the relevant authorities. General assemblies shall be held once every year. At every general assembly a date shall be fixed for the following year's general assembly. The chair for the first general assembly shall be Mr. X of Clan Y. General assemblies shall hear all motions made by the members of the party.

Think that's alright for the initial mandate of ZBP (not including the rules and regulations of course), eh?

Maldives is in transition. It is hoping to move to a more modern democracy from its
present near-aristocratic mode of governance. It is hoping to usher in an era where individual rights are respected to the extent of facilitating any prudent choice in the walk of life. Yes, the nation's best minds have come together and formed political parties to do just this. They even have a solution: topple the current government and hope the next one will instigate positive change. Consider that for a solution and see if it infers a real one. I do not need a PhD in political science to figure out that something is wrong here. The lack of a detailed proposition as to HOW the changes can be brought about befuddles me.

The nation's 'top' political minds are constantly bickering about the lack of reform and progress. What exactly is the reform you are speaking of? Human rights is certainly not the most immediate of impediments. What progress are you speaking of? We seem to be on the ascension in the updrafts of progress. The nation has been progressively doing better over the years as far as its economy is concerned, and 
is not a good economy the foundation for all other progressions of a nation? What about education? Do you think laymen like myself could critically assess the goings-on of Maldivian politics if not for freedom to seek, assimilate and use knowledge?

Then what are all these political parties fighting for one might wonder. Why are they not peeling back the layers of political grit and exposing the true failures of our nation, as 
they are purportedly doing? Why is it that no Maldivian has seen a logarithmic reform agenda which does not 
require drastic departure from present politics (as is being suggested by 
the enthusiasts of 'procession politics') but presents a gradually culminating plan to reform the institution, 
which is designed to start at an agreeable compromise between the right and left wings?

I am sure, dear reader, that by now you are wondering whether I truly believe this government is perfect as it were. The short answer to that is NO by all means. So, what is exactly wrong? I believe the immediate need of the reformists should be the enforcement of transparency in all aspects of governance (especially with regards to the budget) and the abolishing of all closed policies, facilitating only open and fair ones. Transparency? Policies? By transparency I mean the ability for all Maldivians to make inquisitons of the government. There is nothing a government should keep from its people, and even if that something were material vital for the survival of the nation the institution should release it under the binding pressures of an NDA. By policies I mean those which govern the regulatory impositions over the various resources of the nation, such as its air, real estate, sea, etc (covering such crucial business opportunities as communications). Making policies open and fair means that everyone and anyone should be able to attain benefits from the nation's resources provided they are eligible by fulfilling prerequisites which are common to all individuals or entities (regardless of financial, political or social capacities).

Why are the opposition parties of the Maldives Government failing to make clear their intents with regards to these crucial aspects of governance? I say it has to be one of two reasons: 1) fear of prematurely unveiling scintillating plans which could help the opposition win over the public, or 2) wont of veiling the matters of finance and opportunities so that the successors to the present government 
can enjoy the benefits the latter's proponents may have had.

Two concerns have been nagging me after a drama that unfolded a little earlier this evening. I was sitting at a cafe' called 'Galanga' in Male' (that's the capital of Maldives) when some twenty or so policemen shuffled in and apprehended half-a-dozen foreigners, citing that they had entered the country by illegal means (the citation was proffered by a uniformed immigrations officer).

My concerns? 1) Does Maldives honour due process? If not, 2) am I in breach of my rights as a Maldivian by discussing my concerns?

Let me clarify. Due process is the treatment of all individuals based on the same rights (correct me if I'm wrong in my brief definitions). According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration any foreigner can attain a thirty-day visa on arrival to the Maldives subject only to three conditions stated on their website. As such how does one decide that any given foreigner has malice in mind (even if he/she were wearing a shirt that says 'I am Charles Manson reborn!' let alone one emblazoned 'Reuters') and others do not? Is there not a service policy which sanctifies due process? Consequentially, should not due process be considered and the government let suspicious individuals be monitored rather than immediately apprehended? Upon apprehension how does one get a confession from a would-be criminal (by bribing him with a box of Godiva?)?

If the government reserves the right to pass verdicts based on suspicion then they have every right to apprehend me for fear that my articles may inflame the public. Don't they?

(PS. Am off to have a coffee while I'm still free [Godiva beckons!].)

(PPS. On behalf of the people of Maldives I apologize for our government's failure to honour due process [unless the government can prove otherwise, in which case I would apologize to them for writing this article]. If we could help [hint hint], we would.)

so we will get SUSE Genuine Advantage soon?