… of spinning masses …

** Originally posted on 19th November 2007 **
** Edited on 20th December 2007 **

I’m everyone – I feel used,
I’m everyone – I need you,
I’m everyone – hang your label on me,
I’m everyone – paint it black and white and easy.

- “Spin, spin, sugar” by the Sneaker Pimps

Spin is an interesting word. It sounds odd – like a softer side of ’spit’ – and according to Dictionary dot com, it has 29 different definitions. Its most common usage is to depict something rapidly rotating or repeatedly revolving on an axis at a high speed. An item that has clear depictions on it becomes a blur, oftentimes giving the illusion that it is something else instead.

Try spinning a foreign coin while attempting to determine the monetary value minted on its face. Barring knowledge from repeated experience, it’s hard to tell that spherical moving object is actually a flat disc (the coin) in motion.

Which brings us all to my fascination with definition number 22 of the word ‘Spin’ as listed in Dictionary dot com.

22. Spin. slang. a particular viewpoint or bias, esp. in the media; slant: “They tried to put a favorable spin on the news coverage of the controversial speech”.

The American Heritage Dictionary also explains it similarly:
Spin. slang. To provide an interpretation of (a statement or event, for example), especially in a way meant to sway public opinion.

Basically what they’re saying is that if you take something really ugly, and spin it around really fast, it will look like something else, but it probably will not be so ugly anymore. The same applies for something beautiful, or something mediocre. It matters not. The point is, heavy doses of misdirection is utilised.

Confused? I’ll give an example.

Abdullah: It was an act of desperation

NST – 19 November, 2007

KUALA TERENGGANU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday the attempt to involve the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in an illegal rally on Nov 10 was an act of desperation by the opposition parties. He said the king had clearly objected to the claims that he had backed the rally.

“It was a desperate act by the group (which organised the rally). They did it because they thought the elections were near,” he told reporters after visiting the Islamic Civilisation theme park on Pulau Wan Man.

On Friday, Comptroller of the Royal Household, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, issued a statement stating that the king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, was unhappy with the claims that he had supported the demonstration.

Did you see it? Be honest. A march was made to appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a desperate move to seek electoral reforms. Now if the King had approved or backed this rally, there wouldn’t have been a march to his place of residence to beg him to intercede in governmental affairs.

Let’s move on to something a little more subtle, a spin that pulls on the everyman’s heartstrings.

Now, did you catch the spin? Usage of two simple words to make it a racial argument. Not too long ago, our dear Son-In-Law (SIL) pictured above mentioned to the press that “The (coming) general elections is not about politics but the future of the Malays.” However, the political party he runs works for have decided to appeal to the other Malaysian races by saying “Political parties should enforce a ban on the race card, and not depend on the Government to crack the whip on members who fanned racial sentiments.”

Back to SIL’s statement recorded on the 8th of November, he decides to replay the racial card, but adds a spin to it. When he refers to the poor, he says Pak Cik, which is a respectful Malay term for an elderly man. But when her refers to the rich, he employs the word Towkay, which is a Chinese word for ‘Boss’ or ‘Employer’.

The point of the lesson here is that SIL has managed to play the racial card once again, and would not have to face any questions or challenges to his statement because he has added a spin to his statement.

Try this exercise to fully understand the usage of the word spin. Find other words to replace Pak Cik and Towkay to give the statement a different underlying meaning.

Imagine: A(n) ___(a)____ on a motorbike pays 1.92 for a litre of petrol. A ___(b)____ in a Mercedes-Benz pays the same price. Why? Why must we subsidise those who are already rich?

I’ll give an example solution: (a) Ah Kow, (b) Datuk Seri.

What a Lulu talks about this issue as well, check it out.
******

Indeed, let us stop subsidising the rich. Dear SIL, Can we ask for a motion to change the bumiputera laws so that it no longer helps the rich bumiputeras? Or would it be too inconvenient for your life and Barisan Nasional’s political line? ‘Bumiputera Discounts’ for Million Ringgit houses and properties does not help the poor. In fact, you’re taking more from the pie which was supposed to redistributed among the underprivileged.

 

Once the sincerity isn’t in one’s words, it becomes obvious and one’s words no longer carries any worth. Once the sincerity isn’t in a political party’s visions and direction, it’s time to change.

 

Lesson du jour – Read between the lines. Sniff out the spins. See the truth.

 

Not amusing at all. I say ‘NO’ to Barisan Nasional.