Data taken from the Malaysian AIDS Council, opinions are my own.

Fact: 4741 new cases of HIV and AIDS reported came from men, 937 from women.

Yet, the government insist that women be the ones to bring around condoms.

Fact: Out of 5689 newly reported cases of HIV and AIDS, only 232 cases are from a homosexual/bisexual relationship.

Yet there are those who insist that AIDS and HIV is God's wrath against homosexuality, to the point of branding this a crime.

Fact: Out of 5689 newly reported cases of HIV and AIDS, only 31 cases are those who are sex workers.

Yet, there is general misconception that these people are guilty for the spread of this disease.

So with these facts mentioned and published in the AIDS Council website, perhaps there is a need to re-examine some of the justifications brought forth by this government in their decision making.

The Malaysian government is stubborn. They've always been stubborn.

And not just stubborn. They're a forgetful bunch as well.

In April, I remember that our Science Minister informed the cabinet that the Malaysian Space Program will be shelved as there were no longer any funds available for such an endeavor. This basically made most Malaysians snicker with sarcasm throughout the month, some sarcastically using the Malaysia Boleh slogan as a taunt towards our government.

Surprisingly today there's news linked to the space program once more.

Taken from the Star:

" The Government has identified an area in Tawau, Sabah, to launch rockets into space, reported Utusan Malaysia.

More research should be done to ensure that construction of the launching pad would not affect the environment, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof told the Dewan Negara.

“There are several features that we should consider, most important of which is the suitability of the site,” he said.

He said a cost analysis must be held due to the high cost of the programme."

May I ask who's brilliant idea it was to actually continue scouting for a place to launch rockets into space?

Even with sending satellites into orbit, which we did in 1996 and 2003, why do we need our own launch pad? And what returns are we expecting on this decision.

It is mentioned that the costs will be high. What's the ballpark estimate?

Also, why is our Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation so stubborn about sending stuff into outer space? Can't they focus more on green technology instead of thinking of burning more fuel?

I personally think this is another bad idea by a government that is continually generating bad ideas in continuation.

Petronas could go bust by 2018

By WONG SAI WAN

Reading the article above, I can't help but wonder just who is in control of whom. Is the government in control of Petronas, or is it the other way around?

And also, why is there mention that the government will take away 100% of their profits? Was there such a mention by the Malaysian government that this may happen?

If so, what is the purpose of our government to absorb the entirety of this global and lucrative corporations' profit?

With the recent increase in petrol prices, saving millions for our government, what possible rationale would they have for having to swallow whole our petroleum industries profits?

You know, one has to wonder what is this government planning to do with all the money they've saved on our petrol subsidy. The last time, they promised better public transport which is still nonexistent in our country. And now, they insist that it is for the good of the nation that there be monthly price reviews for petrol, higher tariffs for electricity and even higher prices for foods.

With all these taking place, they try to justify it with the upcoming world food crisis, and the oil crisis.

If there is an oil crisis, may I ask why we allow our nation to be an oil exporter? Should we not stop the selling of this precious resource to others and focus on our own people?

If there is a food crisis in our nation, then why does ISIS say otherwise?

If these higher prices are for the good of the nation, and the nation is it's people, and these actions do nothing but burden the majority, then the actions of this current government is not only contradictory to their belief, it is an act of treason.

People are fuming. Petrol prices up 40%. Diesel up a ringgit. Electricity tariffs up 16%. They removed the ceiling price of chicken from RM6.

And do you know where our leaders are?

On a two day retreat in Shah Alam.

Yes, I'm sure it was very stressful to announce a number of price hikes all at once.

So now that petrol is expensive, let's all look towards our Prime Minister and ask him an extremely viable question that I think all of us Peninsular people especially should ask him.

Prime Minister, where's our "improved" public transport system that you promised during the first hike?

Now that the prices have been brought up yet again, it is time the government ante up on their promise made beforehand.

As far as I know, I'm still experiencing KTM Komuters disappearing without a trace. I'm still a victim of lousy bus schedules.

And oddly enough, I don't see much improvement in the number of trains to cope with the impending influx of the public taking these mass transportation systems.

So please tell us all. Where's our public transport to cope with all these hikes, which you promised us?

Or shall we take it at face value that after failing to bring transparency to the government, and failing to rid corruption within the government, you are now failing in keeping the promise of a better public transportation system to that list?

If so, can you blame me for branding you the lamest Prime Minister in Malaysian history...?

And this is coming from a loyal supporter, mind you.....

Starting midnight, Malaysian will be paying 40% extra for petrol, an entire ringgit extra for diesel, and 16% extra for electricity.

Announcement of outstanding increments in salaries all around....0 percent so far.

Meanwhile, public transport within the nation's capitol, and everywhere else in this beloved country of mine still remains in the shitter.

But, fret not. Our government in it's infinite wisdom has found it suitable to grant the following to lessen the burden of the common people.

"Abdullah also announced a RM625 annual cash rebate per vehicle, for owners of private vehicles with engine capacities of up to 2,000cc, as well as pickup trucks and jeeps with engine capacities of up to 2,500cc.

Owners of private motorcycles with engine capacities of up to 250cc will receive RM150.

Payment will be made via Money Order upon renewal of road tax, from July 1.

For owners of private vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2000cc, road tax will be reduced by RM200.

Owners of private motorcycles with engine capacities above 250 cc will get RM50 reduction in road tax."

Note: Notice how the reporter replaced the genial "Pak Lah" and now calls him by his first name....

So as you can clearly see, we Malaysians are now so blessed with this government. (/sarcasm)

What the hell am I going to do with an RM625 rebate money order?! Road tax itself, minus RM200 will cost me RM1080.

That just means I'll fork out RM455 to renew my road tax, and still have to pay extra for petrol and electricity.

You know, it is times like these that make me question just how far my loyalty is to my country. I mean, I've basically stayed here almost all my life, paid my taxes with no grouses, took the last price hike without question, get paid enough to live without any meaningful activities whatsoever, and even written more than just a good word for this current leader of ours.

Dearest Prime Minister,

Do you know what you are causing?

You are causing the people to lose faith in your leadership, and while there are no better replacements to fill your post so far, right now you're in a weakening state that makes some of us citizens of the country think that perhaps the catacomb which is Najib's closet, filled to the brim with skeletons, isn't as half as bad as another year with you at the helm.

And I think in the next General Assembly, you might just lose the top post. Heck, with things going right now, I'd vote you out.

You know, the Democratic primaries basically reached the point of not caring after Pennsylvania, at least that's the way I saw it.

However, when I opened my e-mail, it was an interesting note to see that Barack Obama has received the Democratic Party nomination. It was even more interesting to read Hillary's reaction.

I think we should give our deepest respects to Hillary Rodham Clinton for a race well run. She was truly a remarkable adversary.

Yes, yes I was at the Walk For Media Freedom. Heck, I think I see my head in the picture, grinning like an idiot.

Anyways, barring the fact that I was about 15 minutes late for walking from the LRT station, it was a very informative meeting. For one thing, was anyone there not expecting Zaid Ibrahim to be put in front of a firing squad and not be on a defensive?

Even more surprising was the outburst from some individuals who were just a tad emotional to the point of forgetting decorum, in front of kids, even.

But Zaid Ibrahim's points have merit. We continually have individuals come out to call for more freedom for the media, but never as a large collective, and never on a continuous scale.

And no, it's not press freedom, whoever started shouting it at the Dataran yesterday. It's media freedom.

As a collective, we do not have full representation from the sectors of television, film and radio involved in this call for more freedom.

And even when we had an ex-radio guy there, all he did was be obtrusive and incoherent.

What we had on Sunday were a huge number of bloggers and members from the alternative press, as well as the Center for Independent Journalism Malaysia.

As for the making this call continuous and to gain momentum, there has to be a timeline of activities to garner the support of the people as a whole. Now while a memorandum handed in in 1999 with a few thousand signatures is good, it does not exactly represent the 27 million people of Malaysia.

That was Zaid Ibrahim meant.

Another mentioned critique was the formation of a regulation committee to replace the government as the watchdog for the media.

Recently the Health Ministry has come up with the brilliant idea of asking women to carry condoms around wherever they go, which is interesting because I thought that girls who were actively having sex would actually take a pill the next day.

That's right, there's a pill. Think they call it the morning after pill.

But then, this stops pregnancy, not STDs.

Personally, I would like to question what is the purpose of the condoms.

I mean, if it's to stop the dumping of babies in Malaysia, then we have condoms which work 95% and the morning after pill.

If we're talking of STDs, there are a lot of ways these can spread. For example, if one were to scratch sores caused by syphilis and touch someone, they'd be infected as well. Learned that one from Dr. House.

Marina Mahathir (happy belated birthday to you) brought up a brilliant point. There are guys who carry condoms around in their wallets. However, some of the guys I know of have been carrying them since high school.

The very same condom from high school. And I happen to know that these guys are not virgins, otherwise their wives.....never mind.

Giving out free condoms, putting those vending machines in the restroom of nightspots, and if you go to Thailand, having condoms in your welcoming basket at hotels is a good start.

However, it is always, always important to stress on education and crime prevention.

I'm sure that there are guys who testify that they can't get it up with the rubber glove and would prefer to have it raw.

I understand, somewhat.

So stop having random one night stands and stick to one girlfriend or boyfriend at one time, and get an STD test when you go for a medical checkup. Heck, do it with your partner as well.

If not, at least once a month, go for an STD test if you're a sexually active individual.

If you hear a rumor that someone you slept with now has an STD, go for the test as well.

Bottom line, it's really up to the couple to determine whether or not to use a condom, or some other way of birth control. And if a couple goes for STD checkups without any random one night stands, it should not be an issue.

$325 million, it lands safely on Mars, and then.....it short circuits.

Oh, that's not all. They're blaming it on the ice....