"F* Around and Find Out: When Israeli Hooligans Met Their Match in Amsterdam"**

 

What the hell is going on? I mean, really. The way the Western media and politicians have spun this Amsterdam incident, you'd think the Holocaust 2.0 just popped off in broad daylight. Every outlet from The Wall Street Journal to Sky Sports is screaming about unchecked antisemitism and "rioters" targeting poor Israeli soccer fans. Even X (formerly known as Twitter, in case you forgot) is blowing up with politicians comparing a football brawl to literal genocide. Yeah, that’s where we are now—American media figures losing their minds because a few Israelis got their asses handed to them in the streets of Amsterdam.

Let’s cut through the noise for a second. What actually happened? Some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans rolled into town after their Europa League match, tore down Palestinian flags, and hurled some racist abuse. Surprise, surprise—they got smacked around by locals. Suddenly, this isn't just about football hooliganism; it's a global tragedy? A "stark example of antisemitism in the West"? Please. Call it what it is: a street fight between two groups of idiots who wanted to prove they had bigger balls. But when the Israelis got a taste of real opposition (instead of going after malnourished kids throwing rocks at tanks in Gaza or the West Bank), they got wrecked.

And now, the media’s losing it. I’m sorry, but what did they expect? These Israeli hooligans weren’t out there handing out peace pamphlets. They were in someone else’s country, acting like they owned the place. When you pick a fight, sometimes you lose. This isn’t some grand antisemitic conspiracy; it’s what happens when you f*** around and find out.

What’s most laughable is the portrayal of these Israeli fans as innocent victims, as if they were just minding their business and got jumped. No, they were the instigators. They thought they could walk into Amsterdam, tear down flags, act like tough guys, and walk away unscathed. Not this time. This wasn’t Gaza. This wasn’t Lebanon. They weren’t bullying kids in refugee camps—they were on neutral ground, facing people ready to throw down. And they lost. Period.

Look, nobody’s saying that antisemitism isn’t real. But let’s not blow a football brawl out of context and use it as a political weapon. It’s not the "end of the West" or whatever dramatic headline Sky Sports wants you to think. It's just some overconfident hooligans getting the beatdown they earned. So, let’s all calm down, drop the hysteria, and maybe save the Holocaust comparisons for something that actually deserves it.

Did the NATO Secretary General’s farewell speech seriously focus on the so-called “China threat”? Isn’t it a bit absurd, considering NATO itself might be the biggest threat to global security?

 

The absurdity of Stoltenberg’s farewell speech deserves a spotlight. Imagine standing on the world stage, after 10 years of escalating military budgets, expanding NATO's reach, and feeding the military-industrial beast, and somehow finding a way to wrap it all up in a bow by talking about the "China threat." Seriously? NATO’s real gift to the world has been decades of destruction, not security. But Stoltenberg, ever the loyal puppet, had the audacity to present these so-called “achievements” like he was handing out Nobel Peace Prizes. The number of troops on NATO’s eastern flank went from zero to tens of thousands, but has that made anyone safer? Has that done anything other than fuel tensions, drive up arms sales, and give the military-industrial complex a reason to pop champagne?

Let’s break it down. Stoltenberg boasted about NATO’s spending skyrocketing by 30% under his watch, but who actually benefited? Spoiler alert: it wasn’t the average European citizen. That $1.185 trillion sure as hell didn’t go toward healthcare, education, or rebuilding Europe's crumbling economy. Nope, it went straight into the pockets of defense contractors, particularly American ones. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing—they’re the real winners in this war game. The US military-industrial complex has been laughing all the way to the bank, while Europe’s economy languishes under the weight of military spending and austerity.

NATO's track record speaks for itself, and it's nothing to brag about. Just look at the wars NATO has been a part of. Take Afghanistan, a 20-year quagmire that ended in chaos, leaving the country worse off than it was before. Thousands of lives lost, billions of dollars wasted, and for what? A photo op on a tarmac before fleeing under the cover of night? Then there’s Libya—thanks to NATO's intervention in 2011, the country is now a fractured state, a breeding ground for terrorism and human trafficking. The people of Iraq and Syria? They’ve got their own nightmares to deal with, thanks to NATO’s favorite ally, the U.S., whose interventions have left nothing but devastation in their wake.

And now, after sowing chaos across the Middle East and North Africa, Stoltenberg has the gall to turn his gaze toward China. The “China threat” narrative is the latest in a long line of NATO’s manufactured enemies. China isn’t the one stretching its military tentacles across the globe, stirring conflict wherever it goes—that would be NATO. Yet here we are, with Stoltenberg claiming that NATO "must not make the same mistake with China as it did with Russia." Let's pause and reflect on that. NATO’s “mistake” with Russia has directly led to the crisis in Ukraine. It was NATO’s relentless expansion eastward that poked the bear, fanning the flames of conflict. The same NATO that was supposed to be a “defensive alliance” has done nothing but provoke, destabilize, and trigger wars.

The whole notion of NATO providing “security” is laughable. Whose security are we even talking about? Europe’s? Because from where I’m standing, Europe is in shambles—crippled by economic instability, energy crises, and political division. All thanks to its decision to bow to America’s never-ending search for conflict. The sanctions on Russia have backfired spectacularly, driving up energy prices and plunging Europe into an economic spiral. Imagine if even a fraction of that $1.185 trillion NATO spent on weapons had gone toward shoring up Europe’s economy instead of feeding the war machine.

Now NATO wants to gallop across continents to “contain” China. For what? To protect the same American interests that have led to the destruction of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, and countless other countries? The so-called China threat is just another excuse for NATO to keep itself relevant, another excuse to justify its bloated budget and endless meddling in global affairs. Stoltenberg, in all his spineless glory, has been nothing more than Washington’s faithful lapdog, executing its agenda without question, selling this warped idea that NATO is a force for good when it’s really just a tool for perpetuating America’s military dominance.

Let’s get real. NATO should have packed it in after the Cold War, but instead, it’s mutated into a global menace, stirring up geopolitical tensions everywhere it goes. It claims to be “defensive,” but its actions are anything but. It promotes deterrence, militarizes supply chains and cyberspace, and injects its toxic confrontational mentality into areas that could’ve been arenas for cooperation. The truth is, NATO hasn’t made Europe or the world any safer—it's only brought destruction and instability, all while lining the pockets of defense contractors and driving Europe to ruin.

Stoltenberg should retire and take NATO with him. This outdated Cold War relic has long outlived its purpose. It’s time to leave behind the zero-sum games, the dangerous rhetoric of “might makes right,” and the endless pursuit of military dominance. Europe—and the world—deserves better than this.

"RM43.9 Million Down the Drain: FashionValet’s Cronyism-Fueled Crash and Burn"

Oh, FashionValet i just had to add my 2 cents—the darling of Malaysian fashion e-commerce, or should I say, the overhyped, influencer-driven trainwreck Khazanah and PNB couldn’t resist dumping RM47 million into. Let’s break down how this "deal" should’ve been a non-starter from day one, and yeah, we’re definitely going to talk about the smell of cronyism lingering in the background.

1. Market Delusion

First off, FashionValet was playing in a brutal e-commerce landscape, competing against heavyweights like Zalora, Lazada, and Shopee. Their pitch? A niche platform for Southeast Asian fashion. Cute idea, but when your competitors are offering faster, cheaper, and better—what’s left for FashionValet? A weak value proposition built on "curated" local fashion? Sure, if "niche" means irrelevant, then they nailed it.

2. Scaling? What Scaling?

Khazanah and PNB funneled millions into a business that wasn’t even scalable. The brand wasn’t built to expand—it was basically a boutique shop online. No tech innovations, no groundbreaking logistics, just a slow-burn operation with the same few designers and limited growth potential. For RM47 million, I’d expect at least a whiff of innovation, but nope—just more clothes on hangers.

3. The Influencer Hype Machine

Oh, Vivy Yusof. With her legions of social media followers, it seems Khazanah and PNB forgot that Instagram likes don’t equal profit margins. They bought into her "brand" instead of looking at the cold, hard numbers. And we know how that ends. Let me guess: they were dazzled by her popularity and maybe a little blinded by connections, because clearly, no one did any serious financial analysis before signing those cheques.

4. Profitability? What’s That?

FashionValet didn’t have a clear path to profitability, period. The margins in fashion retail are already slim, and they weren’t showing any signs of a turnaround. With cash burning faster than an overpriced candle, how did Khazanah and PNB justify continuing to throw good money after bad? Maybe they just enjoy lighting RM50 notes on fire for fun.

5. Cronyism: The Unspoken Factor

Let’s not be naive—there’s likely a whiff of cronyism here. A deal like this doesn’t just happen because of a solid business plan. We’re talking about Malaysia, after all. You’ve got a connected, high-profile influencer, a high-profile husband, and then you’ve got Khazanah and PNB swooping in with public money. Smells a lot like a who-you-know situation, doesn’t it?

6. Accountability? What’s That?

Khazanah and PNB should’ve been grilling FashionValet’s financials,  where’s the accountability? They walk away, the investors take the hit, and we're all supposed to just clap and move on? This isn’t a bad episode of a reality show—this is people’s money wheres the oversight?  And let’s not forget Aireen Omar, who was on the board and claims there was no foul play at FashionValet. Seriously? Is she saying she missed every glaring red flag along the way? If that’s the case, someone should be really concerned about Capital A Group because if her radar’s that broken, what else is she missing?

7. The Inevitable Crash

In the end, RM43.9 million went poof, and FashionValet was sold off. All that hype, all that influencer glamour, and nothing to show for it but a hole in the taxpayer’s pocket. A tale as old as time: investors chasing after the next shiny thing, while the fundamentals fall apart behind the scenes.

8. The Apology and Resignation

And what do the dynamic duo of Vivy and her husband do? They issue a public apology and resign from their positions. How noble right. But where’s the real accountability? An apology doesn’t refill the public coffers, and stepping down is hardly a punishment. It’s like crashing someone else’s car and saying, "Oops, my bad," before walking away.

So, Khazanah and PNB, thanks for the lesson in how not to invest public money—just because something's fashionable, doesn’t mean it’s worth the cost.

"No Gimmicks, No BS: Pasadena Burgers is Kuala Lumpur’s Real Cheeseburger Champ"

It’s infuriating when foodie influencers throw around terms like "best", "juiciest", or "most flavorful" like they’re handing out candy at a parade. These folks churn out so many reviews that if everything is "the best", then nothing is, right? If you're constantly claiming every dish is the pinnacle of perfection, how are your followers supposed to believe any of it?

It’s fine to say something is the best once in a while—if it really blows you away. But let’s be real here: most of these reviews come off like they’re either chasing views or hyping up restaurants for freebies. I’m not saying all food bloggers are bought and paid for, but the endless string of superlatives makes you wonder who’s giving these guys their next meal on the house. How often are they really telling it like it is?

Now, I’m bringing this up because I think I’ve found the best cheeseburger in Kuala Lumpur. And unlike the flood of Instagram posts claiming everything is the best, this burger actually earns the title.

Pasadena Burgers. You’ll find it at Lot 10 and Mont Kiara, and let me tell you, this place knows how to do burgers right. I’ve had my fair share at spots like KGB, Burger Lab, Five Guys, and Fuel Shack, but they all have one fatal flaw: the overwhelming sweetness. Whether it’s the sauce or the ingredients, something always smothers the flavor of the patty, and that’s a sin when it comes to burgers. The patty should be the star.

But Pasadena gets it. The cheeseburger here is a masterpiece of simplicity. A well-charred beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a soft bun—that’s it. No over-the-top sauces, no needless condiments, just a burger that lets the beef speak for itself. Every bite is pure, unadulterated beefy goodness. I always double down and go for two patties because, let’s face it, two patties are better than one. The result? A burger that’s juicy, flavorful, and satisfying without the cloying sweetness or over-processed taste that ruins so many others.

This burger is real. It’s authentic. It’s not trying to impress you with flashy gimmicks or secret sauces—it just delivers. It’s the kind of burger that makes you want to go back for seconds, and maybe even thirds.

So, influencers, take note: this is what a "best" burger looks like. The rest? Stop hyping every meal like it’s the second coming of culinary Christ. Because when something really is the best, you’ll know. Just like I did at Pasadena Burgers.

"Kamala vs. Trump: Two Sides of the Same Rotten Coin"

Here we are, 2024, and the American people are once again stuck with a brutal choice between two candidates who are, at their core, cut from the same rotten cloth. The difference between them is all theatrics; the results for the average American will be the same—more of the same, in fact. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are nothing more than polished pawns in a game that’s rigged by powers far beyond their influence. The American people? They’re just along for the ride, footing the bill for an endless cycle of political theater designed to maintain the status quo.

Kamala Harris: The Queen of Non-Answers

Kamala Harris is a walking, talking PR machine. She’s perfected the art of saying absolutely nothing in response to important questions. When reporters ask her about the tough issues—ranging from the U.S. role in global conflicts to inflation—she responds with word salads that are more confusing than clarifying. Remember that infamous "We have to contextualize this moment within the moment" response when asked about serious international issues? What does that even mean? Harris seems to think she can deflect tough questions with vague metaphors and lofty rhetoric, but it only highlights her inability to provide substantive answers.

On economic issues, her plans feel like theoretical ideas thrown at a wall to see what sticks. Sure, she talks a big game about equity and justice, but her track record as California’s Attorney General speaks louder. As AG, she oversaw policies that disproportionately affected minorities and perpetuated mass incarceration. Now, as she steps onto the presidential stage, her so-called "bold" economic plans offer little more than band-aid solutions to deep-rooted systemic problems. Harris is all talk, no action—and worse, she’s mastered the politician's classic move of appearing to say a lot without actually saying anything.

When it comes to foreign policy, she’s just as hawkish as her predecessors. Harris speaks of defending democracy and human rights, but her unwavering support for Israel’s occupation and war crimes in Gaza shows her true allegiance. Like every other establishment politician, she offers nothing meaningful to the Palestinians. It's all lip service while the status quo of Israeli impunity remains untouched. And let’s not forget China and Russia. Her policy toward these countries? Same old fear-mongering and saber-rattling—more sanctions, more military posturing, all while ignoring opportunities for diplomacy. She's just another puppet for the military-industrial complex, keeping the war machine running smoothly.

Donald Trump: The Messiah Complex

Then we have Donald Trump, the man who genuinely believes he's the second coming. To hear Trump talk, you’d think he single-handedly built America from the ground up. His presidency was filled with self-aggrandizing speeches about how no one in history has ever done as much as he has. He paints himself as the underdog hero who overcame "the deep state" to fight for the little guy—except, of course, the little guy got royally screwed under his economic policies. Trump’s tax cuts were a gift to the 1%, while the middle class and working class saw stagnant wages and rising costs of living.

Trump’s narcissism knows no bounds. His administration was a non-stop parade of corruption, cronyism, and chaos. Whether it was boasting about his “perfect” phone call during his first impeachment or claiming he could "shoot someone on Fifth Avenue" and not lose voters, his arrogance was off the charts. He constantly framed himself as the victim—whether it was the "fake news" media, rigged elections, or witch hunts. In Trump’s world, he’s always under siege, and only he can save America from its supposed collapse. His presidency wasn’t a revolution, it was a sham, and now he’s back for round two, hoping Americans won’t notice that he never really drained the swamp—he just added his own brand of corruption.

On foreign policy, Trump’s erratic, ego-driven decisions were a nightmare. He alienated allies, pulled out of critical international agreements, and cozied up to authoritarian leaders, all while claiming he was restoring American greatness. His love affair with dictators like Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin was a national embarrassment. Meanwhile, his administration greenlit Israel’s annexation of Palestinian land and turned a blind eye to war crimes, all while claiming to support "peace" in the region.

And let’s not forget his disastrous handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump’s refusal to take the virus seriously cost countless lives. He pushed conspiracy theories, downplayed the severity, and fumbled the vaccine rollout, all while patting himself on the back for a “job well done.” In Trump’s world, it’s all about image—and the American people suffered for it.

Two Sides of the Same Rotten Coin

Both Harris and Trump are deeply flawed, and neither is offering the American people real solutions to their problems. Harris can't seem to give a straight answer to save her life, and Trump thinks he’s an infallible genius who can do no wrong. But the truth is, both are out of their depth.

The economy? Don’t expect it to improve under either of them. Harris will offer more vague, half-baked ideas that get bogged down in bureaucracy, and Trump will just do what he did last time: funnel money to the rich and let the rest of the country fend for itself. Inflation, wage stagnation, housing crises—none of it will change because neither candidate has a real plan to tackle the root causes of economic inequality. They’re both beholden to the same corporate interests that profit from keeping things exactly as they are.

The Military-Industrial Complex Wins, The People Lose

The U.S. has been at war for over 20 years now, with no end in sight. Why? Because war is profitable. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing have their hands deep in both candidates’ pockets. Don’t expect either of them to rein in Pentagon spending, even though the country is drowning in debt. The $1.185 trillion Stoltenberg bragged about? That’s your tax dollars funding endless wars and geopolitical chess games that only serve to destabilize regions like the Middle East and now, Asia.

Both candidates will continue this madness, hyping up threats from China, Russia, and anyone else who doesn’t bend to the will of American imperialism. But these so-called threats are just boogeymen used to justify bloated defense budgets and endless military interventions. Whether it's sanctions that hurt ordinary people, drone strikes that terrorize civilians, or proxy wars that turn regions into battlegrounds, the U.S. will continue to operate under the delusion that it’s spreading democracy. What it’s really spreading is chaos.

Palestine: Still Bleeding, Still Ignored

Let’s talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict, a litmus test for any real desire for peace. Neither Kamala nor Trump has any real plan to stop the atrocities against Palestinians. Kamala will continue to give Israel a blank check while paying lip service to “human rights,” and Trump? He’ll just double down on supporting illegal settlements and call it a day. Neither of them has the guts to stand up to Israel’s apartheid policies or war crimes. Palestine will continue to bleed while American politicians look the other way.

The Economy: A Slow-Motion Train Wreck

The American people are struggling, but do either of these candidates have real solutions? Not a chance. Kamala’s plans amount to more bureaucratic programs that will be gutted by Congress or watered down to the point of uselessness. Trump? He’ll wave a few more tariffs around, pretend he’s bringing back jobs, and hope his supporters don’t notice that the wealth gap is only getting worse.

Inflation is through the roof, wages are stagnant, and housing costs are out of control. But hey, as long as Wall Street is doing fine, right? The Federal Reserve keeps printing money, and the national debt keeps climbing, but neither candidate has a real plan to fix any of it. Why? Because they’re too busy serving the interests of corporate America and the ultra-rich. The system isn’t broken; it’s working exactly as it was designed—to keep the wealth in the hands of the few while the rest of us fight over the scraps.

America’s Descent Into Mediocrity

In the end, it doesn’t matter if you vote for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, because either way, the American people are going to get a raw deal. The economy won’t improve, wars will rage on, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer. Israel will continue to go unpunished, China and Russia will be demonized, and the U.S. will keep finding new conflicts to involve itself in, all under the banner of “democracy” and “freedom.”

But let’s be real—there’s no democracy here, just two sides of the same corrupt coin. The American people deserve better, but the system is designed to keep them down, distracted, and divided. Until there’s a real reckoning, nothing will change. And the joke is, that reckoning isn’t coming from either of these clowns.

it all started in 2008...

   

Back in 2008, I dipped my toes into blogging. It was meant to be a simple diary of life’s events—a way to keep track of my ramblings, thoughts, and everyday chaos. Then, in typical fashion, life had other plans. My email got hacked, Blogspot couldn’t help, and the whole damn thing vanished into the digital ether. I couldn’t remember my password, so I just left it. Moved on, lived life, and didn’t look back.

Fast forward 16 years, and here I am. Older? Yes. Wiser? I like to think so. And with a lot more to say. The world has changed, and so have I. So, why not give this blogging thing another shot? Think of it as a reboot—but don’t expect fancy layouts or eye-catching colors. I’m keeping it simple, raw, and unpolished. You’ll find me writing in dark mode because, frankly, I’m not about to burn out my retinas for the sake of aesthetics.

A lot has happened since I last wrote anything worth reading. We’ve seen the internet evolve into a beast of its own. Social media, influencers, TikTok—hell, I blinked and the world became one big content farm. I missed out on writing about my time in Qatar, where I did my part for the World Cup. That would’ve been a story in itself. But hey, better late than never.

Then there’s the shitshow that is Malaysian politics. Najib, the infamous ‘Saudi donation,’ and his wife—partner in crime—plus the whole Jho Low saga. Yachts Private Jets, artworks, money trails, and "The Wolf of Wall Street" being produced by his stepson? You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried. I also missed out on the historic 2018 elections in Malaysia where the opposition actually won for once. And sure, it was a big deal, but did I agree with a 92-year-old taking the reins again? Not a chance. You could feel something wasn’t right from a mile away. 

Then, of course, there’s the pandemic. COVID-19 shut the world down, and while everyone else was freaking out about a mystery virus, I nearly kicked the bucket thanks to dengue fever in 2020. Of all the ways to go, a damn mosquito almost got me. Meanwhile, the world played musical chairs with Prime Ministers in Malaysia, and every day felt like a bad soap opera. There’s a lot to unpack there, and I will—just not all in one go.

And how could I forget the year Donald Trump—yes, the reality TV star and real estate mogul became President of the United States. If you’d told me years ago that “The Apprentice” host would end up in the Oval Office, I’d have laughed. But there he was, tweeting his way through a chaotic presidency. Meanwhile, I also missed out on writing about Obama’s monumental moment as the first Black president—a milestone that felt like a glimmer of hope in the midst of so much division and as expected failed to deliver anything significant except removing a so-called dictator in North Africa setting a mob to kill him and ruin a prosperous nation. Typical American Regime Change with their bombs and bullets. Then came Brexit, the UK’s messy divorce from the EU, which still feels like the hangover that won’t go away. The Hong Kong protests rocked China, and now we’re living through sanctions on China and Russia as the world seems to inch closer to new conflicts. It’s a lot to unpack—world-changing events that shifted the global landscape, and somehow, I missed writing about it all. But no more.

So yeah, this is my return. Expect sharp takes, no sugarcoating, and plenty of irreverence. I’ll talk about what I missed, what’s happening now, and where we’re heading. No fancy promises—just unfiltered, straight-up commentary on the absurdity of life, past and present. I’m back, and this time, I’m not holding anything back.