Nash Cooper: 2008

Visit to Singapore - November '08

On: Monday, December 15, 2008

TARA just drank a full bottle of KEE sause ...cos of tht she is HOT...keeeee

Wally say "Who's Bike is this"??

Tara and Lynn, ready to bite,... me ready to escape

Yo.. Super cool.. but tom yum soup arond the table..

Ready to kick off the feast.

Wally in action.. may be trying to learn how an allien camera works.

ummm.... Lynn's food. well is just a half of what she ordered.

Election Maldives - Guide to Vote

On: Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Its election day for Maldives just a coupple of days away, which is going to make a remarkable history in our life.
First time first time multiple candidates racing for a president.
Its going to be almost 30 years that we keep telling YES or NO for just one candidate contesting as a president. which means basically we got no choices.
But this time we got choices. not just one or two..... more than that.
So as a resposible citizen of maldives ... to decide a better future for our next generation lets go for voting.
I am not so experience on voting .. but I use to hear about the problems people face when attending for voting.
so let me tell you about some simple guides for voting and how to handle the problems on election day.

Clearly, the main thing to do on election day is vote. Unfortunately, voting can often be a confusing process. Here is a brief guide designed to answer some common election day questions.
Where do I vote?

Probably from TVM they will advertise out sample ballots weeks before the election. It probably lists where you vote. You may have also gotten a notice from your local elections office after you registered. It may also list your polling place.

Call your local elections office. It will be listed in the government pages of your phone book.
Ask a neighbor. People who live in the same apartment complex, on the same street, block, etc., usually vote at the same place.

When can I vote?

In most Islands, polls open between 6 and 8 in the morning and close between 6 and 9 in the evening. Once again, call your local elections office for the exact hours.
Typically, if you are in line to vote by the time the polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
To avoid long lines, vote between 10 am and 5 pm.
To avoid potential traffic problems at busy polling places, consider carpooling. Take a friend to vote.

What should I bring to the polls?

It is a good idea to bring a form of photo identification with you. Some times you may require photo ID. You should also bring a form of ID that shows your current address. poll workers sometimes ask for it, so it's a good idea to bring your ID, anyway. If you registered by mail, you will need to produce your ID the first time you vote.

What if I'm not on the registered voter list?

When you sign in at the polling place, your name will be checked against a list of registered voters. If your name is not on the list of registered voters at that polling place, you CAN still vote.

Ask the poll worker to check again. They should be able to check a statewide list. You may be registered to vote, but at another location.

If your name is not on the list, you can still vote on a "provisional ballot." This ballot will be counted separately. After the election, officials will determine if you are eligible to vote and add your ballot to the official count.

What if I have a disability?

Goverment law requires that polling places be accessible to persons with disabilities. But if you want to make sure you will be able to vote, it is best to call your local election office before election day. Inform them of your disability and that you will need an accessible polling place.
According to the law it will require that every polling place must provide a way for people with disabilities to vote privately and independently.

What are my rights as a voter?

Equal treatment and opportunity to register and vote, regardless of race, religion, national origin, sex or disability.
Privacy - only you should know how you voted.
Having your vote accurately counted and recorded.
If you have a disability, access to a voting device you can use, along with appropriate assistance.
Help in voting from poll workers IF you ask for it.
Courtesy and respect from poll workers, election officials and all others at the polling place.

Are you proud to be a Maldivian ??

On: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Are we Maldivians dying or living in this country?
What use is this ‘cutting edge’ concept making in Maldives if it turns out to be an evil which is cutting the throats of our future? What is the point of such a meaningless rat race if it is going to end up becoming one vicious never ending cycle of distress and suffering? What is it that eventually matters? And who decides that?
A solution that hopefully teaches a child to follow its own heart and not that of a looming shadow. Could this scene be more tragic? Is there a way out?
One of the Obvious factor is our beloved education system. A cruel and heartless soul laundry of a factory that heaps loads of work for the young minds without leaving them any other option except to memorize the most mundane details about some meaningless piece of information. The monster-manufacturing unit that works 24/7 day and night tirelessly dishing out new assignments and new ways to torture the developmental process. With time this process has only become more meaningless and more abundant.
There are many factors that drive a people to do such an unthinkable act. Strict parents who condition their children from Kindergarten that succeeding is everything. Failure is not an option. That component of fear is what grows into a monster within them, eating away at their soul bit by bit and eventually enveloping them and gobbling them in one giant gulp.
Another problem is most of us we believe Maldives, a country where ‘everything is on sale’ and everyone is a genius. A gentle reminder of the fact that magic and logic reside in the same bosom like two faces of the same coin. This was not supposed to be our future. Not based on the predictions the super powers had made about a decade ago anyway.
I leave you with these thinking’s to ponder on!!