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According to a 20 year study by the Harvard School of Public Health any red meat increases the likelihood of premature death.

A new study released and it paints a bleak picture for anyone who enjoys a good meaty barbecue, over 120,000 physicians and nurses were surveyed and those who ate the most red meat were more likely to die over the course of the study.

Steak, bacon, ribs and hot dogs, however you choose to eat your meat, its bad for you, and it all depends on who you ask.

Adding a daily piece of steak no bigger than a deck of cards to a persons diet was associated with a 13 percent risk of death and adding a daily serving of processed meat like a hot dog or two slices of bacon led to a 20 per cent higher risk.

The Association think it should convince people to change to a more plant based diet where red meat isn’t a major component, the study found that those who ate nuts, fish poultry and whole grains instead of red meat had between 7 and 19 per cent reduced risk of death during the study.

Though claimed the methods used in the study were known to be inaccurate and unreliable, but the results of a single study never change dietary advice or recommendations and this is no exception, beef and lamb contribute significant amounts of several nutrients to diets so therefore people should continue to enjoy a red meat meal three to four times a week as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

The researchers conclusions were called misleading saying other studies have shown no link at all between eating red meat and mortality.

Meatless Monday could help and that reducing consumption of red meat would not only benefit public health, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many people are surprised to learn that animal agribusiness generates more greenhouse gases than all forms of transportation combined.

Reducing demand for red meat would allow forests cleared for pasture to be replanted, as well as freeing up more grains for human consumption, helping reduce worldwide malnutrition.

Choosing to eat more plant based foods and less red meat is better for all of us.

That’s the strength of being in a group. Young people today, are showing us the importance of being in a group. If parents don’t have time to guide their children, chances are, they will join a group that will influence them to act the way they do. A worker in a company will find it best to be associated with other workers. This results in more productivity.

Some years ago, former American prisoners during the World War II were interviewed to determine what methods had been effective in breaking their spirit. It is interesting to note that they break down quickly when they are confined alone, apart from friends. These soldiers said that they draw their strength from close attachments they had formed in their  small military units where they belonged.

These examples and real life experiences gives us an insight why we need to be in association with a group. A group that is beneficial to our growth and development in all areas of life, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. The choice of association is fatal whether we be a blessing to society or a curse.

Are you part of a group that will enhance your development and that of others? Consider one today.

Wahyu Dhyatmika, chairman of AJI Jakarta stated, “We do hope that this selection would motivate journalists to create better journalistic pieces in term of quality.”

The juries for this award selection are Riza Primadi, Salomo Simanungkalit, Heru Hendratmoko, Farid Gaban, Kemal Jufri and Rommy Fibri. Each work are chosen objectively without knowing the journalist and media’s identities.

Kemal Jufi stated, “In my opinion the ‘Tidur di Jakarta’ essay photo is a work which came up from a very simple theme in Jakarta city’s daily life, but it was made with a very creative, original, smart and humorous approach, combined with the smooth composition and the sensitiveness in picking up the right moment,”

Here are the winners from each category, along with their works, chosen from 22 nomination pieces from television, 26 nomination pieces from radio, 10 nomination pieces from print/online media and 46 nomination pieces from photo category:

·         Feature/in depth reporting goes to Ahmad Arief (KOMPAS), “Toba Mengubah Dunia” (Toba Changes the World – red.).

·         Print media’s investigation goes to Wahyu Dhyatmika (TEMPO), “Asuransi Hampa Pahlawan Devisa” (Empty Insurance for the State’s Income Hero).

·         Television media’s Feature/in depth reporting for television media goes to Widyaningsih (KOMPAS TV), “Terkepung Asap Polusi” (Surrounded by the Pollution’s Smoke).

·         Televisin media’s investigation goes to Agung Prasetyo (MNC TV), “Semprotan Racun Kimia di Ikan Asin” (Chemical Poison Splashes on Salted Fishes).

·         Radio media’s feature/in depth reporting goes to Irvan Imamsyah (KBR 68H), “Menelusuri Penyerang Cikeusik” (Tracing for the Cikeusik Attacker).

·         Photo story goes to Aditia Noviansyah (Koran TEMPO), “Tidur di Jakarta” (Sleep in Jakarta).

·         Single photo goes to M. Agung Rajasa, “Razia PMKS” (PMKS Raid).

The Awards granted during the Journalists Gathering for Freedom of the Press event. This award granted annually by AJI Jakarta to motivate journalists in creating higher standard pieces.

Got some experience and knowledge to share? You can write it and get paid for it by signing up here.

Sources

Library of Congress. “Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.” Library of   Congress. June 23rd, 2010. Web. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-brown.html

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. “Brown vs. Board of Education: History and Culture.” National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. March 10th, 2011. Web. Retrieved from             http://www.nps.gov/brvb/historyculture/index.htm

          In the second scene of the documentary, Michael Moore enters a bank which doubled as a licensed gun dealership, advertising “More bang for your buck!,” as part of a promotion for free guns for those who opened new accounts with the bank. Moore’s first comment inside of the North Country Bank was “Do you think it’s a little dangerous handing out guns at a bank?” Putting aside the fact that pending being properly prepared, any group of thieves could break into the bank and use the pre-supplied artillery, giving out guns for any purpose in my opinion is both dangerous and foolish. The bank was using pure bribery to gain business, with the reward being a weapon! In other words, I open a bank account, and I potentially endanger the well-being of those around me. I found it rather frightening how easily it was for Michael Moore to obtain a weapon, with this I am sure being only one example of doing so. Over 50 million Americans own weapons. And going back to the North Country Bank example, for those of you who do not have the proper ammunition for your free Weatherby Mark V Magnum rifle, a few years ago, an easy trip to the local K-Mart could supply you with all of the 17 cent ammunition you needed! I was stunned when I found out that the bullets used in the Columbine massacre were simply purchased at K-Mart, and that K-Mart even sold bullets at all! I cannot fathom how any store can sell ammunition to minors in a “no-questions-asked” fashion. Had these bullets not been sold to these minors, one has to question whether or not the Columbine massacre would have ever happened at all? Through his trips to the North Country Bank as well as the K-Mart, Michael Moore revealed a major problem in the United States: Americans have a fondness for weapons.

          The third scene that I felt strongly about was the sit-down interview with controversial American musician Marilyn Manson, whose strong influence over Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold may have played a role in the teenagers’ ploy to massacre Columbine High School. Putting aside my immediate impression of Manson because of his, well, individual appearance, I listened to what the stage persona’s response was to the accusations that he might be responsible for the Columbine killings. “I think it’s easy to throw my face on the TV, because in the end, I’m a poster boy for fear. Because I represent what everyone is afraid of, because I say and do whatever I want.” To be honest, I was caught off guard by how intelligent the man sounded. It struck me that the media does just as he said. The media needs to give immediate answers but they need to fill our minds with fear. Today’s news is a combination of murders, national disasters, and the negative results of not using a certain product or buying a certain car. When you see a man like Manson who says and does “whatever [he] wants,” it is easy to point fingers when something goes wrong. The media accusing Manson maintains their desire to expose fear. I agree with Manson when he says that the media takes and spins every story to implant fear into American’s minds, because Americans need something to consume. Without the media, Americans would be able to form their own opinions and break away from this bombardment of fear.

          Although each scene conveys a certain message, it is important to remember that Bowling for Columbine is a movie and it was produced in Hollywood. Michael Wilson’s documentary Michael Moore Hates America makes claims that bank employees at the North Country Bank were misled during the filming of the scene in Bowling for Columbine. Contrary to what was viewed in the film, the bank made a claim that pending a background check, those who opened new accounts would have weapons mailed to a gun dealership for pick-up; however, Michael Moore insisted on an on-premises presentation of his free weapon. Regardless, the fact of the matter is the bank was presenting new clients with free weapons, and K-Mart was there for any American’s ammunition needs. Bowling for Columbine makes clear the controversies surrounding the Second Amendment in modern-day America.

ASSIMILATION BY ASSOCIATION

We are what we repeatedly do, right or wrong, good for us or bad for us.  If we constantly associate our self with things that are not good then I can assure you that no good will come to you.  On the other hand, if we associate our self with the things that are good, healthy and righteous then good will come.  Our lives get caught in the association trap, for better or worse.  The choice is ours and our future is determined by the habits we develop. 

Our life assimilates that with which we are consistently associated.  Children learn what they live and adults do what other adults do within the circle they keep; assimilation by association.  Whether these associations will promote a healthy and happy future for us may not occur to us until it is too late because it is what we know and it has become our way of life, our habit and even if deep down we know something is wrong with the picture but we settle for it.  It becomes okay in our own mind set unless we can break the cycle, desire to get beyond circumstance and develop new and better habits. 

How we live is determined by the habits we develop, right or wrong, good or bad; but habits can be both made and broken.  You are what you repeatedly do, what has become your habit.  You decide your habits but it is your habits that decide your future.  It is all a matter of choice.

Just a small example:  I had dinner not long ago with a group of people I don’t hang out with on a regular basis but found myself obligated to participate in this setting for a short time.  I was very uncomfortable but the uncomfortable soon got pushed aside because of a bad choice on my part.  I wanted to be accepted, feel like part of the crowd. 

The dinner was fine and for a short while everything went well and then the conversation turned to telling dirty jokes, foul language, touchy-feely behavior and a lot of gossip.  I didn’t get involved right off.  I tried to just brush it off.  I should have just left, but I didn’t and the next thing I knew I was laughing too, gossiping and even made a couple crude remarks.  Assimilation, things I wouldn’t quickly became that which I did. 

We assimilate the character of those around us.  We can’t always avoid these circumstances but we can make the choice not to do the same and restrict the amount of association we have with negative behavior. 

After I got home I did some heavy thinking about my own behavior.  It was completely out of character.  I was ashamed.  If that sort of character change can happen in a two to three hour time frame, imagine what it would be like if I consistently followed their path and hung out with them.  I’d be in big trouble and those I want to see me in a different light would only see me as being just like them, and I would become like them in time. 

I choose not to and the next time I find I am obligated to associate with such character I will simply leave when that which I know is wrong begins.  At first I know I laughed out of embarrassment but I am amazed and disappointed in me over how quickly I let myself get caught up in that unsavory atmosphere.  I do not have to be a part of it but I have to make the choice.  Just say no.  It is time for me to leave and get out.  Be accountable and responsible for your own actions.  If you follow the crowd you will be assimilated into the crowd doing what they do and becoming what they are, for better or worse.

Another example:  This is really a good one, a young boy I know is a really wonderful young man and I am proud to know him.  He is highly respected in his community and is a very good student and a fair athlete.  He is of good character.  His family is well liked and highly respected in the community. 

I have had several people say to me, speaking of this young man, “I can’t help but notice what a fine young man he is.  He looks and is built a lot like his mother’s family but is so much like his father too and they are good people.  He is going to grow into a fine adult; and they see him as being like his parents having the same physical and personality traits as they have.  What 99.9% of these people who laud compliments on this young man do not know is that he is adopted, there is no genetic connection.  This young man has assimilated the characteristics of the family he is adopted into; assimilation by association.  He walks, talks and behaves as they do, even using many of the same expressions and body language.  That is assimilation.   

You assimilate that which you associate yourself with for better or worse.  Our personality, our behavior, assimilates, assumes to take on the character of those things, the people, the society around us and the living habits we develop because of those associations.

It is all too easy to get caught up in the world around us.  If you consistently hang out with people who buy, use, sell drugs before long you will find yourself doing the same thing, just to fit in, or at the very least you will be seen by others outside that circle as being the same.  This goes for alcohol and free sex, open marriage, and all those other things as well. 

Just because your parents, grandparents, an aunt or an uncle did something that was not socially acceptable does not mean you have to follow that same pattern, even if others outside this group assume you will be “just like them,” you can make the choice to not follow the same path or develop those habits.  If the crowd I am hanging with is dragging me down and holding me back from following my own dream and being all I can be then I need to change my association, change my bad habits for good habits.

You are what you repeatedly do in all aspects of your life.  You decide and practice your habits and your habits will determine your future.  We are each personally responsible and accountable for our own actions, the habits we develop that make us who we are.  You don’t have to follow the crowd, do what they do.  It makes no difference if you are rich or poor, famous or an unknown, those things with which we consistently associate our self will assimilate into the character we become.   

What it means in relation to YOUR mental health.

You have a Right NOT to associate with people who seem to exist to stress you out.  You know what I mean. You know how every time you come home from that meeting it is an hour recap of what s/he did/said/implied.  Coming home from school or work and the center of your being is what s/he did/didn’t do/ said/didn’t say.

Most people have a sincere problem in not comprehending their Right of Association.  It is simply this; “If you don’t like them, don’t play with them.” (Your mother probably said this to you.)

There is no reason in the world to allow yourself to be emotionally pummelled by people you can not, no matter how hard you try, befriend, condone, accept, etc.

Let’s imagine a meeting of a group you do want to belong to.  It could be anything from a church to a professional body to a sports club.  You want to be part of the club; it’s just a portion of the other members who are making you quite unhappy.

In many cases, the problem is solved by changing your seat.  Although this seems puerile you might find that there is a totally different group meeting in the south western corner than there is in the north western corner.

In others, it is solved by reworking your entry and exit. For example, arrive late, stay in the back, leave early.

In situations where you have to actually speak to persons who exist as warts on your life, keep it quiet, cold and short.  Do not discuss, defend, argue, just be quiet. 

So Sandra is in your face about eating that canape. Look at her, blink, walk away.  Let her run off her mouth. If it comes to further confrontation; “I have freedom of association and I do not want to associate with you.” Done.

Ignore the people who have been stressing you.  Avoid them. Leave when they enter. Say nothing.  Eventually you will find yourself feeling better.   You will wonder; “Why did I spend so much time arguing with Sandra? Why did I let those clowns in the north western corner upset me?”

Freedom of Association means you do not have to ‘play’ with people you don’t like.

To discuss this issue first we need to understand what Universalism means.  Universalism is misinterpreted as Uniformity.   Uniformity means a uniform treatment, whereas Universalism means the treatment according to the virtues and all virtues hold appropriate recognition according to the contribution.

The question arise, can the heterogeneous community can be governed through Universality, the answer is ‘yes’.  India is the best example to this question.  India being a mini world and a human civilisation has inherited the most virtues of the World through indigenous and migrated communities.

If we analyse the Indian society and its growth, we would realize that Concept of Universalism worked in the wake of diversity.  A diversified community cannot have a uniform governance system, i.e. a uniform code system.  This is possible due to the varieties of virtues and its level of acceptability.  Even virtue, i.e. community holds its significant contribution to the society.  Every community holds a special ability that holds their survival and their economy is based on that.  Even the economy is nurtured according to the abilities of the Communities and hence becomes their identity.  This will gradually add to the whole system.

What goes wrong, when we have Uniform policies for all and people of different community is not able to conceive those policies.  The non-acceptability is due to since that is not-compatible with the virtue of the specific community.  This creates identity crisis.  To counter this, in India there were an inbuilt culture of guilds and association that was governed by Structure.  The guilds were formed according to the ability to execute and its development to sustain the abilities.  The guilds used to co-ordinate with other guilds and hence used to create an inter-dependent Human Society.

Similarly, though in the wake of the concept of Globalization and Liberalization, where the state-sovereignty is eroding, what are still sustaining the World are the Guilds and Associations.  These Guilds are though controlled by defacto at present, but if it comes under dejure regime, this will give a sustainable growth to the World society and it will not be under the exploitative condition and will not be neglected due to less relevance.

Further, the structural governance will check the inflammation of the power orientation.  In the present system of govern, i.e. democratic, the representative government is Province oriented.  This is based on the manipulation through mass mobilization and a uniform treatment.  Though the theory of majority works here, but the minority could be any number may remain a discontented community and victim of negligence and exploitation.

When there is a negligence and exploitation, it converts to resistance which further leads to violence in due course of time.  Micro governance, i.e. through guilds and association of Economy and custom and tradition of Society is the best way to reach Universalism in the diversified society.

An organization is a gathering of systems, people, and procedures which are set mutually to earn profit. In order to improved manage the huge store base and assets. The association requires being in some sort of organizational arrangement so that it can be shaped into some form and clear lines are defined in order to manage and get the prolific use of organization’s assets. The structure of an association is frameworks that allocate an exacting space for a particular sector or an individual and shows its connection to the other. The arrangement of the Industrial Organization is the overall collection of the organization separated on the basis of different processes, rules and their relation in the organization.

Some experts have defined structure as the interrelationship and arrangement of component parts and positions in an association. It provides guiding principle on the following aspects:

·         Linkage between different functions

·         Hierarchy

·         Division of work into smaller units called activities

·         Authority Relationship

·         Authority Structure

·         Coordination with the environment

What and whom we associate with usually rubs off on us, for better or worse. That is why we should stick with like-minded people, for they will influence us positively. And that is also the reason we should listen to uplifting music when we are down. It is the reason why we stay longer in some homes than others, for the ambience is more inviting.

This topic reminds of a related case: washing clothes. Some time back I got a new help to do my washing. It had been close to two weeks since we had done any laundry, and a mountain of clothes had piled up. The girl worked her way through the dirty clothes and soon the clean ones were hanged on the line, flapping happily. I was glad to have the task completed. However, my heart almost stopped beating when I came out of the house to be greeted by the sight of my white shirts looking like the rainbow had landed on them. 

Dotting the clothes were all sorts of colors. I was thoroughly shocked, knowing that it would not be easy to replace them. And so I sat down the house help and explained that white clothes should never be mixed with those of other colors when laundering them. Yes, I still had my clothes intact, but the marks on them were conspicuous. Maybe they will never come out.

This incident is true to the saying, “you become what/where you live”. When you spend time with certain people, you morph out to be just like them. General Collins Luther Powell, American statesman and four stars General said, “The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Anytime you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.

“As you grow your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don’t help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.

“Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves will always tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of he bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don’t follow anyone who is going nowhere.”

Powell adds that with some people, you spend an evening, while others you invest in it. That you should be careful where you stop to inquire directions along the road of life. “Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves you will learn ho to howl. But if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses. The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate- for good or bad.”

Since the clothes episode, I am always conscious of what or whom I align myself with. I am keen on what I eat, for this will eventually show on my face and my body. I am keen on what I read, for it will reflect on my intellect and way of thinking. I am keen on my thoughts, for will translate into actions and behavior. Watch what and whom you associate with. Certain characteristics will rub off on you.