I Baulk At The Word Moderation

The word moderation is often thrown about by politicians and the intelligentsia(it is often the politicians though that receive my ire). Malaysia a land of moderates. Moderate politics, moderate Muslims... moderate policies... moderate society. I find it utterly revolting I say. Before I cause you to cringe in confusion, let me first define the word moderation. From dictionary.com:

the quality of being moderate; restraint; avoidance of extremes or excesses; temperance.

That's all jolly and well. But the word in Malaysia has been twisted into a sick and perverted joke of itself. A vapid excuse for inaction and mediocrity. Let me say that again MEDIOCRITY. Moderation doesn't mean giving way to bullies in for the sake of not 'hurting' their oh so fragile feelings. And it certainly doesn't mean being complacent and satisfied with a placid lifestyle.

I've often heard people say way too often and rather glibly that they are a moderate. Which essentially translates to "I rather sit on the fence and have no backbone to come to a decisive conclusion on a matter"... well jolly good. I say... sod off! While the moderates sleep, the incredulous takes over the public sphere. Don't say I didn't warn you when the extremist come out of the wood work.

I am by all means not an extremist nor *shock* a fundamentalist but I rather put my foot firmly down on matters affecting the people of this nation of ours.We all have the mental faculty to think something through. Resorting to moderation is an easy and lazy way out of thinking about an issue. And it's just sweeping things under a carpet... something we've been doing for far too long.

So I say... stand up Malaysians! And be accounted for! And wipe that smirk off your face...

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