Jennie M. Xue

Universal jurisdiction and global governance

 

 by Jennie S. Bev

International law has risen to a new level where it is no longer a series of norms that nations agree to adopt but rarely enforce. It has risen to a new plateau where it is more than a political instrument.

Landmark cases are being created, which is crucial to worldwide advancement in adherence to human rights and respect for humanity. Eventually, international law is no longer more philosophical than practical and it promises to evolve into something greater than mere utopia. It is the gateway to good global governance.

Charter for Compassion and hope

by Jennie S. Bev

On November 12, the Charter for Compassion, a document promoting peace and tolerance, will be officiated and hopefully it will serve as an antidote to religious fundamentalism.

It is the brainchild of religious scholar Karen Armstrong whose breakthrough book A History of God shook the world in 1993 with the assistance of the 2008 TED Prize of US$100,000.

The charter includes ideas and writings from people of all nations, all faiths and all religions, including Abrahamic faiths, and secular-agnostic-atheist non-faiths.

Asian culture is thriving in America

  

 by Jennie S. Bev 

In today’s mainstream society, Americans illustrate a greater acceptance of Asian influences, values, and culture. Asian pop culture is thriving. From suburban noodle houses to Zen-style spas, Ayurvedic restaurants, Shiatsu massage, kanji tattoos, Yugi-Oh, Ichiro Suzuki baseball cards, Thai diners, and anime and manga comics to.. the list goes on.

Asian cultural influences seem more naturally accepted in today’s America, which is encouraging. Joseph Nye, a Harvard professor and former dean of John F. Kennedy School of Government, coined term “soft power,” which refers to cultural elements making meaningful changes in society. Professor Nye is an ambassador for bridging cultures to bring meaningful coexistence and understanding to people with various backgrounds.

Verisimilitude, bullshit, and meaning

by Jennie S. Bev

Every single incident captured through the senses has at least one meaning, if not several. Meanings are both attached and given. As a writer, I give both concrete and abstract meanings to many things, since verisimilitude is a principle that I always strive for.

The truth, or at least the sincere semblance of it, gives validity and credibility to one’s thoughts. More importantly, since writing is life presented on a piece of paper, it is being alive in a different format.

And in life, we need to be clear, honest and gracious to earn self-respect.

The stoning law, wan’ni, and sharia implementations

  by Jennie S. Bev

Bylaws in Aceh for stoning adulterers to death and 100 lashes for premarital sex should be nullified as they are not merely against human rights and unconstitutional, but perpetuate the myth of inequality and overindulge in the over-virtuousness of Islam and sharia law.

Failure to nullify them will have grave consequences in which not only will pluralism be threatened but it will engender an age of distrust and Indonesia will be thrust back into the Dark Ages.