A Truly Funny Book Review

There is a book titled “The Secret” with the author being Rhonda Byrne. The book was first published on 28^th November 2006. The writer won’t go into detail about the subject matter except to say that it is about the “Laws of Attraction”. The book itself…well, you either love it or you hate it. The description below from Amazon’s website gives you a few more details on the subject matter and this is followed by a review of the book which was posted on Amazon’s website.

The review itself is titled “The Secret saved my life” and it is one of the funniest things the writer has ever read.  Please read on and let me know what you think. The review is famous and even has its own Facebook page plus it has been re-printed on dozens of other websites. A truly great piece of humorous writing.  

From Amazon

“Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.

In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life — money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers — men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

Supporters will hail this New Age self-help book on the law of attraction as a groundbreaking and life-changing work, finding validation in its thesis that one’s positive thoughts are powerful magnets that attract wealth, health, happiness… and did we mention wealth? Detractors will be appalled by this as well as when the book argues that fleeting negative thoughts are powerful enough to create terminal illness, poverty and even widespread disasters.”

The Secret saved my life!, December 4, 2007

By Ari Brouillette (Kensington, CA United States)

This review is from: The Secret (Hardcover)

Please allow me to share with you how “The Secret” changed my life and in a very real and substantive way allowed me to overcome a severe crisis in my personal life. It is well known that the premise of “The Secret” is the science of attracting the things in life that you desire and need and in removing from your life those things that you don’t want. Before finding this book, I knew nothing of these principles, the process of positive visualization, and had actually engaged in reckless behaviors to the point of endangering my own life and wellbeing.
At age 36, I found myself in a medium security prison serving 3-5 years for destruction of government property and public intoxication. This was stiff punishment for drunkenly defecating in a mailbox but as the judge pointed out, this was my third conviction for the exact same crime. I obviously had an alcohol problem and a deep and intense disrespect for the postal system, but even more importantly I was ignoring the very fabric of our metaphysical reality and inviting destructive influences into my life.
My fourth day in prison was the first day that I was allowed in general population and while in the recreation yard I was approached by a prisoner named Marcus who calmly informed me that as a new prisoner I had been purchased by him for three packs of Winston cigarettes and 8 ounces of Pruno (prison wine). Marcus elaborated further that I could expect to be raped by him on a daily basis and that I had pretty eyes.
Needless to say, I was deeply shocked that my life had sunk to this level. Although I’ve never been homophobic I was discovering that I was very rape phobic and dismayed by my overall personal street value of roughly $15. I returned to my cell and sat very quietly, searching myself for answers on how I could improve my life and distance myself from harmful outside influences. At that point, in what I consider to be a miraculous moment, my cell mate Jim Norton informed me that he knew about the Marcus situation and that he had something that could solve my problems. He handed me a copy of “The Secret”. Normally I wouldn’t have turned to a self help book to resolve such a severe and immediate threat but I literally didn’t have any other available alternatives. I immediately opened the book and began to read.
The first few chapters deal with the essence of something called the “Law of Attraction” in which a primal universal force is available to us and can be harnessed for the betterment of our lives. The theoretical nature of the first few chapters wasn’t exactly putting me at peace. In fact, I had never meditated and had great difficulty with closing out the chaotic noises of the prison and visualizing the positive changes that I so dearly needed. It was when I reached Chapter 6 “The Secret to Relationships” that I realized how this book could help me distance myself from Marcus and his negative intentions. Starting with chapter six there was a cavity carved into the book and in that cavity was a prison shiv. This particular shiv was a toothbrush with a handle that had been repeatedly melted and ground into a razor sharp point.
The next day in the exercise yard I carried “The Secret” with me and when Marcus approached me I opened the book and stabbed him in the neck. The next eight weeks in solitary confinement provided ample time to practice positive visualization and the 16 hours per day of absolute darkness made visualization about the only thing that I actually could do. I’m not sure that everybody’s life will be changed in such a dramatic way by this book but I’m very thankful to have found it and will continue to recommend it heartily.

Taiwan – mobile telephones and supporting one’s own country.

The following story is true and is highly likely to be the situation on many other cases.

A large Taiwanese bank, listed on the TAIEX, has issued its senior staff with a mobile phone for communication purposes. All the phone has to do is allow staff to make and receive phone calls and emails.

It is not necessary for it to be a jukebox, or a games centre, or a way of accessing the Internet. Its sole purpose is to allow the staff to make and receive phone calls and emails.

This large Taiwanese bank relies on the people of Taiwan for the vast majority of its business and this is where its substantial net profit is derived from each year.

One would reasonably expect that this bank would reciprocate the support of the people of Taiwan and support Taiwan companies who earn their income in Taiwan and whose profit is retained in Taiwan. There is one more benefit and that is, they employ Taiwanese workers. As stated before, one would reasonably expect this.

However, this is not the case. The bank, which shall remain unnamed, supplies its staff with Apple iPhones. Apple products are probably excellent products but once you get past the hype of Apple’s marketing, are their iPhones any better than similar products produced and sold by Taiwanese manufacturers. Where does Apple’s profit go? Overseas of course, to American shareholders in most part.

Research by the writer of  a number of websites devoted to comparing different smart phones and their capabilities shows that there is a Taiwanese manufacturer that produces mobile phones that are equal to or better than Apple iPhone in terms of performance. Not only that, the phones are cheaper.

Why has this bank overlooked these Taiwanese products which, if purchased, would be its way of displaying its support of Taiwan industry along with the people of Taiwan? A shareholder may be appalled at this situation along with the unnecessary expense which ultimately impacts on profit and dividends paid.

Is there a cultural cringe happening here and anything produced overseas is better than the Taiwanese product? Is there more status in having a product displaying an Apple than displaying a Taiwanese brand name? Are people so insecure that it is necessary for them to bask in the reflected glory of a famous brand name product?

If this situation is happening in one institution, how many other institutions is it happening in?

Surely this is a case of where a company should support those which are supporting it.

Taiwan – where strange things can and do happen.

Taiwan…..where strange things happen…..from time to time.

The following is an article, which has been taken from an Australian news site, namely au.yahoo.com on 21st December 2008.

A Taiwan taxi driver drove passengers around for a day with a corpse sitting in his front seat, a Taiwanese television report said on Saturday. According to cable TV channel TVBS, the taxi driver, identified only as Wang, picked up his drug addict friend Kuo Chun-chieh in their home region of Changhwa County, west Taiwan, about 10pm on Wednesday.

Kuo, 35, was drunk and asked Wang to drive him to Lukang to see a friend. From his friend’s home, Kuo picked up a parcel, got back into the taxi, and asked Wang to drive him to Taichung City.

Sitting in the front seat beside the driver, Kuo then injected himself in the arm and passed out. Wang, believing Kuo was “sleeping” in the front seat, drove the taxi home, leaving Kuo inside. Next morning, Wang drove the taxi around and picked up several passengers during the day with Kuo still slumped in the front seat, the television report said.

It was not until about 10pm on Thursday that Wang, having at some point realised Kuo was dead, drove to a police station to report the death. An autopsy on Friday found Kuo had died from a drug overdose.

Police said they found it hard to believe Wang did not know Kuo was already dead when he drove the body around for a whole day.

The article raises a number of questions:

1. Why did passengers get into a taxi with two men in the front seats, a definite no-no in Taipei? Apparently things are different in Changhwa.

2. You wonder about the taxi driver with a drug addict for a friend.

3. What was the driver thinking when his friend was shooting up in the front seat of his taxi?

4. Does the taxi driver suffer from a lack of curiosity? His friend was asleep for close on twenty-four hours.

5. Is the taxi driver now drinking heavily to forget the experience?

Once again, when people want the strange or weird or off the wall or out of left field or whatever, they think of Taiwan……where strange things happen……from time to time. I know this story should be taken seriously, but I did laugh almost non-stop for five minutes after reading it. Look out for the next instalment of differentness from Taiwan.

Taiwan – a feast of fighting and mayhem

This entry was written some time ago and was on another blog.

Over the years, I have become more and more interested in the goings on in the parliament in Taipei, a lot of which makes it on to television in Australia. I point out at this time that my understanding of the Chinese language in almost nil.

Living in Australia, the House of Representatives in Canberra, at question time, can be a very robust place; particularly in former Labor Party Prime Minister Paul Keating’s time(1983-1996) and then later on when former Liberal Party Treasurer Peter Costello(1996-2006) was in full flight.

Many a politician on the opposition benches has been subjected to a verbal savaging by government members. In some cases it has signaled the end of their careers, to wit, Paul Keating’s continual savaging of the former Liberal Party Opposition leader John Hewson.

No feelings are spared in this point scoring exercise in the House of Representatives.

However…………..nothing compares to what happens in the parliament in Taipei from time to time.

Flying chairs…not a problem that can be arranged.

Punches thrown…..too easy.

Faces slapped…..ho hum, boring, that’s a regular occurrence.

Brawls….there is a need for party unity here, so everybody, remember, one in, all in and make sure those punches count because this is being filmed and will go all around the world.

Shoes being used to beat people……gives new meaning to the phrase “multi-purpose”.

People injured……accidents can happen, anyway its all good clean fun, it shows our fighting spirit.

Hair pulling….mainly the ladies are involved in this.

Decorum…..a concept which Taiwanese politicians are still coming to terms with.

This could go on but it wont. I will just say one word…..YOUTUBE where you can enjoy the Taiwanese Legislature Fight, Taiwanese Legislature Fight Part II, and Taiwanese Legislature Fight Part III. plus many others in a veritable feast of fighting.

Taiwanese democracy in action, don’t you just love it? You need to  have a sense of humour to appreciate it.

Taiwan – taxing times

My name is Tang. I , and my lovely wife Wang live in a very spacious tenth floor apartment located in a highly desirable area of Taipei.  The area has all the conveniences one could wish for including a bus service and MRT station close by.

Of course we don’t use public transport, there is no need to. In our two basement car parking spaces are the cars – mine is a black 2008 Mercedes while Wang’s is the latest 5 Series BMW. My Mercedes dealer is making a nuisance of himself by continuing to telephone to offer a special deal to change over to a 2011 model. No doubt I will eventually weaken.

We are both share traders, trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, or if you like, TAIEX. The last ten years have been good to us. In addition to accumulating a large property portfolio in the USA, our two children completed their education at prestigious universities in the USA. Yes, life is good.

Our net income last year was NTD10,000,000 approximately. Split between myself and my wife, that is NTD5,000,000 each. Taxation paid on this substantial of income was exactly…..nil. You see all of our income was in the form of capital gains achieved through buying and selling of shares and there is no tax on capital gains.

I and my wife Wang are very patriotic Taiwanese and we love our country dearly for what it has given us and what, hopefully, it will continue to give us. We really do enjoy many benefits by living and doing business in Taiwan. The best part of it all is that there is no need to pay for it through taxation.

No, we let others pay for us. Like our neighbour Chen, and his lovely wife Hsu, and his three children. Chen is a CFO at a large listed company and it seems that he is very good at his job as the compensation is NTD6,000,000 per year. Taxation on the compensation is NTD1,600,000 approximately leaving Chen and family NTD4,400,000 to cover all their expenses, which is still a princely sum by Taiwan standards.

Chen and his lovely wife Hsu pay tax at the rate of 26.66% while I and the lovely Wang pay tax at the rate of nil, that sounds so good I will say it again, I and the lovely Wang pay tax at the rate of nil!!! Is this fair…..I don’t really know. I didn’t design the taxation system but please don’t re-design the tax system with the idea of broadening the tax base and instituting some fairness into it otherwise we might end up like Chen and Hsu, with Chen working 26.66% of his time  working for the  government.

Tax on NTD5,000,000 is NTD1,225,000 for myself and for the lovely Wang, a total of NTD2,450,000 on NTD10,000,000 or 24.50%. Our net income would be NTD7,550,000, still a tidy sum but there would need to be cuts in personal expenditure such as that new car every three years and less exotic holidays every year. Yes, we would really need to downgrade our lifestyle.

Those gentlemen in power in the Legislative Yuan do a fine job and they need to stay there. Yes, a donation to their party for campaigning is in order here.

Taiwan – a retired public servant is something to be.

There are four hundred thousand retired public servants in Taiwan according to an editorial titled “Looking after the public’s interests” in the Taipei Times in early 2011.

These retirees enjoy an interest rate of 18% per annum on their retirement savings up to a maximum of NTD2 million. This compares very favourably with current interest rates on savings for other Taiwan citizens. The rate is approaching zero, however, for the sake of this blog entry, let’s call it 1% per annum.

Public servant retirees enjoy an interest rate eighteen times higher than the average Taiwan citizen.

Why? We will get to that later.

The cost of paying an interest rate of 18% is subsidized by the government to the tune of NTD76 billion every year. Or to put into figures, NTD76,000,000,000. The subsidy is ultimately paid by the taxpayers of Taiwan.

It seems the 18% is a reward to retired public servants for allegedly accepting low salaries relative to the rest of the working population during their working lives. A choice, it should be noted, that was made by public servants of their own free will.

How and when was an interest rate of 18% arrived at? There is some conjecture on these points and it is difficult to pin down the exact circumstances.

Apparently the 18% interest rate was put in place back twenty years ago and at the time deposit rates for ordinary citizens was 10%.

This being the case, the retired public servants received a premium of 8% on their deposits.

Since then interest rates for ordinary citizens has fallen to 1% while the 18% has not.

Economic commonsense and a sense of fair play should mean that the retired public servants “special” interest rate should also be reduced to 1% plus the original premium of 8% meaning an all up rate of 9%. This is still a very generous rate. The original 18% was 1.8 times the ordinary rate at the time. A rate of 9% would be nine times the current ordinary rate but let’s not quibble.

Reducing the rate from 18% to 9% would also halve the government’s subsidy of NTD76 billion to NTD38 billion allowing these funds to be put to use in other areas.

But, and there is always a but, this year and early next year will see elections take place in Taiwan. What better way to shore up the support of four hundred thousand retired public servants who are voters than to leave the 18% in place rather than reduce it to more acceptable levels as has been suggested by observers?

It is also of benefit if the retired public servants are made aware of the political party which  intends to keep the 18% in place. As a retired public servant why would you vote for anyone but the current government?

Now four hundred thousand voters may not sound like a lot but it is approximately 2.62% of eligible voters in Taiwan (CIA Factbook 2011 – Taiwan). However, in a country where voting is not compulsory it can mean the difference between winning or losing power.

There is also a tendency for the disillusioned not to vote and there is currently enough of that to go around for everyone.

On a final note: the Taiwan government is spending NTD76 billion to subsidize the 18% interest rate for retired public servants. However, it is only spending NTD38 billion on providing incentives to couples to have more children to arrest Taiwan’s declining birthrate.

Retired public servants can vote, children can’t – but that is a story for another time.