TOMKINS: WHAT DO I KNOW?

TOMKINS: WHAT DO I KNOW? Paul Tomkins 20 August 2009
	I honestly don't think I can remember a greater overreaction to a result than the weekend's defeat at Spurs. So bouncing back was doubly vital.
Perhaps Burnley in 2005 was the last time things went this OTT, but that was an FA Cup exit. Liverpool still had the Champions League to contest (what happened there, I forget?), but it was the end to that competition. So it was conclusive in that sense, even if its significance was massively overplayed. By comparison, in terms of the title, losing to Spurs was like going a goal behind in the third minute of a match: not ideal, but why would you panic with so much time left? Games are never over that early, just as seasons are never over that early. Liverpool went a goal down in the third minute at home to Manchester United around this time last year, and that didn't work out so bad, did it? They also went behind to an early goal at Old Trafford, and that was even better. It's the same principle. It just needed victory over Stoke to make it feel like 1-1 in the fifth minute: game on. Except now you have momentum on your side. Especially if you get a good win. (Of course, with perfect timing for this piece, Burnley and Man United met each other last night as well.) Things change quickly in football. That was always going to be apparent this week. But part of the reason they change so dramatically is that the starting point is an extreme, and the fluctuation is like a pendulum. We all have those crazy emotions, it's just a case of taking a deep breath and thinking clearly. Yesterday, Liverpool's 'season was finished' yada yada yada, and United were not missing Ronaldo and in tip-top shape. A few hours later, Liverpool, despite more injuries and tougher fixtures than their rivals, were suddenly above United in the table, with five different players opening their scoring account, including almost all of the main goal hopes getting off the mark. Suddenly it was United failing to score against a newly-promoted side. Liverpool had ended their Stoke hoodoo, and Glen Johnson had helped do what he was bought to do: beat such teams at Anfield. Two games, three outstanding contributions to goals from the lad: one to win a penalty, one a great finish, and the other a cross after some great stepovers. I read some nonsense this summer about how he's 'only a full-back', but that misses the point. He's not some bog-standard defender, but a quasi-right winger, who can make use of the space Dirk Kuyt creates. Even today I read a newspaper article that said 'full-backs don't win you titles'. Well, not on their own they don't, but read Jonathan Wilson's excellent tactical disseminations on how the attacking full-back has become a key tactical weapon for the best teams, and gain some insight. But then he studies the game, rather than just blurting out nonsense. However, even I didn't expect Johnson to make such a massive impact so immediately. He has added a spark of creativity that many wingers can't even supply. Of course, it's still very, very early days, for Johnson and for the season. But this result gave me more satisfaction than many I can remember for a long time. Extreme reactions lead to an intensification of pressure, when there really should be more equilibrium. I didn't think failure to beat Stoke would signal the end of Liverpool's season, but I did expect to face a barrage of such proclamations had it come to pass. I know a lot of older Reds, and while not all of them are free of jerking knees (and creaking ones for that matter), many can't believe the change in reactions to results. At 38, I'm old enough to remember the pre-digital era, and when newspapers had no mention of pre-season friendlies, let alone there being the chance of seeing a sniff of them on TV. Nowadays it's at saturation point. Every little thing is made to mean more. In many ways it's great: a greater amount of football is accessible (although it's often not free), and information is everywhere. Interest in football, and Liverpool, has never been greater. The game has also improved in many ways, despite a few negatives on the pitch (such as diving and play acting). But with progress of any kind there will always be drawbacks. The internet is a great resource for football, but it gives voices to some who might be better off biting their tongue, figuratively speaking. Blogs and news sites encourage outlandish opinion, and the pot gets stirred in ever more fervent circles. So this is not a case of nostalgically pining for the way things were. I don't miss pitches like bogs and games played five yards either side of the halfway line. I don't miss the back-pass, or the proliferation of cloggers. But I do miss the days when a defeat was a disappointment, a setback, but not the end of the world. After the Spurs game I spoke with Chris Rowland, a veteran of all 10 of Liverpool's European finals, and who has a book on his experiences at Heysel coming out later in the year. He said solemnly, 'It never used to be like this.' And I spoke with Vic Gill, son-in-law of Bill Shankly, and former LFC trainee under the great man. He couldn't believe the impatience either, and thanked me for my efforts in trying to reintroduce some knee-stability to the debate. (I have seen a few other articles along these lines to: kudos to Hesbighesred on RAWK, and Rory Smith in The Telegraph.) Both Chris and Vic are internet users, so it's not the medium. And it's given me a platform, so I can't complain too much. But just as players need apprenticeships, young fans do too. There are some very astute young folk out there, but there are those who, as is par for the course at that age, think they know it all. I had some pretty daft views myself some 20 years ago, but the internet wasn't there for people to gather in packs of negativity and doom, and I had no outlet to make a fool of myself, bar a couple of mates to moan to. Younger fans are not helped by a media that has gone berserk, and in many ways they know no different. To them this is the norm. My greatest worry is that hysteria makes it even harder for Liverpool to win the title. It's not about points scoring between pundits, but trying to have fans keep their heads. The pressure on Liverpool is immense because of the historical situation and the long wait for the title, and that has to be managed, not stoked. And I often admit that I do not have all the answers. Far from it. A lot of the time I'm proving heavily-critical arguments wrong, because they are too definitive, or they are factually wayward. Theories are fine, it's the certainty of these people that irritates me. And that goes for pundits, too. Why did Liverpool lose at Spurs? I can only guess, but I didn't conclude that 'the personnel aren't good enough' or 'the formation is all wrong' or 'there aren't enough goals in the side'. Common sense told me that these players can score enough goals: they did so last season. Common sense told me the front two didn't look sharp, but not to panic. Class is permanent. Lo and behold, much better four days later. Why Liverpool didn't pass well at White Hart Lane was never clear-cut; the same players, plus Benayoun, passed brilliantly against a dogged and defensive Stoke. So it was never going to be down to the absence of one player, or the inclusion of another. Benítez was mocked in one article (cum-character-assassination) for talking about certain oft-criticised players being good in training. I remember about eight years ago, doing the same to someone who said, 'Igor Biscan is apparently excellent in training'. 'What good's that?' I answered, in my naïveté, as if it had no relevance to the debate. Admittedly, it doesn't mean that a player who excels in training will translate that into the first team. But we have to respect that a manager, through training with these players several hours each and every day, knows what his charges are capable of, and what they have the potential to achieve. It's moronic to ignore the fact that very, very few players enter the first team as the finished article. This is of course even more apposite with youngsters and imports. It's a manager's job to get them to translate that into the first team, but it can take time. Impressing in training is often the first step in development, because it's far harder with the pressure of a proper game. Some players may never overcome their anxiety, but it can take time to adapt to the expectations. If he doesn't get the chances, he'll never blossom, but it has to be the manager's decision if he's worth that chance in the first place. Allow him the benefit of the doubt before spouting off. At times I forget that I'm not 25 anymore. But then I see some teenager walking with his trousers halfway down to his knees, his boxers on display, and like some retired army major I tut at his scruffiness. So maybe I'm just getting old. However, I just wish more fans and journalists, if they don't have the facts to hand, would stop and think, 'Well, what do I know?'

LIVERPOOL 4-0 STOKE CITY

LIVERPOOL 4-0 STOKE CITY Wednesday 19 August 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League

LFC 4-0 STOKE: THE VERDICT Here's the pick of the post-match reaction following Liverpool's 4-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield on Wednesday. The local paper Stoke were chasing their first win at Anfield for 50 years and Liverpool were looking to avoid starting a season with two straight defeats for the first time since 1924. In truth neither ever looked likely after an opening period in which the Reds flew out of the blocks in the same fashion which left the likes of Real Madrid and Aston Villa gasping for air in the closing months of last season. James Pearce, Liverpool Echo The tabloid Benitez bought England full back Johnson to provide attacking verve down the flanks and a surprise extra man in attack, especially here at Anfield and especially against sides like Stoke given that their draw here last season provided the template of how to steal points from Anfield. A year on, and the Reds have passed their first big test, because they demolished Stoke and in the process posted warning that they may be a different proposition at home. David Maddock, Daily Mirror The broadsheet A year ago, Stoke held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield, a result that owed a much to a Steven Gerrard effort being ruled out for no apparent reason after just two minutes. This time there was to be no such reprieve for the visiting team. Gerrard helped to tee up Torres's first goal of the season, Johnson's acrobatics effectively ended the game as a meaningful contest, and in the second period Liverpool simply kept up the pressure, with Lucas Leiva controlling play in midfield. Dirk Kuyt scored the third goal with 12 minutes remaining after a moment of inspiration from Gerrard, who produced a graceful pirouette that was too much for Danny Higginbotham, the defender ending up on the seat of his pants watching Kuyt finish the move. David Ngog, a substitute, completed the rout, leaving a content Benitez to enjoy not only the spoils of victory but also the knowledge that his team had carried out his orders. Tony Barrett, The Times The tabloid Many judge Pepe Reina to be the best goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League and that number can only have increased after the way he launched himself to his left and tipped Delap's effort around the post at full stretch. It was to be Stoke's only genuine threat on goal and their fate was sealed by a flash of brilliance from Gerrard in the 78th minute. The England midfielder is renowned for his surging runs, but it was close control and inspired vision that allowed him to bring down Mascherano's chipped pass and turn past Etherington in one movement before rolling the ball along the six-yard line for Kuyt to force home. John Edwards, Daily Mail The broadsheet Johnson's principal rival for the man-of-the-match award was Steven Gerrard, who was behind each of the first three goals. If he had done nothing else, the England midfielder's high-speed "Cruyff turn" in the build-up to Kuyt's goal deserved the thunderous acclaim on his substitution. Phil Shaw, Independent The manager The first goal was important and the second was a big difference because they had to go forward, we had more space. We were patient, played well on the ball and took our chances. Rafa Benitez The player Obviously it was brilliant to score my first for Liverpool and to do it on my home debut was amazing, but the win was more important to get us out of the starting blocks. Glen Johnson The opposition manager I think when they have their tails up they are a great team and I thought Johnson and Kuyt on the right and Benayoun on the left were excellent, and then Torres up front as well, he was fantastic. Tony Pulis, Stoke City The fan Johnson deserved his goal for an excellent performance. He was always a threat and you can see why Rafa brought him in. He will be very useful against park the bus teams as he has trickery and skill going forward. Mascherano was tigerish but Lucas was the main man in midfield tonight with good distribution and some excellent tackling. Benayoun and Kuyt were lively and Gerrard and Torres did their bit too - lovely skill from Stevie for the third. Dousty, Liverpoolfc.tv forums

TNB Online

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《马来西亚前锋报》的受害者

【乱石崩云／唐南发专栏】纳吉就任首相之时，信誓旦旦推动“一个马来西亚”为其施政之最高“指导思想”，但四个月下来，与此相关的相应措施，除了1Malaysia信托基金引发全民投入抢购之外，丝毫激不起一丝涟漪。

尤有甚者，巫统的喉舌《马来西亚前锋报》自2008年3月8日全国大选以来就不时打出耸动的标题，试图制造族群关系紧张的假象，并且见缝插针，一旦民联成员党之间出现矛盾，则加大力度煽风点火，试图使争论升温，字里行间充斥着种族与宗教情绪，不在话下。

有人问：如果纳吉真心诚意要推动“一个马来西亚”，何以任由以《马来西亚前锋报》为首的马来文报章肆意扭曲读者的焦点，凡事种族化和宗教化？

事 实是，巫统素来习惯玩弄两面手法。当马哈迪领导的政府在1990年代初期提出“2020宏愿”和“马来西亚国族”的同时，马来文主流媒体－从报章、杂志、 电台和电视－亦营造“新马来人”论述。当时保守的马来民族研究重镇国民大学就曾主办研讨会，公然鼓吹把马来人的定义扩大到涵盖中南半岛的土著及台湾的南岛 语系族群，以显示这个民族并不弱小，而且历史悠久，足以同其他民族抗衡。

这 种论述和大中华思维一样具有保守性质，于促进多元族群社会的和谐毫无裨益；但类似舆论在1993年的巫统党大会前一再出现，而无视其他族群的感受。如果要 追究，当时逼退嘉化巴巴的宏愿队伍要员：安华、纳吉和慕尤丁等都不能推脱责任。而他们的目标也很清楚：马来民族永远必须在马来西亚国族之上，因为那才是权 力基础的来源。

因 此，纳吉在塑造本身是“全民首相”之时，也不能放弃他身为马来人领袖的地位。巫统是国阵最大党，也是纳吉延续政治实力的命脉，默许《马来西亚前锋报》之流 继续愚弄草根阶层是必须的。相反的，无论是翁诗杰、蔡细历、许子根、卡维斯或三美威鲁，他们充其量只能是族群领袖，没有几个马来人－无论巫统或民联的支持 者－会认真把他们看作“国家领导”；他们的存在，不过是为了点缀国阵的彩衣而已。

纳吉慕尤丁

一黑一白脸

我们且回顾纳吉出任首相后，对新闻自由的首次重要谈话：

“马来西亚需要的是世界级，且以事实为根据的报道。媒体在报道中必须公平与负责。至关重要的是，我们在关乎国家未来方面应打造一个具建设性的论争。至于提供阴谋论和谣言的新闻事业，我相信我们可以超越之。”（纳吉，2009年4月6日）

纳 吉（左图右）这番话一出街，主流报章纷纷转载，趁机为其涂脂抹粉者亦大有人在。但身为巫统的最高领袖，掌握多家平面和电子媒体的纳吉不可能不知道，《马来 西亚前锋报》近日的所作所为同“世界级媒体”的目标完全背道而驰。他选择沉默，是为了扮白脸；而副首相慕尤丁（左图左）敢于挡关，对记者的提问嗤之以鼻， 一句媒体“有评论时事的自由”轻轻带过，是黑脸。

巫 统主席有权决定《马来西亚前锋报》的舆论方向，是不争的事实。反殖民斗士Shamsiah Fakeh在其回忆录《Dari AWAS Ke Rejimen Ke-10》中，数次谈到被巫统强行收编后的《马来西亚前锋报》如何把她和其他革命同志诬蔑为恐怖分子。不过，当马哈迪于1994年初亲自指示内政部和外 交部准许Shamsiah一家回国定居以后，马来文报章的文风立改，甚至刊登退休军人和警察呼吁马来人社会莫与前革命份子为敌的谈话。与陈平欲回国所引发 的争议作比较，谁是《马来西亚前锋报》的后台，难道还不够清楚？

熟悉马来西亚政治历史的媒体工作者，不会连这点都不了解；缺乏这方面的认知，就不配担任报业高职。

事 实上，巫统垄断马来人的资讯管道已经长达将近半个世纪，期间无所不用其极地控制马来人社会，同时也把回教党逼到另一个极端，在两个马来人政党保守角力之间 的马来人社会才是最大的受害者。这些年来，国家经历了一次又一次的政治危机，而每次《马来西亚前锋报》妖魔化反对巫统当权派的马来人时，非马来文的主流报 章媒体何尝不是置身事外？

如今《马来西亚前锋报》炒作种族课题过了火，《星洲日报》等“大报”忽然正义地反击，不过是出于维护华人市场的考量而已。然它们之前吹捧纳吉过了头，骑虎难下，最终只敢批判《马来西亚前锋报》，而不敢把矛头指向当初所推崇的纳吉，这也是中文报的悲哀和无奈。

TOMKINS ON JOHNSON AND TRANSFERS

Paul Tomkins 29 June 2009
	While there are a number of journalists I like and respect, I find it's best for my peace of mind to not focus too much on transfer speculation in the newspapers.
I'm sure if you combined just a few different reports, you'd conclude that Liverpool are losing the entire first team to various other clubs, and buying 179 players in their place. While there are good journalists, there are those who appear to have been sampling the kind of mushrooms that aren't really advisable to consume. Obviously there will be truth in some stories; but I think I once saw a stat that only about 10 per cent of transfer gossip tallies with subsequent transfers. Other stories may be true but for one reason or another don't come to fruition, but you do suspect some journos have an 'invent and submit' button on their keyboards that automatically throws a few random names and prices together in time for the print deadline. For my sanity, I find it's best to just wait and see who arrives and who leaves. I don't want any player the manager wants to keep to be sold, and I want him to get his first choice targets, but it's rarely that simple. Stirring the pot is what the media has to do, to hit its own targets. Agents also benefit from creating unrest. Whatever happens will happen. If anyone genuinely wants to leave Liverpool, then I won't lose any sleep; the club needs those who want to stay and fight for that 19th league title. And I'm sure most do. Likewise, if anyone Liverpool are trying to sign wants to earn more money elsewhere rather than compete in the Champions League and contest the title, then however gifted they are, they are no loss. I want players like Fernando Torres, who eschew silly money to be part of a top-class team and play for fans who adore him. I understand the desires of those targets who want regular first-team football, which is rarely guaranteed at a top four club. This summer is vital for a number of internationals, with the World Cup on the horizon – where achievement is the ambition, not money. But Liverpool need those determined to prove themselves in the year beforehand, even if it means fighting for a place in the team. Then there's the issue of transfer fees, and what a player is 'worth'. As each individual is different, there is no set value. It's about how much the selling club need to hold out for, and how much the buying club are prepared to pay. If supposedly overpriced signings lead to success, then they are worth the money. Does Alex Ferguson care that people said Michael Carrick "wasn't an £18m player"? Of course, a transfer merry-go-round appears to have been started in motion by events in Spain. Real Madrid, humiliated by Liverpool last season and envious of Barcelona's historic and über-stylish success, have gone into overdrive, spending more than the entire cost of the current Liverpool squad on just two players, and their largesse won't stop there. The era of the galactico has returned to the Bernabeu, and the repercussions are being felt across Europe. Chelsea are threatening a return to big spending, having slipped to the third best team in the land; Manchester United have £80m for Ronaldo and AC Milan are flush with £60m for Kaka; and Manchester City are determined to be taken seriously, with more money than anyone else, but hampered by a fairly mediocre recent history and no Champions League football to offer. As a result, at a time of widespread economic belt-tightening, several clubs appear to be abandoning anything that holds up their metaphorical trousers. The knock-on effect seems to be general price rises, and an even more frenzied summer of speculation than usual. The hidden factor, as ever, is that of wages. Liverpool pay very good wages, but have only the fourth highest wage bill. Manchester United and Chelsea pay between £30m and £60m more on wages per season (based on the most recently published financial figures). If you want a £30m player, you also have to set aside £30m for the wages of his full contract. The way they are going, Man City, with their apparently bottomless pit of money, will also overtake Liverpool in this area, if they haven't already. The trump cards that the Reds have are: a sixth-successive season in the Champions League; a manager voted the best around by the readers of newspapers in several major European countries; a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title; and a cachet that, with all due respect to City and even Chelsea, puts the club up there with the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Juventus, thanks to serious European success and a massive global fan-base. You can add Anfield and the Kop, too. Who, then? Predictably, I am often asked who I think Liverpool should sign. Like most fans I have my favourites: those who look like good players to me. But this is always the problem with any fan's wishes – it's almost the dreaded 'Director of Football' approach: enforcing your tastes on the manager, telling him (in your mind, or on a forum) what's best for his team. It is the man in charge of the side who knows best what he wants to add to the system, and so my wish is always that the Liverpool manager gets the players he wants, whether they are ones I happen to appreciate or not. Because let's face it, not all star names will fit the system, and sometimes the manager and his scouts will have spotted something in a more unsung player. Look at Dirk Kuyt: I can think of far more vaunted wide-men, and yet he was the sixth top scorer in the entire Premier League last season, and the league's sixth top assist-maker, with not one single winger ahead of him. Given that he doesn't take the corners and free-kicks that help players rack up assists, that's a great contribution, even before considering his work-rate and general team-ethic. He's not flash, but he delivers. The manager and his scouts will check a player's background, his attitude, his lifestyle. They will be the ones looking into the player's eyes in a negotiation, to find out what motivates him. Bill Shankly always preferred players with less skill if they had more character. A lot has changed in the game, but core attributes, like commitment and temperament, remain crucial. Not tricks on YouTube. We can all drool over superstars, but it can do more harm than good to bring in a top player who'll disrupt the great team spirit; earning big wages – or rather, failing to 'earn' them. Again, you can't quantify such things, but that's why good managers try to buy strong characters who won't upset the apple cart. Of course, a manager can also try and find the solution from within the squad. We might think a certain position needs addressing, but he might know who's ready to step up. Emiliano Insua developed brilliantly last season, and let's not forget Yossi Benayoun's transformation from squad player to one of the league's brightest lights from February onwards. In the coming season, Ryan Babel might yet be considered for more time in his favoured position behind the main striker – that's something only the staff will know. Then there's David Ngog and Krisztian Nemeth, both of whom could be ready sooner rather than later, and also Lauri Dalla Valle and Daniel Pacheco, who also have bright futures ahead of them. My point always comes back to the manager knowing best. Not only does he have a better footballing brain than any of us (and if he didn't, we'd be in the role instead), he also has an infinitely greater amount of information relating to his current team, his budding youth prodigies and his potential targets. By contrast, we're looking through a fog. It doesn't mean that every signing he makes will work out, or that every promising kid he rates will make the grade. But it does mean he is in a far better position to make what are always going to be judgment calls: who to buy, who to promote to the first team, and when. Also, Liverpool are getting to the stage now where there's less scope for improvement. Certainly the spine is hard to better; I wouldn't swap these players for anyone. It's hard to find top players prepared to play second fiddle, so maybe an impact sub is better to find than a bigger name. Above all else, anyone who can improve the Reds' First XI could be worth his weight in gold. You pay whatever it takes to make your team better, within your budget. Glen Johnson fits the bill of what I've been talking about: someone who can add pace, skill and crossing ability from right-back; doubling up as a winger, which a) allows Kuyt to drift into the box and b) takes advantage of the massive space the Dutchman's movement can open up. Johnson's also big enough, and quick enough, to do a job at both ends. His defending is certainly underrated, perhaps because he was in a high-profile team when still very inexperienced (and reputations stick), and because, as an overlapping full-back, he will naturally be caught out of position at times; after all, you can't be in two places at once. All the same, defenders tend to improve under Rafa Benítez, and at 24, Johnson has plenty of scope to get even better. I'm still a big fan of Alvaro Arbeloa (who has also done very well on the left, particularly when man-marking), but Johnson is the perfect overlapping full-back – and if there's one thing Liverpool have lacked in comparison with the other top four teams, it's the ability to get in behind the opposition with very quick marauding defenders who become wingers when in possession. Players like Evra, Boswinga (early last season), Sagna and Cole have been as crucial to the good results of those teams as some of their more illustrious names. Arbeloa, by contrast, is more of a defender who gets forward, rather than one who naturally excels in the final third. Again, there are no guarantees that players who improve the team in theory will do so in practice. They could get injured, or homesick, or wilt under the pressure of a massive club; you just hope that good judgement comes with good luck. In the case of Johnson, he's matured, having been too young when moving to Chelsea, and crucially, is improving rapidly. But his talent has been there for all to see since his West Ham days. He has plenty of big-game experience, and unlike some players, hasn't wilted when playing for England, all of which suggests he can handle the pressure. The fact that Chelsea wanted to buy him again for four times what they sold him for, and that other top clubs were interested, shows his worth. Whatever people think he was worth, others were prepared to meet the asking price. And adding a new dimension to the Reds' play could yet prove priceless.

非踹倒国阵不可！

作者／唐南发专栏 Jun 30, 2009 04:16:39 pm

【乱石崩云／唐南发专栏】在1900到1997将近一百年间，保守党执政英国的时间达到三分之二，被视为“当然的执政党”（the natural governing party）。到了1997年，保守党连续执政已长达18年，意味着25岁以下的年轻人不曾真正体验过工党执政的滋味。

执 政久了，保守党要员们都染上要不得的习性，丑闻弊案层出不穷。纵使英国在1997年5月的经济形势一片大好，失业率达到世纪新低，厌倦了保守党政客面孔的 选民依然义无反顾地把票投给了工党，使其以狂风扫落叶的姿态上台执政，以至具有两百年历史的保守党在本世纪尚未曾执政。

同样的政治变化也出现在德国。尽管成功促使东西德统一，复兴经济，也为德国在冷战后的欧洲大陆找到了新的角色定位，但基督民主联盟的党魁科尔依然在1998年9月的选举中败给了社会民主党，结束他长达16年的总理任期；原因无他：管你治国功绩如何，人民就是要换人做做看。

当 然，马来西亚“国情不同”，无法与这些成熟民主国家相比；但往深一层思考，除了怪胎式的种族／宗教政治结构以外，这个国家和世界上的任何一个民主体制比较 都没有任何特殊之处。即便我接受英国和德国社会富裕，族群成分单一，民主实践历史悠久，依然不能解释为何其他处在发展中的多元文化／民族／宗教的国家可以 享有稳健的民主进程，我们却不能？

印尼十年深化民主文化

远的甭说，就看看咱们身边的印尼吧！这个全球最大的回教国家在今年有两场重要选战，即四月的立法议会选举和下周三举行的总统选举。各党派人士――包括相对保守的回教势力――都在公开的平台上理性论争，争取选票，至今不曾听闻任何煽动性的种族性言论。

苏 哈多政权垮台以来，印尼在短短的十年间发展出本区域最稳定和成熟民主文化，从形式到内涵都不断深化。四月份的议会选举期间，我身边一些朋友的印尼女佣还收 到寄自雅加达的邮寄选票，提醒她们到印尼驻吉隆坡大使馆履行选民义务，我们那缺乏专业操守的选举委员会还真应该到印尼取经。

国 阵执政超过50年了，从思维到方式都极为僵化。纳吉上台前后，高谈阔论“不改革即灭亡”的次数之多让人生厌，却始终是雷声大雨点小。其巫统同僚，上至慕尤 丁下至莱益斯雅丁，都不断在教育，文化甚至甲型（H1N1）流感课题上为“全民的马来西亚”倒米，而巫统掌控的《马来西亚前锋报》也继续在煽动其读者的情 绪，丝毫不见任何反省。

阁员脑袋都生锈了

其 他内阁成员的脑袋也生锈了。旅游部长黄燕燕呼吁媒体不要炒作甲型（H1N1）流感的新闻，以免吓走观光客，却忘了我们的政府也促请国人没必要莫造访所谓的 流感疫区国家。疫情扩散的非常时刻，保护人命最重要，此时少了旅游收入事小，掩盖真相破坏国家的公信力事大。马来西亚究竟站在哪个道德制高点上“宽以待 己，严以律人”？这样的思维，不就是50年政权不变造成的吗？

这些“当然执政党”的通病已经算是小儿科 了；国阵治下，警队贪污、司法不彰，官僚的种族主义作风都已成了普通常识。巴生港口自由贸易区闹了那么大丑闻，至今不见林良实和陈广材出来交待片言只字， 其他内阁成员都一边冷眼旁观，看翁诗杰能横行到几时。政党和商界利益输送也发挥到了极致，所以你今天高价在一个绿意盎然的地区买了房子，已经无法担保明年 那里不会万丈高楼从地起。

我不敢断言国阵最终不会落实改革。如果目前选民意向不变，民联也一再有所斩获， 为了保住政权，国阵或许会破釜沉舟。不过，纵使这家老店成功转型，人民还是必须让它倒一次，尝尝在野的滋味，也逼使它的成员年轻化。国阵不倒，国家的政治 无法得到新生，也找不回民主的活力。就算到时的民联政府不济，至少换回去的国阵政府不会是看腻了的同一批人，想偷吃还得看看人民脸色。

撒切尔夫人和科尔都已风烛残年，苏哈多也于去年作古。但主导马来西亚政治的，依然是纳吉、慕尤丁、马哈迪这些挥之不去的老世代政客，加上许子根、蔡细历和三美威鲁这些丝毫没有新思维的宫廷小丑。你能不厌烦吗？

TOMKINS: FINNISH FINALE

Paul Tomkins 20 May 2009
	For years I've been saying that Sami Hyypia will play until his late 30s, maybe even beyond. Secretly I hoped that it would be with Liverpool, but few players go beyond 35 at the very best clubs.
And those who do are almost certainly no longer regulars. So it's no surprise to see him transfer his undoubted quality to another top European league. It's fair to say that this season Sami has been fourth choice centre-back, but some fourth choice! It always amazes me in lists of the best imports to English football that the name of Sami Hyypia isn't right near the top. Indeed, some lists don't even include him. Of course, a defender is less likely to make the big headlines. But he's been a bit above the norm: a mixture of old-style British physical centre-back stature (in the mould of Ron Yeats or Larry Lloyd) with a cool, calm and collected style more in keeping with Alan Hansen. While less of a playmaker from the back than Hansen, and not a long-distance passer like Daniel Agger, Hyypia's ability on the ball marked him out as something special. Perhaps due his time in midfield in Holland, he never panicked no matter where he received the ball; one of my favourite things about his play was how he could find a pass in tight spaces, even in the opposing half. And of all the goals he's scored - and 35 is a great total for a defender who didn't also take penalties - plenty have been cool finishes placed into the corners. Lots of headers, yes, but plenty of technical finishes most centre-backs couldn't dream about, not least the one that proved the decisive goal against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final: a sweet left-foot volley. Only a handful of imports to the British game have a right to be rated above him, based on quality and the time spent at the top of the game. It's hard to argue with the impact of Zola, Bergkamp, Henry, Cantona, Ronaldo and one or two others, while Fernando Torres has already earned his place in the pantheon, in double-quick time, but unlike Hyypia, he's not yet been around long enough to prove his longevity, which is always a factor to consider. While Liverpool have not won the league during Sami's time at Anfield, there have been numerous trophies; far more in his decade at the club than in the previous one. And Hyypia clearly played a key role in winning those trophies. While Liverpool have improved to become a much better all-round team in the last two or three years, the flurry of trophies between 2001 and 2006 owed a large debt to the defence. There was more pressure soaked up by the back four than these days, when Liverpool have much more of the ball. Winning the 2001 UEFA Cup relied on impressive rearguard actions in Rome and Barcelona, while the FA Cup final of that season saw the Reds outplayed by a rampant Arsenal; only one goal was conceded in these three games, and that tells an important story. The 2006 FA Cup success was also built on the fact that only one goal was conceded in two ties against Manchester United and Chelsea en route to the final. Of course, nothing was more impressive than the 2005 European campaign. In the Champions League that season, Sami was immense. Not just in the final, as Milan threw everything at Liverpool once the scores were back to 3-3, but in all the hard-fought knockout games. It wasn't a particularly great side, and it needed the twin peaks of Hyypia and Carragher to keep top Italian and Spanish teams at bay. Liverpool lacked the quality that the club now possesses, with the success built on tactical nous and great character. And Hyypia was faultless in both respects. Never blessed with much pace, his game was always built on intelligence, positioning, reading the play, and perfect anticipation. And he was also as brave as a lion in almost 500 games for the club. Tough as old nails, he was also fair: not one booking during 87 matches in a row from January 2000 to October 2001, which is almost unheard of for a man in his position. Throughout the 1990s I used to enjoy 'collecting' debuts: I was at Craven Cottage when Robbie Fowler made his bow, Selhurst Park when Michael Owen came off the bench to score in his first taste of senior action, and at Anfield for Steven Gerrard's inaugural appearance as a late sub against Blackburn. I was also fortunate enough to see Sami Hyypia's full debut at Sheffield Wednesday, and his home debut against Watford. The rumblings about Fowler, Owen and Gerrard had been around for a while before each broke into the first team, but Sami Hyypia was a totally unknown quantity to most Reds. Few signings have left fans as puzzled: Sami who? My first impression in those home and away debuts was of someone totally commanding, rising and heading the ball about 50 yards up the pitch. For much of the '90s, Liverpool's defending had bordered on the comical. That was wiped away almost instantly upon the arrival of Hyppia and his initial partner, Stephane Henchoz. That partnership was good, but the one between the Finn and Jamie Carragher was better still. So just where does Sami rank in the all-time greats? In this age where the word 'legend' gets horribly over-used, does he truly deserve such an accolade? For my most recent book, 'Dynasty', I asked several leading LFC writers, journalists and high-profile long-standing fans – knowledgeable and in many case old enough to have seen the great teams of the 1960s to rate every player to represent the club since the day Bill Shankly walked through the door in 1959. Based on the averages, Sami Hyypia came 10th out of all signings, and 14th when including home-grown players. As well as rating the quality of each individual, I wanted to get an idea of the value for money each player represented in terms of transfer fee. At just £2.6m in 1999 (approximately £5m in today's market), he was again ranked 10th, when taking into account fee, number of games played and also the 'quality' rating. In these terms he clearly ranks as Liverpool's best overseas player. Of course, these ratings were collected last summer. While the majority of those top 14 players have retired or left the club, Hyypia has seen out another year; what we now know to be his last. While Sami has taught us nothing new this season, and has only featured in 18 games, his continued excellence has, if anything, only added to his legend. It's been another year of near-faultless consistency, in a fairly impressive 15 league appearances, with 12 starts; enough to win a league medal, but alas, it was a case of close but no cigar. The highlight for me in his swan-song year was how he came into the side at Old Trafford at the very last minute, when his experience helped towards an amazing 4-1 victory. It's not that he's slowing down, more that at 25, both Agger and Skrtel represent the long-term future of the club. After all, they are the same age as Hyypia when he arrived. There's still little to choose between the three, but of course, Hyypia himself has admitted that he finds it physically harder to play back-to-back games. At 35, Sami is not going to get any better, but the other two are still fairly young in a position where, injuries withstanding, the late 20s and early 30s are definitely the peak years. A manager doesn't pick his team to keep players happy, but the time had come to tie Agger to a long-term deal, and the big Finn had to look elsewhere for regular football and a two-year deal. I don't think even he'd begrudge that, and passes on the baton to two top up-and-coming players, to whom his valuable experience has also been handed. Sami leaving will hopefully be the only weakening of the entire squad this summer. In footballing terms, with his appearances diminishing, the blow is not as hard as it would once have been. But in terms of his presence around the club, a massive gap will now exist. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG164445090520-1010.htm