I'm disturbed. I picked up a book today, entitled "The Rape of Nanking". Now, from the title itself, it's obvious that the book made for a really sombre read, especially on the first day of CNY.

As I read through, the description was so graphic that it was factual. There were no flowery terms, but rather, everything was presented in a very factual manner. Benefit of doubt was also given where due. For example, it seems that the commanding Japanese General Mitsui was sympathetic towards the Chinese and ordered moral rules set down for the conquering of Nanking. However, the direct lieutanants and other generals under him were more blood thirsty and were the ones who gave the order to kill all, regardless of whether they were troops or civilians.

Still, the book was so factual but fair. It examined the massacre from all points of view: the Japanese, the Chinese, and the foreigners that tried to keep the Chinese safe. And it new to me that there were foreigners who stayed back to protect the Chinese. Some of them were even Nazi Germans. This guy, Rabe, was one such guy who sincerely believed that being a Nazi was all about being a socialist and helping others. Sad thing is, he was persecuted for his views after he went back to Germany, and was even questioned by the Gestapo.

Anyway, the descriptions of what the soldiers did to the people was horrifying. Women were raped almost every hour. Girls as young as 11 to women as old as 80 were raped. After having to satisfy many men, they would probably be killed. Pregnant women were raped too and had their foetuses ripped out of their bellies. Infants were impaled and dipped in boiling water. Villagers were killed to fill up trenches and ditches so that tanks could roll over the land without being stuck. People were killed in killing competitions whereby two generals' troops competed to see who could kill 100 chinks first. The quota was later raised to 150 because it couldn't be determined who killed 100 first. Villagers were used as guinea pigs in scientific experiments. Villagers were also used for bayonet practice and to desensitize the troops. It was horrible...

But yet the book opened my eyes and helped me see how a group of bookish people (the foreigners) with no military experience could stand their ground against the Japanese soldiers and use their lives and whatever bargaining power they had to protect whatever was left of the Nanking residents.

More than that, it helped me see how misconceptions and misguided political ambitions could lead to very terrible outcomes. And how a culture of conformation can be cultivated by introducing the concept of total obedience from young. Toy stores were like mini shrines to war: children's favourite game was war. Young boys would also run around with wooden blocks tied to their backs, pretending they were suicide bombers. Young boys were taught to handle wooden rifles in school; the older boys were taught to handle the real McCoy.

It really was a very sombre read... So sombre and heavy that I had to take breaks to get back to reality, so as not to be engulfed by all the emotions that came with reading the book.

Sad thing is, Japan has still not fully come to terms with the Nanking massacre. Japanese who speak out against it or verify the authenticity of it can be slapped with death threats and mobbed by hooligans.

And another thing that I could really feel for are the women that were impregnated by the multiple rapes. After being raped so much... it's inevitable that many got pregnant. They had to choose between keeping and raising a child that they couldn't love, or committing infanticide. Many could not choose. Instead, they committed suicide. Even till today, many have not come out because the cultures from which they come value female chastity and purity so highly that to admit you've been raped before is akin to a moral sin.

After reading this book, it moves me to want to watch Schindler's List. And perhaps... it's far fetched, but perhaps I could help out in the making of a movie about the Nanking equivalents of Oskar Schindler. Such a movie or documentary would really bring the Nanking massacre to the attention of the west... Not that the west doesn't know about it, but the West doesn't know enough about it.

SHRIEK!

I just found out from Jun that Budak Pantai's "All Rice" is really a spoof of Blue's "All Rise"! Ok, so I'm really slow... but hey! That's my little bit of trivia for the day that's gonna keep me laughing... HAHAHA... and I love Budak's version! Then again, I like almost all spoofs that Budak does... except the "stalker" song. That's way too scary for me

Blue's "All Rise"
a truncated version

Yo, yo
Stargate
Yo, yo

Your honour please
Gotta believe what I say (say)
What I will tell (tell)
Happened just the other day (day)
I must confess (confess)
'Cos I've had about enough (enough)
I need your help (help)
Got to make this here thing stop (stop)

Baby I swear I tell the truth (uhuh)
About all the things you used to do (come on)
And if you thought you had me fooled
I'm tellin' you now objection overruled
Here we go (oh baby)

One for the money and the free rides
It's two for the lie that you denied
All rise (all rise)
All rise (all rise, all rise)
Three for the calls you've been making
It's four for the times you've been faking
All rise (I'm gonna tell it to your face)
All rise (I rest my case)

You're on the stand (stand)
With your back against the wall (wall)
Nowhere to run (run)
And nobody you can call (call) oh no
I just can't wait (wait)
Now the case is open wide (wide)
You'll try to pray (pray)
But the jury will decide (decide)...

...One for the money and the free rides
It's two for the lie that you denied (ohhh)
All rise (ohhh) all rise (uhuh uhuh)
Three for the calls you've been making
It's four for the times you've been faking
I said all rise
I'm gonna tell it to your face
All rise, I rest my case (uhuh uhuh)


Budak Pantai's All Rice

You always say that you don't like what I cook
You never touch my curry or my soup
I must confess that I just about had enough
From this day on, gonna put this to a stop

Baby I swear I tell the truth
You feed the dog with the food I give you
And if you thought you had me fooled
I'm telling you now, this is what I'm gonna do

CHORUS
One, no vegetable, no meat
Two, from now, you only eat
All Rice Plain Rice
Three for the dog you've been feeding
Go eat his dinner, no kidding
That's right That's right

One, no vegetable, no meat Two, from now, you only eat
All Rice White Rice
Three for the dog you've been feeding
Go eat his dinner, no kidding
That's right (let me tell you now)
That's right (I rest my case)!!