Karpal: An Uncommon Man

“I do not choose to be a common man”


An American's Creed
by Dean Alfange

I do not choose to be a common man
It is my right to be uncommon...
If I can. I seek opportunity... Not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
Humbled and dulled by having the state to dream and build, to
Fail and succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.
I prefer the challenges of life to the
Guaranteed existence; the thrill of
Fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence
Nor my dignity for a hand out. I will
Never cower before any master nor bend
to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect,
proud, and unafraid; to think and act for
myself; enjoy the benefits of my
creations; and to face the world boldly
and say, "This I have done with my own hand,
I am a man. I am an American.

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*Originally published in This Week Magazine.
Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.

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It is also A Malaysian's Creed
- Karpal Singh


Question: You mentioned that Singh is King. Did you watch the movie?

Karpal: I watched the movie and there is nothing like seeing a Sikh James Bond. It was very entertaining.

Q: Can you relate to any character in the movie?

A: Not that I want to relate. I just came out that day and said look here, don’t play around with me – Singh is King. Then you find (Datuk) Mukhriz Mahathir saying that I have insulted the Rulers by saying that. Then what about Burger King? I think there should be a limit to these things. I did not mean it in any derogatory way. It was more to say don’t play around with me. I think it’s gone quite well with the people. They can laugh and it’s nothing beyond that to say that I have insulted the monarchy.

Read the full text of the interview at: The Star

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Lessons to be Learned:

There are just so many things and so many disturbing events in today's world economics and especially our Malaysian political landscape, that can make even an optimistic person ponder whether our leaders are concerned with whether our cups are full or half empty, or going to be empty soon, and as such, it takes to be reminded that it is okay to be uncommon.

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