Bob Dylan -- A Complete Unknown?

I am a huge Bob Dylan fan. I have been since I was little. I am not sure that my parents understood or even understand today. They have always been supportive though, and bought me a ticket to a Dylan concert for my birthday one year. They have also been forthcoming with albums that are hard to get for birthdays and Christmases.

So, this little story out of Long Branch on the New Jersey shore I found amusing in a really funny kind of a way. Dylan was wondering around the Lake Branch community looking at houses and passing the time before heading off to an evening concert in a nearby town, Lakewood. He is currently touring with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

A 68-year-old fella seemingly wandering around aimlessly in your community is certainly going to attract some attention. And, so it was, Dylan attracted the attention of a 24-year-old police officer who stopped Dylan and asked him for some identification.

The funny here is that the in 1985 when this police officer was born, Dylan had already been making music for 24 years at that point in time, and when she asked him for ID he had been making music for five decades. Most people would argue that Dylan is a music icon and that he has been one of the most significant singers and songwriters of the late 20th century. Yet, if you're not a fan, then you're not a fan.

In defense of the first officer, it would seem that in Lang Branch, Dylan is not well-known or a star. A second officer who arrived on the scene to assist the first officer also did not recognize Dylan.

Unfortunately, for Dylan he was carrying no identification. However, the lack of ID was overcome with some polite banter between the police officers and Dylan, and a quick trip back to where the concert people were holed up for confirmation that the man claiming to be Bob Dylan was in fact Bob Dylan.

Fame is certainly relative.

The Faces of Terror...

The sketches are of the reconstructed faces of the alleged bombers. Both their heads were found at the scene of the crime. The sketches have been released in an effort to get members of the public who recognize the two faces to come forward and identify them.

Initially, authorities were leaning towards two men identified as Nur Hasbi and Ibrahim. However, it is being reported that the DNA tests on family members related to Hasbi and Ibrahim do not match the DNA of the alleged bombers.

The additional data accompanying the two sketches state that the Ritz-Carlton bomber was approximately 40-years-old, 165cm tall, with dark skin and black hair. The JW Marriott bomber is approximately 17-years-old (so very young), about 180cm tall, with light skin. The forensic teams must have also found a foot as it is noted that the Marriott bomber wears a size 42 shoe.

Identifying these two individuals is going to be important in determining whether or not the links alleged by SBY in his post-bombing speech that the attacks were coordinated attacks against him in response to his election victory and an attempt to undermine the economy can be made out. It will also be important in determining what the motivation for such wanton violence was. And, finally, it will bring closure to their loved ones.

Although some might not care much for the last point. However, the reality is that they were likely to be someone's husband, father, son, brother, uncle, or whatever, so there is probably someone, somewhere who loves them and misses them.

It seems that the police have allegedly captured and detained the wife of Noordin M. Top. I am not sure that this ups the ante on Top but if the police can get a head start on his next move then they might just be able to catch him. It appears that Malaysian police and their Indonesian counterparts are working closely in trying to break down what is an international operation under the guidance of Noordin M Top.

So, maybe in light of the differences Indonesia and Malaysia share over issues such as Ambalat and Manohara it is worth noting that Indonesia and Malaysia also share some common ground in the fight to unravel and eliminate terrorist organizations in their respective countries and the region.

Violence is not the answer. And, for this reason, the terrorists will never win!

Citizen Registration and Civil Registry – Implementation Issues

Not that anyone will be interested in this. I need to post something in order to get the visitors in!

The government of Jakarta has issued Regulation No. 70 of 2008 to amend for the second time Regulation No. 16 of 2005. This second set of amendments is primarily to ensure that the government of Jakarta is utilizing the National Citizen Administration Information System (Sistem Informasi Administrasi Kependudukan / SIAK) and in compliance with the applicable standards of the system. The SIAK system in Jakarta is now complete with the necessary photo equipment that permits a photo of the relevant citizen to be taken, stored in the system, and then automatically incorporated into the new identity card.

The SIAK system has been developed to make the issue and control of Citizen Identity Cards (Kartu Tanda Penduduk / KTP) easier. It is expected that SIAK will also make the process of obtaining a KTP much faster. The photo here is of a Singapore Identity Card which is much funnier than the Indonesian one that I could have posted. The fella who owns this card is Indonesian though, so that has to count for something. The identity card says that his name is Batman and he is the son of Suparman.

The Regulation amends Article 42 of Gubernatorial Regulation No. 35 of 2007 by repealing (d) and amending (g) to state that a letter of citizenship is required for those that obtain Indonesian Citizenship.

Article 43 has been amended to state, in whole, that citizens born in odd numbered years must use a photograph with a red background and those born in even years must use a photograph with a blue background. All KTP applicants must be recorded in the KTP Register Book. All successful applicants are to be granted the Model OS-03 KTP. The KTP is to be signed by the Village Head (Lurah) on behalf of the Sub-District Head (Camat).

The Regulation was issued on 12 August 2008 and enacted on 26 August 2008. The Regulation has been in force since the date of its enactment.