Quick tidbits

Taken from the Economist's country briefing.

Idle thoughts
Singapore is full of foreign workers, the bulk of whom are low-paid cleaners, hefters and builders. The city-state is also home to growing numbers of its own long-term jobless—mostly older, less-educated citizens who can’t find a slot that fits their skills.
The situation has sparked alarm at the National Trades Union Congress, which has close ties to the long-ruling People’s Action Party. A series of senior officials, including Lim Boon Heng, the head of the union congress, have spoken up saying they want the rules tweaked so the authorities stand a better chance of defeating structural unemployment. “I think we can do something about it. Otherwise, [Singaporeans] will remain unemployed, and somebody will have to look after them,” Mr Lim said. Another union official even suggested that the state could give its jobless citizens a share of its clean-up duties, paying them a few hundred dollars a month.

Rebel yell
It’s not something that you’d expect from a People’s Action Party stalwart, but Khaw Boon Wan, the health minister, wants the city-state’s straight-laced youth to be a bit more of a rabble. Singapore is famed for its nanny-ish rules, and young people here are not known for kicking up a fuss. That has Mr Khaw worried.
“I would prefer your generation to be rebellious,” Mr Khaw told a group of students, according to a local paper. “If you are just conforming to the social norms, then you are merely following our footpath, which may not be relevant to you.” The official line is that to continue to prosper, Singapore needs innovative mavericks. So government ministers have started to sow a bit of rebellion. But it is unclear whether Singapore’s obedient youth will do as they’re told.

Changes

So much change has been in the offing. The school curriculum is to be shortened; lucky for those kids (going into my grumbling old man mode). Chinese is to be simplified; lucky for those ACS boys. Yup on the education front, it seems a lot has been relaxed by the new PM. But I don't see how just learning oral aspects of Chinese will lead to better Chinese standards all around. I hated Chinese while I was in secondary school, but looking back it was all the drilling that made me a better Chinese speaker. Are we going to have a generation of students who can read only and not write (Chinese-ROM)? So how come we don't have the same option for Malay and Tamil? Strange indeed.

On the upside, rules for public speaking have been relaxed. Which means maybe we can organise a big powwow and decide on the work that needs to be done to fix Singapore. But we must be careful that this is not a "hundred flowers" speech, which will soon turn into a round of purges.

And of course our own Brainwash Times has to have an article showing that not all young people are skeptical.

In the international arena, PM Lee warned Taiwan not to monkey around when it comes to China. Finally, we've stated our position on the trouble makers. Seriously, just go back to China. We don't need a war.

So with all the hurrah from the Zombie Times, I feel we need a little view from the other side of the tracks.

So the future sounds good, but we've got to see if it's all lip service, or if it truly is a change for the better.

Sunny Somewhere

Hello from sunny somewhere. I'm not going to tell you where I'm at, just know I'm not in a cold, dark place. On holiday enjoying the sun, so I have not been catching up much on the news. Although the Olympics is everywhere. Good to know that Singapore is advancing in badminton and table tennis. Checking out some of the Olympians. I'd just like to say that the Australian Softball team is quite good looking. Yummy... Also the weight lifting was interesting. China won both gold and silver in the 62kg area (I think). Thailand also won a medal, good for them.

It's quite a Singapore week in the Economist, so I thought you might like to read some of it. This one's about Philip Yeo, A*Star and EDB. This one's about Temasek and Ho Ching.

Here's something not related to Singapore, but related to the human race. It proves that both the Social Darwainists and Kropotkin were half-way right. It's always bothered me that man is selfish, yet has an altruistic streak. But it turns out that we have both and that's what makes us superior to other species (I'm a speciesist).

Something interesting written in Today today (I wanted to say that).

Ok that's it. For now. I'm still on holiday, so I'll catch up later. Just a heads up. The LKY school of Public Policy is now open for business. Until it builds a brand name, I'm off to the JFK School of Government. Maybe I'll get and exchange program and come back here as a "visiting scholar," with perks and all.

I'm going to avoid putting too much links to the whole handover thing (it's been done to death on TV and newspapers), but I will make a few comments.

Well, PM Lee made a fine speech last night about being inclusive and such. I wonder what he meant when he said that Singapore should allow space for people to be "different." Did he mean to encourage entrepreneurship, or was he hinting at tolerance towards single parent families and GLBT lifestyles?

Anyway just one day into the handover and our neighbors are already asking so many questions. On a slightly less complaining tone, here's an editorial by the NST on the handover reaffirming our old friendship. More stories on Mrs Lee Hsien Loong (also known as Ho Ching) by our Malaysian friends.

Here's an article about how our youths don't know who the new PM is (psst... Lee Hsien Loong) and I think this is the malaise I'm trying to get rid of. My girlfriend also said the same thing to me last night, about how it didn't matter who took over. She was far more interested in Average Joe than in watching the handover. Sigh...

The Star had a good article about the challenges that faced PM Lee and his new old team. And there's a good line in there that sort of reflects my thinking:

“Nothing is permanent. My generation will be the last to grow up so
self-assured about the future. My son’s generation must be prepared to work
outside of Singapore,” said a middle-aged man who lost his job in a
multi-national firm several years ago.

I was at a Singapore International Foundation recently and this guy asked a question about how to keep Singaporeans in Singapore. Minister Yaacob Ibrahim went on to say that we can't keep them here, but create a sense of rootedness, so Singapore is always home. He went on to mention that his brother is overseas, but still identifies with Singapore. I too feel this way about Singapore. I may have to work overseas, but Singapore is where I identify with. Everyone keeps saying that overseas is good, but if you look carefully there's implicit racism overseas and there are invisible barriers. I should know, I'm living overseas.

Ok, talkingcock is still down. Yup. The system in down. Talking about downed systems, a new variant of the blaster worm is at work. Run... Hide... Be very afraid...

Also talking about systems down, everyone should visit http://www.engrish.com, for some really funny s*%t.

Back to PM Lee's speech (getting used to PM Lee again, after a 14 year break)... He also mentioned about education going beyond just training for jobs, but truly to explore and learn. Of course we all know that the current education system was created by Mr Goh Keng Swee. But different times call for different measures, and it is heartening to see that at least they're sort of in touch with reality.

Well that's it for now. Catch all of you soon. This may be my last post for a long while, so don't fret if you see nothing. I'm just on holiday.

More reasons why Kerry should not be President

Just take a look at this cartoon.

Another funny poltical picture

I'd like to thank Larry Wright (the creator) for allowing me to show it. It means alot to me. Thanks Larry.

Breastfeeding issues

Here's one for all those breast feeding mothers out there, I feel your pain...

A funny picture

Why I support George Bush

You may be wondering why I support G.W. Bush when it's got not much to do with me. Well, I've lived in the US for 3 year now and I've made friends with many Democrats and Republicans (actually more Democrats than Republicans), and I actually agree with the Democrats on many issues, but deep down inside I think some Democrats are bigger hypocrites than Republicans (all politicians are hypocrites by the way). Especially so with John Forbes Kerry and his wife.

If it was John Edwards who had won the primaries, I'd actually have to plump for him and campaign for Edwards. But since it's Kerry, the Boston Brahmin, I'm all for Bush, the Texan Goofball.

Just check out this cartoon to know exactly why I dislike Kerry so much.

Yes, Bush is a child of privileged like Kerry, but at least he is honest about it and doesn't go around pretending he's the everyday guy. I mean in mannerism, Bush is so much more like the everyday dolt you meet on the street, while Kerry comes across as some sort of preppy boy who sits in his lounge all day talking and doing nothing. I want a do-er not s talker.

So unless Kerry dies before November and Edwards moves up the ticket, I'm going to be rooting for Bush. Sorry.

My Pro-Republican Spiel

So some news on the American race...

How Kerry did immediately after the Democratic party's National Convention. (So - so)

Some funny quotes on the campaign trail:

Femme du peuple (contd)
“You could tell she wasn't familiar with the menu.”
A Wendy's manager on Teresa Heinz Kerry's visit to his ketchup-infested
joint with her husband. The Edwards couple knew exactly what they wanted. The
New York Post claimed that the Kerrys had sneaked in “fancy food” to eat
secretly on their campaign bus after undergoing the ordeal, August
4th

Witty Wisconsin
“They want four more years of hell.”
Mrs Kerry responding to Bushite chants of “Four more years” at a Wisconsin
rally. CBS Morning News, August 3rd

It's like the Beatles
“If the proceeds from my songs go to the Democratic National Convention, I'll be
worked up.”
A Republican member of John Kerry's school band on the rerelease
of their album. New York Daily News, August 2nd

Swan?
“Like the ugly duckling”
Mr Kerry on how he felt standing next to John Edwards and Ben
Affleck, a movie star. Los Angeles Times, August 2nd

Here's a game which might be fun for some of you, but it costs US$29.95, and it's a seasonal thing.

Some interesting stuff from Democrats who back Bush.

The grassroots site for getting Bush reelected.

A campaign blog in favour of Bush.

And the grand daddy of Pro-Bush blogs.

For some reason the official site is down, is there's nothing I can do about that (I'm suspecting Democrat hackers).

Some fun games about J.F. Kerry (how he loves to point out that it's like J.F. Kennedy, get real, Kerry's not Kennedy):

Spendometer

Kerryopoly

Kerry vs Kerry

All courtesy of the Grand Old Party.

Overdrive

Ok, so the Lee Hsien Loong PR campaign is in overdrive. I know he came from Cat. High. That's my old school and we have his picture up along with all the other President's Scholars we've produced over the years (not surprisingly hsien yang is also up there). I'm a legacy, or so the Americans would call it. My dad went to Cat High and was deeply influenced by his time there. And so it was with me.

If a school would determine what kind of person you'd turn out to be, I'd say LHL would be much like most of the other Cat. High boys. Well he was probably one of the S class boys (SAP). I mean us E class boys were always rowdy, less conformist, and definitely knew how to have fun and get in trouble. I imagine LHL to be one of the goody-two-shoes S class boys, who were mischievous now and then (all boys are), but generally laid low and gave no trouble. Ah... I remember those days... Do not ever wash your hands with the "soap" from the soap dispensers at the Secondary school side. There used to be a tradition of pissing into the thing.

The BBC gives its own take on things. Interestingly enough the Harvard Club speech was one on increasing the role of civil society which J. Gomez touches on (see below). Also the Harvard Club is coming up with a book on their many years of involvement as a civil society actor. This I heard from a reliable source (the editor of the book).

Indonesia also weighs in on the handover in Singapore, and just like the Malaysians, they think we'll get along just fine. It seems LHL has been on a charm offensive, maybe there's a side to him that we're not seeing (must fight brain washing... Ugh...). But there is a good phrase that must be quoted:

However, in spite of its successes in creating a developed and modern society,
Lee himself can take a few lessons from Indonesia in developing a more
politically open system. Fate will intervene, and at some juncture Singapore
will have to undergo its own transformation whether billed as reform or
revolution.

Maybe we really could learn a few tricks form the more democratic Indonesia, just as the author mentioned they could learn from us. Talk about creating an ASEAN Cultural Community.

The Economist (if you haven't figured by now, my favorite newspaper) also has a few things to say about the handover.

James Gomez has produced two interesting articles (one by him and another by David M. Jones) on the Singaporean "democracy" and Singapore as "home."

On the Taiwan - China issue, the Taiwanese have begun either a scare campaign or have realized that they're in deep s*^t when it come to war with China. Also beware the rise of a new Imperial Japan. Don't think just because they make great anime and have interesting fashion sense (plus good milk tea), they won't rise again to fight a war. Between China and Japan, I don't know if Southeast Asia will survive. Remember that the land of the Rising Sun is also the land of the soiled school girl panties (banned because they're unsanitary and not because it is somewhat perverted) and chopped off heads (which the Japanese denied ever happened in Nanjing).

China has pooh poohed the idea that Taiwan's 12th attempt into being admitted into the UN would succeed. When Red China was excluded of the UN, it never really tried as hard as Blue China is today.

In Indonesia, there is a changing attitude towards Indonesians of Chinese descent. There was a time when they were held in suspect for uncertain loyalties towards Indonesia, but with the peaceful rise of China, and the Indon Chinese showing much more pride in their home, I think it is safe to say that the issue of being Chinese will slowly fade away.

Oh by the way, several countries are having their National Day too. Malaysia's will be on the 31 August. Indonesia' on the 17 August. Pakistan's on the 14 August and India's on the 15 August. August is a good month for independence.

Talk of the town

So everyone's in a flurry over the handover, the new cabinet, fond farewells to Mr Goh Chock Tong. Forums are full of debate on the new PM and how the "New" Team is actually the Old Team. Well, a few new faces, and alot more minorities promoted to political/parliamentary secretaries.

But here's some news about ASEAN from our neighbours in Indonesia. Yup. ASEAN was Mr Goh's focus, especially Indonesia.

Also news from our Malaysian brothers about the furture of Malaysia - Singapore ties. And also the Malaysian perpective on the handover can be found here.

Asia Times has come up with a scathing attack on the handover, so watch out lawsuit.

Well that's the low down of the handover for today. we'll see what else may pop up over the next few days.

2 women MOS, that's a new one,I guess the Dragon King gave in to pressure and included some women to look like we really are a progressive society.

Hot off the presses

So PM Lee has named his new cabinet. And here it is (drum roll):

Lee Hsien Loong - Prime Minister and Finance Minister

Goh Chock Tong - Senior Minister and Chairman of the MAS

Lee Kuan Yew - Minister Mentor (MM Lee)

Dr. Tony Tan - DPM and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defense until 30 June 2005

Prof. S. Jayakumar - DPM and Law Minister

Lim Boon Heng - Minister in the PMO

Lim Swee Say - Minister in the PMO

Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim - Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR)

BG George Yeo - Minister for Foreign Affairs

Lim Hng Kiang - Minister for Trade and Industry

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan - Minister for Community Development and Sport

Tharman Shanmugaratnam - Minister for Education

Khaw Boon Wan - Minister for Health

Dr Ng Eng Hen - Minister for Manpower

Wong Kan Seng - Home Affairs Minister and DPM after 30 June 2005

RAdm Teo Chee Hean - Defense Minister

Yeo Cheow Tong - Transport Minister

Dr Lee Boon Yang - MITA

Mah Bow Tan - Minister for National Development

Lee Yock Suan has been dropped from the cabinet lists.

Also 2 women have been included as Ministers of State, Lim Hwee Hua (MOF and MOT) and Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (MCDS)

Some new faces include Othman Haron Eusofe (Minister of State, PMO), Zainul Abidin Rasheed (Minister of State, MFA), Heng Chee How (Minister of State, MTI), and Dr Amy Khor (Mayor, South West CDC).

Full list can be found here.

Missed this

I missed this at the Straits Times webpage. It's actually quite funny.

The Chope-ing phenomena is quite interesting. Never seen tissue packets used before until recently when I went to meet some friends, who work at Shenton Way, for lunch at Lau Pa Sat.

It always surprises me that no one makes way for Ambulances. In the US, both sides of the road pull over just in case. I am so amazed at the lack of responsiveness in Singaporean drivers.

Think Singapore should rebrand itself, alongside with Uniquely Singaporean, as the "hubpolis" of the world.

The Johore Road one quite funny, plus I like the whole poster, think I'll print it out.

Milo... mmmm... I miss Milo a lot when I'm in the US. Now that's Uniquely Singaporean (or Malaysian or Southeast Asian).

Talking about Parking Wardens... I saw one waiting next to a car. Yup. Waiting for the coupon to expire. I thought that was quite mean, I guess there was probably only 5 minutes or something left, but still. They're evil I tell you. Not just the Aunties, but the Uncles too. They know when you cheat on the time, or when your coupon runs out. The one time you think it's ok, it's NOT! They're everywhere. Sometimes I think they use super advanced technology like cloaking and mind reading technology to know just when you decided to cheat on 5 minutes.

By the way, does anyone know why Talking Cock is down? I'm thinking maintenance, but maybe they're all on "holiday" at Whitley "resort centre."

National Day

Ok. For those worried that I'd ended up at Whitley "Holiday Resort" enjoying the "Ice cube Spa package," fret not. I was just relaxing over the National Day holiday. Taking a break over the hustle and bustle of life, that kind of deal.

Birthdays area time for reflection, and I think this is a good time for some soul searching. So once again we had a successful dog and pony show, with fireworks and overworked students and National Slaves. Oh, and we should not forget the gullible masses. For 364 days of the year, they b%#&h and moan about their lives and how it sucks, but come one August day and suddenly everyone loves the country. Seriously, you can love your country and still say bad things about it and its government. Furthermore these celebrations are a waste of time and money. Students and soldiers have better things to do (at least the students). The Americans usually just have fireworks, not much else. I understand that we're a young nation and still unsure of our national identity and place in the world, but I think at 39, we don't really need a huge party with clowns (a.k.a SAF top brass), magicians and a huge birthday cake. I mean my 24th is coming up and all I'm doing is a BBQ with 7 friends. Not much else. So why can't we move from the bread and circuses model, to something more simple to reflect our maturity and out self-confidence?

Talking about National Day... There's always the National Day awards, and Jack Neo won the Public Service Medal. Make a few inoffensive films and suddenly you're deemed to have done commendable public service. C'mon! Seriously. I didn't even get Home Run. How is it a metaphor for Singapore and Malaysia? Besides references to "we're all from the same kampung," I really don't see the connection. Of course his other movies try to reflect the Singaporean side of life, but seriously he's too preachy and there's always a happy ending, unlike the Singaporean side of life. A rose by any other name... Can you all say propaganda, children? I think I should make some agitprop (without the agit) movies and get myself a PSM.

Metasis made a good national day post, and I think he shares many ideas with the rest of us. I know too many people who are whiners and complain about how Singapore sucks. I seriously have a thing with those people (some of my friends included). They always seem to think the grass is greener on the other side. I don't think so. People always ask me if Singapore or the USA is better, and I always like the say the grass is equally green on both sides. We win some, we lose some. I have nothing against "quitters," since it does help rid us of whiners. I do have something against whiners though. To quote Arnie in Kindergarten Cop: "Stop Whining!" Seriously. STOP WHINING!

If you have a problem, try to fix it. Don't keep crying about it. I think Singapore is a good place to live in, not the best, but good enough. I don't know where I'll end up working, since I might not be able to find a job here in Singapore (one of those things, where I'm more highly prized and paid elsewhere). Things definitely need to change, and if I am home, or if I am needed back here, I'm more than happy to try and fix things.

Enough of whiner bashing. Moving on to other interesting news. I think we should be glad that our government didn't hit on this brilliant idea of taxation. It'll be like the tobacco tax, since most of us are hooked on SMS.

So it's 10.30am Singapore time. Which means the Dragon Prince has been summoned to the Istana, and has been "invited" (nice way to put it) to form the new government. Yay! (Not!) Well Old man Goh has gone up the mountain to join Old man Lee. I wonder if after 14 years of Young Man Lee, will Singaporeans still cheer like they did yesterday? Or will the cheering be because it's finally over? We can only wait and see...

By the way, this was not reported in local presses, because of official policy. But the Nation'04 is not the first, since they've been doing this for a while now. Hopefully in time, people will come to accept homosexuality (I'm still against encouraging the lifestyle, but I think GLBTs should be treated as equal fellow human beings).

It seems researchers have made a link between mentally demanding jobs and Alzheimers'. Before you go thinking that you should do less thinking work, it turns out that scientists have made the tentative link that if you're in a mentally demanding job, you're chances of getting the disease are much lower. So that would explain why professors don't usually get Alzheimers'.

More war of words over China and Taiwan. I think this might lead to war in less than 10 years. Which means more unstable times for Southeast Asia and our little island home. All because of some p#$&ks in Taiwan refuse to read the writing on the wall.

Well that's it for this long weekend special. Catch all of you soon.

Some News

The Statue of Liberty is finally open again. Which means I wasted my trip to New York last year since I couldn't go up. Good sign that once again the symbol of freedom is once again open to pilgrimmage.

Saddam's daughter to go into politics? That's going to be a good one. Funny too. But I guess the Iraqi government cannot stop them from returning to Iraq and leading the Baath Party.

Biggest news on the home front is that Lucasfilm's has set up shop in Singapore. So does that mean we'll get to film Star Wars in Singapore? Yoda at Raffles Hotel fighting the Emperor? Will PAP members get a chance to be Stormtroopers? Will Singapore Technologies build the first TIE fighter, S series? Who knows.

News from the Void

Some interesting opinions from my pals at the Void Deck:

Bo Zheng Hu assesses who should not take over certain ministries.

VIP

Something funny. The VJC integrated program is called the VIP, which is funny. Seriously. Can you imagine the coversations:

"Sorry sir, this is only for VIPs."
"Yah! I am VIP what!"
"No, no sir. I mean VIPs."
"Yup. That's me."
"You look kind of young to be the Minister for Transport."
"Huh?"
"VIP. Very Important Person. You know."
"Oh... I thought you meant Victoria Integrated Program. V.I.P."

Jeez... I can only imagine how funny that is. Hard to tell people where you're study.

So I guess Raffles' one should be the RIP.
Hwa Chong will be HIP.
Dunman High will be DIP.
And Slytherin's... I meant ACJC's will be SIP... I meant ACIP.

The Anglo - Chinese Integrated Program... Sound's bi... Bicultural that is. You'd think with a name like that, they'd produce brilliant biculturalists, instead they produce Bananas (yellow on the outside, white on the inside).

Ok. Ok. Enough ACS bashing. Almost ended up in that school. Would have become a banana too. When I was in Cat. High I thought I really was a banana and that I sucked at Chinese. Then I went to JC and met ACS and VS boys, and that's when I realised that although I'm not God's gift to Chinese, I'm definetely not going to burn in Chinese Hell (all of them).

Today's Yahoo's popular searches:


Popular Searches: Singapore Fireworks Festival, Esplanade, S. League, NDP 2004, Jay Chou, Asian Cup 2004

The Democrats a'comin'

Ok. So the Democratic National Convention ended with a big bang and now the Republicans are gearing up for theirs. It's going to be a long electoral fight. So here's some news from the DNC on John Edwards and John Kerry.

I'm a Republican sympathiser, because I think they're less hypocritcal than the Democratic leadership. Well Democrats argue that the public education system is not that bad, but they send all their kids to private schools. Democrats tend to be softer on crime, but they tend to hide in gated communities, away from the crimes. Democrats argue that they help the poor and downtrodden, but so many of them are scions of rich and powerful families. You may argue that all politicians are slimy, but the Democrats are far more oily than the Republicans.

I'm also glad that the DNC is over, so no more media coverage on just Kerry and Edwards. Time for the Republicans to shine.

Elections are such an exciting time. Especially in the country which holds the world together in more ways than we'd like to acknowledge.

Just as an aside, news on ASEAN and its Free Trade Area (AFTA).

Hogwarts ala Singapore

Ok. So one day me and my girlfriend were walking down Bugis Junction and we saw some kids with wind breakers on and she asked me if they were from RI. Being a good Catholic school boy I knew they were SJI and so I told her so. I also said that RI had a griffin in their crest like Gryffindor, since she's such a big Potterite and all.

This lead me to explain further by saying that Gryffindor has a Harry and so does RI (Harry Lee). Furthermore Harry has a lightning bolt as a identifier, so does Harry Lee (Men in White). This lead me to draw from my own experiences at Catholic High to say that Catholic High School boys are from Hufflepuff. We work hard, we have a sense of justice (Confucius and Christianity will do that to you) and we're loyal (we're either civil servants or secret society bosses). Ravenclaw was a bit of a toss up, but they're supposed to be quick witted and love learning, and so we eventually plumped for SJI, since I know many SJI boys who are funny and I suppose they do enjoy learning (I know, it's a stretch). I know these are all boy schools, but I know little of girl schools to make any comparison.

So who should be Slytherin. That was easy. The answer was ACS boys. They're smooth, cunning and a little oily. Doesn't mean they're all evil, but you get the idea.

Well that's it for the Houses of Hogwarts in Singapore. Hope you all liked this little tidbit from my weekend.

Nevermind

Cancel the Fahrenheit 9/11 announcement. It managed to crawl out of the censors in time for the 5 August Premiere. Oy vey...

August is here

So here's some news from around the world:

One about our once and future king from across the waters. Note: The Author has an axe to grind with Singapore.

Fahrenheit 9/11's premiere in Singapore has been delayed 2 weeks by Singapore Censors. So I guess we'll get 5 minutes of footage then.

Also if you read the Newpaper on Sunday you'll learn that you don't need to send an SMS to TVMobile or pay $2000 to install it in you car, when you can fork out $200 and use your laptop as a monitor and watch 4 channels free instead of only one. Amazing what technology can do for you.

Well that's it for now. I'll probably post something else later today.