A hungry man versus a well fed man

We are know that a hungry can be a hardworking man, also dangerous when he is really hungry. But given enough motivation and the promise of reward, to feed his hunger pangs, a hungry man can be a dependable worker. Feed him 50% full and he wants more. Feed him 70% full and he will become more efficient and wanting more, but safer. A 70% full man will not want to risk his good fortune. At 80% or 90% full, he starts to get groggy. He thinks well of himself and does not want to take risk anymore. He knows that good times are here and he only needs to keep going without rocking the boat. He is happy and contented. At 100% full, he is not only full in the stomach, he is also full of himself. And he can be very lazy and also very dangerous. He wants everything and wants to protect his everything. Now he does not think of working. He only thinks of protecting his wealth and his good life. And he will do everything to achieve that and anyone trying to cross his path will be in trouble. In my humble opinion, a 70% full man, or maybe a little more, 80% full man, is the best. Anything more is inefficiency and extravagant, wasteful. A 70% full man can be as effective if not more effective than a 80% or 90% full man. Forget about the 100% full man. In politics, I think a 70% majority is better than a 100% majority in parliament. I know who will tell you that 100% is the best. Between these two, there can be many views. I would want a govt that is run by a 70% majority party than a 100% majority. Just an opinion and personal preference from the wisdom of history. The wisdom of the rulers will tell you that this is bullshit. Only 100% and nothing else can do. You want a good and effective govt, you must vote for a 100% majority govt. You better decide what is best for you instead of someone telling you so.

A frightening and dangerous thought

In a ‘democrazy’, political parties and politicians take sides to outbid or run down the opposing camps during an election. In a fair and equitable system, the people will choose who they believe or want to lead them, and their policies. After the election a victor will be announced and a new govt will be installed, and a new phase of leadership will take over the country. In a mature first world country, all the bickering ends, all the name calling ends, and opposing politicians and parties shake hands and agree to work together. The hatchet is buried. In third world countries, the animosities continue, and political enemies become personal enemies. Some will be detained, imprisoned or fixed up for good. In a mature first world polity, life starts anew for all citizens and all are equal under the law and under the govt. Govt policies do not discriminate the people according to who they supported or voted for. Can we accept a govt that says it will treat its supporters better than those who did not support them? If this kind of thinking is to be institutionalized, then all the supporters of a ruling party will be getting more or better treatment from the ruling party. Would they get more contracts, get promoted, give better jobs etc etc? Would they get priority for car parks, housing or whatever? And if one is to stretch this further, it can become very frightening. What this amounts to is a voting of a govt by a group of citizens to look after them first and those that don’t will be second class, or be treated as lesser citizens. Is this ‘democrazy’? Can the citizens accept this kind of logic and mindset? Or can the citizens that don’t support the ruling party or pay lesser taxes, spare from doing national services or exempted from contributing to the govt’s call for national integration and serving the nation? Or can they serve lesser? A govt that favours only it supporters is against the notion of an all inclusive policy. A govt must be for all and every citizen must be treated fairly and equitably under the law and under the govt. It is the right of every citizen to cast his vote for whoever he prefers in an election. This must not be used to discriminate against him in subsequent govt policies if his choice is not the elected the govt. This kind of thought is not only divisive, it is extremely Third World. The people who support the govt will be taken care off better by the govt. Can you believe it? Can you accept that this is the way to go?

Please tell Boon Heng not to cry

What the heck is he crying for? This is time for celebration man! His life has just begun. With the amount of money he has, he can join Wally in Lijiang and become a bigger emperor. But if Lijiang is too crowded, he can always buy a small island in the Pacific Ocean and called himself King. I am sure there are many financial advisers who can help him to spend his money in the more glamorous way. If not, Matilah’s service can be had for a small fee as long as he also shares in the happy times. He has earned himself a well deserving retirement from the party and it is party time. Go celebrate and enjoy. The world is a paradise for him.

What a loaded question?

Are the opposition parties ready to form the next govt? The answer is yes and no. Yes if they are elected by the people. No if they are not elected. What is the real situation on the ground? None of the opposition parties will field enough candidates to even smell a majority. Singly, therefore, none is ready just by sheer numbers of candidates standing for election. So what kind of stupid question is that? The possibility of a meltdown is always there, when there is a sudden big swing of votes for the opposition. A coalition govt comprising the opposition parties cannot be ruled out. Can this happen? Some are laughing, but only God knows. Gods must be laughing also. There is nothing wrong with the opposition parties saying that they are not ready now. They are contesting for a bridgehead and to keep chipping at the PAP fortress for the time being. I think they are being realistic. No point uttering foolish thing like they are ready when they don’t even have enough candidates to be counted, individually. Now, what is the purpose of asking if they are ready to form the next govt when they are obviously not? Your guess. This is the same as asking Indonesia and Malaysia if they are ready to build a nuclear plant now. There is a time and place for everything to happen. When they are elected to be a majority they will be ready. The electorate says so. And if they can be the majority, it will mean also that they have enough good men and women to take over the govt. With enough talents, there is no reason why they will not be ready. In the meantime they will just want to grow. Asking this question is superfluous. It is like asking a young couple if they are ready to be parents when they have not even got married or bear a child. When the time to cross the bridge, they will.

Congo Legend

This is a painting that tells the story of Congo, its warriors, womenfolk, animals, beasts, social activities etc etc. It weaves a story waiting to be told.

Chen Show Mao, is one of us

He was born in Taiwan but came here when he was a kid. He went through our local schools like any Singaporean kid, not in one of those international schools. He served his National Service and did not twang. He served diligently to become an officer. Chen Show Mao is truly one of us. And he was a foreign talent of sort but chose to be a Singaporean and did what every male Singaporean will do, to serve the country in uniform. At a young age, before aspiring to be a politician, he has already made his choice. This is the biggest test of his commitment to this country. He has done everything that is expected of him as a Singaporean. I had a glimpse of him and I am impressed. He is sincere and nothing pretentious. He has proven that he can achieve and do well professionally, on his very own in an MNC. And he has a presence. I wish him and WP well. I pray that no injustice will before him. Singapore can be better with more talents like him standing up to serve. He has a presence. Show Mao, Vincent and Benjamin should be given a fair chance to be in Parliament. The electorate owes a duty to send them to Parliament. Failing to do so will be doing an injustice to themselves(the people) and the country. This is not only a good choice from the opposition camp. They are excellent choices for the future and the well being of the country.

Some can speak more and some can speak less

The United Nation is an organization where every country, big or small, is treated as an equal member and treated with the same protocol. Of course still a few big powers are accorded some special privileges to sit in the Security Council as permanent members and with veto rights. Other than this, every country is equal and can speak as much as they like or for as long as they like in the UN. What if the big powers decide to adopt a system whereby the big powers who contributed more in membership fees are given time to speak proportional to their strength in financial or military clout? I know, some of you are still blur like sotong as to what I am saying. Ok, let’s say in the UNGA, the USA and China will be given 3 hours and 2 hours to speak respectively, and the G8 members be given 1 hour while the rest of the third world countries be given only 15 minutes each to address the assembly, would that be fair? And when there is a forum, meet the press or whatever, the same allocation of time will apply also. At the same time the UN Charter can still be written that all countries big or small shall be treated as equal in the UN. Is this acceptable? Is there any hypocrisy?

Which oldies to go next?

Who's next among the biggies and oldies that will follow Boon Heng and Jayakumar? My guess, the only last two biggies will follow suit. Yes there will be a new team this time. No more oldies left other than Charles Chong. Even then, he too may be taking a break from Joo Chiat after the election. So I am seeing a younger party with Hsien Loong as the oldest left in the team. Just my take.

Two fine young men leaving PAP

Sin Boon Ann and Ong Kian Min are probably two of the finest young men in the PAP team. It is a pity that they have to retired so early when their political careers have just started. Are they finding the political climate too stifling, or the route of advancement too slow given that senior ministers are chopping their seats and ‘pah si buay chow’ no matter how thankless the job is? The latter could be the reason why Chok Tong is flying the kite that future ministers may only stay for two terms. This position is quite conflicting given the official position that there is a dearth of talents. How could the party dispense with their precious talents after only two terms? Or is it that really, deep down, there are plenty of talents available to make renewal a non issue. What is probably more controversial is that in other countries, the limitation to two terms is often on the top job, the President or PM, to avoid a President or PM becoming too comfortable for the job. But Chok Tong’s kite is that the ministers should change every two terms while the top job can stay longer. Uniquely a Singapore phenomenon. Yet I digress. Could the leaving of two fine young men from the Tampines GRC be more than what is reported? Personally my feeling is that Tampines is the number one hot potato to fall. I could be grossly wrong as the reading is that housing is no longer a problem, fully solved and well. Heng Swee Kiat may find his ministerial dream taking a longer time should this happen. And he might have to move to another GRC in a future GE to enter Parliament.

My Manifarceto

I was dreaming of forming an A Team Party, the best party that money can buy. But first I will need a manifesto. Let me try to list down a few of my thoughts. 1. Housing. Make it affordable for three generations to pay. Only families with 3 generations need apply. 2. Public Health. Make it affordable that no cash is needed. Just make sure that the Medisave is raised to whatever it takes. 3. Education. Every child shall have a place in tertiary education at affordable fees which they can take 20 years to pay. 4. Immigration. All talents welcome. 5. Population. 20 million shall be a good start. 6. Public transport. As affordable as Tokyo and with Tokyo’s world class comfort. 7. Politics. Proportional representation by race, age group, gender, sexual preference and housing type, and also age of citizenship. 8. Remuneration for politicians. Pay only for the best and have a salary formula that has no caps. 9. GST. Raise to 20%. Any extras can be used to help the poor. 10. Sports. Use only the best foreign talents money can buy. 11. CPF. Change to Compulsory Protection Fund, to protect the people’s saving. Guaranteed 10% annual interest but cannot withdraw. 12. Law and Order. The govt is the people’s govt, so no need for protest. I think these 12 policies will do for the time being.

Oh it’s Sunday morning

It is one of those mornings when one gets up and having nothing better to do. So it is good to use the creative juice for something that is eye catching and maybe grab a little attention. Call it silly if you like, but Sunday morning is a time exactly for that. Who cares about GE or fighting to be the next govt, to be leaders of the country for the next 4 or 5 years, or to get rich? What do I want to do when life is so boring? Ah, get my name etched somewhere, in the Book of Records or something like that. Wow, my name in the Guiness Book of Records in perpetuity. Then some day some little kids who too have nothing better to do will go and read the book and say oh this fella name is in the book too. And not only that, maybe I can get my name in the front page of the newspaper. Now that must be something to feel important about. Now I got a brilliant idea, no, not about designing a fan that has no blades or a vacuum cleaner that does not need a bag. I want to get 100,000 people to bust 100,000 plastic bags at the same time. I think no one has done that yet. Can someone check the Book of Records for me please. If I don’t hear from anyone then it means go. 4 pm at Hong Lim Park, each one bring a plastic bag and at the exact moment when the clock at Hong Lim Park strikes 5, bang! Then everyone can cheer and declare that he has achieved something great. But make sure the reporters and some officials are there to witness this great event. Oh, please don’t complain that I am wasting time, energy, resources and the precious plastic bags that I am not supposed to waste. Just one time and 100,000 pieces only! I already feel so good, setting a record! PS. I will print 100,000 pieces of T shirts with the words, ‘100,000 Bangs In One Go!’ and sell it at $10 each. Maybe I can make a profit of $5 each.

Orchard Rd Fashion Show Apr 2011

More pics at https://picasaweb.google.com/redbeansg/OrchardRdFashionShowApr2011#

More good signs

I just found time to glance through the ST. My immediate impression is that the ST is playing pretty fair in its coverage of the opposition candidates. Chen Show Mao and Benjamin Pwee were featured generously. This is the best sign that the govt is maturing and showing a willingness to accept the presence of good opposition candidates. These two candidates are as good as they can get for a truly engaging parliament when issues are tested and debated instead of unhealthy personal attacks. The presence of genuine and quality candidates in Parliament is both good to the people and the ruling party. At least they know that they are dealing with respectable people with similar dreams and aspiration and not thugs and mobsters. This is a golden opportunity for the ruling party to raise the level of politicking to a higher level and let the best men win and represent the people. Anything else is sinful and any underhand tactics could ruin the reputation of whichever party that indulges in them. The people are waiting for this moment when good and capable men and women stand up to represent both the ruling party and the opposition camp. There is now an alternative, till this moment I am hitting the keyboard. Pray that no more gutter politics appear as the GE gets nearer. Please no more silly boy behaviours. Adults and respectable people needs to behave like adults and respectfully. Peeping into the key holes or that sort of antics, best left to silly and low down people to do. Let the people condemn whoever resorts to dirty politics. Let the people spit at those jokers who failed to play the game in an honourable manner. Decent and honourable men should compete in a respectable manner with equally decent and honourable men. The people are watching to see who is the first to stand up to show how dishonourable he is by playing the dirty game. The electorate is not stupid and knows very well who is an asshole. They are also watching how the media conducts itself. So far so good. Will it last?

Can Chok Tong deliver?

The apparent difference in the political thinking of Chok Tong and the other leaders in the PAP is shining through the crevices. This is not a right or wrong thing but a difference in the vision or what one would like things to be. This is what political leaders should do, aspirations for the country and the people. What they want the country to be and what they deem is good for the people. No need super talents to have such visions. Just get the super talents to do the work to achieve the dreams and goals. In other words, political leaders can be dreamers, but more importantly, the heart in the right place. And the super talents can be the doers to get to the right place. It is good if the super talents have good visions and hearts in the right place as well. It will be bad, very bad, if the super talents have wrong visions and hearts in the wrong place. So, Hsien Loong said cannot have two parties, not enough political talents. Chok Tong said enough talents. Can Chok Tong prove to the people that there are enough talents by leading another party to contest the election? I am sure no one can fault the quality and character of members of either party. The people will then have the privilege of being served by two known elements, all tested and proven. It must be good for Singapore and Singaporeans. Can Chok Tong deliver on this?

Nitcharee’s family has a $13k bill

The Thai girl who had her leg crushed and amputated after falling into the tracks of the MRT now faces a big bill of $13k for her 3 days stay in a public hospital in paradise. The bill includes doctor’s fee, stay in emergency ward, amputation and all the works. And to cremate her amputated legs would cost her family another $650, not counting the expenses to fly here to be by her side. This is a case of one tragedy after another. Some may not believe that there can be so many tragedies happening to one person in paradise in a few days. Is she covered by insurance as a private student? Or does the SMRT have an insurance to cover for commuters hurt inside the station? The last resort to pay for this tragedy is for Singaporeans to open up their hearts, if there is any. I think there should be, after all this is paradise and the residents are all saintly. Poor girl.

What is a Singaporean?

"Even those who are anti-PAP, who are critical, when they travel they feel so proud of being Singaporeans... When they come home, the moment they get the SIA boarding pass, there's a flutter in their hearts...yes, I'm on my way home." George Yeo I fully agree with him on the flutter in the heart. I experienced it every time I came home. It feels so good just to be back on home soil. The sense of safety, security, belonging, and the feeling of home. I believe every true blue Singaporean will feel it the same way. I am just wondering, just wondering, would the new citizens feel the same way as we do. Or they will feel the flutter when they return to their former countries/homes? Maybe they have flutters here and there and everywhere, at both homes. That is really a bonus. We Singaporeans only got one flutter, nothing more, nothing less. To many Singaporeans, this is really home. Nothing is more precious than this. And they better make sure that they don’t lose this home to anyone who wants to claim it as theirs. Make noise if necessary. Kpkb when they see things are not right. The home is something worth defending and fighting for. Never end up one day when the home is gone. Our forefathers came here when they lost their homes. They have built this home for us and the future generations. It is our duty to keep it that way, not to be given away freely and easily. National Service is in vain if we lose our home or forfeit it by inaction or apathy.

Black Day for Netizens

Just when the internet news is getting more readership, and with George Yeo and a few ministers feeling more comfortable about communicating with netizens, today I heard that Temasek Review will be closing down in July. As of today, though TR is still young, so is cyberspace and internet news, TR is one of a few group based internet forums devoted to Singapore and Singaporeans. It is a waste to see it go. And with the GE around the corner, netizens will have on choice less to read on what is happening here. It is a sad thing to happen when alternative voices are now sought after by news hungry citizens who want to hear what others have to say other than the stereo typed main media version of news. One RIP memorial for internet news.

The people crunchers

One train broke down in the morning peak hour and 17,500 commuters were stranded. In the same time many were enjoying an orgy or a sauna bath in the packed trains. These will be the things to come as we happily plod along mindlessly to allow the population to grow irresponsibly. We are 5 m and going to 6m and more. Heh heh. And it will not stop and cannot be stopped as any attempt to do so will slow down our economic growth. The numbers will keep going up and the rock will become more vibrant. And everyone can look forward to 10% or 15% economic growth and big bonuses. One man will be extremely happy. The trains and buses will eventually turn into people crunchers as we continue to progress down the road. It will be a happy adventure to all the rich citizens, travelling in style and comfort, with a sauna or orgy thrown in every now and then. We are progressing nicely to the future of graceful living and lifestyle.

Whorehouse for sale

Someone told me the story of a prostitute who wanted to go big time. Her plan was to marry someone big time. And her method was simple, just pay a big dowry. But who would want to marry a prostitute just for the money? The prostitute was not worried, as long as she put the money on the table, someone would come along. She tried very hard. But it was obvious that no decent fella would want to marry a prostitute. Then someone suggested to the prostitute to sell the whorehouse since business was still good. The better price, without having to pay a ransom for dowry, would mean that the owners could get a bigger return and may be happier, at least, instead of being sold out for the interest of the prostitute. I think it makes good business sense. A prostitute is in for the money. So why not just sell the whole whorehouse if the owners cannot object? And I am sure the prostitute will still get the lion’s share. As for the owners of the whorehouse, that is all they got. What’s next is their problem. They can never acquire another whorehouse with the pittance they will be getting. So what? It makes business sense, right? And the whorehouse can continue operating under different owners and making money as usual.

Pharoah's rites

A procession in ancient Egypt.