Trading generals

Many must have heard to the Israelis offering their generals in exchange for American general when the Americans were all speaking in awe of the feats of the Israelis. And the Israelis were most happy to swap until they disclosed who they wanted for the exchange.

Maybe we can swap of our generals with the Americans. Ours are young and strong with many more good years to go, and highly talented, all scholars, very bright and brilliant. When they walk around the spectators need to wear sunglasses. The only thing the Americans may object would be their pay. They would not be able to afford to pay for your generals. And they will go bankrupt if we offer them 2 for 1 in exchange.

And all we are asking for would be the same generals that the Israelis were asking then, General Motors, General Electrics and General Dynamics. I think it would be a good deal even if we offer them 3 for 1 of theirs. We are producing generals like mass production in a factory. But these 3 American generals are difficult to duplicate.

Just a rehash of an old joke for a Sunday morning. There is something that we can do with so many generals in our armed forces. They should be put to good use. Trading generals is a good thing if it can be done. If not, in the next General Election it will really become a general election, we may be electing more generals into politics. And Annual General Meetings will be the meetings of generals. And the general public will be a public of generals too, generally speaking.

When one is in power, everything is right

When one is in power, everything one said is right, everything one do is right, every reason or excuse is the right reason and right excuse. Often people in power are so intoxicated in their self delusion that they would not want to believe that they can lose power the next day and everything they said, do, and every reason or excuse, will become wrong, not only wrong, but illegal or criminal.

We have seen this repeated over and over again in history when a dictator, or even in so called veneer thin democracy, the despots would be charged and thrown into jail once they lost power. And their henchmen and cronies too will end up in the same fate.

When one is in power, do not get carried away and think that you would not be caught. When your luck runs out, the table will be turned and it would be too late to cry. For those who think they can bulldoze their way through, amend constitutions and laws to their benefit or against the people, pray very hard that you don’t have to face the wrong side of the law. You cannot run and cannot hide. Whatever you do today will be the evidence to hang you high and dry when your turn comes.

It is always good to leave a way out for yourself. Always remember that in a democracy, govt changes like changing diapers. Maybe a dynasty or monarchy would last longer. But they too failed and the last emperor and his families did not end well. History has changed and social structures too, and governing of a country as well. No one can call the shot for a life time. Very few has that good fortune to enjoy that rare privilege. Live well and do not trample on the downtrodden. Do not piss on the ashes. It would be lucky if a phoenix rises from the ashes. If it is not a phoenix but a vindictive monster, things can take a very bad turn.

Do not abuse the new social contract and be grateful to those below, look after them well and be well rewarded. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Yes, you are always right, with a sword in your hand.

Singapore Public Transport Operators Breach Social Contract

In Breach of Social Contract in Public Transport

By MIKOspace

Some years back in 1996, it was clearly stated in no uncertain terms that “a kind of social contract (exists) among the Government, the people, and the transport service providers on the kind of land transport system we want”. 

It is another fine example of Tripartism as the organizing basis for Singapore society by nurturing and promoting the partnership between the government, people and private enterprises through dialogue and mutual understanding for long term beneficial benefits.

This sacred Social Contract in Public Transport emphasises a strict sense of social responsibility and social conscience in that “it will NOT leave it entirely to market forces to determine the market structure and fares. Instead, it demanded public transport operators (PTO) to embark on long-term strategic planning, fiscal prudence, and the efficient allocation of resources through market forces.  In essence, competitive market forces shall be leveraged wherever possible to impel and drive PTO to operate in a socially responsible manner by being efficient, productive, improving services continuously and provide value to the commuters (people). 

In return for PTO’s corporate social responsibility in managing public transport, the government (representing the people) would continue to develop and invest in the train and public bus infrastructure, as it does in roads and public works for other road users.  

PTOs as private enterprises are expected to manage the MRT and public buses efficiently and “profitably” insofar as to enable revenue to  recover the use of operating assets while maintaining a socially acceptable level of quality services.  At the same time, they (particularly, for MRT operators) have to set aside and accumulate sufficient reserves, like any prudent management, to replace operating assets fully. 

An examination of recent SMRT Annual Reports reveals that it has grossly inadequate provision in its Reserves for the replacement of operating assets.  Its first set of operating assets is supposed to be replaced in 2017 at a estimated cost of $6.9 billion, and SMRT’s share is to be $1.6 billion with the government paying the rest.  SMRT Reserves has set aside more money for the issue of employees share options and performance shares for Management than for the crucial replacement of MRT operating assets for the continuous benefits and enjoyment of MRT commuters.

Clearly the SMRT, like other PTOs, has no sustainable policy on MRT and public bus assets development. These profit-seeking private companies expect the government ie the people to continue pumping public funds into THEIR operating assets!

In 2013, the government announced that it would inject an awesome S$1.1 billion to help the PTOs purchase 800 brand new buses PLUS helping them finance the operating costs of these buses for the next 10 years. This is in addition to the government’s unceasing efforts in expanding hundreds of kilometer of MRT tracks and builds the associated infrastructure for more MRT stations.

Interestingly, one should note that in 2011, SBS Transit made $36.7 million overall, when included revenues from its other businesses (e.g rail and advertising) but it announced an operating loss of $6 million on its bus business.  Similarly, SMRT made $119.9 million in FY2012, even though its bus operations incurred an operating loss of $11.6 million.

The SMRT is also expected to increase revenues from its new Kallang Wave Mall, 70% owned with NTUC Fairprice, with over 41,000 sqm of retail space. It has already reaped bumper profits from train operations in 2014 as well as from the leasing of approximately 34,000 sqm of commercial space along its rail network, together with 700 shop spaces, 80 event spaces and 16 push carts.

And with fuel costs sharply down and huge bumper profits, both SBS and SMRT apply for fare hikes citing rising costs and lower profits.  Quite unbelievably, it has been announced that public transport fares will increase 2.8% by April 2015.

Affordability, a key Principle of the Social Contract, is defined as “fares had to be realistic and revised periodically to adjust for justifiable cost increases”.  This is breached in the light of the latest arbitrary, non-transparent and unreasonable public transport fare hike.

Non-Affordability is evident from the fact that government has to use S$7.5million of public funds to subsidise the latest fare increase in order to mitigate its impact on more than 1.1 million commuters.  This is tantamount to subsidising the profits of highly profitable private PTO companies.

 

In fact, the Social Contract in Public Transport has been eroding over the years as the temptation for profits in PTOs precedes their duty of social responsibility. The obsession with profits without social conscience means a “race to the bottom” in terms of public service quality. Without operating assets development and timely replacement, the current MRT and public bus systems are plagued by overcrowding, delays, breakdowns and other manifestations of poor service. Without investing in operating assets, which is another breach of the Social Contract which demands a “Longer Term View”, any amount of fare increases for better revenue is counter-productive for service quality.

Singapore Public Transport Operators Breach Social Contract

In Breach of Social Contract in Public Transport

By MIKOspace

We need to have a new Social Contract in Public Transport with more socially responsible National PTOs beyond the current types and model of private obsessive profit-seeker types of companies. We need Public Transport Social Enterprises that have embedded social responsibility values into its leadership and management. 

 

Read Full & Related Articles:   

Singapore – Social Contract Breached

Should Singapore Nationalise our Transport Companies?

Chan Chun Sing, the PM in the making

Today’s front page material on the ST, nearly half a page, plus another three quarter of the page inside, with beautiful photographs of Chan Chun Sing must be a very clear indicator that this is the PM PAP is preparing for the Singaporeans. No minister has been given so much coverage by the media other than him. And he is being rotated quickly around the ministries, army style, to get him familiar with their workings to give him an overall feel of the job. This must be familiar to Chan Chun Sing as well. Mindef did that to all its Overseas Scholars, especially SAF cum President Scholars, to rotate them around quickly before putting them in charge.

Now Chan Chun Sing is going to be the Labour Chief, a post held by several top notch ministers like Lim Chee Oon and Ong Teng Cheong. His career path is cut and he is warming to his destiny in time to come. He is full of confidence especially in the Huffington Affair. Who in the whole world would dare to write to a controversial American newspaper that could show you the middle finger and to tell the newspaper what it should do and could write about? I don’t think Obama would dare to do that. That separates the boys from the man. You need a man brave and confident enough to tell the Huffington Post off. Remember, the Huffington Post is not any media to trifle with.

And it was no holds bar when he talked about Chee Soon Juan as a failure and with questionable integrity and character. This is all about confidence that he is The One, the PM to be. If you are not The One, you would not have the audacity to stand up above the crowd to say and do those things.

Hsien Loong must be pleased with his performance and must have said job well done, and time to take on a new portfolio, as the Labour Chief. This is a man on a mission, a man that means business. He is the PM to be by all readings and signs given by the govt and the media. After this exposure in the Union, his next post will be somewhere up there, very likely the Minister of Defence cum Deputy PM. Just my guess. And this is likely to be soon after the next GE when the PAP scores another big victory and Chan Chun Sing being carried on the shoulders by the workers, a privilege LKY used to enjoy. He is a political titan in the making.

No need for nursing homes

There is this kopitiam talk that nursing homes will go out of business when Medishield Life is in operation. How so, the oldies are now working their feeble minds on how to capitalize on this piece of ingenius legislation. Many of them would not be able to pay for the costly nursing homes and the medical fees that they will incur. Medishield Life is a life saver that comes right on time and would be something to celebrate for during SG50.

You people still wondering what I am talking about. See, the Silver Brigade may be retired, but their minds are still functioning well, though a bit slow. With a few days to contemplate on this compassionate and caring scheme, they have worked everything out and are now smiling. They are going to say a big thank you to the govt and the committee members for coming out with this wonderful scheme.

They are going to tell Redbean that his thinking is all wrong. They will go to see their MPs on this scheme but would want their MPs to vote for the scheme lock, stock and barrel. They would want the Parliament to pass this bill especially on the part of jailing those who refuse to pay. And they would object to Redbean’s suggestion that there should be a cut off age where seniors need not have to pay. There shall be no cut off age and seniors shall continue to pay until they die, with no subsidies.

And when the bill is passed, all of them would not want to pay a single cent for the Medishield Life. And they will be invited to stay in the big bungalow in Changi, free lodging, food and medical, for life. With high cost of living, housing, medical and security, Changi Resort is the ideal abode for the Silver Brigade. Why waste such a big piece of real estate on the criminals? Boon Wan would have his nursing homes problem in JB solved instantly. In fact he would have to build a bigger Changi Resort, an entire estate, for the Silver Brigade, half a million of them at least.

How come I did not think of this? And all their children will visit them regularly to show them their tender loving care, without having to pay for their Medishield Life premiums and no need to feed them, clothe them, house them and no need to pay for their medical bills.

Changi will become a famous resort for the Silver Brigade to retire, another Jewel in the making. With the money saved, the children and grandchildren will have more disposable income to shower luxuries on their parents and grand parents when they visit them in Changi. And they will be so grateful to the govt that they will only vote one way in the next GE.

Sorry opposition parties, you would not stand a chance with this Medishield Life Scheme. The PAP is going to sweep every seat and GRC at stake. It will be a walkover! Brilliant, just simply brilliant and deserving of every million paid to them.

Who needs nursing homes anymore? Where can you find nursing that is so safe, with 24 hour security services and doctors and psychiatrists in attendance, and preachers telling them stories about heaven and paradise?

Beware of professional robbers

Case One. Victim had some pain on the neck. The specialist recommended 4 injections. Husband of victim was cautious, asked for second opinion. Was advised to take some medication. After the medication the pain was gone. Cost less than $100.
 
If victim would have taken the specialist’s advice, each injection costs $16,000, 4 injections would have cost $64,000. And this did not include other consultation fees, and the pain for going through the injection regime, all for nothing.
 
Case Two. Victim had shoulder pain. Specialist recommended injections and operation. Total cost easily $50,000. Victim bought Elliment lotion to apply. After a couple of months, pain gone. Imagine the savings and the pain to go through the operation. Imagine someone laughing to the bank and the victim feeling stupid without knowing why.
 
Case Three. Specialist confirmed one artery was 25% blocked. Recommended stent insertion. Cost about $10k to $30k. Victim went on a diet of apple cider, ginger, lemon and honey. After 3 months went for review. Blockage gone.
 
What is the moral of these stories, all genuine? Don’t be suckers to the professional robbers. Be very careful and save your money. Always go for second or third opinion with a reputable professional that is recommended by people you know.

Let Singaporeans own MRT and Public Transport

Time to Nationalise MRT and Public Buses

By MIKOspace

Thinking the Possible ….

A year of bumper profits for SMRT.  Global oil prices have dropped by more than 50% in the last 6 months and would fall further in 2015 and not expected to recover much over the next few years. Gas prices have begun to follow the decline and the costs of grid electricity generation by our gas-power power stations would reduce even further.  Public transports especially buses and taxis would have their fuel bills greatly reduced. The fuel costs of MRT trains, mostly using grid electricity, should also fall according.

In the light of mostly good news for MRT and public transport operators, 2015 should also have been a great year for MRT and public bus commuters.  But, HOLD Your BRAKES, People … !

Remember January 2014 last year? That’s when SMRT announced that its profit had fallen by more than 40% and therefore it had to raise its fare, which it did by 3.2% last year in 2014.

Then suddenly in January 2015, SBS and SMRT both apply for fare hikes citing rising costs and lower profits. And without showing any statistics for its pleading of rising costs, public transport fares will increase 2.8% by April 2015.  This is truly unbelievable!

Just three months ago in October 2014, SMRT actually reported that its PATMI (profit after tax and minority interests) for the 2nd quarter (July-Sep 2014) of the current financial year rose sharply by 75.5% year-on-year to S$25.3 million!  Its operating profit for the same quarter also increased 66.5% compared to a year ago to S$33.3 million!

With fuel costs sharply down and huge bumper profits, whither rising costs, SMRT?  And SBS, have you not heard that oil prices has dropped by more than 50% in the last 6 months?

Of course from a strictly business profit-making perspective without any social consideration, the commuter “cows” can still be squeezed and milked for more revenue, when one can usually get away without any consequences.  This is especially so when bus and MRT commuters are captive customers and have any viable alternatives other than bicycling or expensive motoring.

This is perhaps the BEST time to consider again The Big Question: Should the MRT and public buses be Nationalised for the Greater Social Good?  The answer is a resounding “Yes”!

The Case for Nationalisation has never been stronger and is overwhelmingly compelling now given the profiteering tendency of the MRT and public bus companies.

The usual counter-argument that private companies are more efficient is no longer tenable in the light of the latest arbitrary, non-transparent and unreasonable public transport fare hike. 

Using S$7.5million of public funds to subsidise already highly profitable private companies is NOT efficient, and a really BAD idea.

In the Nationalised MRT and public bus companies, the use of public social assets does not have to be charged at all.  This boosts profits immediately as the accounting system is re-calibrated to reflect the social investments, and thereby lowers overall costs to boost profits even at lower fare levels.  Social equity and justice is restored and preserved. Profit-sharing with commuters can reduce their transport cost (MRT and public bus) which is currently about $250-$450 per month per person. This constitutes about 15%-35% of the individual monthly salary of most commuters and increases their income by the same quantum.  

Returning Profits to Singaporean Commuters  

Under a Commuters Profit-Sharing (CPS) Scheme, Singaporean commuters (including fare-paying children) can register up to two MRT Transit Farecards or Cashcards in their name.  Such commuter information is used to add back profit-sharing amounts, via the Fare Machine, into their respect Farecards or Cashcards at the end of each financial year.  The profits of nationalised  MRT and public bus companies at the end of the financial year can be proportionally shared in the 30:30:40 ratios.

More ...... 

   

Read Complete Article:

Should Singapore Nationalise our Transport Companies?

http://miko-wisdom.blogspot.sg/2015/01/should-singapore-nationalise-our-public.html

Medishield Life – A life time living tax

With all its good intent and purpose, there is a sinister side to the Medishield Life Scheme. It is all good for what it sets out to do but it can be deadly to many people it is supposed to help. Just like the minimum sums schemes, the intent was good but the effect can be very painful and can even kill. What is the point of dipping into the bank accounts of the citizens to take their money and telling them they can live well when they are 99 or 100 years but they would starve to death tomorrow?

The Medishield has this wicked element in the scheme. It is a life tax from birth to death. One has to start paying from the day one starts breathing to the day one stops breathing. Not paying is a criminal offence. The parents would have to pay for their children and would have to pay for their parents as well, a real sandwich that must pay for three generations of living family members. Not many senior citizens would have the money to pay after 60, let alone at 80, 90 or 100 and above. Many would be jobless way before 60. How are they going to pay for a life time of premiums, particularly in the late years when they have no income?

Who in his sound mind would expect the retired, the jobless, to pay for Medishield Life premiums when they don’t even have enough to eat? Do they think everyone is a LKY or a Nathan or a Pillay and can afford to pay forever? Anyone with designs on the few dollars left in the pockets of the seniors, for whatever farcical excuses or good, is wicked and mean. It is a very vicious intent to rob the old. Leave the old and feeble alone, they need help, all kinds of help, especially financial help. How can any sensible and good people, with a good heart, forget about those with bad hearts, designed a scheme to take money from the oldies until they die?

The sandwiched parents/children and the Silver Brigade must stand up to resist this demonic attempt to take money from the oldies. They have to do it now before it becomes a law in the hands of the heartless politicians and civil servants. They must go to their MPs to tell them that this is very wrong and unacceptable. Putting a financial burden on the very old and feeble is unthinkable in a civilised society.

What have their parents been teaching them about taking care of those that need to be taken care off? Taking care of them is not using the mouth and then dipping the hands into their pockets. A govt of wise and caring people must know, it is not rocket science, that old people have no money unless they are the likes of LKY and Nathan.  The govt must provide for their medical care. It is a debt to these seniors, it is being caring and grateful, being human, not money grabbing assholes.

All the MPs that are human, with a little human milk of kindness in them, must not allow this life tax on the oldies to get pass. It is time they do something that will be good for their own hearts. Stop robbing the oldies.

SGX – Smaller board lot of 100 shares

Who really benefits from this change? My grandchildren are too young to open an account to buy shares using their angpow money. Many youngsters are also too young to open an account to buy shares with their pocket money. Maybe the aunties could save a few dollars from their marketing budget to buy 100 shares of penny stocks. How would it improve market liquidity and volumes?
 
I can only see the computer trading ticking 100 shares at a time instead of 1,000 shares at a time. Looks like the computer traders will make a lot of savings as their cost is going to be down by 90%, from buying 1000 shares to buying 100 shares at a time.
 
Is this the real reason for cutting down the board lot size to 100 shares? Any rocket scientist or mathematician wants to try to figure out this complex and complicated change? Who are the real beneficiaries of this change? And who is going to make more profits from this change?

Xi Jinping – Basic salary $2450 per month

Xi Jinping’s salary got a big boost, a 62% increase from 7,020 yuan to 11,385 yuan($2,450). It was about $1,500 pm before the raise. In the most expensive city in Asia, Singapore, $1,500 pm is below poverty line. Ok, Ok, some said $1,000 can buy a public flat. So feel free to listen to whoever you want to believe in. But a household income of $3,000 pm will qualify for govt assistance in many things in Singapore.
 
Just wondering how would Xi Jinping, the President of PRC is going to survive with that kind of salary if he is to come here for a holiday. Our minister will quit if they did not get their million dollar salaries. Why would Xi Jinping accept this kind of pittance salary and will to work happily without telling the Chinese people that he is making a huge financial sacrifice for accepting the job?
 
I would like to suggest to the Chinese people to petition their govt to pay their President at least $10,000 pm. It may not be much, but at least he would be able to live more reasonably if he wants to retire in Sin City. Of course at $10,000 pm it would not do much for his dignity here. But he can remain anonymous and live quietly in a public flat.
 
It is outrageous to pay the President of PRC $2,450 pm as basic salary. My part time MP’s allowance is $16,000 pm, not counting his proper income and the director’s fees he is collecting.

Hng Khiang: Singapore will benefit from lower oil prices

This must be true. How can it not be went the cost of oil goes down and industries paying for lower oil cannot benefit from it? SIA is a big beneficiary of low oil prices. All transportation companies using oil as fuel will have lower operating cost which will translate to higher profit margin. Taxi operators, bus and train operators. School buses, heavy industries that uses oil and electrical power must also enjoy big savings.
 
On a personal basis, car owners must by paying must lower petrol prices at the pump. I can vouch for that as my petrol bill is coming down. And surely train and bus commuters must also be direct beneficiaries of lower oil prices.
 
Everyone must be waiting eagerly for bus and train fares to fall. Petrol companies have been slow but eventually have to lower pump prices. Just wait, the bus and train companies are slow but the prices must come down. This has proven not to be with this morning’s announcement that public transport fares will rise by 1 ot 10 cents.
 
I think it will need a super genius to explain why bus and train fares must go up when oil prices gone down by almost 50%. And it would need an exceptional idiotic people to believe the reasoning is sensible and logical. It can only happen in a country where the leaders are gifted with super intelligence and the people are so daft that they would believe and accept every disingenuous reasons coming from the leaders. And the leaders knew they could get away with it and the people would not be able to do anything about it, not even voting them out of the govt. Because the leaders knew that the people idolized them and wanted them to be the rulers come what may.
 
And some people are very happy with the increases, especially those that are not taking public transport or are high income earners. What is a few cents? See, the commuters are benefitting from lower oil prices by having lower fare hikes. And they are exclaiming, 'Heng ah, or else they will have to pay much more.' So lucky, so grateful for the little mercy.

ISIS – A chilling message

Reuters and AFP reported that ISIS is demanding $270m for the lives of two Japanese captured by them, a Haruna Yukawa and a Kenji Goto. The message, ‘To the Prime Minister of Japan: Although you are more than 8,500km away from(ISIS), you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade.’
 
According to the newpaper report, ‘Abe has pledged around US$200 million in non military assistance for countries battling ISIS.
 
Fighting a war is fun when one is on the winning side and with a lot of heroes and heroic stories to tell and to cheer. When you have your own people captured and waiting for their throats to be slit on TV, it is no fun any more.
 
This is a very chilling message to all the heroics and war advocates. Of course Abe will not be fighting and neither his children will be fighting and risking their lives. Neither will be the children of Japanese politicians be sent to fight the ISIS, like the American boys and girls.

Let Freedom Reign – Paris 2015

By MIKOspace

Freedom Speaks: “I am not Charlie; My name is not Charlie”.

Nearly 2 weeks after the 7 January attack on Charlie Hebdo [or Weekly Charlie], the French satirical magazine, my good friend Freedom finally spoke: “My name is NOT Charlie!” [French: “Mon nom n'est pas Charlie”]

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo office killing 12 people and injuring another 11, a Police Officer was also killed by the same gunmen.

On 11 January, a Paris rally for national unity was attended by about two million people, and 3.7 million people also joined similar demonstrations across France. The phrase “Je suis Charlie” (French for "I am Charlie") was a common slogan of support at the rallies and in social media.

A Clash of Fanatics
Charlie Hebdo is a satirical weekly magazine that features cartoons, reports, polemics, and jokes. The publication is intentionally irreverent to shock and offend, and is strongly secularist, anti-religious and left-wing; and publishes articles that deliberately mock far-right politics, every religion, politician, and social group.

The Truth of the murders in Paris on 7 January and the days following has little to do with the courage of freedom fighters or the fervency of extremist religious defenders. It is about both violence and blasphemy, or more accurately, a violent response to blasphemy. A celebration of Charlie Hebdo is nothing more than a celebration of the clash of fanaticism when freedom fanatics meet extremist religious fanatics.

It is unfortunate that this clash of fanatics is elevated to the high moral ground of freedom and democracy.

The greatest exercise of freedom is the exercise of self-restraint. Self-restraint is not censorship. Self-restraint is wisdom acting out of common human decency and consideration. While free speech is a natural right, self-restraint should be regarded as a virtue.

Forgotten Hero of Paris’ Attacks
In the misdirected frenzy to celebrate free speech, few journalists and newspapers remember French National Police Officer Ahmed Merabet, 42, who was shot in the head in cold blood outside the magazine offices. Ahmed Merabet, a Muslim, was the first police officer at the scene of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

One Twitter [ID@Aboujahjah] said: “I am not Charlie, I am Ahmed the dead cop. Charlie ridiculed my faith and culture and I died defending his right to do so.”

And in celebrating Ahmed Merabet’s sacrifice in the line of duty, killed by gunmen who profess to share his same religion, and in the cause of free speech and democracy, Charlie Hebdo as well as the many Journalists, Newspapers, Politicians and others who should know better decided that the best way to honour Ahmed is to blaspheme his beloved Prophet, again!

Such is the twisted and contorted understanding of freedom, free speech and democracy even as one enters Charlie Hebdo’s warped personality full of resentment, disdain and contempt for French aristocracy, power elites and privileged class, and even its rejection of God.

The Cartoon World of Charlie Hebdo
Charlie Hebdo’s world is its own cartoon world created out of the freedom it enjoys. It has no real world reference. Charlie Hebdo does not have the freedom to insist that others living outside its world must accept its worldview interpretation of the true reality out there where the vast majority of us live, albeit in our own self-constructed worlds. At the very least, our worlds are NOT cartoon worlds. In our worlds, real people live, love, laugh, play, work, get angry with one another and eventually die.

Charlie Hebdo: “… every time that we draw a cartoon of a prophet, every time that we draw a cartoon of God, we defend the freedom of religion” is a good example of its cartoon-world’s convoluted logic.
Charlie Hebdo further added: “We only defend but one thing: Freedom, our freedom, secularism, freedom of conscience and democracy”.

How sad indeed when one defines freedom so narrowly to limit freedom’s boundless imagination by excluding the spiritual and humanistic values and beliefs which have created commonwealths of nations and races based on the rights and freedom bitterly and bloodily won in the French Revolution upon the founding values of “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” or “Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood (or Community)”.

Fortunately for most of us, but unfortunately for those who died in the attack, we do not live in the narrow Charlie Hebdo’s world of limited Freedom. Outside Charlie Hebdo, ours is a free world that embraces a more holistic freedom to respect and appreciate diversity and differences, exercising restraint to recognize their individual sensitivities and to leverage our cherished freedom rights to build up goodwill and harmonious relationship within and among our communities regardless of race, language and religion.

Ask not what Freedom is.
Freedom is not just a sweet and desirable concept, it is also pure energy. Like the sun, it can give life. It can also be even more destructive than a tidal tsunami or an erupting volcano.

Freedom is what Freedom does. It is not about what Freedom can do. Freedom can do anything and everything! Rather, it is what you can achieve with Freedom. Using Freedom to tear down whatever delightful, endearing, inspiring affection, meaningful, cherishable, or even beguiling, appealing and enchanting without any constructive regard for the sensibility of the beholder is a blatant misuse and abuse of Freedom. One should simply speak or propagate whatever the greater Truths with great Love and Compassion. The impact of Freedom in enlarging the awareness of Truth assures its own longevity. Remember Freedom says: “My name is NOT Charlie!”


Read Full Article:
Paris 2015 – Let Freedom Reign

Medishield Life – A laudable effort but…

I would like to applaud the govt and the committee tasked with the job to come out with a reasonable, practical and affordable national medical insurance scheme. I still have many misgivings but this is a good start to protect the people from the robbers holding them at ransom, demanding money or their lives. There are just too many frightening and frivolous stories of ‘sick’ people being cheated and fleeced by medical professionals for their ‘medical’ conditions. The Medishield Life Insurance scheme would give the people some peace of mind and comfort in an otherwise uncontrollable medical industry with runaway fees that it will end up like choosing between staying alive and be bankrupt or die.
 
The available details on the premiums payable and the coverage look reasonable and fair without being extravagant on either side but still need some fine tuning. Below are a few points that I hope the govt would address or be accused of using the Medishield as an excuse for money grabbing and raiding the CPF.
 
1. There must be a cut off age for payment of premium. The govt cannot expect people to keep on paying premiums if they live to 100 years or 200 years. A reasonable cut off age like 80 should be applied and those above this age should still be covered without having to continue paying the premiums. Not everyone is a minister or chairman of GLCs and can collect millions to 80 or 90 years old. Many would have retired or lost their jobs by 55 or 60. How are they going to pay the premiums when they have no income and every cent in their savings is needed to tie over their daily living expenses?
 
2. There would not be many living after 80 and not many would need expensive medical treatments. The state must take over the responsibility of looking after the very senior citizens. The state can afford to. Senior citizens are not going to go for expensive heart by pass or organ transplant. Or certain exclusion clauses can be added to exclude such treatments but still provide the basic medical needs for free.
 
3. Excess premiums collected should be ploughed back to the scheme to lower the premiums payable.
 
4. It is necessary to have laws to ensure those who can pay to pay. But the govt must know that a medical insurance is unlike a vehicle insurance. The latter is needed as the driver can hurt and kill. The only person that can be hurt by not paying medical premium is the payer himself. Why criminalise the non payment of premiums across the board? Many of the jobless seniors would become criminals as many would not be able to pay without an income. This part needs to be carefully reviewed to avoid turning the seniors into criminals. Heard of compassion and honouring the grandpas and grandmas?
 
5. There is also a need to control medical fees charged by govt hospitals or the Medishield will become like a dog chasing its tail. The medical profession must not have a free hand to write their own pay cheques, particularly in govt hospitals. If there is no cap on this, a rogue govt can manipulate rising fees to raise premiums as and when they want.
 
6. As a compulsory universal insurance scheme, the premiums must be much lower than a normal premium or the existing medishield premium. It must be with the whole population paying for it. And it must be able to modify the coverage for those 80 and above and not needing them to pay for their entire life. This is simply unacceptable. It is crippling to the finances of the oldies and is as good as robbing the grandpas and grandmas. How can anyone conceive of such an action without feeling mean and evil? Where is your conscience?
 
I would just raise these few points and let the MPs that are supposed to be looking after the interest of the people to do the necessary. They cannot be seen as against the people. This is not a party issue and they must speak freely, speak their minds for the people, for once. The voters must watch every MP/Minister closely to see if they are for the people or against the people and giving lip service to serving the people. Watch those who vote for making the oldies pay and pay until they die.

TTSH Singapore Hospital Status Update – 10 Days After

Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)
– 10 Days After Human Contagion Dismissed
By MIKOspace

No new cases has been reported. It has been just over 10 days since Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) dismissed a Radiologist Nursing staff, one Ello Ed Mundsel Bello [Facebook ID: Edz Ello], after he had admitted to a pattern of derogatory anti-Singapore remarks made last year (2014).

Nonetheless, Patient “Zero” remains at large since there has also been no report that he has been removed from Singapore’s shores and never to return.

The more serious and recent signs of his possibly criminal, inflammatory threats to “kick out Singaporeans” and “prayed for Singaporean deaths” were not factored into its decision to release the human contagion into the general population. Its Statement particularly mentioned that this dismissal decision was NOT related to the more serious threats to National Security posted by the Staff on the 3 Jan 2014.

The need for this Caveat by TTSH is baffling since the death threats is not a laughing matter and could signify an escalation of the Staff mindset from desire to possible action.

In fact, the pattern of derogatory anti-Singapore and anti-Singaporean remarks on his Facebook was discovered only AFTER expose of the inflammatory death threats.

TTSH had earlier wrongly placed the Staff on administrative duties, pending police investigations of the recent Threat instead of the standard HRM practice of suspending the Staff pending the police investigations as well as an Internal Inquiry.

The purported Police investigations appeared protracted. It is unusual for the highly professional and efficient Singapore Police Force to have investigated the Staff, and his presumed accomplices and co-conspirators, over more than 10 long days without reporting significant progress, and/or made arrests. Granted, the Staff had initially pleaded that his Facebook account was hacked into. The veracity of this defense should have been validated or dismissed within a couple of days.

At best, it was all a storm in a teacup and the Staff should have been reinstated at TTSH. And we can add his “joke” to other colourful ones from visiting foreign talents and try to appreciate and add their dark humour to our otherwise lack of or dry sense of humour to enrich our mundane existence.

At worst, our law enforcement and homeland security forces have stumbled upon an unbelievably nation-wide conspiratorial net of associated human contagion plotting ill-will and death to Singaporeans and Singapore’s demise on cyberspace and communicating via social media. There is also no unusual or sudden mobilisation of our NSmen to their assigned national defense positions. This is quite a relief. It could mean that the associated human contagion is quietly and efficiently being “sanitised”, or they were never here in the first place. If the latter, please see the previous paragraph.

And should Patient Zero be found to be the one and only contagion with a mental defect or illness against Singaporeans and all things Singapore, swift efforts should be deployed to remove him like a virus from the environment that “caused” or “fed” his affliction – Singapore. Patient Zero should therefore be disinfected and thoroughly scrubbed of Singaporean micro-materials. He should thereafter be deported and barred from entering Singapore for his own mental health recovery.

It is not enough for TTSH to merely dismiss the human contagion and release him as a potential walking threat and time-bomb among the Singapore population. As Singapore’s premier Communicable Disease Centre, it has the duty and responsibility to remove and eliminate the human contagion beyond its harmfulness, no matter how remote, to Singaporeans and everyone living in Singapore.

Are we a democracy?

Dinesh Dayani wrote an article in TRE about a comment made by Leung Chun Ying, Chief Executive of HongKong, ‘Democracy would see poorer people dominate Hong Kong vote.’
 
In his concluding paragraphs he wrote these:
 
‘Did the last 10 years benefit all Singaporeans even though we collectively built or accepted the MBS & IR, saw our asset prices balloon and built a whole other financial district during the time? I’m not so sure.
 
What I am sure of however is that we are a democracy. It is in our power if we do not like the direction of where our country is headed.’
 
Dinesh is sure that we are a democracy and we are in control of our own future unlike HongKong and the reason for the students’ street demonstration. In a way we are, but sometimes we wonder if we are a demoncracy. ‘It is in our power if we do not the direction of where our country is headed.’ Really?
 
Do we like the influx of foreigners that made Singaporeans a minority and can we do anything about it? And it is going to be worse with the 6.9m PWP. Can we do anything about it?
 
Can we do anything about the huge number of PMEs being replaced by foreigners? Yes, no, are we a democracy?
 
Can we do anything about our savings in the CPF? Do we have the power to do anything about it? Can we stop and rescind the CECA now that we know what it is?
There are many things that the people did not like, did not like the direction that they are heading. So? Can we do anything within our power to change them as a democracy? Or has our democracy been hijacked? Or we are not really a democracy and has no say in the direction our country is heading?
 
Can politicians democratically elected to serve the people, to listen to the people and represent their interest, turnaround and proudly declared they chose to be deaf frog, refused to listen to the people and did what they thought best? Can the politicians ignore the people that elected them to power and expect to be elected? Yes, in Singapore always reelected. What kind of democracy is that?
 
Is our democracy a farce and everyone pretending that we are a democracy?

We are Singaporeans

Sometimes I wonder if we are Singaporeans or only some people are Singaporeans and the rest are not or even worse, are enemies of some Singaporeans. Alternative parties and their members are also Singaporeans. They are not enemies of the country. They are there to provide an alternative govt. The real enemies of Singaporeans and Singapore are those that sold out the interests of the people to foreigners. Make that very clear.
 
Critics of govt policies, people who disagree with govt policies, bloggers, netizens, they are also Singaporeans. There are the soul and conscience of the people. They wanted the wrongs to be righted, they wanted the country to steer away from the cliff, from making irreparable damages to country and people. They are loyal citizens that are brave and willing to speak out. If there is no one to speak out for Singaporeans, it would be a sad day as they could be sold by rogue govts one day. The critics are not enemies of the country. Who made them enemies of the people, or what made them enemies of the people? Why are they treated like enemies of the people for speaking out against policies that they passionately feel are not good for the people and country? It is not a crime to disagree with govt policies. The govt is not always right.
 
I must admit that some people will regard the critics and alternative parties as enemies and would want to get rid of them by all means. When you make someone an enemy, they will make you their enemy as well. Why would people want to make enemies of other people when they could be friends or if not, worthy opponents in the political arena, without being enemies. It is a right protected by our democratic Constitutions to form political parties, to express freely without going into libels or defamation.
 
The days of revolution, when the contest for political power was by the barrel of the gun are over. If we have not progressed from that dark period of history and still live with a mindset of yesteryears, then we are asking to be buried by the old ways. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
 
Many countries, even 3rd world countries, have developed a mature political system when the transfer of political power becomes part and parcel of their system, when politics is a contest of ideas and not gangland warfare waged by gangsters. They have moved on and become more civil in relations among rival politicians. They know that they have to be civilised to each other in a democracy. They know that their turn will come when they will lose power and would like to be treated decently by the new power of the day.
 
In democracy, political power cannot be forever, cannot be entrenched for life. Every politician will have to face defeat sooner or later, or have to step down from office. They cannot hide and be protected by the power of their office forever and think they can behave arrogantly or act like gangsters. They cannot afford to make enemies unnecessarily. Their good fortune must come to an end one day and they must face the consequences. If they make enemies, they will have to contend with their enemies in power. If they make friends, they can expect their friends to treat them kindly.
 
That is the politics of a mature society. Have we reached this new level of civility? Or are politicians of rival camps still regard each other as enemies and walking around with knives and daggers waiting for blood letting?
 
We are Singaporeans, and better to stay that way as family than enemies, all inclusive.

HongKong Stock Exchange heading for doom?

All that glitters is not gold. HongKong has resisted the glamour and glitz of the so called new vibrancy of western model stock exchanges in the likes of New York SE. It is facing great pressures from the western media, international investors and global banks to adapt the highly manipulative and dangerous trading systems of the west. They are putting pressure on HongKong to be like one of them, to allow them to manipulate and raid the innocent investors. And HongKong is caving in to meet the ‘international standard’ of the west.
 
China must step in to stop the wavering. What is glitter is not gold. The so called ‘international standard’ is a fraud. They have turned the western stock exchanges into casinos and waiting to go bust just like the collapse of derivative markets.
 
China has offered the Shanghai model as a safer trading platform to the flawed western model. HongKong must not be talked into accepting the western model, with HFT, algo and supercomputers and toxic derivatives. At the moment their resistance is weakening as if not becoming one of them is wrong, that the HongKong system is not up to ‘international standard’.
 
The question is whether HongKong Exchange is doing well? If it is, do not be lulled or conned or pressurized into doing something stupid. A very good example is Tiger Woods. He was doing extremely well and winning competitions after competitions and setting new records. Then some smart guy told him to change his swing. And he has never seen daylight after that. His game collapsed and he is no longer the fear and respected Tiger.
 
When things are working fine, do not fix it. The ‘international standard’ is a trap to destroy the HongKong Exchange just like it has broken and brought down the Singapore Exchange. Everything that looks good is but superficial, a façade and a mirage, a deception.
 
HongKong should follow Shanghai and do what it knew best and not be fooled to embrace the highly flawed western exchange model. Do not buckle under foreign pressure. Don’t believe in getting rich schemes. When someone is getting rich quickly, someone or many people are losing and getting poor quickly.

Immigration is a policy, prostitution is a choice

A prostitute has a choice, unless forced by some adverse situation or being victims of the mafia world. Many have resigned to the knowledge that they could not become ministers, professionals of knowledge based trades, and thus chose to be a professionals by trading their endowments. All they need to do is to dress up, powdered themselves to look good and they are in business, just a little skin deep packaging. And as prostitutes, they have little choice but to please. They have to accept everything from their clients who pay them the money. The moral of the story, if one chooses prostitution as a trade, you have no right to set the terms, the customers dictate and you adapt.

France and other European countries are having second thought on their immigration policies after the Hebdo Charlie shooting. Europe in general and France in particular, have a serious immigration problem, of having too many foreigners of diverse culture and faith in their midst. When the immigrants were small in numbers, it was easy to be generous, and the immigrants were easy to toe the line, to live in their little corners, not to be seen and not to disturb the peace. When the numbers are big, they want a say, they want to be accepted, they would not take no for an answer, and ridiculing them, making fun of them are not acceptable. When the host went overboard in the so called freedom of expression, to insult and shame the immigrants, they could be killed by the very immigrants they took in out of compassion and generosity.

The Europeans are now questioning if they should change this policy, that the immigrants adapt and be like them or they adapt and be like the immigrants as some said. They have a choice in their immigration policy, to open or close the door. If they choose to open the door, then they must accept the consequences, to be a bit more like the immigrants when the immigrants did not want to be like them.

Singapore too has a choice to open or close the immigration door. Actually it is not as simple as that. The political rulers decided for the people. The govt has a choice, the people did not. The people objected to the indiscriminate immigration policy and did not want the 6.9m in the PWP. The govt decided to go ahead with more immigrants against the wishes of many Singaporeans, like deaf frogs. But this is one major part of the immigration policy.

The second part, to open legs wide wide, like a prostitute, Singapore is in a way given up the right to dictate to the new immigrants how they should behave. There are just too many of them and Singaporeans are already a minority in the island. It is very difficult to impose the Singaporean way of life on a minority of new immigrants. It is futile to impose on them when they are a majority.

Singaporeans can no longer hope for the new immigrants to be like them but more to be like the new immigrants. And is there anything good in the new immigrants that are worthy to emulate or be like them except by being hungrier, looking hungrier and willing to work for a couple of dollars, to slog day and night for it. What is there that is so good that the Singaporeans should give up their first world way of life to trade with the 3rd world way of life? How about punching taxi drivers and hitting cyclists, shouting everywhere, shitting everywhere and smelling everywhere?

Why should Singaporeans want to be like the new immigrants, integrate with them and be like them when these people were running away from their shitty way of life to be like us, to enjoy our quality of life, our way of life? Are we stupid or what?

Are we that stupid? Or have we really become prostitutes and have to take everything the new immigrants offered, including VD, that we have no choice and must be grateful and say thank you to them, to become like them? Oh, I forgot, we are daft and they are the talented ones, coming here to help us.

Prostitution is a choice. And since we are good for nothing and have come to the conclusion that prostitution is the only way to make a living, we should not be complaining.

Huffington Post is unfair

How can Huffington Post be so unfair and published only articles written by Dr Chee Soon Juan, an opposition party leader? Even if the articles were well written, Huffington Post should be wiser and fairer, and be more balanced to post a few articles by leaders of the ruling party. In that way, the paper will be seen as more even handed, like our local media that published the govt’s articles and also those of Dr Chee. I did not check on this and so please forgive me if my information is not accurate. But quoting from a minister, Chan Chun Sing, who said that the Straits Times has been fair and has published Dr Chee’s articles, it must be true. Our ministers would not dare to lie in an official letter to a western media like the Huffington Post.

The ball is now in Huffington Post’s court. It would be seen as a biased news media if it does not publish some articles from the govt to give its side of the story, or the right to reply. I am also not sure if the Govt has asked for the right to reply or want to make any reply. Just curious, has the govt tried to rebut Chee’s points in his articles and rejected by Huffington Post? Huffington can take the example of our local media to publish two sides of a story, both sides count. I don’t think Huffington Post is that unfair and would only post articles from one political party and ignore the rest or selectively post articles that are irrelevant or inconsequential when it does so.

Or is Huffington Post exercising some kind of censorship, to print only what it deems fit and decide what its readers can read and what its readers should not read? There is a need for more transparency, accountability and honesty from a reputable media like the Huffington Post. If our local media can be transparent and fair, why can’t the Huffington Post?

Where is the fairness? Or is it that fairness is selective? Huffington Post has a good reputation and so has our local media, except of course the social media, the latter only spread misinformation and lies, and drumming, completely unreliable.

You people agree with my chastising of the Huffington Post? Ouch, don’t anyhow throw stones can?