li ao now said singaporeans are smart

It is reported in Zaobao that Li Ao's new tact on Singaporeans is that Singaporeans are smart. For an entertainer, it is very convenient for him to change his position to gain attention. What's so big deal about an entertainer's word that could make Singaporeans stand up in arms. Quite stupid indeed. Whether one is smart or stupid is not determined by what people said, and it varies according to circumstances too. One can be smart in one thing and stupid in another. Or one can be smart in the eyes of one person but stupid to another. Just look at the election alone, will Singaporeans be smart and elect a party that will look after their well being? Or will Singaporeans vote a party that will mess up their lives? However, whatever decision they make on 6 May, they will not know until things unfold in the following years. A smart or right decision will mean that their lives will be better as a result of their choice. If they screw it up, then only themselves to blame. Then even if Li Ao said they are smart will only be good as a ridicule.

lky dialogue: of forms and substance

There are still a lot of comments on this dialogue, criticisms of the youth and how useful this is for the future. However, most of the criticism were more about form than substance, about respect for LKY than about the issues raised. For the traditional and conservatives, they would have to accept that the world is changing and respect for the elders not only cannot be taken for granted, the forms will also have to change. In the corporate world, many western MNCs adopted the first name basis even when addressing the CEOs. This is quite a cultural shock to some Asians brought up to address any senior as uncles and aunties, and soldiers who have to address everyone senior as sirs and students to teachers as sir and madam. Many cannot stomach a 20 year old assistant calling his 60 year old CEO John or Mike. It just don't sound right to them, but it is a way of life in many MNCs. The way people are addressed, or the way people talk to one another, may not be an indicator of disrespectful or rudeness. Respecting someone does not mean that one must speak meekly and keep calling sir in the beginning and at the end. In a public forum people are expected to speak and argue over issues. It is not a lecture or a family dressing down session or a grandfather passing words of wisdom to the young. What the shit. Why am I wasting time on forms than substance.

nkf an election anti climax

The NKF issue looks like an anti climax with Low Thia Khiang asking it to be postponed to allow debate during the election. Would it make any difference to postpone it now that it is a court case? To postpone or not, it is still a case pending trial and discussing it will still be seen as influencing court judgement. It will now be interesting to see how far would the opposition push the boundary of this issue during the election and what comes after.

mahathir fighting his last battle...alone

After Badawi dumped his crooked bridge Mahathir is now aiming his loose cannon at him. If Mahathir is not careful, Badawi will invite Anwar back to UMNO and let Anwar have a go at him. Imagine how things will be if Anwar has the backing of UMNO and the law behind him. Mahathir better keep quiet or he is going to be getting his own medicine forced into his throat, in triple doses. When in power he had the whole UMNO and govt machinery behind him to take on anyone. He might have to live the day when the whole UMNO and the govt machinery are aimed at him. Instead of fading away in dignity, he might be carried out in a stretcher, with two blue black eyes.

a little distraction

Standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. "Listen," said the CEO, "this is a very sensitive and important document which my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?" "Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the 'START' button. "Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the shredder machine. "I just need one copy." *MORAL : NEVER, NEVER ASSUME THAT YOUR BOSS KNOWS EVERYTHING*