more than 4 million smiles!

Mr Brown has done it. Got to give him a medal. When the IMF officials are here in September, they will all be having a big smile on their faces after reading Mr Brown's blog.

myth 34

'Journalists are supposed to write and champion issues' So I thought. And I think they have been doing that for a long time, everywhere. Maybe a little selective at times. But they are writing about issues. Now am I wrong? Quote from K BHAVANI's letter: "It is not the role of journalists or newspapers in Singapore to champion issues.." This is the view from the Press Secretary to the Minister of MICA. Are we going to see a different newspaper from today? No more championing of issues? What are the journalists going to write now? Bak Cho Mee? Even then cannot complain that the Bak Cho Mee is no good or not up to standard. If not happy and want to complain, must be constructive and come up with alternatives and solutions. (Bak Cho Mee Version 1.1)

myth 33

'Political power passes from father to son' This has been a very popular myth that has been circulating in the kopitiams. And it is a myth that needs to be debunked after having been around for so long. Actually saying it is easier than done as many people, no matter how logical is the argument, will still want to believe in this myth. LKY passed the baton to Chok Tong. Who said he passed it to the son? And Chok Tong passed it to Hsien Loong. Who said Hsien Loong received it from the father? The facts are there but people just stubbornly refused to accept it as it is. Run it through a computer and the answer is absolute. Talking about the human mind. We believe what we want to believe. The next point related to this myth is the assumption that because it is father to son, so the son is not worthy but got into the position by patronage. Even this cannot hold any water. Who in the cabinet can stand shoulder to shoulder to Hsien Loong? Don't compare him with LKY. That is not a fair comparison. No one can stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Oh, yes, the only person that stood taller than Hsien Loong is Chok Tong, physically. Look at the total package, Hsien Loong still stands a head above Chok Tong, with all due respect to him. Both first class honours. This is a comparison of giants. Anyone with a second upper or lesser, please stand aside. And Hsien Loong's is a double first from Cambridge, the top university in Britain. And his military record, a general and a hero who has saved lives. This one has no comparison. Then there are the additional plus factors. Who else could have the rare opportunities of having two brilliant parents to rub shoulders with and share the genes? Who else has a wife that is equal to none, academically and in achievements? All these are added assets that only Hsien Loong has. So the son is not as good as the father? Maybe not now, but the future is there for him to create. Even if he cannot outshine the father, it is no shame as not many people worldwide can outshine him. And the realities. Since Hsien Loong took over the rein, the economy has been up and up. And unemployment is down and down. And there are so much money to give to the people. Who can do that? So there goes the myth.

Vice and heartbreaks - by Seah Chiang Nee

I must hasten to say that the majority of China women here are simply earning an honest living and are not cheats or prostitutes. But a large minority is fiercely ambitious, seductive and prepared to use any means to get rich, including seducing men into an affair or marriage, then cheating them and returning home or moving to another man. Swindle cases are on the rise although some men are too embarrassed to go to the police. The victims range from retirees to middle-aged married men with grown-up children. This easy use of sex has revealed just how vulnerable Singapore’s older men are despite – maybe because of – their conservative upbringing in which sex was regarded a taboo subject. After decades of “pent-up” frustration or deprivation, some are becoming easy prey to younger, prettier women intent on seduction. It also brings into question the sex health of some older Singaporeans. Other men are just lonely souls living drab lives. A letter from “Elisabeth” says: “I feel worried for the ‘old uncles’ in Singapore. These elders are really simple-minded, blinded by temporary pleasures. “They thought these Chinese girls really liked them and even gave them their savings. Pity the family.” The above is an extract from Chiang Nee's article in the Star Paper. It is about the controversies arising from the open door immigration policy and how ambitious village girls from China stormed here to make a quick buck from our 'innocent, naive and rich uncles.' In the case of outright cheating, which there were many cases, it is fair for people to point the fingers at the China girls. But it is unfair to say that our men were pure and innocent when you recount the number of China girls being chopped to pieces. These are outright unacceptable behaviour from both sides. But the art of seduction and the price to pay by the China girls in exchange for hard cash is fair game. Prostitution, other than its social and moral stigma, is an honest occupation. The senior citizens and uncles are not that gullible to throw away their money innocently. The China girls did not rob them of their money either. They are offering them genuine good services that the uncles needed. It is fair exchange. Caveat emptor. Maybe we should not put in too much subjective judgement on the players in this game of lust and money. Both are willing and happy partners in the trade.

what's wrong being bloggers anonymous?

There are many reasons why bloggers or forumers chose to use nicknames instead of their real names. To hell with those who insist that everyone who post must use their real names. To hell to those who call bloggers anonymous cowards and all kinds of names. Cyberspace is space anonymous. It is accessible to anyone from any corner of the globe to get in touch with you, in your blog or in your forum. No matter how honourable, lovable and respectable one is, there will be the bolt out of the blue from someone for no reasons, to lambast you with all the worst obscenities you never ask for. That is the risk of offering your face in cyberspace. Even God does not escape being whacked into bits and pieces. So what is there to stop anyone who just wanted to yell at you to resist from doing so? Then why should anyone want to paste his face/name in cyberspace to be targets to be shot at random? For that matter, would any political leaders dare to come into blogosphere or any internet forum using his own real identity? They may get a thousand well wishers for doing that. And bet you, they will get a handful of bloggers who will throw mud and shit in their faces. Cyberspace can be an innocent space but why would one want to invite unnecessary and often rude and abusive comments to themselves? There is nothing wrong being bloggers anonymous. The true worth of a blogger or forumer is in his/her postings. Not just because he/she exposes himself/herself. What is good is good, what is bad is bad. A good blogger or forumer need not necessary have to use his real name. This is a myth created by our society.