oh america, welcome to the world of terrorism

Oh America, how low can you go? George Bush signed a bill to legalise harsh interrogation practices and military trials against suspected terrorists. Are we going to see water torture and electrical shocks applied onto all the vital parts of the human body as acceptable and legal, beating, and all kinds of torture as ok now? How far will America slide down the road to ignominy? It is legal, it is alright. Everything legal is above the law.

we are safe from north korean missiles

For those who think that Singapore is so important that we deserved to be targetted by the North Korean missiles with nuclear warheads they should sit back and relax with a Tiger. And don't forget to thank the Indonesians. We are invisible from the sky now and the missile guidance system will not be able to break through the thick haze.

foreign talent, dual citizenship and globalisation

The issues of foreign talent and double citizenship are still hot topics and there were several letters in the Straits Times forum on these. And ICA has replied pointing to the concerns of identity and loyalty. And forum writers argued about the inconsistency of wanting to go global, wanting foreign talents and still clinging onto identity and loyalty. There are real problems of loyalty and identity which may not be vital in other countries. Take the example of our closest neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia. How are we going to rationalise loyalty to these countries and Singapore? Being close neighbours and deep historical relationships, the loyalty and identity of the people are quite confusing and blur. From the individual point of views, many with be able to tell clearly where their loyalties lie. But it is not the case to many others. Too close for comfort. And the issue for relaxing on citizenship laws especially for returning Singaporeans. We have this albatross called National Service to reckon with. A too free policy will mean that some will take advantage and stay overseas during NS years and return again. For those who have served their NS, it is good that the country welcomes them back whenever they feel like coming home. This is home, surely. The issues are not as simple, and not confined to these few points raised. Looking at them from one or two factors could make one to offer a simplistic solution. Whatever the policies, some will not be happy.

nep is about giving

'The NEP is about giving wealth to the whole country.' By Mahathir. This is only half truth. Half lies and half truth. The truth is about giving. The lies is giving to the bumiputras and not the whole country. Though the enlightened and more progressive Malay leaders knew that the NEP and its task of giving without having to work for it is undermining the bumis drive and competitiveness, they have no answer to this sickness. It is like a drug. If it is withdrawn there will be riots and back to May 13. Even Mahathir said so. Mahathir also commented, 'They are still after easy money....I have appealed to them, I've cried and I have done everything possible, but they won't change.' The only way forward is to keep giving.

better selfish neigbours than generous neighbours

Your neighbour can mess up your life. When going flat or house hunting, many people forget to take a closer look at the neighbours until it is too late. Bad or uncivil neighbours will share with you everything that you find offensive. Some may have a little civility to apologise for the shit and smell they sent into your living room or your bedroom, but that is as far as it goes. Look at the haze that our neighbour is sharing with us. Does it matter to them how we are suffering and bearing it? During the earlier days of more arrogant leaders, they even showed you a dirty look if you dare complained. Today, at least they apologised and promised to do something about it, that is if you foot the bill. No matter what, living in a rich neighbourhood with civilised neighbours is anytime better than living with poor and generous neighbours. The haze would not be allowed to happen in Europe. They have reached a level of civility and civic consciousness that they will not do such things to themselves or to their neighbours. It is just not the right thing to do. We have a very long way to catch up with the civilised west, at least in ensuring that our environment is healthy for our own good.