11/17/2007

The greatest compassion

Having been talking about the plight of the less fortunate, how to make their lives less miserable, it may be all a mistake. The greatest love or compassion is to make these people understand their pathetic situation. And how to do that? Start by kicking their arses. Scold them, humiliate them, be cruel to them, don't help them, no donations and charity, make them stand on their own two feet. Let them know that if they are not going to help themselves they will have to face their own consequences. Yes, tell them the brutal truth and let them know it. That is true compassion.

11/16/2007

Celebrating Singaporean - Dr Hui Kok Pheng

Singaporean doctor answered SMS call and rushed to KL to save life of 17 yr old Foo Chuan Wing who was in the ICU suffering from lung infection. And he charged only a fraction of the market rate for his service which was actually an out of the normal call of duty. I think money was never in his mind except to help save the boy.

Resign if the cost of living is not brought down!

That was what the Taiwanese PM was told. That was how serious their parliament viewed the issue of cost of living as it affects the majority of the electorate. It will be politically incorrect or suicidal for any MP to ask the PM to resign because the cost of living cannot be brought down. It will be an easier and pleasant ride to pretend that the cost of living is not a problem, or simply ignore it and talk about gay and something else. What I hope to see is for an honourable and gutsy MP who is passionate enough about the issue to stand up and say, 'I will resign if the cost of living is not brought down.' Now, that would not be too offensive and would be more palatable to hear. At least more meaningful than about discipline children.

11/15/2007

Kiasuism, new biz potential

Heard of this mother asking around on how to prepare her son for National Service. Other than the tough training and regimentation, there is also the social and health risk of training in Taiwan. Entrepreneurial Singaporeans could think of starting a course for Pre NS Enlistment Training. The course should include all the Do's and Don'ts and the hazards faced by NS men. I am going to start tuition classes for pre NS men.

Celebrating Singaporeans - Sim Kee Boon

Sim Kee Boon Another stalwarts of Singapore passed away. He was 78. So far not one of these pioneering leaders have survived the magic number of 85. In the next few years we may see more of them leaving the scene forever. What drove these men to do what they did for Singapore, and were paid much less than their present successors? They were paid well, no doubt, relative to other Singaporeans. They could easily buy several landed properties. But their preoccupation was not money. They were driven by a mission, by the challenges ahead, and by good leadership. And they strove to build a little paradise from the swamps and jungles. What were the motivations of today's leaders and men in similar positions?