When will they be caught?

The spate of kidnapping scam is getting to the nerves of Singaporeans. It is a traumatic experience for the older folks and those weak at heart. Has any of these bandits been caught? They are thinking that Singapore is Shanghai 1930s or are they going to turn Singapore into one? The law enforcement officers must work doubly hard to nab them and display them in the Padang for public caning for one week, chop off their hands before deporting them. Don't be soft hearted in dealing with these bandits as the harm they intended is much more than the pains of chopped hands. Need to set a few examples as a deterrent. Let there be no mercy. They better hurry to get rid of these pests before it gets too prevalent and others start to imitate them. It is a serious social security threat.

Do not forget the moral of U Turn signs

While the debate is on with the regulation or deregulation of cyberspace, let's not forget the morals of the U Turn signs. If it must, and the govt insists on regulations, let's hear more of No U Turns than to implement the U Turn signs when everything is not allowed unless allowed. Let's go for the specifics that are not allowed and that are not already provided by the existing laws. With this mindset, bloggers will be given more space to roam and explore and avoid the clearly defined OB areas which are actually non issues. Otherwise we will again end up with everything is OB unless specifically stated as permissible. In cyberspace age, the U Turn sign mentality is terribly dangerous.

Please come forward if you need help

Don't be shy, don't feel ashame. If you are a failure, if you cannot look after your family, or you have no money to pay for the housing mortgage, it is alright. You are just a useless bum and admit it. But we will help you. We will help you. You see, we are so helpful, so caring and so generous. There are several types of people who will come forward to seek help. The really desperate when there is no more rice in the rice container and no money to pay for the bills. Then there will be the professional tricksters and those who live by charity. But there is a big group of people who needs help but will not come forward. People who blow their trumpets loudly calling others to come forward to beg for charity are quite senseless and very insensitive to how other downtrodden beans feel. They think that they are inviting these people to a party. Even if the desperadoes brave themselves to walk into that door, they better bring all the proof and documentations to please the person sitting across the table. For that person will have no qualms to strip him naked to see if he is deserving. A man that goes on his knees for charity is a broken man. And so were his family. It is a terrible feeling of despair and helplessness. Don't ever think it is damn great to shout for people to come forward for help. The system is failing when so many people need help. A sound system is one that prevents people from getting into desperate situation, that make sure that people can live with some dignity and get by with their lives on their own. Our system is stinking despite the wealth that we have created when people are told not to be ashamed to ask for charity.

Why not cheaper medicine?

A Mdm Chin Fong wrote to the ST about her experience with the Singapore General Hospital. Her husband is a retired civil servants. She noticed that another patient was given similar but branded medicine while her husband, being on govt medical benefits, were given cheaper medicine. She enquired whether the two drugs were equally effective and was assured the case. And when she asked further, she was told that patients could not opt for the cheaper medicine. And I ask, why not? If the drugs are equally effective, why can't patient ask for the cheaper one even if it is not branded and pay less? This is an obvious case of a possibility of lowering medical cost with cheaper medicine. What happens to all the great motherhood statements about being prudent, being frugal and reducing cost? The people, patients, must be given a choice to elect for cheaper medicine or more expensive medicine. Cannot is rubbish. Can someone answer to this simple question, why people must be made to pay more for branded medicine when cheaper unbranded medicine can do the same job? I can't believe that this is happening when everywhere we are talking about cost cutting measures. Unbelieveable is the word. Does Boon Wan know about this?

Man, you are less than a man

How much are you taking home? Any man that is taking home less than $300k pa is less than a man. It was computed that a housewife is worth $300K a year. That is her contribution and worth. Are you worthy of $300k? Terribly embarrassing huh?