New Singapore city waterfront

The financial district waterfront at dusk. 2nd pic shows the three towers of Sands Casino nearing their completion. They stand on the left of the waterfront pic and facing the Fullerton Hotel. The tower block with blue lights behind the Fullerton is the new MayBank building.

Stage for the National Day Parade

This is the floating platform in the sea next to the Esplanade. The NDP shows will be staged on this platform. The 2nd pic were performers on stage during a rehearsal.

Goodbye Mr Chip

I read a copy of Wall Street Journal's article on the departure of Chip Goodyear and the reason given by Temasek is "differences regarding certain strategic issues." Could this bungling be avoided from day one and not happen at all? The assets managed by Temasek and the interests and objectives are bound to straddle across strategic and highly sensitive area. How could these be screened away from a foreigner who is the CEO of the organisation? Could Goodyear be asking too much and wanting to know too much that the strain becomes unbearable? It is quite ridiculous to engage a foreigner to manage the strategic assets of a nation and believe that nothing sensitive will be divulged. Now, can we expect a kiss and tell autobiography or movie in the near future? The royalty fees is going to be quite substantial and irresistible.

The new way forward

The headline in the ST today, Surgeons cleared but hospital was negligent. This was about a case where the kidney donor died of internal bleeding after the operation. The judge found that 'the hospital had been "negligent and had breached it's duty" when it failed to monitor the patient during those 90 minutes after her operation. It was reported that during an autopsy it was discovered that 'clips had apparently slipped from her cut renal artery' and she died from internal bleeding. Who is the hospital by the way? So it is the failure of the hospital to do its job thoroughly. And the hospital is found guilty and has to pay damages and costs. This is very similar to the minibond fiasco when the parties found responsible and punished were organisations. No human beans were involved or responsible. This is a good way to go forward. No need to be personal, just blame the organisation and punish the organisation.

New citizenship – strike lottery!

Becoming a new citizen here is as good as striking lottery. The first thing they are going to receive is the GST rebates and maybe new Singapore shares when they are given out. Next, a bigger bonus will come from HDB. First time buyers will be entitled to a $40k grant. Tiok beh pio ah!!! And more govt subsidies in hospitalization and medical bills. Wow, bee tang! Membership has its privileges. What have new citizens contributed to the nation to be entitled to the full benefits of citizenship? Below is a petition to Obama that is circulating for signatures. SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES It does not matter if you personally like or dislike Obama. You need to sign this petition and flood his e-mail box with e-mails that tell him that, even if the House passes this bill, he needs to veto it. It is already impossible to live on Social Security alone. If the government gives benefits to 'illegal' aliens who have never contributed, where does that leave those of us who have paid into Social Security all our working lives? As stated below, the Senate voted this week to allow 'illegal' aliens access to Social Security benefits. Attached is an opportunity to sign a petition that requires citizenship for eligibility to that social service. PETITION for President Obama: Dear Mr. President: We, the undersigned, protest the bill that the Senate voted on recently which would allow illegal aliens to access our Social Security. We demand that you and all Congressional representatives require citizenship as a pre-requisite for20social services in the United State s.