7/16/2010

The American bully telling China off

The Chinese protested to the naval exercise involving a nuclear armed aircraft carrier in the Yellow Sea. To have a major military exercise at the Chinese doorstep is a kind of provocation to both China and North Korea. The American's reply, like all bullies, is simple. We have the capability to hold exercise anywhere and we will do it. This is the same kind of reply that the Japanese told the Chinese when they tried to colonise China in the dying days of the Ching Dynasty. China was weak and was inviting the stronger powers, like Japan, to attack her. One day China will hold military exercise in the Gulf of Mexico and the seas off California and will tell the Americans the same thing. For a start, China should conduct naval exercises with North Korea east of the Yellow Sea. In the meantime, train all the missiles at the aircraft carrier and other battle ships during the American and South Korean naval exercise. Send as many nuclear armed submarines to watch the exercise as well.

Temasek's holding at record high

Temasek had announced that it's holding is now at a record high of $186 billion. I thought they had more. Anyway, what this crowing got to do with ordinary Singaporeans? Smile and feel happy, like looking at the CPF statement? One Singaporean wrote to the ST forum page today asking for this wealth to be shared among Singaporeans. No he did not ask for the golden goose to be slaughtered. He just asked for a drumstick, and as an example, he was talking about 20% of profits to be distributed to Singaporeans. He is not being greedy. He is thinking for the ordinary Singaporeans where a few hundred dollars each can go a long way. I think the answer is simple. For many good reasons, the money is untouchable or cannot be distributed to Singaporeans. First and most important of all reasons, it is not Singaporeans' money. Temasek is run as a private company and the money belongs to Temasek as a corporate entity. It is not Singaporeans' money. So don't ask for a share of it. The money is managed by a professional team of experts and they should be paid handsomely when there is big profit. When there are big losses, life goes on. Secondly, the money is a national reserve. This is the confusing part. It is not Singaporeans' money but I think it is part of our reserve. And the reserve is meant for the rainy day. So the more reserve we have, the better it is for the country. 30 years reserve, or 300 years reserve, even better. So who is going to benefit from this glowing report of $186 billion? I can't feel any sense of happiness at all.

Nano Singapore

The signs are all there. Small is the way to go. Our public housing are getting smaller and smaller, not the price of course. So Singaporeans will have to squeeze themselves into small flats as a new way of stylist living. Pay more and live stylistly. With such a small space, every little inch of space and corner is expensive and must be optimised. The whole island is a bigger example of how every square foot of land is not wasted. In a new move, Singaporeans are encouraged to go two wheels, bicycles! Give up driving, even cheap off peak cars should be abandoned. Just cycle, cheap and good. What's next? A new drug will be invented to shrink Singaporeans to half their present size to fit into the new mantra, 'Small is Good' or 'Small is beautiful'. And yes, we can then take in 20 million people and there will still be plentiful land and space for all. Just a side track, they are asking small children to start saving in piggy banks! Holy cow, with banking cost so expensive, how could these children's few dollars justify an account in the big banks? The $2 monthly charges will wipe out their savings in double quick time. Big banks are for big customers only. No little children can bank. Is this also part of the small is beautiful and good campaign?

7/15/2010

American Human Trafficking Report a political tool?

Andy Ho wrote an article in the ST today claiming that the annual American Human Trafficking Report is a political tool. He also alleged that the report has a history of inaccuracies. And the better part, for almost a decade, the report conveniently left America out completely without any grading. Finally this year it placed America among the Tier One country, that is, free of human trafficking blemishes. Am I surprised or no? This report was a de facto world authority in monitoring abuses in human trafficking. Who has accredited this report and given it such a high status is as good as god knows. For those who have been victimized by the Americans, this report is plain rubbish, biased and distorted and adulterated. It is at, its best, an American doctored bastard piece of work. Only countries that were not smeared or attacked by the Americans would have agreed with the American reports. And they would even believe the American reports to be truthful and authoritative. Only when the Americans shafted the rubbish into their throats would they stand up to repute the reports and call it nonsensical.

Economy in the pink of health

Our economy is growing at a phenomenal rate. Thanks to the able govt. The superlative growth will bring prosperity to everyone. The next GE will surely see the ruling party being voted to power again. It can't be helped. The people will have to accept it. Where else can you find a govt managing the country and economy so well.