Robert Gates cried. In his two terms as Defence Secretary, he had signed 3,400 condolence letters for American boys and girls killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Multiply that number by 50, there could be 150,000 wounded, some maimed for life, for the wars that the US is conducting in the two countries, and more to come in other areas.
The US has been a warring nation since the end of the Second World War. It has been at war with other nations practically continuously since then. At the same time it has been screaming to the world that it is the most peace loving nation. And while I am typing this, it is in the process of starting another war in the South China Sea. This time it is egging on Vietnam and the Philippines to take on China, with the US behind them.
This obnoxious war mongering country cannot deceive the world forever.
And it was reported that Gates ‘publicly questioned the need for the US to join the Nato air war in Libya…’ Who would believe that the Americans are the angels and not the devils that are dictating the conduct of war in Libya? Yes, publicly questioned, but what is his position behind the public eyes? The fact that the US continues to engage in more wars and trying to start more wars is testimony of what he stands for.
And he shed crocodile tears for the innocent boys and girls he sent to wars and came home in black plastic bags. ‘There’s probably not a day in the last four years that I haven’t wept, and it’s mostly when I’m doing those letters.’ He was referring to the condolence letters he had to send to the bereaved families. No amount of tears that he shed could make things better for the families of the dead American boys and girls. The world will be a more peaceful place if the Americans stop waging wars. There will be wars among the smaller countries, but would not be in the scale near to what the Americans are doing.
Should the Americans and the people of other nations that have died during his terms of service say, ‘Don’t cry Bob, you are such an angel. God loves you for your compassion?’ Did he shed a single tear for the 'enemies' and the 'collateral damages', innocent people killed by his acts of war?
6/20/2011
6/19/2011
$420 for dinner at Geylang
This is the bill for seafood dinner for 4 adults and 2 children at a seafood restaurant in Geylang. It was touted as good food. The chef took the order and cooked it himself. Not sure if the restaurant is aircon. It looks like the typical old shophouse converts. Of course the customers saw red. Me too. I would rather spend that kind of money in a comfortable aircon restaurant with a more pleasant ambient. Geylang and $400!
But caveat emptor. Willing buyer willing seller. The only difference is that the willing buyer did not ask the price before ordering and thus asked for it. I never patronise any place when they hide the menu and the price. That is the first warning sign. Anything that people hide and refuse to tell in Singapore is telling you they have something to hide. Transparency is only for the fools.
Come to think of it, spending $420 is nothing. In this country, the price is unlimited. It can go to the millions for a surgery. Well, everyone is expecting to be paid in millions and anyway. All it takes is to call oneself a supertalent or the best cook or best meat cutter. Some suckers will just pay. Nothing is free. It all comes from the daft Singaporeans who don’t even know that they are being fleeced and keep saying, it is worth it. You pay the price for quality. That is the mantra of this paradise. The more pricer, the betterer the quality. Quality is measured by money paid.
But caveat emptor. Willing buyer willing seller. The only difference is that the willing buyer did not ask the price before ordering and thus asked for it. I never patronise any place when they hide the menu and the price. That is the first warning sign. Anything that people hide and refuse to tell in Singapore is telling you they have something to hide. Transparency is only for the fools.
Come to think of it, spending $420 is nothing. In this country, the price is unlimited. It can go to the millions for a surgery. Well, everyone is expecting to be paid in millions and anyway. All it takes is to call oneself a supertalent or the best cook or best meat cutter. Some suckers will just pay. Nothing is free. It all comes from the daft Singaporeans who don’t even know that they are being fleeced and keep saying, it is worth it. You pay the price for quality. That is the mantra of this paradise. The more pricer, the betterer the quality. Quality is measured by money paid.
6/18/2011
Nuclear power plants for sale
Germany has decided to scrap all its nuclear power plants. The French are also pressing their govt to do so. Japan is on the way too if the Japanese could have their way. Potentially there are at least three countries that may lelong their power plants to power hungry countries.
Asean looks like the best candidate to benefit from such fire sales. Politically they are more acceptable to the West to be recipients of this dangerous technology. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are quite advanced in their research on nuclear technology and the harnessing of nuclear power for commercial use.
This is a golden opportunity to send a joint delegation to these countries to buy over their nuclear plants, lock, stock and barrel for a song, including their experts and technicians. Where else can one get such a turnkey project without having to reinvent the wheel? And all three can become instant nuclear powers with nuclear fuel and enriched uranium for sale. They can gain international stature by joining the elite nuclear club.
All that is necessary now is to get some nuclear experts to swear that nuclear energy is perfectly safe with all the safe guard measures built in from the experience in Fukushima. Everything that can go wrong will not go wrong anymore. All taken care of.
Malaysia can site their nuclear plant in Johore, Indonesia can site theirs in Batam and we put ours in Tekong or Ubin. We can call it the Asean nuclear triangle of the three Asean nuclear powers. Locating them together will cancel each others concern of nuclear risk and radioactive fallouts. I risk you and you risk me. Fair and square.
Asean looks like the best candidate to benefit from such fire sales. Politically they are more acceptable to the West to be recipients of this dangerous technology. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are quite advanced in their research on nuclear technology and the harnessing of nuclear power for commercial use.
This is a golden opportunity to send a joint delegation to these countries to buy over their nuclear plants, lock, stock and barrel for a song, including their experts and technicians. Where else can one get such a turnkey project without having to reinvent the wheel? And all three can become instant nuclear powers with nuclear fuel and enriched uranium for sale. They can gain international stature by joining the elite nuclear club.
All that is necessary now is to get some nuclear experts to swear that nuclear energy is perfectly safe with all the safe guard measures built in from the experience in Fukushima. Everything that can go wrong will not go wrong anymore. All taken care of.
Malaysia can site their nuclear plant in Johore, Indonesia can site theirs in Batam and we put ours in Tekong or Ubin. We can call it the Asean nuclear triangle of the three Asean nuclear powers. Locating them together will cancel each others concern of nuclear risk and radioactive fallouts. I risk you and you risk me. Fair and square.
6/17/2011
DBSS flats are affordable
The latest launch of DBSS flats in Tampines is looking quite good with comments from those interviewed that the prices are reasonable and affordable. 3 rm units cost between $400k to $500k, 4 rm from $530k to $680k and 5 rm units from $685k to $880k. Though the prices are comparable to some private developments, all those interviewed have only good things to say about them, good location and good facilities to justify the price. No one is complaining about not being able to afford them.
I think they will sell very well. And those interviewed are relatively young people. I am really impressed by the number of young people who are doing so well and find spending $600k to $900k for a flat affordable. Don’t expect HDB prices to come down when people have no problem paying for such flats. This is the best confirmation that property prices will remain solid like rocks.
There is no need for Boon Wan to raise the $8000 ceiling. Maybe those interviewed have combined income of $15k or more.
I think they will sell very well. And those interviewed are relatively young people. I am really impressed by the number of young people who are doing so well and find spending $600k to $900k for a flat affordable. Don’t expect HDB prices to come down when people have no problem paying for such flats. This is the best confirmation that property prices will remain solid like rocks.
There is no need for Boon Wan to raise the $8000 ceiling. Maybe those interviewed have combined income of $15k or more.
Quote from Baey Yam Keng
‘We should be more outspoken in speaking up on issues, not just in Parliament but also separately in our constituencies. Each MP would have to raise his own profile; we need to be more politically astute rather than just being implementors on the ground.’ - Baey Yam Keng
The above is the feedback from Baey Yam Keng on the last GE and what went right and wrong and what needs to be changed. What he said is the need for an MP to be himself, to be noticed as an individual leader, to have a voice and a view. So far, the political system under the PAP has been putting the PAP first and the rest of the MPs subsumed under the brand and become nondescripts. They have not much of an identity, not much of a view except those of the collective view or position of the PAP.
Perhaps the current state of affair is a legacy of the past, when anyone can become an MP, literate of illiterate, donkey or genius. In those situation, it was better that they be shut out and said nothing, just towed the line before they confused everyone and talked nonsense thinking that they were immortals.
Today the whole game has been changed. The PAP MPs in particular, are the best of the best, the best that the PAP can find in the island. They are the most talented and with leadership qualities in their blood. Many were even scholars with the best academic report cards comparable to the best in the word. It is a pity and a waste to keep them in the bottle, not allowing them to speak up and prove that they are really great leaders, with an ability to think independently. With their qualifications and the stringent selection criteria, every one of them should rightly be good enough as ministers if needed be.
I agree with Baey Yam Keng that such great talents must be allowed to shine and be seen and adored by the people. The only slight problem is that if they speak too freely and express contrarian views to PAP’s official position, it may be a bit difficult to swallow. And it could be worst when they are expected to vote for policies which they spoke vehemently against in public only to tow the line. It can undermine their integrity and sincerity or look hypocritical.
By all means, it is still a good suggestion to have these great talents speaking out more freely and more often instead of ‘no comments, it is party policies’.
The above is the feedback from Baey Yam Keng on the last GE and what went right and wrong and what needs to be changed. What he said is the need for an MP to be himself, to be noticed as an individual leader, to have a voice and a view. So far, the political system under the PAP has been putting the PAP first and the rest of the MPs subsumed under the brand and become nondescripts. They have not much of an identity, not much of a view except those of the collective view or position of the PAP.
Perhaps the current state of affair is a legacy of the past, when anyone can become an MP, literate of illiterate, donkey or genius. In those situation, it was better that they be shut out and said nothing, just towed the line before they confused everyone and talked nonsense thinking that they were immortals.
Today the whole game has been changed. The PAP MPs in particular, are the best of the best, the best that the PAP can find in the island. They are the most talented and with leadership qualities in their blood. Many were even scholars with the best academic report cards comparable to the best in the word. It is a pity and a waste to keep them in the bottle, not allowing them to speak up and prove that they are really great leaders, with an ability to think independently. With their qualifications and the stringent selection criteria, every one of them should rightly be good enough as ministers if needed be.
I agree with Baey Yam Keng that such great talents must be allowed to shine and be seen and adored by the people. The only slight problem is that if they speak too freely and express contrarian views to PAP’s official position, it may be a bit difficult to swallow. And it could be worst when they are expected to vote for policies which they spoke vehemently against in public only to tow the line. It can undermine their integrity and sincerity or look hypocritical.
By all means, it is still a good suggestion to have these great talents speaking out more freely and more often instead of ‘no comments, it is party policies’.
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