Going green, saving mother earth, conservation, protect wild life and forests, these are the slogans that slipped freely and profusely from the mouths of environmentalists and govt officials. On the other hand they went blindly to destroy mother earth at a faster speed than these slogans coming out of their mouths.
At the Singapore Water Lecture, a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Dr James Barnard said, ‘…with a growing population, pure drinking water is becoming a scarcity in many countries.’ Yes, the most destructive human enterprise is human multiplication, reproduction. Every human brought into this earth is going to consume a life time of resources and food, and drinking water. The earth is under stress by the growing population, the number one cancer, which directly lead to all the destructive enterprises, high consumption of food and resources, and energy, global warming, deforestation, emptying the ocean of fishes etc etc.
The world is being destroyed by humans trying to multiply themselves, for economic growth. Singapore is doing its bit too, by cramming more and more people into the piece of rock. We used to have all the water we want, with some from Johore, with only three tiny reservoirs. Today we have 17 huge reservoirs, desalination, shit water, and still some from Malaysia, and we are complaining that water is not enough. We can never have enough of water, power and everything if we crazily add more heads to devour them.
And this also leads to some clever arguments on how to make the people pay more for these rare resources. Or are they versions of self serving logic, to enrich the provider of these resources? Making people pay obnoxiously using self serving logic will lead to karmic retribution. Robbing the people’s money or taking the people’s money from them for all the wrong reasons is not free lunch. There will be pay back time.
17 reservoirs and 3 more taps still not enough. Why? What is the moral of the story? What is wrong with the formula or solution? The simple answer is headcounts. Try 6m or 10 million, you may have to turn the whole island into a reservoir to provide enough water for the people. But also a good reason to make the people pay more for water consumption.
7/05/2011
The most exclusive social club in Singapore
SICC, Singapore Island Country Club, must be the most exclusive club in the island. Among the members are the Who’s Who of Singapore. Anyone worth his salt will want to be a member of the Club and be seen there sipping tea. And membership is not cheap, at $220k current market price. There is a cheaper version of social membership that does not include golf for those who want to be there but not willing to pay for the hefty $220k.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
Poster boy and poster girl
If you are looking for pictures of poster boy and poster girl for the PAP, look no further. Chan Chun Sing and Tin Pei Ling will fit it nicely. They will give PAP a fresh look instead of all the photos of the oldies. Looking at their poster boy and girl look, it will give PAP the youthful look it needs, as a young party with young leaders.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Singapore’s nuclear meltdown
The Fukushima nuclear meltdown is still on going. The heat will take a long time to cool down. Singapore too is facing an intense heat that is refusing to cool down as well. The massive anger and dissatisfaction over a once the pride of the nation housing programme is still generating heat at an ever higher temperature. Under the thick concrete covering of a nuclear plant silo, the heat is well kept within in the deep. The housing problems too was well wrapped up in papers and looked as if everything was fine, till one fine day when the wrappers were removed.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
7/04/2011
Talking down at the people
This is a political culture for several decades here. The dafts need to be treated as such. Father knows best and shall deliver. There is no need to listen, just be a deaf frog and do what is right. And if needed be, give them a public lecture on how lucky they were to have such talented leadership, and cheap too. They ought to be grateful for all the good things happening around them.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
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