The craps of not wanting to lose out on a better foreign talent is being
waved by everyone especially the foreigners and foreign recruiting
agencies as the excuse to bring in foreign talents. This silly reasoning
must be put to a stop. I can replace every Sinkie in every profession,
including ministers as there will be one better foreigner to replace
him.
We must be very clear why we allowed foreigners to work here. We need
better foreign talents, we are short of talents/professionals in some
fields, but no, we don’t need to bring in another foreigner because he
happens to be a little better than another Sinkie so we can replace the
Sinkie.
Take the foreign footballers as an example. What good is there to bring
in the foreign footballers? Do they make our national team better? Or
should we replace everyone in our national team with these foreign
footballers? In this particular case, the only reason for them to be
here is to fill up the numbers in the few clubs that we have. Even this
is really not necessary, unnecessary. We can still have our football
league with our local boys kicking the balls around and the bets going
on as usual. There is no real value add with all the foreign footballers
here.
What is so great about having a few better accountants, managers,
engineers, bankers just because they are claimed to be better? Did they
change anything in the game? If they are game changers, that makes a big
difference. Those are the type of talents that we need. Do we need more
talented mee siam sellers to replace our mee siam sellers?
For practical reasons, we only need professionals to fill jobs where
there is a real shortage in a particular field. Many of the professional
jobs can be filled by Sinkies or by so called foreigners and nothing
really changes. A good example is the way the Australians handle such
economic migrants. There is a list of jobs like plumbers, sewerage
engineers, carpenters, cooks, nurses etc that they need as they did not
have enough Australians working in these jobs. The migrants are allowed
in not because they were better plumbers, better cooks or better nurses,
but because there is a shortfall.
If the logic is to bring in better talents in mundane routine jobs, we
don’t need Sinkies anymore. And mundane routine jobs can be PME jobs. We
have enough trained and qualified Sinkies for these jobs. And only
stupid and irresponsible people will accept the stupid reasoning that we
should replace Sinkies with foreigners because the foreigner is a
better talent than the Sinkie. What difference does it make if a better
foreign civil engineer or IT professional is recruited to replace a
Sinkie? Nothing. They are all doing the same job, nothing more nothing
less, unless the Sinkie is not qualified and cannot do the job.
Shouldn’t a graduate be employed to be a petrol pump attendant as he is
better talented? Is he going to be more productive than a ‘boh tak cheh’
ah pek? The graduate is a talent of course, a better talent than the ah
pek. So? What is the competition, competing against who and making
money from where and who?
The only good reason is that we don’t have enough in the profession that
we need foreigners. We don’t need foreigners so that our Sinkies can be
replaced and made jobless, no matter how talented the foreigners are.
Stop spewing rubbish and myths to con the daft Sinkies.
9/26/2013
Die a natural death
After some release of pent up anger, most issues raised in cyberspace
would die a natural death as expected, just like sunrise and sunset. The
AIM issue is long gone and forgotten. The latest ballot box issue is
already on its way to history. That is the beauty of a first world
society, all sensible and rational people. Everything talk only, no
violence, very civilized. All they want is the right to express their
unhappiness or frustration. Once this is allowed and done, anger
dissipated, life goes on.
The govt must be comforted by this development. The earlier fear of the internet is unfounded. The freedom of expression that was more limited in the pre internet days when nothing much was heard for good reasons became a worrisome preoccupation of the govt when internet first came into the picture. How would the people react given this new freedom? Should they be controlled, should internet be controlled? How would internet interfere with the politics of the country? How would internet influence the way people think and vote?
The truth is that nothing really changed. In fact internet has offered an avenue for people to let off steam, vent their frustrations when they needed to and to feel good about it when done. And in most cases there is a feeling of well being when they could get things off their chest in the internet. They had their final say.
Tan Jee Say and Tan Cheng Bock had their pieces published in cyberspace questioning the suspicious reappearance of the ballot boxes. Having said that and done with, case closed. There seems to be a closure that the main media could not give. With internet, the injured or supposedly wrong party or victim has the right to have a last stand. This is an improvement over the old ways when these people would have to swallow whatever perceived injustice quietly as they would not be heard. And that could lead to them harbouring deep grievances that may seek an outlet sooner or later in the most unexpected way.
Such feelings of outrage and seething sense of injustice could be ameliorated by allowing the parties to say whatever they want, curse whoever they want, and go home and have a good sleep.
This is a great contribution of the internet, to defuse a time bomb, to make people feel better. Yaacob should take note of this and take his hands off the internet to let the unhappy people say what they want. Better this way than street protest and violence. With internet there would not be any Spring. People will talk about their problems and dissatisfaction verbally and better still if the govt could engage them verbally as well. Uh, they called this communication and engaging the people.
The govt must be comforted by this development. The earlier fear of the internet is unfounded. The freedom of expression that was more limited in the pre internet days when nothing much was heard for good reasons became a worrisome preoccupation of the govt when internet first came into the picture. How would the people react given this new freedom? Should they be controlled, should internet be controlled? How would internet interfere with the politics of the country? How would internet influence the way people think and vote?
The truth is that nothing really changed. In fact internet has offered an avenue for people to let off steam, vent their frustrations when they needed to and to feel good about it when done. And in most cases there is a feeling of well being when they could get things off their chest in the internet. They had their final say.
Tan Jee Say and Tan Cheng Bock had their pieces published in cyberspace questioning the suspicious reappearance of the ballot boxes. Having said that and done with, case closed. There seems to be a closure that the main media could not give. With internet, the injured or supposedly wrong party or victim has the right to have a last stand. This is an improvement over the old ways when these people would have to swallow whatever perceived injustice quietly as they would not be heard. And that could lead to them harbouring deep grievances that may seek an outlet sooner or later in the most unexpected way.
Such feelings of outrage and seething sense of injustice could be ameliorated by allowing the parties to say whatever they want, curse whoever they want, and go home and have a good sleep.
This is a great contribution of the internet, to defuse a time bomb, to make people feel better. Yaacob should take note of this and take his hands off the internet to let the unhappy people say what they want. Better this way than street protest and violence. With internet there would not be any Spring. People will talk about their problems and dissatisfaction verbally and better still if the govt could engage them verbally as well. Uh, they called this communication and engaging the people.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest
ASSK was under house arrest on and off for more than 10 years as a
political prisoner. The authoritarian military junta in a way was quite
kind, I mean relatively, to let her stay in her own house. At least she
was at home most of the time and with her supporters around her. It was
not the solitary confinement type, and if I am not mistaken, she was
spared the rounds of torture that some political prisoners were put
through in other military dictatorship or authoritarian regime.
And she was released and allowed to contest in a general election, and won. And she is now travelling the world as a legitimate politician, a free woman. On these points, the military junta of Myanmar is not that bad after all. And who knows what could happen in the next general election. Would she be allowed to take over the govt of Myanmar, or would the military step in and have another coup and lock her up again if her party won?
With Thein Sein in charge, and if he is still around, or if the other military top brass are of the same thinking, there is a high possibility that a change of govt, a civilian govt could be in place in Myanmar. This is not bad, better in many democracies that a change in govt could bring out the military to seize power.
What do you think? Is the Myanmese junta more liberal, less ruthless and more democratic than Singapore?
And she was released and allowed to contest in a general election, and won. And she is now travelling the world as a legitimate politician, a free woman. On these points, the military junta of Myanmar is not that bad after all. And who knows what could happen in the next general election. Would she be allowed to take over the govt of Myanmar, or would the military step in and have another coup and lock her up again if her party won?
With Thein Sein in charge, and if he is still around, or if the other military top brass are of the same thinking, there is a high possibility that a change of govt, a civilian govt could be in place in Myanmar. This is not bad, better in many democracies that a change in govt could bring out the military to seize power.
What do you think? Is the Myanmese junta more liberal, less ruthless and more democratic than Singapore?
9/25/2013
Logical deduction by selective reasoning
Logical thinking is a highly demanded skill of an individual. But it is
also possible to teach people to think stupid and still logical and
sounding absolutely reasonable, and can even be mathematically proven.
Let me try, 3 children only drink tea or coffee while a fourth drinks chicken essence. Now if the result of this fourth child is better than the other 3, then it can be concluded that drinking chicken essence indeed can improve one’s grade. It can be the other way too.
Another example, most male Sinkies have done NS. And if a sample study on 3 of them and a foreign student from a university is conducted and found that the foreign student did better academically, it can be concluded that doing NS is bad for academic studies. Or some may even conclude that NS men are more stupid or less smart than those who did not do NS, ie foreigners and the local girls.
To confirm this finding, check out on the same cohort of girls against the NS men. If the girls are doing better, one more confirmation that doing NS makes the men stupid. Then look at the foreign talents and if they are appointed or employed in top positions over those who have done NS, this is second confirmation that doing NS really made our boys stupid.
With this astounding finding, the employers could go to the HR to demand recruiting people that have not done NS. NS makes men stupid. So all the top positions should rightfully go to foreigners or maybe girls who have not done NS.
See how logical the reasoning is? Nah, I don’t think this kind of thinking is being used to employ foreigners to fill up top positions in the country, both in the public and private sectors, both in govt and in the industries.
Logical deduction can be very misleading if the intention is to mislead. Ok, ok, this is academic or intellectual infidelity or dishonesty.
Let me try, 3 children only drink tea or coffee while a fourth drinks chicken essence. Now if the result of this fourth child is better than the other 3, then it can be concluded that drinking chicken essence indeed can improve one’s grade. It can be the other way too.
Another example, most male Sinkies have done NS. And if a sample study on 3 of them and a foreign student from a university is conducted and found that the foreign student did better academically, it can be concluded that doing NS is bad for academic studies. Or some may even conclude that NS men are more stupid or less smart than those who did not do NS, ie foreigners and the local girls.
To confirm this finding, check out on the same cohort of girls against the NS men. If the girls are doing better, one more confirmation that doing NS makes the men stupid. Then look at the foreign talents and if they are appointed or employed in top positions over those who have done NS, this is second confirmation that doing NS really made our boys stupid.
With this astounding finding, the employers could go to the HR to demand recruiting people that have not done NS. NS makes men stupid. So all the top positions should rightfully go to foreigners or maybe girls who have not done NS.
See how logical the reasoning is? Nah, I don’t think this kind of thinking is being used to employ foreigners to fill up top positions in the country, both in the public and private sectors, both in govt and in the industries.
Logical deduction can be very misleading if the intention is to mislead. Ok, ok, this is academic or intellectual infidelity or dishonesty.
US rhetoric at UN aims at 'bullying Russia, China' into Syria resolution
This article is from "Russia Today"
US rhetoric at UN aims at ‘bullying Russia, China’ into Syria resolution
Get short URL
Published time: September 24, 2013 21:57
United States President Barack Obama waves after speaking at the 68th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013 in New York City. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP)
US President Barack Obama requires a “mask” to legitimize unilateral action in Syria, Brian Becker, Director of Answer Coalition, told RT. He needs Russia and China to back a resolution so it can be conducted under a UN banner rather than the US alone.
RT: Obama says the US must remain heavily engaged in the Middle East because there won’t be anyone to fill the vacuum if Washington pulls out – is that a credible claim?
Brian Becker: Well, of course the US is acting in what it perceives to be its own interests, and I would have to say these are not the interests of the American people, per se, who don’t have big oil or banking investments in the Middle East. But there are big banks and there are big oil corporations and they have global interests, and they have particular interests in the Middle East. And the US policy is to protect those interests; that’s where two thirds of the world’s oil is.
President Obama says “we are an exceptional country,” meaning we shed our treasure and our blood for the interests of all but not for our own interests. I mean, that’s bogus, that’s completely a fraud. The US wants to dominate and it’s been the priority of its foreign policy to dominate this oil-rich region for the past 50 years.
RT: In defending past US military interventions, he also continued to build a case for regime change in Syria. How is that being received at the general assembly?
BB: I think all the countries of the world who want to be independent and sovereign countries who realize that President Obama – when he says “sovereignty cannot be a shield for tyrants” – that means the US government is arrogating to itself which regimes, which governments live, and which should be overthrown. So I think for those who are independent – they all see this as a great threat – not only to Syria, but to all those who may at some point defy the empire. Obama said in his speech “we a not an empire, it’s just useful propaganda,” but in fact the US government conduct itself exactly the way an empire does, only this time uses lofty rhetoric and noble causes as the motivation, presumably, for its interests.
US President Barack Obama proposes a toast during a luncheon at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 24, 2013 at the United Nations in New York. (AFP Photo/Don Emmert)
US President Barack Obama proposes a toast during a luncheon at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 24, 2013 at the United Nations in New York. (AFP Photo/Don Emmert)
RT: Let’s talk about those developments in Syria: The world’s chemical weapons watchdog – it’s said that it’s already cooperating on the chemical disarmament deal – so what about this idea of a UN Security Council resolution – would that actually change anything?
BB: We have to see – what the US and France are trying to do at the Security Council is to bully Russia and bully China in order to get wording into that resolution that would authorize them to carry out a military action under the rubric of the UN. But clearly the Obama administration says it has the authority to act unilaterally, but it would like to have some sort of shield or at least mask for that sort of unilateral operation. So they want to put in language that says that there must be consequences. And President Obama in his speech said if we don’t have consequences to enforce Syria’s compliance – which apparently Syria is complying – then it shows the UN has no ability to enforce international laws in its own resolutions.
We should remind President Obama the UN passed resolution 242 that said to Israel leave the Golan Heights, leave the West Bank – that was 46 years ago. No military action against Israel, and none is in the future. It’s a double standard, it’s hypocrisy. The US is trying to bully the UN Security Council to do what it really wants to do, which is to escalate the conflict in Syria, to overthrow their government.
RT: But isn’t it a fair condition – if Syria simply doesn’t play by the rules and doesn’t comply, then surely some sort of force has got to be put on it in order to make it comply – it’s a fair call isn’t it?
BB: I don’t think so – you notice President Obama said 98 percent of humanity says chemical weapons should be banned. The United States’ principle ally, Israel, refuses to get rid of its chemical weapons stockpile, or biological weapons, or nuclear weapons, so the Obama administrations is in fact quite selective about who can have and who shouldn’t have chemical weapons. But that’s not really the point.
Chemical weapons in this instance are a pretext for an escalating intervention. The Obama administration’s hand has been steadied because of global opposition, including massive domestic opposition in the United States. They’re trying to come back but they are in a weakened position right now.
US rhetoric at UN aims at ‘bullying Russia, China’ into Syria resolution
Get short URL
Published time: September 24, 2013 21:57
United States President Barack Obama waves after speaking at the 68th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013 in New York City. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP)
US President Barack Obama requires a “mask” to legitimize unilateral action in Syria, Brian Becker, Director of Answer Coalition, told RT. He needs Russia and China to back a resolution so it can be conducted under a UN banner rather than the US alone.
RT: Obama says the US must remain heavily engaged in the Middle East because there won’t be anyone to fill the vacuum if Washington pulls out – is that a credible claim?
Brian Becker: Well, of course the US is acting in what it perceives to be its own interests, and I would have to say these are not the interests of the American people, per se, who don’t have big oil or banking investments in the Middle East. But there are big banks and there are big oil corporations and they have global interests, and they have particular interests in the Middle East. And the US policy is to protect those interests; that’s where two thirds of the world’s oil is.
President Obama says “we are an exceptional country,” meaning we shed our treasure and our blood for the interests of all but not for our own interests. I mean, that’s bogus, that’s completely a fraud. The US wants to dominate and it’s been the priority of its foreign policy to dominate this oil-rich region for the past 50 years.
RT: In defending past US military interventions, he also continued to build a case for regime change in Syria. How is that being received at the general assembly?
BB: I think all the countries of the world who want to be independent and sovereign countries who realize that President Obama – when he says “sovereignty cannot be a shield for tyrants” – that means the US government is arrogating to itself which regimes, which governments live, and which should be overthrown. So I think for those who are independent – they all see this as a great threat – not only to Syria, but to all those who may at some point defy the empire. Obama said in his speech “we a not an empire, it’s just useful propaganda,” but in fact the US government conduct itself exactly the way an empire does, only this time uses lofty rhetoric and noble causes as the motivation, presumably, for its interests.
US President Barack Obama proposes a toast during a luncheon at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 24, 2013 at the United Nations in New York. (AFP Photo/Don Emmert)
US President Barack Obama proposes a toast during a luncheon at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 24, 2013 at the United Nations in New York. (AFP Photo/Don Emmert)
RT: Let’s talk about those developments in Syria: The world’s chemical weapons watchdog – it’s said that it’s already cooperating on the chemical disarmament deal – so what about this idea of a UN Security Council resolution – would that actually change anything?
BB: We have to see – what the US and France are trying to do at the Security Council is to bully Russia and bully China in order to get wording into that resolution that would authorize them to carry out a military action under the rubric of the UN. But clearly the Obama administration says it has the authority to act unilaterally, but it would like to have some sort of shield or at least mask for that sort of unilateral operation. So they want to put in language that says that there must be consequences. And President Obama in his speech said if we don’t have consequences to enforce Syria’s compliance – which apparently Syria is complying – then it shows the UN has no ability to enforce international laws in its own resolutions.
We should remind President Obama the UN passed resolution 242 that said to Israel leave the Golan Heights, leave the West Bank – that was 46 years ago. No military action against Israel, and none is in the future. It’s a double standard, it’s hypocrisy. The US is trying to bully the UN Security Council to do what it really wants to do, which is to escalate the conflict in Syria, to overthrow their government.
RT: But isn’t it a fair condition – if Syria simply doesn’t play by the rules and doesn’t comply, then surely some sort of force has got to be put on it in order to make it comply – it’s a fair call isn’t it?
BB: I don’t think so – you notice President Obama said 98 percent of humanity says chemical weapons should be banned. The United States’ principle ally, Israel, refuses to get rid of its chemical weapons stockpile, or biological weapons, or nuclear weapons, so the Obama administrations is in fact quite selective about who can have and who shouldn’t have chemical weapons. But that’s not really the point.
Chemical weapons in this instance are a pretext for an escalating intervention. The Obama administration’s hand has been steadied because of global opposition, including massive domestic opposition in the United States. They’re trying to come back but they are in a weakened position right now.
Medical appointments in world class health service
We have a world class health service, both private and public, and
equivalent to the best in the developed countries. This is something we
should be proud of and good for those who need medical care. This
morning there is a letter in the media by a Ms Tay Soh Hoon complaining
about a more than one year medical appointment for her husband with a
renal specialist in a public hospital, the Singapore General Hospital,
run like a private hospital as it has been privatized to be as efficient
as private hospitals.
Now, what is it like for someone with a medical condition that is deemed serious enough to need to see a specialist, in this case is something related to the kidney? Many would be worried to death and would want an immediate appointment with the specialist. A one month appointment would be deemed too long. A one year appointment is definitely unacceptable. How many with a condition could actually get into more serious trouble or may not survive a one year wait.
Waiting for one year in public privatized hospitals is becoming pretty common especially for non life threatening cases like fixing a set of braces. The waiting time could be 2 or 3 years. By then the urge or itch to have a set of braces may be gone. How many cases that were reasonably serious in nature and still need to wait for months or more for an appointment? Is this something acceptable from the professional opinion of the medical practitioners? Definitely it is not desirable and unacceptable for a world class medical health care service.
Heard that if one is willing to pay, go to the real private hospitals and appointments could be had immediately or within a few days depending on how much or desperate one is willing to pay. Heard also that in urgent cases, the waiting period could be shortened in public privatized hospitals as well. In this particular case, after many complaints for urgency, a 16 months wait was finally shorten to a year. Should Ms Tay rejoice for the victory? Should we celebrate that we have a world class healthcare system? Or maybe world class for those who can afford to pay in hard cash in the private hospitals?
What is going on? What world class? Have you heard of die waiting?
Now, what is it like for someone with a medical condition that is deemed serious enough to need to see a specialist, in this case is something related to the kidney? Many would be worried to death and would want an immediate appointment with the specialist. A one month appointment would be deemed too long. A one year appointment is definitely unacceptable. How many with a condition could actually get into more serious trouble or may not survive a one year wait.
Waiting for one year in public privatized hospitals is becoming pretty common especially for non life threatening cases like fixing a set of braces. The waiting time could be 2 or 3 years. By then the urge or itch to have a set of braces may be gone. How many cases that were reasonably serious in nature and still need to wait for months or more for an appointment? Is this something acceptable from the professional opinion of the medical practitioners? Definitely it is not desirable and unacceptable for a world class medical health care service.
Heard that if one is willing to pay, go to the real private hospitals and appointments could be had immediately or within a few days depending on how much or desperate one is willing to pay. Heard also that in urgent cases, the waiting period could be shortened in public privatized hospitals as well. In this particular case, after many complaints for urgency, a 16 months wait was finally shorten to a year. Should Ms Tay rejoice for the victory? Should we celebrate that we have a world class healthcare system? Or maybe world class for those who can afford to pay in hard cash in the private hospitals?
What is going on? What world class? Have you heard of die waiting?
Significant progress on hot button issues
In yesterday’s programme on Asking the PM, Hsien Loong was to a certain
extent congratulating the govt for making significant progress on hot
button issues like housing, public transport and foreigners/employment. I
could not hold my eyeballs steady as they kept rolling while he was
saying these things.
Should the people be jubilant, praise the govt for reacting to these painful issues that have hurt the people real bad for so long? How in the world could a proactive govt with its fingers on the pulse of the people allowed these problems to escalate to a point of losing control is amazing. And who the hell created all these problems in the first place?
My eyeballs rolled faster when he talked about the sense of identity, strengthening the Singaporean core, about individual citizens sacrificing for the national goals and blaming this generation for being different and less sacrificing than the early generations.
Somehow I got this feeling that citizens and the interests of citizens were cast aside in the mercenary pursuit for economic growth at all cost over the last decade or so when foreigners were brought in to replace citizens in nearly every aspect of life in the island.
The housing problem is a big shit that could not be unwound with the people all deep in debt. The employment scene when foreigners are happily employed by the millions and poor Sinkies ended jobless or underemployed or even being discriminated to favour employment of foreigners did not happen yesterday. How come the govt allowed it to happen, or the govt did not know?
Should the people pat the govt for doing a good job or whack it with a big stick? The FCF that is being rolled out is greeted with a lot of mixed feelings, sneers and suspicion that it is going to be another wayang. This tells a lot about the trust the people have on the govt. No need to say more. How did the govt reach just a state of distrust if it has been doing all the good things for the people? The people are daft and ungrateful?
Solving problems together, the govt thinking ahead and the people not thinking ahead? What was the govt thinking and saying when the people were crying out loud about the housing problems? No housing problem, no need to build more, housing was affordable, where got problem? If the people have not screamed their heads off in cyberspace about the employment shit when citizens were booted out of their jobs to be replaced by the foreigners, would the govt look up and listen, and take note?
Actually all the problems in a way were faked, over blown in cyberspace. If there is no internet and social media, there will be no problem at all. Nothing would be heard. The netizens are a nuisance, creating false and imaginary problems and giving the govt a hard time for no good reasons.
Now that the govt has acknowledge some of the problems raised, now that the MOM has started to do something about it, let’s hope the cynicism of the people does not turn out to be true, that it was all a wayang. The govt needs to rebuild its trust by the people if it is to stay relevant and believeable and be re elected. The people are watching with a very critical and cynical mindset. They are not going to take the words of the govt for granted. They want to see actions and real results that favour citizens, not locals.
So? Where do we go from here? Does the govt know that a medical appointment with the specialist in govt privatised hospitals can take more than a year? Is this an acceptable state of affair?
Should the people be jubilant, praise the govt for reacting to these painful issues that have hurt the people real bad for so long? How in the world could a proactive govt with its fingers on the pulse of the people allowed these problems to escalate to a point of losing control is amazing. And who the hell created all these problems in the first place?
My eyeballs rolled faster when he talked about the sense of identity, strengthening the Singaporean core, about individual citizens sacrificing for the national goals and blaming this generation for being different and less sacrificing than the early generations.
Somehow I got this feeling that citizens and the interests of citizens were cast aside in the mercenary pursuit for economic growth at all cost over the last decade or so when foreigners were brought in to replace citizens in nearly every aspect of life in the island.
The housing problem is a big shit that could not be unwound with the people all deep in debt. The employment scene when foreigners are happily employed by the millions and poor Sinkies ended jobless or underemployed or even being discriminated to favour employment of foreigners did not happen yesterday. How come the govt allowed it to happen, or the govt did not know?
Should the people pat the govt for doing a good job or whack it with a big stick? The FCF that is being rolled out is greeted with a lot of mixed feelings, sneers and suspicion that it is going to be another wayang. This tells a lot about the trust the people have on the govt. No need to say more. How did the govt reach just a state of distrust if it has been doing all the good things for the people? The people are daft and ungrateful?
Solving problems together, the govt thinking ahead and the people not thinking ahead? What was the govt thinking and saying when the people were crying out loud about the housing problems? No housing problem, no need to build more, housing was affordable, where got problem? If the people have not screamed their heads off in cyberspace about the employment shit when citizens were booted out of their jobs to be replaced by the foreigners, would the govt look up and listen, and take note?
Actually all the problems in a way were faked, over blown in cyberspace. If there is no internet and social media, there will be no problem at all. Nothing would be heard. The netizens are a nuisance, creating false and imaginary problems and giving the govt a hard time for no good reasons.
Now that the govt has acknowledge some of the problems raised, now that the MOM has started to do something about it, let’s hope the cynicism of the people does not turn out to be true, that it was all a wayang. The govt needs to rebuild its trust by the people if it is to stay relevant and believeable and be re elected. The people are watching with a very critical and cynical mindset. They are not going to take the words of the govt for granted. They want to see actions and real results that favour citizens, not locals.
So? Where do we go from here? Does the govt know that a medical appointment with the specialist in govt privatised hospitals can take more than a year? Is this an acceptable state of affair?
9/24/2013
Material Singapore kena slap, slap
The 5 day visit by Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi ended
yesterday with a confirmed slap slap on materialistic Singapore. Many
Singaporeans must be squeezing to get up close with this lady from a
Third World country, economically and materially, with a whole list of
what Singapore can do for Myanmar. Come see this Singapore and that
Singapore. Come see Orchard Road and Sentosa, Changi Airport, HDB
flats…. We can build industrial parks for Myanmar, airports, sea ports,
shopping centres, artificial gardens, artificial beaches and parks, and
yes HDB flats. We can teach Myanmar, plenty of things, and plenty of
things for Myanmar to learn from us.
Aung San Suu Kyi was more amused than anything. What is there to learn from Singapore except materialism, mad rush, rat race. She was quoted to say, ‘That made me think, what is work all about? What are human beings for? What are human lives for? The Singapore answer will be to work, work and work. Work is everything, work is pride and dignity.
To this lady of international fame for fighting for democracy and human rights, there is more to just work and money, and work and work. There is a life worth living for. The quality of life is not just about materialism. She conceded that there are things that Myanmar could learn from Singapore but definitely not to copy our model of work, work and work. Myanmar would want to walk its own path to find its own way and happiness.
Her parting shot to Singapore, ‘Perhaps Singapore could learn from us a more relaxed way of life. Perhaps warmer and closer family relationships. I think we have much to offer you, you come and find out.’ Oooh la lah… This must be shocking to many successful Singaporeans with a lot of cash to paste on their faces. This woman from Myanmar wanted to teach us? How can?
Aung San Suu Kyi lives a life to improve lives, for freedom and human rights. We live a life of materialism, money and work. We even have to pay the govt for visiting our parents or our friends in their HDB flats. How is that for building kampong spirit and building a warmer relationship with friends and dear ones? We pay for everything and thus have to work and work to pay and pay.
Well, it is a matter of opinion and expectation of life. We still want to pay that hundred or two hundred thousand bucks to the hospitals to keep us alive to 100 years when we are 90. We need to find more money to live to 100 years. Thank God there is this god sent Medishield Life to help the Singaporeans to live a good life.
Aung San Suu Kyi was more amused than anything. What is there to learn from Singapore except materialism, mad rush, rat race. She was quoted to say, ‘That made me think, what is work all about? What are human beings for? What are human lives for? The Singapore answer will be to work, work and work. Work is everything, work is pride and dignity.
To this lady of international fame for fighting for democracy and human rights, there is more to just work and money, and work and work. There is a life worth living for. The quality of life is not just about materialism. She conceded that there are things that Myanmar could learn from Singapore but definitely not to copy our model of work, work and work. Myanmar would want to walk its own path to find its own way and happiness.
Her parting shot to Singapore, ‘Perhaps Singapore could learn from us a more relaxed way of life. Perhaps warmer and closer family relationships. I think we have much to offer you, you come and find out.’ Oooh la lah… This must be shocking to many successful Singaporeans with a lot of cash to paste on their faces. This woman from Myanmar wanted to teach us? How can?
Aung San Suu Kyi lives a life to improve lives, for freedom and human rights. We live a life of materialism, money and work. We even have to pay the govt for visiting our parents or our friends in their HDB flats. How is that for building kampong spirit and building a warmer relationship with friends and dear ones? We pay for everything and thus have to work and work to pay and pay.
Well, it is a matter of opinion and expectation of life. We still want to pay that hundred or two hundred thousand bucks to the hospitals to keep us alive to 100 years when we are 90. We need to find more money to live to 100 years. Thank God there is this god sent Medishield Life to help the Singaporeans to live a good life.
The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) consideration
The much awaited policy change from Chuan Jin has finally arrived. As
usual this is received with much trepidation, scepticism and jubilation.
Some welcomed it as something that has to be done, better late than
never, some dismissed it as too little too late, and why must it take
another year to be implemented. Reactions from the employers are muted
but fairly agreeable except for the recalcitrant companies that are
keeping mum for their indiscretion over the years.
Singaporeans should welcome this move or gesture as a step in the right direction. It may seem too little and lacking in what it intends to achieve, but like the atrocious housing problem that was left to ferment and rot for too long, the problem is so immense and widespread that a simple policy change like this would not do very much and cannot do very much. We should give Chuan Jin some time to fine tune this change along the way. And he has mentioned that there will be close monitoring and follow up measures to rein in the culprits that are taking advantage of the generosity of Singapore and Singaporeans.
What can also be done is to look at some other measures that could compliment the works of MOM. Patrick Tay of NTUC is still mooting over the introduction of dependency ratio or quota for the employment of PMEs. Let’s make this very clear as some are still talking about foreign workers. This is an issue that concerns PMEs and the policy change should be confined to this sector. For those still sleeping, please leave out the issue of foreign workers from this discussion. They are a different matter to be dealt with separately. NTUC should not miss the chance to take the initiative to reinforce the FCF with their own recommendations to give more meat to this change and make it look real and not wayanging. It would lose its credibility as a national institution for not looking after the interests of Singaporeans.
What could also be done is to dovetail this process by overhauling the HR practices of Ministries, stats boards and the civil service, and GLCs. Chuan Jin may want to give these organizations the same one year grace to put their house in order. Govt service, ministries and stats boards should be the employer of citizens and PRs only, and the ratio could be 70:30 for PME positions. There is no need for foreigners to be in such services unless some jokers believe that there are no Singaporeans that can do the job. Only nuts will believe in such nonsense. There are exceptions where specialists or professionals are needed due to their special skills or a shortage in the industry. Exceptions can always be handled separately.
In the case of GLCs, these are also within the control of the govt, and not market forces like the housing farce, the dependency ratio could be 70:20:10 for PMEs ie citizens, PRs and non citizens. I need to emphasise PMEs again and again to make sure idiots do not start uttering about foreign workers in the same breath.
In both the govt service and GLCs, the ratios quoted are only a guide and could be toggled and fine tuned to meet the realities of needs and supply and demand. For a start, all HR positions in govt service and GLCs must be filled by a Singaporean to protect the interests of Singaporeans. There is absolutely no need for HR positions to be filled by a foreigner. And to avoid people gaming the system, new citizens of less than 5 years should not be allowed to fill such a position.
Get our own house in order first, ie govt service and GLCs. The MNCs and private organizations can be tackled at a different pace with a lighter touch, but a dependency ratio is still needed.
Chuan Jin and the MOM staff have worked hard for this change. And they did not waste time and money going on overseas trips to learn from other countries to come up with the measures. This only shows that they meant business and not thinking of ‘jia hong’ and another wayang. Let them do the job and make changes along the way. Many things have to change for this Singapore Spring to take place within the govt, with govt support and the will to see it through.
Singaporeans should welcome this move or gesture as a step in the right direction. It may seem too little and lacking in what it intends to achieve, but like the atrocious housing problem that was left to ferment and rot for too long, the problem is so immense and widespread that a simple policy change like this would not do very much and cannot do very much. We should give Chuan Jin some time to fine tune this change along the way. And he has mentioned that there will be close monitoring and follow up measures to rein in the culprits that are taking advantage of the generosity of Singapore and Singaporeans.
What can also be done is to look at some other measures that could compliment the works of MOM. Patrick Tay of NTUC is still mooting over the introduction of dependency ratio or quota for the employment of PMEs. Let’s make this very clear as some are still talking about foreign workers. This is an issue that concerns PMEs and the policy change should be confined to this sector. For those still sleeping, please leave out the issue of foreign workers from this discussion. They are a different matter to be dealt with separately. NTUC should not miss the chance to take the initiative to reinforce the FCF with their own recommendations to give more meat to this change and make it look real and not wayanging. It would lose its credibility as a national institution for not looking after the interests of Singaporeans.
What could also be done is to dovetail this process by overhauling the HR practices of Ministries, stats boards and the civil service, and GLCs. Chuan Jin may want to give these organizations the same one year grace to put their house in order. Govt service, ministries and stats boards should be the employer of citizens and PRs only, and the ratio could be 70:30 for PME positions. There is no need for foreigners to be in such services unless some jokers believe that there are no Singaporeans that can do the job. Only nuts will believe in such nonsense. There are exceptions where specialists or professionals are needed due to their special skills or a shortage in the industry. Exceptions can always be handled separately.
In the case of GLCs, these are also within the control of the govt, and not market forces like the housing farce, the dependency ratio could be 70:20:10 for PMEs ie citizens, PRs and non citizens. I need to emphasise PMEs again and again to make sure idiots do not start uttering about foreign workers in the same breath.
In both the govt service and GLCs, the ratios quoted are only a guide and could be toggled and fine tuned to meet the realities of needs and supply and demand. For a start, all HR positions in govt service and GLCs must be filled by a Singaporean to protect the interests of Singaporeans. There is absolutely no need for HR positions to be filled by a foreigner. And to avoid people gaming the system, new citizens of less than 5 years should not be allowed to fill such a position.
Get our own house in order first, ie govt service and GLCs. The MNCs and private organizations can be tackled at a different pace with a lighter touch, but a dependency ratio is still needed.
Chuan Jin and the MOM staff have worked hard for this change. And they did not waste time and money going on overseas trips to learn from other countries to come up with the measures. This only shows that they meant business and not thinking of ‘jia hong’ and another wayang. Let them do the job and make changes along the way. Many things have to change for this Singapore Spring to take place within the govt, with govt support and the will to see it through.
9/23/2013
HEALTH ALERT - Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption
| |||
HEALTH ALERT -- Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption
By Mike Adams
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hotdogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hotdogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals.
They are usually manufactured with a
carcinogenic
ingredient known as
sodium
nitrite. This is used as a colour fixer by
meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright
red colour so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results
in the formation of
cancer-causing
nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a
sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat
them.
A 2005 University of Hawaii study found
that processed meats increase the
risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 per cent. Another study revealed that every 50
grams of processed meat consumed
daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 per cent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do
not come
from eating
fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in
people who regularly
consume processed meat products containing sodium
nitrite.
Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red
meat products (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a
short list of food items to check
carefully
for sodium nitrite and
monosodium
glutamate (MSG), another
dangerous additive:
* Beef jerky
* Bacon
* Sausage
* Hot dogs
* Sandwich meat
* Frozen pizza with meat
* Canned soups with meat
* Frozen meals with meat
* Ravioli and meat pasta foods
* Kid's meals containing red meat
* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks
If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."
* Beef jerky
* Bacon
* Sausage
* Hot dogs
* Sandwich meat
* Frozen pizza with meat
* Canned soups with meat
* Frozen meals with meat
* Ravioli and meat pasta foods
* Kid's meals containing red meat
* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks
If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."
Today, the corporations that dominate
American
food and agricultural
interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection
from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal
care products.
You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:
1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.
And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defence, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.
You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:
1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.
And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defence, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.
[Ed. Note: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
a
leading authority on
healthy living -- is on a mission: to explore,
uncover
and share the truth
about harmful foods and beverages, prescription
drugs,
medical practices and
the dishonest marketing practices that drive
these
industries. For his
latest findings, click here.]
 |
Bo Xilai, the man who could be President
Seeing this man in handcuffs is creepy. He was the forerunner to be the
President of China. He was charismatic and had a string of records in
public administration, taking on tough appointments and the triads in
his last appointment. A bright rising star eclipsed at the peak of his
power.
China has just brought down one of the most power man in the Communist Party, stripped off his post and sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption and abused of power. His wife is serving a suspended death sentence for the murder of a British, Neil Heywood, whom they trusted and entrusted with the well being of their son and their overseas investments. This story is a repeated of the colonial days when the decadent rich sucked up to the foreigners to guard their ill gotten wealth and eventually got ripped off by them. History is repeating with the pathetic Chinese rich not learning the lessons of the past.
This is perhaps the biggest story of modern China, to take down one of their close comrades at such a high level, put him on trial and ended with a life sentence. The evidence was so overwhelming that justice was served in accordance with the rule of law and the rumour of a revolt by the supporters of Bo fizzled out quietly.
There were fears of a coup of sort or instability. They were fears that justice would not be served. The trials of Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai were a showcase of modern Chinese legal system and transparency. It was also a statement that corruption would be dealt with even at the highest place of power. This is not seen in many countries, including Asean.
The verdict on Bo Xilai is a signal the Xi Jinping leadership is sending to the Chinese bureaucracy that corruption and abuse of power will not be tolerated. Would this lead to more heads being rolled? Given the prevalence of corruption at high places, this is only the beginning, an unnecessary evil that has to be done and seen to be done to keep China on an even keel and prevent it from collapsing prematurely.
Xi Jinping needs to run a tight ship to keep the Chinese govt in a healthy state for the future. Allowing corruption to sink roots and corrupt officials to run the country would see the growth of China going down quickly as predicted by many doomsayers in the West. The taking down of Bo Xilai is a gingerly step forward and more needs to be done to prevent China going back to its decadent past.
China has just brought down one of the most power man in the Communist Party, stripped off his post and sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption and abused of power. His wife is serving a suspended death sentence for the murder of a British, Neil Heywood, whom they trusted and entrusted with the well being of their son and their overseas investments. This story is a repeated of the colonial days when the decadent rich sucked up to the foreigners to guard their ill gotten wealth and eventually got ripped off by them. History is repeating with the pathetic Chinese rich not learning the lessons of the past.
This is perhaps the biggest story of modern China, to take down one of their close comrades at such a high level, put him on trial and ended with a life sentence. The evidence was so overwhelming that justice was served in accordance with the rule of law and the rumour of a revolt by the supporters of Bo fizzled out quietly.
There were fears of a coup of sort or instability. They were fears that justice would not be served. The trials of Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai were a showcase of modern Chinese legal system and transparency. It was also a statement that corruption would be dealt with even at the highest place of power. This is not seen in many countries, including Asean.
The verdict on Bo Xilai is a signal the Xi Jinping leadership is sending to the Chinese bureaucracy that corruption and abuse of power will not be tolerated. Would this lead to more heads being rolled? Given the prevalence of corruption at high places, this is only the beginning, an unnecessary evil that has to be done and seen to be done to keep China on an even keel and prevent it from collapsing prematurely.
Xi Jinping needs to run a tight ship to keep the Chinese govt in a healthy state for the future. Allowing corruption to sink roots and corrupt officials to run the country would see the growth of China going down quickly as predicted by many doomsayers in the West. The taking down of Bo Xilai is a gingerly step forward and more needs to be done to prevent China going back to its decadent past.
India should not worry about university rankings
While Sinkies are all over trying to grasp the value and place for
tuition, heard in the news that India is worried that none of its
universities is among the top 200 universities in the world. And maybe
they are going to game the system by bringing in more foreign students
and lecturers to boost their rankings. I think this whole ranking thing
is a farce and a paper victory and did not reflect the reality and
quality of the products of the universities. In a way the good grades of
students only tell one side of the story of the student’s ability with
many things left untold.
The facts are contradictory and disappointing as far as university rankings are concerned. The inputs are variables, the factors are subjective and everything else are but a constrained effort to think they matter. Take the case of Singapore universities versus Indian universities. Oh, we are so proud of the top rankings of NUS and NTU while India has none. Then look at the employment opportunities of Indian graduates and our graduates and their employability in top management positions in MNCs and the govt and govt linked companies. The products of Indian universities put us to shame. Pandit used to be the top man in Citibank Group. And there are many like him in America and Europe. Can we find a Singapore graduate in such rarefied position? None!
Indian graduates are in demand and highly regarded in America and Europe and definitely in Singapore. Singapore even signed a free trade agreement that includes opening the door to practically all Indian graduates. As such they are gradually easing out the local graduates in top management positions in our home ground. Indian graduates are highly sought after here. Where do the graduates of our world class universities stand?
I will advise India not to waste time, money and resources to game a system that is hardly of value except on paper. Look at the reality here if not in Europe and the USA. Indian graduates beat Singapore graduates hands down. Still thinking of wasting money on some rubbish rankings?
Indian graduates are among the best in the world of banking and finance and IT. So, why this urge to want to look good in some make belief rankings that are worth only on papers and ended paying obscenely for the presence of foreigners in the universities? A farce is a farce. A good university or a good graduate is a good one regardless of whether the university is rank at the top or at the bottom. Maybe if the ranking is done by God it may mean something.
The facts are contradictory and disappointing as far as university rankings are concerned. The inputs are variables, the factors are subjective and everything else are but a constrained effort to think they matter. Take the case of Singapore universities versus Indian universities. Oh, we are so proud of the top rankings of NUS and NTU while India has none. Then look at the employment opportunities of Indian graduates and our graduates and their employability in top management positions in MNCs and the govt and govt linked companies. The products of Indian universities put us to shame. Pandit used to be the top man in Citibank Group. And there are many like him in America and Europe. Can we find a Singapore graduate in such rarefied position? None!
Indian graduates are in demand and highly regarded in America and Europe and definitely in Singapore. Singapore even signed a free trade agreement that includes opening the door to practically all Indian graduates. As such they are gradually easing out the local graduates in top management positions in our home ground. Indian graduates are highly sought after here. Where do the graduates of our world class universities stand?
I will advise India not to waste time, money and resources to game a system that is hardly of value except on paper. Look at the reality here if not in Europe and the USA. Indian graduates beat Singapore graduates hands down. Still thinking of wasting money on some rubbish rankings?
Indian graduates are among the best in the world of banking and finance and IT. So, why this urge to want to look good in some make belief rankings that are worth only on papers and ended paying obscenely for the presence of foreigners in the universities? A farce is a farce. A good university or a good graduate is a good one regardless of whether the university is rank at the top or at the bottom. Maybe if the ranking is done by God it may mean something.
9/22/2013
Raising the quality of private tutors
Someone saw this coming. Since private tuition is so
prevalent and necessary, let’s make sure that the standards are high and
private tutors are qualified. For a start, all private tutors must be
registered with a professional body and have their qualifications and
experience certified. So we need a professional body or something like that to
certify them.
Private tuition must be conducted in a proper and conducive
environment, not below the staircase or in the void deck. Not in the homes
also, to give an image of professionalism and respectability.
There must be some regulations or self regulating bodies to
maintain a certain standard for the tuition giver. Not everyone can give
tuition without the approval of these bodies or organisations. They may have to
sit for a test to be issued with a certificate to tutor students.
Tutors are not allowed to anyhow paste little slips of
papers on letter boxes or walls for their services like unauthorised agents.
Not good for public image and professionalism.
See, we have a new industry in the making. And tutors,
please declare your income and pay your taxes, and rentals and fees to your
professional bodies, and the media for advertisements. Tutors will henceforth
be known as professional tutors and can print name cards with PT added to their
names.
This is a multi million dollar industry and deserves some
recognition as many tutors are paid much better than school teachers, a choice
profession that is highly regarded for the best in the industry. How about a
specialist Tuition Centre like Mount Elizabeth
equivalent for medical services?
Sinkies, aren’t you lucky?
With
the latest govt proposal to provide health insurance for Sinkies till they die,
even if they live up to 120 years, what more do the Sinkies want? Aren’t they
lucky? I don’t think any govt in the world can do such a thing, to provide
healthcare to all it citizens regardless of their age. Got meh? You mean in Australia and other First World countries their govt
provide free healthcare to their senior citizens? Don’t bluff can? There is no
free lunch. We Sinkies know that this life time Medishield health insurance we
must pay ourselves.
And
not only the govt is helping the people, the foreigners are all here to help
them. The best talents from the Third World are here to help the
Sinkies who are obviously sinking. Many could not even find jobs with their
high qualifications and experience. They are so lucky as more would be jobless
without the foreigners here.
And
not only they came to help Sinkies with the economy and provided them with
jobs, many foreign celebrities are here to help raise funds to help the old and
the sick Sinkies as well. At the rate it is going, soon God too will descend
from heaven to help the Sinkies. Why not when the middle class are all in debt
and needing help? Soon our middle class will go the Detroit Way. But God will send the
immortals down first to do the helping. Just hope the immortals are not helping
themselves first.
There
was a little thought by Chua Mui Hoong in the Sunday Times today. Though she
was talking about the hot issue of tuition, her main point actually was a
revelation of the kind of group think within the party/govt. For once she was
saying something quite enlightening, about the way the group think among themselves
and closed up to put on a united false front to the public. And many real
issues were swept under the cloud of unity, a common position. She listed all
the grouses of the people, from housing, healthcare, education, PMETs and
populations, all disgustingly buried liked an ostrich just because some gods
have taken a position and all must close ranks and complied.
The
interesting point she made about Medishield Life for all, sick and unsick,
tells the thinking behind the half baked solution. It is not fully cooked yet and
still a WIP. Yes, the high medical cost to the oldies and sick has been raised
much too often like all other issues but disregarded quietly, not heard, not
seen, thus dunno.
Now
there is a change. They are going to tackle it. But you pay, not the govt. They
are going to rope in everybody to pay for the oldies and the sick. The healthy
and those who don’t mind dying would not be given a choice to opt out of the
scheme. The govt is going to dip into the pockets of everyone to fish out whatever it can
get hold of to help the oldies and the sick. What a generous gesture! Daylight
robbery for a good cause, like Robin Hood.
What
is the problem? The problem is high medical cost. The problem is that not
everyone wants to live forever and has the money to pay for it. The problem is
that the govt could have cough up the money for the sick and oldies, with some
conditions and limitations to prevent a bottomless healthcare scheme from
emptying the reserves. The problem is that the govt is collecting too many
taxes but not using it in the right place. A few monuments built less could be
more than enough to pay for this Medishield Life. Just the annual running cost
of that Avatar Garden that is losing its novelty
would be enough to pay for the premiums of the oldies and sick with spare to
change. And the land could be put to better use.
But
the change is really no change. The problem comes from the people and the
people will pay for it, not the govt when the govt could well afford it without
being extravagant on the ‘good to have’ and the wasteful.
Sinkies
could be much luckier if the govt spend its money in betterer ways, for the
good of the people. To be specific, for the good of Sinkies.
9/21/2013
JEM ceiling collapsed - must be the tightening of foreign worker policy
I quoted below statement from an editorial article posted in TRE. ‘Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for National Development Lee Bee Wah said that sometimes developers and contractors compromise on the quality of construction materials in order to lower costs.
The tightening of foreign workers policy may also be a factor.
Ms Lee said, “Every time a contractor renews work permit for their workers, they face some difficulties and therefore keep changing staff. That could mean we don’t have experienced engineers or inspectors. The government should really look into this.”’
I think this is a good way of looking at the newly built shopping complex. It must have been built during the time when the govt was curtailing the import of foreign workers and thus the quality of the building is affected. Either shortchanged in material or quality of workers could be a factor. It is very likely the later as the only thing changed was foreign worker policy. Now, is this true? When was the building built and was it really affected by the foreign worker policy? Another question, is the foreign worker policy to curb bringing in of construction worker or white collar foreigners that the people were angry about, esp the PMET? I thought there was no problem with construction workers and everyone agreed that in this sector it is very difficult to get Sinkies to work? And another question, how could construction worker be such a big factor when there are engineers, supervisors and QCs overseeing the jobs?
Nevermind, got some small fries to take the blame. And good reason to bring in more construction workers, which was never an issue. Hope this would not translate into bringing in more foreign PMETs.
Another way of solving this problem is to borrow the logic of preventing corruption. You know what I mean. Then the work quality will improve and contractors would not take short cuts. And nothing will collapse. QED.
The need for tuition
This is going to be the hot topic for a while. It is the concern of every parent and their children. To have tuition or not to have. For those children who are better endowed, tuition may be just a little additive like chicken essence, a little booster to get that extra few marks. To some it is not really necessary. How fortunate for these parents and children.
As
not every child is gifted the same way, some would really need that little
help. Some are slower or develop a bit later. Some are just afraid to ask in
class or not getting the attention of the teachers in a class of 40 children.
Then there will be the teacher that may go too fast or just not getting the
message across.
For
the slower students or late developers, tuition helps a lot. Tuition becomes
personalized and tailored to their individual needs and pace. Caveat, a good
tutor is needed. A tuition teacher could give the personal attention to find
out what really was needed to help a child to improve. The proviso here is that
the child is willing to learn
But
like all things, some children are just not gifted academically and tuition
could not do much and literally a waste of money and time. Just hope no clever
people will come up with a solution that fits all. It cannot be. There are so
many variables that affect a child in his/her growth and acquisition of
knowledge and information, the environment, the motivation and the nature of
things.
This
also applies to teaching, teaching methods and how to motivate children. Not
everyone will be uplifted by the same approach. Please, no one size fits all
solution. That is why there are so many variations of schools, Normal, Express, ITE, polys and
universities. Different target at your own time, fire.
The
problem today is that everyone expects every child to fit into one mould, or
have an education system that fits every child. And no one is brave enough to
say, look, we need to provide a big enough buffet spread to cater to different
tastes and the likes and dislikes. For those who need tuition, let them have
their tuition. For those who don’t, good for them.
One
thing the govt can do is to provide the facilities and teachers to help those
who need tuition at little cost, not affordable fees or more subsidies. Free
would be better as this is an investment into our precious resources and you
are talking about the young that needed help to make them better people for
themselves and country.
How
to go about it and how much would the govt cough out for this very important
needs of the people? No hawker centre, foodcourt and restaurant analogy please.
This is serious business.
My
two kids were differently endowed. One was slower and needed a little help in
maths. She flunked in her late primary class but enough time for me to repair
the damage. All I did was to clarify her thoughts and mental blocks, explained
the concepts to make sure she understood. And with some perseverance and
motivation, she went on to ace her maths in O and A level. Without knowing her
problems and lack of understanding of basic mathematical concepts, tuition
would not help much. A tutor must know what is the problem or where is the
problem.
The
other type of tuition which is very popular is exam jamming, cramming to ace exams.
This is only good for the exam but the effects are temporary, like an instant
high but no residual or long term effect. My other kid is different, better
endowed. He came to me only once for a maths problem in P6. I took too long to
get the answer using the old method. Before I could complete he said he had
worked it out and that was the last time he came to me. He aced his O and A
level and aced his Masters with Distinction in Engineering in Imperial College.
Both
my kids did not have a day of tuition. One just had 15 mins with me in his whole
life as a student and never came to me again. They were lucky, or I was lucky.
But not every kid is so lucky and has parents to guide or fall back on. Tuition
is necessary to assist, to guide, to motivate and support a child. Showing them
the way, opening up their minds and clearing road blocks are very important.
That would pave the way for the child to find his own way ahead. Tuition to
game an examination is another ball game.
9/20/2013
Talent is an abused term in employment
The term talent has been shooting off everyone’s mouth like referring to
gold or diamond. And often this term is prefixed with another word,
foreign, and conveniently attached together as foreign talent. What does
this mean to the users of these terms, the ordinary people, the
employers, job seekers and the govt?
Very often we also heard people quipped that there is not enough or no Singaporean talents to fill a vacancy. And many do not pause to ponder what is this vacancy that needs talent and why are the talents not found locally. Take an example of a HR Manager. What kind of talent that is so rarefied that no Singaporeans are found to have them that this position must be filled by a foreigner? In the same vein, an Admin Manager, a Finance Manager, a Sales or Purchasing Manager, a Banking/Finance Manager, an IT Manager and so on, even politicians.
On more technical skills like Engineering, IT, Medical or Science, why are the local graduates not good enough as talents and foreign graduates are the right and suitable talents? Did their universities teach them different stuff that is useful to the industries and ours don’t? If that is the case, either we revamp what is being taught in our universities or we close them down and send our students to those universities that are teaching the right stuff.
In the more generic jobs as mentioned above, what talent is one talking about? A HR or Finance professional will have acquired the same basic training and knowledge to do the job reasonably well. All that makes the difference is the attitude and drive in the person, unless the applicant is a moron. And if one is to know the extent Singaporean students drove themselves to acquire good grades, that is telling in itself, that they have the drive, stamina and determination to do well. These graduates who worked so hard to get good grades cannot be the same employees that switched off when employed and paid to do a good job. They strove for good grades without being paid, and now refused to work when they are paid well?
Even those that do not have the good grades but rose to higher management, this fact is enough to show that they are able and capable of doing the job at that level. The knowledge and experience on the job are more valuable than the qualifications of a fresh graduate.
Now, what kind of talents that the foreigners have that the local talents did not have? The foreigners have two brains, three mouths and trained differently and acquired unusual skills from their universities and countries that made them better than the local PMETs?
For the very technical and highly skilled jobs that needed post graduate training, the expertise would set them apart. But many skills can easily be trained, be transferred with on the job or in house training that would not take more than a year to do so. What is so difficult about that?
The truth is that many jobs even at senior management level do not require this thing called talent or exceptional talent that cannot be found in local PMETs. The word talent is an abused word, a red herring that means nothing really.
Anyone who uses this term to justify his special needs as an employer, make him explain why it is a talent in the first place. Talents are needed in very special positions, in special appointments, in highly skilled fields that demanded gruelling years in academic discipline. Another type of talent is how to cheat which is inborn, how to get paid excessively without having to do the work or not knowing how to do the work but getting others to do it and claim the credit. This is unusual talent.
Actually one of the highest level of talent is to be able to con your way to success without acquiring any useful skills but by capitalising on connections, wealth, associations, politicking and conspiracy.
Very often we also heard people quipped that there is not enough or no Singaporean talents to fill a vacancy. And many do not pause to ponder what is this vacancy that needs talent and why are the talents not found locally. Take an example of a HR Manager. What kind of talent that is so rarefied that no Singaporeans are found to have them that this position must be filled by a foreigner? In the same vein, an Admin Manager, a Finance Manager, a Sales or Purchasing Manager, a Banking/Finance Manager, an IT Manager and so on, even politicians.
On more technical skills like Engineering, IT, Medical or Science, why are the local graduates not good enough as talents and foreign graduates are the right and suitable talents? Did their universities teach them different stuff that is useful to the industries and ours don’t? If that is the case, either we revamp what is being taught in our universities or we close them down and send our students to those universities that are teaching the right stuff.
In the more generic jobs as mentioned above, what talent is one talking about? A HR or Finance professional will have acquired the same basic training and knowledge to do the job reasonably well. All that makes the difference is the attitude and drive in the person, unless the applicant is a moron. And if one is to know the extent Singaporean students drove themselves to acquire good grades, that is telling in itself, that they have the drive, stamina and determination to do well. These graduates who worked so hard to get good grades cannot be the same employees that switched off when employed and paid to do a good job. They strove for good grades without being paid, and now refused to work when they are paid well?
Even those that do not have the good grades but rose to higher management, this fact is enough to show that they are able and capable of doing the job at that level. The knowledge and experience on the job are more valuable than the qualifications of a fresh graduate.
Now, what kind of talents that the foreigners have that the local talents did not have? The foreigners have two brains, three mouths and trained differently and acquired unusual skills from their universities and countries that made them better than the local PMETs?
For the very technical and highly skilled jobs that needed post graduate training, the expertise would set them apart. But many skills can easily be trained, be transferred with on the job or in house training that would not take more than a year to do so. What is so difficult about that?
The truth is that many jobs even at senior management level do not require this thing called talent or exceptional talent that cannot be found in local PMETs. The word talent is an abused word, a red herring that means nothing really.
Anyone who uses this term to justify his special needs as an employer, make him explain why it is a talent in the first place. Talents are needed in very special positions, in special appointments, in highly skilled fields that demanded gruelling years in academic discipline. Another type of talent is how to cheat which is inborn, how to get paid excessively without having to do the work or not knowing how to do the work but getting others to do it and claim the credit. This is unusual talent.
Actually one of the highest level of talent is to be able to con your way to success without acquiring any useful skills but by capitalising on connections, wealth, associations, politicking and conspiracy.
Boorish primitive genes are good
Most people are aware of the problems of inbreeding. The genes, no
matter how superior, would degenerate with too much in breeding. Even
the animals, we are no different, in the zoos need wild genes to keep
the stock healthy. So the tigers and lions and the elephants need to
have mates from the wild to retain the wildness in them.
The years of genetic engineering in developed countries like ours have created a breed of people that are very different from the days of old, or from those in less developed countries. There the people are hungrier and are mentally tuned to fight for their piece of meat or loaf of bread. They are mentally tough to fight for the right to live, to exist. They have little refinement, less care about niceties like gracious, little thought of what will be the consequences of their unrestrained and selfish acts.
The most obvious sign of the new breed of Sinkies is their spectacles. Then their nature, more careful and self restraint, the kiasu and kiasi traits. They would not go out to fight for food, or even their little rights. They withdraw from society, into their little world of comfort and safety. None of my business, I am comfortable and secure within my cocoon. That is the new sinkie, an inbreeding of the nerdy kind, intelligent intellectually but minus the brawn and muscles.
Flash back to the uncouth, boorish and aggressive Ah Tiong in the MRT. We will be no match for such aggressive. He is tough, bigger, louder and daring to pick up a fight. The Sinkies will shy away. I have seen a couple of such roughness this morning in the train, one likely to be a Malaysian and another a Pinoy, both getting hostile to two oldies. The same traits when imposed on an army of boys, specky, soft and tender, meek and weak, what would we have? An army of school boys, looking every bit like boy scouts. And they will have their favourite weapons in their hands, the mobile phones and ipads or something similar. These are the things they will be comfortable with. They would probably faint when they see blood, and screaming for mother.
Yes, we need to input some wildness into our degenerative gene pool. We have too much brains but lacking in brawns and muscle mass. We are shrinking in every area except a head that is getting bigger by the days, a swollen head, so they said. But this is no good in the face of aggression. We need to stand up to aggression individually, to protect self and the weak, and to defend the country.
We have lost that aggressive trait, we have lost that feeling of hunger. So the Ah Tiongs and the likes are a good thing to have here. We need more cross breeding with the wild and primitivity. Go and sow your wild oats or bring home some Ah Tiongs. It is good for health and the future of the people and the country.
Heheheh. Let’s welcome the Ah Tiongs and all the wild men and women from the hungrier countries. They are good tonics, ‘chiat poh’. Forget about being graceful when being so becomes disgraceful, to be bullied by the simpletons and the simple minded.
The years of genetic engineering in developed countries like ours have created a breed of people that are very different from the days of old, or from those in less developed countries. There the people are hungrier and are mentally tuned to fight for their piece of meat or loaf of bread. They are mentally tough to fight for the right to live, to exist. They have little refinement, less care about niceties like gracious, little thought of what will be the consequences of their unrestrained and selfish acts.
The most obvious sign of the new breed of Sinkies is their spectacles. Then their nature, more careful and self restraint, the kiasu and kiasi traits. They would not go out to fight for food, or even their little rights. They withdraw from society, into their little world of comfort and safety. None of my business, I am comfortable and secure within my cocoon. That is the new sinkie, an inbreeding of the nerdy kind, intelligent intellectually but minus the brawn and muscles.
Flash back to the uncouth, boorish and aggressive Ah Tiong in the MRT. We will be no match for such aggressive. He is tough, bigger, louder and daring to pick up a fight. The Sinkies will shy away. I have seen a couple of such roughness this morning in the train, one likely to be a Malaysian and another a Pinoy, both getting hostile to two oldies. The same traits when imposed on an army of boys, specky, soft and tender, meek and weak, what would we have? An army of school boys, looking every bit like boy scouts. And they will have their favourite weapons in their hands, the mobile phones and ipads or something similar. These are the things they will be comfortable with. They would probably faint when they see blood, and screaming for mother.
Yes, we need to input some wildness into our degenerative gene pool. We have too much brains but lacking in brawns and muscle mass. We are shrinking in every area except a head that is getting bigger by the days, a swollen head, so they said. But this is no good in the face of aggression. We need to stand up to aggression individually, to protect self and the weak, and to defend the country.
We have lost that aggressive trait, we have lost that feeling of hunger. So the Ah Tiongs and the likes are a good thing to have here. We need more cross breeding with the wild and primitivity. Go and sow your wild oats or bring home some Ah Tiongs. It is good for health and the future of the people and the country.
Heheheh. Let’s welcome the Ah Tiongs and all the wild men and women from the hungrier countries. They are good tonics, ‘chiat poh’. Forget about being graceful when being so becomes disgraceful, to be bullied by the simpletons and the simple minded.
9/19/2013
The case of the reappearance of empty ballot boxes
The official explanation so far, after the counting is over, the ballot
boxes would be disposed off by contractors. So there would no longer be
consequential to the election and not really meaningful or accountable. A
few seen floating around and reappearing would just reflect that the
contractors were ‘slaykay’ at most, nothing to worry about. There is no
need to make a case out of the two boxes found and nothing serious
really. Let’s move on, this part I say one.
Two of the Presidential candidates are still not happy and smelling foul. What is the real system of checks and balance? Would all the empty boxes be part and parcel of the election process and must all be accounted and destroyed together without any one left floating around. Did they claim that something is amissed?
Presumably, this part I guess one, since I have not been a polling agent and thus would not know what is the correct procedure. Presumably, at the end of the counting of the ballots, all the ballot papers would be placed in these same ballot boxes to be transported to the High Court for safe keeping. There was no need to pack them into the same boxes according to the area or groupings they came from, but in some of the boxes would do. Presumably they were not packed into new or different boxes that were brought in for this purpose. Presumably, some boxes would be empty if all the boxes were fully stuffed.
Presumably every box was a controlled item and there would be an officer to count them and check them out, X number used for ballot papers and Y number extra were empty. Presumably the total would match and all squared up.
Then the puzzling part, should all the boxes, as they were controlled items, be sent together to the High Court and eventually be destroyed together? Looks like this is not the case and those extra boxes were left behind to be removed and destroyed by the contractors after counting was done. They became not controlled items. If this be the case, then the reappearance of the five empty boxes needs not be an issue. It was just a slip by a slipshod contractor on non controlled items.
But if the procedure is for all the ballot boxes, empty or otherwise, to be destroyed together and kept together, then people may ask how come these controlled items could be left behind as they were countables and if missing would not do? But then again, as an after event, ie, after the ballot papers had been properly delivered on the counting tables, the missing boxes would just be a technical issue and would not affect the results.
This does not mean that imaginations cannot go wild like the boxes were already missing and switched before the counting. The understanding or assumption at the moment is that they were left there after counting. Is this assumption and understanding true or reasonable? Or is this proven, a fact? This, I presume, would be playing in the minds of those who wanted to see mischief. But this is highly impossible as the polling agents would have their eyes glued to these boxes and no one could take them away without being noticed. It could only happen if there was a gap in which the ballot boxes were out of sight from the polling agents while they were on the way to the polling stations. Presumably there was no such window to begin with.
So? What do you think?
Two of the Presidential candidates are still not happy and smelling foul. What is the real system of checks and balance? Would all the empty boxes be part and parcel of the election process and must all be accounted and destroyed together without any one left floating around. Did they claim that something is amissed?
Presumably, this part I guess one, since I have not been a polling agent and thus would not know what is the correct procedure. Presumably, at the end of the counting of the ballots, all the ballot papers would be placed in these same ballot boxes to be transported to the High Court for safe keeping. There was no need to pack them into the same boxes according to the area or groupings they came from, but in some of the boxes would do. Presumably they were not packed into new or different boxes that were brought in for this purpose. Presumably, some boxes would be empty if all the boxes were fully stuffed.
Presumably every box was a controlled item and there would be an officer to count them and check them out, X number used for ballot papers and Y number extra were empty. Presumably the total would match and all squared up.
Then the puzzling part, should all the boxes, as they were controlled items, be sent together to the High Court and eventually be destroyed together? Looks like this is not the case and those extra boxes were left behind to be removed and destroyed by the contractors after counting was done. They became not controlled items. If this be the case, then the reappearance of the five empty boxes needs not be an issue. It was just a slip by a slipshod contractor on non controlled items.
But if the procedure is for all the ballot boxes, empty or otherwise, to be destroyed together and kept together, then people may ask how come these controlled items could be left behind as they were countables and if missing would not do? But then again, as an after event, ie, after the ballot papers had been properly delivered on the counting tables, the missing boxes would just be a technical issue and would not affect the results.
This does not mean that imaginations cannot go wild like the boxes were already missing and switched before the counting. The understanding or assumption at the moment is that they were left there after counting. Is this assumption and understanding true or reasonable? Or is this proven, a fact? This, I presume, would be playing in the minds of those who wanted to see mischief. But this is highly impossible as the polling agents would have their eyes glued to these boxes and no one could take them away without being noticed. It could only happen if there was a gap in which the ballot boxes were out of sight from the polling agents while they were on the way to the polling stations. Presumably there was no such window to begin with.
So? What do you think?
USA – The warring state up to mischief again
When there is an opportunity to incite war, to create rivalry among
nation states, to create tension, be sure the USA will be there. The USA
has for many decades being trying to provoke the two Koreans to destroy
and kill each other in North East Asia. It has repeatedly held
provocative joint military exercises at the borders of the two Koreans,
simulating an assault or landing into North Korea. And with the used of
western media and reporters, continuously accused the North Koreans of
being aggressive and unstable, unpredictable for reacting negatively to
the joint military exercises at their doorstep. The most recent and
closest attempt to start war between the two Koreans was of course the
sinking of a South Korean Naval ship, the Choenan, and killing several
tens of seamen in it.
Now sailing several thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean, the Americans are at it again holding joint military exercises with the Japanese to simulate attacking Chinese islands. And further south, it is conducting a more dangerous wargame with an equally trigger happy but top empty Filipino armed forces in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. And China would be blamed by Washington and all the western media for reacting to this hostile provocation at their front yard.
China cannot stay away and look the other way with such blatant and provocative acts of aggression. China must react firmly which is what the Americans wanted to be used as proof of China’s militancy against a small country like the Philippines. And China must react, like it or not, to keep these warlike countries away for good. Appeasement or taking a low profile will only embolden the Americans and the mindless Pinoys to think China is weak. It would not be surprising to see China showing its muscle and intent not to be pushed around by the Americans.
The American pivot to Asia is a hostile military strategy. Do the Asean countries understand this or pretending not to see it? How many Asean countries are welcoming this American move to stick its fingers in between the legs of the Asean countries and calling it a peaceful interference? The American lackeys would no doubt sing praises for the Americans to be the new master and ruler in the region. Asean and South East Asia will again be the chess board of American imperialism and Asean countries by its chess pieces for military dominance in the region.
China will not only protest, but will also have to stand up to push back this unwelcome initiative of the Americans. How many Asean countries will be on the Chinese side, to keep the region free of American power, provocation, intimidation and eventually war? Like it or not, China has to confront the warmongering USA and may have to risk a war in order to hold its ground and defend its territorial integrity. It is only a matter of when.
Now sailing several thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean, the Americans are at it again holding joint military exercises with the Japanese to simulate attacking Chinese islands. And further south, it is conducting a more dangerous wargame with an equally trigger happy but top empty Filipino armed forces in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. And China would be blamed by Washington and all the western media for reacting to this hostile provocation at their front yard.
China cannot stay away and look the other way with such blatant and provocative acts of aggression. China must react firmly which is what the Americans wanted to be used as proof of China’s militancy against a small country like the Philippines. And China must react, like it or not, to keep these warlike countries away for good. Appeasement or taking a low profile will only embolden the Americans and the mindless Pinoys to think China is weak. It would not be surprising to see China showing its muscle and intent not to be pushed around by the Americans.
The American pivot to Asia is a hostile military strategy. Do the Asean countries understand this or pretending not to see it? How many Asean countries are welcoming this American move to stick its fingers in between the legs of the Asean countries and calling it a peaceful interference? The American lackeys would no doubt sing praises for the Americans to be the new master and ruler in the region. Asean and South East Asia will again be the chess board of American imperialism and Asean countries by its chess pieces for military dominance in the region.
China will not only protest, but will also have to stand up to push back this unwelcome initiative of the Americans. How many Asean countries will be on the Chinese side, to keep the region free of American power, provocation, intimidation and eventually war? Like it or not, China has to confront the warmongering USA and may have to risk a war in order to hold its ground and defend its territorial integrity. It is only a matter of when.
Talking Point – A special moment
I caught a couple of minutes of Tuesday’s Talking Point programme in
CNA. I couldn’t remember what was the exact title of the discussion but
it was all about public transport and how to improve it. The local
counterpart Sinkie expert was a professori. And when probed, he gave the
standard govt reply of all the shortcomings and excuses that we have
heard for the last century. Oops, I am exaggerating.
One particular hilarious moment was the question of whether it would be better to nationalize the public transport system and then came the parroted answers, it would become inefficient, the operators would skive and lack the motivation to improve the quality of the service, service quality would fall. Basically it would just rot. They forgot to say that the operators or management would become marbok or would be waiting for bribes or else would not work. In short, once it became a public service run by civil servants they would all forget about working, about responsibility, about excellence, and spent their time drinking kopi. And nothing could be done to them. No one will be watching over them to kick their asses.
The Hongkie expert roared into hilarious laughter on hearing these. He was shock into disbelief that such stupid arguments could be uttered in public by supposedly respectable people and professionals, including very top people. I squirmed too.
How silly can Sinkies be to believe in such craps? The instant and spontaneous reaction of the Hongkie expert only showed how stupid Sinkies are to allow this nonsense to be repeated over and over again and for stupid people to say it again and again without knowing how stupid they sounded. Didn’t they know they looked silly saying it?
So? Never mind. It is group think like they said.
One particular hilarious moment was the question of whether it would be better to nationalize the public transport system and then came the parroted answers, it would become inefficient, the operators would skive and lack the motivation to improve the quality of the service, service quality would fall. Basically it would just rot. They forgot to say that the operators or management would become marbok or would be waiting for bribes or else would not work. In short, once it became a public service run by civil servants they would all forget about working, about responsibility, about excellence, and spent their time drinking kopi. And nothing could be done to them. No one will be watching over them to kick their asses.
The Hongkie expert roared into hilarious laughter on hearing these. He was shock into disbelief that such stupid arguments could be uttered in public by supposedly respectable people and professionals, including very top people. I squirmed too.
How silly can Sinkies be to believe in such craps? The instant and spontaneous reaction of the Hongkie expert only showed how stupid Sinkies are to allow this nonsense to be repeated over and over again and for stupid people to say it again and again without knowing how stupid they sounded. Didn’t they know they looked silly saying it?
So? Never mind. It is group think like they said.
9/18/2013
COPS IN MALAYSIA
Subject: COPS IN MALAYSIA
My friend sent us this
information. Though we can't verify it it's a warning to take note as
many of us drive in to JB for makan and provision.
Travelling is a wonderful experience when you
want to get away from the humdrum daily routine.. It's just that the
natives there can make it troublesome. Even if you take along the
correct passport.
Blessings
James
The traffic department (JPJ) has recently started a campaign to be rid of corruption. Every Officer on duty will be rewarded with RM100.00 if they report each case of bribery to the department.
This is how they do (trick you into) it. They will note down the details of your IC/MyKad, and ask you how you want to settle ( 'Macam mana nak selesai?')
If you indicate yes or even offer to give them any money, they will report the incident by rejecting your 'Kopi Money' and get the RM100.00 instead as an incentive for their integrity and 'Honest' pubicity.
This means that You will end up having a summon issued to you and perhaps a charge for bribery. SO DON'T PAY DUIT KOPI AGAIN, especially if you hope to go free with a lesser amount of money compared to the fine. Even if you want to pay over RM200, the JPJ Officers would rather have a 'good' name than to take your kopi money.
Just beware of their trick because the cops are now accumulating 'cookies' points for their promotion and pay increment - with your help if possible. They should have done this to stop corruption long time ago... But anyway it's better late than never, right? SPREAD THIS MESSAGE TO EDUCATE OTHERS ON THIS NEW ANTI-RASUAH POLICY! AND DON'T YOU DARE TO CORRUPT ANY JPJ OR EVEN POLICE OFFICERS AGAIN!
More help for senior citizens on the way
It was reported yesterday that Gan Kim Yong is leading another team to
Japan to study how to deal with ageing problems and senior citizens.
This comes quite soon after Boon Heng’s team went on a similar visit
with a similar mission. With two big guns leading teams to Japan, it
only shows how serious the govt is on the welfare of the senior
citizens. With this additional trip, both Gan Kim Yong and Boon Heng
could have a retreat with their teams to concoct some great solutions to
help the senior citizens. The seniors can now rest at ease that the
govt is taking them seriously.
One thought came to mind without needing to go for a study trip is to consider the income of senior citizens that are mostly out of jobs for 10 to 40 years. Should the govt offer them some kind of income to pay for 3 meals? Some would need a roof over their heads too. And now every one of them would have to pay for the compulsory Medishield Life Insurance. Where are they going to get the money to pay for it?
Maybe I am jumping the gun and there will be good news for the silver hair citizens after the return of Gan Kim Yong. Keep the fingers crossed, grand dads and mums. You will be able to enjoy your twilight years, your golden years bathing in golden light. Though the govt does not believe in free lunch, maybe this time the free lunch will be offered knowing that many would have nothing to live by given their lack of income.
One thought came to mind without needing to go for a study trip is to consider the income of senior citizens that are mostly out of jobs for 10 to 40 years. Should the govt offer them some kind of income to pay for 3 meals? Some would need a roof over their heads too. And now every one of them would have to pay for the compulsory Medishield Life Insurance. Where are they going to get the money to pay for it?
Maybe I am jumping the gun and there will be good news for the silver hair citizens after the return of Gan Kim Yong. Keep the fingers crossed, grand dads and mums. You will be able to enjoy your twilight years, your golden years bathing in golden light. Though the govt does not believe in free lunch, maybe this time the free lunch will be offered knowing that many would have nothing to live by given their lack of income.
The tuition woe or tuition blur
Parliament is debating seriously about the impact of tuition for school
children and how tuition could create an uneven playing field with some
getting a leg up in their academic pursuits. This is definitely unfair.
Why should some students with parents having so much money be allowed to
have the best tuition to score straight As and some got to struggle
without tuition to just get by? Cannot right? Wrong?
And there is also a problem of good teachers quitting teaching to be tuition teachers for the monetary rewards. Like that also no good as the schools will be deprived of having good teachers. And parents are also spending too much money on tuition, another NG.
So, what is the problem? Dunno. So? Commission a study lah, or at least conduct a survey to know what is wrong and what are the implications then something can be done.
Ok, good idea. One finding I can guarantee will come out. Unlevel playing field. So? Level the playing field, so easy. One solution, tuition be banned henceforth, so every student will start from the same starting line. Or the govt will provide tuition, subsidized definitely, so that every child will have tuition. And make sure it is also compulsory. Like that the field will be leveled, surely.
As for good teachers leaving the teaching service, have a term included in the contract like those in the private sector. Teachers leaving the teaching service will be banned from providing tuition for 5 years. Like that good teachers sure would not leave. Not so good teacher can leave, never mind.
See, problem solved. No need to waste time and money to conduct study or survey. If the ministry is going to spend public money on such study and survey, they must be serious in what they want to do, to take remedial actions. It cannot be a look see, look see, and then nothing done. This is like sending them overseas to study what other countries are doing then come back and just make a report also can. No need any follow up actions or plans. But this also costs money and if it ends up as NATO, then what? Simply spend public money is very easy. But don’t forget money must be well spent. There must be clear objectives and follow up actions to improve something.
Maybe institutionalized or nationalized tuition and tuition centres. Then it will be easier to level the playing field. Rich parents pay more, poor parents pay less or subsidized. Now I used the term subsidize like no body’s business. I am also getting used to the term compulsory with compulsory payments. No opt out.
What do you think?
And there is also a problem of good teachers quitting teaching to be tuition teachers for the monetary rewards. Like that also no good as the schools will be deprived of having good teachers. And parents are also spending too much money on tuition, another NG.
So, what is the problem? Dunno. So? Commission a study lah, or at least conduct a survey to know what is wrong and what are the implications then something can be done.
Ok, good idea. One finding I can guarantee will come out. Unlevel playing field. So? Level the playing field, so easy. One solution, tuition be banned henceforth, so every student will start from the same starting line. Or the govt will provide tuition, subsidized definitely, so that every child will have tuition. And make sure it is also compulsory. Like that the field will be leveled, surely.
As for good teachers leaving the teaching service, have a term included in the contract like those in the private sector. Teachers leaving the teaching service will be banned from providing tuition for 5 years. Like that good teachers sure would not leave. Not so good teacher can leave, never mind.
See, problem solved. No need to waste time and money to conduct study or survey. If the ministry is going to spend public money on such study and survey, they must be serious in what they want to do, to take remedial actions. It cannot be a look see, look see, and then nothing done. This is like sending them overseas to study what other countries are doing then come back and just make a report also can. No need any follow up actions or plans. But this also costs money and if it ends up as NATO, then what? Simply spend public money is very easy. But don’t forget money must be well spent. There must be clear objectives and follow up actions to improve something.
Maybe institutionalized or nationalized tuition and tuition centres. Then it will be easier to level the playing field. Rich parents pay more, poor parents pay less or subsidized. Now I used the term subsidize like no body’s business. I am also getting used to the term compulsory with compulsory payments. No opt out.
What do you think?
9/17/2013
Putin’s gambit backfiring
It was touted as a great manoeuvre that put Obama on the defensive, like
a cornered man. Now the Americans are up to their tricks again, like
they did in Iraq and Libya. All they need is a license to take one step
and they will walk a mile. In Iraq, they first went in with the WMD
inspectors who insisted that everything should come under their
microscope, even Saddam’s pubic hair. Sure the Iraqis objected and that
gave the impression that the Iraqis were unreasonable. And the rest is
history. In Libya, the UN only authorized the western powers to keep a
no fly zone over Libya. But they went ahead to bomb the daylight out of
Libya and Gaddafi. They murdered both leaders and Assad is next on their
wanted list.
So, what is new in this Putin gambit? The Americans and their two lackeys in Britain and France as usual went on to interpret everything to their advantage, agreed or not agreed, in the meeting between Kerry and his Russian counterpart Lavrov. They now wanted to impose all kinds of unreasonable terms on Assad to comply and failing which will justify an attack. So, what is so clever about Putin’s gambit?
Putin has in a way accepted that it was Assad’s fault, and so his chemical weapons much be destroyed while his enemies’ chemical weapons remain intact. The Americans, the Brits, the French, Israel and all the rebels will be allowed to keep their chemical weapons, in a way admitting that they are not guilty.
How clever is Putin to fix Assad up? If he is sure that it was the rebel or anti Assad’s forces that used the chemical weapons, why did he not do anything about it but willingly surrendered Assad to his enemy? It reminds me of Gorbachev and his glasnost that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union. Putin’s stupid gambit could lead to the breakup or downfall of Syria. He is showing a pair of weak hands while facing a bunch of treacherous gangsters who have a penchant for killing civilians and children and dismissing them as collaterals.
Now he must make up for it or else Syria and Assad will be history.
So, what is new in this Putin gambit? The Americans and their two lackeys in Britain and France as usual went on to interpret everything to their advantage, agreed or not agreed, in the meeting between Kerry and his Russian counterpart Lavrov. They now wanted to impose all kinds of unreasonable terms on Assad to comply and failing which will justify an attack. So, what is so clever about Putin’s gambit?
Putin has in a way accepted that it was Assad’s fault, and so his chemical weapons much be destroyed while his enemies’ chemical weapons remain intact. The Americans, the Brits, the French, Israel and all the rebels will be allowed to keep their chemical weapons, in a way admitting that they are not guilty.
How clever is Putin to fix Assad up? If he is sure that it was the rebel or anti Assad’s forces that used the chemical weapons, why did he not do anything about it but willingly surrendered Assad to his enemy? It reminds me of Gorbachev and his glasnost that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union. Putin’s stupid gambit could lead to the breakup or downfall of Syria. He is showing a pair of weak hands while facing a bunch of treacherous gangsters who have a penchant for killing civilians and children and dismissing them as collaterals.
Now he must make up for it or else Syria and Assad will be history.
His name cannot be mentioned
It is not that his name cannot be pronounced or spoken that will incur
the wrath of God. Mentioning his name will bring brickbats instantly, at
least to me here in this blog or in any blogs or forum. And if I were
to sing him praises, my blog will be torn apart and I may get rotten
eggs thrown at me. I will be lucky if my bones are not broken. So I need
to be careful when talking about Him.
He is the creator of wealth and brought good fortunes to many, and is held in high esteem, even prayed to. In His name many were blessed. Some may fall on their knees in his presence, in awe. That is how powerful he is. And all his opponents were blighted to oblivion. No one can be more powerful than Him.
He did what needs to be done, he has everything planned and executed as he wished. At the end of the day, his work is done, complete, and he rests. No one has such good fortune to be able to see everything done in his lifetime to near perfection. His son was installed. His enemies faded away, no one left standing in the name of enemy except the sly ones that passed off as friends. And he is adored by all around him, or feared by those on the dark side.
Just the ability to see through and to complete his job, nothing left undone that needs to be done, is such a blessing. He has all the time to do it, in grace and in a leisure pace. Yes He is the man. How many men have such good fortune to be able to call it a day at his own time and calling, and to see his own monuments being erected in his life time? He is untouchable even in his last breath, and surrounded by his loved ones and his admirers and beneficiaries.
God will envy Him.
He is the creator of wealth and brought good fortunes to many, and is held in high esteem, even prayed to. In His name many were blessed. Some may fall on their knees in his presence, in awe. That is how powerful he is. And all his opponents were blighted to oblivion. No one can be more powerful than Him.
He did what needs to be done, he has everything planned and executed as he wished. At the end of the day, his work is done, complete, and he rests. No one has such good fortune to be able to see everything done in his lifetime to near perfection. His son was installed. His enemies faded away, no one left standing in the name of enemy except the sly ones that passed off as friends. And he is adored by all around him, or feared by those on the dark side.
Just the ability to see through and to complete his job, nothing left undone that needs to be done, is such a blessing. He has all the time to do it, in grace and in a leisure pace. Yes He is the man. How many men have such good fortune to be able to call it a day at his own time and calling, and to see his own monuments being erected in his life time? He is untouchable even in his last breath, and surrounded by his loved ones and his admirers and beneficiaries.
God will envy Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)