Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand cause I'm marvelous

Can't read my, can't read my
No she can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

Thought I should blog about this again. Though I will probably recieve alot of flak about it, be it being random or idiotic

Class recently had a series of unpleasant events. Or not too recent either. But as we near the BIG ONE, it seems (note the word "seems") that things are getting more and more out of hand?

Well, this is not the first time seeing this situation. I still remembered the O's 2 years ago. As things started to heat up, we all started to compete against each other. The mood could be seen as fiery.

But compared to what I'm starting to see, this may not just be a flame, but wild-fire. That of competitiveness. But what I'm going to highlight is possibly one of my past experience. That is, within this class, we are almost not competitors. Almost all of us have different ambitions. Using that as a basis, we are probably gonna go for different courses, different time periods, so why the reason to compete?

Of course, this is also partly the fault of the environment's pressure, "Everyone in your class is trying to get in" and still vividly, from the NUS speaker "If you can't get in, it says a lot about you" Logically, it makes sense, it is the truth. Yet they paint an almost false sense of excessive paranoia/ fear into all of us. Yes, a little fear, a little pressure is always beneficial. But, it is never good if you're gonna start seeing every bush as an ambush. In the end, you hurt yourself, you hurt the bush. I fear a dogfight, and I know that some of the participants would end up ostracized/ isolated, and it will not be pleasant to end off our college experience in such a manner

Back again, on the basis of our different aspirations. Think about the idea I'm going to offer

We all have a common goal. AJC is not that lousy either. Let's just work towards it hand in hand towards our aspirations, out of this fog. Deep down, assuming the A's is just another test, we all would still continue carrying for one another, so why let it spoil the harmonious peace we CAN achieve.

For all those who have suffered problems, though I'm in no position to judge, I feel we should jump at every chance to make up for loss. In the end, the friendship at the end is what matters, anything else (pride or whatever is worthless...) Or even, take up the courage to make it up.

Post Note- I'm not that influential, so I hope that readers can take this in a positive light. Hence, at a personal level, do note that everyone has their own ways of de-stressing. Sometimes we jest about problems. Sometimes, unfortunately, we take it out on others. But please, take an objective view in whatever you see. It is always the spectator that sees more than the player, as I have mentioned to some before

Studied with Ben and Bryan at AMK library today. Then somehow or rather stumbled upon the issue of homosexuals and heterosexuals. Recalling upon the a blog post I made a couple of weeks back regarding "What makes a Real Man?"

Today's debate's and smses just made be realised that up till now, in reality, I can never accept the idea of homosexuals. To me, the idea of personal freedom to express one's love, regardless of gender has always seemed okay, I could accept the sight of homosexuals in public.

But on second thoughts, a black hole in this thought made me realise that deep down, I cannot accept the fact that idea one of my family, relatives or friends may become homosexual in future. Call me bigoted, and I can't say why, but to me, humping another guy and lusting after his heart just seems wrong. I guess that's the way I've been brought up and society deems what the norm is.

I can never unravel why. To me, its' just wrong, it just doesn't seem to be in the natural order for one man to love another. How about you? Can you accept a kin or friend loving another of the same gender?

170808

This should be an exhilirating day for all Singaporeans. We have, for the first time, won the an Olympics medal as an independent nation. It is a day of celebration, for we have reach an unprecendented level of achievement. It is a milestone of the Singapore Spirit. Well, at least, that's what I felt, I was extremely proud of what we have done.

Yet, my day in school proved a totally different sentiment. Here's what I heard most of the time. "We won the Silver" but....... "BUT IT WAS AN ALL CHINA FINAL or WE WON THROUGH IMPORTED TALENT"

I was apalled when I heard what these people said. I was totally disgusted. They never saw this as a Singapore achievement. Seriously, if it was meant as a jest by one or two, I wouldn't have minded. But these jests had turned into a sentiment of the population, sick. Now, two groups of people said these, (1) The non Singaporeans, be it scholars or PRs, (2) Singaporeans

(1) These were the most vocal bunch of people. The 1st thing they said was, "You call that a win, you guys bought the medal" There's no need to say which country they hail from. All I thought was, if you guys want to talk so much about this, AGAIN and AGAIN, outdo us. Either that, or shut the f*** up (no offence at anyone, there's no personal attack against your personality, rather, an attack on your sentiment) We are a COSMOPOLITAN society, accept it. France does it, US does it, what's wrong with us doing it. Don't go around spreading your own sentiment, because if you do it and then try to raise the status of where you hail from, I guess it says alot about how your nation is, you represent your country, so watch what you say.

(2) Our own. Amongst both sides, you make me sick. Most of you are probably smarter than me, and some of you reading this may even be adults, when you say, "They're not one of ours", that's sick. Because you only show how narrow minded you are to think of that (Either that or think of some good reasons why we should not be proud). If you say that, because you have been influenced, you need to start thinking of why we should be proud of our achievements.

Why I think we should be proud? We have always tried to emphasise ourselves as cosmopolitan (and we admire the Americans for doing so). Only by shedding of such a sentiment, can we proclaim ourselves cosmopolitan (for those of you writing this in your GP essays, I hope you mean it). And things go beyond that, foreign talent enriches our society, I have no need to go into the nitty-gritty, you know why we embrace them, and that is the key to our Singapore flavour, and the Singapore Spirit. That is how we, as the nation's future should gear our mindset towards, be proud of what we try to achieve, and try to achieve for the best of this country. The flag that has fathered/ mothered us is the one we swear allegiance to, for as the ancient saying goes, where there is no country, the family cannot exist. Its' the month of National Day and National achievement, so start being proud of what we done.

Start thinking outwards, start thinking for ourselves, for following the mainstream may not always be the best.

Watching Phelps progress is enthralling. Though you won't see me cheering as he wins his 6th, 7th and 8th gold. I'm pretty much mesmerised as how he pursues a Legend for himself. Being a national athelete is never easy, its not just the training we're looking at, but something deeper, the stress they have to cope with.

Phelps is more than just a golden boy, he is a hero, and he is just one of the many we see in our google box. Thinking about how everyone is talking, "Phelps' gonna win the 8, and he'll do it". I wonder what is going on in the champion's mind. Afterall, he's got the hopes of 300 million Americans pinned on him. It is the country's pride, love and hopes on him that becomes the very pressure on him to deliver. And that's just the American side of the story.

There's also China. Yes, we are all in awe of the might of China, not just the opening ceremony, but the atheletes and their will to do their country proud. Many of them are products of the numerous state-run sports institutions that take hundreds of thousands of potential youngsters for training, just to produce that gold medal. 3 words to that- Big Red Machine. And imagine, the pressure on these successful atheletes, who not just carry the hopes of 1.3 billion hearts on their shoulders, but the will to fufil the dreams of their failed counterparts.

We should not just admire them for their feats in getting the medal, but the effort, peserverance and mental strength they have to achieve what they have gotten till today

Here's a slide show of some of the sportsmen whom I've thought to be fit for the title for heroes, be it local or international




Here's an extract covering Phelps pursuit for 8 Golds
BEIJING -- Michael Phelps' pursuit of the great eight begins Saturday.

Immortality will be chased over the ensuing nine days, as Phelps attempts the most ambitious Olympic program in swimming history -- five individual events and three relays against the best in the world. If he completes the sweep, Mark Spitz and every other Olympian -- in every sport -- will be shoved aside. Nobody has ever won eight gold medals in a single Games, and it would give Phelps 14 for his career -- another record.

Michael Phelps' first test will be a tough one -- the 400-meter individual medley.

The pantheon would belong solely to Phelps.

"We know how great Mark Spitz was," said four-time American gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg. "To me, [Phelps] is way above that level, because the sport is so much more competitive now. Like in other sports, he's the kind of athlete who comes along once in a century.

"He's definitely on the verge of something special. I think eight golds is very feasible for him."

But the only way you get to eight is to start with one, and that's part of the trick here. Phelps must break these Games down into 17 individual swims (counting preliminaries and semifinals) and focus on those instead of the great eight. While everyone around him is talking big picture, he must compartmentalize.

"He really does a wonderful job at taking one day at a time and attacking whatever's in front of him for that day," U.S. national team coach Mark Schubert said.

So we'll do this the Phelps way, handicapping one race at a time.

His coach, Bob Bowman, takes the necessary diplomatic route. "They're all equally hard," Bowman said, avoiding handing bulletin-board material to any of Phelps' rivals.

It's not true, of course. Some of the races are easier than others -- but none of them will be easy. Making history on this scale shouldn't be.

Event No. 1: 400-meter individual medley
When is the final: Sunday morning Beijing time, Saturday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Third-toughest of Phelps' eight.

It's a grueling opener, especially given the competition from fellow American Ryan Lochte. Phelps holds the world record in the event, but Lochte pressed him every stroke of the way at the U.S. trials in Omaha before losing by less than a second.

Phelps described that as "one of the most painful races of my life."

This one will hurt, too. Expect a near-dead heat heading into the final 50 meters.

The only other swimmer in the world who has come within three seconds of Phelps' current record time is Hungarian Laszlo Cseh. Phelps has a healthy respect for Cseh, who lowered his personal best in the event by more than 1.5 seconds in June. But given a full taper over the past month -- Phelps wasn't fully rested for the trials -- it would be a sizable upset for him to lose his first race of these Games.

SUNDAY'S END RESULT: Phelps kept pace with teammate Lochte and Hungary's Cseh during his weakest discipline, the breaststroke, before putting the hammer down in the freestyle to win his first gold of the Games in world-record time (4:03.84). Phelps' gold count: 1-for-1.

One of Michael Phelps' main rivals in Beijing will be French swimmer Alain Bernard.
Event No. 2: 4x100 free relay
When is the final: Monday morning Beijing time, Sunday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Toughest race of the meet.

The relays are only 25 percent in Phelps' control -- he will have to rely on his three teammates to close the deal. That's especially true in the 400 free relay, where Phelps is not individually dominant as a 100 freestyler and where the U.S. should get a fight from the French.

Frenchman Alain Bernard has posted the fastest 100-meter free time in the world this year (47.5 seconds), and France has four of the top 18 swimmers worldwide in that event this year. The U.S. has four of the top eight (including Phelps at No. 5, based on a prelim time he swam in Omaha to assure his spot on the relay).

If the Americans have four swimmers who can turn in sub-48-second splits, they should win. If one (or more) of them turns in a bad swim, it could derail Phelps' quest.

MONDAY'S END RESULT: Michael Phelps almost saw his run end, but Jason Lezak came back in the final leg of the 4x100 relay to help the U.S. men edge France to win gold in world-record time (3:08.24) in one of the most memorable relay races in Olympic history. Phelps' gold count: 2-for-2.

Event No. 3: 200 freestyle
When is the final: Tuesday morning Beijing time, Monday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Seventh-toughest.

Phelps should dominate this event. He's got 1.75 seconds on his closest competition in 2008 times. The X factor could be Dutch Olympic veteran Pieter van den Hoogenband, a former world-record holder in this event who won gold in Sydney in 2000 and finished second ahead of Phelps in Athens in '04. He has pulled some big upsets in his time, including beating superstar Aussie Ian Thorpe in his home country eight years ago. But van de Hoogenband is now 30, and his '08 best is nearly three seconds behind Phelps.

TUESDAY'S END RESULT: Phelps easily won his third gold of the Games for his ninth career gold medal, tying for the most career Olympics gold medals. In one of his strongest events, Phelps also broke his own world record (1:42.96). Phelps' gold count: 3-for-3.

Event No. 4: 200 butterfly
When is the final: Wednesday morning Beijing time, Tuesday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Easiest of the bunch.

This is Phelps' baby. He has held the world record for nearly 7½ years and has posted the five fastest times in the history of the event. A mistimed finish in the U.S. trials is probably the only thing that separated him from lowering his own record -- he missed by .11 seconds.

The only other swimmer in the all-time top nine times in the 200 fly is American teammate Gil Stovall, who finished 1.66 seconds behind Phelps at the trials. Stovall is an Olympic rookie who will be racing for silver, as will everyone else in the final.

WEDNESDAY'S END RESULT: It wasn't even close, folks. In his strongest discipline, Phelps controlled the race from the beginning to win the 200-meter butterfly, breaking his own world record in the process and becoming the most decorated gold medalist (10) in Olympic history. Phelps' gold count: 4-for-4.

Event No. 5: 4x200 free relay
When is the final: Wednesday morning Beijing time, Tuesday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Fifth-toughest.

Again, Phelps will need his teammates to come through for him -- but they should be up to the challenge. Australia is the traditional rival in this event, having won gold in 2000 and being touched out by the Americans by .13 in '04.

The United States' top four relay members in this event all rank among the top six in the world this year, while the Aussies have nobody higher than 12th. The Americans smoked Australia by nearly 7 seconds in this event at the 2007 world championships.

This will be a tough night for Phelps individually, swimming two finals.

WEDNESDAY'S END RESULT: Phelps chose to swim the first leg of the relay, and he immediately set the tone. Phelps built an almost insurmountable lead, and by the time Peter Vanderkaay swam the anchor leg, the Americans held a five-body-length lead. It was Phelps' fifth world record and fifth gold in his fifth race. Phelps' gold count: 5-for-5.

Event No. 6: 200 individual medley
When is the final: Friday morning Beijing time, Thursday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Second-toughest.

This will be Phelps-Lochte II, and it could be closer than Phelps-Lochte I. In fact, some believe if Lochte pulls the upset in the 400 IM, he'll win this one, too.

Phelps nipped his rival by 0.42 seconds in Omaha, when Lochte was coming off a thrilling 200 backstroke final less than 30 minutes earlier. This time, Lochte has only a backstroke semifinal earlier in the night, and he won't have to empty the tank to reach the final in that. So he should be more rested than he was at the trials. Cseh could have an outside shot in this event, as well.

But Phelps always has a way -- a will -- to reach the wall first. The better the competition, the stronger his response. "I like to see him challenged because that really brings out his best," Bowman said.

Event No. 7: 100 butterfly
When is the final: Saturday morning Beijing time, Friday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Fourth-toughest.

This is the only individual event in which Phelps doesn't own the world record. That belongs to countryman Ian Crocker -- and Crocker can lock in completely on this event while Phelps is swimming himself silly for a week to get to this point. Advantage: Crocker.

But Phelps is the superior competitor and the stronger swimmer mentally. Crocker's concentration and confidence can waver, as was evident when he got the American medley relay disqualified at the '07 world championships (costing Phelps eight golds there) and then false-started his way out of the 100 freestyle preliminaries at the trials.

Phelps has had Crocker's number recently in head-to-head swims, and his three 100 fly times in Omaha all were faster than anything Crocker has posted in '08. The only other competitor to watch here is France's Fred Bousquet, who swam at Auburn and has the third-fastest time in the world this year.

If Phelps' streak is still intact at this point, the mental strain will be reaching its peak. Expect him to handle it.

"If they gave black belts for handling pressure, he's about a sixth-degree black belt," U.S. men's coach Eddie Reese said.

Event No. 8: 4x100 medley relay
When is the final: Sunday morning Beijing time, Saturday night in the U.S.
How hard is it: Sixth-toughest.

This is the final event of the meet, which will heighten the drama. But, by this point, it could be a coronation more than a competition. Yes, Phelps will need strong swims from his teammates to seal the deal, but his supporting cast is completely capable.

World-record holder Aaron Peirsol will swim the leadoff backstroke leg, with '04 relay gold medalist Brendan Hansen likely to follow in breaststroke. If the race isn't over at that point, expect Phelps to put it out of reach in the butterfly and set up a leisurely freestyle leg for whoever finishes it off. (If Phelps is beaten by Crocker in the 100 fly, Phelps might swim the prelim and Crocker the final -- but both would get gold medals.)

America has never lost an Olympic 400 medley relay. (Australia won in 1980 when the U.S. boycotted.) Don't expect that to change now -- especially if Phelps has the great eight within his grasp.

Pat Forde is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at ESPN4D@aol.com.

Defining a Nation and its People- by Jermyn Chow
Article provided courtesy of The Straits Times



The world admired the way the Americans picked themselves up after the Sept 11 attacks in 2001. The tragedy pulled them together like nothing since World War II.

On display was the American spirit at its finest: the construction worker and firefighter who pitched in to clear the rubble at Ground Zero; the student and Wall Street type who wrapped themselves in the American flag, lined the streets and let out loud, jubilant cheers of “Thank you!” as each fire truck and rescue vehicle passed them by.

On show, too, was the American attitude – the can-do, in-your-face gumption.

Ditto the Britons when the London Tube was hit by a series of coordinated bomb blasts in July 2005.

Singaporeans, too, when put to the test, have shown the Singapore Spirit.

In 2003, when the nation – and its stricken economy – rallied to battle the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong described a “national spirit” he said he had never seen before.
“Our country bonded with stout hearts, tenacity and determination. Sars did not break Singapore,” Mr Goh said in his National Day Rally speech.

That never-say-die attitude was also noted when everyone pulled together as a nation to weather the economic downturn in the late 1990s, the recession in the 1980s and the double-digit inflation in the 1970s.

More recently, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has drawn on that spirit in describing how the nation reached out to the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

“It’s a spirit which will hold us together as one united people, each one doing his part, each one contributing to remaking our nation and building our home and, together, we will make it a vibrant, global city called home,” he said in his National Day Rally speech the following year.

That spirit is more than just the sum of Singaporean characteristics – the tendency to queue, the Singlish, or the penchant to complain “when the bus doesn’t come, when the taxis don’t come, about rising prices, and everything else”, as observed by 45-year-old taxi driver Vikram Pilai.

It is also more than the fixation on being No. 1 – first, best, state-of-the-art. What the Singapore Spirit captures is the nation’s resilience, its can-do attitude, and the will to build a nation where there was none.

It alludes to the ways in which the nation has tried to excel, and what drives it. And it is these characteristics that likely inspired the theme for the nation’s 43rd National Day Parade on Aug 9 – Celebrating the Singapore Spirit.







From show of military might to high-tech festivities
- by Tessa Wong



As torrential rain poured on Aug 9, 1968, then social affairs minister Othman Wok was leading a People’s Defence Force contingent on a route march from the Padang to Farrer Road.

It was the first National Day Parade (NDP) to get rained on. But the sun shone through later, and the starch from his uniform dissolved and hardened to form uncomfortable crusts on his skin.

Now 83, Mr Othman recalled: “I could hear the boys saying ‘So suay!’, but we pressed on. We had to march properly.” Suay is Hokkien for “unlucky”.

But stoic determination was to be a hallmark of the parade and the new nation.

Just like Singapore, much has changed in the NDP’s 43-year history. It has become more high-tech and sophisticated, but parade veterans agreed that, at its heart, it has not changed.

Mr Karim Namazie, 66, who did the parade’s TV commentary in English from 1968 to 1976, said: “It has become better; there’s been more money and thought put into it, but the spirit of celebration has always been the same.”

In the early days, military displays took precedence, as the NDP aimed to inspire confidence in the newly independent nation. The mood became more festive in the 1970s.

Mass dances and floats were key, with many incorporating images synonymous with Singapore’s work ethic, such as bees, cogs and hammers.

Filmmaker Tan Pin Pin, 38, has seen the parade evolve. In 2006, she studied all 40 years of parade footage to create a video installation for the National Museum of Singapore’s history exhibit. “It may seem didactic, but it reflected what was important to Singapore then and now,” she said.

Between 1975 and 1984, the parade was decentralised every other year to take the celebration out to the heartland.

In 1976, it moved to the National Stadium, creating a more collective experience. It was more interactive by
the mid 1980s, with flashcards and torchlights handed out to spectators.

By the 1990s and the 2000s, celebration had clearly become a priority, with the focus on high-tech entertainment put together by theatrically trained parade directors and awesome military spectacles.

It has become Mardi Gras-like, said interviewees.

The shift in mood reflects a maturing of the nation, said National University of Singapore geography professor Lily Kong.

Newly independent countries tend to have military displays to assert their might; those which have enjoyed sovereignty for a while have more relaxed, enjoyable affairs, she noted. “It’s more about us having fun now. We’re letting our hair down and showing we’re a confident nation coming of age."



1966: “I was very proud that I was able to participate, and able to restore confidence to the people of Singapore that we were prepared for any eventuality,” recalled former minister for social affairs Othman Wok (above), now 83, on his marching with the People’s Defence Force as an officer cadet in Singapore’s first National Day Parade in 1966. Mr Othman went on to lead the contingent in 1968, 1970 and 1973.



1974: “Floats back then were kitschy, yet heartfelt in the presentation of their messages. I am not sure if this earnest presentation will be bought by our youth these days,” reflected filmmaker Tan Pin Pin, on this float in the 1974 parade which depicted a man being punished for being lazy. She said it captured the way the parade heavily promoted the spirit of diligence and nation-building in its early years.




1997: Parade spectators whip out banner scarves from their goodie bags a part of an audience mass display. The parade began to have more audience participation by the mid-1980s, which fostered a greater sense of inclusiveness and unity. Items such as flashcards, torchlights, colour coordinated clothes, umbrellas and oversized foam hands have been used throughout the years for such displays.

Just had dinner. As usual, parents were lamenting about the rising inflation, unemployment etc. Well, you know. But somehow, today's interest seemed to be referred to our sovergein wealth funds, namely GIC and Temasek Holdings.

This was where, ironically, a "spark" that got me thinking. National Day. I saw a bunch of teens doing the cheerleading thingy and singing the "One People, One Nation thingy..." Our future is supposed to lie in the hands of the best and brightest of our generations. (PS if things a going a little haywire, just recollecting my thoughts) I then recalled the rationale of the government raise in salaries for our politicians- to attract the best and brightest into our leadership (government) and keep them there. The increase for the top ministers is at a whopping 25 percent (on average).

Here's the common man's lament, "They get a pay raise, we private employees get 3 percent raise annually only. Then there's the GST hike, inflation. I still have to raise 2 kids, pay off my car, my house..."

That got me wondering, generally, we expect that the best of our generation to be from schools like RJC and HCI. Afterall, they're supposed to lead us being people who are the best. That's where my questions come into play---

These students come from what we commoners acknowledge as elitist schools, not to mention a much higher proportion of the rich (silver spoon kids). Afterall in Singapore- more money= more enrichment lessons= better teachers= better grades= enhanced chance to top schools (some things may not be bought, but money can increase the chances of getting it) They are in a highly competitive society of their schools, where academia (we all agree this unknowingly) matters the most. However, do they really stay in touch with the grassroots, do they really know the hardships of the common man? Note that they will be highly paid compared to the common man, naturally for being the country's leaders

"My dad slogs his butts off everyday just to earn 3.5K plus a month, and even so its' not enough, my mum works to ensure a comfortable life for our family. So, think about it, how hard is it to maintain a family today"

Ask the more well to do elitists, how many of them can appreciate the efforts of the middle class, not even to mention the lower class. I have no need to emphasize- we are facing a widening income gap, and who are the worst victims of this- the poor, the middle class. If this people are to lead us, I sincerely do hope that they have the experiences of the middle and lower class. CIPs and SLs towards the disadvantaged are not enough (my opinion- its all a FARCE). Afterall, why is our MM Lee so successful in leading Singapore of the past- he suffered the effects of riots, of a country in turmoil, and he had a vision, he was inspired to take care of all Singaporeans genuinely (I do believe that our ministers are working for a good cause too- Mr Khaw on SARS, Mr Lim as minister of PM's office etc) All I hope is that our privilleged generation can serve with as much thoughtfulness and respect for their people.

The other burning question? Sovereign wealth funds GIC and Temasek Holdings. Did you know that these 2 companies rank among the top 6 of the world's greatest SWF's (got that from Wiki) GIC with 330 billion and TH with 159.2 billion. Tasked to help ensure the economic "safety" of our country, they have been actively and successfully built up a wealth for our nation. However, several high profile acquisitions have caught my eye, especially TH

The acquisition of Thailand's Shin Corp stakes- 49 percent was highly contreversial. SC was a leading telecommunications company in Thailand. The Thais saw it as a breach to their national security since TH now had 90 percent of the voting rights in this company (according to Wiki). Not to beat about the bush- this sure makes economic sense, afterall, it is seen as an investment oppurtunity. But is it socially desirable to incur the wrath of our Thai friends, morally, it may seem to them as an infringement to their sovergeinty. I'm not too sure myself.

Several other examples, Wiki quote
"stakes in telecommunication companies such as Telekom Malaysia. It has also taken up stakes in foreign financial institutions such as PT Bank Danamon in Indonesia and NIB Bank in Pakistan. Temasek-linked companies (TLCs) also hold an extensive global portfolio, such as SingTel's ownership of Australian telco Optus, and Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic"

With respect ot our future leaders in our generation, I hope that in managing our nation, they can be tactful, learn from such situations, and genuinely serve our people with care and concern

Words from an ordinary boy...

(This post was not meant to insult anyone. Apologies to any infringement or problems caused. Just let me know)

Went out to mug at WLB with ljx. Finally managed to throw math out of the window. Woots. But thats besides the point. After leaving the library, I was waiting for my dad at Yishun MRT.

I saw this old man, but what's so special about this old man. He was wearing a earring, on his left ear, dressed in a mini skirt, and heels 3 inches high. Well, you get what I mean. Then, out of the blue, a group of adolescents walked past and shouted "Ah Kuah" (Sissy) at him.

My dad was late, and that 15mins gave me crucial time to think about the incident. The key point that struck me 1st was really, what makes a man,afterall, why would a man want to change his sex?

Is it genetic? Perhaps his body simply produces a heightened amount of oestrogen. Or could it be environment, maybe his parents were she-males? Though that's highly unlikely too. Afterall, while considered open to Asians, we are still a conservative society in Western eyes. Or perhaps, a failed marriage. If that was true, I find it really sad for a man to turn in his manhood in light of a failed relationship. Finally, and I sincerely hope not, a passion, a "crime" of passion? He simply admires the opposite sex so much he wishes to be part of it. Afterall, he was sashaying in the MRT station's main area for quite some time.

A second thing that struck me- the group of teens that walked past and called him a sissy. True, they were boys, but what they did, to publicly humilate a person, does that qualify themselves as men? As machoinstic. Does society consider men who behave in a barbaric way as men? I guess not.

Well, what makes a man? Your call

LIVE AND LET LIVE

That's my quote for today. I see 2 factions in the class. And I truly think that sometimes we can be oversensitive. Its' like I go out with one group then someone says dark side. I'm like, oh, the KFC??? I certainly hope that's the way. The more i see it, the more it seems like its all a complex web of misunderstandings. Like what ben says, "I think you people worry too much"

Now I say, "You guys think too much"

Just LIVE AND LET LIVE

Today would be on the contexts of Terrorism




Rather than look at the different types of definitions, it may be better to look at how Terrorism morphs over the different fields of Human Order

Conflict- We are looking at it in terms of conventional conflicts. Areas like commando units, when unleashed, the methods they use sometimes look a lot like terrorism. An example is Major John Anderson, a "commando" of the Federal Army in the American Civil War, he didnt wear a uniform, nor did he fight by the accepted norm. In guerrilla wars, they may use terrorist tactics to scare their opponents into submission. There are also examples like the bombing of Stalingrad by Hitler/ Goering's Luftwaffe and the bombing of Dresden by RAF and USAF of that time. You should thus realise that the definition of terrorism also changes with the nature of conflict.

Political power- Labelling opponents as "terrorists" can have profound impacts and results. Citizens seem willing to accept "abuses" of government power when a conter-terrorist programmes is ongoing. Hence, terrorists dont enjoy the same humanitarian priveleges as people

Repression- Some governments routinely use repression to keep domestic populations in line. This is where it can exist in political strutures as leaders use secret police forces to maintain power- Joseph Stalin, Hitler, Saddam etc.

Religion- In recent years, religion has played a more significant role in the process of terrorism. Religious terrorism can center round 3 main sources. 1st- Some groups may feel the need to purify the world to herald a new epoch. 2nd- Some may feel they are chosen and so destroy others in the name of righteousness. Finally, other people may become so consumed in their cause that they create a surrogate religion and take violent action to advance their beliefs

OTHERS: Technological Terrorism- This can come as weapons of mass destructions. Cyberterrorism- This can come as computer attacks, viruses or destruction of an information structure. Narcoterrorism- Drug organisations frquently use terrorist tactics and some terrorist organisations use drugs to finance their operations

Note that context is everchanging...

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