[redbean]

16 Nov is Singapore's Dog's Day

I declare 16 Nov 09 as the Day of the Dogs. A shopping mall in Serangoon Central has a 185 sq m playground dedicated to dogs, so that dogs can run free, enjoy sports equipment, running tracks, jumping bars, loops and exercise slides. And ST has devoted one and a half page on designer pooches, and how top dogs are bred to the likings and delights of their owners.

We have dog restaurants and dog menus, dog parks being proposed and of course vet/dog specialists.

While all these affections for dogs are good, let's not forget that there are babies and children. We do not want to end up where couples choose to have dogs than babies. Babies are no longer in fad.

Happy Dog's Day.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Lesser beings in dog country

How do we compare the value of human life against the satisfaction of dog lovers keeping ferocious dogs? Some dog breeds are renowned for their killer instinct, their propensity to attack other animals, including humans and children. In many countries, the keeping of such fierce animals are still permitted under strict laws and regulations. The possibility of these animals attacking the innocent by accident is always there. The number of dog attacks on humans is increasing and last year hit a high of 65 cases or 5 cases a month. Is this acceptable, the pain, suffering and agony of the victims as reasonable trade off for the fun of the owners?

Stricter laws and higher penalties against the owners have been legislated.The owner can be fined up to $5000 on conviction and must also compensate the victim up to $2000. I presumed that these are the toughest penalties against dog owners. I am quoting the numbers from Andy Ho, a senior correspondent of ST in his article titled 'Dog attacks: Putting more bite into rules' in the Straits Times today.

My question is whether these penalties are severe enough or painful enough to the dog owners versus the pain of its victims, especially little children and their parents when they are mauled by such huge dogs? Should society accept and tolerate this dangerous hobby of owners keeping ferocious dogs at the expense of the sufferings of the victims? Are $5000 fine high enough or $2000 compensation good enough? There is also the possibility of taking up a civil suit to claim against the dog owners. The catch is that lesser beings may not have the money to pay for the legal fees and probably have to forgo such an option.

Singapore is a very densed city with people everywhere and the risk of a fierce dog running free and inflicting gruesome wounds on its victims is very high. The trade off just to satisfy the appetite of a few higher beings is unjustifiable. And the fines and compensation are really peanuts. Even a million dollar compensation is not enough to the victims and their parents in a vicious attack. Are we insane or what?
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

The most tragic decision

The analysts are blowing the trumpets again about the huge profits made by CPF investors under the CPFIS. They screamed in the media that CPF investors have 'recouped all their losses over the past year and even add some gains.' The average returns is 9.28 percent! Heavens, investing with CPF funds in the stockmarket is so rewarding compares to banks giving less than 0.5 percent interest or CPF giving between 2.5 - 4 percent. This must be the most encouraging news to CPF investors.

Is it? Why did I use 'The most tragic decision' as my title for this post? Ask the earlier investors who poured in practically everything they had in their CPF under the liberalized policy where something like 90 percent of investible funds could be used to invest in stocks. The conventional wisdom then, as claimed by all the analysts and experts, was that in the long run the returns from stocks would be higher than any other investments and may be in the region of 25 to 35 percent. Of course that was too good to believe. And the people believed. And many lost a big chunk of their retirement funds and now have hardly anything to call a nest egg to depend on.

The most destructive change in policy was to reduce the amount available for stock investment substantially when the market went into a tailspin during the financial crisis. This practically forced CPF investors who have sunk all their money into stocks to just do one thing, sell and sell and not buying back as the amount recovered would not be enough for reinvestment under the new rulings.

Why is it that no one wishes to talk about this financial fiasco? Would anyone want to seriously investigate into this and ask how much the CPF investors have really lost in the stock market since the liberalization and then restriction of CPF funds for investments? Just read the first paragraph once more carefully. They were talking about gains over the last ONE year. Before that it was still losing and the 9.28% is over a smaller reduced capital.

When would this sad story be unfolded?

The above article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Dog training for 2 legged animals

The WTC or World Toilet Conference is currently being held in Singapore. And Singapore prides itself with one of the most sophisticated and world class sewerage system, very modern and high tech. But comes to public toilets, there is room for improvements. In fact the public toilet is still a shame. How could a world class country, affluent, highly educated population, continues to live with a public toilet institution that is at best third world? Maybe the well groomed and sophisticated Singaporeans don't use them but the only the uneducated remnants of the past or foreign workers are using them. That's patronising but probably true.

Actually it is a lie. The food courts are execellent examples of places where Singaporeans gathered for their meals and definitely using the toilet facilities. And they stink. And in the heart of Raffles Place and Shenton Way where I work, the well heeled finance professionals and the office staff are generally quite well educated, not the construction workers type. The toilet facilities also stink.

My personal experience is that there are animals using these facilities together with humans. They walked on two legs of course. The urinals and toilet bowls were erected specifically to contain their excretion. The fact is that the urine will be on the floor instead. Maybe these animals need to squat. And the toilet seats are designed for users to sit on them. But the animals would put their legs high, crouching like animals of course, and leaving their sole marks as evidence that they have been there.

And they blame it on the cleaners for not doing their jobs. How convenient.

Recently we have the pet training schools glorifying how important and effective they are in training killer dogs to be obedient and friendly. They probably extinguish their animal instinct to kill altogether and become more human in the course of the training. What I would recommend these schools to do is to start toilet training for two legged animals. And the authorities or organisations who have such animals should enrol them for such courses and ban them from their toilet facilities until they are toilet trained. They need to show their certificates of attendance and a pass at least to be allowed to use the toilets again.

This is the least that organisations can do to keep their toilet facilities clean and worthy of use for human beings. For the public facilities, put a killer dog in the toilet, without doors of course. Let the dogs be witnesses to the animal behaviour of the two legged animals.

This article is copied from Asian Correspondence
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Creating a perfect and beautiful paradise

To many people Singapore is synonymous with paradise on earth. People live in peace and harmony, jobs everywhere, and rich people everywhere. And they get angry over little frills or discomforts which are considered luxuries in other countries.

We have a superb infrastructure that works, everything works. We have a Disneyland in Orchard Road where every inch of the road and pathways are literary pasted with money. And all the famous branded luxury goods are available at every corner of the shopping district.

Our housing, medical facilities are all world class. Our roads are filled with brand new luxury cars. Anything near to 10 years old will be scrapped, and often five or six year old cars will be scrapped too. And our cars are the most expensive in the world. See how rich Singaporeans are, changing to a brand new car every three to four years!

Our public transportation, buses, trains and taxis are also brand new or only a few years old. Definitely not more than 10 years. If I am not mistaken, taxis are taken off the road every six years or something like that.

Everything is new and beautiful. Where else can one find such a beautiful place on earth? And when one is in Orchard Road or Raffles Place, one feels old and out of place if one is in their forties. These places are so refreshingly young, and everyone is young. No old people around, I mean if you are 40 and above, that’s it. You will stick out like a sore thumb, distorted and out of place.

The people, especially the old, the untalented, the misfits, are the only sore point in paradise Singapore. Their presence is a big stain in the almost picture-perfect paradise. If they were removed Singapore would be simply beautiful.

For the oldies, ok, ideas have been tested to send them to neighbouring countries in beautiful retirement resorts. That should take care of one aspect of the ugly problem. For the untalented and the misfits, maybe global warming can help. Soon Antartica will be hospitable enough for human colonies. We can think of despatching them there to start a new life among equals. It is fairer for them, less competitive, and they will no longer be blamed for their unsightly presence.

As for the talent pool, the solution could be easy. Anyone without a university degree or diploma should be ruled untalented and should be sent to Antartica. For those who are rich and successful, no need to fear. Just buy a degree from the degree mills. Even doctorates are quite easy to come by and very affordable. They should then be well qualified as part of the supertalent pool that paradise needs. And with their money, they could replace their ageing parts, plaster themselves with silicone or botox and look like new.

Wow, paradise will be truly beautiful and perfect. I am booking my next flight to Antartica.

The post is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Money to be made from the dark side

As 2009 fades to the twilight of history, a new dawn is approaching. It is one of those time to reflect and check the bearings and see where we shall be heading. The pot of gold at the other side of the rainbow, and the promises of a good life will probably be what many people will be thinking. The issue is how to get there. And as the world becomes greyer by the day, the white becoming darker and the black becoming whiter, shall we be looking at the opportunities that the dark side can offer?

We have two casinos waiting to open their doors in the next few months. And common sense will tell us how important are such enterprises to the dark side. The mafias, the triads, the gangs, the secret societies, have all along been existing side by side with such money making machines. They have done well. Today, they are all respectable business people, I mean the wealthy people of the dark side. They look exactly like any rich and successful business tycoons with their assortments of luxuries flowing by their sides.

Shall we harness the power of the dark side and share the rewards with them? Take a stake in their establishment, joint ventures or whatever, give it a little respectability and modify the operations with some semblance of the law, and all will be fine. The blood and gore of the dark side are no longer the trademark of the profession. It is all about making big money. And with big money, many good deeds can be done with the money to smoothen the little scars and ugliness here and there.

I think it is a wonderful proposition. Embrace the dark side, give them some respectability and they will behave. Who knows, they will become the bright side in time to come. The only risk is that the bright side may be so contaminated that they did not know that they have become the dark side. The only guarantee card is to have good people to work with the dark side and all will be well. With good people, the seemingly malpractices of the dark side may become more acceptable, and people will look at them approvingly. Dark side or bright side, black cat or white cat, as long as they can make money, no sweat.

Let there be no dark side! And no white side as well.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Takings for charity organisations fell

Several big charity organisations are feeling the pinch as their takings dropped, some by as much as one third of what they used to take from the well wishers. It was a big contrast from the good old days when running and funding charities was the right thing to do, and bathing in generous publicity. It was amusement. And everyone wanted to start a charity, even kids in their twenties were so encouraged by the good takings that one started a few charities to raise funds for the needy. It reached a stage short of calling themselves cherrypreneurs.

The charities still running are blaming the economic downturn for their low income. What was the real contributor of their ill fortune was greed and mismanagement of free money dropping from the sky. At least two infamously successful charities were hauled up in court and their officials found guilty of some infringements of the law. These acts have made many contributors disillusion with what is going on with their hard earned money and given freely to help the needy but ended in the wrong place or wrong pockets.

The greed in how charities were run is only the tip of the iceberg in a society that praises money and making money at all cost. And greed has destroyed the credibility of charities as a noble institution of selflessness and compassion. It has almost wrecked the economy of America and many rich nations. And it will continue to do damage to countries that think unrestrained greed is good and healthy and should be celebrated.

We will see more greed being exposed in the course of time and more luminaries and institutions of good repute being dragged into the longkangs. But it is not easy to expose greed when the perpetrators are highly intelligent and talented. Only time and patience will see the truth emerging.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

More haste less speed

We have instant noodles for convenience. We have instant trees everywhere to speed up the process of growth. Never mind if some branches fell off during a big thunderstorm as the double quick time solution is unnatural and will have its weaknesses. The damages are minimum, a few cars dented or an unlucky person hit by a branch.

Our instant tree formula works in many fields. We want gardens we have instant gardens. We want flats we have instant flats, or nearly, just 3 or 4 years. We want footballers, we have footballers. We want talents we have talents. We want to increase our population we just import and lo behold, we have our 5 million and maybe 10 million in double quick time.

But our nation building process just does not seem to work after 45 years. We are still a ctiy state, not so much as a nation. Many cynics will brand this place as a hotel. Why is that so? Why is it that after 45 years, we are still struggling to be one country, one people and one nation? The instant tree formula does not work and cannot work in nation building. In hotel building yes. All super guests will come and go and no one will blink an eyelid. But when citizens, those who have been here for a generation of more are uprooting, it is reason for concern.

Then again, to some quarters, no sweat, replace with new and better or hungrier ones. It is just like changing a shirt. So now we are expediting our new citizenship process. Many more are welcomed with open arms. After 45 years, when we are struggling to be one people, how many more years will it take with the dilution? The brew will be diluted and needs more time to brew again.

And we have new citizens and instant NS men. Another instant tree formula. How fast and well will the new citzens bind themselves as one of us? We may have a peaceful environment and time is on our side. The lessons of the Americans when their own soldiers turn their weapons against their own men cannot be taken lightly. Our families are small and every son is all we had. We lost two good sons in Australia to a new NS man.

Nation building and gelling a people to be one of us cannot be simply solved by the instant tree formula. Nation building is not masak masak. It is a serious process and takes a long time to mature. Don't be too happy with the numbers coming from the instant tree formula. The numbers could be cancerous.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Let's be sensitive ok?

In the wake of the highly charged sensitivity that is burning in Malaysia, let's all be extra sensitive to other religion, culture and custom ok? MacDonald has taken the initiative to be sensitive and is replacing the pig from its Chinese Zodiac panel of animals so that the Muslims could also buy a set of it. Oh MacDonald, you forgot, dog is also unacceptable. Please remove the dog from the Chinese Zodiac.

I read Kaffeinated suggesting that since some religions associate the dragon with the devil, then to be sensitive to them, maybe the Chinese New Year shall be celebrated without the dragon and the dragon dance. Yes do away with dragon dance. I know that Kaffeinated is just using this as an analogy.

How far are we going to go down this slippery road of sensitivities before some one blows up? In the first place, MacDonald should not use the Chinese Zodiac symbols by corrupting it with another sign if it deems anyone of them is not suitable. It is being insensitive to the Chinese culture where the zodiac signs have been their culture for thousands of years. The signs have not offended anyone and were never meant to offend anyone. They predate many cultures and civilisations. What MacDonald has done can be seen as unpalatable by some people who are proud of their cultural heritage and could be offended.

It is better for MacDonald not distribute these items if it is sensitive to the Chinese culture. Altering people's cultural heritage to please another may not be looked at kindly by some quarter.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Don't worry, be happy

This is the title of an editorial comment in today's Sunday Times. It refers to a recent survey by the National University of Singapore which concluded that 'Singaporeans who have university degrees or earn $5,000 or more a month are the happiest. Yet they are dissatisfied with their lot and enjoy life the least, compared with those who make less.' Please don't ask me to explain the contradictions in this quoted statement. They are happiest but dissatisfied with their lot, happy is not satisfied, because they have more money but enjoy life least because, 'they don't enjoy life enough, many higher earning Singaporeans probably relate "enjoyment" to fine food, fancy cars and luxurious homes.'

The editorial advice is that one can only enjoy so much in these things. And one can 'enjoy life fully only when one is purposefully engaged, and is passionate about the things one does. Happiness comes as a fleeting by product. Recognise that and one can be a more fulfilled person.'

Now I see why there are so many rich people, people earning millions and very happy but very dissatisfied. They want more, they want more bonuses and bigger pay so that they can have finer food, fancier cars and more luxurious homes. So don't blame them. The only thing is to enlighten them to be passionate in what they are doing and turn them into more fulfilled people.

But I think it is unfair to tell those earning a few thousands a month to let go of their greed to want to earn more and to have better material comfort when those who are earning millions are still craving for more. And the worst part is that the most productive people are those earning a few thousands a month, and if this group give up their greed, they may give up their drive to work harder and the economy will be affected. Some of you may disagree, the truth is that some of those earning many millions are working the least, relatively, while some even make millions without having to work, while some let their money do the working or through other more ingenious means.

Still the advice is good. Don't worry, be happy.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

Don't worry, we have the money

The World Cup Crisis in Singapore appears to be a result of Singaporeans having too much money. There were suggestions in the media and forum that Fifa got greedy after seeing Singtel bid $400m for the EPL. In their mind they must be thinking, since Singapore was willing to pay so much for EPL, they must also be willing to pay much more for World Cup matches. Apparently the asking fees was raised to an amount that both Singtel and Starhub found it too big to swallow. It is now Singapore's fault for showing to the world that we have too much money.

In the world of high finance Singapore is a darling to all the suitors, genuine and conmen. We have been know to willingly pay the infamous 'Singapore premium' ie, and amount much more than other buyers are willing to pay, even for lemons. So what is the issue? No issue at all. We have the money and we can afford to pay.

The financial crisis also saw our big funds losing tens of billions. And lately there have been reported cases of a few hundred millions loss at each single deal, and just written away. No sweat. What is a few hundred millions? We are in the big league and playing with hundreds of billions. We are welcomed everywhere and being invited to all the big big deals, just like the big rollers in casinos, only those with a big cheque are invited. In this league, you are treated differently, but must be prepared to lose big as well.

Don't worry, we have the money.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

No World Cup for Singapore?

That is the truth that Singaporeans must accept. We will never win the World Cup unless our country falls into the hand of a Third World dictator who values the fame of a World Cup more than anything else and is willing to pay for it.

Today, we are facing another issue of no World Cup for Singapore. We may not win the World Cup, but we want to see the game and be part of the thrills and excitement. And one blogger by the name of rogerpoh posted in his blog and reported in the Sunday Times these words, 'The unthinkable can happen: that a country that brags about its first world status, and one with a sovereign wealth fund that is mentioned in the same breath as oil rich Arab countries, is leaving its citizens in the lurch, forcing them to flee to Malaysia and other neighbouring countries like Thailand and Indonesia to watch the World Cup.' Now isn't this serious, our citizens fleeing the country! This is like the island is being hit by a 8 ricther scale earthquake or street violence breaking out in the country. Ok, it is exaggeration on a Sunday morning.

The situation is till grim with the Editorial pitching in too. And better manage this crisis carefully or many votes could be lost in the next general election if all the football fans got pissed off by having to flee the country for their favourite game. The editorial was trying to drive some sense to the football fans that Singapore football fans must not be blackmailed into paying more than they should to watch the World Cup. Apparently the reason why FIFA has raised the fee to an unacceptable level is because we are willing to pay $400m to watch EPL. This will be an insult to FIFA if they continue to price their matches lower or cheaper than English local matches. This is an international tournament, world class, how can it be cheaper than a Division One English soccer match. Makes sense right?

Then Tan Kin Lian also chipped in by trying to advise FIFA on how to price it correctlly, rationally and objectively so that it will be fair to FIFA and the subscribers and the football fans. Charge on a willing buyer and willing seller basis, very business like.

I think everyone has missed the point. FIFA has been following the events in Singapore and knows the Singaporean culture well. They know that Singaporeans are rich and will willingly pay for quality. And they know that the price they are charging is very affordable. They are pricing according to two principles, market price and affordability. The amount Singapore pays for EPL has set the market value of its matches. And I think they are right on this count. The second point is that they will charge a price as high as the consumers are willing and able to pay. So is their price affordable, sure affordable. FIFA shall take up an ad on the ST by telling the Singaporeans that It is affordable. And if Singaporeans are still not happy, give a little subsidy to the price and Singaporeans will lap it up in glee.

I am willing to place a bet with anyone that Singaporeans will get to watch the World Cup. No need to flee. Too many votes are at stake. And why not, it is affordable. Just pay lah.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondence.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

More World Cup grievances

Singapore football fans are not going to be deprived of their World Cup matches. There are more letters complaining about FIFA becoming too greedy and running like a commercial organisations instead of serving the interest of football fans. They are now trying to differentiate World Cup from EPL, saying the World Cup is not meant for profit while the latter is a commercial organisations running for profit. Can I believe this?

This is a valid reason that all stupid Singaporeans have been taught to believe. Just make an organisation private and it can go forth and make all the indecent profits it wants. FIFA should make a public statement, just for Singaporeans' sake, that it is a commercial organisation and will make profit and maximise profits. Maybe it need not do so and just say it, as the window dressing does not make it more private and less of a public organisation.

And it is funny, really, damn funny, for Singaporeans to condemn FIFA for being greedy and making more profits. I think the real problem, as I can see it, is that in the case of EPL, Singtel and Starhub were doing the normal business thing, to outbid each other, to see who can afford to pay more for the rights. In this case, both are down bidding each other to see who can get the rights by bidding less. How can FIFA not be furious? This is crazy. It is against the norm. The prices of all things must go up. And good things must command higher value. If the price is cheaper than EPL, then it will mean that World Cup matches are of lower quality than EPL matches.

Singaporeans, just pay lah. And be happy that you are paying for quality. Forget about the stupid argument that we should not be held hostage by FIFA and have to pay more. Aren't we used to such tactics? If don't pay then just watch our S League lah, free some more. And we can promote our own football league and support our own footballers.

The article is copied from Asian Correspondent.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

When paradise beckons

We are into the second month of 2010 and things are gradually transforming. The stalwarts of first generation Singaporeans are fading away one by one. Ng Teng Fong, the richest man here, has been called home to the Lord like many before him. Our Olympian Tan Eng Yong, also went home when the Lord sent a driver to fetch him. Both men, given their health and wealth, should technically live forever. Their departures are a reminder that paradise is where we should be, our home.

Funny thing is that no one wants to return home to paradise. I was at a funeral service of a young friend whom the Lord loves so much to take her back in her thirties. And all was grim and gloom. All wore black to show their sadness when paradise beckoned.

And our good friend Boon Wan is working tirelessly to provide us with the best medical services, facilities and treatment to keep us here longer. And he unknowingly think that with more money in our Medisave, we can remain here longer and happier, better taken care off in the nursing homes, with first class nursing care. Does he think that his hospitals and nursing homes are better places than paradise where the Lord had gone ahead to prepare his mansions for us?

This is an issue that is most confusing and most contradicting in the minds of mortals. Paradise beckons and no one is tempted. Hell is where they want to be. Or hell on earth is where they want to hang on, for as long as they could, even forgoing their little comforts, saving as much as they could to cling onto life in this hellish world. I can't blame those who have found paradise on earth and refuse to go. But many would have been better off returning to the ultimate home in paradise.

While the Lord prepares his empty mansions in anticipation of our return, Boon Wan is preparing his nursing homes with great comforts in his imaginable ways, to show us how much he cares. He also makes sure that we have the money to pay for it.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.

[redbean]

The exodus has begun

Over the last couple of weeks, probably 100m Chinese from the Chinese cities and overseas have made a beeline home to their little villages and towns to be with their families during the Lunar New Year. Several hundred thousands of Malaysian Chinese too will make the same pilgrimage home to be near to their loved ones, to renew that familial ties, to stay and keep in touch with papa and mama, grandpa and grandma, brothers and sisters, and all the aunties, uncles and nephews and nieces. Isn't that cool?

No, it is not cool according to some of our young Singaporeans. What is cool is Christmas at Orchard Road and parties in Mohammed Sultan and Clark Quay. Chinese New Year or other religious festivities like Deepavali and Hari Raya are uncool, so commercialised. There is no party spirit to talk about, just some ancient cultural practices that are irrelevant to the sophisticated and westernised Singaporeans. The opening of Universal Studio in Singapore must have been their lives complete.

Indeed cultural festivals and holidays have gone too much the way of commercialisation. The ST also helped to publish the going rate for wedding angpows and Chinese New Year angpows. It is $20 for children or $8 for friends. I have 30 nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces, how much would that cost me. I will need another income to fill up the red packets.

What $20? I have heard of $1000 per angpow and anything less than $100 is embarrassing to pass to the young ones. Now I am feeling embarrassed as well. I believe the Singaporeans are now waiting for the govt to come out with some rules and guidelines on how much to put inside the angpows. Or maybe the Chinese Chambers of Commerce or some big and reputable Chinese Associations could help to lay down the ground rules become angpows become too commercialised that those who cannot afford to stuff in a small fortune will be too embarrassed to offer them to the young.

Come to think of it, it will be better to celebrate Chinese New Year without the angpows, just party and have a good time in the clubs or at Orchard Road.
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what i posted is just my personal view. feel free to disagree.