ST headline: "Floods unavoidable after Extraordinary Rainfall".
New Paper headline: "No amount of engineering can prevent flooding".
Both remarks were attributed to MM Lee. To most Singaporeans he is right of course.
Right? Wrong!
About time someone tells him that too.
I will also tell him to go visit Holland sometime soon - instead of China which he does so frequently for whatever reason.
You see, Holland is a country (10 feet) below sea level. Through ingenious engineering many centuries ago, the country is able to keep the sea at bay and stay afloat, literally speaking. They did this through their intricate network, nationwide, of dikes and canals.
If US can put a man on the moon half a century ago, I am absolutely puzzled by MM's comments. His line of thought seems to be: Anything that can be done, we have done ... Anything we cannot do, it must be the act of God!
Makes me wonder ... would he be making the same comments if he is one of the affected families living in Tessarina or Cluny Court?
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
England S(t)inks!
Which is worse? Watching England play or having your tooth pulled out? A rhetorical question really. You get some relief at least after your tooth came out!
By the time you read this blog, England would surely have dropped out of the World Cup. Knocked out at the first stage of the competition at that. Might as well. It puts an end to all the hype that had built up around the England team even before they landed in South Africa in their smart specially tailored suits.
England have the best chance of winning the World Cup in years. 44 to be exact.
England coach Capello publicly declared: "Anything less than a place in the final is a failure."
England have one of the easiest groups in the tournament. Only US is likely to cause England 'some' problems.
England is already talking about topping the group and thereby avoiding Germany in the next round.
What happened? England drew with US and failed to beat bottom-of-the-group Algeria. And they will be facing Slovenia (current Group C leader) next!
What went wrong? Plenty. And it doesn't matter. England are just not good enough and deserve it.
If the England's jerseys were red instead of white, I would have thought that it was Liverpool playing Algeria that night!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
By the time you read this blog, England would surely have dropped out of the World Cup. Knocked out at the first stage of the competition at that. Might as well. It puts an end to all the hype that had built up around the England team even before they landed in South Africa in their smart specially tailored suits.
England have the best chance of winning the World Cup in years. 44 to be exact.
England coach Capello publicly declared: "Anything less than a place in the final is a failure."
England have one of the easiest groups in the tournament. Only US is likely to cause England 'some' problems.
England is already talking about topping the group and thereby avoiding Germany in the next round.
What happened? England drew with US and failed to beat bottom-of-the-group Algeria. And they will be facing Slovenia (current Group C leader) next!
What went wrong? Plenty. And it doesn't matter. England are just not good enough and deserve it.
If the England's jerseys were red instead of white, I would have thought that it was Liverpool playing Algeria that night!
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Dalai Lama - Why He Inspires Me
In an interview on his last visit to the United States, the Dalai Lama was asked the question "Which, in his opinion, is the best religion in the world?" It was clear the cheeky question was one meant to put the Dalai Lama on the spot.
The reply from the wise monk was this. "Any religion that brings you closer to God is the best religion for you."
I am inspired by that.
On another occasion, the Dalai Lama has this advice for his followers.
Take control of your Thoughts, for they form your Words
Take control of your Words, for they form your Actions
Take control of your Actions, for they form your Habits
Take control of your Habits, for they form your Character
Take control of your Character, for they form your Destiny ...
I (try to) live by that.
Writer: Peter Chang
Email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
The reply from the wise monk was this. "Any religion that brings you closer to God is the best religion for you."
I am inspired by that.
On another occasion, the Dalai Lama has this advice for his followers.
Take control of your Thoughts, for they form your Words
Take control of your Words, for they form your Actions
Take control of your Actions, for they form your Habits
Take control of your Habits, for they form your Character
Take control of your Character, for they form your Destiny ...
I (try to) live by that.
Writer: Peter Chang
Email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Kids are Smart!
My grandson, Joseph, picked up what looks to him to be a miniature clock from my writing desk and asked what time was on it?
"No, Joseph," I said, "This is a compass, not a clock."
"Oh, a compass. What is a compass, Yeye?"
"A compass tells the direction. A clock tells the time," I explained.
He walked away and continued to play with the new-found instrument.
After some time, he came to me and asked once again what was it that he was holding. For a 3-year old, the name was obviously too hard for him to remember the first time.
I told him, "This is a compass, boy."
He replied instantly: "Right, this is a compass. Don't you forget that, Yeye!"
"No, Joseph," I said, "This is a compass, not a clock."
"Oh, a compass. What is a compass, Yeye?"
"A compass tells the direction. A clock tells the time," I explained.
He walked away and continued to play with the new-found instrument.
After some time, he came to me and asked once again what was it that he was holding. For a 3-year old, the name was obviously too hard for him to remember the first time.
I told him, "This is a compass, boy."
He replied instantly: "Right, this is a compass. Don't you forget that, Yeye!"
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Jack The Jerk
I assure readers this will be a short blog ... for I do not want to waste anybody's time on a subject such as this. The 4-minute press conference he held recently is a farce and insult to all journalists who rushed to attend what must be a hastily contrived scene in the jerk's latest movie. He owes all Singaporeans an apology ... for, not only did he not apologise to all the women and young girls he had hurt (and conned), he did not say a single word of 'sorry' in his short public announcement.
So what did he really say? As far as I am concerned this was what he was really saying ...
"Thank you for being here today. I know you did not come here to write about my latest movie but to kaypoh over my private affairs.
"What I did is my own business and it is entirely my fault that whole Singapore comes to know about it.
(Pause, shaking his head, putting his hand on his forehead.)
"I don't know what the fuss is all about. My wife has forgiven me and look what you have all done to her? She has to tolerate all the pain that other women cannot tolerate.
"She has never held a press conference before and I hope this is the last time she is holding any press conference with any of you.
"Everyone, please, please give her a break."
Wife stood up, collapsed like a stack of Sentosa's cards. The jerk, seemingly too weak to hold his heavy wife up, fell flat on his fat face too, and howled loudly.
At this precise moment Director Ah Nan shouted 'Cut!' to end Scene 1, Take 1.
Title of the movie? "Women Too Enough ... Big Big Problem."
Small prints appear on screen. Confucius: "Do not do unto others'
daughters what you do not want others to do unto yours."
So what did he really say? As far as I am concerned this was what he was really saying ...
"Thank you for being here today. I know you did not come here to write about my latest movie but to kaypoh over my private affairs.
"What I did is my own business and it is entirely my fault that whole Singapore comes to know about it.
(Pause, shaking his head, putting his hand on his forehead.)
"I don't know what the fuss is all about. My wife has forgiven me and look what you have all done to her? She has to tolerate all the pain that other women cannot tolerate.
"She has never held a press conference before and I hope this is the last time she is holding any press conference with any of you.
"Everyone, please, please give her a break."
Wife stood up, collapsed like a stack of Sentosa's cards. The jerk, seemingly too weak to hold his heavy wife up, fell flat on his fat face too, and howled loudly.
At this precise moment Director Ah Nan shouted 'Cut!' to end Scene 1, Take 1.
Title of the movie? "Women Too Enough ... Big Big Problem."
Small prints appear on screen. Confucius: "Do not do unto others'
daughters what you do not want others to do unto yours."
Friday, February 26, 2010
We're Singaporeans, So What!
"Nothing is free in Singapore" is beginning to sound more and more like a cliche. Whether it is a visit to the public loo, or a view at the Pinnacle Top, or a trip to Sentosa, we pay a levy and hardly think twice about doing so. The government would have us believe that this is the price we have to pay for progress ... to become a first world country. I have no quarrel with that.
Reality, however, hit me hard this week at the Sentosa. Less so because of the $6-toll that I had to pay to enter the island; but more so because of the disparity of treament accorded to Singaporeans vis-a-vis foreigners. After watching the goings-on outside the casino entrance for about 10 minutes, I walked away, shaking my head, wondering how in the world the government could subject Singaporeans to so much tighter a screening process compared to foreigners and getting away with it!
- Foreigners only had to wave their passports in the air to get in. Not once did security stop any of them to verify the authenticity of the passports or their holders.
- Singaporeans on the other hand had to show their passport or IC at a special counter, pay the $100 levy and then proceed back to the main entrance to show it to security before being allowed to enter.
- Chinese nationals form the bulk of the foreigners. Most of them were simply dressed - the kind you find in market places; many were elderlies. First impression about them was a look-see group of people rather than casino players or gamblers.
- Crux of the matter was that these foreigners, whether construction workers or domestic helpers, get to enjoy our newly opened casino at no cost to them at all while Singaporeans were left to look at the casino on the outside unless they are willing to part with their hard-earned $100.
We're Singaporeans, so what! There are some of the government policies that make me really sick in the stomach.
Reality, however, hit me hard this week at the Sentosa. Less so because of the $6-toll that I had to pay to enter the island; but more so because of the disparity of treament accorded to Singaporeans vis-a-vis foreigners. After watching the goings-on outside the casino entrance for about 10 minutes, I walked away, shaking my head, wondering how in the world the government could subject Singaporeans to so much tighter a screening process compared to foreigners and getting away with it!
- Foreigners only had to wave their passports in the air to get in. Not once did security stop any of them to verify the authenticity of the passports or their holders.
- Singaporeans on the other hand had to show their passport or IC at a special counter, pay the $100 levy and then proceed back to the main entrance to show it to security before being allowed to enter.
- Chinese nationals form the bulk of the foreigners. Most of them were simply dressed - the kind you find in market places; many were elderlies. First impression about them was a look-see group of people rather than casino players or gamblers.
- Crux of the matter was that these foreigners, whether construction workers or domestic helpers, get to enjoy our newly opened casino at no cost to them at all while Singaporeans were left to look at the casino on the outside unless they are willing to part with their hard-earned $100.
We're Singaporeans, so what! There are some of the government policies that make me really sick in the stomach.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
(The Long Arms of) ERP
Two years ago a ERP gantry was erected at the T-junction of Hume Avenue and Upp Bukit Timah Road, ostensibly to ease traffic congestion in the direction of the city, and not, according to LTA, a revenue-based decision. If this is to be believed, why did LTA not install the gantry before the traffic light junction. In setting up the gantry after the junction, all vehicles heading down Hume Avenue way are subject to the morning ERP toll on certain hours.
Today a new ERP gantry is being erected some 60 metres further down the road, clearly to replace the existing one as soon as it is completed and commissioned. This project raises more than just the eye-brows of many people. Serious questions as well. Surely tax payers' money are involved as it costs money no matter how proficient LTA has become in such efforts. Ease more congestion in the area? Absolutely not! Suddenly the true reason for the new gantry hits home: targeting the people living in the Hillside condo!
Presently vehicles exiting from Hillside condo and heading for the city make U-turn at a point inside the ERP gantry and so escape the morning toll. Once the new gantry is up and running, same vehicles making the U-turn will have to pass through it! A decision that is not revenue based? Ask LTA!
In the past we live in a land of fines. Today we live in a land of gantries. Bravo to Jack Neo for making a political statement about the ERPs and their long reaching arms in one of his block buster movies.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
Today a new ERP gantry is being erected some 60 metres further down the road, clearly to replace the existing one as soon as it is completed and commissioned. This project raises more than just the eye-brows of many people. Serious questions as well. Surely tax payers' money are involved as it costs money no matter how proficient LTA has become in such efforts. Ease more congestion in the area? Absolutely not! Suddenly the true reason for the new gantry hits home: targeting the people living in the Hillside condo!
Presently vehicles exiting from Hillside condo and heading for the city make U-turn at a point inside the ERP gantry and so escape the morning toll. Once the new gantry is up and running, same vehicles making the U-turn will have to pass through it! A decision that is not revenue based? Ask LTA!
In the past we live in a land of fines. Today we live in a land of gantries. Bravo to Jack Neo for making a political statement about the ERPs and their long reaching arms in one of his block buster movies.
Writer: Peter Chang
email: peterchanglc@gmail.com
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