2009, So far, so newsworthy . . . . . .

The new year is still new. Though we are less than 2 weeks from 2008, certain news are so ridiculously elitist, intriguing, damaging and sad that the image of 1st world Singapore may be tarnished.

News #1:
I remember "Boaster Cock" was a common word used to describe show-offs when I was a teenager in the 60's. That's the first two words that my buddy said when he read that insensitive article.

"Taking five weeks’ leave from work is not as difficult as one thinks. Most times, when you are at the top, you think you are indispensable. But if you are a good leader who has built up a good team, it is possible to go away for five weeks or even longer." Tan Yong Soon.

Will the "Boaster Cock" Perm Sec deserve a promotion to Perm Sacked soon?

News #2
With all that's been happening lately, I guess the guy with the best deal is Tang Wee Sung.

For whatever reasons, he's won and Tan Chor Jin (One-Eye Dragon) lost. The Prize: A kidney . . . a LIFE!

The story behind the story?
- Why was Tang Wee Sung designated as the recipient?
- Was there a deal done before the execution?
- Did Tang Wee Sung jumped the queue in the Waiting List?
- Was the Prisons Dept aware of the deal, if there was one?
- Did Khaw Boon Wan know?

Let's not speculate but wait and we shall see if it's a prelude to the Legalized Organ Sale Law?

News #3:
I remember in the early 70's where some of my NS buddies went to the Middle East countries to make a living. The money was good but there was the fear of being conned and cheated. Fortunately, most of them made good and started little business of their own when they came back home after completing their contracts.

We now have foreigners from Bangladash and China getting a raw deal in Singapore.

Is 21st 1st World Singapore worse than the Middle East countries of the early 70's where welfare of workers are concerned?

News #4
Seelan Palay and his friend Chong Kai Siong will most probably end up in jail for their effort in confronting MOM to protect the lives of their 2 Burmese friends. Seelan said that their Burmese friends, Moe Kyaw Thu and Win Kyaw who will be persecuted and may be killed by the junta when they are repatriated to Burma by end January.

For the love of life, can we fault the action of Seelan and Kai Siong?

The current labour crisis (both local and foreign) must have overwhelmed MOM. As there is no free lunch, work and solution is expected from MOM for the foreign workers and other levies that they have collected by the billions!

Last but not least,
News #5:
No man deserves to be burned alive and I wish Seng Han Tong a speedy recovery. For distributing ang-pows to residents in his constituency on a Sunday morning, a 70 year-old man tried to make human satay out of him.

Just what is the significance of Ministers and MPs playing the part of Santa Clause distributing ang-pows? Why can't kindness and compassion be practiced without the song and dance and the political photo opportunity?

Though the poor and old may not be eligible (no money to open a bank account) for GIRO, I'm sure grassroots members can bring money to them without so much fanfare.

Whose money is it anyway?

Moral of the story:

It's Best To Do Good In Secret.

It's More Dangerous To Buy Votes Than to Fix Your Political Opponents.

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