After the disastrous start to the new Formula 1 (F1) season, you would think that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Max Mosley would be doing everything within their power to right the boat.
You would be wrong! The greatest scandal this season has been ‘Liegate’ where defending champion Lewis Hamilton lied to the race stewards (twice) on a racing incident in Australia. The punishment for lying is a 3 race suspended ban for McLaren. The punishment is a 3 race ban but the ban is suspended. In case you are wondering what that means; it means that nothing will happen to McLaren!
Now McLaren’s sporting director Dave Ryan and boss Ron Dennis has both fell on their swords for the team but what about Hamilton? He was the one who lied to the stewards and that is clearly something you cannot do. Hamilton has been screaming that it’s all McLaren’s fault and he was just following orders. That’s total bull! He’s been racing for years and don’t know you can’t lied to the race stewards (twice)? It just proved that not only is he dishonest, he is a lair; he’s a dishonest lair who can do so with a straight face in front of the cameras.
I’ll love it if Hamilton managed to win the F1 title this year, just to see the egg on the face Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley. Seeing those two trying to defend this idiotic decision now is great; just imagine how it would be at the end of the season if Hamilton wins the title!
Go, Go, Hamilton!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu Outbreak
Chances to contain the swine flu outbreak in Mexico dropped from small to nil as over 66 cases of swine flu are confirmed in the U.S. Swine flu are now confirmed from Canada to Spain and the Middle East.
The swine flu outbreak is suspected to have killed 159 in Mexico and experts believe that it’s a matter of time before it kills people outside Mexico as well. Mexico has shut its pyramids and closed restaurants in a bid to stop the spread of the swine flu but it seems too late for such measures. Countries around the world are stepping up checks of people entering their country and the U.S is warning Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. Cuba went a step further and suspended all flights to and from Mexico.
What’s worse is that Mexico has another 2,498 suspected cases of swine flu and over 1,311 of the patients are in hospital. Here’s wishing a speedy recovery to all the victims of the outbreak. Good luck.
The swine flu outbreak is suspected to have killed 159 in Mexico and experts believe that it’s a matter of time before it kills people outside Mexico as well. Mexico has shut its pyramids and closed restaurants in a bid to stop the spread of the swine flu but it seems too late for such measures. Countries around the world are stepping up checks of people entering their country and the U.S is warning Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. Cuba went a step further and suspended all flights to and from Mexico.
What’s worse is that Mexico has another 2,498 suspected cases of swine flu and over 1,311 of the patients are in hospital. Here’s wishing a speedy recovery to all the victims of the outbreak. Good luck.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Steer Clear
A few days ago, I commented on the AWARE saga. One thing I will say about the saga is that the Singapore government did the right thing by not intervening in it; it is a policy I think they should continue.
Despite some internet chatter that the New Guard is a political conspiracy, anyone with half a brain knows that it is nonsense. Why would the Singapore government bother with AWARE when they can just ignore them? So I’m quite perturbed when I read that Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan had commented on the AWARE saga as he warned the two warring groups "keep religion above the fray of petty politics".
Although he interjected that the Singapore government has no intention of intervening in the AWARE saga, as a government minister his words will still represent the government. As I said earlier, I do not believe the Singapore government should get involved in a strictly internal matter within AWARE. To me, this is an issue between 2 groups of women with vastly different views. Despite what people may say about the New Guard stealth takeover of AWARE, I think everyone will agree that their stand against homosexuality is more in line with Singapore society than teaching homosexuality as ‘neutral’ (whatever the hell that means).
The AWARE saga is something that only members of AWARE can clear up and I strongly believe that the Singapore government should steer clear of the whole mess.
Despite some internet chatter that the New Guard is a political conspiracy, anyone with half a brain knows that it is nonsense. Why would the Singapore government bother with AWARE when they can just ignore them? So I’m quite perturbed when I read that Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan had commented on the AWARE saga as he warned the two warring groups "keep religion above the fray of petty politics".
Although he interjected that the Singapore government has no intention of intervening in the AWARE saga, as a government minister his words will still represent the government. As I said earlier, I do not believe the Singapore government should get involved in a strictly internal matter within AWARE. To me, this is an issue between 2 groups of women with vastly different views. Despite what people may say about the New Guard stealth takeover of AWARE, I think everyone will agree that their stand against homosexuality is more in line with Singapore society than teaching homosexuality as ‘neutral’ (whatever the hell that means).
The AWARE saga is something that only members of AWARE can clear up and I strongly believe that the Singapore government should steer clear of the whole mess.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Singapore In A Good Position
As funny as it is, SARS might actually be a good thing. With a new strain of swine flu breaking out in Mexico, world's governments are racing to avoid both a pandemic as possible swine flu cases are surfacing from the U.K to New Zealand. The United States, who has a few confirmed cases already, has declared a public health emergency.
As countries are putting checks in place, Singapore is surprising in a very good position to handle the potential crisis. The SARS epidemic a few years ago has equipped Singapore, and various other Asian countries, with the skills to handle a similar outbreak like the swine flu. To proof the point, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has implemented precautionary measures at Changi Airport such as deploying thermal scanners there. All pork imports from the U.S are also being tested for the new strain of swine flu virus as a precautionary measure even though currently there has been no reported case of people contracting swine flu from eating pork or pork products. In light of the outbreak in Mexico however, I agree with this ‘better safe than sorry’ policy.
I hope they manage to find a cure to the flu fast, not likely but one can always hope, but no matter what happen there, Singapore is in a good position to combat any outbreak. SARS might actually be a good thing.
As countries are putting checks in place, Singapore is surprising in a very good position to handle the potential crisis. The SARS epidemic a few years ago has equipped Singapore, and various other Asian countries, with the skills to handle a similar outbreak like the swine flu. To proof the point, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has implemented precautionary measures at Changi Airport such as deploying thermal scanners there. All pork imports from the U.S are also being tested for the new strain of swine flu virus as a precautionary measure even though currently there has been no reported case of people contracting swine flu from eating pork or pork products. In light of the outbreak in Mexico however, I agree with this ‘better safe than sorry’ policy.
I hope they manage to find a cure to the flu fast, not likely but one can always hope, but no matter what happen there, Singapore is in a good position to combat any outbreak. SARS might actually be a good thing.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Advice for the New Guard of AWARE
For overseas readers of my blog, AWARE is a Singapore social service organization offering counselling, legal services, and programs to raise womens' awareness about their status and rights. Basically AWARE is Singapore’s best known women’s group and feminist movement.
Problems started when AWARE held its AGM (Annual General Meeting) on March 28. Usually no more than 40 members would turn up at its center to rubber-stamp a prepared slate of candidates into office. This year however over 100 women came, with the vast majority only having joined Aware only in recent months.
By the end of the election, nine out of 12 executive committee spots went to the newcomers with every position challenged by a new face winning by a wide margin. Mrs Claire Nazar, one of the few remaining old guard, was named president during the AGM. However barely a week into her new term, she quit suddenly over differences with the new members.
From then, all hell break loose with the Old Guard claiming that this was a leadership grab by some unknown group of women. Rumors swirl around the new members who took over AWARE because, well, no one knows who they are! Weeks pass before the New Guard of AWARE finally gave a news conference on why they stage the takeover.
The new group, led by lawyer Thio Su Mien, stated that they were alarmed that Aware had lost sight of its original purpose and become a pro-lesbian and pro-homosexual organization. The story has been played out over Singapore for weeks and no one expected a resolution any time soon.
I have not commented on the AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) saga so far because frankly I have no interest in it. I am barely aware that AWARE existed and what they stand for (which is more than you can say for some Singaporeans, including women). Frankly I couldn’t care less who is in charge of AWARE.
However I have a piece of advice for the New Guard; whoever is in charge of media relations in your group, you must sack her.
The New Guard is getting slaughtered in the press and rightfully so. First off, if you are going to hold a press conference, for god sake do NOT summarily fired staff on the same night. Worse you girls don’t even have a reasonable explaination when the fired staff demanded to know why she was fired. Also do NOT change the locks of your office on the same night as the press conference.
Another thing is why it took so long for you to hold a press conference. When a group of unkown people take over a group like AWARE, surely you should know that a lot of questions will be asked. Thio Su Mien also stated that she was the one who organized the takeover as she was unhappy with the direction of the group. If she was unhappy, why didn’t she start a new group, but had to get outsiders to help her take over the group. These are questions she must answer or the media will continue to kill you. The religious aspect of the story must also be answered as at least 3 of the New Guard attend the same church. No one is going to believe that is a coincidence.
Outside all the public mud-slinging, now death threats have been made against members of the New Guard and the police even had to be called in on a few occasions.
Like I said earlier, I don’t care who is in charge of AWARE but the New Guard need a better PR manager and need to answer some questions fast. Both groups need to settle their differences ASAP because right now, the one getting hurt the worst is the AWARE name.
And I think none of the women want that.
Problems started when AWARE held its AGM (Annual General Meeting) on March 28. Usually no more than 40 members would turn up at its center to rubber-stamp a prepared slate of candidates into office. This year however over 100 women came, with the vast majority only having joined Aware only in recent months.
By the end of the election, nine out of 12 executive committee spots went to the newcomers with every position challenged by a new face winning by a wide margin. Mrs Claire Nazar, one of the few remaining old guard, was named president during the AGM. However barely a week into her new term, she quit suddenly over differences with the new members.
From then, all hell break loose with the Old Guard claiming that this was a leadership grab by some unknown group of women. Rumors swirl around the new members who took over AWARE because, well, no one knows who they are! Weeks pass before the New Guard of AWARE finally gave a news conference on why they stage the takeover.
The new group, led by lawyer Thio Su Mien, stated that they were alarmed that Aware had lost sight of its original purpose and become a pro-lesbian and pro-homosexual organization. The story has been played out over Singapore for weeks and no one expected a resolution any time soon.
I have not commented on the AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) saga so far because frankly I have no interest in it. I am barely aware that AWARE existed and what they stand for (which is more than you can say for some Singaporeans, including women). Frankly I couldn’t care less who is in charge of AWARE.
However I have a piece of advice for the New Guard; whoever is in charge of media relations in your group, you must sack her.
The New Guard is getting slaughtered in the press and rightfully so. First off, if you are going to hold a press conference, for god sake do NOT summarily fired staff on the same night. Worse you girls don’t even have a reasonable explaination when the fired staff demanded to know why she was fired. Also do NOT change the locks of your office on the same night as the press conference.
Another thing is why it took so long for you to hold a press conference. When a group of unkown people take over a group like AWARE, surely you should know that a lot of questions will be asked. Thio Su Mien also stated that she was the one who organized the takeover as she was unhappy with the direction of the group. If she was unhappy, why didn’t she start a new group, but had to get outsiders to help her take over the group. These are questions she must answer or the media will continue to kill you. The religious aspect of the story must also be answered as at least 3 of the New Guard attend the same church. No one is going to believe that is a coincidence.
Outside all the public mud-slinging, now death threats have been made against members of the New Guard and the police even had to be called in on a few occasions.
Like I said earlier, I don’t care who is in charge of AWARE but the New Guard need a better PR manager and need to answer some questions fast. Both groups need to settle their differences ASAP because right now, the one getting hurt the worst is the AWARE name.
And I think none of the women want that.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Comics this week
Street Fighter IV #2- With none of my issues in last week, I was looking towards this week's shipment and...half of the shipment did not arrive! So I am left with only this one issue this week; if this continue next week, I may go into withdrawal. Continuing the theme from last issue, Udon has the story evolve around the new fighters in the Street Fighter universe. That means there is still no Ryu, Ken or Chun Li. Outside Abel and Crimson Viper however, the other 2 new characters are also on show. Rufus destroyed the always useless Dan while El Fuerte met up with Sakura. I love the parody of Ninja Warrior. It's a comedy issue but a well-done comedy issue.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
An Alien Ocean
I have stated on many occasions that I do not believe we are the only planet in the universe that has life. So I’m quite excited when astronomers in the U.K said that they found two places that look promising in the search for Earth-like planets.
Astronomers said that Gliese 581d, was in the prime habitable zone for potential life. This means that the planet is in a region around its sun that would allow water to be liquid on the planet's surface. Even more exciting was the possibility that Gliese 581d may have a "large and deep" ocean.
Unfortunately Gliese 581d are located in constellation Libra (which happen to be my sign also) so by the time mankind get there I be dead and gone already. Oh well, guess no aliens for me!
Astronomers said that Gliese 581d, was in the prime habitable zone for potential life. This means that the planet is in a region around its sun that would allow water to be liquid on the planet's surface. Even more exciting was the possibility that Gliese 581d may have a "large and deep" ocean.
Unfortunately Gliese 581d are located in constellation Libra (which happen to be my sign also) so by the time mankind get there I be dead and gone already. Oh well, guess no aliens for me!
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