Today is supposed to be D-Day for the US State Department as whistleblower website WikiLeaks released hundred of thousands secret confidential cables. After reading some of the more high profile cases I can’t help but say, “That’s it? This is what they were worried about?”
Outside the embarrassment factor, I fail to see what’s so amazing about the cables released by WikiLeaks. The Chinese government trying to hack into Google; we knew about it already because Google announced it to the world. The Saudi Arabia's king's asking the US to bomb Iran; not unexpected as Saudi Arabia and Iran are hardly friends. Israel discussing with Egypt and the PLA before its war on Hamas in Gaza; hardly a surprise.
Where are the real juicy secrets? No, Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi’s suspect affair with his "voluptuous blond" Ukrainian nurse does not count. This is what the Americans were worried about? Most of this stuff can’t even be called secret.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tai-Chi
Since Singapore Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said that former fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari took shelter at his brother’s flat before escaping out of Singapore, the Singapore Government (and the government-backed media) has been “urging” Singaporeans not to lay blame at the Malay-Muslim community for the escape of the suspected terrorist.
All good and well except for the only problem with it is that NO one I know blame the Malay-Muslim community! Really, the Singapore government needs to stop talking about “blaming” the Malay-Muslim community because no one does! Singaporeans don’t blame the Malay-Muslim community for the escape, they blame the Singapore government for the amazing incompetence of not checking on Mas Selamat’s immediate family members! In fact some Singaporeans I know seems to understand why the family sheltered him. He is afterall their blood, but the government’s failure to keep an eye on the family? That is something no one can understand.
Frankly, it makes the government looks bad. By keep screaming that Singaporeans should not blame the Malay-Muslim community, the Singapore Government looks like they are trying deflect responsibility. With an election coming up, I can understand the Singapore government's instinct to tai-chi away the responsibility but that is something Singaporeans will not (and are not) accept.
All good and well except for the only problem with it is that NO one I know blame the Malay-Muslim community! Really, the Singapore government needs to stop talking about “blaming” the Malay-Muslim community because no one does! Singaporeans don’t blame the Malay-Muslim community for the escape, they blame the Singapore government for the amazing incompetence of not checking on Mas Selamat’s immediate family members! In fact some Singaporeans I know seems to understand why the family sheltered him. He is afterall their blood, but the government’s failure to keep an eye on the family? That is something no one can understand.
Frankly, it makes the government looks bad. By keep screaming that Singaporeans should not blame the Malay-Muslim community, the Singapore Government looks like they are trying deflect responsibility. With an election coming up, I can understand the Singapore government's instinct to tai-chi away the responsibility but that is something Singaporeans will not (and are not) accept.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Comics this week
Astonishing Thor #1- For a mini-series that’s supposed to bring new fans to Thor, this was rather disappointing. Mike Choi's gorgeous art notwithstanding, this issue had little going for it. Writer Robert Rodi’s story tried to cram too many things into one issue. One moment we have Thor saving Manhattan, then a visit to Asgard, then a flashback to his younger days, then a visit to Ego The Living Planet, and finally The Stranger pop up. As they say, too many cooks…
Star Wars: Blood Ties #4- After 3 good issues, writer Tom Taylor wrapped up the series in a serviceable issue. The story gave more about the relationship between Jango Fett and Boba Fett but it was the art of Chris Scalf that was the star of the issue. Scalf was excellent in the first 3 issues but that was nothing compare to his work here. He truly outdid himself and I’ll be looking forward to his new works.
Star Wars: Blood Ties #4- After 3 good issues, writer Tom Taylor wrapped up the series in a serviceable issue. The story gave more about the relationship between Jango Fett and Boba Fett but it was the art of Chris Scalf that was the star of the issue. Scalf was excellent in the first 3 issues but that was nothing compare to his work here. He truly outdid himself and I’ll be looking forward to his new works.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Ridiculous!
While completing for Singapore in the current Asian Games in China, the Singapore water polo team played while wearing swimming trunks which featured the crescent moon and stars from the Singapore flag.
Some people in Singapore complained that this is “obscene” especially the “placement” of the moon. In an act of covering their ass, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) said that the Singapore water polo team did not seek their advice on the design of the trunks.
Talk about the ridiculous. Here we have a group of men who took time off their work and studies to represent Singapore and they are being criticized for their…swimming trunks? Really, what’s so wrong about their trunks anyway? It’s just a pair of swimming trunks and the team even design it themselves to showcase the flag they are playing for. What’s wrong with that?
The complains are both stupid and ridiculous!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Buffy Remake
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a hit TV series that made stars out of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan and writer Joss Whedon. What most people don’t know is that the TV series came out of a movie starring Kristy Swanson.
In another example of Hollywood running out of ideas, Warner Bros. is now going to remake "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" the movie. Only one problem; "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a terrible movie! It was neither funny nor scary. In fact I remember once while watching the TV series thinking, “how in the world did this good series came out of such a movie?”
Hollywood must be desperate for ideas to remake bad movies. I wonder what’s next; “Plan 9 from Outer Space?”
In another example of Hollywood running out of ideas, Warner Bros. is now going to remake "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" the movie. Only one problem; "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a terrible movie! It was neither funny nor scary. In fact I remember once while watching the TV series thinking, “how in the world did this good series came out of such a movie?”
Hollywood must be desperate for ideas to remake bad movies. I wonder what’s next; “Plan 9 from Outer Space?”
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Stranger and Stranger
Are you kidding me? You have to be joking! What incompetence!
These are just some of the reactions Singaporeans has when Singapore Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in a Ministerial statement that former fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari took shelter at his brother’s flat before escaping out of Singapore. 2 years ago, Mas Selamat escape from the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC) and eluded an island-wide manhunt before being caught in Malaysia in 2009.
Incredibly, now it is reported that he was staying at his brother’s flat! An island-wide manhunt for a wanted fugitive and they never bother to check on his brother’s house? We’re not even talking about an uncle or a distant cousin here, but his brother! As impossible as it sounds, the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari has just gotten stranger and stranger.
Singaporeans are in disbelief over this latest revelation. Some don’t believe it, even go as far as to say that this is nothing but a tactic to pressure Mas Selamat to reveal who actually helped him escape Singapore (of course that’ll open another can of worms). Personally, I believe this. I mean if it’s false, it’s one stupid, stupid lie. It’s so ridiculous it has to be true.
That means that the Singapore authorities really didn’t check on his brother’s house. That means heads has to roll for this incredible oversight.
These are just some of the reactions Singaporeans has when Singapore Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in a Ministerial statement that former fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari took shelter at his brother’s flat before escaping out of Singapore. 2 years ago, Mas Selamat escape from the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC) and eluded an island-wide manhunt before being caught in Malaysia in 2009.
Incredibly, now it is reported that he was staying at his brother’s flat! An island-wide manhunt for a wanted fugitive and they never bother to check on his brother’s house? We’re not even talking about an uncle or a distant cousin here, but his brother! As impossible as it sounds, the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari has just gotten stranger and stranger.
Singaporeans are in disbelief over this latest revelation. Some don’t believe it, even go as far as to say that this is nothing but a tactic to pressure Mas Selamat to reveal who actually helped him escape Singapore (of course that’ll open another can of worms). Personally, I believe this. I mean if it’s false, it’s one stupid, stupid lie. It’s so ridiculous it has to be true.
That means that the Singapore authorities really didn’t check on his brother’s house. That means heads has to roll for this incredible oversight.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Yes, We Can Judge
Recently, a Singaporean student studying in England was arrested after hardcore child pornography was discovered on his computer. Mr. Jonathan Wong, 23, then plead guilty to 17 charges of making child pornography videos, some featuring girls as young as 6.
Now Mr. Wong has been reported to be remorseful for his actions and some Singaporeans have rallied around him saying it’s not their position to judge him. Why?
People who know me personally know that I’m not lily-white. I accept that everyone has their fetish but even I have to draw a line at child pornography. This is child pornography!
I do not know Mr. Jonathan Wong personally but he seems like a bright man with a good future in front of him. He is also on a teaching scholarship from the MOE (Ministry of Education) at Goodricke College.
That does NOT matter! 50 videos were found in his computer, some files showing 6 years old girls! Of course we as a public, as a society are in a position to judge. If you can’t condemn and judge child pornography, Singapore as a society is in big trouble.
Now Mr. Wong has been reported to be remorseful for his actions and some Singaporeans have rallied around him saying it’s not their position to judge him. Why?
People who know me personally know that I’m not lily-white. I accept that everyone has their fetish but even I have to draw a line at child pornography. This is child pornography!
I do not know Mr. Jonathan Wong personally but he seems like a bright man with a good future in front of him. He is also on a teaching scholarship from the MOE (Ministry of Education) at Goodricke College.
That does NOT matter! 50 videos were found in his computer, some files showing 6 years old girls! Of course we as a public, as a society are in a position to judge. If you can’t condemn and judge child pornography, Singapore as a society is in big trouble.
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