Iraqi pullout?

After more than four years of fighting and months of foot-dragging, the US finally seems willing to cut its presence in Iraq. The unpopular war has been a millstone around America's neck and General David Petraeus, most senior US commander in Iraq, has hinted that he may recommend a reduction in US troop numbers in Iraq.

What took them so long? The sprawling US military footprint has been nothing short of a disaster for both America and their President George W. Bush. Bush's military "surge" in Iraq was just too little, too late and a recent BBC poll suggests that most people across the world want the US-led forces out of Iraq within a year. Even in the US, one-in-four supported an immediate withdrawal. So what's keeping them there? Currently US troops controlled less than a third of the capital Baghdad, and this is a figure given by the US military!

The Iraq War, or the Occupation of Iraq if you like, was to be a short, sweet, glorious war lasting all of six weeks. It has been over 4 years and they are still fighting! Even if the fight stop tomorrow, can anyone say that the Americans has won?

For Singapore, it is in our interest that America win in Iraq. However, I (and members of the US government) just can't see that happening. Worse, the war is doing more harm than good on the "War on Terror". Leaders of Al-Qaeda have opening said that the Iraq war is a boon to their recruiting and operational efforts, providing evidence to jihadists worldwide that America is at war with Islam. In October 2003, Osama bin Laden all but thanked Bush for going into Iraq.

I suggest America pull their troops out of Iraq, not for the sake of the Iraqis, but for themselves. The Americans are weakening themselves there and that is not a good thing for Singapore.

Missing NSman caught with SAR-21

Why, oh why? That is the question every Singaporean is asking Army Corporal Dave Teo Ming. 20 year-old Dave was last at his Mandai Hill Camp on Sunday. Over twenty hours later, he was arrested in a third-floor toilet in the Orchard Cineleisure mall, dressed in a black suit and tie; WITH a missing assault rifle and live ammunition taken from the camp where he had been on guard duty.

The best thing about it, the full-time national serviceman was only 1 month from completing his NS stint! To go AWOL with a loaded SAR-21 rifle, 1 month before ROD? Why did he do it? Most NSman (like me in my days) go out of their way to avoid trouble during NS. People want to know what drove the man to commit such a stupid crime. Everything from a failed relationship to well, he is plain crazy, has been put up but so far the police and the Defence Ministry has been quiet about everything (including how he managed to get out of camp with the SAR-21).

What we do know is that Cpl Teo dropped out of Secondary 3 and broke up with his girlfriend because she found him too possessive. Outside that; Nothing! Why, oh why?

Storm of the Dead by Lisa Smedman

In April, I wrote a review on Sacrifice of the Widow by Lisa Smedman, I loved it. Storm of the Dead is Book 2 and Lisa Smedmen again delivered a fast pace book on the gods of the Drow.

The book starts with Eilistraee and Lolth playing over a sava board again, only to be interrupted by another drow god, Kiaransalee, the deity of undead and vengeance. Wanting to play in this game of power (and believing Lolth and Eilistraee will never work together), Kiaransalee entered the game, turning it into a three way battle.

Eilistraee however has problems of her own. Since her victory over Vhaeraun, her flock has became a strange mixture of her followers and new converts to her church, the leftover followers of Vhaeraun. Since the Masked Lord's power and portfolio has went to Eilistraee, his nightshadows has joined Eilistraee's church and the inevitable internal power struggles begin between them and Eilistraee's protectors. Eilistraee herself has began being more like Vhaeraun, even her high priestess, Qilue of The Seven Sisters, has been affected.

In the midst of the games by the gods, Hallistra Melarn (The Lady Penitent herself) and her brother Q'arlynd Melarn were once again drawn into the power plays, despite their own wishes. Q'arlynd played a pivotal role in the story, and was the ultimate winner at the end of the book.

Things are happening in the Forgotten Realms, but the one thing the book suffer from is that it is set-up to be a showdown between Eilistraee and Lolth (with Vhaeraun being the wildcard). The moment Kiaransalee showed up, you knew she is dead. Drow goddess of undead she may be, but no one will stop high noon. However, the pace was so fast that you will ignored this obvious plot.

Another solid book by Lisa Smedman and I am looking forward to the last book in the series.

Cast of Heroes in Singapore

Now, recently 4 members of the cast of Heroes were in Singapore. From what I read in the papers, it was a madhouse all over the place. Boy, it's true. Take a look at this youtube video at VivoCity. Standing room only people, and anyone who has been to VivoCity knows that the place is big. Take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss16P7jMEtk

What to wear? What to wear?

One of the traditions of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings is that the leaders from the countries involved all have to dress up in the host nation's national dress. The next meeting is in Australia, a country lacking a distinctive national outfit. So there is now a debate down under on what to wear. One of the suggestion: a family photo of 21 Asia-pacific leaders in swimsuits and flip-flops!

That is a superb idea! I'm serious, it's great! Bikinis, thongs and speedos! Brilliant! Unfortunately, the idea is so off-beat it's being discounted even before being given a chance, "wouldn't be very diplomatic" they say.

The leading contender so far, the traditional (boring) Australian bush outfits. Akubra wide-brimmed hat along with oilskin coats and boots. Arrgh! I have to to stop here before I vomit.

EPL this month

The new EPL season is 1 month old and this is my views on who's hot and who's not in the EPL this month

Top Teams this month
Liverpool- Manager Rafael Benitez seems to have finally hit it right this season. All his transfers have been playing well and the team is gelling better than expected. Fernando Torres seems to be his favorite striker and Steve Gerrard has been excellent in the middle of the park. They have a bit of a bit of problem in central defence due to injuries but no one is out for long, so it should clear up in time. The biggest question mark I have is why Rafa prefer Ryan Babel instead of Andriy Voronin. Everytime Voronin plays, he scored! Why isn't he getting more games? Still, Liverpool is the most likely team to be champion of the new season.

Chelsea- Florent Malouda looked like a good pick-up for Chelsea. Same thing goes for Tal Ben Haim and Claudio Pizarro. The big problem seems to be the midfield. With Robben gone and problems with Joe Cole, the midfield is beginning to look a little short. An injury to one of their main midfield players could break Chelsea's engine room. Still, the defence looks great and they are picking up points they shouldn't be picking up (that means the Liverpool game). Solid start so far.

Surprise Team this month
Man City- Boy, are Man City fans happy to get Sven-Goran Eriksson or what! The British press may be giving him a hard time but the new manager of City has done wonders for the team. The new signings all had an impressive start with Rolando Bianchi and Elano looking like the pick of the bunch. Also, Eriksson isn't shy about blooding new talent. Kasper Schmeichel and Michael Johnson look good, while Micah Richards is looking at an England place after Man City's great start. They were even leading the EPL at one stage of the month. How many of you expected that? Maybe they will fade after a few more months, but so far they have been great.

Disappointing Teams this month
Manchester United - They spend big this year, but maybe not too wisely. With Cristiano Ronaldo red-carded and Wayne Rooney injured till Oct (at least), Man Utd find themselves suddenly short of attacking options. This despite spending $60 million on the transfer market. Of the new buys, Anderson had hardly played, Nani seems too young and raw, and Carlos Tevez looked like he still need some time to bed in. Of the new buys, only Owen Hargreaves looked like a likely starter. Louis Saha is finally back but Man Utd may need more than him if they intend to gun for the Champions League and the EPL.

Tottenham Hotspur- Nothing seems to be going right for manager Martin Jol. Even when Spurs outplayed Man Utd away from home, they had 2 penalties not given (one of which looked stone cold), and a deflection on a long range shot that flew past keeper Paul Robinson. Dimitar Berbatov had a bust-up with Martin Jol and the Tottenham board were seem in Spain trying to get a new manager. Even 2 goals from Steve Malbranque in the win over Derby couldn't stop the panic, Jol better start winning if he want to keep his job.

Malaysia hit 50

Usually, national days are a dime a dozen but sometimes even a guy finds a national day that is worth all the fireworks. Malaysia's 50th birthday is one of those days.

Singapore nearest neighbour had theirs 50th birthday and extravagant displays of pomp and ceremony were the order of the day to mark their independence from Britain. Dignitaries including the prime ministers of Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were on hand to view the displays. For all the disagreements Singapore and Malaysia had over the years, they had been pretty good neighbours. Not only did we never war againest each other in all those years, we were once part of the same country and the seperation was peaceful. How many countries in the world can say that?

Happy birthday, Malaysia!