Why government should fund worldcup.

I am not a soccer fan. But when it come to world cup, even non soccer fans are eager about it


Govt won't fund World Cup

On government funding, Ms Eileen Ang, MDA's Head of Competition and Market Access, said this is meant for content on free-to-air TV which goes towards a large number of public service broadcast (PSB) programmes that 'promote social objectives and national harmony'.
'It would therefore be difficult to meet requests for funding the World Cup broadcasts which do not meet these objectives,' she added.

If the MDA's fund is meant to promote national harmony, the more MDA should fund for at least the 4 games (which MediaCorp still can not secure at this moment). World cup bring people together, regardless of language and religion. Everyone speak same language when it comes to soccer. When it come to soccer, everyone speak the same language. Every one says "O'le" and "goal". Everyone cheers together and shout "Goal!...." together. Aside form MDA, how about other ministries that are responsible for social and community development? Isn't it the government policy to make us more outgoing and active? EPL is important for soccer fans. But WorldCup is important for the whole world. It is the worlds affair. It is also the nation's affair. This is once in 4 years event. Bigger event than Olympic(IMO). FIFA is asking for too high? Is it because Singtel spoiled the market during EPL bit? The whole world except 5 countries can watch WorldCup. Ans among the 5 countries, Singapore is the only developed country. Now we feel so left out form the rest of the world. Well, I would say the money is worth spending. The nation will come together and watch...What is 100m to nation when there is so much to gain from? Apart form social objectives and national harmony, kopitiams will be full. Restaurants will be full... Pubs and Bars will be full.. All those spending at eating place will contribute to Economy. And don't forget something important for government coming too... This is a win win win situation.. If there is no world cup for Singapore, the loss will be even greater.

Heh... Listen to Mr Brown, Podcast.... 
http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2010/01/25/the-mrbrown-show-singapore-no-world-cup/

O'le!

So unlady-like! Woman sits with legs open for whole bus journey

Well, with the advancement of technology, people have less freedom and privacy.

Referring to
So unlady-like! Woman sits with legs open for whole bus journey

Though it may not be glam for the lady to sit like that, is it necessary to take photo and let the whole world see it? What different does it make when a man take up-skirt photo of a lady? Isn't it a invasion of privacy? Yes it is a public place but such things are unintentional. Put aside the legal issue. Since I do am not well versed in law, I'll leave it for the people who know the law.
Beside law, there are ethics. To me it is ethically not right to take such picture and let the whole world know about it.

There were this much of people on the bus. And not every one on the bus would notice it. Once the journey end, the whole thing end. Even who notice it would have forgotten after a few days. But now, it was posted on stomp, the food print of it will remain on cyber space, even if stomp delete it.

Stomper said on the comment that ".I sent to STOMP and didn't expect them to post it up since it's a sensitive matter." If she does not have the intention of posting up, why send to stomp in the first place? Knowing that stomp would even let this kind of post go online. http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/310594/how_did_this_beer_can_end_up_at_up_at_tanjong_pagar_station.html

Is it an unforgiving nature of some people? Can't we have a little of space?


To add on:

Where have the comments gone to.

At about 3pm today (28 Jan 2010), there were about 40 comments. When I log in again at 5, there were about only 20 over comments left. All those comments gone were not offensive but they were against the stomper and condemning the action of the stomper. Different people have different view. Who was reporting those comment as offensive? Someone do not want those comments to be appeared on razor TV and that's why reported as offensive? And stomp admin just delete the comment without reviewing if it is really offensive? Now there are a few more comments against stomper. Will they be gone too? Let's wait and see.

What wold happen when stomp got stomped? It never get published. When stomp received a stomp post about missing comments, it does not get published.

Foreign Talent

 As you can see there are many comments on stomp targeted at certain nationality or foreigner

Are we really threatened by foreign talent? Are we afraid of competition? If there is no competition, how do we gauge ourselves and progress? Are we being too proud? Are we narrow minded? It is quite common to see racist or anti foreigner comments now adays. There are many comments like "it must be the job of PRC", "it must be done FT" without knowing the real identity. Are we living in self denial? So being a Singaporean does not mean none of the Singaporean do those stuff posted on stomp? Among the population, there will definitely be some black sheeps. Just that 1% of 5 million is smaller than 1% of 1 billion.

Here are two examples of such comments exist.
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/296592/did_this_guy_pay_for_one_seat_just_to_get_two.html

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/311550/shameless_man_snatches_seat.html

wettissue said   on 30 Jan, 2010

these people looks like chinese nationals (cheenas) and even malaysians. seriously, go to their country with mass rapid trains, all they think about is snatching seats for their own convenience.

unlike singapore's culture, giving seats to the people in need. with these foreign talents coming into the scene as a pollution, it distort what people perceive singapore to be.

How could he be sure that is unlike Singapore's culture? Is is the way we push the blame? Is it the way how he push the blame at work? This is actually worrying for the progress of the nation. Imagine in 10 years time, more and more people are living in self denial, we will be the one lag behind while other countries progress.


Though Singapore have double taxation agreement with many countries, people form countries like Myanmar have to pay 10% of basic salary to Embassy (There is no personal relieve like first 20000 is not taxable) . They pay Singapore tax and they have to pay tax to their country. This already take a toll on them financially. Medical subsidiary rate will drop from 80% to 65%.

http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/01/28/pap-cuts-generous-health-subsidies-for-prs-to-appease-angry-citizens/

"In the first place, PRs should not qualified for subsidized healthcare at all. Singapore’s public healthcare system is stretched to its limits lately faced by rising demands from the growing population." There is a bit of conflict in this statement. Some says that Singaporeans are now competing with low salaried foreign talents for jobs in Singapore. It actually not cheap very cheap for company to employ a foreign worker. The basic salary may be slightly lower but there are additional cost,  basic salary+ lodging + medical insurance + workmen comm + Levvy+ others.. And in some sector, they simply can't get the right talent form the local poll.

If you are young and mobile and really talented in IT would Singapore be your first port of call? The siren song of Silicon Vally is a real talent magnet. Unless as a foreigner you settle for personal (not career) preferences in Singapore it is very unlikely that you end up here.

Now Singapore government increase the school fee of PR children by 3 fold. When those children reach 18 years old they will have to serve NS just like Singaporeans.

A few weeks back, I came across this article on Straits Times, under the forum section. The writer suggesting that HDB should set a rule not to let PR sell the flat higher than they bought. Is it really viable? Property price will increase over time. If such rules exist all Singaporeans will be looking out for PR sellers? Since the priced is capped and price is way lowered than the market price there will be so many buyers eyeing for one flat and how do we decide how much the flat should be sold? Draw lot? Besides the housing loan does not come with free interest. Isn't it a double loss? Besides there are already distinctions such as PRs cannot buy new public flat but only resale flats. They also are not eligible for government housing grant, HDB mortage loans or subsidies for upgrading works.  Don't we, Singaporeans buy property oversea too? What would happen if other country implement such rule against Singaporean? If that the case who would want to stay? If foreigners are not welcomed, will there be foreign investments in Singapore? This is not practical. This is just his kiasusim though. Besides, the statics shows that PR resale market is single digit percentage of the resale market. So the majority of resale market goes to speculators and  those who are planning to rent out without meeting HDB requirement.

After all, we are in the century of globalization.

Life is a journey of learning.

http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2008/09/08/the-mrbrown-show-alien-invasion/

* I am not saying about the whole population, but I am saying about certain group of people.

Wheel chair on SBS saga.

Well this article is bit back dated but it is still hot with comments

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/307332/how_can_family_hijacks_bus_and_gets_free_taxi_ride.html

I shall not re-summerisethe story since it is already at the link.

Let's take a look at comments... there are many comments on anti PRC or anti foreigners. Singapore is multi racial and culture country and government is trying hard to promote racial harmony and yet there are many racist people exist. some of the content regarding this have been moved to here.

To me it is not about nationality it has to do with individual. There is no right or wrong but it is about how we see things. While many people point fault on the passenger family, few people do not see the other side. I am not saying the family is right or wrong. But I would like to point out about the other side of the coin. It take two hands to clap. As a bus captain, he is responsible for safety of passengers as well as the smooth journey of the passengers. I have never heard of wheel chair is refused on the bus. And government and public transport operators are promoting wheel chair friendly public transport. Though his concern about safety is noted, I do not see major issue about it. Wheel chair is steady as it is and have brakes. When leaned against seat on one side and a person standing and holding the other side, it is rather safe. If it is not safe shouldn't prams be banned from non wheel chair friendly buses as they are less stable than wheel chair, though lighter? So why does bus captain make life difficult for the family? Was is a discrimination against a nationality or against handicap/people with medical condition? As I have said above it takes two hands to clap. It is not entirely fault of the family that held up the bus for 5-6 horus. It is also bus captain who keep it going at the expense of other passengers who had to transferred to another bus and other bus captain on same route.


As said by stomper that falimy had wasted taxpayer's money by activating police and police should have taken action against family. Was it bus captain called police because he cannot resolve and try to threaten the family? Why didn't police take action? Because this is not a hijack case as stomper stated and this is dispute between merchant and consumer. They do not have a case.


Ironic isn't it? Singaporean always complain about consumer right and customer service and blame foreigner service provider but when the same thing happen with foreigners as customer, they switch side to service providers. Where are those people who always comment that "customer is always right"?

One more article.
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/01/29/prc-aunty-made-a-din-on-mrt-after-being-called-cheap-slut/


(I am not saying it all Singaporeans do it. I am saying there are a large number such people)