RA's Classes 2010

Climate change sceptics have a field-day.

So it seems M'sia's ex-PM alleges that we are still buying Malaysian sand on the false pretence of using it to make microchips! So emotive are our relations with Malaysia that they always seem to take this conspiritorial twist. It works both ways by the way.

So is postage a public service or a money-making enterprise. It will take a major mindstet change for old-timers to accept the way some of these key service providers conduct business today. That's the whole problem - we don't even see them as businesses.

You must read this. Hollywood mirrors life. Imperialism. We've seen it in the Iraq war. Will we see it again soon. Use your imagination.

Are we an ungracious society?

Would such a report ever be published in the mainstream media. This sort of commentary, if it gathers ground, can radically change the media scene here. It will also change the complexion of the next election. The power of the internet!

Another alternative view on anti-govt views online

A very interesting repport on bureaucratic rigidity and its consequences.

Just because a scientists says its so doesn't mean its a fact. Scientists make mistakes and some lie. They are human and have egos too.

Billionaire sportsmen are expected to be role-models. What say you?

It's a dog eat dog world. Be more productive, close down or move out. Tough world. The realities of a competitive global economy.

A must-read on gays in society. Relevant to the discussion of discrimination.

Hmm this certainly puts all the Curry Bashing in Melbourne in context. Isolated incidents I reckon.

The cyberwar might be the new front or the killer knockout punch to attack with when engaging in conventional warfare.

Cyberwarfare - everyone's doing it! A really interesting read for those mystified by hackers.

Tough talk from China. I wonder how Obama will respond. Despite his more open diplomatic inclinations, I think China's recent actions are going to lead to a very tense period of Sino-US relations. We will soon live in a bipolar world again despite China's pretence of peaceful advancement. As much as they claim this, they are an awkening giant. And giants can't walk without killing the grass beneath them.

The solution is to work harder!

You have to wonder what the PRC govt is up to.

The Chinese government basically does not want its people to find out the truth of their past deeds simply because they are a communist country

We should examine the assumption that Singapore is a harmonious multi-racial state. Is it really?

Many Singaporeans take the current calm for granted, not recognising the tempest that threatens to erupt at the slightest misstep. The myopic, naive youth of Singapore are convinced that the abundance of racial jokes is not an indicator of a vein threatening to pop. I do agree that it is not the sole indicator of racial tensions, but the appallingly limited knowledge the youth have of the other cultures, coupled with this jesting clearly surfaces a strong undercurrent of disrespect and apathy. What is most worrying is how youth are convinced that there is no need to do anything, nor any value in appreciating the culture of other races. This insensitivity to the intricacies of our society, I feel, will ultimately be the death of us. The fact is that racial education in Singapore is not sufficient. What we require is to instil in the community a desire and a passion to genuinely know, accept and respect the other races, and it is then that even racial jokes will bear no hostility, as people know that they are truly accepted already. This is why I find our approach to racial coexistence nonsensical. Tolerance only represses hostility, bottling it up and building up pressure. What we really need is acceptance and understanding.

I must say I agree with Ben's very insightful comments. For too long I have been quiety offended by the notion of tolerance as opposed to appreciation and understanding of other races. To tolerate is to imply that you don't actually like something or worse still to imply that you are racially superior. There is an underlying chauvism in this very open advocacy of tolerance. We should always strive to learn and appreciate other languages and cultures. It adds colour to our country and to our notion of what being a Singaporean is.

Think about it. What other services can be outsourced to the private sector? Why would the private sector be able to offer services at a lower cost? What would be the possible pitfalls?