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Raymond Andrew

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/01/stop-re-writing-history/ - 14 views

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    It is often said that it is the victors who decide what history is and is not. Do you agree? I think we should not be surprised if the PAP defends its actions. That's normal. What we should do is ensure that there are enough alternative views so people can draw their own conclusions.
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    Is it me or did Mr Jeyaretnam Jr argue PIPICACI style? "This letter, which somehow mysteriously failed to console me, not only assassinated JBJ but also implied that the institutions of the Nation are synonymous with PAP." I'm too brain dead to think about this now, but it seems like he is challenging the underlying assumption of the PAP. Hmm, Richard Paul will be proud of him. It will be interesting to see how the PAP counters this.
Tan Shi Hao

India's new weapon: chili - 10 views

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    Cool huh? Things around us could be improvised into a warfare weapon.
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    This is quite interesting.A CHILI can be changed into a nontoxic WEAPON!!!
Raymond Andrew

World Affairs Journal - Saviors & Sovereign's: The Rise and Fall of Humanitarianism - 11 views

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    Humanitarianism vs pragmatism
Raymond Andrew

China Stands Up - Project Syndicate - 15 views

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    Fascinating commentary on the new China.
Tan Shi Hao

Can energy be governed? - Project Syndicate - 12 views

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    Is the passage addressing the issue of uneven distribution of energy? One part of the world using too much energy that emits the problem of carbon emission and the other part of the world suffering from energy poverty?
Raymond Andrew

BioEdge: the latest news and articles about bioethics - 13 views

shared by Raymond Andrew on 18 Mar 10 - Cached
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    A great site on bioethics, introduced to me by my colleague Mr YKH.
Raymond Andrew

Zakaria: Israel is making a big mistake - CNN.com - 12 views

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    It is important to note that the Isreali-Palestinian conflict lies at the heart of the current problem of Islamic terrorism. Almost all Islamic terrorists point to the unfair treatment of Palestinians as justification for their actions against the US and the West in general. Familiarise yourself with the history and the key issues in this conflict.
Raymond Andrew

BBC News - Vatican ends "wall of silence" over child abuse scandal - 11 views

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    The need for transparency and good governance transcends beyond the realm of sovereign nations. What about religious groups and sports associations?
Tan Shi Hao

Heat on Google, Facebook - 12 views

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    Well, who is going to take responsible for the abuse of freedom? Google and FaceBook that provide a expression sharing platform or those who abuse the freedom to share anything on the web?
Raymond Andrew

Many Singaporeans want to migrate - Why? | The Online Citizen - 20 views

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    A must-read. Title is self-explanatory.
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    Singapore is a small country with limited resources, especially in terms of land. The prices of houses will only inevitably increase over time as population grows. Also said in the article, Singapore is ranked one of the most "hardworking" country, surpassing even the notoriously hardworking Japanese and Taiwanese in terms of working hours. In addition, Singapore is at the same time boosting workers' productivity. Longer working hours accompanied by higher productivity expected, would only mean more drained people in the country. Older retiring age, and higher CPF Minimun Sum (from $106,000 to $117,000), also contributed to the desire of leaving the country. It is therefore not surprising that many Singaporeans wanted to migrate.
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    Brilliant comment by Siqin. More please.
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    I agree with siqin that singapore has limited resources. The only resources that singapore have is labour. When more of singaporeans are migrating, this will make singapore to be less productive and thus, reduce its global competitiveness. Since new zealand offer a better standard of living, it is no wonder why many singaporeans choose to migrate there. Also, singapore government makes CPF as a compulsory saving to help singaporeans to lead a better life when they retire. But how is this going to work when the CPF value is slowly eroded to pay HDB prices?
Raymond Andrew

How I lost my faith in London | Balaji Ravichandran | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk - 9 views

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    Could this happen in Singapore?
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    @ Mr Andrew: I dont think it will. Firstly, Singaporeans love to "mind their own business" so the majority couldnt care less if a Pakistani or a Uzbekistani were beside them. Besides, many of the youths my age will be too busy on their PSP to notice their surroudings no?
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    @ Viron lee : if u believe singaporeans have the mentality to 'mind our own business' they are likely to not interfere if such a situation does arise right? Just recently i was having dinner at the food court at vivo city and i witnessed a huge fight between a guy and a store aunty. He was screming his mind off and the aunty trying to fight back or soothe him down, everyone stared, no one bothered to help. If we're nt strong enough to interfere in such cases we're highly likely to chicken out when such a grave situation arises...
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    @ khushboo goda: "if u believe singaporeans have the mentality to 'mind our own business' they are likely to not interfere if such a situation does arise right?" Nope. "If we're nt strong enough to interfere in such cases we're highly likely to chicken out when such a grave situation arises..." I think you mistook my point. As i said, Singapore youths are likely to "mind their own business" instead of going around picking on foreigners. Hence, such nonense will not happen in the country. But in the event that something like that really happens, then of course passerbys in the vincinity should not adpot the "mind their own business" mindset. lols.
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    I agree with Khusboo. The MYOB mindset is prevalent and it is my opinion similar to what the writer is descibing. If a group was racially abusing someone, would you dare to intervene? In Singapore, the answer is obvious.
Raymond Andrew

http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/vatican-opposes-discriminatory-penal-legis... - 10 views

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    Interesting that the Vatican has moderated its position homosexuality. Useful evidence. Read carefully though. Their position is nuanced.
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    In my interpretation, the Vatican is still opposing homosexuality but it has outrightly condemned violent acts against homosexuals with the reason that they are no less of a human and they should be allowed to preserve their dignity. My name is reversed.
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    The reason why the human race has survived throughout thousands of years is simply due to reproduction. One of the key arguments against homosexuality is that the relationship is incapable of producing children, this mean lead to the extinction of the human race ( with some exaggeration of cos ) . Let's put moral issues aside and consider the reason why humans have been able to survive on Earth for such a long time.
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    I'm with Louis on this. The main two objectives of living on this Earth as a human being is to survive and pass on your genes. Survival without replication would indeed lead to the extinction of the human race.
Raymond Andrew

The New French Fashion in Civil Rights - Project Syndicate - 12 views

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    All about identity, integration and discrimination.
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    "contrary to the values of the Republic." from second paragraph. what is the values of the Republic? and why gt close and open inverted comas?
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    Sarkozy believes that the reason behind the banning of the burkas is because the covering of a woman's face is seen as a sign of subservience and a way to deny them freedom and equality. But doesnt the banning of burkas be interpreted as imposing a dress code and denying them the choice to wear what they want? On the other hand, i can understand where France is coming from. With the growing rate of terrorism these days, banning the burkas could be seen as a step to defend its country from extremists. This is because if Burkas were allowed, people could commit crimes or even hide explosives if the help of a Burka. Futhermore, there is nothing in the Quran that directs women to cover their faces. Thus, France's view on banning burkas can be largely justified.
Raymond Andrew

RAsClasses2010 - Compre practice - 11 views

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    Answers to the 3 compre practices
Raymond Andrew

MPs worried about levy - 11 views

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    Question: Who are these MP's speaking on behalf of?
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    In my opinion, the residents are the one who complain to MP as they may find that foreign workers are noisy and they love to loiter around, leaving behind some trashes. However, i find that the increase in levy is bad for consumers, as stated by the article. Thus, i think a better way to control the coming of foreign workers is to allowing certain number of them to come, preferably the hardworking ones and those who are willing to work longer hours. this will certainly increase singapore's productivity,
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    I think that increase in levy is a good measure to control the flow of foreign workers.Locals should be given the first preference for jobs that are vacant.If there are not enough locals for the jobs,then the firms can hire foreigners..
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    The MP is speaking on behalf of us, Singaporeans. Raising the levy may help to control the number of foreign workers coming to Singapore. The pro side is that there will be more jobs offered to Singaporeans and that it may prompt the employers to look for more hardworking and productive foreigners to employ, thus achieving one of the proposed 2010 Budget aims of increasing productivity. But, as stated in the article, locals may not want to take up the jobs done by foreigners, as such, one will ask "So what is the use of creating jobs for Singaporeans?" This issue have really left me wondering because there are many locals complaining that there are no jobs in the market when they themselves are so picky about it. It must be because of their pride, a need to show off their status, I guess. As for the employers, they may find it difficult to employ productive workers. Most of those foreign workers who are productive would most probably have already secured a job in their own country. Furthermore, the demand of those workers will definitely increase, leading to a shortage of workers for some of the firms here. Other less productive workers will also be deprived of a job. And not to mention "businesses passing on the higher costs to consumers". The prices of goods and services would definitely 'pinch' everybody. As such, although the increase in levy may help to control the flow of foreign workers, I feel that great considerations have to be taken such that that proposal will benefit Singaporeans instead of creating "yet another problem''.
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    The influx of foreign workers may be undesirable for Singaporeans since our social standing may be threatened in future. In this case, "too much of something good is bad" .
Raymond Andrew

Sat on boyfriend; killed him - 28 views

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    Just for a laugh! "I wish I could take it back!!!" hahahahahahahahahahaha
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    well that is culpable humicide, not amounting to murder. Just a normal quarrel that leads to a killing. a joke rather.
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    I don't know what is the people's perspective of this incident but in my point of view, i don't think there is any injustice in the sentenced given to the woman. If one see the whole picture, she didn't knew sitting on her boyfriend will bring death to him, it was probably purely out of anger. No one will expect to kill the other just by sitting on them. She deserve what she was sentenced, probation and community work would probably provide her long hours of reflection by also doing the good.
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    as what I said, thats culpable humicide, not amounting to murder.
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    In the first place, why would the 55kg guy want a 136kg female as his girlfriend? makes no sense to me.
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    I uploaded this as a joke, I don't understand why we are wasting our time on serious analysis. Pls comment on serious issues. Don't show me how intellectually lazy you are.
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    I can think of many different ways she could've killed him. Sorry Mr. Andrew, I just had to. Oh well.
Raymond Andrew

EU authorises GMO potatoes - Yahoo! Singapore News - 10 views

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    Interesting. Is Europe changing it mind about GM? Read on.
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    In my opinion, Europe should change its mind about GM since 70% of consumers are against GM food. Not only GM food consumed will be detrimental to human's health, but also it causes resistance to antibiotics. The article also stated that Amflora would only be used for animals' food. However, i think that not all of the animals are suitable to eat GM food as it is not real. Hence, Europe should think twice before allowing GM food to be allowed for consumption as the dangers outweigh the benefits
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    I think that Europe should continue to produce GM food.When GM food is produced,there is a lower cost of production.The prices of factor inputs for the products reduce.Producers will find it more profitable to produce and sell the products.The suppliers(in this case,farmers) can earn a better income.Their poblem of poverty can be eliminated.
Raymond Andrew

FairPrice urges customers to return trolleys after losing 200 a month - Yahoo! Singapor... - 23 views

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    When i was at Melbourne for Srgce, I discovered an abandoned supermarket trolley left outside the university compound and guess who is the main suspect?
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    The ugly Singaporean strikes again.
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    the system of the 1 dollar deposit is nt a good way to solve this problem.
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    Why is this being brought up only now? I've seen abandoned trolleys at random parts of Singapore even when i was in my Pokemon pyjamas about 10 years ago.
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    Viron has a very interesting point. Why is this coming up now? This is a very old problem.
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    A dollar seems like peanuts to most Singaporeans today which is probably why they don't bother returning the trolleys. I've seen people actually manage to retrieve their dollar without returning the trolley before. If this is perpetuated, more and more people will not bother with returning the trolleys as like the article has proven: our conscience isn't that strong and naggy after all.
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    again it boils down to laziness.
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    Since the one dollar strategy doesn't work, why don't they change another kind of strategy? i believe that the hefty cost of 1 trolley is more than just 1 dollar that consumer put in. There is no use persuading Singaporeans but instead implement a more realistic plan to curb such actions. I am sure FairPrice has the ability to do it.
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    Some people bring their trolleys home because the groceries they brought were too heavy to be carried home. However, even if they decided to push the trolleys all the way home, they should have the courtesy to at least bring it back. Maybe the supermarket should come up with a service to help their customers to carry their groceries back home. Like in some outlet in Sheng Siong, they actually help to carry the groceries all the way to the cars of the customers. Also i wonder why Singaporeans do not have any sense of shame to push the huge trolleys in public, outside the supermarket. Don't they care that they are displaying their 'crimes' in public?
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    I feel that some people in Singapore are very inconsiderate to actually push the trolley home for their own convenience sake.That is too selfish of them.If they were to push it back home,they should push it back to the outlet,saving those workers the troubles.
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    there's no way for NTUC Fairprice to get all the inconsiderate customers to stop their action. maybe NTUC should reduce the quality of their trolley to cut down price.
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    Maybe NTUC can hire some security guard to mitigate this problem since the 1 dollar deposit doesnt work.
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    A good move to work with the Singapore Kindness Movement. I think a better way to avoid all the touble is instead of depositing coins, NTUC should ask customers to deposit their EZ-link card or IC at some booth and can collect back their card when they return their trolleys as it is more valuable. There would also be more resource efficiency.
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    Ohhh to hire a security guard would incur higher costs for NTUC. I guess the best choice would be to either educate singaporeans on the social conduct or maybe restrict the use of trolleys only in NTUC compound.
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    It has been a problem since many years ago, but the amount of trolleys gone missing is increasing at an alarming rate from last year. It all boils down to the laziness of Singaporeans, they are more than willing to use the trolleys to make their shopping easier, but just too lazy to just bring it back. NTUC could have easily taken away all the trolleys and make Singaporeans carry their load by hand, it too reduce the cost of repairing and replacement.
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    Yes, this is not a good sign. It seems that people are inconsiderate and irresponsible. Such actions should be named as theft! These people who did not return back the trolleys are thieves, they are taking away other people's properties without their permission. It is true that some customers who push the trolleys away may not be able to carry their heavy loads of groceries, that is why they push the trolleys away. In such cases, some who push the trolleys to the bus-stops never push them back as their bus may arrive. While this is rising, there are still people who are responsible enough to push them back.
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    Not returning trolleys is a sign of laziness and the lack of consideration amongst singaporeans; two qualities that have been commonly known to be present in us for decades now. Considering that the population of people who go to supermarkets are mainly senior citizens and the working people, i believe that the S$1 coin-deposit system is effective to a large extent as these are the people who would know the value of money even if its just a dollar. However, to further ensure that trolleys dont go missing, singapore could implement a fine on people who do not return trolleys. This would definitely instill a sense of fear in singaporeans and thus solve the missing trolleys problem.
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    Singapore, despite having a world class education system is lacking in civil mindedness. This is the debatable failure of our education system.
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