agreed completely with Fang Zhi Yuan that “Instead of feeling aggrieved, Dana should get MOE’s hint and embark on a PR campaign to gain the public’s trust and confidence for its CSE. I believe that the majority of Singaporeans will be able to judge for themselves”. there is no need for AWARE or Dana Lam to be defensive. AWARE has done a great job last 24 years for women and Singapore. It is truely “grossly unfair that the programme has been so misrepresented to the public”..as the quoted text is only in the instructors’ guide and like 1.5 minutes in a 3 hrs session…nevertheless it does not mean AWARE should make the mistake of not LISTENING to the genuine concerns of parents…there is nothing wrong to review and improve on the CSE based on public’s feedback, objective scientific information and research..AWARE and society in general will benefit by focusing on the end results - the teenage girls and their family AWARE is helping - than worry too much over the endless bitching…
I do not see MOE and the government as capitulating to public pressure. The government has been unequivocal and never clearer on its stand on this issue both during the AWARE saga playout and now strongly spoken by DPM Wong Kan Seng and Minister Ng Eng Hen. Those who think they can pressurise the government can continue to feel happy about themselves as long as it does not culminate in actions that harm the rest of society…many of the passionate supporters of AWARE OG to remove the former new exco are also concerned parents and there is no reason for MOE or AWARE to disregard their views or genuine concerns if any on CSE but to address such concerns logically and rationally…
as the writer of the article said - “I believe that the majority of Singaporeans will be able to judge for themselves”. The CSE is just a red herring by a misguided group who are as one comment noted “religiously inspired but morally and ethically challenged”....supported by a senior pastor who cannot differentiate between truths and lies. and the secular community and AWARE supporters have risen to put them back where they belong…
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
EV News---Daimler buys stake in US electric carmaker Tesla
BERLIN, Germany - German luxury carmaker Daimler said on Tuesday it was buying a 10 percent stake in US electric car manufacturer Tesla as it attempts to plug in to the market for electic cars.
Daimler paid "around 50 million dollars" (S$73 million) for its share in Tesla, the manufacturer of the "Model S" electric car, a much-anticipated vehicle with a range of 300 miles (480 kilometres).
The two companies will collaborate on batteries and electric motors, a joint statement said.
"Our strategic partnership is an important step towards accelerating the worldwide commericialisation of electric vehicles," said Thomas Weber, a Daimler board member, in a statement.
Daimler recently snapped up a stake in German group Li-tec to facilitate the manufacture of the lithium-ion batteries needed for electric cars.
The German car giant intends to roll out several models of electric car by the end of the year.
In September, Daimler said it was joining forces with RWE, one of the country's largest energy providers, to create a network of electric cars and charging stations in Berlin.
The scheme will be the largest of its kind in the world and is set to start by 2010.
Daimler paid "around 50 million dollars" (S$73 million) for its share in Tesla, the manufacturer of the "Model S" electric car, a much-anticipated vehicle with a range of 300 miles (480 kilometres).
The two companies will collaborate on batteries and electric motors, a joint statement said.
"Our strategic partnership is an important step towards accelerating the worldwide commericialisation of electric vehicles," said Thomas Weber, a Daimler board member, in a statement.
Daimler recently snapped up a stake in German group Li-tec to facilitate the manufacture of the lithium-ion batteries needed for electric cars.
The German car giant intends to roll out several models of electric car by the end of the year.
In September, Daimler said it was joining forces with RWE, one of the country's largest energy providers, to create a network of electric cars and charging stations in Berlin.
The scheme will be the largest of its kind in the world and is set to start by 2010.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Temasek sold BoA at huge loss!
Sources tell Reuters that Bank of America was likely not the first choice for Temasek because B of A did not offer the global banking franchise that prompted Temasek to buy into Merrill and other Western banks.
==========
That’s what they will have us believed!
Want to be largest shareholder in dynamic Merrill Lynch (a Global Investment Bank) – which is dead duck and a casino and fraud and reason for the collapse in the first place and don’t want to own a small 3% stake in an enlarged BOA, the small stake in a large deposit-taking bank – which is the safe recurrent high growth utility and future banking model which anyway own 100% of the so-called dynamic Merrill Lynch (a Global Investment Bank) which are besides themselves and can’t stop defrauding taxpayer by $4b bonus even on the last day!
A US$2.6b to US$4b loss even in a US$130b portfolio is NO tactical mistake but a glaring failure….this doesn’t take away Temasek’s past and current success…but a success is called a success and a failure is called a failure, nothing to hide and nothing to be shy about….
==========
That’s what they will have us believed!
Want to be largest shareholder in dynamic Merrill Lynch (a Global Investment Bank) – which is dead duck and a casino and fraud and reason for the collapse in the first place and don’t want to own a small 3% stake in an enlarged BOA, the small stake in a large deposit-taking bank – which is the safe recurrent high growth utility and future banking model which anyway own 100% of the so-called dynamic Merrill Lynch (a Global Investment Bank) which are besides themselves and can’t stop defrauding taxpayer by $4b bonus even on the last day!
A US$2.6b to US$4b loss even in a US$130b portfolio is NO tactical mistake but a glaring failure….this doesn’t take away Temasek’s past and current success…but a success is called a success and a failure is called a failure, nothing to hide and nothing to be shy about….
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tesla Model S
http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php
Tesla hopes to electrify the auto industry with the brand new Model S.
The Tesla Model S all-electric car made an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" on Wednesday. The $50,000 four-door will go up to 300 miles per charge of its lithium-ion batteries
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/cars-transportation/tesla-model-s-460409#comments
It is 2011, and the Martin family of seven is going on vacation. Do they hop in an SUV? No, instead they board one of the greenest (as well as sexiest) cars on the planet, a Tesla Model S sedan.
It's not much bigger than a Taurus, but the Model S swallows up all of the Martins, plus their luggage. The kids (tucked into two rear-facing jump seats) fight over access to the 17-inch infotainment system between the front seats, which can make cellphone calls, access the Internet and stream music. Their destination is 300 miles away, but the Model S can handle it without stopping. No problem, it has an 85-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack on board. Tailpipe pollution? Zero, it's a battery electric car.
Is this a fantasy? Not at all. The Tesla Model S is very real, and it made its New York debut this week at a gala party in lower Manhattan. Chris Paine, the director of Who Killed the Electric Car? was there; his next film is about the EV's revenge.
The curvaceous Model S, designed in-house by Franz von Holzhausen (ex-GM and Mazda) will be on the market in two years, priced at $49,900 (reflecting a $7,500 federal tax rebate). I got a chance to ride in the car, but not drive it. The trip was short but memorable. The S does not seem quite as blindingly fast as its sister, the Tesla Roadster, but it is eminently more practical. It's also about half the price. What's not to like? Despite the economy, nearly 1,000 people have put down $5,000 deposits.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk (and the Model S) were on Late Night with David Letterman right after the party, and while Musk kept a straight face, Letterman (who had apparently lost his voice) was mugging for all he was worth. At one point he interrupted an important point (Musk was going to say that the lifetime ownership of a battery car like the Model S is low compared to conventional vehicles), but Letterman interrupted him with a broad joke about getting "shocked" by the car. Silly, but you don't earn longevity in late-night TV by coming off like a tenured professor (even though he looks like one).
Tesla hopes to electrify the auto industry with the brand new Model S.
The Tesla Model S all-electric car made an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" on Wednesday. The $50,000 four-door will go up to 300 miles per charge of its lithium-ion batteries
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/cars-transportation/tesla-model-s-460409#comments
It is 2011, and the Martin family of seven is going on vacation. Do they hop in an SUV? No, instead they board one of the greenest (as well as sexiest) cars on the planet, a Tesla Model S sedan.
It's not much bigger than a Taurus, but the Model S swallows up all of the Martins, plus their luggage. The kids (tucked into two rear-facing jump seats) fight over access to the 17-inch infotainment system between the front seats, which can make cellphone calls, access the Internet and stream music. Their destination is 300 miles away, but the Model S can handle it without stopping. No problem, it has an 85-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack on board. Tailpipe pollution? Zero, it's a battery electric car.
Is this a fantasy? Not at all. The Tesla Model S is very real, and it made its New York debut this week at a gala party in lower Manhattan. Chris Paine, the director of Who Killed the Electric Car? was there; his next film is about the EV's revenge.
The curvaceous Model S, designed in-house by Franz von Holzhausen (ex-GM and Mazda) will be on the market in two years, priced at $49,900 (reflecting a $7,500 federal tax rebate). I got a chance to ride in the car, but not drive it. The trip was short but memorable. The S does not seem quite as blindingly fast as its sister, the Tesla Roadster, but it is eminently more practical. It's also about half the price. What's not to like? Despite the economy, nearly 1,000 people have put down $5,000 deposits.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk (and the Model S) were on Late Night with David Letterman right after the party, and while Musk kept a straight face, Letterman (who had apparently lost his voice) was mugging for all he was worth. At one point he interrupted an important point (Musk was going to say that the lifetime ownership of a battery car like the Model S is low compared to conventional vehicles), but Letterman interrupted him with a broad joke about getting "shocked" by the car. Silly, but you don't earn longevity in late-night TV by coming off like a tenured professor (even though he looks like one).
just my opinion
http://wayangparty.com/?p=8931
thio, josie & co were uterly irresponsible and should do the honorable thing and pay back 70k or whatever amount above 20k as provided in AWARE constitution as the money “can be better spent on the women and families which Aware set out to help”. in my opinion, if they do not AWARE should proceed with the lawsuit if AWARE can get a lawyer to do probono which surely they can..this is not about being vinditive but the women who need help deserve to get these monies back..also while Rajah & Tan has no reason not to charge AWARE since the EGM is not an issue about social servie and it is not their fault that Josie & co that make the bad decision to pay for exorbitant legal counsel or any at all..nevertheless R&T should not be insensitive to society so perhaps WP should start a petition to ask Rajah & Tan to give back whatever monies they have charged AWARE as probono legal service for battered women, discriminated minorities etc…
I disagree with Eugene’s views on MOE and Religion…just as many of us are signatories in support Vivien Wee’s online petition against Jocie & co, WP should not be partial to the sentiments of >1000 parents whether or not they are christians and whether or not they were instigated by thio belatedly to counter MOE’s questioning of Thio…there are many including myself who disagree that anal sex is healthy..and though in my opinion one should be neutral and not discriminate gay or non gay, that is quite a different proposition from encouraging or promoting teen experimentation with gay and anal sex etc (I see no evidence and do not believe AWARE is doing that, and in my opinion it is thio & co demonising AWARE)..still it is no harm and only responsible for both MOE and AWARE to review and revisit and after proper research and consultation offer a considered response on whether or not it is right to say anal sex is healthy…
I also disagree that WP should castigate christian post or other online community though eugene like everyone else is entitled to his personal opinions on this matter…christians are entitled to their convictions and opinions as much as any majority or minority groups, secular or faith community…there are also many unreasonable posts and unsubstantiated views in WP as in MSM etc..so in my opinion we should all give each other space and not push one’s opinion too hard especially in another’s space…just like thio & co ought not to do..
thio, josie & co were uterly irresponsible and should do the honorable thing and pay back 70k or whatever amount above 20k as provided in AWARE constitution as the money “can be better spent on the women and families which Aware set out to help”. in my opinion, if they do not AWARE should proceed with the lawsuit if AWARE can get a lawyer to do probono which surely they can..this is not about being vinditive but the women who need help deserve to get these monies back..also while Rajah & Tan has no reason not to charge AWARE since the EGM is not an issue about social servie and it is not their fault that Josie & co that make the bad decision to pay for exorbitant legal counsel or any at all..nevertheless R&T should not be insensitive to society so perhaps WP should start a petition to ask Rajah & Tan to give back whatever monies they have charged AWARE as probono legal service for battered women, discriminated minorities etc…
I disagree with Eugene’s views on MOE and Religion…just as many of us are signatories in support Vivien Wee’s online petition against Jocie & co, WP should not be partial to the sentiments of >1000 parents whether or not they are christians and whether or not they were instigated by thio belatedly to counter MOE’s questioning of Thio…there are many including myself who disagree that anal sex is healthy..and though in my opinion one should be neutral and not discriminate gay or non gay, that is quite a different proposition from encouraging or promoting teen experimentation with gay and anal sex etc (I see no evidence and do not believe AWARE is doing that, and in my opinion it is thio & co demonising AWARE)..still it is no harm and only responsible for both MOE and AWARE to review and revisit and after proper research and consultation offer a considered response on whether or not it is right to say anal sex is healthy…
I also disagree that WP should castigate christian post or other online community though eugene like everyone else is entitled to his personal opinions on this matter…christians are entitled to their convictions and opinions as much as any majority or minority groups, secular or faith community…there are also many unreasonable posts and unsubstantiated views in WP as in MSM etc..so in my opinion we should all give each other space and not push one’s opinion too hard especially in another’s space…just like thio & co ought not to do..
Monday, May 4, 2009
Learn from Aware saga: DPM
'WELL, I think all sides should take away the right lessons from this and focus on wanting to serve the community and do your best.
I think there will always be differences in society; it is a question of whether we can deal with them in a sensible way, learn how to accept one another's differences and still work together for the good of this society. There are people in our society with different views and if ... we push them too hard, there will be a push back from the other side. You are not going to resolve some of these differences because they are strongly held and you risk polarising society if you push too hard.
I think if you believe that what you are doing is right, well, live a good life, do good work and persuade people by how you work and live rather than pushing your ideas in a much more pushy way. I think there are ways where we can engage with society and still live with our differences.'
I think there will always be differences in society; it is a question of whether we can deal with them in a sensible way, learn how to accept one another's differences and still work together for the good of this society. There are people in our society with different views and if ... we push them too hard, there will be a push back from the other side. You are not going to resolve some of these differences because they are strongly held and you risk polarising society if you push too hard.
I think if you believe that what you are doing is right, well, live a good life, do good work and persuade people by how you work and live rather than pushing your ideas in a much more pushy way. I think there are ways where we can engage with society and still live with our differences.'
Holland Village Nude - They did it to 'seek thrill'
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090502-138825.html
An A*Star spokesman told The New Paper: 'Naturally, we are disappointed that one of our scholars is guilty of an offence. A*Star will now review the matter with Kai Er and decide on the appropriate course of action.'...
====
A*star gave the appropriate and not overly pre-emptive or judgmental response to the press. It is wrong to break the law and it is wrong to walk in the nude in Singapore and impose on and outrage others' sensibilities...though it is no excuse but everyone makes mistakes, and many went on to contribute significantly to society after making 1 or even many mistakes...hopefully A*star will review the totality of a person's character, overall moral compass and consistency of actions over a period of time, and not over just 1 incident...
An A*Star spokesman told The New Paper: 'Naturally, we are disappointed that one of our scholars is guilty of an offence. A*Star will now review the matter with Kai Er and decide on the appropriate course of action.'...
====
A*star gave the appropriate and not overly pre-emptive or judgmental response to the press. It is wrong to break the law and it is wrong to walk in the nude in Singapore and impose on and outrage others' sensibilities...though it is no excuse but everyone makes mistakes, and many went on to contribute significantly to society after making 1 or even many mistakes...hopefully A*star will review the totality of a person's character, overall moral compass and consistency of actions over a period of time, and not over just 1 incident...
Saturday, May 2, 2009
LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009
http://wayangparty.com/?p=8732&cpage=1#comment-11548
LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009
kudos to all the women & men who braved inconvenience and being shouted at by the new exco and almost manhandled by security, and well including those supporting the new exco out of genuine own beliefs though I do not agree with them….but not to those who came by busloads egged on, organized and paid by a church (if true) and supporting the new exco just because they are christians and from the same church…
this is a great day for Singapore and for women, as a Muslim attendee said “I have one regret being a father, I regret that my daughters are not here today to witness the spirit of the women at Aware today.”
Women, civil society & Singapore as a whole have already won and will gain from this event (truly we are aware)..even if the old guards were to lose the vote because of mindless support for newco from new members who are as clueless and care-less about the problems of women as the new exco who have zero records of contribution to women, in the eyes of Singapore they have still won..and the practical business of misappropriation of AWARE funds by new exco can be pursued in due course whether or not new exco won the vote…
& kudos for the reporting team…keep it up!
LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009
kudos to all the women & men who braved inconvenience and being shouted at by the new exco and almost manhandled by security, and well including those supporting the new exco out of genuine own beliefs though I do not agree with them….but not to those who came by busloads egged on, organized and paid by a church (if true) and supporting the new exco just because they are christians and from the same church…
this is a great day for Singapore and for women, as a Muslim attendee said “I have one regret being a father, I regret that my daughters are not here today to witness the spirit of the women at Aware today.”
Women, civil society & Singapore as a whole have already won and will gain from this event (truly we are aware)..even if the old guards were to lose the vote because of mindless support for newco from new members who are as clueless and care-less about the problems of women as the new exco who have zero records of contribution to women, in the eyes of Singapore they have still won..and the practical business of misappropriation of AWARE funds by new exco can be pursued in due course whether or not new exco won the vote…
& kudos for the reporting team…keep it up!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chrysler bankruptcy
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/chrysler-lenders-fault-government-as-bankruptcy-looms/
Lenders Fault Treasury in Chrysler Bankruptcy
=====
the arguments are partial and not the whole truth…
the workers also take paycuts and reduction of benefits, not just a haircut on the pension liability conversion to equity…so it is a holistic balance of interests and rights…
commercial negotiation is always a matter of negotiation power..it does not matter whether it is the US Treasury or Warren Buffet…if Warren Buffet were to dish out new US$4b or US$7b loans, he will impose conditions he thinks is fair to all parties and it is just a matter of commercial negotiation to close the deal…why should US treasury be different?
if deal is not struck then the case goes to chapter 11 bankruptcy..what overturning rule of law and “outside the well established legal framework” is there?
it is just a failed negotiation with 90% agreed and just 10% holding out by non TARP lenders and if it si clear that these lenders will receive less in chapter 11 than if they had agreed so goverment is totally correct to say they are not acting in their own commercial interests…obviously the non TARP lenders are either in a game of brinksmanship or they believe they will get a better deal in bankruptcy…so lets just stay tuned…
Lenders Fault Treasury in Chrysler Bankruptcy
=====
the arguments are partial and not the whole truth…
the workers also take paycuts and reduction of benefits, not just a haircut on the pension liability conversion to equity…so it is a holistic balance of interests and rights…
commercial negotiation is always a matter of negotiation power..it does not matter whether it is the US Treasury or Warren Buffet…if Warren Buffet were to dish out new US$4b or US$7b loans, he will impose conditions he thinks is fair to all parties and it is just a matter of commercial negotiation to close the deal…why should US treasury be different?
if deal is not struck then the case goes to chapter 11 bankruptcy..what overturning rule of law and “outside the well established legal framework” is there?
it is just a failed negotiation with 90% agreed and just 10% holding out by non TARP lenders and if it si clear that these lenders will receive less in chapter 11 than if they had agreed so goverment is totally correct to say they are not acting in their own commercial interests…obviously the non TARP lenders are either in a game of brinksmanship or they believe they will get a better deal in bankruptcy…so lets just stay tuned…
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