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!

Chrysler bankruptcy

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/chrysler-lenders-fault-government-as-bankruptcy-looms/

Lenders Fault Treasury in Chrysler Bankruptcy
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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…

moderation & tolerance

moderation, tolerance and mutual respect is important and people in a position of religious and moral leadership should have special regards not to sow seeds of discord and hatred in scoiety and moderate their own constituency and not pit one group against another…
as Minister Teo Chee Hian said if you push your argument too hard, others will push back at you, that’s why there is strife and war….
if press reports that COOS senior pastor Derek Hong has sent out emails to his church members urging them to sign up with AWARE and support the new AWARE team at the EGM is correct, then in my opinion he should reflect seriously he is doing the right thing…
it is ok for the pastor to have his personal opinion on AWARE..it is maybe ok for him to openly state his personal opinion on AWARE to his associates, less so in a sermon in COOS, but it is quite inappropriate for a person in religious and moral leadership to overtly or covertly influence his flock to affect the outcome of a secular institution like AWARE..
it is ok for the pastor and COOS to sermonstate or sermonize their beliefs and position on homosexuality inside, or outside the church if it is done with respect and moderation…but the issue of new or old guards at AWARE does NOT equate the issue of homosexualtiy…and the church has no business actively interfering with the affairs of a secular organisation….
if press reports are correct that COOS first denied to the press that the church is involved in AWARE saga, and now openly canvass to affect the outcome of AWARE EGM then the church is condoning deceit and has no credibility…people in position of religious and moral leadership should be very careful and balance in what they do or say so as not to sow discord and hatred…do things with compassion not with mean spirit and narrow-minded hatred and to benefit society not contribute to chaos…

Obama's housing plan - socializing losses?

Internet sensation
In his report on CNBC, Santelli said responsible homeowners would end up subsidizing other people's bad behavior.

From the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, he turned to traders and said: "How many of you people want to pay for your neighbor's mortgage that has an extra bathroom and can't pay their bills?" The traders booed that notion, and Santelli said: "President Obama, are you listening?"

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below my take on Rick Santelli's rant..

....it is very onerous and punishing to expect decent responsible hardworking americans setting out a new home and family completely within their means in 2006 or 2007 (say monthly repayment below 31% of household income)...

home prices may have fallen 30% to 50% because an irresponsible neighbour defaulted and his property foreclosed at fire sale price and even hardworking folks perfectly able to pay the mortgage may default (rational default)...

who is to blame?..cnbc anchors can repeat lopsided sensationalized comments about socializing losses and privatizing gains when the housing plan is to help 7million of their responsible fellow citizens caught in this global collapse and yet they are quite happy to attack Obama when he criticized the $18billion Wall Street bonuses as the "height of irresponsibility" and "guys please show some restraints"...so some segment of the press are quite happy with privatizing gains and socializing losses when the $18b bonuses go to the powerful Wall Street boys that caused or allowed the collapse under their watch (their greed causing miseries to hundreds of millions around the world) but not so happy when it goes to 7million of their fellow americans...I guess that is the "height of irresponsible reporting"...

still Obama administration has lost the initial spin and in a free debate it is necessary to hear all sides...so it is important to address the real concern of the american people about not subsidizing the unworthy (Wall Street fat cats or irresponsible Main Street next door neighbour..and don't worry about restricting bonuses - there are lots of perfectly decent hardworking Wall Street folks waiting to contribute once the fat cat culture is gone..)...but ignore the rants and not add any credit to it...

Job Credits - stimulative package Singapore style

no one quarrels with dipping into Singapore reserve...extraordinary/unprecedented times require extraordinary measures...Obama said it, Kevin Rudd said it, but I guess no plagiarism there...

not totally bought-in on whether job credits is innovative...something is innovative if it is a new way to solve a problem...job credits is new thinking no doubt just not sure if it solves the problem...NTUC is lately adamant against CPF cut...Lim Boon Heng earlier said it is across the board and penalise workers in companies that do well despite recession...Lim Swee Say said when rebutting Low Thia Khiang "does WP want Job Credits or 9% CPF cuts"...Low is seasoned enough to say he don't want both..haha...job credits is labelled as "smart bomb"...not quite sure why it is smart bomb when it is also across the board for all S'pore and PR workers with CPF account? if the purpose is to lower costs for employers (supposedly to temporarily keep jobs but as many have said why would employer pay $7500 and wait 3 months to get back $900 credit if he don't need the workers?), so what is the difference as far as employers is concerned whether it is 9% CPF cut or job credits? the only difference is whether the employers' savings come from $4.5b job credits or from workers CPF...but if we cut workers CPF then the $4.5b can be spent in a targetted way for specific group of workers or industries or income level, so higher income workers above $4.5k/month will have effective pay cut (from CPF cut but better than lose job) but then the $4.5b pool from reserves can be more targeted to help either certain low income group (workfare etc) or certain targeted industries...why is job credit a smart bomb when it is "one size fits all"? taxpayers don't want to subsidize already profitable companies nor companies which will fail anyway after getting "temporary" job credit bailouts for 1 year?

of course there could be other reasons for not touching CPF-maybe it will trigger property loans repayment default etc...but those reasons maybe should be investigated and communicated...maybe messy to have temporary 1 year 9% CPF cut vs one-off job credit scheme (hmm..not sure about that)...maybe part of job credits are for government linked agencies so go back to consolidated accounts anyway but unlikely that is big % of $4.5b?

though many brilliant minds (scholars) have gone into job credits and government as always have studied thoroughly before introducing an idea, still no harm to listen whether WP or PAP or others if there are other views, considerations, solution, or at least revisit issue and explain better...

Miracle on Hudson River

plane crash-landed on busy Hudson river next to Central Park and all 155 passengers & crew rescued..a miracle no less because of the 57 year old captain's intelligent calm skillful handling and the rapid response by 14 commuter ferries, fire department, coast guard and fast, effective evacuation of passengers by the brave crew (captain walk up and down the sinking plane twice to check that all are rescued before being rescued himself) etc...an unusual "double bird strike" stalling both engines at 3000 feet by a flock of geese minutes after take off caused rapid loss of altitude from 2000 feet to 400 feet and narrowing options, and pilot had to make a series of sharp turns to negotiate the plane to crash land on the narrow stretch of Hudson river, where temperature is -7degC, and only 1 passenger broke both legs, all safely rescued including baby and passenger on wheelchair...the best inspirational story to be read and reread on Readers Digest for a long time...

kudos to a Korean Court which jailed a Korean man 30 months for raping his Filipino wife...he got the poor Filipino women in 2006 through dating agency and was accused of repeatedly forcing her to have sex by threatening her with stun gun and knife...this a first in Korea's male-oriented society, seems only other case was a man convicted of indecent assault on estranged wife.. come to think of it, not sure this ever happened in Singapore?

a Singapore van driver hit two 9-year-olds on a pedestrian crossing near Old Airport Road on their way home from school, landing both in hospital and leaving one still unconscious with head injuries. the 2 had almost reached the end of the crossing when a van came "very fast" and hit them...such reckless drivers should be banned from the roads forever!

a China women was sentenced to death, convicted of hiring a killer to kill her own 9 year-old son in order that she can have a child with her second husband..the man she married after her 1st husband died already had a daughter. she hired the killer to kill the girl but she got away, so she got her son from the previous marriage go to a meeting with the killer who then strangled him. such sentenced are usually commuted to life subsequently...it is easy to blame China's one child policy however one must be inhuman or totally deranged to commit such unspeakable horrors....

a China maid in a Shanghai county put a 1 year old baby on a chopping block and slashed her with a kitchen knife..the father rushed into the kitchen and snatched the baby away after the mother heard her screams...the mother was also injured when she struggled with the maid...the baby suffered 5 slashes, needed 100s of sutures, one injury severed the nerves and her face was totally scarred...

so many sad things happening in every corners of the world, what with Gaza, Zimbabwee etc...at the same time, the world is becoming more aware, proactive, green, and maybe Obama will bring hope and leadership to the world and leave our next generation with their earth's inheritance intact!

any other day

had my weekly swim at Keppel Club...just 16 laps (junwei is on 20 laps)..feels good. weather getting just bit colder...pool water is cold even at 10am..

went to Domes cafe @ Dempsey to pick up something from a banker...

Jun & I decided to go makan nasi padang at Kim Seng Road but I decided last minute to have pig trotters at the hawker centre instead...very unhealthy but shiok...hehe...

it was 12.20pm just ahead of lunch crowd...put my food tray on a 4 seater table & went back to get the second bowl of pig trotters for Jun. had a minor tiff with the young girl mid-twenties on the next table...went like this (this is our table...I am sitting here, my food is here...I was sitting here before you...when I put down my food (tray) you said nothing...you just put down & went off so fast...) whatever...anyway solution - there was an empty table 10 feet away so I moved my food over no point expense my mood on this unproductive thing (you don't own the food centre, my friend) --- in my mind she placed nothing on the next table...and you cannot reserve the next (2nd) table for 4 when you have 4pax and already occupy 1 table of 4 especially when the hawker centre is getting crowded...

anyway had a real enjoyable lunch (sinful things usually enjoyable hehe) get back do some work and later may go gym before my evening engagement....

Tai Wah Pork Noodles (bakchomee) #02-17 Hong Lim Food Centre

wife and youngest daughter went shopping at vivo-city.

wanted to get out of the house so drove to Shaw House. walked through Isetan Orchard. things are really expensive even with 50% off 70% off sales, what with the recession?

2 years ago during CNY period I bought 3 pairs of Timberland shoes for like $250! now even with 30% off similar Timberland shoes are costing $250 less 30% (or $175!)..where is the sales?

walked along Scotts road. now they have sidewalk cafes for McCafe/McDonald's, Starbucks, Canele...and bubble tea is like $1.20 only. walk over to Level One (thought it was still Metro! how long have I not been here).

contemplated taking the $2 McDonald's double-decker cheese burger, but decided to drive off to Hong Lim food centre to try out the Tai Wah bakchomee instead. got behind a constant queue of 6-7 and got my $4 meekia dry after 15-20mins. think this is the best (& cheapest!) I tried of the 3 Tai Wahs (recently the eldest and youngest brother had a public spaton the Straist Times), better than the one at Crawford Court and Vivo Food Republic (about same as the Marina Square stall which had closed down). the noddle is springy (qq), the vinegar a tad too much, the 2 meatballs, liver, pork slices, minced pork, 2 dumplings, dried dace all great stuff worth the queueing.

the Outram Road char kuay teow @#02-18 was closed, but there is longer queue even at Kee Kee wanton noodles @#02-49. the curry chicken noodle Heng Kee at level one is closed, but the Ah Heng curry chicken at level 2 (the one I prefered) is open. <>

"Money No Enough 2" by Jack Neo

last evening, my whole family went to watch "Money No Enough 2" at the club.

this was the second time my wife and I saw the movie. my 2 daughters like it. my son slept through parts of it. my wife didn't like the depressing theme which she viewed as real, something encountered in daily life and not funny, and that the audience found it funny and laughed throughout the movie.

I thought it was really good, very realistic in capturing the behaviour of Singaporeans (and perhaps people in general) as my elder daughter also said. I felt the movie was no slapstick. the fact that the movie was peppered with laughter throughout showed that the audience really identified with the many scenes and instances in the movie. that my wife felt the issues were real and everyday problems and the theme was depressing also showed that the movie has substance and insight and is not just bent on gaining laughter.

the 3 brothers each suffered setbacks of their own making, whether it was due to greed, reckless irresponsibility in the youngest brother (Mark Lee), selfishness and hyprocrisy especially in the second brother (Jack Neo). the problem of the aging mother striken with diabetes and alzeimer is indeed real, an everyday struggle for many, and discomforting.

it is all too easy to judge until one is faced with a constant daily nursing effort, costs (rising healthcare costs and priorities of a profit-driven listed hospital group are the issues in focus here!) and inconvenience coping with a aged, sick and immobile parent (like having to wash 6 towels a day soiled by urinary incontinence of a diabetes patient etc). parents are generally willing to cope with sick or disabled child and stoically assume the hardship for a lifetime yet the same people often are not likely to do the same for their parents (or probably even their spouse) less than grudgingly. perhaps it is human nature that love for our children are largely unconditional but the same may not apply to parents, spouse or another adults, whereas the protective feeling towards our children always remain that way even when they become adult.

while my view is that we should tend to our aged parents as we would our children, sick, bedridden or striken by alzeimer, I am unwilling to judge others. also I do not think I can be a very sensitive or caring caregiver (certainly less useful than a professionally trained caregiver) though not a grudging one-in my case it is moot as my parents passed away when I was 18 and 19.

anyhow my view is that quality of life for both the one needng care and his(her) family would improve if Singapore and elsewhere develop and expand more professionally managed retirement homes where proper healthcare, nursing and leisure/community needs are met by professionally trained caregivers. people should still take care of their aged parents and not dumped them in the old folks home, but at least there is a real choice and quality alternative, not one where old folks feel unwanted and deserted.

anju restaurant @ arashiyama : "superb yuba & black hair Japanese beef set"

Arashiyama is a 15miutes ride from Kyoto station (via JR Sagano line Kyoto Station Saga-Arashiyama Station). It has everything for a 1day excursion (or 1 night ryokan stay) on the outskirts of Kyoto from Togetsukyo bridge over Hozu river to bamboo grove to tenryuji temple. We had an excellent stay at togetsutei ryokan recently on 17.12.2008 (the kaiseki is tops) and we chanced on a really great lunch the next day at Anju Restaurant located along the road from togetsukyo bridge along Saga Tenryuji Ktatsukurimichicho just past Tenryuji temple entrance and before reaching the bamboo grove turn-off.

My wife and I both had the 3900Y set. Except for the wagyu (& fish) it was an entirely yuba set. This was a really great combination for us. While we were both keen on good yuba set (having tasted a really marvellous 3500Y set at a yuba restaurant along the road leaving kiyomizu temple during our last trip) we decided though that we would not pay that kind of money again for yuba no matter how good the yuba was so we skip the yuba restaurant Shigetsu in Tenryuji even though it came with good reviews.

We had yuba sashimi, and it was really nice - fresh, refreshing just ike sashimi (but nothing like real sashimi nevertheless), a deep fried yuba dish which is really really superb, a bean paste starter, a simmered dish beancurd, 2 fried fish pieces with roe, and mochi dessert+ a fried starch cube - nicely sweet and tasty similar to sweet non-savory version of Korean nian gao.

The main course was a good grade wagyu sirlion steak done rare (though my wife complained that hers was more like medium rare). It was marbled and very tasty and tender. In my opinion, this Anju set is really value for money. The wayu steak would have cost upwards of 2500Y in any average Kyoto restaurant, and the yuba set w/o the steak would be almost a match for a 3000Y set in a good yuba restaurant.