Got Milk? An Earth Hour Message

Found a strange addiction to milk (particularly full cream and chocolate) these few days. Yes, I know this is especially weird and unusual.


Today the Orchestra is performing on Earth Hour. In the dark. For about an hour. As Kok Wai put it: Omigosh. Better dish out the fluorescent bangles.


We have come a long way in development, but it has come with a price: The Earth is getting more and more sick by the second. Pollution levels are rising all over the world. Waste is accumulating and is increasing at an alarming rate.


Fortunately, modern technology and politics has improved in terms on environmental conservation. Rubbish is now used to create electricity. We also now have a carbon neutral country (that's Vatican City by the way) and many more nations such as Costa Rica are also aiming for this carbon neutral status. Australia is about to phase out the use of incandescent lightbulbs, saving heck of a lot of electricity.


However, laws and technology cannot function alone, for it is the common people that makes all the difference, including you and me. So, by doing our dear Earth a favour by turning off all the electrical appliances (except for the fridge of course) you can make a very big difference. Also in conjunction with Earth Hour, I invite you to watch the following video:



Happy Earth Hour!

A reply to the "Petition Against High Bus Fares to Poly Students"

This topic has never failed to make me chortle within myself.

I see endless pages of argument between Poly Students and JC students in Singapore over the unequality of bus fares. JC students would pay the students' concessionary fare while Polytechnic students are subject to paying the bus fares.

What amuses me is actually how poorly this subject has been going on. I see much talk with no real work done, that is. Polytechnic students are typically complaining and JC students are just justifying the LTA's motions.

I have one thing to say: When arguing, base your arguments on a basis where everyone can relate to each other. As such, there shouldn't be long winded tussles over "You don't understand me" issues. (This applies to your relationship too, if you have any)

A nation is defined as a group of people who have similar interests and goals. In Singapore, these interests can be found within the National Pledge. I highlight this part in italics below.

We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness
Prosperity and progress to our nation

Here is the highlighted part, in case you missed it:

To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality

To be a nation as described above one needs justice and equality. This can be applied to the bus fare issues based on this sentence which i know Singaporean students drone on each school day without taking in account of what is actually meant.

I have a proposition:

All students receiving tertiary education in Singapore should have 4 concessionary bus trips each school day, and this is used to go to school and return home from school. Anything more and the student is to be charged adult fare.

Extra concessions bought at bus interchanges or MRT should not have a significant price difference and I recommend that Poly students pay 15% more than JC students.

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Oh, and for the JC students who argued at these forums please be noted that:

1) Our school fees are heck a lot more than yours and that's why we do mind paying more for something over a basic necessity.

2) Yes, we have no uniforms and it is true it is easier for us to go out and have more fun, but please note: We are nevertheless in a learning institution and we do have exams and grades to worry about too.

3) We also will have to drop a course if we do poorly in school.

4) What do you mean (Fawwaz from the Facebook forums) JC students have no lax in discipline? Is that not an implication that Poly students always bend the rule? We are human, please, and no matter how hard you try, you can never have a completely perfect or a dysfunctional society.

Let's Talk About: Euthanasia

This is another fairly eye-opening topic which I intend to discuss today.

Euthanasia is the act of mercy-killing to patients who are terminally ill. This issue has been stirring up a storm of controversy lately, and still no definitive answer as to it's extent of acceptability has been brought up. It is, of course, a highly subjective topic and I do welcome comments on this post but please, no inflaming comments please :)

Why euthanasia is acceptable:

• It relieves the terminally-ill patient of further suffering.


• It is more economical if you look in the healthcare system's point of view: More space in hospitals to treat other patients, resources can be used on other patients, etc.

Why euthanasia is not acceptable:

• It is easily viewed as a crime against life and suicide in most religions.


• It is morally wrong.


• The medical professionals have the duty of sustaining a patient until he/she dies naturally.


• Family members would want to spend as much time possible with the dying patient.

In my point of view, euthanasia is actually acceptable as long as it is consented by a mentally-fit patient himself. It is unfair to make decisions upon a mentally fit patient who, technically speaking, is the only one who knows the suffering he/she is going through.

However, if I would unfortunately be in the patients position (which I hope i won't be), I wouldn't end my life with euthanasia, but I would stop taking my medicine, because in my religion it is morally wrong to know your time of death. At least refusing medicine still keeps your time of death uncertain.

That's my point of view. What's yours?

What the Devil did in the First 7 days.

Today I want to share with you Nury Vittachi's latest column in Reader's Digest Asia.

First a foreward: In the West children are taught the clear boundaries of good and bad, whereas in Asia children are taught the balance of good and bad (cue the memories of yin-yang and what not) If we were to apply the Asian outlook into Genesis, it would be very weird indeed. In fact, after reading this you may be led to doubting that it was the fruit of knowledge that led to Man's downfall.

The passage below is written by Nury Vittachi and edited by me.

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WHAT THE DEVIL DID IN THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS

In the beginning God created heaven and earth, and earth was void without form. Then God made a cicular light and called it the Sun. And he saw that light was good. Then the Devil made a smaller light, and rectangular in shape, and called it TV. And the Devil saw that light was bad.

God made springs which came out of the ground, which out came fountains of pure water. And God saw that water was good. Then Devil invented carbonated drinks. And saw that fizzy drinks are bad.

God said, Let the Earth bring forth vegetables, so that the children may grow up healthy. Then the Devil said, Let there be deep fried potatoes cut into long strips.

And God said, Let the waters bring forth 10,000 varieties of fish to provide sustainance for the children. And the Devil arranged that the fish be deep fried, smothered in batter and served with the deep fried potatoes.

On the seventh day, God rested and asked his children to rest as well, and contemplate wonders of creation. And the Devil created the Sunday brunch, Sunday tabloids, and that the bodies of the children be filled with more deep fried potatoes.

God said to the boy, Go forth and multiply. Then the devil invented the computer and ordered 10,000 demons to fill it online battles etc. And the boy did cleave to the computer.

God then made many attractive blandishments which she could use whenever the boy is away from the computer. And the Devil invented the Nintendo DS Lite and the PSP.

Then the Devil entered the serpent and caused him to say to the boy, If you eat the fruit of knowledge which the Lord hath forbidden you to touch, your eyes will be opened and you shall be as gods.

And the boy looketh at the girl and said, "No thanks, we liketh not fruit. But hast thou any deep-fried potatoes?"