Trying to revive a dead blog...'CLEAR! *boom* CLEAR! *boom*'

Hey yeah long time no post. Understatement of the century I know. And this feeble attempt to revive this blog is going to go unnoticed for all of eternity and beyond, but what the heck i guess. Action plan:
1. Shamelessly advertise on whatevver media accessible
2. Post on MSN
3. Dredge up all past favours
4. This is a gone case, isn't it?

Blog 3...Singtel charges admin fee for donations to Szechuan Charity Show

There was a charity show not so long ago in Singapore to raise funds to aid the people affected by the Szechuan earthquake. The response was good, but many people were unhappy with the administrative fees that Singtel charged.
The reasons Singtel gave were quite valid and I respect that they have a business to run as well, as all their reasons seem to point to.
However, I'm still not completely convinced, and there are definitely ways to prevent this problem.
Firstly, donors want to direct their money flow to help the earthquake victims, and do not want to pay money that will not be channeled to them. As Singtel said, the organizer didn't want to bear the administrative fee for fear of not being able to support the cost. If this is true, then they could find some way to cut back costs, for example inviting fewer celebrities to perform in the show. This would definitely cut back a lot of the cost!
As for the celebrities appearing, I believe they received a sum of money as pay. I think that if they really wanted to help, to do a part for the victims, they should not have accepted the money.
Singtel donated S$200,000 to China's relief and reconstruction. In other words, the company feels that this is an important cause. And shouldn't it support the cause it feels strongly about? I'm not saying that the company should sponsor every charitable cause in Singapore, but the few that it supports. I'm sure the shareholders wouldn't mind earning a little less to help out so many needy, right?
Without the administrative fee as a sort of deterrence from donating, I'm sure the quake victims would have benefitted more, from more donations.
However, I feel that SingTel's efforts in giving aid to those in need is really commendable, and the fact that they started the SingTel Touching Lives Fund, and donated millions to charities in just one year, shows that the company really wants to help. They also lowered rates for China mobile subscribers, so they could contact their families.
So, while there could have been some points that could have been done better, I guess the public must appreciate what SingTel is doing for the cause of charity, and support such events! After all, there is no flawless plan in the world, right?
On another point, should we be helping and fulfilling foriegn needs? China already has a bustling economy on it's own, and is certainly capable of saving itself. So should we be channelling so much money their way? After all, there are people who need help in Singapore too. I feel that we should focus on solving our own problems before we start going all-out in helping other countries, especially those who, as they have emphasized so many times, have a developing economy that outshines Singapore's.
Still, I applaud Singaporeans for their willingness to help others. I think this really reflects well on our people, doesn't it?

Blog 3...the article...sort of

Following several STOMPers' concerns about the administrative charges on MediaCorp's Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show phone donations, SingTel reveals several factors in charging the public 20 cents per call.In an email response to STOMP, a representative from SingTel said:"Donors who call a 1900 donation number pay an admin fee of 20 cents per call regardless of the amount donated. The fee includes the costs of operating the service and billing donors. "The amount collected does not go to SingTel alone. A portion is also payable to other telecommunications and mobile operators when their customers make donation calls."As a business, SingTel has to charge a fee for the Telepoll service. The fee comprises a fixed charge and a usage fee. The event organiser usually pays the fixed component. Event organisers have indicated a preference for donors to bear the usage or admin fee, so that the cost of organising their charity event does not increase for them."SingTel reviews all requests for donations and service fee waivers on a case-by-case basis. Much as it would like to, SingTel cannot possibly sponsor every charitable cause in Singapore. We have a responsibility to our shareholders to exercise prudence as well. "Our practice is to keep the functions of corporate philanthropy and service provision separate. For example, under SingTel's umbrella philanthropy programme, the SingTel Touching Lives Fund, we donated $2.4 million to charities last year. Since its launch in 2002, the Fund has raised a total of $12.7 million for 18 charities affiliated to the National Council of Social Service. "On May 15, SingTel announced that it would donate S$200,000 to help China’s relief and reconstruction efforts after the earthquake in the Sichuan province. SingTel, through our wholly owned subsidiary NCS which has operations in Chengdu, is working with the local authorities to help families and those affected by the earthquake. "As part of our efforts to help our Chinese customers in Singapore to keep close contact with their families back home, we have extended our prepaid promotion in view of the Szechuan earthquake. SingTel prepaid customers can call their relatives who are China Mobile subscribers using V019 IDD at a special flat rate of 8 cents per minute, all day everyday until June 15."The Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show was televised on MediaCorp Channel 8 on Sunday evening (May 25) to raise funds for the victims of the earthquake that shook China on May 12. The general public could call in via a 1900 hotline to contribute fixed donation amounts, or via a landline to contribute sums of more than $50.

Democracy(for English)

Democracy has been an integral part of the government of most countries today. However, is democracy really as fabulously flawless as they say?
Well, personally, I believe not. Democracy, like everything else, isn't perfect. Firstly is the most obvious problem of all: is majority always right? Is it? I don't think so. Allow me to digress from the issue of democracy to this particular question. Throughout the ages, there has been so many of cases where majority is not making the correct decisions. Lets think about racial and religious discrimination. To be able to discriminate and condemn an entire race or religion, the former must usually be the majority.
For example in Sri Lanka. The Tamils, who are the minority, are discrimated against by the Sinhalese, causing much conflict that caused a decline of the country's economy and stunted her development. Is majority always right? I don't think so.
This leads to another problem. The government knows the country best most of the time, and when their decisions clash with the wishes of the majority of the citizens, what should they do? Risk getting voted out of the government and continue with their plans, or let the citizens decide and neglect the country's development?
And this brings us to another problem. The government will of course want to remain in their high position as the 'rulers', and many would do things like giving out subsidies during election periods to please the people, and to get more votes. This would cause many citizens to vote for the current government again, regardless of their efficiency.
And, when the minority is unhappy with the choice of the majority, conflict might very well occur.
However, democracy is still the only choice that we have.
Look at China for example. Centuries and ago, the throne went to the children of the emperor, regardless of their merit. This caused the downfall of almost every dynasty, due to some form of inefficiency or another. With democracy, the people can see which leader leads the best, and when a government is causing a decline of the country's overall development, they can vote them out before permanent damage is done.
I therefore feel that democracy, for all its flaws, is still the best way of deciding how a country is run. Selective democracy, whereby the more crucial decisions are made by the government, who know better, is the way to go.
Selective democracy would allow decisions like overseas investments to be made by the government. This is because most citizens would not have the ability to plan for such decisions, unlike the government. However, it would be crucial to inform the people of such decisions before they're made, to allow for some advocacy.
Other decisions, however, like the election of government, would be the citizens' right.
Therefore, I really don't think there is an alternative to democracy, and the success of democracy lies in the extent that the citizens are allowed to decide.

Personal Commentary

"Retirement means death" said MM Lee, "Do not retire"

I feel that while retirement may be boring and meaningless to some, for example MM Lee, many people would not think so.

Retirement has meant different things to different people. For some (like me) it means finally getting to relax--finally getting to see others do YOUR job for once. It embodies the all-powerful feeling of knowing that you've served your purpose. Retirement is the time when you truly open your eyes to the meaning of the word 'life'.

But I can understand the need for some to work on and on. After all, you've worked so hard to get to this stage--why stop now? And some will never get used to the feeling of having nothing to do. Like MM Lee said, retiring at 55 would leave you with nothing to do except play golf, read books, and enjoying a glass of fine wine.

To work is to be fit, said MM Lee. To isolate yourself from all this is to cause weakness to yourself. To him, the biggest torture would be to be isolated from the outside world.

But does retirement really mean isolating yourself? After all, Singapore is an "ageing society". Surely there wouldn't be a lack of retirement buddies?

And about keeping yourself fit. when was there a law stating that one could not excercise after retirement? After all, isn't golf a sport too?

And about an artistic Singapore. The retired could easily take up art classes or cultural classes! Whoever said that after retirement, the old folks would be 'abandoned and live under bridges'(there aren't many bridges you can sleep under in Singapore anyway)? To cultivate a society rich in arts and culture, the citizens have to have time. God knows how much free time a working individual has! From 6p.m., people start living! Do you seriously expect people to build up the society's 'arts and culture' then?

Didn't think so. That's right! Singapore cannot develop her arts and culture without free people. Yes, that means the jobless. Which also means the retired(the young and jobless are too busy finding a job)! "But there are those whose proffessions are in the arts!" you say? Well, it's great that you're attuned to reality! That was my point! There are only a small handful developing the arts! And to the experts who say that we need 8 hours of sleep and to those who say we should work 12 hours a day, tell me, how much time do we have left? Transport alone would take up an hour at least, and time spent in the bathroom would take another 15 minutes. We need to do our household chores. "Family matters!" they say. What, 45 minutes to spend with our families a day? And did I mention the time needed to purchase groceries or eating? Let's face it, citizens have no time whatsoever to be bothered with the arts or the long-forgotten culture.

And is it really a fair assumption that old folks tarnish our culture?

Well, I, at least, think this: what's the harm in enjoying yourselves in your golden years? Statistics show that the average longevity of a Singaporean is around 80 years. Imagine going to work at that age! So, I honestly feel that retiring is a good choice, as long as we choose carefully when to retire, and, basically, to lnow when to stop.

The Article...hold your breath.

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=01&year=2008&date=12&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_BT_2008_7850604


Retirement means death, says MM Lee
Section:
Top Stories
By:
ANNA TEO
Publication:
The Business Times 12/01/2008
Page:
2
No. of words:
654
Minister's silver advice: keep working, keep fit, stay connected and stimulated[SINGAPORE] Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has a message for Singaporeans hitting their 60s: Don't retire."Retirement means death," he told the Silver Industry Conference yesterday at Suntec City, where he shared his recipe for a long and successful life – keep healthy and fit, stay active, connected and stimulated.Singaporeans who plan to retire at 62 could be "making the biggest mistake of their lives", he reckons.Apart from the need for them to remain in the workforce because there will be relatively fewer younger people, "if you believe that at 55, you're retiring, you're going to read books, and play golf and drink wine, you're done in", said Mr Lee, who will be 85 in September.He cited studies and spoke about an uncle who retired at 55 and died within two years, having had good food – "lots of fat pork" – and a sedentary life. His father, on the other hand, started selling watches and dabbling in semi-precious stones and coins after retiring from Shell as a superintendent, kept himself busy, and lived until 94.Declaring that he believes there should not be a retirement age, Mr Lee said: "I think a man or a woman should go on working as long as he (or she) can, but changing the nature and intensity of his work as they age."For himself, retirement would have meant death, he said. "I would not be able to speak to you in this way if I had not led a very active life, connecting with the world, connecting with many people throughout the world, reading, talking, understanding, assimilating and trying to interpret it to make sense for Singapore."Ageing has been a process of constant adjustment at various turning points in his life, Mr Lee said. He spoke about quitting smoking in his mid-30s – "a tremendous deprivation, because I was addicted to it" – taking up jogging instead of playing golf, to get rid of his beer belly and sluggishness, and about his two angioplasties in 1996 and subsequent lifestyle changes.Still, for all the exercise and effort, "I'm fit, I swim, I cycle, but I can't prevent this losing of the capacity of the nerves", he told his audience about his current weakness."I never planned to live till 85, or 84. I just never think about it. My mother died when she was 74," Mr Lee said. His father swam everyday until a fall at age 87. "So, next deadline (for me) . . . my father's fall at 87," he quipped."But I think the most important single lesson I learned in life is that if you isolate yourself, you're done for."People are social animals who need stimuli and contact with others, he said. "I don't much like travel, but I travel very frequently despite the jet lag because I get to meet people of great interest to me, who will help me in my work. And that stimuli brings me to the world of today."The biggest punishment a man can suffer is total isolation in a dungeon, cut off from the outside world, he said. "That's real torture."His advice to everyone: "Keep yourself interested, have a challenge. If you want to see sunrise tomorrow, or sunset, you must have a reason, you must have a stimulus to keep going."Mr Lee also talked about what he hopes Singapore will be in 10 to 15 years – like Italy and Austria, not in terms of economic capacity but in becoming a cultivated society rich in the arts and culture. Economic growth is a prerequisite, but with that in the bag, Singapore should move on to raise the quality of its civic society.A cultivated society would be incongruous with "an underclass sleeping under the bridges" or abandoned old folk. But there are serious problems of ageing that every society, including Singapore, will face.'I think a man or a woman should go on working as long as he (or she) can, but changing the nature and intensity of his work as they age.'– MM Lee

Phew

New decorations up (in the form of pictures and more pictures).