So there's been a Coup in Thailand.
Very interesting.
What fuels the Asian fascination with totalitarian, authoritarian rulers?
Is the population density of Asian countries so high to the point of making these societies so incredibly susceptible to chaos and anarchy, thus leading the masses of Chinese and Indochinese and Koreans and Japanese to yearn for an iron fist in those that rule over them?
I read somewhere that this chap by the name of Lucien Pye did a study on the cultural roots of authoritarianism, but I couldn't find his works in the libraries.
In other news, the Supreme Lord Benefactor of Temasekii Singapurus, the MMperor Leeus Deus, has gone and stirred up a hornet's nest by commenting about how Malayland and Indonland always treat their ethnic Chinese populations like dirt, and how Chinese Communist Singapurus must always be on its guard lest it become yet another subjugated ethnic Chinese enclave under the Malay-Indonesian-Dayak-Muslim heel.
That statement was totally uncalled for; it was made without the slightest provocation from the leaders of both Malayland and Indonland. It's not as if there was a Habbibie banging on about a "small puny red dot" that would be swamped by Muslim hordes or a Madhatter Mahathir raving about cutting off the Island's water supply. Quite the opposite; this new Bambung fellow seems quite decent and Badawi hasnt been saying much except about how he looks forward to working with Singapurus.
So why the heck did Our Supreme Lord Benefactor go and say that?
Admittedly, he may be right after all (in fact what he says seems really to be the case in Malayland and Indonland, witness the Bumiputra laws and anti-Chinese racial riots and laws in each country respectively), and Malyaland and Indonland are indeed screwed up countries in other ways as well (ie the motherfucking eco-terrorist farmers in Sumatra who keep burning their jungles and sending tonnes of ash over Malayland and Singapurus).
But to come out in public and say that kind of thing in that kind of way is the hallmark of a stupid, tactless, and insensitive goon, not what one would expect from a highly respected and self-vaunted statesman, much less the so-called "Kissinger of South-East Asia".
The big irony here is that he's the same person who regularly hits out at the West and Human Rights bodies for their criticism of Singapurus, saying that they should not be interfering in Singapurus' internal affairs, and that Singapurus has its own "Special Circumstances".
In that bloody case, why the heck is he himself interfering in Malayland's and Indonland's internal affairs, and not giving a shit about their own "Special Circumstances"?
One should also recall the Supreme Lord Benefactor's propensity for sueing people into oblivion for making "Irresponsible remarks that reflect badly on his reputation".
So why the heck is he going on with such irresponsible statements that tarnish the reputations of entire sovereign states?
That's fucking blatant hypocrisy if you ask me.
Unless he has other, more Machevellian, plans up his sleeves.
It could be that he's trying to open up a "second front" within these two countries, so that in the (plausible) event of war, he would be able to count on the discontented Chinese minorities within Malayland and Indonland to launch a guerilla campaign against the Malayland and Indonland Armed Forces, thus allowing the Singapurus Imperial Guard to gain the upper hand in such a conflict.
Even if this is indeed the case, I still think it's a stupid move (not to mention that its a highly immoral one), because there would be nothing to stop the rulers of these two Muslim giants from conducting their own campaign of inciting racial hatred within Singapurus' population. Singapurus' own Muslims have also been getting quite a bit of unfair treatment from the primarily Chinese PAP government, in very subtle ways. Its just that the PAP is alot better at concealing its distrust of Malay-Muslims than UMNO is at hiding both it's flagrant favouritism towards Malays and it's contempt for Malaysian Chinese. Making this kind of statement would only invite Malayland and Indonland to retaliate in kind.
And if Malayland and Indonland were to indeed seize the statements as an excuse for launching their own campaign of racial hatred against the Island, Singapurus would be most definitely worse off than either of them. Malayland and Indonland can afford to have a few cities worth of racial riots. Not so the single city of the city-state.
In all, the Supreme Lord Benefactor has shown himself to be both short-sighted and flagrantly hypocritical.
Not that anyone on the Island is going to notice, or if they do, they'll come out in full support of their beloved Supreme Lord Benefactor. And even if they don't the newspapers wont print their views. Like how the papers are projecting the outcry in Malayland as a "LIVELY DEBATE over MM's Remarks". It looks more like a damn bloody heated furore to me.
Oh well. Such is the way things are. At least I'm not in Somalia or somewhere like that.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Vindication
All right, so its just one win, and Man Utd are way up in the table while Arsenal are still at tenth spot.
But so what? Cesc's great run and Adebayour's sweet finish were enough to stick the Gunners' boots in the mouths of all those obnoxious anti-Arsenal critics crowing about how Arsenal would get trashed by their over-rated Ronaldo and Rooney and Co.
HA! HA! HA!
Look who's laughing now, Jacob!
Oh we all love the Arsenal, Arsenal FC!
Come On Arsenal!
We're gonna win the Quadruple!
Our unbeaten run starts now!
But so what? Cesc's great run and Adebayour's sweet finish were enough to stick the Gunners' boots in the mouths of all those obnoxious anti-Arsenal critics crowing about how Arsenal would get trashed by their over-rated Ronaldo and Rooney and Co.
HA! HA! HA!
Look who's laughing now, Jacob!
Oh we all love the Arsenal, Arsenal FC!
Come On Arsenal!
We're gonna win the Quadruple!
Our unbeaten run starts now!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
The 50 Day Countdown- More EPL, and More Million "Smiles"
Newer and more dangerous enemies are raised as the date draws near.
Oh well.
It's gonna be an slobberknocker weekend at the EPL: Man U versus Arsenal, Chelsea versus Liverpool.
Problem is I think the Gunners will crash and burn as usual. I have very bad premonitions about this.
The scores will probably be like 2-0 to Man U, and Chelsea will trash the Reds 3-1, or at the very worst they'll both draw 1-1. Man U still go on top, Arsenal slip into the relegation zone.
Why do I still keep the faith in the Gunners? Why do I still support them even as they crash to lesser teams and struggle without the old heroes like Bergkamp and Viera and Pires and Campbell and Ashley Cole?
Because I am an idealist, and Arsenal has a tradition of playing ideal football. And because they had a history of uber defence. Admittedly, that was before the Wenger days, but they still rocked back then, what with Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, and of course David Seaman, creating an iron curtain across the Highbury goal.
So why Arsenal?
1. Thierry Henry
2. The old heroes of Bergkamp and Paddy Viera and Bobby Pires and Campbell and Ashley Cole (the old Ashley Cole, not the money-grubbing scum at Stamford Bridge), not to mention the brilliance of Anelka, Petit, and Marc Overmars.
3. The immortal legends of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, David Seaman, and Ian Wright.
4. The promise of youthful future as represented by Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Philippe Senderos, and Emmanuel Eboue.
5. The immaculate pitch at Highbury and the glorious new one at Ashburton Grove.
6. Winning a Championship Trophy unbeaten the whole season,
7. let alone going for 49 games unbeaten (would've been 50 but for bloody Man Utd). No one has ever done this. A dozen teams have got the Champions League, but no one has gone for 49 games without defeat. Invincible.
8. Conceding no goals for 10 consecutive Champions League matches.
9. The Wenger concept of ideal football.
10. Wenger's brilliance in the transfer market.
11. Wenger's sophisticated personality- so much more refined and higher-level than the likes of the ludicrously stupid Jose Moronho Loudmouth, the Neanderthalic "bash all dem Brainees outta deir skulls" philosophy of Sam Allyardyce, or the effective brutality of Sir Fergie.
The club was the only real challenger of the Man Utd monopoly. (Chelsea doesnt count, anything they win is void because they have unlimited funds. Thats like using a bloody cheat code in computer games).
Enough about soccer, its been a screwed up EPL ever since Moron-ho and the fucking Russian brat came in and messed things up superbly.
But life here on The Island (get the pun and the metaphor?) isnt much better anyway.
Our Benefactors have abrogated the MOU with the World Bank and the IMF in typical Singaporean -should I say "Party"- fashion: cloaking criminal totalitarianism with seemingly flawless legal casuistry and heavy-handed police action, combined with a sickening campaign of "wayang-ing" and boot-licking.
Elaborating about the latter-I mean, it's no coincidence that the Straits Times printed a "Special" section showcasing the clean, green, and fun side of The Island on the first day of the convention. Neither is it mere chance that the flagrant display of artistic talent, the "Bienniele", should take place just as the delegates arrive in town. Its a blindingly obvious case of cock sucking if you ask me. But that's relatively harmless compared to the former- the tyranny encased in ironclad legality.
Our Benefactors say they have "an obligation" to protect the delegates from harm and disruption. Fair enough. But they have blatantly ignored the obligation to allow civil and public debate and demonstration of ideas. Even the WB and IMF have specifically requested that these groups be allowed room to express themselves, but to no avail. The pathetic excuse given by Our Benefactors is that "troublemakers and undesirables and terrorists" (all bloody vague and incoherent stereotypical generalisations) pose a grave security threat.
When the actual fact is that the majority of these "terrorists" are in fact highly educated and professional and civilised, if passionate, people who believe in the rightness of their course.
It's blatant tyranny- label all dissidents "terrorists", and send in the police. So bloody blatant. But of course, no one will know, because all we Pliant Sheep know is what the papers say. And Our Benefactors tell the papers what to say.
I'm in danger of veering off into irrational whining, but the point has to be made. Singapore is looking bloody childlish and ridiculous by banning free expression of ideas and opposing views to those held by the WB and IMF Convention. I mean, even the mortal enemies of the Civil Groups, the WB and the IMF, are themselves looking forward to the CGs in open protest to their policies! That's where the real unstifled debate takes place!
Its truly unfortunate that Our Benefactors have decided to equate riots in Hong Kong and Vancouver with the idea that ALL Civil Groups are anarchists and terrorists hell bent on destruction and chaos. Unfortunate, and sinister.
I hope the whole world mocks Singapore in force for the immaturity and childlish behaviour of Our Benefactors. If they can't grow up and accept the messiness that comes with the globalization of the world, they are in for a deep shock.
It's just like your typical classroom scene in a junior college. Everyone is dressed up to pose and blend in and be cool. Then comes this dorkish boy with his pants pulled up to his armpits, with suspenders, thick black plastic specs, and ugly buck teeth, and says "hi, my name is Singapore, I'd like to be your friend and discuss economic issues in a proper place and setting." Sorry chum, not gonna happen.
Either Our Benefactors are so incredibly stupid that they cannot see what we look like in the Developed World's eyes, or they are so incredibly brutal that they hope to enforce our laws on the developed world body and it's Opinions.
One of the Supreme Benefactors mentioned that Our Benefactors could not allow public expression of ideas because then Our Benefactors would be in "deep political trouble" with their own citizens for practising double standards.
On the face of it, it looks deadset logical and noble, until one looks closer.
Double standards vis a vis foreigners are in full force already- no Conscription for "Foreign Talent", more relaxed criteria for Foreigners to enter the "Integrated Resorts" (another fuckingly retarded euphemism from Our Benefactors), and a whole bunch of other skewed laws. Our Benefactors are not interested in avoiding double standards per se- they simply pick and choose according to what they like.
Obviously, money is more important to Our Benefactors than freedom.
To put it all in perspective, Our Benefactors have done a surprisingly good job in steering The Island into relative wealth and prosperity. No doubt about it.
But in doing so Our Benefactors have entrenched themselves in a system of necessary opacity and necessary autocracy. They cannot break out of it and allow the noveau intelligentsia the room for expression, because they have become addicted to tight-fisted control over every single thing in the land.
They fear with an absolute paranoia that all will come to chaos unless they have total, complete domination over The Island and It's people, and that alone.
They thus rule with an absolute tyranny that promises financial and personal ruin to the Citizen unless he offers total, complete subservience to their vision of the future, and that alone.
Our Benefactors speak of the need for change and revival, of the necessity of economic flexibility, of the need to adapt and manoeuvre quickly through the trials of the times, yet they have not seen, or else are ignoring, the need for political change and revival, of the necessity of the expression of ideas, of the need for bold and forthright public debate about the trials of our times, and they persist in their path.
It must be the lure of power- absolute power. It cannot be anything else.
"Absolute Power..." (anyone dare to complete that famous phrase?)
Oh well.
It's gonna be an slobberknocker weekend at the EPL: Man U versus Arsenal, Chelsea versus Liverpool.
Problem is I think the Gunners will crash and burn as usual. I have very bad premonitions about this.
The scores will probably be like 2-0 to Man U, and Chelsea will trash the Reds 3-1, or at the very worst they'll both draw 1-1. Man U still go on top, Arsenal slip into the relegation zone.
Why do I still keep the faith in the Gunners? Why do I still support them even as they crash to lesser teams and struggle without the old heroes like Bergkamp and Viera and Pires and Campbell and Ashley Cole?
Because I am an idealist, and Arsenal has a tradition of playing ideal football. And because they had a history of uber defence. Admittedly, that was before the Wenger days, but they still rocked back then, what with Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, and of course David Seaman, creating an iron curtain across the Highbury goal.
So why Arsenal?
1. Thierry Henry
2. The old heroes of Bergkamp and Paddy Viera and Bobby Pires and Campbell and Ashley Cole (the old Ashley Cole, not the money-grubbing scum at Stamford Bridge), not to mention the brilliance of Anelka, Petit, and Marc Overmars.
3. The immortal legends of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, David Seaman, and Ian Wright.
4. The promise of youthful future as represented by Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Philippe Senderos, and Emmanuel Eboue.
5. The immaculate pitch at Highbury and the glorious new one at Ashburton Grove.
6. Winning a Championship Trophy unbeaten the whole season,
7. let alone going for 49 games unbeaten (would've been 50 but for bloody Man Utd). No one has ever done this. A dozen teams have got the Champions League, but no one has gone for 49 games without defeat. Invincible.
8. Conceding no goals for 10 consecutive Champions League matches.
9. The Wenger concept of ideal football.
10. Wenger's brilliance in the transfer market.
11. Wenger's sophisticated personality- so much more refined and higher-level than the likes of the ludicrously stupid Jose Moronho Loudmouth, the Neanderthalic "bash all dem Brainees outta deir skulls" philosophy of Sam Allyardyce, or the effective brutality of Sir Fergie.
The club was the only real challenger of the Man Utd monopoly. (Chelsea doesnt count, anything they win is void because they have unlimited funds. Thats like using a bloody cheat code in computer games).
Enough about soccer, its been a screwed up EPL ever since Moron-ho and the fucking Russian brat came in and messed things up superbly.
But life here on The Island (get the pun and the metaphor?) isnt much better anyway.
Our Benefactors have abrogated the MOU with the World Bank and the IMF in typical Singaporean -should I say "Party"- fashion: cloaking criminal totalitarianism with seemingly flawless legal casuistry and heavy-handed police action, combined with a sickening campaign of "wayang-ing" and boot-licking.
Elaborating about the latter-I mean, it's no coincidence that the Straits Times printed a "Special" section showcasing the clean, green, and fun side of The Island on the first day of the convention. Neither is it mere chance that the flagrant display of artistic talent, the "Bienniele", should take place just as the delegates arrive in town. Its a blindingly obvious case of cock sucking if you ask me. But that's relatively harmless compared to the former- the tyranny encased in ironclad legality.
Our Benefactors say they have "an obligation" to protect the delegates from harm and disruption. Fair enough. But they have blatantly ignored the obligation to allow civil and public debate and demonstration of ideas. Even the WB and IMF have specifically requested that these groups be allowed room to express themselves, but to no avail. The pathetic excuse given by Our Benefactors is that "troublemakers and undesirables and terrorists" (all bloody vague and incoherent stereotypical generalisations) pose a grave security threat.
When the actual fact is that the majority of these "terrorists" are in fact highly educated and professional and civilised, if passionate, people who believe in the rightness of their course.
It's blatant tyranny- label all dissidents "terrorists", and send in the police. So bloody blatant. But of course, no one will know, because all we Pliant Sheep know is what the papers say. And Our Benefactors tell the papers what to say.
I'm in danger of veering off into irrational whining, but the point has to be made. Singapore is looking bloody childlish and ridiculous by banning free expression of ideas and opposing views to those held by the WB and IMF Convention. I mean, even the mortal enemies of the Civil Groups, the WB and the IMF, are themselves looking forward to the CGs in open protest to their policies! That's where the real unstifled debate takes place!
Its truly unfortunate that Our Benefactors have decided to equate riots in Hong Kong and Vancouver with the idea that ALL Civil Groups are anarchists and terrorists hell bent on destruction and chaos. Unfortunate, and sinister.
I hope the whole world mocks Singapore in force for the immaturity and childlish behaviour of Our Benefactors. If they can't grow up and accept the messiness that comes with the globalization of the world, they are in for a deep shock.
It's just like your typical classroom scene in a junior college. Everyone is dressed up to pose and blend in and be cool. Then comes this dorkish boy with his pants pulled up to his armpits, with suspenders, thick black plastic specs, and ugly buck teeth, and says "hi, my name is Singapore, I'd like to be your friend and discuss economic issues in a proper place and setting." Sorry chum, not gonna happen.
Either Our Benefactors are so incredibly stupid that they cannot see what we look like in the Developed World's eyes, or they are so incredibly brutal that they hope to enforce our laws on the developed world body and it's Opinions.
One of the Supreme Benefactors mentioned that Our Benefactors could not allow public expression of ideas because then Our Benefactors would be in "deep political trouble" with their own citizens for practising double standards.
On the face of it, it looks deadset logical and noble, until one looks closer.
Double standards vis a vis foreigners are in full force already- no Conscription for "Foreign Talent", more relaxed criteria for Foreigners to enter the "Integrated Resorts" (another fuckingly retarded euphemism from Our Benefactors), and a whole bunch of other skewed laws. Our Benefactors are not interested in avoiding double standards per se- they simply pick and choose according to what they like.
Obviously, money is more important to Our Benefactors than freedom.
To put it all in perspective, Our Benefactors have done a surprisingly good job in steering The Island into relative wealth and prosperity. No doubt about it.
But in doing so Our Benefactors have entrenched themselves in a system of necessary opacity and necessary autocracy. They cannot break out of it and allow the noveau intelligentsia the room for expression, because they have become addicted to tight-fisted control over every single thing in the land.
They fear with an absolute paranoia that all will come to chaos unless they have total, complete domination over The Island and It's people, and that alone.
They thus rule with an absolute tyranny that promises financial and personal ruin to the Citizen unless he offers total, complete subservience to their vision of the future, and that alone.
Our Benefactors speak of the need for change and revival, of the necessity of economic flexibility, of the need to adapt and manoeuvre quickly through the trials of the times, yet they have not seen, or else are ignoring, the need for political change and revival, of the necessity of the expression of ideas, of the need for bold and forthright public debate about the trials of our times, and they persist in their path.
It must be the lure of power- absolute power. It cannot be anything else.
"Absolute Power..." (anyone dare to complete that famous phrase?)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
The Final Battle
All cultures speak of an Apocalypse, an Armaggedon, a last trial of Fire and Brimstone that will consume humanity before paradise is gained.
So it is with those of us with 8 weeks to ORD.
As the RSM and his fellow Warrant Officers tighten their iron grip of terror upon my unit, I will see to it that not only will I survive to collect my pink IC, I will also emerge victorious and the stronger for it, and I will expose their ciminal stupidity and stupid criminality, which is the least they deserve for their tyranny and sadism.
The days of wrath are here. But once they are over for me- they will begin for them.
And I will be returned to the sweet life I once knew.
So it is with those of us with 8 weeks to ORD.
As the RSM and his fellow Warrant Officers tighten their iron grip of terror upon my unit, I will see to it that not only will I survive to collect my pink IC, I will also emerge victorious and the stronger for it, and I will expose their ciminal stupidity and stupid criminality, which is the least they deserve for their tyranny and sadism.
The days of wrath are here. But once they are over for me- they will begin for them.
And I will be returned to the sweet life I once knew.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Last Days of the Reich
It's not gonna be an easy road to freedom.
The manpower in the office has been depleted even further thanks to the irrationality of someone Upstairs, thus resulting in my being tasked to do many more unenviable jobs. Its quite a sickening thing when one realizes how bloody slack some of the other jokers in the office are.
This will be a bitter struggle to what promises to be a sweet end.
Anyway, Arsenal have finally made a move in the market!
All hail William Gallas and Julio Baptista! May they bring glory to the club!
I'm not sorry to see traitor Cole and cry-baby Reyes leave, especially the latter, who's been useless as a replacement for Bobby Pires. The former was and still is the best left-back in the world, and he was one of my favourite and greatly admired soccer players, even among the Arsenal team, but his mercenary tendencies got the better of his loyalty. He's no Henry or Steven Gerard, that's for sure. May his name be forever blackened as he throws his lot with the asshole MORONho.
At least we got William Gallas and Julio Baptista! More solid defenses, and more firepower up front!
I was on the verge of losing all hope for the team when Joey Barton did them in last Saturday, but, as it goes in the language of computer game geeks, there is nothing sweeter than the words "REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED".
And what makes that even more sweet is that Pascal "Donkey" Cygan is off to join Bobby Pires at Villareal! HAHAHA! Good Riddance! And good luck to you (or should we say condolences), Bobby Pires, have fun trying to cover for the Donkey's defensive screw-ups!
Still, the most WTF transfer news I've heard is that of West Ham's acquisition of Tevez and Maschermo. That is seriously Far Out. WTF?!?!? Who would have thought??
The manpower in the office has been depleted even further thanks to the irrationality of someone Upstairs, thus resulting in my being tasked to do many more unenviable jobs. Its quite a sickening thing when one realizes how bloody slack some of the other jokers in the office are.
This will be a bitter struggle to what promises to be a sweet end.
Anyway, Arsenal have finally made a move in the market!
All hail William Gallas and Julio Baptista! May they bring glory to the club!
I'm not sorry to see traitor Cole and cry-baby Reyes leave, especially the latter, who's been useless as a replacement for Bobby Pires. The former was and still is the best left-back in the world, and he was one of my favourite and greatly admired soccer players, even among the Arsenal team, but his mercenary tendencies got the better of his loyalty. He's no Henry or Steven Gerard, that's for sure. May his name be forever blackened as he throws his lot with the asshole MORONho.
At least we got William Gallas and Julio Baptista! More solid defenses, and more firepower up front!
I was on the verge of losing all hope for the team when Joey Barton did them in last Saturday, but, as it goes in the language of computer game geeks, there is nothing sweeter than the words "REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED".
And what makes that even more sweet is that Pascal "Donkey" Cygan is off to join Bobby Pires at Villareal! HAHAHA! Good Riddance! And good luck to you (or should we say condolences), Bobby Pires, have fun trying to cover for the Donkey's defensive screw-ups!
Still, the most WTF transfer news I've heard is that of West Ham's acquisition of Tevez and Maschermo. That is seriously Far Out. WTF?!?!? Who would have thought??
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