In the news....

- The Arts centre can have an operating deficit of $31.6 million and you can still consider it good news because the $39.7 million Government subsidy puts you $8.1 million in the black. Whoopee!

- Singapore is set to become Asia's Rivet Hub and have a thriving rivet construction industry, with the number of households required to change the aluminum rivets of their windows to stainless steel ones.
Before you start complaining about why HDB-installed rivets should become your problem, you ingrate, remember that we are all very lucky to have a Government who, out of the goodwill of their hearts, has negotiated with contractors to offer 70 cents per rivet instead of $1.
So now, if you have a 3-room flat with 12 casement windows, you need only pay $134 instead of $192 to replace all the rivets.
What Government in the world will be kind-hearted enough to get you bulk rates for repairs they force you to undertake?
I cannot wait till one of these stainless steel rivet windows falls too, and we will be told to "upgrade" to titanium rivets. At a special HDB-negotiated rate, of course.

- the key to solving our blackout problems is, hold your breath now, another committee.
"9 members appointed to Energy System Review Committee
SINGAPORE : Mr Jock McKenzie, former President for Asia, Middle East and Africa at ChevronTexaco Corporation has been appointed Chairman of a high-level nine-member Energy System Review Committee.
Following the major blackout on June 29, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan informed Parliament that the Trade and Industry would set up the committee to take a fresh look at Singapore's electricity and gas systems, and make recommendations on improvements." -Yahoo News
I say just take the senior blackout culprits out to the back of the shed and break a leg for every power failure lasting less than 30 minutes. And two legs if more than 30 minutes. All this pussyfooting is just a waste of time. Forget the Energy System Review Committee. Have a Power Failure Hit Squad instead.

- That there were mixed reactions from charities when the Council on Governance of Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) called for greater transparency and accountability from charities, like disclosing the salaries of their top three executives.
Said Action for Aids executive director Benedict Jacob-Thambiah: "It's fine to reveal our pay to the authorities, but why do we need to tell it to any Tom, Dick or Harry?"
Er, just my uneducated guess, but because charities get their money from Toms, Dicks and Harrys?

- That if you plan to slip in the rain, make sure you do it somewhere outside the Singapore Island Country Club premises. You may encounter rich people who don't have time to help you as you lay dying there.
In fact, this member who fell should be ashamed of himself, bringing bad press and ill-repute to the esteemed club.

- no media competition does not mean the quality of the media will suffer.
Ya, in Singapore, we are used to competing with ourselves to continuously improve. Even our Government is like that one.
Singapore: We ownself compete ownself one.

- Competition Laws apply to everyone but the industries we have vested interest in. us = the Government

- That when your computer kena problem or you cannot access the network, and you need I.T.'s help, you need to send them an email

- Armed SOC cops will be patrolling Orchard Road and other public areas to project an even stronger police presence on the ground and to reassure the public and deter any potential terrorist attacks.
"Ok, are you boys ready? When I start speaking into the camera, you all start walking in step towards my camera man, ok? Look fierce and serious about fighting terrorism, ok? SGT Lim, don't smile and don't look at the camera, ok? Your eyes narrower a bit? Right! Annnnnd action!"

- analysts are baffled by the surprise drop in joblessness this third quarter, from the expected 4.5% to the actual 3.4%, a three-year low.
I have good news and bad news: The good news is, more of you will have jobs. The bad news is, you will be paid way less than what you were paid doing the same thing before, and your job will now be a contract thing.

- Singaporeans are following the US Elections with great interest. May as well, since most of us have as much opportunity to vote in the US Elections as we do the Singapore one

- That with US Elections heading for a repeat of 2000's deadlock, the US may wish to give up the Electoral College system and try our Singapore GRC system. Sure got clear winner one (give or take a few walkovers).