The Eagle has landed…. The Eagle has landed…. :) – Yes, it landed twice :)

Multiple meanings can be conveyed by the above phrase.

Many a time, we hear that as a cliched codeword in spy/comedy movies as in the phrase being used as a code for communicating that a long awaited contingency has occurred.

Of late i had been battling Law Society complaints, lawsuits, divorce proceedings. I also had a birthday which had had been the worst in my entire life. I had came under scrutiny for having dabbled in a few cheap bikes. I was made to feel as it the dabbling in the bikes was a heinous sin. I was also made to feel that I was the scum of the earth.

The Eagle landed on me twice during this period. No, I did not visit the Bird Park during my US trip in August. Nor did the American Bald Eagle try to lay its talons on me when i was a guest there. And no it was not the law soc complaints. And neither was it the lawsuits.

How then did the Eagle land on me twice?

Back home, we all know that the Eagles have landed. They landed somewhere in Idaho, USA where the F-15SG detachment training squadron is. Its all in the papers. All pomp and fanfare. Taxpayers’ money. That’s what its all about.

I have no complaints about the F-15SGs, I just don’t like how sometimes the deals are structured. The planes seem a little expensive to me somewhat…

Nevertheless, i will confess to my preoccupation with the F-15. The preoccupation started since i was a child. It came after I won a small 1/144 scale F-15A Tamiya model in a lucky draw of sorts. I was about 3-4 years old then. but I managed to put the plane together despite my age.

When i completed the plane, I proudly said to myself that I would pilot it. Big dreams i had.

Until then, the Singapore Air Defence Command [knowledgeable guys will know that it was not called the Republic of Singapore Air Force as yet then] was stuffed with stuff like hand-me-down Hunters, ex-USN mothballed Skyhawks, used T-33s, ex-Omanese battle-damaged Strikemasters, but at least brand new F-5E Tiger IIs. Singapore was through and through a 3rd world nation.

Short of becoming an Israeli, Japanese, Saudi Arabian or American fighter pilot there is nowhere i am getting near an F-15 Eagle. Or so it seems.

However, at the age of 4, i told myself there is nothing stopping our country from getting this plane.

At the age of 8, after staring wide eyed, speechless and transfixed for a many minutes, I went back to school and i insisted to all my friends that i had seen an F-15 roar over my home. Yes in Singapore skies. I got laughed at by all of them.

Several years later through careful observation i did find out that American planes did stopover in Singapore, P-3 Orions on maritime watch duty, C-5A Galaxies, C-144 Starlifters lifting God knows what stuff. I smiled to myself knowing that was nothing stopping an F-15 from dropping over when it had to.

I also did find out that our fighter pilots had taken part in the Red Flag Exercises in the late 80s and early 90s. Our Skyhawks and Tigers went side by side with F-15s. That fact brought the possibility a little closer – a little more consolation.

At the end of primary 6, after my PSLE examinations, being doomed to failing eyesight, the pilot dream was drifting further and further away but that did not stop me from rewarding myself with 3 model aircraft kits - all from Hasegawa. 1/72 scale models. I was only 12, I could not afford the 1/48 and 1/32 scale types.

The three were: An F-15C single seater, an F-15D twin seater, and an F-15E Strike Eagle. See the similarity with 3 bikes in the garage?

Mum discovered the boxes in my cupboard and thought i was mad. I was. I still think i am.

Now that the Air Force has finally gotten the F-15SG which to my understanding is an updated version of the F-15E, the thought of touching this plane and piloting it would be close to coming true. But then again i am not a pilot, so how can it come true?

Has anyone ever noticed that the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence can sometimes pilot our Air Force Fighter Jets under the watchful eye of air force instructors when they are not qualified pilots in the first place?

This now adds to my reasons of why the PAP regime needs to be overthrown. Now that the F-15SG in in our stable. Kicking out the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence out from office would bring added personal benefits. The allure and temptation to ride this bird is something that cannot be underestimated. Talk to the pilots or aspiring pilots, they will tell you.

Now i did not intend to have my right minded political aspirations tainted by whimsical desires. Even though these desires are not necessarily bad in the first place and the people in office are also not necessarily good as well. However, as it is always better to declare it now rather than to be accused of later, when critics call my materialised visits to the F-15 squadron in Singapore as an brazen abuse of power.

Apart from childhood dreams and personal aspirations which may or may not come true, on the level of reality, the phrase “the Eagle has landed” carries special meaning and significance for me as well.

Battling bike repairs and offers from a tenacious dealer who offered to buy my Shadow 400 for export to India. I had deliberated with much angst about letting go of my best conditioned bike for some improvement in cashflow as well as an test of self-denial, relinquishment and detachment.

The cute thing about the Shadow 400 was that there was a characteristic Eagle head on the front wheel mudguard.

Riding along Cantonment Road about two months back, the Eagle head fell off onto the road with a full bodied metallic clunk. It fell off right in front of a crowd waiting for a bus at a bus-stop.

I had to hastily park my bike and run back 100 meters or so to the spot.  I ran back with my helmet still on. The crowd was waiting for my arrival and was smiling at me – not unkindly but kindly and amusedly. They had witnessed a bike falling apart whilst in motion. Commuters waiting for the bus were kind enough to pick up the Eagle head off the road so it would not be run over by the passing vehicles.

Recovering the Eagle head with an embarassing smile, i made no attempt to offer explanations as to how the Eagle head could have come off.

I could not have offered any explanations as to how the Eagle head came off. The crowd understood and smiled. No explanations were needed. The truth is – the bike was falling apart – there was no way to deny that.

I did had to endure some giggles but none of the giggles were the malicious sort, for there is nothing untoward in having a bike fall apart and there is also no one-upmanship to witness some poor biker’s Eagle head fall off and nothing to crow about as well.

I thanked the kind souls who reached out to save my Eagle. I had a good laugh at myself as i walked back to my hastily parked Shadow. I got the Eagle head refixed back soon thereafter at a cost.

Doing my careful calculations, I decided that renewing the COE for my shadow 400 and keeping it for good was the wise thing to do (for this bike was one with the best engine and physical condition I ever had – yes even though it had parts dropping off). I scrounged S$18/- for the vehicle inspection, S$61 for the road tax and another S$923/- to renew my Shadow for another 10 years.

I had thought to myself: Though this ride is not a Strike Eagle, it was firstly paid by myself – not paid for by taxpayers’ money – which is something to be proud of. Furthermore, in renewing the COE to keep it, I had contributed to tax with my money. Next, it was mine at least for the next 10 years without further payments to be made. AND LASTLY, there was also an Eagle head at the front. What more can i ask for?

There is nothing more blissful in life than to be wisely contented with what is truly yours is it not? Or so it seems.

And as if almost on cue, as i was riding to office this morning , the Eagle head dropped off again.

Latest! dropping into the depths of low life – Substance Abuse

I never imagined that i could stoop so low.

In fact though the signs had been coming… lethargy… depression… sloth… desire… craving … covetuousness … envy… all these point towards the gradual degradation towards the lower lifeforms where immediate gratification and sensual satisfaction take paramount place and higher ideals like transformation and enlightenment and contentment take back seat.

It started last month. I came under fire. Like silver under the refiner’s fire, i was crumbling and and deconstructing. I had a lawsuit, a divorce and two law society complaints raised against me.

In trying to raise cash for the divorce settlement, many things had to be relinquished. I had to cut my attachment to idle equipment lying around… summoned the courage to say goodbye and summoned the strength to cart them off to the dealer friends for consignment sale.

Then things got a little better. Like a rubik’s cube that needs some space and progress to set things right. My purification was gaining momentum.

Why do i call it purification? This is because though i have always conceded that any form of attachment is bad, I have always allowed myself some degree of room for indulgence. Until now.

Things have come to a head where, i cannot help be forced to let go. Finances and the need to raise money aside, i also needed to clear my mind. The state of a person’s surroundings and relationships is a reflection of the state of a person’s innermost issues, thoughts and wants.

How do you explain 3 bikes the garage? That indulgence was easily rationalised: one needed repair (Shadow 400 Class 2A) , one was functioning properly (Bajaj Pulsar DTSi-180 Class 2B) – at least, and one was an ideal (CB750 RC42 Class 2) an objective which needed to be worked towards.

BUT when there are 8 amplifier systems staring at you in the face at one point of time is there something wrong? There must be.

That prompted me to look at it hard. Then i realised. Attachment to things, material or otherwise is bad. Relationships, partners, image, public persona, reputation, two wheelers, handsome amplifiers all are the same. They serve to distract you from what you really are.

The only one probably attachment which is not bad is probably the one to my dog. My dog is pure and real. Genuine joy upon seeing me come home. Genuine expression of submission and surrender at every greeting. Contented with a good pat on the head, scratching behind the ears and on the snout. Nothing comes close to that kind of innocence.

I had then set about an exercise of letting go. Relinquishing objects and artifacts. Valuable or otherwise. The room cleared up abit. I felt a little better. Then it went on. I accepted an offer of $2700 for the CB750 RC42, the shadow 400 was scheduled to go to the workship if not sold. For a moment the garage looked empty. Like an old steam powered train churning back to life, everything moved forward. There was so much of relinquishment and surrender that everything became cleaner, clearer and less encumbered.

I moved from having no room in my room to getting some room in my room to getting good room in my room.

And then there was space.

And within that space, there was time.

At times, time seemed to flash by. At times, time stood still.

In moments alone on weekends, i face that space, and the time that stood still. Then there was the emptiness.

And that emptiness gnawed at me.

I decided that i should try my attempt at facing that nothingness and emptiness with everything i could muster. This translated to solitude on weekends, I avoided involvement and socialising and meeting friends. It became almost impossible for anyone to get hold of me.

Then i realised between that bed and the wall and the window was SPACE. AND That SPACE was all i had. AND That SPACE was freedom.

Freedom.

Then something changed inside. I developed a taste for something new. It came in the form of white powder and black powder. Heat had to be added and time taken to savour it.

I have had friends and associates hooked on it for a long time. I never gave it a try thinking that it was beneath me.

But the process of shedding possessions and denial and relinquishment and surrender took me to the point that i decided to give it a try.

Maybe it was because of the emptiness. Maybe it was the need to cling onto something – a crutch.

Out of nowhere came the urge to try. I decided to try it.

I tried it once and i was hooked. It started with one shot per day. Then two. Then three. Then four.

On some of my bad days, it was six per day. I had to have a shot before i could sleep.

I had to have a shot in the first thing in the morning before anything else. It is only with the 1st shot of the day does that 2.4km track seem surmountable.

I then felt a little ashamed of myself. This is substance abuse. This is something which should not have happened. 13 years of Taekwondo training brought me to believe in myself. Now, 8 years out of training and i am into substance abuse. That’s how far i have fallen.

As i am writing this post, i am gulping down another cup. Black Nescafe coffee with two scoops of Nespray milk swirling in hot water. This must be the ultimate.

I am fighting a losing battle. My addiction gathers momentum as the containers are being emptied. This addiction also brings me to the depths of pridelessness and deparvity. I fear for the worst forms of deprivation as levels in the container drop with each cup. AND I am reduced to begging my mother to get more of the stuff when she goes shopping.

One teaspoon of Nescafe coffee plus two scoops of Nespray milk is my latest addiction.

Unknowingly, in pursuing simplicity and frugality, i have slipped on the slippery slope of austerity and i have unwittingly plunged into the depths of the cheap and low life.

At this rate, and the depths which i have gone, there seems to be no possibility of a return.

At approximately 20cents per cup, this was CHEAP. AND This makes $2000 used amplifiers and $1600 used  motorbikes seem like a luxury.

Undeniably, this is the ultimate manifestation of my low life. To be engaged in substance abuse.

And in doing so, i did another first, I never thought it could be so cheap.

Contentment in a cup? I never thought i could be so cheap

Kwik Press – Fast money – Fast Backpedalling – Fast Cars (F1) – Fast Women (Ballless Men) – Fast & Loose

Am taking advantage of the Quickpress function to rush off a post against the establishment just to show that even with the vissicitudes of life bearing upon me, there are no shortages of mistakes made by the establishment on their part and no shortage of determination to gun them down on my part.

Of late the Sands Resort of extreme infamy has been towering in the Singapore Skyline. If there is any meaning in its near completion, it would merely signify the obvious and extreme about turns by the Singapore Government in terms of its policies and morals. As the 2 largest gambling dens on our island near their opening one must not forget that the Government that endorses the projects is the very same government that has prosecuted old aunties and uncles for participation in illegal gaming houses not too long ago. This occurred right up till the early 2000s – yes within this decade.

Despite so doing, this government has decided in 2004/5 to allow the opening of a casino despite its supposed anti gambling stance in the past. [I say supposed because even though there were crackdowns on illegal gambling dens, the Government has been gambling from day one, recall Singapore pools, 4D, Toto, Big Sweep and Turf Club etc etc not to mention the SGX and the way in which economic policies are formulated in the PAP leadership in Parliament]. And even when they gamble with our future and allow casinoes to operate, they put foreigners first. After many years of pretended celibacy, the government threw open the entrance wantonly to foreigners – yes foreigners.

They did not first legalise gambling houses and allow our local gambling dens to rise to the occasion and become casinos. This path if taken would have promoted entrepreneurship and experience amongst Singaporeans to possibly move on into the international scene. Such worshipping of foreigners over and above Singaporeans by the PAP is classic. Therefore despite the unconvincing assurances by Lee Hsien Loong about how the PAP will remember to put Singaporeans first, it should rather be that the PAP would push you first into the cauldron if someone is to be sacrificed, push you first into the frontline is someone is needed to die for this country and push you first bent over for the government machinery to screw you properly. The perennial and longstanding intentional holding back and vicious tripping over and deliberate insult must never be forgotten.

In addition to backpedalling on gambling and worshipping foreigners in the process, there are also other about turns, one that deserves quick mention would be the urgent need to impress the world by its fast headlong dive into embracing F1 with little thought given to its ills.

Now, embracing F1 is fine but one must also remember that this Government had the serious lack of foresight to allow a proposed racing track to be built where Laguna National Golf and Country Club used to stand. Favouring the rich man’s game over legitimate racing needs, the government rejected proposals for a purpose built racing track and instead preferred the idea of men clubbing off their balls into the distance and searching for them thereafter. Our counterparts in Malaysia – the Malaysians had a racing circuit in Sepang, Singaporeans drivers and bikers would go there for their fun. There was therefore a constant outflow of the tourist dollar.

There was a casino in Genting for eons. There was also a long standing outflow of the tourist dollar.

Now if there is any pressing need now to bring in the tourist dollar to the impoverished Singapore, it can only be interpreted as an admission that the policies administered by this Government have failed and the economy is rotting and its only a matter of time before the country collapses under the weight of its own mismanagement.

One might quickly question, why then did it take so long for the government to realise but yet when they finally do, they are so quick to overdo things?

One must never forget, in the near past, it failed to cut some slack for small time gamblers, yet the government has gone on to making Singapore home to 2 colossal gambling dens.

The stupidity of it all is this…. In prosecuting our youngsters who speed on Singapore roads….. rejecting legitimate proposals for a racing circuit off Changi Airport, they have gone on to legalising and legitimizing foreigners racing on Singapore soil, Singapore roads, and in the very heart of Singapore.

This is obscene waste of money in converting and deconverting roads for F1 racing [an immense undertaking] which is good for only a few days (now i hope none of this money is public money) and it also creates inconvenience to travellers, use of roads and economic losses for businesses affected by the road closures. The Government must be made to payback the road tax and ERP charges that the inconvenience and congestion that they have created in their attempt to glorify themselves to the international world.

This Government is an extremely shameless government. It has been in power for too long that it has forgotten where it gets its power from. Instead of bending over like a servant to our people, this government has no qualms about letting foreigners strut their stuff in our backyard with all the cost, inconvenience, risk to be borne by the Singaporean. At this juncture I must ask, in the event of a severe crash, who should be held responsible for the risk brought on to the public by racing machines which are endorsed by the Government to run riot on Singapore roads?

In as much as the cabinet now revels in their chance to glorify themselves to the world, may i ask which of our 31 ministers would be gutsy enough to step out and say [ahead of the event] that it is he and his ministry who is oversees the event and that he is puts his head [mind you please not his subordinate's ok] on the chopping block to show that the management of this risky and reckless event has been carried out with all the possible safety measures put into place?

To add further insult to injury, these foreigners will be running riot on Singapore roads, and our Singapore police force will be cordoning off our roads for them. Making sure that they have a clear path and most of all immunity from prosecution when it comes to reckless and dangerous driving at demonish speeds which none of our youngsters prosecuted for speeding have never dreamed of.

I expect that them to be lightning fast with their multimillion dollar salaries. I also expect them when it comes to taking responsibility, they will be fast to shift blame. [Recall Mas Selamat Kastari] Given the examples herein, I dare not venture to guess how quick they can be in problem solving. My guess is the entire cabinet (men and woman) will be quick to shut up. And before you know it, poor old MM will be implored again to take the stand and assert the soundness of this reckless adventure.

And that’s not all.

In diving headlong into F1 racing in the middle of our crowded city, I cannot help but contrast the mismanaged handling of a young racing talent which Singapore had, which in stubbornly and stupidly insisting on his return to serve national service when the kid was doing extremely well in the racing circuits in Australia. The kid, if i remember correctly, gave up Singapore citizenship as a result.

In these examples, we can see how fast the administration comes to adopting conflicting stances and does quick about-turns without actually using their brains when a mistake is discovered late. Besotted with vain attempts of self-glorification at the expense of Singaporeans.

A friend peering over my shoulder remarked that the last line seemed to be a little strong. I gave him my middle finger and told him to fuck off.

Too strong? Here comes what is really strong.

Now we all have been given the revelation that the last year’s F1 has been a big fixed show – a great wayang in fact. Now this match fixing reminds me of match fixing for our Malaysia Cup matches. The is always this tendency for big spectacles in Singapore to be nothing than just a show. This only proves that foreigners do play fast and loose with the Singapore Government when it lowers itself so much to them, becoming ever too welcoming and ever too willing to please.

Does this then show the Singapore Government to be nothing less than a grovelling foreigner lover?

In view of all of the above, one might wonder, does the show actually only start on 25th September and ends on the 27th September?

Is it restricted to just the circuit? Is the stage really much bigger than we can actually imagine [and yes bigger than the stupid floating one in marina bay]?

And of course, could the show have been playing for quite some time now? maybe 44 years?

Kwik Updates Just before Bleakfast :)

I know…. i have been procrastinating. I have not been diligent in updating my blog. I have also procrastinated on many things which ought to be addressed first thing upon return to Singapore.

Back from 3 week plus plus in the States and i found a mountain of work waiting for me to address. Some i managed to resolve and some are still gnawing at me.

I have noted that i have had to eat before Jufrie on 3 separate occasions without the liberty of offering him a meal. He was on his Ramadan fasting. He did slim down abit. Gulping down my food, it made me wonder if i should do the Ramadan fast as well.

I heard from some quarters that concerned readers were worried about what i was going through…. and since the blog was stagnant…. speculations were rife as to what had happened to me.

Well its not the end of the world…. though it is also not a walk in the park.

I had in the short period from which i came back, had to address countless matters. Jump several times at the alarm clock that does not seem to work. be asleep by 8pm and wake up at odd hours…..

I had to tend to the sale of the faulty Suzuki GSXR400… yes it broke down again… this time i gave up. I cut my losses and sold it off for a song. There were 4 buyers and of course only 1 was successful. The other 3 could not believe how fast i closed the deal.

Right off from a sportster, i got myself a kup – a Honda Sonic 125. Abit rough and tiny but nevertheless a fine kup. I probably had it for 2 weeks, sent it for servicing tune up and repair then decided that the kup is not for me so therefore again the bike was sold. Same thing…. several buyers, only one successful. The kup certainly left my hands in much better shape than when i first got hold of it.
Can you imagine…. when it came  it did not even have working mirrors for me to view my rear… on 3 occasions i took it out in the morning intending to ride to office. On all those 3 occasions, i dropped my balls somewhere along the road leading to the expressway, i took the nearest exit and turned for home. I ended up on my trusty steed the Shadow 400 – she did not fail me.

Interestingly, during the short period which i had my kup, i think the shadow girl got jealous… i could swear i smelt something burning near the engine after the usual short rides. Yesterday i sold my kup to a 19 year old girl. She was happy with the purchase. I was happy to let it go. AND INTERESTINGLY, my Shadow was happy too… i rode her this morning … and i rode her HARD…. and hey no burning smell!

My mum says i am wasting money with the bike changing. To me its a part of a learning process “how on earth are you not to know that a kup is not for you, unless you ride a kup?”. For her, she says the riding part need not necessarily entail the need to buy it and then repair and sell it later.

In any event, i think am doing a good deed. Recirculated bikes are good for the planet and the environment. Is it not the in thing to go green these days?

Other than the bikescapades , I have been arranging for social meetings which never seem to get anywhere.

Drafting thank you emails which never get sent. Having half completed blogposts cluttering the dashboard.

I did manage to find a little peace with myself. Right into my 2nd day alone in the Washington Hotel, I finally found the urge to practise a little yoga. It was like almost 3 years before did i even try yoga. When i came back, i let go of my Suzuki, and 2 lesser naim amps went out of the house. I have been packing my room with some progress. I think this time round i will succeed. I should be able to trek close to an ascetic lifestyle free from possessions soon. Save for the bikes in the garage.

An esteemed friend (who i shall not name) saw me yesterday and the first thing he asked me was if i would still be doing the things i do. Well he jolted me up from a stupor which has plagued me for a little while. That set me thinking. I guess he did read my blog as well. So therefore i told myself last night that i should no longer remain a disappointment.

Right now, its Friday morning and i….  i decided to force myself write so that this page would not go not updated again for another day. These updates are written at breakneck pace… within 40 minutes i guess. I am rushing for breakfast…. so forgive the errors, i will correct them as soon as i can. As i am completing my final lines i cannot help but get reminded of an old joke.

The joke goes…. an old minister was asked when would he choose to hold the elections, he replied just ‘just before bleakfast”.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Another day of travelling brought me to St. Louis Missouri.

This was a bustling but sprawling city from the olden days.

It is home where the wagons set off westwards to inhabit the west coast.

Home of Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas and many other companies.

I saw the Missouri National Guard Base this morning from a distance, I could make out the outline of a single grey coloured F-4E Phantom on the base.

There are many things to write about Missouri but i need time to gather my thoughts, as it is the programme was more than waht i expected. There are things and perspectives which i have not known were possible and imagined.

Too many thoughts to sort out before i can write coherently and also too many old movies to watch in the hotel room tv to be writing diligently.

Till the next time i get online.

American Vision, Leadership & Compassion – Food for Singaporean Thought on 9th August 2009

Right now is nearly 4pm on 8th August 2009 in Florida, USA. It is 4am on 9th August 2009 in Singapore. Its our national day – our nation’s birthday. I am in my hotel’s internet room  sitting out our Florida beach visit as I am experiencing a headache from a morning of gardening under the hot sun.

As part of the State Department’s programme, I had participated in a  sampling of community service work at Safe Harbour, Jacksonville, Florida.

Another reason which made me sit out the beach visit and forgo the Florida Beach Babes was this compulsion to pay tribute to the things I have seen.

Being given the opportunity to immerse myself in selected aspects of American life and society, i cannot help but see the stark differences between Singaporean and American society.

Safe Habour is a home set up for troubled boys and has been around for 25 years. Safe Harbour is really actually a real harbour located in a humble spot in Jacksonville, Florida.

The single storey buildings were very modest - the buildings were in bad shape when they were acquired and had been manually rebuilt by hand by their owner Doug and his wards with donated materials. The entire home had none of the extravagance that we find in some Singapore charities.

Troubled boys in their teens are sent to Safe Harbour to be educated. In Safe Harbour, they are taught diligence, thrift and problem solving skills.

Moored beside the wharf are a number of disused boats. Each boy stays on one boat by himself. These boats were donated by other Americans and are the subject for the boys’ learning and also double up as the personal home for each of the boys. Hands on work is a daily routine. The boys are guided to repair and improve their boats which would be theirs to keep when they are ready to leave.

The founder of Safe Harbour is Doug and his wife. Doug was in mainstream business previously. He was the owner of a company in the electronics and robotics business and he had pioneered certain concepts in digital transmission technology in acoustics, in particular the concept of transmission of sounds to the inner ear.

How did Safe Harbour get started?

Having made enough money to retire, Doug and his wife has sold their home and business and bought a yacht intending to travel the world as part of their retirement dream.

A local Judge had then asked Doug to take in 3 kids as a favour for the county’s juvenile homes were full. The couple agreed and took three boys  to live on board the yacht with them. This led to what became their second calling and to setting up Safe Harbour.

At the outset, Doug and his wife selflessly funded Safe Harbour with their savings. When that ran out, fundraising became a necessity. This they did with some success given their impeccable track record of rehabilitation which was the best in the USA.

Help also came from the local government and community. Safe Harbour was given a lease for the land from the local government at USD$1 per year for something like 50 years. Some kind donor purchased an adjoining property and turned it into a donation.

Safe Harbour’s wards grew up to be useful members of society. One of the boys grew up to be successful, entered politics and was elected into public office. Safe Harbour’s success was so impressive that the Hallmark Channel was inspired enough to shoot a movie based on their story.

The movie, however, had an unintended effect. Donors thinking that Safe Harbour must have made a bundle because of granting rights to Hallmark to make the movie cancelled their standing donations. The reduction in income was further worsened by the recent economic crisis which led many others to stop their donations.

Operating now on a very tight shoestring budget, Doug and his wife no longer employ any staff. Its just the couple and some volunteer staff who share their values and who choose to contribute without pay.

Doug spoke to us of having come full circle, starting out with little and now back to continuing with little. Nevertheless he remains undaunted and selfless. Admitting to experiencing frustrations of his work at times but was re-energised by timely letters of gratitude from his past wards and wives thanking Safe Harbour for the critical thinking, character and work ethic their husbands possessed.

Doug humbly and wisely interprets his setbacks in capacity to be the opportunity for him to personally spend quality time with the boys whom he is supposed to act as father figure.

Doug’s sincerely believes that he plays his part to make the world a better place saving one kid at a time. Indeed waves start out as ripples. 

What compelled Doug and his wife, who were wealthy enough to retire on their savings and enjoy life, to set up and run a voluntary welfare organisation and make perform the best teen reformation record  in the USA?

People shown compassion by the system in the past now return to society the favour. Doug had been a troubled kid in his early years and he got into trouble but a local county Judge chose to give him a second chance. Therefore when Doug was requested to assist in reforming three troubled teens, he rose to the occasion and did not shy away from what was needed to be done.

Over the past week, our delegation was exposed to a multitude of American non-profit NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations). Where individuals choose to work for little pay to further the causes which they believe in and people are encouraged to get organised to lobby and fight for the causes which they believe in.

At th end of my first week here, I am touched and humbled by the vision, leadership, compassion, humility and self-sacrifice present in the US Government and the American people i have met.

It makes me wonder how much such compassion, kindness, wisdom, vision and self-sacrifice that is so trademarkly American could have contributed undoubtedly to their progress as a nation and their nation’s position as a world leader and superpower for the last six and a half decades or so.

Whereas Singapore’s model is based on a one size fits all policy yet some are more equal than others, a i-know-best attitude, practicality chosen over morals, arrogance chosen over humility, one strike and you are out – no second chance, system intolerant of differences, a government which is deliberately divisive and conniving to the point where the promotion of a cause can be outlawed by legislation, and a leadership personifying the epitome of selfishness and which has rubbed off onto our people.

The United States of America is a Federation of 50 autonomous countries with different laws and governments and systems. They are, however, steadfastly united by the framework provided by their Federal Government and have rights enshrined in constitutional documents and respected by one and all – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and the people.

As it is, people all around the world seek to make the United States their home whereas many of my fellow Singaporeans whom i have spoken to question the effectiveness of my lonely fight against the establishment and express the intention to flee instead of fight when given the choice.

The United States might be facing severe problems for now but as theirs is a society with compassion, respect for the individual, leadership and immense depth. I have little doubt USA will ride out the rough times to bounce back stronger.

As for Singapore as a nation, in its 44th National Day today, from the way it is going, i am sadly confident that we are doomed to fail.

Running Elections – The Florida Way

We took two flights to reach Jacksonville Florida, USA on 6th August 2009.

Florida was the swing state in the 2000 Presidential elections where George Bush beat Al Gore by a narrow margin winning him all the electoral college votes which was crucial in securing the electoral votes needed for a victory in the Presidential election. The narrow fight and the intrinsic imperfection of the electoral college votes made the manner in which the elections were held and the way votes are counted, tabulated and arbitrated extremely important. As such, tiny Singapore has many things to learn from the Elections Supervisory of the State of Florida.

United States is made up of 50 different countries, a number of autonomous Indian Nations and headed by a Federal Government restrained by the Constitution.

The Constitution sets out the basic and fundamental law of the Federation and whilst the States are autonomous they are similarly restrained by the same Constitution.

I managed to purchase the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Those reproductions made to look like the original made me think how different the Constitution is treated by the Americans and how our people and government treat our own.

In the USA, the 3 documents abovementioned have a cult status. They can be reproduced in booklet form, harcover form, parchment form, paraphernalia form and sold for good money – and it sells!

Whereas in Singapore, from the way our legislature, executive, judiciary and people treated our own constitution, our constitution probably is not worth the paper it is printed on – having been trampled upon, soiled and defecated upon by the administration. It probably is not even worth its equivalent weight in amount of toilet paper. Has one ever wondered whether our administration has even half the balls to take up the challenge of printing the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore and marketing it to the Singapore people?

The system of electoral college votes is flawed. Nevertheless this cannot detract observers from appreciating the beauty of the constitution as a whole.

In politics throughout the world, there will be politics designed to keep the elected in power. The American system strives consciously to prevent so. Their system is not perfect – it has been emphasised to us repeatedly over and over again and inevitably there will be areas for improvement.

The system of electoral college votes may at times result in the candidate having the popular vote not having the victory in the election and is arguably flawed, this system has served United States in the manner that it has had, in its context it might have still worked perhaps simply because there has been so many other safeguards that the original founding fathers had placed in the constitution. They also had amendments made to fortify the fundamental freedoms that allow the system to withstand the failure and imperfection of men.

The experience in 2000 caused the Florida Elections Supervisory to revamp much of its election processes. What has been put in place now is a system and protocol of efficiency and transparency that impresses every visitor who is explained the works.

Mr. Jerry Holland, Supervisor of Elections has put in place a system which arguably moves towards fairness and transparency. His belief is the elections process must preserve the trust and faith of the electorate. This must be so for the system to retain its relevance and perform its purposes.

We witnessed electronic counting systems which correctly integrate both voting by mail [in advance] and numberless ballot papers which are accurately sorted out by an electronic counting system which leaves a paper trail. This instilled confidence in their voters and left our delegation with breathless admiration.

The details of the superiority of the Florida’s Election system will be addressed in a later post if time permits but as it is now it suffices to say that the Singapore Elections Department, continuing the way it has under the stewardship of the Prime Minister will continue to erode the confidence of the people of Singapore. The lack of transparency in the manner which the elections are held will erode the confidence of the people and be detrimental to Singapore as a whole in the long run.

We are also repeatedly told that should the elections results fail to express the expectations of the people, then the system is undeniably flawed and would have failed.

Federalism / SEA Dynamics / Engagement / Aspirations / Business in SEA

3rd day in Washington.

After recovering for a day free and easy in Washington, we settled down to class – yes class like students in university for a lesson in Federalism and federalist politics.

The lecturer, whom i shall decline to name, knew his area very very well. He lectured us off the cuff and gave us an overview of American Federalism and its practical consequences in less than 45 minutes. A spirited discussion followed. There was an Israeli delegation which sat in the class. Being from another track and on another program, their encounter with our group was only for that brief 2 hour session, we did not manage to talk having been required to rush from one meeting to another, no contacts were made no namecards exchanged. This however was no big loss, for the lecturer with his knowledge and wit, singlehandedly made up for all the lack of time in the programme.

In short i am inspired by his overview to study the American political and legal system in detail. Enough said. More details can come in another blog post.

4th day in Washington

The Professor this morning was an expert in SEA studies. Her overview of the dynamcs of the politics between South East Asian countries was, again given the time constraints, nonetheless impressive and concise and thought-provoking.

We were then taken to an NGO’s office where we were given an understanding of the role which the NGO played in facilitating education of young leaders in United States before these leaders entered public office.

A question and answer session that followed revealed the immense development of and initiatives commenced by such NGOs. The NGOs in United States are the movers of policy and it is with such NGOs that pressure is brought to bear on the system to respond to the needs of the people. True enough, a different set of factors exist in the US, the law and concept of government did play a part in fostering such a culture as well. This made for a vibrant, commited and dynamic society where the people will not wait for the government of the day to solve their problems, the people tell the government what they want and not the other way round as it is in Singapore.

Our NGOs have a long way to go before they reach the effectiveness of their counterparts in the US. This is a result of the environment that has been created by the ruling party. Nothing has been clearer than comparing Singapore with the United States. The glaring number of deliberate impediments designed to disenfranchise a thinking sector of the population, discourage and forestall an active citizenry are nothing short of selling out of the nation and a declaration of balllessness.

I am about to write on the aspirations of young public office holders in the US and the business interests but my eyes are too tired. I shall continue in the morning. That is, morning Washington time.

Reporting from Washington D.C. :)

After a 30 hour journey, i managed to reach my hotel in Wahsington D.C. It has been a long ride from Singapore to Narita, Narita to Chicago, and Chicago to Wahsington D.C.

The weather is just slightly cooler than Singapore. Chicago was just midly cooler than Washington. I guess its not the cold weather yet. From my experience from past travels, i have grown to expect cold climates when i venture to faraway places.

My flight from Narita had a delayed takeoff about one hour plus, so when we reached Chicago, I was correspondingly just as late. There was no time to clear customs and immigration collect luggage and change terminals to re check in luggage and get onto the waiting plane. By the time the US immigration officers let me through, there was barely 10 mins from the connecting flight’s take off time.

This time round, maybe its because i knew there was no chance, i did not een bother to rush. I asked a helpful looking United Airlines officer for directions and true enough his remark to me and to all the other passengers was ”you are not going to make it’ and that we ought to get our flight rebooked to the later flight for the day.

That was like 8 hours ago, so the flight was rebooked and i spent some time getting a little shopping done for simple souvenirs from Chicago. Might as well since i was stuck there for the next 2 hours.

The internal flight was smooth and we arrived just twenty minutes short of 9pm. After clearing the luggage, I plucked up courage to try navigating my way using the Metro. The Metro was nicer than I thought. It ran in a way similar with the one in London just that the stations and trains seemed larger.

As i took a stroll from the station to the hotel, I found my backpack heavier than i thought. I had already travelled light. I know my luggage was only 10.9kg total, laptop plus another 5kg or so. Total was a maximum of 16kg, yet i found it heavy. It must be due to age.

Strolling through, I found that the architecture was largely similar to London’s. In fact the way the roads were laid out were similar. Various roads leading to circular intersections is something Washington has strikingly familiar to London.

Being here alone does bring back memories of my trip to London and of past travels. I will have many other opportunities to explore the world in future, still memories of previous travels seem to have a vivid impact.

Maybe its age, maybe its the fact that i am moving round alone. Being alone forces one to think and think deeply. Of past, present and the future. This is not a bad thing – forced re-interpretation allows for greater and deeper understanding. The classical tunes from the sony bedside sound system might be one of the reasons too.

Enough nostalgia. I will have one day to get my rhythm tuned to the 12hour time shift from Singapore’s time. Its just past midnight now in Washington D. C. I need to try to at least go to bed and wake up at the time Washingtonians do.

I have also been given another stack of materials. Guess i have to digest part of it before i go to bed. I’ll take it as bedtime reading.

I never thought “I’ll be back” to the United States of America

Of late despite all the grumblings and mumblings, providence was kind and I have managed to squeeze out time to have a little fun myself.

I never dreamed that I would become a globetrotter but the fact is that it is happening more and more which does make it a little scary. I would rather have my feet firmly rooted to the ground for I fear heights, i fear water, I have been known to run away from crowds and I like to be alone.

Travelling to foreign places inevitably brings me to all of the above: tight confined spaces in planes and in proximity with lots of strangers, that high in the sky feeling flying over large expanse of ocean. Let us hope nothing goes wrong

In the event that things do go wrong, I have as always, covered myself with ample life insurance and travel insurance. [This time round i bought an annual travel insurance policy] should there be a mishap, at least its a small windfall for the family.

Now i am not being pessimistic. I had a number of losses these 2 months. Talk about being sued for the 1st time in your life, i have to shelve out time and money and energy to entertain a frivolous claim [More on this on a separate blog post]. My other expenses included further repairs to the Suzuki GSXR 400, SGD700 in repairs so far. A couple of parking summonses to be dealt with – talk about bad luck. Even worse, my favourite El cheapo bike service shop folded up – never to be seen again and without a trace of how to find them. This resulted in my first ever servicing on my Honda Shadow 400 using 3 litres of fully synthetic “Motul” engine oil – a costly affair compared to my Honda Phantom 200 and Yamaha SR125… and so on.

I also think it was in this month that I …. hee hee that I…. well … maybe i should not say anything for now… [this can also be subject of an entire blog post altogether]. In any event, in short it was a money wasting exercise once again.

Now to make this trip, i had to buy travel insurance $320/-, i had also to spend $222.30 + $300 on filing fees for my Defence in the High Court, I have changed some USD200 for a start. Due to the unusually high expenditure for the coming month, I also had to make a number of provisions for my absence. One of my amplifiers has been put on sale, one is on trial with a friend. Its about time i let go. Life is truly indeed about letting go. May i find deeper satisfaction amongst the many still left. Yes i must admit, i have quite a few.

Still, I have to thank the Department of State, Government of the United States of America for this sponsored trip to the States. Being an invitee to their International Visitor Leadership Programme, i will travel a number of places meeting officials and people who would be teaching us more about how the USA is being governed, their NGOs and how their political system works.

It is a never thought possible opportunity to have a closer understanding of one of the greater democratic systems which is an influential player on the world scene.

The State Department besides wanting to educate is also aiming to promote cultural and social exchange the representatives chosen from the Asean nations under this programme. This is a noble objective. I sincerely hope that the programme will be fulfilling and enriching for all participants with hopefully minimal disruption from any H1N1 infections

I had my flu jab taken at the eleventh hour only yesterday evening. It was Dr Wong jabbed me hard in the left arm. Its been 24 hours and I still have a sore arm from the injection. Side effects include difficulty lifting the arm up sideways, a slight sense of disorientation, a sleepless night. But all in all i felt well. Still i can feel that the butterflies in the stomach have started to flutter.

I also had to take time to arrange all my other affairs for the period when i will be away – 3 weeks in total. Now rescheduling cases and hearings and clearing up work in preparation to be away for 3 weeks is no easy task. I regret that i have to discharge myself from Jufrie’s matter. It is unfortunate that a vacation of trial dates was not allowed. It is my regret that I cannot carry this trial to the end.

On a brighter note, I think i will have alot of reading done on this trip. The officers at the Embassy had given me a number books to read – all on the US political system, country, geography etc. and all delivered on a silver platter. The reading is not compulsory but since this is what i have dreamed of doing, i might as well get it done right correct? :)

Lest ballless PAPpies cry foul of foreign funding, foreign interference and influence on this occasion, let us join hands in mutual encouragement and exhortation that we strive to behave like grown up men and not sissies. Let us not throw wild accusations simply because one lacks the testicular fortitude. Let us not cry wolf unnecessarily. Let us be mature enough to recognise that this is US diplomacy at its subtle best. For if your feeble PAPpy brain cannot comprehend its existence and purpose, it does not mean that it necessarily takes the form and substance of your wild imaginations.

For matured and thinking minds, and for fact, diplomacy can exist at the Governmental level, the agency level and at the individual level. I am a participant at the individual level, so i will be representing myself I hope no one will have any issue with that.

I have come to realise that my heart is beating unusually fast as the day of departure draws nearer. For the first time in my life i will be away from home so far and for so long. 21 days in US and 23 days in total including travelling.

I also understand that I will be in San Francisco and Sacramento, California [Arnie is the Governor - Yes the one who said "I'll be back" in Terminator] for the final leg of the trip. I will be unusually close to our Singapore dissident Mr. Gopalan Nair. Its been some time since his troubles in Singapore ended sometime last year. A courtesy visit to Mr. Nair is a must if time permits.

Yes I’ll be back in San Francisco. And again I will be leaving US via San Francisco….. I was there almost 6 years ago. I never thought i would be back.  Hmm ….. Nostalgic memories once again.