Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 6:43PM I am prone to going weak in the knees for a nice, new, shiny object. I admit it. But who can say no to these? (Warning: gratuitous photography gear images inside.)
Acratech, Canon, Voightlander in Personal, Photography Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 12:03PM I will be very surprised if there is no appeal filed by the DPP, but for now, let us rejoice in the decision.
The five were cleared of charges of taking part in a procession without a valid permit on Sept 16, 2007. If convicted, they would have faced a fine of up to $1,000 for the offence under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order & Nuisance) Act.
Singapore Democratic Party, public assembly in Law, Politics, Singapore Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:25AM Alan Turing, creator of the Turing machine, cracker of the German Enigma codes that made him a war hero, has finally received a posthumous apology from the UK government, delivered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, after being shamefully treated and convicted for his homosexuality. This comes at the end of a strong petition asking for an official apology that was signed by the likes of Dr Richard Dawkins, writer Ian McEwan and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Alan Turing, Gordon Brown, United Kingdon in Civil rights, Internet, LGBT Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 9:32AM The Ministry of Education (MOE) has finally released their revised guidelines for sexuality education programmes under external vendors, and have shunted the responsibility back to the schools. These revised guidelines are, in my opinion, not indicative of any major shifts in policy.
The vendors are also required to submit their policy statement on sexuality education. The statement must cover five areas, including homosexuality, abortion and pre-marital sex.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 12:33PM I am talking about our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. I have done my fair share of criticism of his government, and most, if not all, are deserved. We expected, still expect, will be expecting, better. But that's not the point; my point is that he is not the most articulate of leaders we have seen or heard. And in this age where image and eloquence can help shape the message (ask President Obama), Mr Lee can come across as awkward and uncomfortable. His 10 minute National Day speech made me squirm, and makes British PM Gordon Brown look like a brilliant speaker.
Gordon Brown, Lee Hsien Loong, National Service, foreign talent in Fail, Politics, Singapore Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 10:28AM Gerald Giam calls for the Housing Development Board to be an independent statutory board and not be a political tool for the PAP:
TODAY newspaper reported that the PAP’s losing candidate Sitoh had received an email from HDB informing him of this news. He lost no time in breaking the good news to residents through a news release. Mr Eric Low plans to announce the news today at a grassroots event. In addition, Mr Sitoh said he will be sending out a circular to residents in the selected blocks soon, presumably with his own letterhead proclaiming himself as the “adviser to the Potong Pasir grassroots organisations”.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 12:40AM About 22 of us gathered at Tanjong Pagar MRT last Sunday for a photowalk, bringing out the photography-mania in all of us. It was probably the first time where the number of DSLRs were matched by the number of lomo cameras! Much fun was had by all. Many thanks to Kevin who organised this, and even had walkie-talkies to make sure no one got lost!
#sgtweetup, Clarke Quay, Tanjong Pagar, twitter in Personal, Photography, Social media Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 6:55PM This move by the Ministry of Education leaves me with more questions than answers:
Creative Arts Programme, Ministry of Education, Ng Yi-Sheng, activism in Education, Fail, LGBT, Politics, Singapore Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11:00AM Andrew Sullivan reminded me of something I have been meaning to write about for ages, but never got around to, while referencing Ezra Klein's own post comparing differences in perspectives towards obesity and poverty:
Cigarettes too. I know they're awful. But I find the puritanism and bossiness around them curiously blind to the fact that for many people in rough times and rough places, they are one of life's pleasures. For people with many pleasures, quitting is tough but won't really affect their quality of life. For those with very few, it's one more assault they could do without. Leave people alone.
Friday, October 2, 2009 at 5:24PM Ah, Straits Times, you never fail to disappoint when given a chance to do so. An "international celebrity" don't get to shop at one particular boutique because she arrived when it was closing is not news, no matter how famous she, or her companion, is. Not even when that companion blogged about it because his ego felt a kick to its gonads. David Gan and Zhang Ziyi should just get over themselves, and ST shouldn't even have published this non-event. Not even on STOMP.
David Gan, STOMP, Straits Times, Zhang Ziyi in Fail, Journalism, Singapore