Don't take our role in national security for granted by William

Title: Don't take our role in national security for granted
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
(url:http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_483955.html)
Name of article writer: Yeo Jin Pheng
Date of the article: Jan 30, 2010
Student: Su Weicong / William


Jan 30, 2010
Don't take our role in national security for granted
I WAS shopping at Ikea in Alexandra on Thursday night when I noticed an overstuffed laptop-size bag on the first floor. I asked shoppers nearby if the bag belonged to anyone, but received only negative responses and bewildered looks.

Being security-conscious, I took this as a potential bomb threat and hastily alerted an Ikea employee who was manning that section of the store, informing her that there was an unattended bulky bag lying nearby, and led her to it.

I expected her to contact a member of the security staff who should be well drilled to handle such situations. To my surprise, she simply walked to the bag, picked it up nonchalantly, and headed towards the 'lost and found' section.

I do not know if her behaviour or the lack of action from other shoppers nearby is indicative of the attitude of most Singaporeans towards potential hazards and bomb threats. If so, it is worrying that Singaporeans take national security for granted.

I do not believe we need a wake-up call in terms of a terrorism-related disaster in a neighbouring country or even our own before we change our attitude towards national security.
Yeo Jin Pheng



I refer to Yeo Jin Pheng’s letter on 30 Jan (‘Don't take our role in national security for granted’).
As is known to all, Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries with little land but large population. Everyone is quite familiar with each corner of Singapore and every event, no matter how big or small, do concern our daily life. It is quite common to see that someone living in Joo Koon rush to the MRT station excitedly once he/she hears news that Andy Lau is having dinner at EXPO. However, since Singapore is that special, security, especially national security, is rather significant. It is not hard to imagine that if there is a bomb attack in Queenstown, people in Pasir Ris may consider not going out for dinner but ordering a pizza instead.

It is sad to see that many Singaporeans regard potential security risk as nothing, as mentioned in Jin Pheng’s letter because once there is something happen, the impact is enormous. On the one hand, Singapore plays a role on the world stage as one of the bridges linking the eastern and western world. On the other hand, people around the world choose to invest in Singapore for her world-famous environment and safety. Therefore, under no circumstances should Singaporeans take national security for granted.

In order to raise their awareness, government can also carry out related campaign.

Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings by Tonia Liu

Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings by Tonia Liu
Title: Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
Name of article writer: Kang Choon Tian
Date of the article: Jan 30, 2010

Summary:
In this letter, the author worries that when people get old, they cannot afford to pay off the house loan and interest with little retirement savings in 20 years to 30 years. He calculates how much money have to pay for the house and sums up people may meet some change in their live in 20 to 30 years for the loan in order to show that the little retirment savings bring problems.

Comments:
I think the problem the author gives us is quite worth to concern about. Although the policy buying house with loan lasted for 20 to 30 years seems can help people to afford the house price, the government ignores the fact that the poor savings of retirees. I agree with the author’s opinion that the Singapore government should care more about the retirees and give them more money to maintain their life. The ignorance of the old people’s life may cause the people lose faith to the government. The old people have made great contributions to the whole society and they should be respected and concerned more by the society although they cannot be as competitive as the young people. The new policy should be carried out to give hope to those retirees who are struggling for their live with little money.

The article:

Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings
WITH prices of new three- and four-room flats reaching between $250,000 and $330,000 in some areas, I wonder how much a buyer will have in his CPF retirement account after paying for the flat in 20 to 30 years.
I took a loan of $80,000 some 20 years back and the interest came up to $70,000 when I had finished paying for my flat.
The Government should look into this or Singapore may end up with many retirees with little in their CPF account, assuming an average household income of $3,000 to $4,000. Since HDB flat buyers may use 30 per cent of household income, they may be able to service their loans, but little is left for retirement. Besides, along the way, husband or wife may lose their jobs.
Buyers are allowed to take up to a 30-year loan. By then, their earning power may also diminish when they reach 60, assuming they bought their flat in the early 30s.
Since there are many in this income bracket, I hope some financial experts will be able give their take on this important issue or Singapore may end up with many retirees with little to live on. Many buyers are not aware of the final price of their flat, including the interest over 30 years.
Kang Choon Tian

Misconceptions about motherhood by Ivy

Title: Misconceptions about motherhood
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
Name of article writer: Julianna Neo
Date of the article:January29, 2010

Summary:

This article mainly talks about the subject of having more children in Singapore. The writer is a mother who has contributed to the population and is proud and enjoyed to do so. She thinks that motherhood is a precious human sentiment which is a strong desire to have some little ones to love and take care of. On the other hand, some parents hold the view that nurturing a child takes too much money and time; they will not have children until they are able to provide them with a fine financial condition. Julianna argues that children don’t need a lot, what really counts is the love and companion you give to your children but not money, expensive toys, etc.

My perception:

I am quite with the writer to some extent, the main factor that determines the children’s personalities is not the financial condition of the family, but the love and education the parents provided. Moreover, the children’s future depends on their own talent and hard work, what the parents provide materially doesn’t influence a lot. However, some basic equipment are necessary, if the parents don’t even have a shelter or can’t live a relative comfortable life themselves, they’d better not have a child.

The article:

Misconceptions about motherhood

THE subject of having more children in Singapore has come up again. I was a mother who contributed to the numbers last year and am proud and overjoyed to have done so. The government incentives are a welcome bonus for me, but they did not influence my decision to have children.

Quite simply, the decision or desire to have children comes from an inner feeling of having someone to love and care for, and subsequently gives a sense of fulfilment and joy.

This is why motherhood is such a precious role. Motherhood challenges in ways one never dreamed of, many of which are frustrating and demanding. Still, mothers carry on day after day, with deep love and affection for our little ones, and wanting only the best for them.

However, what is 'best' has changed over the years. These days, a typical child's necessities are a host of enrichment classes, from as young as when he starts to crawl.

I once spoke to a waitress about her decision to have children. She said she wanted to have them, but would have to get a better job to pay for their enrichment classes. After all, her neighbour's child was signed up for a string of them, and this would be the norm for any child. She concluded that children cost money, and as long as she did not have enough, she would remain childless.

It is sad when we allow these misconceptions to shape life's decisions. As a mother, I have come to realise that children do not need a lot. They do not need the latest fashion, they have yet to develop expensive taste in food, and they play with simple objects and use their imagination. Sometimes, we adults impose on our children what we think they need.

My daughter loves her toys and dressing up, but at the end of the day, she simply wants me. And as a stay-home mother, I am happy to spend these few precious years with her.

What children really need is love and attention. They want your eyes on them when they try a new dance step, your response when they ask a question, and for you to play with them. When we are busy making money to fulfil all we think they need, we miss the important truth of simply being there.

I remember reading about Mrs Lee Kuan Yew making an effort to be with her children during lunch and skipping evening functions so she could spend time at home. Obviously, her choice to do so has greatly impacted not only the lives of her children, but also that of the nation.

If government incentives do not spur people to have more children, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves why. Perhaps we need to change our mindsets and stop thinking children need to grow up as superhumans who excel at everything. Life and motherhood could be so much more enjoyable if we just slow down to look into the eyes of our little ones, engage in their innocent conversations and see the world from their view.

Julianna Neo (Madam)

Pray for the people suffering from the earthquake in Haiti BY Tonia

student's english name: Tonia
article title:Pray for the people suffering from the earthquake in Haiti
source of article: the Times
date of article : Jan. 16th, 2010

Pray for the people suffering from the earthquake in Haiti

On Jan. 12th, a tremendous disaster broke down the capital of Haiti. The earthquake in Port-au-Prince was regarded as the worst disaster in Haiti in more than 200 years. Nearly 5,000 people were threatening to death. When I heard the new, I was deeply shocked by the unbelievable destruction the earthquake brought out. I really concern how the rescue is going on in Haiti. Today, I read an article called Former Presidents to Lead Relief Fund from New York Times on line and know more about the current situation in Haiti. The article says that the rescuers are trying their best to find more survivors and many governments have sending out the first aid and food to Haiti. However, the current situation is not optimistic because the rescue can only help some of people and most people are struggling for their lives, which leads to chaos in security. Some foreigners in Haiti are running away because they worry that they will be suffered from the chaos. The American government promises to bring more help to Haiti and the former presidents in U.S. make their voice heard that they are leading relief fund. After reading the article, I am very sad about the current situation in Haiti. Although many governments have given their hand to this unlucky country, it is not enough at all. People in Haiti needs more help. I saw a picture which shows that people are struggling for the water. I can see their worried and painful faces. I know that Haiti is a poor country. It’s not easy for them to rescue themselves and relief from this disaster. They want to be alive and the desperation has spread out and leads to chaos. I really appreciate the promise the American government has given. However, I hope that the aids can be carried out as fast as possible. Moreover, although I can understand the feeling of some foreigners, I still think that running away is an irresponsible behavior. Everyone in the world has the duty to help people. I really looking forward that more governments can do their favor to this poor country. Let’s pray for people suffering from this big disaster.

What the snow told us about modern Britain BY Ivy

title: What the snow told us about modern Britain
source of news: the Times
name of article writer:Janice Turner
date of the article:January 16, 2010

What the snow told us about modern Britain

A heavy snowfall in Britain has closed many schools for health and safety concern. And some householders were told not to clear their own pavement to avoid someone slipping. However, these phenomenons have shown that the capacity of modern Britain to take risk is becoming weaker and weaker.
Since thousands of schools have been closed due to the snow, parents began to complain: “It is not schools’ duty to provide childcare.” As for most private schools, they seldom shut because they know it is unfair for the parents to pay for the school fee while their children are dismissed at home. However the pupils who still go to school are locked inside the classroom for fear of being injured. The writer think that it is the pupil’s right to be let out to enjoy the fun of snow and burn off some energy and keeping them inside is cruel.
In the end, the writer concluded that what we learn from the snow is
this health-and-safety monster does exist: in the minds of jobsworths, lazybones and buck-passers, not in the law.
From my point of view, what the writer said is exactly true, it is just a snowfall and there is no need to worry about too much things. Why not playing happily in the snow world and enjoying ourselves!

Tiger's leap for families by William

(photo source: http://www.singaporemint.com/default.php)

title: Tiger's leap for families

source: the STRAITS TIMES, life!people, Page C6

name of article writer: lin wenjian

date of article 11/01/2010

The article mainly tells us something about the Lunar Tiger Coin collection of this year. The main purpose of the coins is to bring good luck and fortune to people and to encourage them to be more optimistic for the brand new year, for the images of tigers that represent great leap can symbolise the whole family jumping over all the problems and difficulty during the recession. The article also introduces the creator of the 'tigers', local painter Tan Seng Yong, one of the best 'Tiger Painter' among this area.

The reason why I chose this article is that I am fancy of collecting things like stamps and money. Therefore, it is not hard to image that when I first saw the photos of coins in the newspaper, my heart just simply beat faster and my breathe became deeper. However, this is not just what I want to say. I want to talk something about the painter Tan Seng Yong, the man who has been drawing only this animal for more than 35 years since 1974. After reading that, I knew why he was selected to be the creator of the last three Tiger year coins. THE KEY TO SUCCESS is always the same: being focus. And TIME is the other secret.

Hello! We Are W.I.T!

We are going to shake the world!
Who are we?
We are W.I.T!

Welcome to our blog :)