1) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/12/world/main4344591.shtml

2) http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Beijing-Olympics-Opening-Ceremony-Faked-Firework-Footprints-Added-For-TV/Article/200808215075291


After reading the two articles, I found it difficult to convince myself if the actions the ceremony organizers took were justifiable.
It all started when the global television audience realized that of the series of giant footprints outlined in fireworks proceeded through the night sky from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest stadium, some were actually prerecorded, digitally enhanced and computer animated.
That piece of shocking news was followed by another. Nine year old Lin Miaoke who shocked millions with her singing was actually lip-synching "Ode to the Motherland" by seven year old Yang Peiyi.
I believe that the reason for having a last minute swap to match one girl's face with another's voice was to ensure that the child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression. I think Lin Miaoke has all those aspects covered, but we should never forget about the seven year old who sang behind the scenes.
The same goes for the spectecular fireworks. To say that we were surprised would be an understatement. Stunned viewers, not to mention myself, thought they were watching the string of fireworks filmed from above by a helicopter. However in reality we were watching a 3D graphics sequence that took almost a year to produce. It even included a 'camera shake' to mimic the effect of filming from a helicopter.
It is evident that with these two incidents China is extremely eager to present a flawless Olympics image to the world, and the country's quest for perfection apparently includes its children. If the ceremony organizers’ main objective was to present China in the best way possible, I would say that they have succeeded admirably. However, even though they have done their job well, I am not sure if they have done it right.
It is definitely understandable that organizers would prefer the girl who has the looks, looks good on screen and has a good grasp of the song to perform, but what about the actual singer? I can imagine how Yang’s parents would feel when the organizers told them at the last minute that their child could not perform because she was not good-looking enough, even though she was extremely capable.
Many people would argue that many singers lip synch, and this was the case at the 2002 Opening Ceremonies of the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, when the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir lip synched. However I believed that they were lip synching their own songs and singing, and they had to do so as they would not be able to perform at their best in the cold night air, and not because of their looks.
Therefore in my opinion I believe it is unfair to the seven year old girl, who was not given the credit for her outstanding voice. Furthermore, even though on the whole the ceremony was a spectacular event, it led us into believing it is grander than it actually is.
To conclude, I appreciate the fact that China is definitely trying to put its best foot forward, but a little skeptical as to why they have to lie about it.

KU LI: UMNO IS HERE TO STAY
Publication: The Malaysian Bar
By: M. Veera Pandiyan
Source: http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/news_features/ku_li_umno_is_here_to_stay.html

During the period of the Malaysian general elections, I noticed that many around me seemed caught up in the events unfolding in Singapore's neighbour. The severity of the Barisan National’s defeat exceeded everybody’s expectations, let alone those of Malaysians’. I guess even the opposition parties were surprised by their own success.

I feel that UMNO needs new ideas as there has been a serious erosion of confidence in the style of leadership since the general election. Perhaps many people are unhappy with the agenda that the UMNO has always been focusing on, shadowy power play and a strong Malay agenda. I strongly believe that widespread dissatisfaction among the Chinese and Indian minorities of Malaysia had been noted in the run-up to the polls. These communities had been upset for years by the way race-based affirmative action policies had been sidelining them in government contracts, university places and job opportunities.

However, after reading this article, the question that surfaces would be: Would the same situation happen to Singapore?

Many people would say it is debatable if there are parallels in Singapore's politics with the racial and religious anger so prominent in this Malaysian election. This is unlikely in my opinion; although it is not true to say that there are no persistent grumblings among Singaporeans about marginalization, both intentional and unintentional.

Nevertheless, the difference is that in Singapore, is no political organisation that can articulate these grievances or grumblings. Somehow I believe this is due to the law and the nature of Singaporeans. The undeniable result is that in the short and intermediate term, race politics will not factor significantly in Singapore's political trends, certainly not to the same extent as to what has happened in Malaysia.

Another question that popped into my head was: what would happen to the non-Malay minorities with their conflicting interests with the Malays?

The change in the results for the elections definitely came from a large segment of people who have opened their minds and are willing to take the risk for a change. However, this would definitely not go well with the Malays, since most of them would probably favour UMNO’s style of a strong Malay agenda. The Malays might feel that the non-Malays do not share the same vision as them and are trying to oppose them, and this might bring the whole situation into a whole new cycle of marginalization.

Kelantan’s prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s agenda for UMNO is to shed its u;tra-Malay image for a democratic and multiracial outlook, which will definitely appease the dissatisfactions in the minority racial groups, but might not please the Malays, which has been supporting UMNO’s agenda for half a century. In my opinion, it is definitely not easy for someone to take to risk for a change, changing the image of the government which has been around for more than fifty years.

Overall, I feel that this serves as a lesson learnt for UMNO, to take into consideration every single racial group’s point of view.

SOME THINK IT'S OKAY TO EXPERIMENT
Section: News
By: HEDY KHOO
Publication: The New Paper 03/06/2007
Page: 10,11
No. of words: 976

Synopsis: This article basically voice out the perspectives of teenagers on alcohol and drug abuse, with many insisting that it is not such a big issue. Some says that they just wanted to try out, out of curiosity. This article also shares students’ experiences in underage drinking and smoking, and how others have managed to abstain from drug and alcohol abuse.


I was completely shocked at the comments and perspectives that these teenagers give regarding issues with alcohol, smoking and drugs. Even though I have seen teenagers abusing alcohol and drugs at the void decks pretty often, I have never thought through as to why they do so.

In my opinion, what the society must face several questions. Why do these teenagers drink and smoke, what are the causes, what are the implications, and what are the solutions?

The implications can be very severe. Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are detrimental to health, endangering the lives of the teenagers and even the lives of others. They will lose control of their own emotions and might turn to stealing. They will face serious consequences if caught, especially with repeated abuse.

Teenagers abusing drugs, alcohol and smoking can be influenced by the media, such as television and movies. Their parents’ attitude towards drinking and smoking also determines the attitudes of their children.

Hence, these teenagers do not see drugs and alcohol as something new, probably due to these few causes. What’s appalling to me is the fact that they do not see the reason why the government makes such a big fuss over the abuse of alcohol and drugs, mainly because they are not aware of the implications.

I believe there are many reasons why teenagers turn to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Witnessing family conflicts or family violence and other personal problems at home can make them feel rejected and lonely. A loved one passing away can also make them distraught and at a loss, turning to alcohol and drugs to alleviate their sorrows. Lack of parental support, monitoring and communication is probably also related to cases of drinking and smoking. Academic failure in school can be one of the causes, especially when the teenager takes his academic results too seriously.

However, I believe the main factor is peer pressure. The teenagers in our society are lured into trying out alcohol and drugs for the first time to see how it tastes or feels like, out of curiosity. Unfortunately, after their first few tries, they are addicted to the drugs, and no longer see them as a big deal. This can be seen when the press interviews some teenagers, and a few of them admits to drinking and smoking, yet brush off the incident, thinking that its not a big deal.

In my opinion, the only solution to drug abuse is family or individual counseling, to find the underlying reason as to why the teenager takes such a desperate action. Advice and support from a health care professional also is also an effective way of combating his addictive behavior.
Even though these teenagers have their own reasons for turning to drugs and we should empathize with them, I think there are no valid reasons to turn to drugs to solve their sorrows or problems, unknowingly endangering their lives in the process.

Dragged myself to the coffee machine again and got myself what was called "cafe mocha". I though i had finally made a nice cup of coffee, was enjoying it, when suddenly the clip that was playing with dropped into the cup. Drats...

Anyway apart from that, my aunt lent me this Japanese book as a guide to Tokyo as i will be going there next month.

So that's about it then!

Of course, this actually came as little surprise, as we later found out Serena (his wife) is a banker. Luckily then, as Enghan and i bought quite an expensive present for them =)

We then proceeded with the matrimony, where Mr Chan had to recite this whole paragraph to promise his faithfulness. His tone made us feel as if it was a history lesson (he's a history teacher =D ) and he later complained to us about how nervous he was feeling at first. Oh well...

Then it was lunch with the catered food. The food was really good. Everything was just so delicious, and this made us anticipate what kind of dinner they would provide. Sadly, we were not invited to their wedding dinner, despite much perestering from us. According to him its because the dinner is full already =(

Then the MC of the wedding invited different groups of people for phototaking, and when we were invited up to the stage the MC said "How come you RI boys so quiet? Should cheer for your teacher" Lol we were thinking the other way round when RI boys are expected to not make noise =S

After that Mr Chan's brother came up to us and asked:

"Are you guys Mr Chan's students?"

"Yeap"

"He teaches you guys history?"

"Yup"

"So... Is he strict?"

"Erm... No...!"

Lol i wanted to say "Not even slightly" but that wouldnt be nice. While eating we overheard Mr Chan's friend saying that Mr Chan bought a 42-inch Plasms TV just to play Xbox 360. Wow... must be really rich...

Anyway after our lunch we wanted to leave so we spoke to him

Me: Sir, we are making a move first.

Mr Chan: What so fast?

Me: Yup but we are coming back for the dinner =)

Mr Chan: Haha no larh the dinner is very packed already

Peirce and EngHan: Sir not bad ah, buy a 42-inch plasma TV

Mr Chan: Hey how did you know about that? Anyway you guys can drop by and play if you want. So when will i meet you guys again?

Peirce: Tonight! =D

Mr Chan: Haha no seriously the dinner is full. OK bye guys, next time rememeber to invite me to your wedding k!

Me: Yes, if you invite us to your dinner =)

Mr Chan: Very funny. Bye guys!

Hmmm so i guess that's about it. Until next time, see ya!