US strategy vis-a-vis China

The video above is a podcast with John Mearsheimer, the guest, explaining why China would not invade Taiwan.

In the first 2 minutes or so, John has to explain to Lex (the host) what "amphibious operations are difficult" mean. Lex is incredulous, as he asked (0:32) "So geography still has a role to play in the 21st century?"

Yes, Lex. Geography is still important,

PE2023 results - President Tharman

 

The anti-climatic result of Presidential Election 2023 was a resounding mandate for Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

ChatGPT answers: "Which is better? Malaysia's Roti Canai, or Singapore's Roti Prata?"

So I read the newsfeed that said Roti Canai is ranked #1 while Prata is ranked #12. So I asked ChatGPT which is better. This was the answer generated:

The preference between Malaysia's Roti Canai and Singapore's Roti Prata is subjective and can vary from person to person. Both dishes are delicious and have their unique characteristics, but there are some differences between the two:

Roti Canai (Malaysia): Roti Canai is a popular Malaysian flatbread that is known for its flaky and crispy texture. It is made from a dough that typically includes flour, water, and ghee (clarified butter).
It is often served with a variety of curries, including chicken curry, dhal (lentil curry), or fish curry.
Roti Canai is usually thin and crispy on the outside while soft on the inside. It can be folded or layered before serving.

Roti Prata (Singapore): Roti Prata, also known as Roti Prata in Singapore, is similar to Roti Canai in many ways. It is made from a similar dough of flour, water, and ghee or oil.
It is typically thinner than Roti Canai and is often cooked with more oil or ghee on a flat griddle, resulting in a slightly different texture.
Roti Prata is often served with various accompaniments, such as curry, sugar, condensed milk, or even ice cream.

ChatGPT answers: "How does Singapore's Hainanese Chicken Rice Compare with Hainan's Wenchang Chicken?"

I asked ChatGPT to compare Singapore's Hainanese Chicken Rice with the Original Hainan Wenchang Chicken, and this was it's answer (after the video):


Video: Andong visits Wenchang, Hainan to try the original Wenchang Chicken, then drops in on Singapore to try Singapore's Hainanese Chicken Rice.

What if...

To be honest, I have not really considered or wondered about the outcome of the PE2023.

Presidential Candidates 2023

It really doesn't matter which of these become POTROS.

Simply because in the day-to-day running of Singapore, POTROS has no role. 

President of The Republic of Singapore (POTROS) Election 2023

And so we find ourselves with three candidates for POTROS. I know. We don't call our President, POTROS for short, like the US calls theirs POTUS (President of the United States). But we are the country that LOVES acronyms - CPF, HDB, PIE, BTO, CTE, COE, MOE, CMPD, CPIB, etc.

So why not POTROS?

But I digress. 

Presidential Candidates, and their respective campaigns in brief:

1) Tan Kin Lian - "Vote for him so he doesn't lose his deposit!"

2) Ng Kok Song - "Vote for him so we can have an Istana Wedding!"

3) Tharman Shanmugaratnam - "Vote for him so another Indian Minister can stay in a Govt bungalow... for free! (making him luckier than Vivian and Shanmugam!)"

Kopi-O Kok Song - a meme from social media associated (by netizens) with one of the candidates.

Why Tharman is standing for Election as President of Singapore

 

1) If he wins, he will move into the Istana... A government Bungalow. 

2) As President, he will stay there... Rent-free!

3) The other two Indian Ministers have to pay rent for the Government Bungalows at Ridout Road.

"Rules Set you Free!"

This is a video interview of a Spanish woman who is living in Singapore:

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 INTRO 00:49 What does Ana miss in Singapore? 01:20 How to make friends in a new country 02:24 Getting PR after 1 year 04:47 Social circle in Singapore 06:40 Expat Life in Singapore 08:24 Kindness of Singaporeans 09:51 Crazy driving in Singapore 11:37 What foreigners should know about Singapore 15:11 Rules in Singapore 16:34 Europe VS Singapore 18:33 About domestic helpers

Comment: What is wrong with the banks (Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Silvergate Bank) and now Credit Suisse?

And of course, as with all these international financial issues, if you are a Singaporean with a bank account, you will want to know: 1) Does this affect me? and 2) Should I be worried?

The sort of good news is, you need not worry. 

Maybe.

This video provides a clear explanation.

Singapore to acquire 8 more F-35B fighter jets, growing fleet to 12

The Singapore Armed Forces will also upgrade its training with virtual reality technology and a new digital range, as part of its 2040 vision.

Davina Tham

24 Feb 2023 

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will acquire another eight F-35B fighter jets, growing its incoming fleet of the fifth-generation fighters to 12.

Singapore will take delivery of the eight jets from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin "by the end of the decade", Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Friday (Feb 24).

In 2019, Singapore announced the acquisition of an initial four F-35Bs, which are on track for delivery by 2026. The purchase was worth an estimated US$2.75 billion, according to a US government press release.

Secrets of Singapore's Success - Part 1

Ask most Singaporeans about the one critical factor for Singapore's success, and many (if not all) would probably answer: Lee Kuan Yew.

But THAT is a simplified answer for a complex answer. Because LKY did a lot of things. 

The reason people asks for the "Secrets to Singapore's Success" is because they (might) want to replicate Singapore's success. "LKY" is not a good answer, because they can't have LKY. 

Not because we are selfish and don't want to share LKY. But because he's dead.

Anyway, someone asked our Ambassador-at-large, Tommy Koh (formerly our representative at the UN) what was the secret of Singapore's success.

He diplomatically sidestepped the question, then asked 50 of Singapore's leaders in the civil service, past and present, for their take on it, compiled their essays into a book, and made bank!

What makes Singaporeans happy (from 2010)

Jan 7, 2010

By Tambyah Siok Kuan & Tan Soo Jiuan, For The Straits Times

THE media gives some insight into what makes Singaporeans happy or upset.

Singaporeans are happy when the Government rolls out a family-friendly Budget. Singaporeans are annoyed by service staff who are not passionate about their work or cannot speak English well. Depending on the performance of their investments, Singaporeans may love or loathe coffee shop talk about the stock and property markets.