"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators." - P. J. O'Rourke

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In media statements, government leaders talking about the race riots of 1964 (which are nowadays portrayed as an apocalyptic threat to the very survival of the nation) took pains to portray them as atypical, stressing that the kampung spirit still existed. Hurr hurr.

We all know protectionism is bad because firms will not go out into the marketplace and compete. But similarly, laws protected citizens from offence are bad because then they will not mature.

Using the excuse that Asians are not mature enough for democracy is most ironic, because this was what the colonial powers told Indians and Asians. The sturggle for independence was an attempt by the fathers of our nations to show their maturity, and now our governments tell us we are not mature enough for it. Tsk.

It seems car reviews in Singapore are all very neutral (a spillover effect from the fear of defamation suits), and reading them one would not know which to buy. The law of unintended consequences strikes again.

If a majority of Singaporeans cannot accept homosexuals and the State then discriminate against them, what if a majority is racist against Indians?


I love 'context' - you can make any text mean anything you want. Bits you are uncomfortable with can thus be explained away merrily by saying they referred to very specific contexts. But then, bits you like can similarly be interpreted away with 'context' - what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Alternatively, since texts are situated in their times, we must be mindful of their contexts and so nothing they say can possibly apply to us today.

Capitalism supposedly thrives by making you feel inaequate and lacking so it can sell you something, but you will never be made to feel satiated so Capitalism will always have a raison d'etre. Similarly, Marxism thrives on making you feel exploited and victimized, but you will never not be exploited and victimized, so Marxism will always have a role. Ditto for Feminism, Critical Theory etc.

I read a book on victimology (the role of the victim in crime - it takes two to tango) and a very clear case of victim blaming is car theft (the victim is blamed for causing, precipitation or allowing the crime to happen). Car theft is the only crime with an organised victim-blaming lobby. In contrast, rape is a crime where it is rare to look at the role of the victim and this can have untoward effects.

I just realised why girls take pictures in toilets. They spend so long in there, so they need souvenirs to remember the 'good' times. Hurr hurr. [Someone: lemme tell you - the lighting is good and there are mirrors]

Swiss-made Delice Japonais has palm oil in it. Damn.