"The two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change." - Seth MacFarlane

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Democracy in Singapore: How Is One-Party Rule Possible? - "After extensive reflection, though, it hit me: Instead of comparing Singapore to other democratic countries, I should compare it to other democratic cities.  There are many major cities in the United States where one party wins supermajorities year after year. Democratic mayors have continuously ruled in San Francisco longer than Singapore has been an independent country!... Why is it easier to have a one-party city than a one-party country? There are probably a lot of reasons, but the most obvious is that smaller polities (measured in terms of both population and land area) are less diverse"
One comment: "With cities, people have already have voted with their feet. The Republicans who used to live in SF or NYC moved out."
Another on the PRI: "If a political party absorbs into its ranks with *paying* jobs _every_ young adult with _any_ interest in politics, it will be effectively unchallenged. At that age, they can be bought off very cheaply, and kept comfortable and turned compliant."

Singapore's future as a financial centre - "In 2006, now bankrupt Merrill Lynch and Capgemini reported that the number of "super-rich" Indonesians living in Singapore is a staggering 18,000 whose wealth amounts to approximately US$87 billion. Much of this wealth, complains the Indonesian Government, came from illegal activities in Indonesia. Xie added that in order to sustain its economy, Singapore was resorting to "building casinos to attract corruption money from China." Corrupt ruling generals in Burma are also suspected to be stashing their assets in Singapore... In a report in 2000, the United States State Department pointed out that the system in Singapore "provided opportunities for money launderers to conduct a wide range of illicit transactions."... It is such unwillingness to cooperate with foreign governments and the lack of transparency that has solidified Singapore's reputation as a tax haven... Building our nation up as a secretive tax haven is neither good politics nor good economics. The strategy is, at best, risky and, at worst, downright dangerous for Singaporeans both on the domestic and international fronts."

How to Marry the Man of Your Choice: Margaret Kent - "A practising lawyer in Miami, Kent also conducts a course that, she claims, has helped over 400 women to become wives since its origination in 1969. The author's detailed tips on male manipulation comprise a howling, humorous success, if not a sure guide to tying the triumphant knot. The chapters deal with each phase of the husband hunt from dressing attractively and looking one's best (including "dentures if you need them; missing teeth are a turnoff,") through the happy ending. According to game plan, a woman meeting future in-laws should "keep your shoes on unless they remove theirs." Premarital sex is encouraged, and ways to enhance bedtime are covered extensively: "Don't expect him to sleep on wet sheets!"; "Don't store trinkets or money in your underwear!" Kent's numerous one-liners beg for quotation, but the finale caps them all: a woman must ignore "dastardly acts" that her intended may commit as weak attempts to escape matrimony, she says, citing examples of a prospective benedict who slashed his fiancee's car tires, another who moved to Europe and one who brought a date to his weddingall three wound up married anyway."
I had this hilarious book until my mother threw it away, thinking it was one of my sister's "yellow books". Luckily there's a precis available online, where one can laugh at what would be considered misogynist if applies to the opposite sex.

Fantasy Island - "America has its run-of-the-mill massage parlors and topless bars, but only in Tokyo can you find entire clubs populated by faux-nurses, teachers, stewardesses, and secretaries—not to mention naked karaoke, mirrored floors, life-size latex dolls, and bathtubs filled with green gel and faux-mermaids."

Amahs On Wheels - The Story of 'Amahs' - ""Amah." An affectionate term used during the British Colonial era for a live-in housekeeper who is often treated as part of the family. Often associated with values such as reliability, trust and professionalism in work. Decades old professionalism with today's cleaning know-how now taking on a new definition in our modern lifestyle, Amahs On Wheels... The pioneering spirit at Amahs On Wheels led to the foundation of the AOW Academy of Domestic Services"
Do they take a vow of celibacy?

Meeting the cannibals of Papua New Guinea: "Japanese people taste the best - whites are too salty!"

The virtual battle of the sexes - "The study looked at gender differences in more than 2,400 gamers playing EverQuest II... although more of the players were male, it was the female players who were the most dedicated players, spending more time each day playing the game than their male counterparts... The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles might mean that some women are put off activities seen as "masculine", whereas women who reject traditional gender roles might be more likely to play MMOs such as EverQuest II. Perhaps in support of this the survey revealed an unusually high level of bisexuality among the women who took part in the study - over five times higher than the general population."

'Viagra lure' for Afghan warlords - "In one case, a 60-year-old warlord with four wives was given four pills and four days later detailed Taleban movements in return for more... The paper said the CIA had a long line of inducements for the notoriously fickle warlords, including dental work, visas, toys and medicine. It quoted one private security official as saying that simply handing over large sums of money would raise suspicions about newfound wealth."

15 Unfortunately Placed Ads - And more

No breakfast, earlier sex: Japan study - "In a study of 3,000 people, those who did not regularly eat breakfast when in their early teens said they lost their virginity at an average age of 17.5, versus an overall average of age 19 for all Japanese."

Young Nursing Student uses her bra in a pinch! - "Using her bra to stop the bleeding, a Calgary woman is being credited with helping save the life of a man beaten unconscious outside a southwest nightclub."

Satish Narayan dies after his wife Rajini allegedly set his genitals alight

Beardos - "A beard is a bullshit filter. It keeps me from working at lame places and 
interacting with lame people... “A beard is a scarf that works great while bike riding in this climate—it’s better than wool!... A beard is a friend who is always there to give you a hug."
Hair has much utility.

World of Warcraft Players Need Not Apply - "A member on F13, a forum for game-related news, recounted a recent conversation with an Australian online media recruiter about his hobby of playing online games like World of Warcraft: “I happened to mention I’d spent way too much time in the early 2000s playing online game… He replied that employers specifically instruct him not to send them World of Warcraft players. He said there is a belief that WoW players cannot give 100 percent because their focus is elsewhere, their sleeping patterns are often not great, etc.”"

Beijing restaurant captures online game trend - "The restaurant's entrance is a real-life re-creation of the opening animation from the game, The World of Warcraft. The dining area is called the Hall of Snow Storms." Here, an immense plasma screen displays action from the game. There's a towering tree at the centre of the dining "portal," creating a pleasing ambience for leisurely diners. Most patrons are fans of the multi-player game."