Terrorists: Winning by Losing

I wonder if Europe do not already have hidden in plain sight the critical mass of militants to make this strategy possible.

If they do or when they get there they no longer need to succeed in most attacks they attempt. They would just need to attack often enough to make whole populations in cities feel on edge. They can win by instilling constant fear.

On the other hand European governments know this is possible. That is why there is an overwhelming police and military presence now in France.

When push comes to shove, the Europeans will have to temporarily suspend some of their civil liberties to preserve their security. Unlike the Americans, these guys had spent too much time talking peace. often hypocritically and failing to prepare for war.

The Swiss just gave up their peg to the Euro. It is getting darker in Europe but there is no other way to fair weather without passing through the storm.

Similarly the front page of today's papers tell me that Singapore economic restructuring is too painless to get the results we need and stronger pain is coming. It could be at the most inconvenient time for the PAP when they need to call for elections.



Update: 6:40 am

Some numbers from the WSJ article.

PM: Expending more resources against Corruption

I didn't have the time to finish what the PM said on this issue last night but the main thrust of his message is clear: They are bringing new vigor and thoroughness to the business of fighting corruption in public service.

Like in the SPF, we do not have enough officers in the CPIB. That will go up by 20% shortly. Even laws would be tweaked.

We have consistently erred on the side of financial prudence to the point it becomes penny wise and pound foolish. Almost every virtue taken to the extreme become a vice. Singapore has become an unbalanced society from giving too much priority to accumulating money at the expense of many things which include train maintenance, caring for the aged (not rectifying) to this issue etc., Put together the budget numbers must eventually look ugly with looming deficit unless more money is raised. The public mostly cannot make meaningful comments because there is not enough data or they are all over the place and very time consuming to organize.

Perhaps we have far more financial resources than the public knows. We know we are not even trusted enough to vote wisely. We were always talked down to until it start to backfire that they appear as emperors without clothes....

Late because we have fallen two places for being corruption free, but the PM is doing the right thing now.

Meanwhile things might get worse before they get better as corrupt acts committed earlier will be waiting to be uncovered and punished. Just like traffic offences, they must have thought the government didn't have enough resources to go after them.

Update: Jan 14 8:20 pm

The ST today says more were nabbed for illegal fishing partly due to stepped up enforcement efforts. I think it is mostly due to deploying more officers unless they had invested in more surveillance technology.

The government is under resourced for safety, security and crime including white collar types.

Tharman: You're The Boy

Just caught this when Tharman shared it on his Facebook page. This resonates with me and I am sure I am not alone. Sure, I was too young to know then and I do not know why. Perhaps it is the story and the way it was told. Sadly Shirley Nair is no longer with us.

We must leave heart prints before it is too late. But sometimes it just isn't possible.

Security: A hypocritical DPM Teo

There is a glaring omission from the DPM? What about the repeated security compromises at the MRT depots?

Don't talk to me about resilience when you are hardly doing a good enough job!

A few hours later his deputy in Home Affairs S. Iswaran pretty much spewed the same platitudes.

I have no regrets if both of them are not in the next Cabinet, especially the DPM. Wasn't he the one in charge of the population white paper too? Also he had a totally wrong concept of what nurses do.

Update: 4:55pm

Even before I read and posted Teo Chee Hean Facebook post, I had read this from the NYT earlier this morning. It made me wonder how much that was true of France is also true of us. Are we waiting to be tested and found wanting before we do something.

We have an inadequate culture of accountability. In Shanghai I am sure we will see heads roll over the stampede during the New Year Eve celebrations.

Door Chime Battery

Just changed the battery of the remote for the door bell ($1.70)

So this is a Lead-Mercury bettery, 12V.

Wonder when is the next time I need to replace this again. Can't remember how long the previous battery lasted.





Update: Sep 28 2016

The battery ran out of juice today! So it lasted less than 2 years.

Elle backpack

The white balance is off. The red is much darker.

Bought this Elle backpack for wifey at OG Alber Complex today for $79.

Dinner at Song Fa

A quick dinner at Song Fa with wifey last evening and they are really good.

We drive by this place pretty often and always wonder why there is always a crowd any time except when they are closed.

Of course we had to join the queue too but was surprised to be allowed to skip ahead because we were behind a big group. I looked around, I  think it is much easier to get a seat if you go as a party of two only.