Friday, July 10, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A victorious day for all civil societies in Singapore
The AWARE saga has brought to our attention how we should always respect each other's beliefs and also to question our own prejudices. I had thought that the Old Guards were gonna lose because at the last count, we were standing at 600 against 1000. I'm very glad Singaporeans had good sense and many came to vote. Usually whichever camp I suppose, they'll always lose. (damn suay right??). But this time, it was a sweet victory.
I must also say that Josei Lau took quite a lot from everyone and she deserves some appreciation too. However, her exco and herself need to realise that they should not allow their religious prejudices to encroach into secular spaces. Some say that the majority of Singaporeans are conservative. I doubt it. It's usually the conservative minority that makes the most noise. Most Singaporeans are tolerant, if not accepting of each other's differences and celebrate diversity. I'm very proud I'm part of this nation that has come so far and time and again, we did not allow religion and race to divide us. Yes there are still lots of prejudices and social injustices out there. It's up to us as individuals to open up and examine our prejudices. To quote Jamiroquai... Don't give hate a chance! :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Leaning Tower of STC!
S bought a cup of milo today and guess what? It turned out to be the leaning tower of STC! We had a good laugh over it and I couldn't help but to hijack his tower to take this fabulous picture. (Btw... i think styrofoam is uber-environmentally unfriendly.)
Anyway, term's over for me! I've been so stressed thinking about my assignments. Now finally I can go back to concentrating on work. Whee! A
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Gratitude and Giving Thanks
I looked out of the window and wonder how many people walked through those gates without realising or reflecting on the effort, time and sacrifices others had put in for them. Many people are happy being mediocre, getting by and just passing. (I'm not. And I believe no one should be contented with just getting by.) And when you nudge them on, they bite you. And they bite you hard.
Hey but some nice pple came back today. I got two nice cards! Thinking about them now makes me feel better. Focusing on these good events will help me go a long way. I really have to do this to prevent a burnout. And hey I really have to say that clare's so much nicer and lovable these days and I'm not the only one to say that.
So here I am thinking and pondering with kosei playing in the background.
Hey but some nice pple came back today. I got two nice cards! Thinking about them now makes me feel better. Focusing on these good events will help me go a long way. I really have to do this to prevent a burnout. And hey I really have to say that clare's so much nicer and lovable these days and I'm not the only one to say that.
So here I am thinking and pondering with kosei playing in the background.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Center for Inquiry Calls Vatican's Position on Biomedical Technology Deplorable and Scientifically Insupportable
Amherst, New York (December 12, 2008)—In a move designed to firm up faith-based opposition to embryonic stem cell research and other cutting-edge biomedical technologies, the Vatican has released a 32-page document titled “Dignitas Personae” – meaning “the dignity of a person.” The document condemns a host of procedures considered “immoral” by the Catholic Church, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), the freezing of unfertilized eggs, embryonic stem cell research, and the testing of embryos to help identify those with defects. The Center for Inquiry, a think tank headquartered in Amherst, New York that supports research on bioethical questions, deplores the Vatican’s pronouncement. The Vatican’s position has no justification other than religious doctrine, according to the Center for Inquiry, and may have a serious adverse effect on scientific research and the development of medical therapies.
“I regret the renewed effort by the Vatican to censor—indeed prohibit—research in reproductive science,” said Paul Kurtz, chairman and founder of the Center for Inquiry. “Do we have to wage the Galileo battle again? The Vatican claims that their objections are “moral,” but they are based on a theological doctrine that a formless fertilized egg is a full human being, a position which most scientists reject.” Kurtz says there is a need to defend freedom of scientific research and the positive good that can ensue for countless numbers of infertile couples. “The effort to curtail stem cell research is especially disturbing in the view of the possible beneficent results for improving human health,” he said.
The Vatican has focused on commonplace scientific technologies used in the United States and elsewhere, which the Church believes demean human “dignity,” and bring humans perilously close to “playing God.” The Church continues to hold steadfast to its key theological proclamation that “life begins at conception,” thereby rendering as “illicit” the use of embryos or fertilized eggs in research or otherwise, including IVF for married Catholic couples wishing to conceive.
Dr. Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry (and author of the book Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas) said that “the Vatican has once again manifested its regrettable preference for religious doctrine over science. Until roughly fourteen days after conception, one cannot even meaningfully refer to the embryo as an individual, let alone the equivalent of an adult human, since both twinning and fusion are possible until that point.” Lindsay added that the Vatican’s rejection of IVF on the ground that it results in the discarding of embryos is especially ironic since from 60 to 80 percent of embryos conceived “naturally” are spontaneously aborted. “If the Vatican wants to prevent embryos from ‘dying,’ then they will have to instruct couples to avoid sex completely.”
“The bottom line,” says Lindsay, “is that the Vatican is telling those who need medical assistance to seek help from theology, not therapy.”
The Center for Inquiry/Transnational is a nonprofit, educational, advocacy, and scientific-research think tank based in Amherst, New York. Their research and educational projects focus on three broad areas: religion, ethics, and society; paranormal and fringe-science claims; and medicine and health. The Center's Web site is www.centerforinquiry.net .
“I regret the renewed effort by the Vatican to censor—indeed prohibit—research in reproductive science,” said Paul Kurtz, chairman and founder of the Center for Inquiry. “Do we have to wage the Galileo battle again? The Vatican claims that their objections are “moral,” but they are based on a theological doctrine that a formless fertilized egg is a full human being, a position which most scientists reject.” Kurtz says there is a need to defend freedom of scientific research and the positive good that can ensue for countless numbers of infertile couples. “The effort to curtail stem cell research is especially disturbing in the view of the possible beneficent results for improving human health,” he said.
The Vatican has focused on commonplace scientific technologies used in the United States and elsewhere, which the Church believes demean human “dignity,” and bring humans perilously close to “playing God.” The Church continues to hold steadfast to its key theological proclamation that “life begins at conception,” thereby rendering as “illicit” the use of embryos or fertilized eggs in research or otherwise, including IVF for married Catholic couples wishing to conceive.
Dr. Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry (and author of the book Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas) said that “the Vatican has once again manifested its regrettable preference for religious doctrine over science. Until roughly fourteen days after conception, one cannot even meaningfully refer to the embryo as an individual, let alone the equivalent of an adult human, since both twinning and fusion are possible until that point.” Lindsay added that the Vatican’s rejection of IVF on the ground that it results in the discarding of embryos is especially ironic since from 60 to 80 percent of embryos conceived “naturally” are spontaneously aborted. “If the Vatican wants to prevent embryos from ‘dying,’ then they will have to instruct couples to avoid sex completely.”
“The bottom line,” says Lindsay, “is that the Vatican is telling those who need medical assistance to seek help from theology, not therapy.”
The Center for Inquiry/Transnational is a nonprofit, educational, advocacy, and scientific-research think tank based in Amherst, New York. Their research and educational projects focus on three broad areas: religion, ethics, and society; paranormal and fringe-science claims; and medicine and health. The Center's Web site is www.centerforinquiry.net .
Thursday, December 11, 2008
December...
Some complain queen sms me and asked me why my blog is pic-less. Argh. Ok so here goes some pictures which I took with my phone for the month of December. To start things off... KYLIE's IN SINGAPORE! Here'sa video I found on youtube. I obviously didn't take it cos I'm not that type that will waste my concert hours holding a mobile phone busy filming. I'm just not that kinda guy.
I was back in NTU for some course and couldnt help it but visit my former dorm. Hall 16 03-36A. MY roomie and I were the first occupants of the room cos the dorm was newly built and we went through quite a bit of trouble just to get the room cos we didn't want the older dirtier blocks (ie. Hall 1, 2...yucks).
The corridor leading to the room from the main gate.
Welcome to hall 16!
Hall 16's golden spoon cafe. Serves over-priced horfun and the likes. Has a very friendly chicken rice aunty.
Was at the World Aids Day Concert @ Fort Canning Green. Of course partly to see my favourite Sun Yan Zi!
This year's theme was about Anti-Discrimination. And rightfully so. Singapore despite being one of the riches nations in the world, is a few million years backwards in terms of social acceptance. It's high time we stop all these discrimination. I rememeber very well my biomed professors saying that the only way to curb the spread of any epidemics is to treat it like any other epidemics. Discrimination and other non-scientific opinions will only impede the progress of any successful public health programs.
OH AND THERE WAS A THEME PARTY THAT WE WENT TO!!!
It was really rare for us to get together especially after our uni days. Joel, Waye, Tristan were my best buddies since JC days. Joel's been flying around so much that I hardly know if he's in Singapore. Waye just changed jobs to work in the prestigious Amex Centurion. Tristan missed the party cos he was in LA and NY. So, there's only the 3 of us.
and the theme is... "SHADES!!!!"
I love theme parties. The last one we had was "Labels or Love", obviously based on the SATC movie. And was organised by yours truly. The idea was simple, either you come with a Label, or you come with your Love! So people brought their gfs and bfs and we had a swell time at one of the suites in Naumi Hotel. Was a pretty good get-together for old friends.
Hey i remember seeing this popular pose among the girls from the hills so I got the guys to do it as well.
I was back in NTU for some course and couldnt help it but visit my former dorm. Hall 16 03-36A. MY roomie and I were the first occupants of the room cos the dorm was newly built and we went through quite a bit of trouble just to get the room cos we didn't want the older dirtier blocks (ie. Hall 1, 2...yucks).
The corridor leading to the room from the main gate.
Welcome to hall 16!
Hall 16's golden spoon cafe. Serves over-priced horfun and the likes. Has a very friendly chicken rice aunty.
Was at the World Aids Day Concert @ Fort Canning Green. Of course partly to see my favourite Sun Yan Zi!
This year's theme was about Anti-Discrimination. And rightfully so. Singapore despite being one of the riches nations in the world, is a few million years backwards in terms of social acceptance. It's high time we stop all these discrimination. I rememeber very well my biomed professors saying that the only way to curb the spread of any epidemics is to treat it like any other epidemics. Discrimination and other non-scientific opinions will only impede the progress of any successful public health programs.
OH AND THERE WAS A THEME PARTY THAT WE WENT TO!!!
It was really rare for us to get together especially after our uni days. Joel, Waye, Tristan were my best buddies since JC days. Joel's been flying around so much that I hardly know if he's in Singapore. Waye just changed jobs to work in the prestigious Amex Centurion. Tristan missed the party cos he was in LA and NY. So, there's only the 3 of us.
and the theme is... "SHADES!!!!"
I love theme parties. The last one we had was "Labels or Love", obviously based on the SATC movie. And was organised by yours truly. The idea was simple, either you come with a Label, or you come with your Love! So people brought their gfs and bfs and we had a swell time at one of the suites in Naumi Hotel. Was a pretty good get-together for old friends.
Hey i remember seeing this popular pose among the girls from the hills so I got the guys to do it as well.
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