Higher order of Animal Species?

I received this email as well as read this story on STOMP. Cannot help but doubt about Human as higher order of animal species. I mean, look we are probably the only ones who will be able to ensure and protect the survival of other animals in this same world we live in. But, we are increasingly invading their habitats and space, hunting, killing and even blatantly disregard their welfare even when they are our pets. This is so sad. I hope that we will be more aware of our responsibilities as co-owners of this planet with other animals. We cannot survive without them around as well, as they are part and parcel of our ecosystem! Beware, the photos are a little graphic.

The email I recieved is reproduced here:

“Dear friends,

Please help to spread the word and post on other sites! Help to fight a little justice for the animal that is no longer around!

This is an dog abuse case at a vegetable farm located at 31 Lim Chu Kang Lane 1…

‘Raw maggot infested wound, with flies all over his body and maggots eating his flesh from the raw open wound on the head…’

This old brown dog was chained up with a short rusty metal chain in a vegetable farm and was stepping on the same piece of soil for more than 3 years with minimal shelter over his animal that equals to none…

Exposed to the elements no matter rain or shine, day or night.

For years and years, he was eating leftover junk, rotten food covered with ants and houseflies..

The bone and brain was clearly visible when he was discovered yesterday… and the itch caused by the houseflies and maggots feasting on the flesh resulted in the poor dog scratching endlessly.

The SPCA was infomed and took the dog and had put it down but yet unsure whether legal actions will be taken to the farm who is responsible.

This afternoon I was at AVA to sign a statement as evidence butAVA is also unsure of whether the person will be prosecuted even with those evidence, photographs taken by myself as well as SPCA , and eye witnesses including the SPCA personnels who were also at the scene.

The farm denied ownership of the animal and says only chained up the dog to prevent it from damaging the vegetation, INSISTING THEY DID NOT own the dog although it was chained and fed by their people IN THEIR PREMISES for at least 3 years!

It was only 3 days back when we happen to past by the farm again and shocked to notice the dog with an maggot infested wound! However, there are others living in the area who can testify that the dog was chain up inside the vegetable farm premises for at least 3 years but the wound was there probably for the last 2 months.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.259619724067763.80024.100000592131891&type=1
STOMP Page: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/733242/dog_chained_for_3_years_with_maggotinfested_wound_on_head.html

Please help to spread the word! Write in to the AVA and to the Ministers to express your views.

Best Regards,
Kahyong”

Living condition of the poor dog.

The poor dog tied to the same spot for 3 years.

Wound on its head

Close up of the wound

Interesting Song from House

Just can’t get this song out of my head.

 

The original from Judy Garland:

Palm Sunday and Good Friday

Palm Sunday came and went yesterday. It was a day where we remember the day when Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of entering into Jerusalem in triumphant, riding on a donkey and with the people of Jerusalem welcoming Him, shouting “Hossana. Hossana, God’s salavation is at hand!”. As we move to celebrate and remember the series of events that our Lord Jesus Christ has done and been through, we shoulod reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. Let us confess our sins and fogive those who offended us and seek forgiveness from those whom we have offended. Let us remember the Love of our God, during this period and reaffirm our love for Him and our position as Children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven. As you meditate on God’s Word, may these music be a blessing to you as they are to me.

John 3:16 – 18 (King James Version)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Joh 3:16-18 (Japanese)

“神はそのひとり子を賜わったほどに、この世を愛して下さった。それは御子を信じる者がひとりも滅びないで、永遠の命を得るためである。神が御子を世につかわされたのは、世をさばくためではなく、御子によって、この世が救われるためである。彼を信じる者は、さばかれない。信じない者は、すでにさばかれている。神のひとり子の名を信じることをしないからである。”

John 3:16-18 (Chinese)

“「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪（或作：审判世人；下同），乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。”

John 3: 16-18 (Hebrew)

כי־אהבה רבה אהב האלהים את־העולם עד־אשר נתן את־בנו את־יחידו למען אשר לא־יאבד כל־המאמין בו כי אם־יחיה חיי עולם׃ כי האלהים לא־שלח את־בנו בעולם לדין את־העולם כי אם־למען יושע בו העולם׃  המאמין בו לא ידון ואשר לא־יאמין בו כבר נדון כי לא־האמין בשם בן־האלהים היחיד׃

Singapore should drop charges?

Just read this piece of news this morning (http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/02/08/singapore-drop-charges-against-opposition-leader) and I really do not understand how Human Rights Watch can choose to ignore certain facts about Chee and SDP members.

The pertinent question in relation to this article would be why only Chee and SDP are highlighted? The thing is that Chee and his party members have persistently challenged the law of the land. If they have not done so, they will not be taken to task by the court of law. The article has noted and I quote: The courts convicted Chee of violating the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (PEMA), which provides that “any person who provides … any public entertainment without a license under this Act, shall be guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.” So is the Human Rights Watch suggesting that going against the law is actually permissible as long as one is exercising their human rights? No wonder Egypt is in a mess now (no offence to the Egyptians fighting for change, but I think there are other ways of doing things) and the Vice President has to appeal to the demonstrators to consider the economic damages and the destruction of the livelihood of some Egyptians.

I honestly do not agree with how this article portrayed Singapore as a repressive and undemocratic country. Recently, SDP has put up their so-called ”Pre Election” Rally twice and going round conducting their visits at various parts of Singapore without any risk of prosecution or intervention from the Government. This is also the case for the Reform Party, other opposition parties and many other speakers as well. These activities were possible as the parties and organisers have followed the law of the land. I am curious as to why this was not mentioned in the article?

Chee and some other members of SDP, as well as some noted opposition members, were taken to task by the members of the ruling party as baseless accusations were leveled at them by these opposition members. Such accusations, if not challenged and proven baseless, will seriously damage the intergrity of our country’s leaders. In any country, be it western or eastern societies, integrity is an important characteristic of a leader, especially leaders of a country. Hence, is there anything wrong to use legal means to challenges such remarks? This was again conveniently left out in the article.

All I can say is that Chee and SDP brought this on themselves. From the opportunistic behviours, Chee proved to be an attention seeker, beginning with his very first hunger strike (only to be caught drinking glucose) to the most recent postings in their website demanding credits and attention while belittling others. So much for a once credible opposition party built up by Mr Chiam See Tong to be single-handedly ruined by one man who claims to be fighting for democracy.

Old Catholic School at Queens Street

Have a quick tour of the Old Catholic School this afternoon with Ms Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar, Kampong Glam and Mr Michael Lew. The tour was given by Mr Daniel Teo and his daughter, Ms Rachel Teo and my ex-colleague, Mr Andrew Lau. Originally, my impression of the Catholic School was nothing but a Gymn, Camper’s Corner and the pub, Double O. This did not help when Double O did not leave a good impression on me with a number of the residents from the Waterloo Centre having complained about their patrons causing nuisance at the surrounding area.

Ms Phua speaking with the staff at the Little Art Bug with Mr Lew and Ms Teo looking on.

This tour really opened my eyes and changed my impression of Double O and the setup of the surronding area, especially what the owners’s vision. The most surprising thing was how Double O supports the arts scene and provided an area for home grown artists to express themselves. They have not only provide a gallery space, work space, but also “blank canvas” in the form of the various walls within and without the pub area. This is really impressive and how the owners wish to make use of this avenue in reaching out to the pub going youths, exposing them to home-grown art.

A montage of the space made available for artists by Double O

 Besides Double O, there are several impressive art galleries and museums showcasing some of the finest art pieces and collections. The various galleries are the Art Trove, Yavuz Fine Art, Mou Gallery of Contemporary Art and The Private Museum. The photo montage illustrate these galleries and museums.

Besides exhibiting artworks, this place is also set up to promote and nuture budding artists, musicians and dancers as well. There are several schools that teaches art, ballet, music and even pole dancing! I can imagine the furry of activities with children and adults moving around attending lessons and admiring the collections of art works in this 4 storey building.

The most interesting thing was that the gymn is not your normal gymn. It is build on the idea of functional training. This helps to support the various dance school, in a sense that functional training can help to strengthen and prevent injuries. Such training can also help to lessen the old injuries and further help one to recupurate from these injuries. This gymn, Functional Training Institute is operated by a team of dedicated and energetic trainers.

After all these, if you are feeling hungry, there is the Fine Palate Resturant, serving various types of sandwhiches, burgers, pastes and pizzas. For a simple snack, you can head to the small cafe in the Camper’s Corner and who knows, you might just pick up some outdoor gear that you are looking for as well. The other thing that impress me most is how the owners kept parts of the old school that I am sure it will bring back many fond memories to any alma mater who visit this place again.

While we were there, a new tenant was still in renovation and we heard that this is a social enterprise named School of Thought. I really look forward to see what type of courses they conduct. With so much to offer, my impression of this place and also Double O changes a fair bit. I think this place really reflects what we should be pushing for, development of arts and culture to create a more vibrant and cultured Singapore! Why not drop by and see for yourself, you never know what you might just find.

A cute artwork at the door of the Little Art Bug

I’m Sorry

This is something really inspirational sent through email from one of my friends. This is dedicated to all the parents out there:

Pencil: I’m sorry
Eraser: For what? You didn’t do anything wrong.
Pencil: I’m sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you’re always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.
Eraser: That’s true. But I don’t really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I’ll be gone and you’ll replace me with a new one, I’m actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.
 
I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational. Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They’re always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes. Sometimes along the way, they get hurt, and become smaller / older, and eventually pass on. Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying, or sad.
 
All my life, I’ve been the pencil. And it pains me to see the eraser that is my parents getting smaller and smaller each day. For I know that one day, all that I’m left with would be eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have.
 
This is to all the parents out there.

My Blackberry is not working!

 British humour…so elegant.

Merry Christmas Part 2

Merry Christmas!

Freedom of Speech

We have been told many a times how western societies tolerated and even encouraged freedom of speech and pursue transparency.While certain groups within Singapore painted a picture of a Police State and some even say that we are ruled by a Junta (just because our ministers are formerly from the military establishments, forgetting that Singapore is protected by her citizen army – or maybe the ones who made this comment secretly hope that by being in position of power they can have some privileges?).

There is no freedom of speech in Singapore and all media are control. People are urged not to believe the main stream media and scores of “alternative” media appeared. Some operate in Singapore, some from overseas and some with owners known and some unknown. I am not against these, but only to express concerns on the responsibilities these people have to shoulder. Freedom of speech is a heavy responsibility that both the people and media have to shoulder.

Look at WikiLeak. Although the website has posted some information that holds several government responsible for their actions and policies, it also posted sensitive documents that put others in a life threatening situation. The freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, but isn’t individual safety and free from harm fundamental human right too?

Western society, especially US, has been treasuring their notion of human rights, like freedom of speech, association, etc, have raisen up against the owner of WikiLeak. First slamming him with rape charges, then Amazon stop hosting this site and most recently with PayPal terminating their services to WikiLeak. Apparently, the government or people in these societies are not as open or free as they want us to believe. There are still some rights that are more “fundamental” and “important” enough that overides the freedom of speech. The recent leaks that put the soldiers at the front line in Afghanistan at risk is a case in point, that safety of another human being sometimes overide the need for freedom of speech and transparency.

Thus, stop selling the western values and expecting the world to follow such convention. Apparently, these ideals are dependent on situations, needs and problems at hand. We should not follow blindly. To some quarters of opposition parties circle, please stop fear mongoring and painting a grime picture of Singapore as a police state. The fact that opposition parties, interest groups and alternative media and blogs are formed (sometimes rather dangerous views are published in my opinion), speaks for itself.

Change is not to be feared, rightly so. But before any change is considered or put in place, we have to know what elenments do we want to change and what are put in as replacements. Change for the sake of changing often result in failures.