Freaking Acronyms

Ok correct me if I'm wrong but today was a revelation for me in terms of our country's love for acronyms.

I was reading an article on Singapore when I came across the name Sellapan Ramanathan, mentioned in a current affairs article.. Now as a fellow Singaporean, what does that name mean to you?

I was slightly stunned and curious. I thought "Since when did it change/ Who is this feller that the article was referring to?

Sellapan Ramananthan. Who is he?

Well, I'm ashamed to say this but that's our return-unopposed-but-supposedly-elected President of Singapore, S R Nathan.

Perhaps it's the norm for Indian/Tamil names to be shortened as such, I don't know, could someone enlighten me please? But for many of my friends, including some in NUS, nobody knew who I was talking about when I went on MSN and started asking around.

I think it's a sad day indeed and speak volumes about politics in Singapore and how apathetic my generation is, when most of us don't even know the full name of our very own (supposedly beloved, accordig to the media) President.

Another ridiculous acronym I came across, lovingly labelled by our own civil service, was APPLES. Now I don't know about you, but I like to think that a document as important as your own passport should not be cheapened and shortened to a fruit in a market, no matter what they say about an apple a day and the doctor and all that.

I could go on and on about our country's silly love for acronyms. But I'll leave it here for now. *roll eyes*

Talk To Her Uncaring Hand

I'm not sure if you have heard of this recent issue, about a certain Miss Wee Shu Min, daughter of Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Wee Siew Kim, making totally insensitive, derogatory and insulting remarks about a Mr Derek Wee in her blog.

In her entry, which I won't elaborate but you can read it here.

It blew up over the local blogging community, so much so that her father was forced to make an apology that so was NOT an apology.

Frankly, I don't give a shit. If poeple took this long to realise that there ARE social elites in the country who truly look down upon them, who treat going into areas like coffeeshops and HDB estates like they are doing charity work, then they deserve the rude shock coming to them.

So why am I posting this?

'Cos during lunch I was of all things, called up by a reporter for MY reaction to this whole bunch of bullshit. Why my reaction? Well if you don't know why then I'll leave you to figure it out but I was relishing the irony of asking me. The pesty reporter was from none other than my "fave" trashy tabloid of the nation, TNP, of course.

I was mostly silent for the phone conversation after saying "Hi" and affirming I was who I was on the phone, I listened with a growing sense of deja vu as she rambled on and on about the issue. Then came the moment I was actually waiting for, which sprung to mind while her irritating whiny voice was talking.

TNP Reporter : "So what are your views on this, especially with how MP Wee referred to his daughter's behaviour?"

Me : "Frankly, I think he's a hypocrite, but then again he's a politician. Coming to think of it, I think your call's kinda hypocritical too. Now you're spoiling my lovely lunch so I'm gonna hang up. Ta!"

Geez, the fucking nerve of asking ME.

Anyway, here's a pic of that "biatch". Me wonders, does elitism have a certain "look" ? Cos' she sure resembles another pudgy complexion-challenged stumpy girl I know with pretty much the same attitude. :P Perhaps the Best Friend can shed some light. :P

Haze In Singapore

Warning - Picture heavy post!

Decided to link this to my other blog instead of reproducing en bloc.