TR EMERITUS

By Jens Weinreich (playthegame), 16 August 2010 The first Youth Olympic Games are opened. This is a new chapter in the history of the Olympic movement, said IOC President Jacques Rogge on Saturday at the opening show in a floating outdoor theatre at Marina Bay. But one who has had great impact on the Olympic Games and the IOC did not come to Singapore. Richard Pound from Canada, the only IOC-internal critical voice in question of the Youth Olympic Games, waived the trip to Singapore, where almost all of the currently 113 IOC members meet these days. “It would be hypocritical to spend even more of the IOC's money to come to something in which I do not believe”, says Pound. Instead of going to Singapore he went on vacation. His absence is a blow for the IOC President Jacques Rogge. “From this moment on, young people around the world have a chance to participate in a global forum that combines sport, education and culture”, said Rogge at the Opening Ceremony, speaking to the 3.600 young athletes from 204 countries. “This evening marks your entry into the Olympic world. You will test the limits of your abilities and push past them. Many of you will compete at future Olympic Games. All of you will benefit from these Youth Games.” Little success predicted When the idea of Youth Olympic Games was decided, at the IOC session 2007 in Guatemala, Richard Pound was the only one within the Olympic government body, who went out with fundamental critical points. He was talking about the danger of doping during childhood. The IOC should rather organise an international conference first, instead of founding a big new event and taking a lot of risks. "Will the Youth Olympic Games get one more — what we call 'a couch potato' in America — into the swimming pool or on the track?" said Dick Pound. He estimated that YOG will attract not more than two per cent of the young generation. “All the people involved are minors. They are still doing sports.” Read rest of article  here.  Read More →

作者:李显涛 新加坡向来标榜精英政治，说的当然是“聪明人”的管理，可是从这次的车资起价（是的，肯定是起价），可以看到把关的部长——林双吉使用的根本是“蠢人兼懒人”的管理制度。 新加坡公共交通的车资调整向来是要通过两关的：第一个是由余福金领导的看门狗——公共交通理事会，其后才是部长亲自坐镇。 可是从最近官方安抚民间对车资不满的办法看来，都是些蠢人兼懒人的方法，把民众当白痴。要说服余福金领导的公共交通理事会实在很容易，只要准备好图表，眩目的 Powerpoint演示，还有创作一句很动听的口号就行了，最新的口号就是“按车程计算车资制度”，因为听起来对谁都很公平。 其实每次车资起价，万变不离其宗的手法就是“长程减价，短程加价”，因为公共交通公司的电脑会告诉他们，百分之七十以上的车资来自中短程，尤其是镇内那种环线巴士，更是好赚。 但是这次他们有个不好解释的地方，既然是“按车程计算车资”，如果是短程从69分起到81分，那么要嘛“起”就全部起，怎么会是三分二的人受惠，三分一的人“受害”呢？那么这个计算公式岂不是比爱因斯坦的E=mc平方还犀利？ “交通部长林双吉昨天在国会上回应六名议员的询问时透露，公共交通理事会抽取了上个月超过一个星期的2400万趟次的车资数据进行审查。审查结果显示，整体来说，68%的公交乘客每星期平均车资减少了。他认为，最新的数据反映了一些乘客开始利用新车资制度所带来的交通便利。” 看到没有：68%受惠、32%“受害”，其实并没有反映交通公司的盈利情况，我有理由怀疑“受害”者付出的比“受惠”者得到的总和还要多，而且这两者的角色经 常互换，结果唯一的受惠者可能就是交通业者。至于部长口中“业者每年损失8800万元车资收入”，可能是按业者让68%受惠的“损失”计算的。 余福金领导的公共交通理事会和林双吉部长怎么去检讨现有的车资呢？原来是坐在冷气办公室里面要交通公司提呈资料：“抽取了上个月超过一个星期的2400万趟次 的车资数据进行审查。审查结果显示……”是的！如果我们理事会会长和部长都这么懒的话，不进行独立的调查，那么公共交通公司的头头们真的可以叠高枕头睡个 安稳觉，准备来年再给自己发一个大红包了。 其实他们要是真的在为民众监督车资的话，第一就不能全盘相信公共交通公司想出来的鬼口号，其二应该在车资起价钱前就找来1000个或500个民众参与计划，监视他们的在起价前后的车资变化，然后发出官方的独立评估，而不能让公共交通公司像填鸭式的给他们喂资料。 拿百万年薪，经营的却是“蠢人兼懒人”的管理，我只替新加坡感觉很心酸。 大马论坛  Read More →

The YOG mass food poisoning scandal which erupted last Sunday had taken the entire nation by storm. 26 YOG volunteers from two different venues complained of diarrhoea and abdominal pain after taking food provided by the YOG caterer. The scandal was only reported by the state media three days after it happened. Though the case was reported to NEA and MOH, both did not bother to release an official statement to inform Singaporeans of the mass food poisoning outbreak as if it is not a public health concern. Obviously unfazed by the negative publicity engulfing the YOG, the PAP minister in charge Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said nonchalantly that investigations into the food poisoning scandal will take "some time" without offering any sympathies or apologies to the victims. In fact, he appears to be more anxious to cover up his backside: "'In a massive operation like this, from time to time, problems will arise, but we will be completely forthright about it," he was quoted as saying in the Straits Times. Nobody expects the YOG to be entirely free of problems, but to have a mass food poisoning outbreak to volunteers in an international sporting event hosted in a supposedly first world country is completely UNACCEPTABLE. Have we ever heard of similar food scandals in past Olympic Games? Dr Vivian also did not specify how long the investigations will take or why he took three days to comment on the case. "You have my assurance that we'll continue to do our best. In a massive operation like this, from time to time, problems will arise, but we will be completely forthright about it. We will do everything that is necessary," he was quoted as saying in Channel News Asia, finding excuses again to cover up for his screw-ups. The Singapore YOG Organizing Committee claimed that NEA "had inspected the kitchen of the caterer and confirmed that the hygiene and cleanliness standards and processes are in order." As there is nothing wrong with the food handling process, what could be the cause of the mass food poisoning outbreak? Surely the bacteria can't appear in the food out of nowhere? Since the PAP regime is unable to provide Singaporeans with an explanation as to the cause of the food poisoning, parents should pull their children out of the YOG till the investigations are complete so as not to jeopardize their health and lives.   EDITORS’ NOTE: Singaporeans, please feel free to email us to share your frustrations, anger and grievances against the YOG. Your views matter alot to us. You are a citizen of Singapore and as a citizen, you have the right to speak up. Let us be your uncensored voice and fight for your rights. Foreign journalists, please stay tuned on our site and Facebook for the latest updates on the ground about the YOG. You can never get any authentic or accurate news from the Singapore media which is ranked a pathetic 133th in terms of press freedom by international media watchdog Reporters without Borders last year. All the papers in Singapore are owned by a single media company – Singapore Press Holdings whose Chairman is a former PAP minister Dr Tony Tan.   Related articles: >> Cover-up of YOG food poisoning scandal? >> NEA, MOH to probe YOG mass food poisoning outbreak  >> Singaporeans “enslaved” by YOG organizing commitee >> Kuo Chuan Primary School students forced to pay $5 to attend YOG >> Singapore students forced to welcome YOG torch rally >> Mass food poisoning outbreak at YOG venue yesterday? >> YOG! What YOG? >> Canvas roof at YOG fell apart >> Zaqy Mohd defends MCYS >> Singapore students “invited” to attend YOG event >> Singapore volunteers forced to work long hours without rest for YOG >> PM Lee caught napping at YOG opening ceremony? >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Improved “DOG” food on 14 August 2010 >> PAP provides three daily buffet meals to YOG athletes and officials >> YOG volunteers complain about being given “DOG” food >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. 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