3.24.2010
Week 12 reflection on news Harry
Author: JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ
Published: March 24, 2010
URL:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/technology/25google.html?ref=global-home
After reading the article, I have to say Chinese government has my full support. Before that I also agree that the censorship in China is excessive. My friends and I always make jokes on the “missing work” during our charting on social networking website in China. However I think it is very important for a country to make sure all the companies acting business abide by all the laws and regulations in that country. That is the authority of a government. What is more, I always regard culture as a powerful weapon because it can influence people’s minds. So it is nothing wrong for a government to control the mass media. Mr. Dorgan, chairman of a panel which is made up of members of the Senate and House and Obama administration officials, said: “Information is not to be feared, and ideas are not enemies to be crushed. The truth is China too often wants a one-way relationship with the world.” So what I want to ask him for explanation is: why western media always make up fake negative news about China? Why are you all afraid of telling the truth?
By Harry
Current Affairs Group.C
Harry’s porters
3.20.2010
my comment
I do not consider the advertisement posted by DECC as something exaggerated or improper. Suppose that the condition has been exaggerated or stated improperly. Even this, people are still looking down upon the importance of reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and caring no consequences caused by the greenhouse effect. Then I do not dare to imagine the picture if the ads are expressed in a more gentle way. I do agree that some people may be bothered by the serious ads. But this kind of people must be the very minority and this tiny side effect turns out to be nothing compared with the terrible consequence caused by people's ignorance of greenhouse effect. People should do something to relieve the serious condition rather than conceal the bad condition and escape from reality.
2.23.2010
Help us to vote!
Quick Vote (on cnn)
Should Tibet be an independent country?
Yes 8% 6434
No 92% 70889
Total Votes: 77323
This is not a scientific poll
2.17.2010
2.13.2010
response to Singapore local issue (By Silver)
date: 2010/2/14
URL: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490156.html
It is in the latest news of local Singapore issue that this country is working to cultivate and send its first athletes to the 2014 Wniter Olympic Games, in Sochi, Russia. This is addressed by Mr Teo Ser Luck on Friday.
In my virepoint, I think that it is totally unnecessary. It is all known that Singapore is a small island located on the equator. It is summer all year around. here you can find nothing related to "cold" or "winter". People here are adapted to this kind of life. They are born to wear the charming short pants and the unique flip-flop to get to everywhere. The summer life keeps accompany with them since they were born in Singapore. It is so astonishing and and impenetrable that why Singapore is planning to produce a winter games athlete.
Maybe they want to show that the athletes in Singapore can make a miracle in such way of showing themselves in Winter games. Or they want to show that they can do well in all kinds of fields in sports? But I consider it something meaningless. They should devote themselves to Summer Games which they know better rather than the Winter Games which they are not familiar with at all. Usually, if you want to be good at everything, then the consequence will be that you are good at nothing. It is more important to concentrate rather than to expand. There are so many countries which can produce countless brilliant athletes in Winter Games. So it is actually not that influential to add a Singapore athlete in the Winter Games.
Also, cultivating a athlete is not something so simple. It will last for many years and it costs a great amount of energy and human source. Of course, it needs a lot of money for cultivating every single athlete. And most of the time, you invest the money without getting any reward. Here comes the question: why not using the money more wisely? Why not do something rewarding?
Those above is the my viewpoints concerning this curent issue of Singapore.
2.12.2010
Casino to Open on CNY by Alex
Title: Casino to Open on CNY
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_489672.html
Author: Alex
The resort world Sentosa is designated to open on Feb, 14th, both the Valentine’s Day and the first day of Chinese New Year. However, the only complete attraction is the casino, while the universal studio and other attractions are much under construction without a firm opening date.
The opening of casinos is an essential step in Singapore’s long term strategy in achieving its ambition of becoming the commercial and business center of Asia. Though the government clearly understands how much damage it may bring to the local people once they get addicted, it still decided to make the sacrifice for a 1.5 billion GDP boost every year, which mainly comes from foreign tourists.
Since casinos do bring a lot of other things to the city, such as crimes, drugs, or porn, the government is also putting very strict regulations on local people, such as imposing a $100 entrance fee for locals. However, I doubt it is going to work. For those who really want to try their luck in the casinos, they’d be more than willing to pay the $100 in exchange for a one-day frenzy. Besides, the guards cannot constantly check the gambler’s ID to see if they are locals or not. The rules are probably going to end up like a 2012 doomsday joke – everybody knows it, nobody cares. They are not really going to prevent locals from enjoying the fun of becoming a millionaire or going bankruptcy in one night.
As a student, well, I’m not 21 yet, which yields me enough time to practice the basic etiquettes and strategies that may be used in casinos. For people who are dreaming of beating the dealer, I just want to inform you that, when a lamb goes into the slaughter house, it’s not going to walk out alive…
2.11.2010
Week 6 Reflection on Singapore tourism by Elaine
In my opinion, the shrink in tourism of Singapore is mainly because of the economy recession. People are trying hard to save money in this special period and trim a lot of their entertaining budget which include the travelling expense. However, there are still examples that had prosperous tourism last year such as Taiwan. There is no doubt that the improvement of cross-straits ties between mainland China and Taiwan prompted the industry. But their efforts in advertising also played a very crucial role. I really appreciate the idea of ‘Unique Singapore’ which is used as the slogan for travelling in Singapore. But compared to Taiwan, it lacks the detailed content in the advertisement about the word ‘unique’. The videos, billboards and the banners don’t present clearly the unique attractions in Singapore. Therefore, the slogan looks a bit vacuous and lacks influences among its target audience. On the contrary, the characteristic views and products, such as springs, 101 building, beef noodles and Shilin night market, abound in the advertisement of Taiwan Travelling. The pattern they present these attractions are also corresponding with their slogan—‘Welcome 2 Taiwan’ which is aimed to show two opposite styles- urban and country in Taiwan. Customers can directly recognize the special features in Taiwan and are very curious about the travelling experience there. I think if Singapore manage to do the same work for their advertising, they will also achieve success.
For this year, I think the dark clouds over tourism in Singapore will be swept away because several important events are taking place there. In addition to some regular event like F1 race, the debut of Integrated Resort and YOG will attract lots of tourists to this charming island.
