HOMOSEXUALITY IS A MENTAL DISORDER. Not convinced? Then read this factual account of what happened in the 1970s that forced the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of disorders. Homosexual activists threatened and bullied the APA into submission. The APA did not come to this decision by scientific recourse. READ ALL ABOUT IT http://conservativecolloquium.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/homosexual-activists-intimidate-american-psychiatric-association-into-removing-homosexuality-from-list-of-disorders/#more-20

HOMOSEXUALITY IS A MENTAL DISORDER. Not convinced? Then read this factual account of what happened in the 1970s that forced the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of disorders. Homosexual activists threatened and bullied the APA into submission. The APA did not come to this decision by scientific recourse. READ ALL ABOUT IT http://conservativecolloquium.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/homosexual-activists-intimidate-american-psychiatric-association-into-removing-homosexuality-from-list-of-disorders/#more-20

The last time I checked, the MOE had fired AWARE as a sex education programme provider because of the latter’s promotion of gay propaganda. If calling a spade a spade is deemed moral bashing, I wonder what would one call MOE’s action? Moral execution? Yet MOE’s action was widely applauded by mainstream society.

Most of the moral decline in Western societies and now in Singaporean society that allowed for the rise of homosexual militancy almost unchecked stemmed firstly from a misplaced sense of societal harmony ------ that moral indignations are called moral bashings, that groups with aberrant norms or morals must be included to reach a consensus for the sake of harmony, that an amoral, laissez faire attitude is best.

The issue now is a fight over standards, moral standards for society. Not a fight over whether homosexuals have the right to live.

Standards cannot entertain exceptions, just like 1 metre must equal 100 centimetres ------ there are no exceptions to this measure. Or that the passing mark for an examination is 50.

You may fail to live up to the standard; but the standard stays. You don’t change the passing mark just so that you can pass. That’s subversion.

So the moral standard for sexuality in our society is heterosexuality. That which doesn’t make the grade then is deemed immoral. What’s immoral ------ homosexuality, bisexuality, paedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, sadomasochism, etc, whatever.

Homosexuals are now trying, through AWARE, through sex education programme in schools, through the media, the arts and politics to change society’s moral benchmark to include homosexuality as a pass.

Like I said, society’s moral standards should not change. You can fail to make the grade. You live to try another day. Nobody’s denying you the right to live. But mainstream society would and should deny homsosexual activists' efforts at corrupting and subverting our moral standards.

Parents must never let this happen. Take good care of your kids. They are so scarce and precious.

Over the years, there have been constant revision of the local Employment Law to cater to the ever-changing economy and employemt practices. Some revisions are specific or tageting at some genders.

Benefits such as annual leave which has seen over the year remained constant, no change 7 days minimum and addition of 1 day to maximum of 14 days. With rising cost of living and also difficulty in finding time to attend to urgent home matters (aged parents, young child, toddlers, etc), some people have to restore to taking no-pay leave and granted time off (which sometimes could become over the limit), did the government though we could move forward and enforce to increase this limit capped and get more companies especially the SME to increase it? 

With recent rise in cost for medical, the government has put forward and made tremendous effort to facilitate cost in hospitalisation and surgical expenses and also usage of medisave to help and subsidize cost of such expenses.

In conjunction to the above, the cost for dental and surgical cost has also ascelated tremendous especially cost for root canal, wisdom tool removal and other related operations. Would like the government to look into whether a percentage of the medisave for example 1-3% of it to be contributed into a plan proposed as Personal Health Plan (PHP) to facilitate this cost.

Many people out there I would reckon would want to do some treatments to their teeth, however, the amount of cost as you could see from the dentist is so high that forbide people from going there unless you are at extreme level.

Hope some thing could be discussed and the panel could also further this proposal for consider.

· Attributed to Dr Russel Conwell .

· Opportunity is always under our feet. We don't have to go anywhere. All we need to do is recognize it.

2. The grass on the other side always looks greener.

The same thing applies to our lives. It is what is inside that counts. The thing inside of us that makes us go up is our attitude.

Have you ever wondered why some individuals, organizations, or countries are more successful than others?

It is not a secret. These people simply think and act more effectively. They have learned how to do so by investing in the most valuable asset--people. I believe that the success of an individual, organization or country, depends on the quality of their people.

I have spoken to executives in major corporations all over the world and asked one question: "If you had a magic wand and there was one thing you would want changed, that would give you a cutting edge in the marketplace resulting in increased productivity and profits, what would that be?" The answer was unanimous.

They all said that if people had better attitudes, they'd be better team players, and it'd cut down waste, improve loyalty and, in general, make their company a great place to work. William James of Harvard University said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." Experience has shown that human resources is the most valuable asset of any business.

It is more valuable than capital or equipment. Unfortunately, it is also the most wasted.People can be your biggest asset or your biggest liability.

TQP--TOTAL QUALITY PEOPLE Having been exposed to a number of training programs, such as customer service, selling skills, and strategic planning, I have come to the conclusion that all these are great programs with one major challenge: None of them works unless they have the right foundation, and the right foundation is TQP. What is TQP? TQP is Total Quality People -- people with character, integrity, good values, and a positive attitude.

Don't get me wrong. You do need all the other programs, but they will only work when you have the right foundation, and the foundation is TQP. For example, some customer service programs teach participants to say "please," and "thank-you," give smiles and handshakes. But how long can a person keep on a fake smile if he does not have the desire to serve? Besides, people can see through him. And if the smile is not sincere, it is irritating. My point is, there has to be substance over form, not form over substance.

Without a doubt, one does need to remember "please" and "thank-you," the smiles, etc.-- they are very important. But keep in mind that they come a lot easier when accompanied by a desire to serve.

Dear Reach Executive,

                                  Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced the suspension of The Aware sexuality educational programme for all main stream schools

                                  I am thoroughly disappointed with MOE on why it takes so long to do this.

                                  They are supposed to be professional educators moulding the future of this nation. Their fundamental responsibility is to nurture our children into good citizens, conscious of their responsibilities to their families, society and country.

                                  Being a cabby and had picked up countless number of times students and youth, I know for a fact that our young ones of both sexes are very aggressive, covetous, disrespectful, destructive and full of expletives and vulgarity whenever they speak- every expression contains the 4 letter word. From some of their conversation, they have given me the impression that they had already engaged in all forms of sex at young age. Is it surprise that there are many teenagers’ abortion nowadays?

                                  Allowing AWARE's sex guide in our mainstream schools for so long wittingly or unwitting by MOE has made the matter worse on our impassionate youth. And please MOE do not tell me that there is an oversight on your part on this important educational programme.

                                  Of course, bad role model and indulgent parents also plays a crucial part on bad development of our young ones. 

                                  And why is it that MOE must wait for parents to complain of this unhealthy  sex programme - only then they will review the guideline? Is it not their primary duty as professional educators to do this in the first place?

                                  It is in this aspect that MOE has let down our parents and children in particular, and our society and nation in general.

Warmest Regards

I am among those who attended the EGM on Saturday. I must say I have witnessed a demonstration of 'whoever is louder wins', because by sheer volume, one side has many times deprived the other of its right to deliver statements and even to reply to questions posed to them. While I am impressed by the pro-Old Guards party for their passion and firm belief in inclusiveness, I cannot say the same for the behaviour. I think it is basic courtesy not to interrupt when another person is talking, what's more, answering a question that was posed by themselves. Don't they want to hear the answer to their question? Or were they are only interested in shouting out their displeasure and fanning the emotions of the crowd? Throughout the meeting, there were cutting-in, booing and jeering while the Ex-Co was trying to reply. Josie did not even get a chance to deliver her President's Message in peace. I am appalled. I wonder what is the indication of this for the civic space in Singapore. I really have to applaud Josie's team for their courageous effort, standing up to the thousand plus people, railing and yelling at them for a full 7 hours. I for one, would not have been able to withstand it.

One other issue that bothered me was besides the 3000 who turned up, I wonder how informed the rest of the Singaporeans are about this matter. I recalled a survey done by the papers during the month-long report of this entire saga, majority were either not aware or not bothered. I think this is a cause for concern because everyone has to realise that their stand matters. We cannot rely on another person to make a choice for ourselves because logically, the other person may not make the choice that we want. If we have a choice, we should make it. If not, we have robbed ourselves of that right. And if the final result is not what we wanted, then we only have ourselves to blame because we did not voice out what we want. It is a consequence that the entire society has to bear because of apathy.

Thirdly, I have great reservations on the impartiality of the reports we have seen so far on the papers. One would have noticed a severely unbalanced 'air time' given to the Old Guards compared to the New Guards. Day after day, reports of perturbed, upset and disappointed Old Guards were splashed across the prime pages. May I ask, is this stirring up for sympathy votes? Is this stirring up of anti-New Ex-Co feelings? In my humble opinion, it really looks like it. Why do I not see the same treatment for the new Ex-Co members who received threats to their life and careers just because they stood up to fight for the good of our next generation! What is this! For as far as I can remember, when the first report came out on Good Friday papers, the New Guards were portrayed as power-grabbers who overthrew the overly-trusting Old Guards, the report likening it to a merciless coup. May I ask, which is merciless – a civilised and legitimate voting in of new people into the Ex-Co on the 28 March AGM or that unruly and unreasonable yelling and jeering for full 7 hours at the 2 May EGM? By the way, does the Constitution say that they can vote in a replacement Ex-Co right on the spot? Perhaps someone can clarify this.

Finally, as a parent to-be, I am most concerned what will be taught to my son in school. The unearthing of the contents of the CSE programme is the most harrowing yet consoling thing that has come out of the entire issue. Harrowing because of the questionable values that the programme imparts to unsuspecting young minds. I remember the astonishment I felt when I read that anal sex can be healthy so long as it is practised with a condom and with consent. The statement that pre-marital sex is actually neutral also sent a chill to my heart. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but for me, even to see such statements in adult magazines would have been mind-boggling, what more for 12 to 18-year olds? What is the point of telling them that? Nevertheless, it is a consolation that the programme is being investigated now, and I think this episode has awakened many parents to take more interest in their children's lives. They are after all our precious ones, do we not want the best for them?

AWARE

Of late the news about AWARE (a woman’s organisation) has been hitting the news occasionally. The climax came yesterday when the swelling members grouped up to vote at the EGM at Suntec City.

This organisation, AWARE, also exist in the United States and it is the acronym for Arming Women Against Rape and Endangerment ((www.aware.org). In Singapore, it is called the Association of Women for Action & Research (www.aware.org.sg)

The recent incidents @ AWARE brought to attention of many Singaporeans the existence of this organisation. AWARE is a social service organization offering counselling, legal services, and programs to raise women’s' awareness about status and rights.

The press has reported a lot of issues as both groups fought bitterly. The veteran Old Guards were surprised and shocked when the whole management went to a new group known as the New EXCO. The EGM yesterday results in a vote of no-confidence for the New EXCO. To respect the members’ decision, the New EXCO gracefully stepped down.

There was jubilations and happiness among the supporters of the Old Guards. This is natural for the winners of any fight. In the saga of AWARE that went on for a few weeks, it is hoped that any outstanding dispute is settled amicably and handover process is peaceful and smooth.

What has the saga @ AWARE created? Number One, it is the realisation that an organisation AWARE exists here in Singapore. Singaporeans wanting to know more about AWARE and help in to contribute to the organisation can go to their website. Many females may not be aware of AWARE and as such were unable to seek assistance into their problems.

Number Two, the membership of AWARE swelled up to a record level of almost 3,000. Now that the old management has been restored, will the members continue to stay or just dwindle down as the year passes by?

Number Three, will the animosity between the New EXCO and the Old Guards that went on up till yesterday continues on or that the Old Guards in the spirit of forgiving and forgetting over the whole matter decides to accept them as members. The question of allowing some of the New EXCO to be opted to assist the Old Guards is not easy because the question of trust may remain for some time or for a long time.    

Number Four, if the mistrust continues, then the New Management must understand that 35% of the members did not support the New Management on 2^nd May 09 because they belonged to the Opposition Camp. This could become a poser if trust and co-operation is not quickly restored.  The new committee can not engage in a plan to remove all of them, some 700 people, fearing that these ‘poison’ could flare up in the future. I think the only way is to win them over and how to do that is up to the creativeness of the new management at the helms.    

Number Five, all these difficulties and the drama that started from March was not something that the Old Guards wanted or were prepared for. In any dispute or war, not only the damages falls on both parties but the organisation suffers too. The management at the helm now has to address to this problem of how to improve the organisation’s image and not to undertake any program that can become quite controversial although the intention is good like the sex education program.

Number Six, there was undue issues like the AWARE is falling to group that does not promote secularism or some other elements. I think it was a battle strategy. If the new management strongly feels that AWARE should remain secular, and then incorporate into the constitution that certain ratios of the committee should be from certain race or language group.   

Number Seven, the game of numerical strength has proven twice: first in the overthrow of the Old Guard and then again in the restoration of the Old Guards. If there is fear that such a thing would happen again, then I think that not only members who are less than 3 years should not contest for a management committee post but that also members below 1 year should not have the voting right.

Number Eight, the question of money or account has always dominated since the NKF saga. Now that the new committee has won, they have to be careful not to waste in engaging lawsuits and to improve on the finance of the AWARE so that it can function effectively. Perhaps a donation drive with the swelled up members would be a good idea. If members (who are unable to donate a certain minimum sum in this drive) they could then opt out of their membership altogether.

Number Nine, the campaign of hate or revenge should be discontinued by both sides. It is in the best interest for the organisation altogether.

Number Ten, the whole sage that AWARE faced was a learning journey. It may have jolted everything like a cyclone but then the final result is that the organisation becomes more organised, stronger and united. 

A new chapter opens up and AWARE emerges stronger with new vision and mission.

Before I end, I say that this is written as a case study of how a social organisation works and feels the stress under certain occurrence (this is not to offend any group or the organisation itself).    

By Om Nath Panday

3^rd May 2009

Sweetness Of Labour

My pen’s nib was spoilt but this did not deter me from writing in my note book. Instead I took a trusted pencil and wrote the following:

In work I find the strength

of life’s sustenance,

 sparkle and blessing.

May Lord fill my days

with kindness and

good conduct.

In work I find the strength

of God that moves this world;

Work is prayer that changes

the world and human destinies.   

I stopped writing further to pause and self-reflect. I tried to recall what I dreamt last night. Slowly over biscuits and warm tea, my memory of my dream drifted back.

This is what happened to me. I was at VIVOCITY and currently there is an exhibition of the Blue Whale by the National Geographic. I wondered around for some time and seemed to lose my way in the vast shopping mall.

Like a fly attracted to bright light, I drifted myself to a new exhibition site which I have never seen before. The whole area was well decorated, neat and clean. Themed as the LABOUR MOVEMENT, I went in and could see a few booths. The first booth was that of Traditional Labour and I could see exhibit of a worker carrying a heavy sack of rice near a godown along the Singapore River, an ice cream man with his cartload of ice creams and an old cobblers repairing the sole of many hurt shoes. The next booth was that of Entertainment Labour and I could see the puppet maker, the film maker, the dance master and an opera director. I then went to the next booth and it was titled as Innovative Labour. You can see a scientist at work in a laboratory, a designer busy in the midst of a new design, a Singapore Writer aspiring for a global recognition and an artist busy with colourful layout and artwork for an indoor stage.

I visited to as many booths as possible and was astound to learn many new things about labour. I realised that labour is numerous; labour entails the energy of the mind, body and spirit; and the reward of labour is sweet.

With labour, man has landed on the moon. The amount of work put in Space Science has spin-off many innovations like the space suit, the luminous pen and so on. Labour has always enriched us through great achievements, creation of wealth and higher level of human comfort and fulfilment of human needs and yearnings.

I went back to my writing the incomplete poem:   

In work I find my passions

and fulfilment of a lost dream.

The echoes of humanity for

a better world makes us all

work together in harmony.

In work I see not only

wages, goods and services 

but the faces of HAPPINESS. 

I stopped writing and lay awake with my right outstretched palm. A pleasant surprise awaited me. My wife put two red cheery on my palm. Naturally I was happy and as I ate the cheery savouring the sweet taste, my mouth utters the word:

“The reward of labour is always sweet”.  

By Om Nath Panday

1 MAY 2009