one of the 2 houses next door (it seems to be one big plot of land, with 2 giant houses) caught on fire tonight. As to why and how it happened, one can only guess. It was such a huge raging fire that when i first saw it through the glass panes, i thought it was mine on fire and i almost freaked out. Thankfully, it’s settled and the fire brigade got here quick enough. Unfortunately, i judging from the size of the fire and the amount of water needed, i think the house is quite destroyed.

JB Jeyaratnam is gone too. Personally, he was one of the first few political figures i have ever studied, rather than the Australian ones, because he was a “home” character. His life struggles with the PAP will never leave my memories. They were shocking, a bigger revelation than what I was used to, and funny how… I only found his biography here in Australia. Obviously, to some people, they might view him differently from me. I always thought he left an interesting mark on the Singapore political scene - fighting, will not back down, will not be “bought” by nice speeches or insincere gestures.

His was a long, dramatic life where he did not back down. Goodbye sir, thanks for all the time you spent on Singapore. No matter how much or how little, you left a mark that can not be erased.

This poem, by Dylan Thomas, probably sums him and all he has done up the best.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

— Dylan Thomas

Current Mood:  contemplative

Jesus Christ, woman! no one’s saying or indicating that just because you are from Alaska, you aren’t educated or informed enough to run in this campaign! Trudge along at this rate though, and you’re just going to look like you don’t even deserve a secretary role!

Current Mood:  amused

Obama obviously didn’t help his case when he tried to “yeah I’ve got a bracelet too”, yet couldn’t “remember” the soldier’s name. The worst was, that it was possible the soldier’s parents didn’t want him wearing the bracelet as a part of the campaign.

Checking out Katie Couric’s interview of Palin though… it looked like Palin didn’t do too well in the public arena either.

Couric: You’ve said, quote, “John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business.” Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that’s paramount. That’s more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

…..

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you’ve said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I’m just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.

throughout the interview, it felt like she was 1) trying to flatter McCain, 2) she couldn’t remember a whole bunch of facts/interview response script and was just floundering with big words to look good and 3) just generally not prepared.

The most obvious outcome of this interview, to me, is that she isn’t experienced enough nor “educated” enough to be in the running for a VP. One can always say “oh, at least she hasn’t prepared a script and tried to look good!” She was trying to look good, even expanding a simple yes or no question to a paragraph.

Being not prepared for an interview can be good, but if one’s knowledgeable enough about the topics that might be broached. This is not going to help her as an individual, so hopefully the party and her work together in brushing her up for the VP debate, if it happens.

Current Mood:  amused