Blame Game: US House of Representatives reject bail-out Bill
Sep 30, 2008 News Breaks
Well, at least we know that it’s not just Malaysian politicians who, well, play politics.
That’s what’s happening in the United States now, as the reports flood in about how the US House of Representatives voted against (here’s another take) the bailout plan both sides - that’s the Republicans and the Democrats - had technically agreed to over the weekend.
The vote was 228 to 205 against - the House needed 218 to pass the Bill.
The New York TImes report that 60% of Democrats and only 65 Republicans (one third) voted for the Bill that was expected to pass.
Of course, the blame game happened really quickly. John McCain slammed Obama (strange, that) while of course, the Democrats blamed the Republican (who insisted that many flipped their vote because of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - a Democrat - had “poisoned” the vote by making a scathing remark about Bush’s administration).
The Democrat’s number two Steny Hoyer came out to defend her, saying:
“Because somebody hurt their feelings, they decided to punish the country?”
Ah, sounds familiar? Politik politik politik.
Now, I don’t know if voting against the Bill is punishing the country, or whether voting for is. Just read the comments for this post on Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees blog - public sentiment remains high that the bailout should not happen.
I don’t know enough about finance but I do know that a solution needs to be found. Not only did the Dow Jones drop by more than 700 points yesterday (it’s biggest in a day, ever - and the market even started falling before the vote) but so did stock markets around the world. The Star’s front page story states that European markets went sharply lower, and that stock markets in Asia “took a beating” with Hong Kong closing down 4.3%.
Whatever the solution is - wether it’s this Bill, or something else - there’s not better time for the US than now to show that they can indeed save the world (guess all the faux bravado in Hollywood movies are coming back to bite them in the ass, huh?). Yahoo! Finance offered some suggestions.
Oh, and I forgot to mention: No one really blamed George Bush. A lame duck will always remain a lame duck. I bet he’s glad he’s leaving soon.
To find out what the Bill is all about, CNN Money explains.
10.19 Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: Bailout plan, Down Jones, Stock markets, US economy, Us House of Representative
Love thy neighbour (yes, including Singapore)
Sep 29, 2008 Rantings
I got a warm fuzzy feeling earlier when reading the newspapers. I know, I know, I never thought it would happen too but there’s always a first time for everything. :)
I am referring to an article in the sports section of today’s The Star headlined:
Singapore turns to Sepang for advice on organising F1
The headlines says a lot but you can click here to read the article, which reports on how Malaysia’s Fyreen Hanim Kamarul Ariffin has been in Singapore to advice the organisers there for their first ever formula one race (and the first ever night race) held yesterday in which Fernando Alonso won.
“I feel like a teacher. It is the first time for them. And we have had the experience.”
I think this is great. I remember at the beginning when there was talk about how Singapore was hoping to get onto the F1 calendar and some people were up in arms, saying that this would steal the limelight from the Malaysian edition.
I think it’s great of both parties to cooperate - after all, a successful event can only boost our region’s profile, bring more tourist in (which means more money) and show the world that we may not be big countries, but we are able to host and organise world class events.
And as much as Fyreen is able to “teach” them, I’m sure she will learn some things in return which can only be good for us.
More than anything, it shows that the “rivalry” between Malaysia and Singapore is merely politics, cosmetic and sarcastic and that we are able to see beyond all this for the sake of cooperation, collaboration and professionalism.
8.06pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: Formula One. Singapore
The Bangsar Boy: I was a thief
Sep 28, 2008 The Bangsar Boy
In my The Bangsar Boy column yesterday, I recall my days as a juvenile thief. No tricks, no puns - it is true.
I did get busted and at that time, the punishment was severe.
Still the article wasn’t only about my mis-doings as a young boy, it was also a tribute to my (now gone) entrepreneural skills - something that my lovely nephew and neice appears to have picked up.
I got a phone call recently from my nephew Adam who, together with his sister Sara, decided to start a business of their own.
I was coerced into ordering two “special edition” notebooks created from a movie theme of my choice - the bigger one for 60 sen and the smaller one for 40 sen.
The article, in yesterday’s StarMetro, is titled:
All about dollars and sense
I love the headline (I don’t write my own headlines, in case you guys are wondering if I’m flattering myself - yet again!).
Let me know what you guys think.
2.34pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: The Bangsar Boy
Molotov cocktails attack on Teresa Kok
Sep 27, 2008 News Breaks
I woke up to this horrendous The Star SMS News Alert and rushed online to get more information.
Couldn’t find much information but both The Star and Malaysiakini confirms that two molotov cocktails were thrown into the Seputeh MP’s family home in Jalan Ipoh early this morning. The Star reports that no one was hurt.
Molotov cocktail: also known as the booze bomb, alcohol bomb or Molotov bomb, is a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons. (Source: Wikipedia)
What the fuck man? This is people’s life at stake, surely whatever opposing views she has to yours is simply rethoric and difference in opinion. There is never - NEVER - a good time for such drastic actions.
The actions of these attempted murderers must be condemned.
So, what, now Teresa’s whole family must go into ISA isit for their protection ala Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng?
Enough already of physical attacks, death threats, and murder attempts. Enough, enough, enough!
11.23 Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: molotov cocktail, Teresa Kok
Josh Groban can sing
Sep 26, 2008 Sounds Like Pop
I have always been a fan of Josh Groban. Ever since I watched him guest star in Ally McBeal many, many years ago, I was smitten.
So imagine my thrill of finding a video of him singing a medley of 30 great television theme songs on this year’s Emmy Awards - the 60th anniversary of the awards ceremony. Some were okay, but there were a few I loved. Check this out:
I loved how he said, “Oh God”, just as he was about to rap the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. On the topic of versatility (well, I didn’t mention that word before but this post is actually about that), I want to share with you guys a favourite YouTube video of mine. Ever.
How cool is that?
2.04pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: Emmy Awards, Josh Groban, Rick Miller
