A NATION CELEBRATES.

The timing of this entry is rather peculiar, because yesterday was National Day, not today. But this particular entry is supposedly meant for National Day, just that I wasn’t that all inspired on National Day itself. The thoughts just got me now.

The island nation of Singapore, celebrating our 39th year of independence, and also PM Goh’s last before handing it to his deputy, Lee HL. The date fixated is on the 12th of Aug, which is just a couple of days away. The Independence of Singapore had been seen by the world in 1965 as a doomed separation from our northern neighbors. But our ancestral strength in dealing with adversities in times of need had shone during the most infant stages of growth in Singapore...

I would like to take this opportunity, to thank our leaders of the past, our founding fathers, and all those who have contributed to the immense growth of the Nation.
A big THANK YOU for a job well done. A prosperous 39th Independence day Singapore!! (I dun really agree with the idea of wishing the nation a happy birthday…coz technically, a Birthday is not usually associated with the birth of a nation. And truth is, Singapore wasn’t actually born in 1965…it was a Mr. Utama, who named this island long long time ago and thus it was born then…not in 1965. So 39th birthday should be 39th independence day. Where do those organizers get their facts from??!!!)

Today, we are the all time S.E.A economic power house. And with great power, comes great responsibility… We have invested large proportions of our taxes on technology, mainly in the science of surgery, health, R&D, services…etc…and the world watches as we try new techniques and new toys in the various industries…we are progress, and many times we do not disappoint.

Take Singapore pools for example…it has definitely got a grip on technological advances….plasma TVs for the viewing pleasure of punters, fast and reliable number generating systems... quick and easy to use computers for staff…well, the list goes on…
And it has reaped its profits.

Meanwhile…in the dark alleys of Singapore, lies the old traditional system of betting. Bookies. Apparently, these people hardly loose, just a little busier than the rest of the players. I understand the desire for quick money and the generation of hope, the thrill of waiting for a fast buck. Coz, I was once a player. And still am in small ways. But let’s dig into a more specific area. Soccer betting. I believe even before the days of the Quah brothers or Uncle Choo…soccer betting had already existed. And it was carried by the bookies then. I think having the resilience of cockroaches helps in the survival of this old trade of bookieing, because, until today, they are still alive.

I think it’s a temptation to be playing with a bookie, because u actually place a bet without even using a single cent!!! Of course, when u loose, they come after you with many a doctor octopus. And I have personally witnessed the downfall of some who were drowned by the tentacles of this path they chose.

I believe u can never actually earn anything from betting soccer, or betting as a whole within our entire lifetime. Reasons are,
1) when u win, u spend your winnings.
2) when you loose, you loose your own savings.
3) If you do win and you don’t spend the winnings, it’s probably because you used it to clear old debts.

It’s a super micro minority that actually make a profit in their entire lifetime of betting. Imagine the amount of money you safe when you actually don’t bet and put that supposedly betting money in the bank. But, its greed that drives today’s society. So, here’s good luck to all those who are still in the game.

The power of technology. How wonderful. So much so, today’s odds and winning numbers are so easily available - through the internet, sms, radio, teletext….etc. No wonder so many are drawn ever closer towards betting. And who ever invented 4D and TOTO is a genius (And probably a Singaporean), with a much greater brain than Ben Franklin or Einstein.

Singapore, as a nation, however, has a long and winding road ahead. A new form of leadership is at hand to spur the country to even greater heights. Much to look forward to, and the fear of our nation rising beyond its current state of affairs and humility has been sensed by the rest of the world. China’s reaction to DPM LHL’s visit to Taiwan is a good example, which eventually halted the talks for new trade agreements between our small island and the dragon of Asia. This incident has shown the mediocre mind set of the dragon, and it will forever remain asleep if it doesn’t want to see things on a bigger scale of benefit and dwell in its stunted frequency of thought.

The 39th year of Singapore’s independence is a significant year. The recovering economy, the change in leadership, the swelling rate of punters, the justification of election promises, the learning and understanding of the national anthem (finally the government realizes the lack of understanding by Singaporeans of the national anthem...they had actually put down the meanings of the lyrics in the opening and closing songs on TV…good start. But I think Singaporeans should initiate knowing what the anthem actually means…more on this another day...)…and much more…will determine the next move we make as a nation and the direction the new cabinet will lead us charging towards. Till then, we look forward to our 40th year of independence.