"That Used to be Us"

[3Boys]

Since we are discussing Thomas Friedman --> http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/that-used-to-be-us


A most recent writing of his.

Saw it at a bookstore, and on the inside cover, President Obama is quoted, from a midterm election speech in 2010 --> \"And we should be able to agree now that it makes no sense for China to have better rail systems than us and Singapore having better airports than us.\"

Ha ha, perhaps slightly triumphalist, but nice to be noticed all the same :imcool:

[verykiasu2010]

but the China rail looks like derailed a bit by the recent Wenzhou accident that unearthed unsafe braking equipments made locally


when they went to investigate the CEO of the rail equipment maker, he died on his job of a heart attack arising from the investigation

China’s rail is reportedly the most corrupted ministry in China and even Wen Jiabao has problem controlling the rail people … that is why his "delayed" visit to the Wenzhou accident site…citing "illness"…as in ‘sick’ of the rail people…

okok just some off-topic remarks

Changi is still great even with HKIA behind our heels

[tankee]

Isn’t Changi is now behind Incheon?

[concern2]

3Boys:

Since we are discussing Thomas Friedman --> http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/that-used-to-be-us


A most recent writing of his.

Saw it at a bookstore, and on the inside cover, President Obama is quoted, from a midterm election speech in 2010 --> \"And we should be able to agree now that it makes no sense for China to have better rail systems than us and Singapore having better airports than us.\"

Ha ha, perhaps slightly triumphalist, but nice to be noticed all the same :imcool:

Being noticed and mentioned by Obama makes you proud - like Jack Neo feeling proud GCT mentioned him in speech

[3Boys]

concern2:

Being noticed and mentioned by Obama makes you proud - like Jack Neo feeling proud GCT mentioned him in speech

I think its ok to feel proud of my country's achievements, its not as if I had anything personally to do with Changi Airport's success. Take it for what it is....better than being cited as a crime ridden city.

[Chenonceau]

3Boys:

concern2:

Being noticed and mentioned by Obama makes you proud - like Jack Neo feeling proud GCT mentioned him in speech

I think its ok to feel proud of my country's achievements, its not as if I had anything personally to do with Changi Airport's success. Take it for what it is....better than being cited as a crime ridden city.

Errrrr... I too am proud that the Singapore Changi Airport is generally known worldwide to be a good airport such that it would spring to spontaneous recall when the President of USA needs to cite an example of good airports. IMHO the comparison with Jack Neo (the sexual predator) is somewhat unworthy.

[corneyAmber]

Yeah the pride in our Changi Airport is definitely different from JN’s pride.


JN himself could be a national pride too until he went so awry in his life.

[concern2]

Chenonceau:

I am proud too that the Singapore Changi Airport is generally known worldwide to be a good airport such that it would spring to spontaneous recall when the President of USA needs to cite an example of good airports. The comparison with Jack Neo (the sexual predator) is somewhat unworthy.

I am as proud about our airport. Unworthy or not, I can't say for sure. Jack Neo had been pretty accomplished before the sexual issue came about, and I was referring to those better years - no intention of reference made to the later part of his career. Nor was I referring to Singapore's Changi Airport under any sort of crime - goodness me!

Just something I won't take on face value what a politician says. I believe their words are by no means accidental.

[concern2]

Perhaps it is just me, that I always caution myself not to get flattered easily by praises - (not to say that any of you are har) - must start to defend myself first liao -


When I watched the movie that JN got mentioned by GCT, my thoughts were,"Wa, buay gia si ah, say that about garmen…" Then came GCT’s mention in speech of the movie. To me, its beyond flattery. It is a word of caution - the garmen also watching har, beware what you say har…Seems like in JN’s subsequent movies, there were less of similar punches.

As for the statement that Obama made reference to, it is taking the largest country and the smallest country to cite examples of what America has come to today to make his statement. To many Americans, they don’t even know who or where Singapore is. Fortunately, Sinapore tho very small, got something good to site, so there it is!

[3Boys]

concern2:

Just something I won't take on face value what a politician says. I believe their words are by no means accidental.

And what secret agenda would Obama have in citing Changi Airport, in a speech targeted at US legislators, after a bashing at the 2010 mid-term House and Senate elections? Perhaps you think he was paid by the Sg govt for free publicity?

I am playing it straight, as is President Obama, there is no need to cast suspicions or aspersions at every single statement that does not agree with your world view.