<![CDATA["That Used to be Us"]]>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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/25763/quot-that-used-to-be-us-quotRSS for NodeTue, 27 Oct 2026 01:21:50 GMTSun, 11 Sep 2011 10:06:58 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 03:17:11 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
3Boys:

[quote=\"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.[/quote]Now sort of feeling apologetic for making that reference.. :imsorry: 3Boys!

Chenonceau had rightly pointed out to me but I was ....slow lah 😓
If it hadn't been for JN's sexual case, the reference would have carried my genuine meaning...I guess. 😉

Anyway, perhaps Obama was thinking about the emergence of Fort Knox Singapore (FNS)? The timing of his speech kinda coincide with the opening of FNS (2010)... Just wondering..please correct me if I am wrong.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/586698https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/586698Fri, 16 Sep 2011 03:17:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:19:20 GMT]]>

3Boys:
concern2:


As for the statement that Obama made reference to, it is taking the largest country and the smallest country to site 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!

Yes, that's exactly what he is doing, so what's wrong in taking a little pride in that? There are thousands of airports around the world, by what right does Singapore Changi have to be in the top 3 in the world year after year for decades? Why must there be doubt cast on his motives?

How can I not feel proud about our airport? Why it is the top 3 in the world year after year for decades? Because Singapore has more than an airport at Changi.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/05/idINIndia-56119020110405

http://www.hedgeweek.com/2011/02/08/106593/spm-establishes-singapores-fort-knox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI-i1gwVfac

More readings can be found with search under 'fort knox Singapore.'

Perhaps you know already - just sharing since this is a forum..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583043https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583043Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:19:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:55:05 GMT]]>Obama grew up as an expat kid in Indonesia. Perhaps that is why he has spontaneous recall of things Singaporean? He should be quite familiar with the countries in this region from childhood… and things that impresses one as a child, tends to stay with one. Maybe that’s why?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583012Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:55:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:52:45 GMT]]>Perhaps Obama has a special liking for Singapore. There were 2 other ‘products’ that he had ‘endorsed’ publicly (have you ever even heard a singaporean politician do the same for even one product?) previously:


- Blackberry (but i read that although he swore by it, he was forced to give it up after he became president, as there was some security or protocol issue).

- Singapore Math (i think citing that his daughter benefited from it and also Singapore’s consistently high rankings in the Trends in International Maths & Science Studies - TIMSS - compared to the US’ consistently mediocre rankings…)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583010https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/583010Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:52:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:36:02 GMT]]>

concern2:

As for the statement that Obama made reference to, it is taking the largest country and the smallest country to site 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!
Yes, that's exactly what he is doing, so what's wrong in taking a little pride in that? There are thousands of airports around the world, by what right does Singapore Changi have to be in the top 3 in the world year after year for decades? Why must there be doubt cast on his motives?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582987https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582987Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:36:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:31:21 GMT]]>

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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582985https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582985Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:31:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:31:12 GMT]]>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!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582984https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582984Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:31:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:15:56 GMT]]>

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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582971https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582971Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:15:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:12:07 GMT]]>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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582966https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582966Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:12:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:57:08 GMT]]>

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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582952https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582952Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:57:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:29:47 GMT]]>

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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582920https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582920Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:29:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:21:46 GMT]]>

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 😆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582907https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582907Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:21:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:16:36 GMT]]>Isn’t Changi is now behind Incheon?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582617https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582617Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:16:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to "That Used to be Us" on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:15:28 GMT]]>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

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582449https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/582449Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:15:28 GMT