Swiss ban mosque minarets in surprise vote

[Associated Press] Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets on Sunday, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers in a surprise vote that put Switzerland at the forefront of a European backlash against a growing Muslim population. (More...)


disappointing. the right-wingers may have won the vote, but they have lost far more - precious freedoms that come with religious tolerance and political secularity.

it is narrow of the rightist Swiss People's Party to leverage the Swiss’ misguided anxieties and paranoia for short-term political manoeuvring. Switzerland has long enjoyed a tradition of neutrality; the ban can do long-lasting damage to that reputation.

but i guess this is what a democracy essentially is about, isn’t it? if you made 51% of the people happy at the expense of the remaining 49%, you would have achieved democracy. at the end of the day, it is about who has the loudest voice- never mind what the right thing to do is.

everything is as it was, as it always will be.

love shall elude me and cynicism must set me free.

it is a sad day for the academic fraternity when singapore law professor thio li-ann cancelled her NYU stint (More here).

if even in academic communities cannot a marketplace of ideas thrive, what hope can we have for the political and social arena?

'Everyone is entitled to their opinion, free conscience, free thought - that is a cardinal principle for every academic community.'
'We can be united in commitment to this principle, without slavishly bowing to a demanded uniformity or dogma of political correctness set by elite diktat. I cannot say I am impressed by this ugly brand of politicking which I hope is not endemic.'
'I think certain Americans have to realise the fact that there are a diversity of views on the subject and it is not a settled matter; there is no universal norm and it is nothing short of moral imperialism to suggest there is.'

-- Dr Thio, prior to the cancellation of her NTU stint

newly-crowned Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck.

very yummy bachelor. oxford-educated. unique blend of tradition and modernity. ooh, i likey!

check him out at www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/6097851.html

It's Sat, 11 November, 3.13pm.

Venue: Millenia Tower

I am seeking refuge at Livejournal from the stifling of my office cubicle. For the past week, I have spent over four-fifth of my waking hours at the office. I am tired. Yesterday was a 8am-2am workday, with lunch break being a quick sandwich on a taxi ride to a photoshoot. I am tired.

I guess as a worker at a financial institution in today's environment, stress and frustration must be a normal and recurring event.  I am struggling to keep my eyes open now, but fatigue is fast winning the battle.

I do see a faint light at the end of the tunnel. But the end is in the remote future.

Soldier on, girl.

you should check out the H&M queue in japan.

a queue was snaking outside the newly-opened store in Ginza, Tokyo an hour before it opens. on a working day no less.

now, if only oei hong leong could donate a fraction of that $7m gift to fulfilling my graduate studies ambition...


LKY School of Public Policy receives S$14m donation
Channel NewsAsia.com

The Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) School of Public Policy has received a S$14 million donation, after a S$7 million gift from Singapore tycoon Oei Hong Leong  was matched dollar-for-dollar by the government....

.... The sum will go into an endowment fund, which will generate income to fund scholarships for students from China.(more)

the trip to japan is finally confirmed. we will be setting off for central japan (osaka-kyoto-tokyo) in two weeks' time. woot!

we have decided to go free-and-easy after all. Ik Chan failed to secure the minimum pax required for the tour and all the other agencies are fully-booked by now. oh, just as well. i cant quite imagine myself following a prescribed schedule during a vacation anyway. not to mention having to wake up early everday.

and am really thankful that Keh is taking care of everything for the trip. from sourcing for the best hotel and airline deals... to planning the itinerary and checking the railway routes. i know i'm in good hands :)