Daily News

There's much going on in the media these days.

With the US very much in recession, the stock market is quite volatile now. Not that I have any stocks. But I do have some investment linked accounts. I guess I'm not going to expect good returns for 2008. Now, crossing fingers that these various investments will ride out the storm. And prices of stuff stop rising.

There's also this big debate going on about siting a dormitory for 1,000 foreign workers in a housing estate. The residents are petitioning for the government NOT to site a dormitory in their housing estate. And there are lots of concerned citizens writing in to papers voicing their views. I have only one thing to say. Before making up your mind about these residents, ask yourself.

Would YOU want to have 1,000 SINGLE men living in cramped quarters down the road from you? Would YOU want to SHARE the same shops, parks, transportation, living spaces as them? Can YOU tolerate men loitering in groups outside your house smoking, drinking, talking in the middle of the night? How SAFE would YOU AND YOUR FAMILY feel? Even if they are from developed countries like the US or UK, I still wouldn't feel safe walking past their dormitory. I think the main point that scares the residents the most is "1,000 SINGLE MEN". If the numbers were down to double digits, it would be more acceptable.

Then there is the whole political upheaval in Malaysia. And Thailand. Where the people are unhappy with the current rulers/law makers.

Even in China where the 2008 Olympics was just held very successfully, the ugliness of the poor standards of their manufacturing industry is rearing their heads. This time, infants are at the receiving end of contaminated formulas. Again. These people never learn from their mistakes.

And on the sidelines are the hurricanes/typhoons causing their usual trouble in Asia and the US.

It's been a dark year for the world so far and the clouds don't seem to be clearing at all. The silver lining for me is just watching from the sidelines. And hoping that the cloud doesn't pass over.