NLB removes two non-pro-family children books

Reference:
NLB removes two children's titles after complaint that they are not "pro-family"

If children can turn gay after reading the books, they should be banned.

Will LTA fines improve the train system?

Reference: LTA TO FINE SMRT AND SBS $1.65 MILLION FOR MULTIPLE TRAIN DISRUPTIONS

Sometimes I can't understand fining as a form of punishment. If the trains are disrupted or late, then they should be punished by running more trains. As if the fine is going to hurt SMRT, or improve the train system.

Road bullies should be kept off roads

Reference: Road bully blocks SBS bus with his car

Road bullies should just get their driving license suspended for at least 5 years. If they don't deserve to be on the road, they should be kept off road for a better Singapore.

And stop fining people. As if people don't have money to pay fines. Money is replaceable, time is not.

Writers’ boycott of event a good example for students

Reference: Writers’ boycott of event a bad example for students

I actually think it's a good example for students that the writers boycott. It teaches students to stand up for what they believe in.

Here's an interesting paragraph from the story:

Are the writers simply disagreeing with the NLB’s disposal process for books taken out of circulation, or do they feel that unsupervised children should be exposed to controversial topics and left to develop their own conclusions on such matters?

If unsupervised children can turn anti-family or gay by just reading the withdrawn books, then those books should be banned, and not just in Singapore.

Anyway check out the many comments from smart people in the comments section of the article linked above.

SingTel's practice on keeping overpayment

Reference: Telco holding on to $13k overpayment

In short, customer paid $13,873 instead of $138.73 via internet banking to SingTel. (Hey, the decimal points don't just get included by themselves.)

The customer was told that SingTel's practice is to keep the excess as credit to offset future payment.

Is it legal?

It is legal to accept money not intended for the payment of the service provided? Is this written in fine print of the contract that was signed?

And for something as simple as a refund, the customer waited for one month to no avail.

Someone should just go to their office, make a big fuss and film a viral video. Maybe that is how you can get the message through to them, through the public and then to them.

As for how much SingTel values customers and customer service, you can just make that judgement for yourself.

Theme SMRT cabins for what better experience?

Reference: Buskers, themed cabins for a better MRT experience: LTA

Talk about visual noise. I still remember the horrendous Dim Sum Dollies jingle. Why not just keep it simple, LTA, and focus on the service of actually bringing people from one place to another?

So unless your themed cabin is some incredible idea, please, don't.

You know every time I want to look at how minutes there are to the next train coming, and I see an ad of some movie trailer? Do you think that makes my journeys more or less harried?

Thai regulator pays $13m to air World Cup Matches

Reference: Thai regulator to pay $13 million to air World Cup matches on free TV

Let's say Thailand's population is 69 million.

Let's say theoretically 10% watches, so we have 6.9 million viewers.

On average, each person is paying around $1.88 to watch 64 matches.

In Singapore, each person needs to pay over $100. So I guess it's priced at whatever the market can bear.

35 years of slogging as an executive and can't save anything

I am a 61 year old retiree. After 35 years of slogging as an executive in many MNCs I have $130k in RA account and some 32K in medisave. Currently I need an eye operation for cataract on one of my eyes.
The cost would be around 5k. I can use around half the amount from my medisave and the other half in cash.
The question is I don't have half of that amount to pay so I cannot go for the ops.
I have always questioned why we cannot use our medisave to pay for full cost as this is our money and not the state.
It's time for CPF to look into such needs as retiree we don't have the cash to foot the bill.
The simple reason is that no one would like to be operated as all operation carries risk if it is not necessary
Right now I am living with one eye while the other eye cannot be fixed because of the stupid policies created by these
idiot politicians always saying they care and are passionate.
What do you think?

Source: WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE CPF FOR EMERGENCIES AND HIGH MEDICAL BILLS

I saw an amazing comment in the story above.

Let me get this right.

The guy after working 35 years as an executive has no savings other than CPF to pay for a $5000 operation? Seriously?

I do agree that maybe some concessions need to be allowed for medical uses.

That is one far fetched example of a person who can't save.

Is Roy Ngerng’s sacking politically motivated?

Reference: Roy Ngerng’s sacking – “politically motivated”?

Well, let's just say that companies don't like their reputation to go down with losers. Take a cue from Anton Casey and Amy Cheong. Those two cases are politically motivated as well?

Paying GST for overseas purchases when coming back to Singapore

Reference: Travellers returning to Singapore to pay GST for purchases

The sad state of situation nowadays is that even after paying GST, overseas purchases can still be cheaper, whether hand-carry or shipped back.

E-commerce is only going to grow. More people are going to buy their stuff from overseas.

Should you support local sellers? If you don't support them, they will be gone. But if you support them, you're either getting ripped off or not getting a good deal

And also expect SingPost to deliver your items less quickly than before. I wonder how SingPost is going to provide the manpower for the expected increase in number of deliveries to make. Where and what services are they going to increase prices for?

Remember to pay GST for overseas holiday shopping (customs.gov.sg)

However, you may wish to know that all goods brought into Singapore – including new
items, souvenirs, gifts or food products – are subject to 7 per cent Goods and Services
Tax (GST).

I'm not sure if the above quote is actionable, or is it actually a statute of law. Keywords being "all goods brought into Singapore". All goods? Including the suitcase, iPad, chargers, underwear that I brought overseas and have to bring back?