tisiwoota

This is a blog entry I wrote (elsewhere) the day after the 2004 election.
It is, I think, worth revisiting today:

Even if “we” had won the election, our battles would not be over.
They would be easier yes, but not over. Either way, there is always
more to do. So let’s get back to doing it.

We have been reminded of the importance of working together,
and of not being complacent.
As many of us have read, those lessons are what sewed the basis of
the success of the current regime. It will work for us, too.

We have a start, and we can run with it, if we try.

Little did we know then how far we could get today.
So perhaps too, little do we know today, how much further
we shall get tomorrow.

I was greeted at the airport by students from the school’s “Welcoming Committee.” They were very friendly and helpful. They explained the bus and rail system, and gave advice on where I should live.

Then they offered me a piece of gum.

At first I declined. Gum is illegal in Singapore, right?

After they unwrapped their own and began chewing, they repeated the offer.

I reassured myself that this probably wasn’t a covert sting operation, and accepted. No sirens went off, no guard dogs attacked, and no one gave me so much as a sideways glance.

They informed me that consuming gum isn’t what’s illegal. Selling gum is illegal.

So where do they get their gum? They all go to Malaysia on the weekends, just a hop across the border, and bring it back with them.

“Most people who come here think Singapore has a reputation for strict laws. But really, there is one law in Singapore: just don’t get caught.”

I’ve been car-less since my car got stolen in September, but those of you still car-bound may want to check this roadside assistance alternative: A Better World Club.

Why the need for an alternative? Well, AAA isn’t just a benign organization that picks you up in emergencies and gets you hotel discounts. They do a lot of lobbying– and it’s all pro gas-guzzling, against fuel efficiency, against public transit (they’d rather see more highways paved), against the Clean Air Act, etc.

There’s a great Sierra Club article on A Better World Club (and AAA’s activities):
here

Excerpt:
Well, I think the bottom line question for everyone is, when the car breaks down at some inopportune time and place, will you be there?

The way that works is this: There are six national towing networks in the country, AAA being the most prominent of them. The important point is that these networks are non-exclusive for the most part. The service providers can sign up for any of them, so you’re really dealing with the same service providers no matter which network you’re with.

*BWC provides nationwide 24-hour emergency roadside assistance including towing, lockout and flat tire assistance, jumpstarts, gas and fuel delivery.
*BWC supports sound environmental policies like mass transit funding and the Clean Air Act.
* 1% of all BWC revenues go towards environmental cleanup and advocacy.
* BWC donates $1.00 for every online booking made through their web site and offer members free carbon offsets (to help fight global warming) when you make your airline reservations through Better World Club.

BWC is generally less expensive than AAA, and guarantees to match their prices.

Check it out, eh?

Better World Club

PS Also awesome? They have roadside assistance and towing for _bicycles_. Whoa nelly.