Ten things the Philippines bus siege police got wrong

With due respect to the Police Forces in Philippines, however the case of hostage held at gunpoint in a tour bus was not acceptable. Here were the reasons as stated in the news that relates the inefficiencies and in competencies of these law enforces that causes the death of 8 innocent tourists!

Ten things the Philippines bus siege police got wrong


1. Determination

The first officers who tried to storm the bus were driven out by gunshots from the hostage taker, former policeman Rolando Mendoza. "They showed great courage to go on board. It's very crowded, just one aisle down the middle of the bus. But once you get on board it's not unexpected you are going to be fired at. Squads like this have to be made up of very special people, specially trained and selected for their characteristics of courage, determination and aggression. In this case they acted as 99% of the population would have, which was to turn round and get out. They didn't seem to have the necessary determination and aggression to follow the attack through."

2. Lack of equipment
The police spent a long time smashing the windows of the bus, whereas explosive charges (known as frame charges) would have knocked in windows and doors instantly. "They had no ladders to get through the windows. They smashed the windows but didn't know what to do next," Mr Shoebridge says. "They almost looked like a group of vandals." Their firearms were also inappropriate - some had pistols, some had assault rifles. Ideally they would have carried a short submachine gun, suitable for use in confined spaces.

3. Lost opportunity to disarm the gunman
Mendoza's gun was not always raised
There were numerous opportunities to restrain the gunman, Mr Shoebridge believes. "The negotiators were so close to him, and he had his weapon hanging down by his side. He could have been disabled without having to kill him."

4. Lost opportunity to shoot the gunman
The video of the drama also shows there were occasions when the gunman was standing alone, during the course of the day, and could have been shot by a sharpshooter. "You are dealing with an unpredictable and irrational individual. The rule should be that if in the course of negotiations an opportunity arises to end the situation decisively, it should be taken," Mr Shoebridge says. Either this possibility did not occur to the officers in charge, he adds, or they considered it and decided to carry on talking.

5. Satisfying the gunman's demands
"I wondered why the authorities just didn't give in to all of his demands," says Charles Shoebridge. "A promise extracted under force is not a promise that you are required to honour. Nobody wants to give in to the demands of terrorists, but in a situation like this, which did not involve a terrorist group, or release of prisoners, they could have just accepted his demands. He could be reinstated in the police - and then be immediately put in prison for life for hostage taking." The Philippines authorities did in fact give in to the gunman's demands, but too little, too late. One message promised to review his case, while he wanted it formally dismissed. A second message reinstating him as a police officer only arrived after the shooting had started.

6. Televised proceedings
The gunman was able to follow events on television, revealing to him everything that was going on around him. This was a "crucial defect in the police handling", Mr Shoebridge says. He adds that police should always consider putting a barrier or screen around the area, to shield the scene from the cameras and keep the hostage taker in the dark.

7. No element of surprise
It was clear to the gunman what the police were doing at all times, not only because the whole incident was televised, but also because they moved "laboriously slowly", Mr Shoebridge says. The police did not distract him, so were unable to exploit the "crucial element of surprise".

8. Safeguarding the public
This boy, a bystander, was hit by a stray bullet
At least one bystander was shot, possibly because the public was allowed too close. The bullet from an M16 rifle, as carried by the gunman, can travel for about a mile, so preventing any risk of injury would have been difficult, Mr Shoebridge says, but a lot more could have been done. "When you saw the camera view from above, it was clear there was little command and control of the public on the ground," he says.

9. Using the gunman's brother to negotiate
Relatives and close friends can be a double-edged sword, Mr Shoebridge says. While they may have leverage over the hostage taker, what they are saying cannot be easily controlled. In this case, the gunman's brother was included in the negotiations - however, at a certain stage he became agitated and police started to remove him from the scene. The gunman saw this on television, and became agitated himself. According to one report he fired a warning shot.

10. Insufficient training
In some parts of the Philippines, such as Mindanao, hostage taking is not an uncommon occurrence, so the country has some forces that are well trained in the necessary tactics. The detachment involved in Monday's incident clearly was not, says Mr Shoebridge. After smashing the windows, one of the officers eventually put some CS gas inside, though "to what effect was not clear" he says. A unit involved in this work, needs to be "trained again and again, repeatedly practising precisely this kind of scenario," he says.

Death of a great music icon - MJ

Michael Jackson was the first ever pop Icon that I had grew up with. With tracks like Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean, Man in the mirror, Smooth Criminal, The way you make me feel, Beat It, Black or white, Dangerous, Heal the World and many many more not to mention. Well, I really cannot explain why at the age of 12, I would want to save and own a copy of his hits. He was indeed a genius and the best performer of his time. He was simply second to none. His style was filled with realm of explosive and wondrous music. Imagine the number of first he had created, here are some of the few to mention below. Do you really think there’s gonna be anybody close to what he had achieved coming up in the next decade of years? I personally do not think so. He is definitely a special one.
Enjoy this ever best performed moonwalk by MJ of course.



A number of First in his career.
Biggest Selling Album Of All Time - Guiness Book Of World Records
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" Album is the biggest selling album of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. Thriller is also the biggest selling U.S album with sales of 25 million copies.

Most No1 Hits in 1980's
By The End of the 1980's MIchael Jackson had more #1 hits than any other artist for the decade.

100 Million Records
Michael has sold over 100 million singles and albums outside of the U.S.

Biggest Selling Video
Michael Jackson's "The Making Of Thriller" is the biggest selling video to be released by an artist.

Billboard "Hot 100" Singles Chart
Most No1 Hits by Male Artist (13)

No1 Debuts
Michael Jacksons "Bad", "Dangerous", and "HIStory" albums all debuted in at No1.

Awards
Michael has won more awards than any other artist.

No1 On Charts
In 1983 Michael became the first artist to simultaneously hold the number one spots on Billboard's rock albums and rock singles charts, as well as the R&B albums and singles charts.

Consecutive No1 Singles
Jackson 5 were the first group to ever have four consecutive No1 singles.

What is Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 in details?

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, also known as A(H1N1), is a subtype of influenzavirus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans.

Influenza A virus strains are categorized according to two proteins found on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). All influenza A viruses contain hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, but the structure of these proteins differs from strain to strain due to rapid genetic mutation in the viral genome.

Influenza A virus strains are assigned an H number and an N number based on which forms of these two proteins the strain contains. There are 16 H and 9 N subtypes known in birds, but only H 1, 2 and 3, and N 1 and 2 are commonly found in humans.

Current reports on Swine Flu outbreak and how it was detected.

The 2009 swine flu outbreak is the epidemic of a new strain of influenza virus that was clinically identified in April 2009. The new virus strain is a type of influenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly called the swine flu. It is currently a phase 5 outbreak, one level below an official pandemic.

The time and location of the outbreak is still unknown, but it was first detected in two cases in Southern California in late March. When this novel virus was publicized, officials in Mexico suspected a link to an outbreak of late-season flu cases they were finding. Within days, hundreds more suspected cases were discovered in Mexico, with more cases also showing up in the U.S. and several other countries. By late April, officials from the U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO), based in Switzerland, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., were expressing serious concern about the flu outbreak, worried that it might become a worldwide flu pandemic.

By April 28, the new strain was confirmed to have spread to Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel, and the virus was suspected in many other nations. As a result, WHO raised its alert level to "Phase 5" out of 6 possible, which it defines as a "signal that a pandemic is imminent". By the end of April, 300 schools had closed across the United States and the Mexican government ordered a multi-day shutdown of all non-essential activities in the government and private sector, amounting to a shutdown of most of the country's economy.At the same time, however, many scientists were reaching a consensus that the epidemic was so far "relatively mild," and believed that it could be less fatal than previous pandemics.

The new strain is an apparent reassortment of four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1.[53] Analysis by the CDC identified the four component strains as one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine).However, other scientists have stated that analyses of the 2009 swine flu (A/H1N1) viral genome "suggests that all segments are of swine origin", "[w]e are puzzled about sources of information that affirm that the virus is a reassortment of avian, human and swine viruses," and "this preliminary analysis suggests at least two swine ancestors to the current H1N1, one of them related to the triple reassortant viruses isolated in North America in 1998." One swine strain was widespread in the United States, the other in Eurasia. Worldwide the common human H1N1 influenza virus affects millions of people every year, according to WHO officials, and "these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths" annually.In industrialized countries most of these annual deaths occur in people aged 65 or older. By May 2, some pigs in Canada were diagnosed with H1N1. Although some influenza strains can spread between species, the influenza virus is killed by normal cooking procedures, so there is no risk of infection from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

A rustic, smoothing scene for those with a troubled mind.

Dispersal of Seed by water - Coconut and Pong Pong

A scenic view of St John's island.

Farewell to my Korean pupil, Hae seong.

To ensure my Korean pupil, Hae Seong leave us with a beautiful memory, on the last period of the term, I asked the rest of my Korean pupils to come out and sing the traditional Korean song "3 Teddy Bears" with him. I had also taken a class photo with them and framed it up for Hae Seong to safekeep. All the best, Hae Seong.

Cooking Instant Noodles

Hi all, I received this piece of information from my friend through email. Not really sure if the information is true to its saying, but nevertheless it is always better to be safe than sorry. Read on!


For all who love eating Maggi
DO NOT IGNORE THIS ....... Especially those fond of Maggi.......

'CORRECT WAY OF COOKING NOODLES'
The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health. `Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles
into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat.

This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles.

By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structures of the MSG
causing it to be toxic.

The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to
excrete the wax after you have taken the noodles.

CORRECT METHOD :

1. boil the noodles in a pot with water.
2. once the noodles is cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax.
3. boil another pot of water till boiling and put the noodles into the hot boiling water and then shut the fire.
4. only at this stage when the fire is off, and while the water is very hot, put the ingredient with the powder into the water, to make noodle
soup.
5. however, if you need dry noodles, take out the noodles and add the ingredient with the powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Dietician's Note: If you buy plain hakka noodles which you make initially need to boil in water and discard the water. This will soften
the noodles but to prevent it from sticking we need to add a tbsp of oil and also the noodles are deep fried partially to make it crunchy and
then dusted with flour to prevent it from sticking while boiling. Hence when you buy the noodles they are already made unhealthy and this
is the type we use to make stir fry noodles and the regular maggi too is made the same way plus they add MSG/ ajinomoto and other chemical
preservatives.


A large number of patient with the ages ranging from 18-24 years are ending up with pancreatitis either as a swelling or infection of the
pancreas due to regular consumption of instant noodles..... If the frequency is more than 3 times a week, then it is very hazardous...

Adolescence ( Or simply what pupils call "Acting to be matured")

Well, to further add on to my previous posting on "The abuse of pupils using the word LIKE". I would like to touch on another topic called "ADOLESCENCE". Goodness, gracious me! Why and how did I come up with such a topic to gossip about? Okay! Like what I had mentioned earlier on, whenever I am blogging issues that involves pupils, it simply means i am seeing or hearing it. Back to my topic for the day,teenagers who are at the age of between 11 to 18 generally starts to think differently and wants to see themselves being different.
Before I start to dwell and gossip about about it, let me explain what is ADOLESCENCE".

What is ADOLESCENCE?
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes, though the biological or physiological ones are the easiest to measure objectively. In recent years, however, the start of puberty has seen an increase in preadolescence and extension beyond the teenage years, making adolescence less simple to discern.

So what's the gossip about?
Some pupils in the P5's and P6's are talking about relationship and term like "ACBC" surfaced. Haha! do you actually understand what is "ACBC". Anyway I just found out the term "ACBC", it apparently means "Act cool Buay cool". So what does it mean in proper standard English? The term means trying to behave matured but in vain.

The whole thing started because of a P6 boy "flaming" a P5 girl. The P5 girl mentioned something like she hated a boy in her class. This P6 boy behaved cowardly by posting an anonymous message that said she was acting like a P6 girl, trying to be cool. Reading his message, psychologically it tells me that he thinks P6 is the stage where maturity begins. And he is the one who is being matured. Now, this is what I call the kettle calling the pot black. Well, pupils who are reading this do LOL if u want.

Conclusion to this is adolescence issue is that it a stage whereby all of us will go through and laugh about it one day especially when you are in your adulthood. Well, I certainly had gone passed this stage donkey years ago. It is always great to be in this flamboyant age of 11 to 18. So, do you think i tried to ACBC while I'm in this stage. Ha ha, well your guess is as good as mine. I certainly did. lol.

Last but not least, enjoy while you are in your adolescence as this is the period where fond memory lingers and floods you when you get older next time.
Happy Post Valentine's Day!
Ciao!

Pupils "CCA" !

This is something our teenagers are interested to discuss about. Their "CCA" and no it does not stands for Curriculum Activities instead it now "officially" stands for "Curriculum Affairs". As February 14 is getting near, a lot of kisses and hugs will be seen "flying" around. Actually, I am quite shocked to learn that pupils are starting to talk about this supposedly taboo topic. Some pupils of mine told me about their puppy love "affairs". Well i think it is just parts and parcel of life that these pupils are going through at the moment. Some said they are already "in love " with another party since Primary One! OMG how can this ever happened. Primary One? What do they know at that time? haha! Maybe, that is just a form of mutual liking. Imagine my "Guai Guai" pupils like Wenxin, Jacqlene, Emerald , Jiawen, Hamizah and Siti K are all involves in such "underground" affairs. It really beats me if that is really true to its saying. Especially pupils like J.O like A.Neo. W.T like H.S. . So what is really the term like used over here. So lets take a step back and learn what is the meaning of like in our English Language.

Meaning of "LIKE"
ike 1 (lk)
v. liked, lik·ing, likes
v.tr.
1. To find pleasant or attractive; enjoy.
2. To want to have: would like some coffee.
3. To feel about; regard: How do you like her nerve!
4. Archaic To be pleasing to.
v.intr.
1. To have an inclination or a preference: If you like, we can meet you there.

So, LIKE simply means to find someone or something that is pleasant or attractive, and it is also a form of feeling in wanting to be with that person.

So pupils who mentioned that they like someone is just a very simple and casual way of expressing their likings for something or someone whom they feel good with. Example J.Ong like A.Neo is just a very simple and pure state of likeness that does not involves any complicated thoughts.

Well, to end this piece of writing, let me wish all young ones who are out there liking each other. HAAAAAA. A Happy Valentine's Day!

Pussy Willow

在新加坡看到的银柳，不都是插在水里的吗？最近在牛车水年货市场里，见到不少商家已把银柳种在泥土里，但是长在地上的银柳树，你是否见过呢？在此让你见一见银柳的庐山真面目。

“剥银柳送银两”，除了好兆头，银柳顽强的生命力，也是值得学习的。
我也随着这银柳凤，栽了盆银柳树在家中为家增添一点新年好兆头！


新年快乐　心想事成