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Posted to The Age (4/7/2015) on 4/7/2015 at 9:04 PM
Commenting on "Labor senator Penny Wong slams language around same-sex marriage"
http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-senator-penny-wong-slams-language-around-samesex-marriage-20150704-gi54ee.html

What seems to be trivial today may become a reality tomorrow. Passing this bill on same-sex marriage sets a precedence for lobbyists campaigning for recognition of other forms of marriage in the name of marriage equality, e.g. polygamy and incest.

You probably know that a male Muslim can take in four to five wives, but a female Muslim cannot have more than one husband. If the law were to allow same-sex marriage, it is likely that the Muslim community will lobby to recognise the Islamic laws that permit polygamy. That will have a flow-on effect to the non-Muslims, once again in the name of equality.

Incest can have genetic repercussion. Royal families have intermarriage within the same royal blood line so that power remain in the hands of these privileged few. Incest also occurred and recorded in the Bible, in cases where those concerned did not want a family tree to be terminated abruptly due to the absence of male offspring within the family. These examples will be used by the believers and non-believers to justify to have sexual relationship with own family members instead of going for adoption, IVF or surrogacy.

The fight for same-sex marriage in Australia is far from over

Posted to The Age (1/7/2915) on 2/7/2015 at 2:19 AM
Commenting on "The fight for same-sex marriage in Australia is far from over"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/comment-eric-abetz--on-gay-marriage-20150701-gi26gi.html

Marriage is not just about union between two people, but between a male and a female from different families, and not closely blood related, and not of the same sex.

I don't support same sex marriage and this is NOT based on religious ground. To the pass bill is to open the Pandora box, leading to approving incest practices and polygamy. Incest is unacceptable, even such practices occurred in ancient time among royal families, and recorded in the holy book. It has been proven that incest can lead to deformed or disabled offspring, and in serious case early death.

It is nonsensical to argue about marriage equality. There are religious cult leaders taking sexual advantage of their female followers, and marrying them so as to turn them into baby making machines. Should these perverts be recognised and that the society allows them to carry out these immoral acts in the name of equality? Do you approve any religion or practice that endorses a man to have 5 wives, but a woman is not allowed to have more than one husband? Do mistresses have the same right as the wife of a man?

It is NOT up to a few, even by the Judges of highest court in Australia, to decide whether same sex-marriage is a goer. 300,000 people may have gone onto the streets demonstrating their solidarity supporting same sex-marriage, but it is insignificant compared with a few millions not there to voice their opposition.

There are seedless grape and watermelon. Same sex-marriage in fact results in seedless human. It is really sad that babies are made in surgical rooms or laboratories, and the future generation may be wearing tags spelling out where they are made in or produced - e.g. Product of Thailand, made with local and imported ingredients.

Stop builders turning dream homes into nightmares

Posted to The Age (4/6/2015) on 4/6/2015 at 3:18 PM
Commenting on "Stop builders turning dream homes into nightmares"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/stop-builders-turning-dream-homes-into-nightmares-20150603-ghfkht.html

I am no friend of any unscrupulous operator or organisation. It is time for consumers to take legal action against the authority cum consumer protection regulator, the industry bodies that hinder good practices, and the shonky tradespeople or builders. They all owe the consumers a duty of care. As a person of zero tolerance, I would like to see the people concerned to be put out of "business" or behind bars.

Australia is no longer the "lucky" and innocent country like it used to be. Many tradespeople or professionals do not do their jobs with pride, but instead pray on honest ordinary consumers.

The present and past few governments have been encouraging young people to pursue academic rather than trade qualification. With ageing population, there are not enough young skilled tradespeople, at least 100,000 of them short, to fill the gap of the retired ones.

Shortage of skilled tradespeople also creates a pool of unqualified migrants working in the construction industry, normally not on the large building project. They do not have the protection of work over, and work safety is generally a non-issue.

Many tradespeople purchase goods from large hardware stores with cash, so that they can avoid detection of earning an income. Furthermore, by doing so, there is no paper trail to prove the existence of such business or materials being used. In general, these tradespeople offer the clients a lower price without charging GST, and if they do, the GST is just another 10% that lines their pockets.

Overwhelming response to story about homeless schoolgirl Alicia living under a bridge

Posted to The Age (4/6/2015) on 4/6/2015 at 10:02 AM
Commenting on "Overwhelming response to story about homeless schoolgirl Alicia living under a bridge"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/overwhelming-response-to-story-about-homeless-schoolgirl-alicia-living-under-a-bridge-20150603-ghg6ov.html

It takes a story like Alicia's to wake up the social consciousness of many in the community. Just like taking a Panadol for cold and flu symptom, the patch work approach in solving homelessness is not really tackling the cause.

Even if 1 in a 1,000 have a similar reason to become homeless, with 100,000 of them experiencing such dilemma means there are 100 reasons require ways to overcome.

Over the years, umpteen millions of dollars have been spent digging up Swanston Street in the name of traffic control, beautification of Melbourne CBD, renovation the old city square, the erection and demolition of the pick-up-stick city arch at the entrance to St Kilda Road, or for some idiotic reasons. The city landscape has not changed because the city keeps returning to its original state. Such good money could help relieve some of the pain of the homeless desperation.

On occasions, I walk along the footpath of the Yarra River bank opposite Southgate, just close to the bridge. I take photos and post on Facebook the ugly sight of Melbourne. The ugliness reflects the state of despair of the homeless people's plight, and the lack of awareness and indifference of the governments of all levels and people in the community to find ways to tackle the people.

Once in a blue moon, celebrities have their adrenaline shot by camping out at some open fields, but when the "show" is over, the homeless people's wellbeing remains unchanged.

We have flu shots to prevent flu and drugs to help fix the flu, on top of the flu symptom reliever. Are there ways to prevent or cure homelessness in addition to to once in awhile generosity?

Homelessness is a societal disease and a cure is needed!

More than vows. Why gay marriage matters

Posted to The Age (31/5/2015) on 31/5/2015 at 6:57 PM
Commenting on "More than vows. Why gay marriage matters"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/more-than-vows-why-gay-marriage-matters-20150530-ghc43j

No, marriage must NOT be just simply redefined as between union of two people. If the word is to be mucked around with, the word "incest" will disappear, because marriage will extend to a father or mother with his or her offspring, between siblings, or even grandparents, uncles, nephews, nieces, etc.

Civilisation did not happen overnight, and moral code set was not defined just yesterday. There must be a good reason for marriage to be union of different sexes. If children are born in laboratories, then human beings must as well have robots to be their offsprings, who don't require a couple millions of dollars to raise them through to graduate from university.

If I have a chance to stand at a podium to address a group of children from same sex parents, I shall encourage them to sue their so called parents for depriving them the basic human right of having a father and mother.

Having the aborigines to be inclusive in the Australian society, as an example, is totally different from accepting same sex marriage. The argument is nonsensical, and it is absolute garbage to say the least.

People call for government research funding to find way to help people suffering from genetic problems, and yet no one has ever raise doubt that people trapped in opposite gender body is genetic malfunction, and in the worst case, it may be a sign of silent evolution in progress.

We cannot simply accept this and sweep the matter under the carpet. Like what professor Julius Miller used to ask, "why is it so?"

Iron ore slide hits small property investors

Posted to my FB page Sin Fong Chan Real Estate on 11/2/2015 at 2:23 PM (The Age does not accept comment)
Commenting on "Iron ore slide hits small property investors"
http://www.theage.com.au/money/iron-ore-slide-hits-small-property-investors-20150212-13cieq.html

If one holds property indefinitely, it is only value of the property is only the book value. Profit is made if the property is sold. The current property market is completely out of whack, and many people buying properties during low interest rate are prone to default when the rate increases.

One must not forget that there are ongoing rates and charges, opportunity loss on better class of investment, maintenance costs, etc. Past recessions did send many property owners on tail spin.

Is Buying a Home the Best Way to Build Wealth?

Posted to Sodahead (9/2/2015) on 10/2/2015
Commenting on "Is Buying a Home the Best Way to Build Wealth?"
http://www.sodahead.com/living/is-buying-a-home-the-best-way-to-build-wealth/question-4698794/

Many people will go to great extent to shop for cheap gadget and yet do not spend enough time to check out details before spending hundreds of thousands of hard earned dollars in real properties.

Several friends have asked me for opinion and advice after they have signed the purchase contracts. My standard response is "I cannot comment on what you have told me, and hope that you've made the right decision". A contract is a legal document, and trying to void one is beyond my scope. It is advisable to seek professional advice before committing, and no point to do so after.

Land appreciates but building depreciates. Every day, land gets more and more scarce, but building becomes older and older. Buying real property with no or little land is spending money on buying "thin air". Unless money is a dirty word and you have plenty to give away to the property developer or real estate agent, DO NOT get yourself that volume of thin air! Make sure that land near waterfront is not newly reclaimed or experiencing movement. Furthermore, properties near busy train stations, shopping centres, and popular schools command a good premium in prices.

Management graduates and staff at larger organisations are likely to have learnt the concept of continuous improvement. Similarly, properties must be maintained and improved continuously so as to minimise deterioration and in many cases, it can result in positive growth in real term.

Aussie landlords swallow losses to bet on price gains

Posted to my FB page Sin Fong Chan Real Estate on 13/1/2015 at 1:48 AM (The Age does not accept comment)
Commenting on "Aussie landlords swallow losses to bet on price gains"
http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/aussie-landlords-swallow-losses-to-bet-on-price-gains-20150112-12medj.html

It is a myth that property prices will bounce back in a ridiculous rate like before; not at least for another 10 years or longer. In some areas, the prices in real term actual go backward.

Buying property as a form of investment when interest rate is low can be a great risk. When the interest rate goes up, the return may not cover the loan interest payment. Indeed, many investors do not know how to calculate the risk-return over the long term. Most gain may be swallowed up interest repayment, management expenses, rates and charges, loss opportunities, etc. One must not forget the government taxes such as stamp duty, land tax, capital gains tax, etc.

There is no justification for apartments to be sold at such high prices, but it is all due to the ignorant and arrogant buyers who are so willing to line the pockets of developers and real estate agents with their hard earn money.

Many apartments are left vacant due to lack of tenants. Unfortunately, some are rented to a lead tenant who in turn sublets the property without the owner's permission to multiple tenants, treating the property as an illegal share accommodation.

Remember, scarcity of land results in rise of property value, which means landed property will always worth more by comparison.