Comments on: Time to take a stand – an open letter to George Yeo http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/ a community of Singaporeans Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:39:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mice is nice http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-137851 mice is nice Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:07:37 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-137851 arms sales are private affairs? really? tell that to China when Taiwan plans to buy more arms from USA. politics is a form of warfare without the need to bear arms. the letter to Minister George Yeo is moot, in politics, 1 must dangle the <strong>carrot </strong>(economic incentives) & also make the <strong>stick </strong>(repercussions)<strong> </strong>obvious without needing to wield it. in this case, the stick needs to be real enough, painful enough & the threat of being hit- urgent enough. to warrant a firm & swift action. i doubt such a stick exists. unless people of Myanmar volunteer to kick out PAP by force. rofl....   :D arms sales are private affairs? really? tell that to China when Taiwan plans to buy more arms from USA. politics is a form of warfare without the need to bear arms.

the letter to Minister George Yeo is moot, in politics, 1 must dangle the carrot (economic incentives) & also make the stick (repercussions) obvious without needing to wield it. in this case, the stick needs to be real enough, painful enough & the threat of being hit- urgent enough. to warrant a firm & swift action.

i doubt such a stick exists. unless people of Myanmar volunteer to kick out PAP by force.

rofl….   :D

]]> By: rubbish in rubbish out http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-137835 rubbish in rubbish out Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:32:06 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-137835 http://www.asiapacificms.com/articles/myanmar_chinese_connection/ "Even more importantly, Singaporean technicians are now upgrading Myanmar's defense industry. A significant but unknown number of Singapore experts have been based at Padaung opposite Prome on the Irrawaddy river north of Yangon, replacing German technicians from the Fritz Werner company who were there in the past." "Myanmar's neighbours have reacted to the military build-up there in a way which differs considerably from the West's policy of an arms embargo. The arms deals with Singaporean firms may be private affairs, but it is nevertheless evident that the island republic considers Myanmar one of its potentially most important regional allies." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now here comes the age old questions: Guns don't kill people... It's people kill that kill people??? Who is the bigger culprit??? The one that pulls the trigger??? or the one that provide the weapon??? http://www.asiapacificms.com/articles/myanmar_chinese_connection/
“Even more importantly, Singaporean technicians are now upgrading Myanmar’s defense industry. A significant but unknown number of Singapore experts have been based at Padaung opposite Prome on the Irrawaddy river north of Yangon, replacing German technicians from the Fritz Werner company who were there in the past.”
“Myanmar’s neighbours have reacted to the military build-up there in a way which differs considerably from the West’s policy of an arms embargo. The arms deals with Singaporean firms may be private affairs, but it is nevertheless evident that the island republic considers Myanmar one of its potentially most important regional allies.”
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Now here comes the age old questions:
Guns don’t kill people… It’s people kill that kill people??? Who is the bigger culprit??? The one that pulls the trigger??? or the one that provide the weapon???

]]> By: mic o mic http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-137830 mic o mic Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:08:13 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-137830 Singaporean companies doing business in Myanmar should be slapped with a heavy tax for reaping financial benefits in a nation under a crack-potic regime. Singaporean companies doing business in Myanmar should be slapped with a heavy tax for reaping financial benefits in a nation under a crack-potic regime.

]]> By: OriginalResonance http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-121004 OriginalResonance Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:41:10 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-121004 Why is Aung San Suu Kyi the one being imprisoned and not the military junta? Why is Aung San Suu Kyi the one being imprisoned and not the military junta?

]]> By: Mui K.L. http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-120998 Mui K.L. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:07:40 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-120998 Stop bullying Myanmar! Myanmar is an independent country, no foreign nation must interfere in her internal matters. What would we Singaporeans say, if Myanmar or India denigrated our country for Mr. Vui's conviction, ERP hikes or HDB issues?? Those opposition members who are so concerned about democracy in Myanmar should ask themself: What makes them single out Myanmar? Why not talk about democracy in Brunei, Saudi Arabia or China? They just follow the western mainstream. It is certainly in the interest of Singapore to enjoy fruitful relations with Myanmar, regardless from who is in power there. Stop bullying Myanmar!

Myanmar is an independent country, no foreign nation must interfere in her internal matters.

What would we Singaporeans say, if Myanmar or India denigrated our country for Mr. Vui’s conviction, ERP hikes or HDB issues??

Those opposition members who are so concerned about democracy in Myanmar should ask themself: What makes them single out Myanmar? Why not talk about democracy in Brunei, Saudi Arabia or China? They just follow the western mainstream.

It is certainly in the interest of Singapore to enjoy fruitful relations with Myanmar, regardless from who is in power there.

]]> By: celluloidrealitys http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2622 celluloidrealitys Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:53:35 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2622 Matt, perhaps we should reverse that policy aye. Non-interference policy and sovereignty is no longer absolute carte-blanche for a regime to do anything it pleases, even if it breaks international law. Matt, perhaps we should reverse that policy aye. Non-interference policy and sovereignty is no longer absolute carte-blanche for a regime to do anything it pleases, even if it breaks international law.

]]> By: matt http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2608 matt Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:18:43 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2608 agreed. in any case i think its wise for singapore to keep out of the affairs of other countries, for it frequently insists that others do likewise when the actions of its government are called into question. it is not the first and won't be the last time that a government reacts violently to popular unrest. in international relations there are really no such thing as principles. if we are going to jump onto the bandwagon of everyone kao pehing myanmar on the basis that the junta is not democratically elected legitimate government and the status quo not reflective of popular sentiment and aspirations then on the same principle an independence referendum in taiwan should be the supported and welcomed by the international community. unfortunately myanmar is being gangbanged by just about every because it is small, isolated and insignificant. in short, because it can be, more than simply because it should. agreed. in any case i think its wise for singapore to keep out of the affairs of other countries, for it frequently insists that others do likewise when the actions of its government are called into question. it is not the first and won’t be the last time that a government reacts violently to popular unrest. in international relations there are really no such thing as principles. if we are going to jump onto the bandwagon of everyone kao pehing myanmar on the basis that the junta is not democratically elected legitimate government and the status quo not reflective of popular sentiment and aspirations then on the same principle an independence referendum in taiwan should be the supported and welcomed by the international community. unfortunately myanmar is being gangbanged by just about every because it is small, isolated and insignificant. in short, because it can be, more than simply because it should.

]]> By: David http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2605 David Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:43:57 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2605 Singapore is just a 'modern' version of Myanmar with main difference that one die financially rather than physically. I am just appalled that whatever CNN, BCC etc say of Myanmar are just applicable to Singapore, and I thought that they actually refer to Singapore in first place only without those news about death and violence. If only Myanmar is smart enough to follow Singapore's footstep of using Money as instrument rather than the person itself, there probably won't be bloodshed. Gov will be wise to change their way of exploiting people and stop treating Singaporean as fool because just like People of Myanmar, Singaporean has certain threshold level of tolerance. A greedy regime never last forever. Singapore is just a ‘modern’ version of Myanmar with main difference that one die financially rather than physically.

I am just appalled that whatever CNN, BCC etc say of Myanmar are just applicable to Singapore, and I thought that they actually refer to Singapore in first place only without those news about death and violence.

If only Myanmar is smart enough to follow Singapore’s footstep of using Money as instrument rather than the person itself, there probably won’t be bloodshed.

Gov will be wise to change their way of exploiting people and stop treating Singaporean as fool because just like People of Myanmar, Singaporean has certain threshold level of tolerance.

A greedy regime never last forever.

]]> By: Sarah S http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2604 Sarah S Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:16:37 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2604 Ha. What l/ states is true. Singapore calling for human rights and democracy is mere hypocrisy. And Singapore merely expressing revulsion at the state of affair in Burma is another statement reeking of hypocrisy. We all know that Singapore is one of the main trading partners of Myanmar in Asia, and all they can say is they're having an intense discussion? An intense discussion on what? If there are strong calls that Singapore shld impose some sanctions; which industry wld be best to pull out from Myanmar that will not be too much of a financial blow? Ha. What l/ states is true. Singapore calling for human rights and democracy is mere hypocrisy. And Singapore merely expressing revulsion at the state of affair in Burma is another statement reeking of hypocrisy. We all know that Singapore is one of the main trading partners of Myanmar in Asia, and all they can say is they’re having an intense discussion? An intense discussion on what? If there are strong calls that Singapore shld impose some sanctions; which industry wld be best to pull out from Myanmar that will not be too much of a financial blow?

]]> By: It’s Time To Take A Stand! « What Others Say? http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2620 It’s Time To Take A Stand! « What Others Say? Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:12:45 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2620 [...] Time To Take A Stand - An Open Letter To George Yeo. [...] [...] Time To Take A Stand – An Open Letter To George Yeo. [...]

]]> By: V http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2621 V Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:32:23 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2621 Fact is, Singapore has no moral authority to meddle in Burma. We are hardly a free and transparent country ourselves. It is just a matter of to what degree and how competent the military leading the respective countries are. So our Big Genitalia and Rear-Admirers in politics, GLCs and civil service are more business savvy than the Burmese junta but we have as much right to meddle in their affairs as the other half the world who has greater transparency and freedom than Singapore (that's practically everyone else in the 1st world country club) to meddle in our political affairs. For Singapore to call for human rights and constitutional rule and democracy in another country is just hypocrisy. The Singapore government should concentrate on what it does best: build entertainment and posh residences for foreigners; create jobs for foreigners; provide education for foreigners; and screw Singaporeans until 6 months before the next election. Fact is, Singapore has no moral authority to meddle in Burma. We are hardly a free and transparent country ourselves. It is just a matter of to what degree and how competent the military leading the respective countries are. So our Big Genitalia and Rear-Admirers in politics, GLCs and civil service are more business savvy than the Burmese junta but we have as much right to meddle in their affairs as the other half the world who has greater transparency and freedom than Singapore (that’s practically everyone else in the 1st world country club) to meddle in our political affairs.

For Singapore to call for human rights and constitutional rule and democracy in another country is just hypocrisy. The Singapore government should concentrate on what it does best: build entertainment and posh residences for foreigners; create jobs for foreigners; provide education for foreigners; and screw Singaporeans until 6 months before the next election.

]]> By: Time to take a stand - an open letter to George Yeo at Gamers Delight News http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2619 Time to take a stand - an open letter to George Yeo at Gamers Delight News Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:20:52 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2619 [...] dylan@dylangreene.com (Dylan Greene) wrote an interesting article today about Here’s a quick quoteLATEST: Burma protesters defy crackdown - BBC Dear Mr Yeo, The situation in Myanmar has taken a turn for the worse. As I write, news reports from the BBC and other respected sources report that several protestors, including monks, … [...] [...] dylan@dylangreene.com (Dylan Greene) wrote an interesting article today about Here’s a quick quoteLATEST: Burma protesters defy crackdown – BBC Dear Mr Yeo, The situation in Myanmar has taken a turn for the worse. As I write, news reports from the BBC and other respected sources report that several protestors, including monks, … [...]

]]> By: shoestring http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2606 shoestring Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:59:09 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2606 Medical treatment should be available to all. Medical treatment should be available to all.

]]> By: Akira http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2615 Akira Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:26:51 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2615 In this BBC article which profiles the top three leaders of the junta, it is said that two out of three of them seek treatment for their illnesses in Singapore's hospital. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3755684.stm I have mixed feelings about this... Should we be doing this? In this BBC article which profiles the top three leaders of the junta, it is said that two out of three of them seek treatment for their illnesses in Singapore’s hospital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3755684.stm

I have mixed feelings about this… Should we be doing this?

]]> By: Andrew Loh http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2614 Andrew Loh Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:15:41 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2614 LCC, The answer is yes. :) Regards. LCC,

The answer is yes. :)

Regards.

]]> By: James Chia http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2618 James Chia Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:02:57 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2618 ASEAN did nothing when thousands were killed during the 1988 protest. What makes you think they will do anything this time round? ASEAN did nothing when thousands were killed during the 1988 protest. What makes you think they will do anything this time round?

]]> By: Henry http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2612 Henry Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:18:10 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2612 Time to send some of the BGs over there to see if they are combat worthy, before they settle in their cushy GLC postings. Time to send some of the BGs over there to see if they are combat worthy, before they settle in their cushy GLC postings.

]]> By: Julia http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2603 Julia Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:39:46 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2603 Thanks alots for writing about Burma. Your opinion is right. I also pray that Mr.Yeo will support the protestors and not accept the Junta's request. I wish he can save many lives of hopeless people in Burma. I wish all singaporeans will give kindness to all human beings in Burma. Thanks alots for writing about Burma. Your opinion is right. I also pray that Mr.Yeo will support the protestors and not accept the Junta’s request. I wish he can save many lives of hopeless people in Burma. I wish all singaporeans will give kindness to all human beings in Burma.

]]> By: LCC http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2611 LCC Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:03:49 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2611 Hmm... This question may sound redundant but I just wanted to ask: has this open letter been forwarded to MFA/George Yeo? Hmm… This question may sound redundant but I just wanted to ask: has this open letter been forwarded to MFA/George Yeo?

]]> By: Daily SG: 27 Sep 2007 « The Singapore Daily http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/comment-page-1/#comment-2616 Daily SG: 27 Sep 2007 « The Singapore Daily Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:30:12 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/26/time-to-take-a-stand-an-open-letter-to-george-yeo/#comment-2616 [...] on September 27th, 2007 Burmese Protests - Mr Wang Says So: Turning Ugly - Koh Jie Kai, TOC: Time to take a stand - an open letter to George Yeo - The Online Citizen: Monks lead protest in Burma - The States Times: Learning From The Maestro - [...] [...] on September 27th, 2007 Burmese Protests – Mr Wang Says So: Turning Ugly – Koh Jie Kai, TOC: Time to take a stand – an open letter to George Yeo – The Online Citizen: Monks lead protest in Burma – The States Times: Learning From The Maestro – [...]

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