So who going to make the change ? God ? Which god ?

1) Try avoiding stepping on the mines; or
2) Step on one, some or all the mines, then the people behind will cross more safely (assuming the enemy doesn’t replace those mines).

Somehow, I think the people who choose method 1) seem to be smarter than those who choose method 2). My platoon mates appear to agreed with that choice too.

Your editorial (“Democracy in Singapore,” June 26), relying on a “partial transcript,” has misunderstood the issue in the libel case involving Dr. Chee Soon Juan and his sister.

The case had nothing to do with political freedom. It was for defamation arising from the Chees’ false claims that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Kuan Yew are criminals and corrupt. Despite being advised by a Queen’s Counsel, they failed to produce any credible defense or evidence to back up their claims.

Having lost, Dr. Chee in open court then called the Singapore leaders “murderers, robbers, child molesters” and “rapists.” The Chees also rebuked the judge, ignored her orders and shouted her down. In Ms. Chee’s defense, her lawyer could only claim that she was “almost paranoid.” This is why the judge sentenced the Chees to imprisonment for scandalizing the court.

Many opposition politicians routinely criticize government leaders, but are not sued because they have not uttered slanderous falsehoods. Contrary to your editorial, Singapore upholds free speech and the right to disagree, subject to the law.

Singapore’s laws must be decided by Singaporeans, not by foreigners like Gopalan Nair, who is a U.S. citizen, or by the foreign media. Foreign media are entitled to report and comment on what is happening in Singapore, but they circulate here subject to Singapore law. They have no right to defame, to give a skewed account of court proceedings, or to engage in Singapore politics, for example, by campaigning for their version of Western style “democracy” for Singapore.

Yeong Yoon Ying
Press Secretary to Minister Mentor
Singapore

Andrew; there is hope for us to regain some of the losses caused by the blind faith the first generation after Independence have given to the Local Leaders. There is an awakening in them(1st Gen), many realized their follies and so are many of our youngs who are sensitive to the losses of their ethnicities of language, dialect, food and a whole lot of cultures. The greatest loss may not be even understood and felt, the big family unit of two, three generations with married siblings under one roof. Where respects to the elders was the norm and the greatest joy of family cohesion.

Revolution and uprising invariably arise from extreme, unbearable and authoritarian oligarchy and there is only so much that any society can bear. Luckily, we will not need a violent or militant struggle, signs are all around that enough is enough. All that is needed now is for the youngs to realize that there will be no future for them if the present system remain unchanged. I believe they sense it and they will help to make changes.

Andrew; you are playing a very vital role and many of us will do our best to be with you.

patriot.

First they stripped us of our languages – dialects – through the Speak Mandarin campaign in schools, in the media and in the wider society.

With the demise of our dialects goes with it our culture.

Then they started stripping us of our memories – through physical development, demolishing places which we hold dear. Even now, it is still going on.

Is it any wonder then that S’poreans have difficulty identifying with the country, the nation? The question now is: How should we get these things back? Or do we succumb to the govt’s dictates that this is inevitable?

Taiwanese have their dialects, their culture and they are a proud people and rightly so. Their sense of identity is not in question. Same as Hong Kongers who proudly speak Cantonese everywhere.

But we here in S’pore is stripped of these things – and urged to FEEL Singaporean. Couple this with the influx of foreigners, with their languages, culture, habits, etc, we are truly nobodies.

We must start with our children – speak our dialects to them, teach them our cultures.

If our young take their lead from out leaders in govt, I would be very sad indeed. Just look at the way they are behaving – truly they are the real hooligans.

Yes, now the only hope is in the young, I am encouraged and greatly consoled by youth like Singaporespirit participating in our discussions. When more youths like him are active in our social and political developments, we can be very hopeful of positive changes. When the people are purged of their vainities and vices, collectively known as materialism, sensibilites and wisdoms will return to MAKE OUR SOCIETY A MORE HUMANE AND CARING ONE THAT WE HAD BEFORE INDEPENDENCE.

To Singaporespirit; I hope that you will be with us and bring more of your friends, schoolmates to join in and together, we shall work towards spreading our ideology and humanities to save ourselves from an imminent corruption of our minds by OUR MINDLESS, MATERIALISTIC LEADERSHIP. There are P65 Parliamentarians that were co-opted into the Leadership, who are not too old. Many of them have communicated with the Citizenry, I have had participated in their blogs but thus far, they made me more worried, for they seem incapable of independent thinkings. They seemed inclined towards the materialism slope and I am very disappointed that they lack idealism. Materialism had corrupted their souls.

We are near the point of no return and we have to face this labyrinth head on to make our existences meaningful and worthwhile, anymore slip up and we are on the slippery route to rots.

Let us seek happiness, happiness that materialism will never be able to attain.

For a concerted action, let us wear dark and stay away far from the National Day Parade and Community Celebrations organized by Peoples Association for National Day. We can celebrate National Day our own ways.Pass and disseminate this message for maximun effect.

patriot.

Words of wisdom by Edmund Burke is truly appropriate to the situation in Singapore.

It says a lot about a person who is only good at using underhand methods.
Doe not matter what he is striving to achieve.

There are many good men in Singapore and it is time they step up to the plate.
May I suggest all Singaporeans bond with each other by wearing BLACK for the entire day on 9th AUG and go about their normal routine.
A simple act for those who feel they need to send a message.
It will say a lot about ourselves as Singaporeans.

“No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.” – Edmund Burke.

When one knows something is wrong – and feels it instinctively (perhaps through his conscience) – then perhaps one should not stand idly by while the evil tramples all over.

The latest happenings – Dr Chee being called these names and the press’ coverage of Tan Lead Shake – tells me that what I fear most may have already taken root. Indeed, Law Sin Ling seems to say that it already has.

At times I feel really sad for my country. That constantly it is stripped of its dignity, its humanness, and its humanity – all in the pursuit of gold.

It makes me many times sadder that we have people in govt who are responsible for these things. But I take heart that I am not alone and that one day, this govt will awaken – or be awakened – to the futility of this dogma of pursuing materialism at all cost.

Yesterday, a friend told me: The govt’s approach is often termed “pragmatism” or “pragmatic”. It is not pragmatism. It is materialism – at its worst.

I agree. Yet, I also believe that ordinary Singaporeans are ultimately the ones who can change things, save ourselves from this endless – and futile – pursuit of materialism.

The Malaysians have shown us that it can be done. The Burmese people have shown us that it may take an immense amount of courage.

Lets hope that we Singaporeans can do the same – when the next GE comes around.

It would indeed be the saddest day of all if, when we know instinctively that a line has been crossed, we stand idly by and do nothing. Then, we have no one else to blame but ourselves.

*To the people from the media who are involved in the reporting of the case of Lead Shake’s wife, please think about it and search your soul. Please do not follow your masters’ path and cross the line into vulgarity. Have some humanity in you. Else, you’d be nothing more than vile animals.

Regards,
Andrew Loh

To the thinking man, LKY’s legacy is one which could have been very much better.