Comments on: Good crowd turns up for TOC’s first public event

By: The SS

The SS — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:17:54 +0000

I was there and thought it was well organized and more importantly, it showed that the group at TOC cares and loves Singapore enough to stand and be counted.
Hope more citizens will join and show that the people want a proper voice and want CHANGE.
Thanks TOC.

By: Ganga

Ganga — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:31:45 +0000

The only mention of TOC in the news clip was the byline for Gerald. The purpose of the clip was to superficially acknowledge that an event happened at Speakers’ Corner. The fact that the turnout was very good, that it was coordinated and organised quite well by TOC, and that it was more than just ‘bloggers coming out into the open’ was all conveniently left out of the report.

If I were not a TOC reader, the information in this news clip would be nothing more than casual info on local happenings and nothing more. Cursory reporting from the MSM rather than helping to create/spread awareness – very disappointing. After I saw the clip, it was clear why the TOC team had to include the disclaimer “TOC will have its own report and video published here” in this entry…

By: Ho Pinkie

Ho Pinkie — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:56:07 +0000

3) Jackson Tan on September 14th, 2008 11.57 am Typically, I’m not particularly impressed by the neutrality of the reports of the mainstream media, but I must give them credit for showing this pieces of news onto their very precious airtime! Well, at least bloggers are gaining some force in the SIngapore society.

————–

I am bored with the MSM.
This is why I turn to or tune in to TOC.

By: isa

isa — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:10:14 +0000

Dentist Jan
“I happen to own a car not bc I desire one. Infact, I prefer not to own one for cost reasons. However, due the need to make efficient use of time. The shorty . I need a car (period).”

Eh Harlow Mr/Miss Dentist… your reason of why you have no choice but to own a car because you need to make efficient use of time is VERY LAME. WHO Doesn’t want to make efficient use of time?

If you say you are a salesman running around the island to peddle ur products and u need to carry a lot of products samples… so you got to own a car not coz you desire but need to.. I can understand… but yours is downright lame way of trying to justified why govt shouldn’t put more burden on car owner. U got blain or not

Anyway… I own a car..and I am all for the move to smoother traffic… and also reducing costs for the needy in public transport. If it means I have to pay more.. I will gladly do it.. ‘COZ I Choose to own a car.. not because I have no choice.

By: MarikitaOsama

MarikitaOsama — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:04:30 +0000

Govt. Bus & MRT Companies will provide special vouchers and other offers to low income group for the Fares Increased.
Why is the “No Income and Pensionless Group” excluded in the deal ??
Are we a “Dead End Group” and no need for support ?
Remember we helped to build Singapore when all the Big Shots were sucking
nipples ?

Think

By: isa

isa — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:57:51 +0000

A good step in the right direction. This online citizen committee is more productive than your WP and SDP and other opposition. I hope they stand for election as OPPOSITION (Don’t get entice to join the ranks of the ruling party ..though the pay is lucrative).

One issue I think needs to be resolved even more is the venue for public speaking. Why is it that the dorminant party can conduct celebrations with proper tents and such and under the guise of RC celebration and etc..

But these speakers have to abide by such rules of not even able to get a professional mic console (which they can definitely rent themself but is forbidded)… or even tents or seatings.

Is the government merely paying lips service or is it time to show the people that you don’t mean that and start at least building a basic seating facility for the poor audience with proper shelter. If you say the cost is unjustified.. THen should you not allow them to hold indoor conferences (and they will gladly pay the rent).

By: TOC a political party

TOC a political party — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:42:22 +0000

TOC has become a political movement. i don’t think you guys can claim to be a group blog anymore. seems you’re more like a political movement with a website.

By: A

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:15:29 +0000

I felt that the TOC should have used loudhailer instead. not only that. Can upload transcript of any sort?

By: SevenEleven

SevenEleven — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:30:55 +0000

I’m impressed with TOC for the organisation of the public forum. However, there were some speaker who tends toward politics when giving the speech. I would rate the suggestion as good and hope that we can together make the adminstration think and consult the public on public policies. Not just their selected elites who had already lost grounds on the people

By: Andrew Loh

Andrew Loh — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:36:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the kind words of support and encouragement. I think it is important to thank also everyone who took the time to go down to Hong Lim Park yesterday. It was really good to see everyone there. And the weather was great too – wasn’t hot at all. All in all, it was a very pleasant afternoon.

As for the sound system, there is really very little we could do. The rules are pretty strict – we’re only allowed self-powered amplification. Perhaps the next time (if there is a next time) we will place the speakers in a better position.

It was a good day… we’re quite happy with the whole event – this being our very first. :)

By: Saint Splattergut

Saint Splattergut — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:35:33 +0000

Tear Down the Walls: same thing happened to me, but the video definitely works now.

Good job TOC.

By: sarek_home

sarek_home — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:09:44 +0000

Regarding the sound system, Speakers’ Corner has this regulation:

where amplification equipment is used, use only handheld, self-powered amplification equipment (eg. loudhailers) and only between the hours of 9.00 am and 10.30 pm

This is a limitation: handheld, self-powered

When RC runs their functions, they draw electricity from lamp posts or power plugs from void deck to blast the noise all over the neighbourhood. However, we are limited to use handheld, self-powered amplification equipment with limited range.

Either we use multiple handheld, self-powered amplification equipments to improve the sound quality or the government need to change the rules and provide more supports to the speakers.

Funny that they allow people to use power plugs in libraries to run laptops. If only the park allows people to do the same thing.

Maybe, we need to bring a portable power generator if the government will consider it self powered.

By: Tew N S

Tew N S — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:40:09 +0000

I went to the event, but what I want to complain is when I entered CBD, I was charged $2 ERP near Hong Lim Park at evening Sat. and when I left the area towards Bugis Jn, I was charged again $2 ERP, I wonder why I am charged $2 when I left CBD area ?? Total I have to pay $4 for Sat evening. So this govt is trying to discourage ppl from going to China town during normal day and weekend evening, business will drop in China town. That is ERP planning, first world planning by Raymond Lim. So Dr James Gomez and Mr Goh Meng Seng are correct, the govt don’t have a master plan. What they did is by try and error. When the business drop in China town, traders complain then they will reduce ERP, they wasted so much money building gantries, to become white elephant. Let us thank TOC by organising more events to educate this first world govt. They need to hear feedback from us, if not they don’t know how to plan. They are carried away by counting their million dollar salary, each month !!!

By: inspir3d

inspir3d — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:24:09 +0000

great job guys

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:44:38 +0000

yah..i for one will be more than pleased to make a donation. Well done TOC. It is a great milestone for online media. Cheers!

By: BK

BK — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:33:41 +0000

Thanks to TOC and the speakers for this event. We have so far the largest crowd turn out at Hong Lim Park, I think this is a significant point to note.

Yes I also think the sound system is not ideal. Also, the microphone used wasn’t suitable for a speech event, because if the speaker moves the mic just a little away from the mouth, the voice is lost.

If TOC is shortage of resources for equipment, shall we find a way to make donation etc to improve things?

By: Jackson Tan

Jackson Tan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:57:37 +0000

Typically, I’m not particularly impressed by the neutrality of the reports of the mainstream media, but I must give them credit for showing this pieces of news onto their very precious airtime! Well, at least bloggers are gaining some force in the SIngapore society.

TOC, this is an impressive move; keep up with the good effort!

P.S.: Please do consider a better sound system at Hong Lim Park, if possible. I can hardly hear you from the back!

By: dentist jan

dentist jan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:27:27 +0000

I happen to own a car not bc I desire one. Infact, I prefer not to own one for cost reasons. However, due the need to make efficient use of time. The shorty . I need a car (period).

I mean, if you really want to improve on tramsportation. Why not just go everywhere with bicycles like those brotherhood folk? From what I see not even rain, snow and hail storms seem to stop them, not even the Alps or the Himalayas. So I think at the end of the day, it has alot to do with our personal choices. Govt can relieve, but I dont think they can make the difference.

But please dont penalise car owners.

We already happen to be one of the most expensive countries to own a car! Even my Swiss friends are shocked when I tell them how much my little dinky spinner cost.

Keep the cost low, but keep the taxes even lower.

By: Tear Down the Walls

Tear Down the Walls — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:08:47 +0000

Maybe its just my computer, when I click the video shown above, it says ‘we’re sorry, this video is no longer available.”

Will try again later.

Thanks to TOC, on behalf of the people ! Unusually brave and rare breed of citizens.
Without you, HLP is a ghost town.
Lets not waste public money on an under utilized public park.

Regards
Raymond Lum aka Ho Pinkie alias Mahblow Stunted