This is a letter from the Straits Times Forum Page, 4 August 2009:
BASED on blogs about the National Day Parade (NDP) Preview, it seems that pole dancing will be one of the features of the parade.
From the pictures posted, it appears that several dancers dressed in skimpy outfits will be performing.
As a parent, I am concerned about the portrayal of women in skimpy outfits and sensual dancing at the NDP. Pole dancing has its origins in strip clubs, however toned down the sensuality is now.
I am surprised that it should even make an appearance at the NDP when it is not local to Singapore. In fact, I have not heard of any nation celebrating its National Day with performances by pole dancers.
If skimpy attire and pole dancing are glorified on the national stage, then it negates the values that school teachers try to inculcate in their students. Teachers tell their students that their school uniforms should not be too short. Why should students listen when women can perform in skimpy outfits at the NDP?
Cheah Khuan Yew
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Let’s follow the Chinese example of glorifying Qing Gong (轻功) at the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony instead. I am sure Lee Bee Wah can fly and skid on the giant Singapore flag while the Chinook carries it in mid-air.
Good!!! Let’s showcase our talent to the world this manner. What a joke. I think the NDP chairman like this item very much since he is still young in age.
Oh Come On…..Jolin Tsai use Pole Dancing in her MTV literally translated as Special Agent-J even though so many Taiwanese teens look up to her as an example….guess it depends on perception…some people will say that it is not right, while there are others who will say “this is challenging”
However, using this for NDP? LoL…uniquely singapore…maybe through this showcase, they will garner the attention of more males *maybe young ones”?
I am surprised that after 40 yrs of PAP reigns in Singapore,citizens still do not know
the workings of their government.When come to changing morale value to a liberal ones,they alway give a little doses at a time.In other word,they first desensitize us
and then ,BANG!!.Look at the decriminalization of anal sex btw two opposite sex,
gambling dens so called holiday resorts.Allowing opening of sex shops,Now we
are bombarded with girls poll dancings.Just watch them,Our government will allow
nude dancings in private clubs and eventually allow a colorful GAY PARADE,perhaps
the biggest parade in Asia.PAP always want to be the best in everything.Soon
anti-homosexual law will disappear too.PRESTON LOON.
I am surprised that after 40 yrs of PAP reigns in Singapore,citizens still do not know
the workings of their government.When come to changing morale value to a liberal ones,they alway give a little doses at a time.In other word,they first desensitize us
and then ,BANG!!.Look at the decriminalization of anal sex btw two opposite sex,
gambling dens so called holiday resorts.Allowing opening of sex shops,Now we
are bombarded with girls poll dancings.Just watch them,Our government will allow
nude dancings in private clubs and eventually allow a colorful GAY PARADE,perhaps
the biggest parade in Asia.PAP always want to be the best in everything.Soon
anti-homosexual law will disappear too.PRESTON LOON.
P/S.I wonder where the NDP organizers recruit those poll dancers from.
Pole Dancing is now considered a challenging fitness activity. Dancers do not have to be naked or skimpily dressed. It may have started from strip clubs performances, but it should not be stereotyped in that manner.
Next thing we know is Lim swee say giving us a rap song.
Hmm…I dun want to be caught up in a flame war… but I still do feel that certain activities should not be “glorified”, especially during a “national” event like NDP. Just like drinking alcohol is a socially accepted activity these days, but do we want to “glorify” it by having a “drinking alcohol” segment during NDP as well? I guess one major factor that differentiates us from “western” worldviews is our supposed “moral values”. And these has brought us through many challenges…
Besides… my personal view is that items “exhibited” during national events such as NDP should basically serve to further the common “good” of the country (sounds cliche though) such as national pride, cohesion, unity, etc. Not sure which of these does the pole-dancing fulfill…. Could just be the organising chairman’s tacky bid to “outshine” last year’s committee… After all, promotions could be at stake… :)
Wow, that’s awesome! I wish I could pole dance? It is NOT only a great way to exercise, but I have seen the artistic techniques that people have to be trained in various styles and structures of pole dancing.
Just wonderful!
The old man needs the pole dancers to stimulate him back to life…his second chance is coming soon as his wife will die before. At age 84, he can still enjoy for another 4 to 5 years with the aid of lots of ginsens.
aiyoyo
must watch this particular moment/section (pole dancing only)
”英雄本色“
think pay yearly $110 tv fees to watch this moment only (pole dancing)…
aiyoyo
Where’s this guy from? The Ming Dynasty? Welcome to the present. Your daughter is not getting her values from you, nor from the school. Unless you lock her in a dungeon and cut her off from everything else, Mingster.
Relax.
It is gymnastics using a pole as a prop instead of a vaulting horse, or parallel bars.
May have started in strip clubs but that doesn’t invalidate it as a public spectacle.
Tango originated in brothels. Now shown on TV at prime time
Singapore needs more babies.Strong young women are needed to fulfil that task. Pole dancing helps build strong muscles, especially strong child-bearing hips. So see pole dancing as yet another project to boost Singapore’s we-need-more-babies campaign. All this said, with tongue firmly in cheek, in case some of our fashion- crazy beanpole sisters pounce on me for my out-of-date views.
where is the conservative FM Thio?
what next mbt will shake his bon bon like ricky martin definitely going to knock my socks off wif my mouth wide open
Ever wonder why close to 1000 Singaporeans leave Singapore for good every year? It’s because of folks like PRESTON LOON!
Why would you care anyway, this country can always replenish the talent pool from China and India… oh not forgetting the ang-mos! But wait, then why argue about our jobs going to foreigners? Hmmm… perhaps people like PRESTON LOON can enlighten us…
KM
Pole dancing exercises every part of the body – sliding up and down the pole works the quadriceps and the gluteal muscles; holding oneself against the pole works the biceps while the continuous hip movement whittles the waist. Apart from toning muscles, Pole Dancing also increases upper body strength and works the entire body. However, unlike other more rigorous dance forms, pole dancing is low on impact and can be practiced even by people who’re not in top condition.
SG needs pole-dancing: to get people into shape (solves obesity problem), to get men aroused (solves erectile dysfunction problem), to make babies (solve low number of babies problem). As it solves so many national problems, it must be shown at NDP!
pole dance only lah, not strip tease. looks like i will be glued to the screen when that segment is “performing”! :)
look out for wardrobe malfunction!! lol… :P
*Sigh*,
perhaps let’s just give the dancers a little more clothing…
Dear readers, please be more appreciative of the executive committee’s effort.
Do you know how difficult it is to come up with fresh ideas to out-do previous year’s NDP?
This pole dancing segment can show the world SG’s readiness to embrace foreign culture and show how good we are as a world-class global city.
It’ll be wonderful if they can incorporate some snippets of Integrated Resort into NDP but I guess this will be KIV for next year’s parade.
i think people are reading too much into pole dancing segment. It’s nether a ‘liberal’ effort nor a embrace-foreign-culture endeavor. It’s just … pole dancing.
http://www.worldpoledance.com/
next thing you know… we have a yoga segment, and there will be religious outcry from certain religious enclave. lol
#20) nice is nice and #22 -Whynot
Representations of sexual acts against a pole is not embracing foreign culture – it’s thrash. So by that same account does having a couple mimick sopulation fully clothed equally acceptable during NDP even though ,as others who have supported the idea of pole dancing, it has aerobic benefits? Afterall it helps prevents heart attacks , lowers blood pressure etc etc.
There are children in the crowd. I don’t even think it is necessary to spend millions on rehearsals after rehearsals and then another ‘actual’ NDP on National DAY !
How many wedding nights rehearsals did you have (if you are marrried)?
I think it is ok so long they dont reveal too much of their body!
hahaha…
Cannot stand those self proclaimed Moral police. Just like the self proclaimed FM. Why so many ppl think they are the moral police. This one cannot. THat one ban. Everyone wear Cheongsam and sing GaungXIFaCa next time.
Hahaha !!!!!
Casino, Gaylang, Joo Chiat and
NDP, all same same.
At least the pole dancers are not students in school uniforms…
28) Jobless
Are you sure? Man, I am disappointed! (*Wink)
Wrong lah…those are WKS’s elite force….to protect the VVIPs
hi The SS,
i was just being tongue-in-cheek. the health benefits do not outweigh the danger performing these potentially dangerous stunts.
ooh, looks like people can use safety concern as valid ground against the performance.
i support such a ban! ;)
Why we never ever seen males doing pole-dancing huh? ;;; If i am not mistaken, probably because they will end up with some busted testicles ;;; definitely not a good idea.
pole dancing is meant to create jobs for the 2000 employees of Seagate!
So it’s about perception. Mine is healthy so I suggest to put pole dancing into school ECA options.
So we wish to be the first country to have pole dancing performance during National Day.
they are clearly trying too hard.
world’s 1st? pappies supporters must be so proud!! :)
this year pole dancing next year strip dancing? maybe to some it makes S’pore more vibrant? want to impress new citizen to showcase how globalised (or desperate) also not like that mah…
no taste ah…
NDP is to cater for all ages. This segment, pole dancing, is feast for the eyes of the ageing population, especially, chigo ah pek.
good for population growth.
When the hip hoppers fail to influence the young generation’s hearts, this is another cheap treat to buy their hormones. Anyway, the sincerity is not there because I don’t see Josephine or LBW there performing bar dance. They should have joined in the fun since LBW procliamed herself to be gamesome….hahahaaha.
I wouldn’t mind to see Josephine Teo dance on the tabletop with a really tight and really short Cheongsam. She is one of the prettier MPs after all.
5) preston loon on August 5th, 2009 2.44 am
I was against the pole dancing at NDP (it’s a bit tacky) until I read your posting. If you’re right, then perhaps it’s a good idea.
Isn’t the NDP supposed to be a family-friendly event? Could the organising committee please explain the rationale behind the inclusion of this sleazy display. What message are we sending to our young ones.Are we encouraging promiscuous behaviour? We read today that girls below 14 are engaging in sex and it is already becoming commonplace for young ladies (!!) to brazenly spend the night in the rooms of our sons without a thought for the parents or grandparents who are under the same roof.
#32) budamax1952
There are gogo boy bars overseas, and if SG women have seen them dance, pehaps they will smile more (a recent article laments that SG women do not smile).
# 42) summer
So also ban other dances like tango. What will your kids think when they watch that, a couple having sex!?
Minister Vivien will surely be worried about the safeties of the Pole Dancers and some of the Excited Audiences.
the pole above got S’pore flag anot?
..trying to be special, again.
Next year we will see bellydancers.
Poster of half-naked man at NTU convocation is deemed inappropriate, but skimpy outfits women performing in front of whole nation is acceptable?
MIW or course prefer woman in skimpy outfits compared to men half naked mah. its (still) a men’s world… :P