tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post114786331725134969..comments2023-11-05T17:53:13.405+08:00Comments on Singabloodypore: Smutocracy is a facade for democracyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148221574842849542006-05-21T22:26:00.000+08:002006-05-21T22:26:00.000+08:00When you speak of "disempowered people" I think yo...When you speak of "disempowered people" I think you mean <B>individuals</B> who have just "surrendered" and made themselves "victims".<BR/><BR/>I just won't buy that. Sorry.<BR/><BR/>All govt are - to varying degrees - a pain in the arse. However, it is not that difficult - some effort required of course - to retain one's Individual Sovereignty even in authoritarian Singapore.<BR/><BR/>You needn't become a member of the "moanin' victimhood", if you so choose.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Baroness Margaret Thatcher: "There is no such thing as society..etc etc"<BR/><BR/>Society (and the culture) can only change, one individual at a time. <BR/><BR/>For 40 years, the majority of individuals have compromised by trading their freedom for the ILLUSION of security.Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️https://www.blogger.com/profile/02652498247201967379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148216434663579822006-05-21T21:00:00.000+08:002006-05-21T21:00:00.000+08:00It is true what matilah says about the "disempower...It is true what matilah says about the "disempowered" people. It is also true that restriction of freedom cannot be avoided. However, any government that truly works its people must make sure that restrictions are enforced only as far as they protect the rights of the individual. Because human happiness does not solely consist in living comfortably, but also in experiencing life through one's own choices and responsibilities, so that any restriction is nothing more than a necessary evil. <BR/>Yes, it is possible to live a dignified life (by which I mean a life lived according to uncoerced decisions and ideology) in an authoritarian state. It is all well if you are naturally inclined to the line taken by the ruling elite. If it is different, then there will be some price to pay, depending on how great the deviation is. Note that it does not have to be directly in opposition to, but merely different from, the dominant view, because difference is a challenge to obedience and conformity, and is thus an attack on the autocratic state. <BR/>Can this be changed? Can an autocratic state peacefully evolve into one that respects the liberty of every individual, no matter how eccentric, and restrict it only as far as one's liberty may impose on the rights of another? The only way this might happen is through force, either political or physical. Of physical force, there is little to say since one only needs to review the mechanisms of the French Revolution and October Revolution. As for political force, change may be effected only through great personal sacrifice. It is the one thing that dictators fear most - martyrdom. Oppositions and conspiracies may easily be crushed with an efficient secret police. But the sacrifice of a single martyr becomes a symbol of liberty to the people, strengthening their resolve to stop living in the lie conjured by their monarchs and oligarchs to keep them in line. <BR/>To summarize: if you want liberty, make an effort to develop your own views, and see how far they take you from the norm. If you want to keep your liberty, learn how to evade repression. If you want to keep your liberty without fear of repression, make yourself a martyr. And if none of these apply to you, abandon the nation. It never was worthy of your effort anyway if it doesn't appreciate it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148065037587189172006-05-20T02:57:00.000+08:002006-05-20T02:57:00.000+08:00"In case anyone's forgotten, MM Lee is an employee..."In case anyone's forgotten, MM Lee is an employee."<BR/><BR/>If you watch American Idol, you'll know that Simon Cowell is not just a judge(euivalent to Pres,SM,or MM) but he owns the rights (is the BOSS) to the show and will work with the winner. <BR/><BR/>Ryan Seacrest, as host of the show (macam PM) and presumably of higher authority, can only pretend to criticise him. But to replace him...No! That's why Simon can act yaya. Same as papa lee. He on paper only under some of the names you mentioned. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Interestingly, in the Singapore Idol, Douglas O kena replaced by Dick. See the difference?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148046918175733332006-05-19T21:55:00.000+08:002006-05-19T21:55:00.000+08:00Tharman is doing a lot of good in education. He st...Tharman is doing a lot of good in education. He sticks to what he is doing & he is very good - the reforms he made are very bold -he is the only one so far who dare to slaughter the sacred cows...that is coming from education is far reaching & will give a place for all Singaporeans, each according to his/her ability & an inclusive policy that all abilities are valuable - look at the NUS High for science & math;sports school for the athletic; Arts schools;etc & IP & DSA - for the future of our children - the opportunities are now open. Tharman is the man ... he has accomplished so much in such a short time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148041646623011752006-05-19T20:27:00.000+08:002006-05-19T20:27:00.000+08:00THe SDP is the "major opposition" in the sense tha...THe SDP is the "major opposition" in the sense that it is making lots of airwaves and all. <BR/><BR/>The author's analysis somewhat flawed but nonetheless insightful. His presence hinders, not facilitate reform.<BR/><BR/>And yes, the PAP then is not the PAP now. But things aint' all bad. The SARS crisis was a good show and our education system is undergoing a thorough and well refrom under Tharman.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of Tharman, what do you think of the man?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148011797007743412006-05-19T12:09:00.000+08:002006-05-19T12:09:00.000+08:00A couple of things to realise here:1. At least the...A couple of things to realise here:<BR/><BR/>1. At least the PAP doesn't enagage in pogroms of "ideological cleansing". In the early days they used to go after anyone they thought were communists or their sympathisers.<BR/><BR/>2. This one is especially for the young ones who are feeling "disempowered":<BR/><BR/>It is just darn silly to believe that one old fart can hold you back. If you subscribe to that, then you make yourself a "victim".<BR/><BR/>No govt can guarantee freedom - not even the US with its Bill of Rights and Constitution. A govt is the agency which takes freedom AWAY, and achieves its ends by coercion.<BR/><BR/>Not ALL govt force is bad. The govt force which enforces justice on robbers, rapists and murderers is "good" govt force. The govt force which limits your freedom of expression is very bad govt force.<BR/><BR/>It is your life, and therefore if you feel that your freedom is important, you perhaps might think of paying attention to that. You had better be clear about WHO is in-charge of your life and the WHOSE "happiness" is worth pursuing - yours or the almighty PAP?<BR/><BR/>And learn HOW to be disobedient - without losing your dignity. This is an art and needs to be practiced constantly until it becomes a habit.Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️https://www.blogger.com/profile/02652498247201967379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1148007769139689002006-05-19T11:02:00.000+08:002006-05-19T11:02:00.000+08:00I believe he suffers from some egoistical delusion...I believe he suffers from some egoistical delusion of power and a recividist denial of reality in an age which many civil and civilized societies have put their feet down on corruption and nepotism. After all, these are the twin towers that guarantee widespread resentment and mass dissent.<BR/><BR/>What is more pathetic is not the state of the statesman but the apathy of the suffrage.<BR/><BR/>For when he meets his maker and on being questioned, to any reasonable person, his answer of being the sadist to masochists is being of service to <BR/><BR/>In simpler terms, you let people ride roughshod over, and you tolerate the bully by remaining acquiescent, you are enslaved to ill-treatment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147999234858673832006-05-19T08:40:00.000+08:002006-05-19T08:40:00.000+08:00no need for all that, especially Nathan (still mis...no need for all that, especially Nathan (still miss devan nair?); LHL need to have a long talk with LKY to discuss a suitable arrangement for the future, in which he can be seen to have full power as PM and real opening up can happenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147978084014970782006-05-19T02:48:00.000+08:002006-05-19T02:48:00.000+08:00I've said it before and I'll say it again:Ask him ...I've said it before and I'll say it again:<BR/><BR/>Ask him nicely to step down.<BR/><BR/>If he doesn't, petition President Nair, PM Lee and Parliament to SACK him.<BR/><BR/>In case anyone's forgotten, MM Lee is an <B>employee</B>.Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️https://www.blogger.com/profile/02652498247201967379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147977126770396252006-05-19T02:32:00.000+08:002006-05-19T02:32:00.000+08:00article may not be great, but the comments are poo...article may not be great, but the comments are poorerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147975454148743522006-05-19T02:04:00.000+08:002006-05-19T02:04:00.000+08:00speaking as a Dutchman, ten years in singapore, an...speaking as a Dutchman, ten years in singapore, and a singaporean wife, thats a prison sentence. the poor bloke would become as gah gah as the rest of you singaporeans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147952774215347042006-05-18T19:46:00.000+08:002006-05-18T19:46:00.000+08:00expat - another patronising comment from another f...expat - another patronising comment from another foreigner. You're just repeating stereotypes, gleaned from your casual interactions with the few Singaporeans you know, and of course, the mass media. <BR/><BR/>If you've lived here for, say, 10 years and are married to a Singaporean wife, then yes, I think you'll be entitled to your opinion.<BR/><BR/>Regarding above comment on the author knowing how everybody ticks: the fact is that he got SDP and SDA mixed up. Would any of us confuse chiam and chee? He's simply lumping all the opposition parties together. Not a very incisive analysis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147947971395442552006-05-18T18:26:00.000+08:002006-05-18T18:26:00.000+08:00well, at least he knows more than most singaporean...well, at least he knows more than most singaporeans do. the rest just vote blindly and stupidly for the pap, forever thinking that they are the government who will <I>look after</I> us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147942097307688802006-05-18T16:48:00.000+08:002006-05-18T16:48:00.000+08:00as an expat, this is very littke to know about thi...as an expat, this is very littke to know about this Island. unfortunately most of the population are couped up like battery hens in blocks of HDB flats. They go to work, like to bet, trust the PAP, possess no social graces,and are extremely racial. they still crave the five C's, the island seems to be the hub of most things in this world. so what else is there to know. We can read you all like a book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147941827994445062006-05-18T16:43:00.000+08:002006-05-18T16:43:00.000+08:00My little blind, death and dumb singaporean, the w...My little blind, death and dumb singaporean, the writer of this feature worked on this island for many years, he knows how ecverybody tics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147941689385374442006-05-18T16:41:00.000+08:002006-05-18T16:41:00.000+08:00maybe not a lot, but Today considered him a safe a...maybe not a lot, but Today considered him a safe author to print, compared with a local critic who might get an editor into trouble<BR/><BR/>same with Li Ao and Long Ying Tai; what they say about SG may not be as useful as mine, but printing them is safe<BR/><BR/>there was a time when Catherine Lim and Ngiam Tong Dow were the officially safe critics, but they quickly exhausted their ideasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147940510749940662006-05-18T16:21:00.000+08:002006-05-18T16:21:00.000+08:00this is a patronising article by a foreign journal...this is a patronising article by a foreign journalist, what does he know about Singapore?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147932016501924232006-05-18T14:00:00.000+08:002006-05-18T14:00:00.000+08:00old papa lee is up to the old tricks again, pleadi...old papa lee is up to the old tricks again, pleading with China; he does not realise what ever the country promises, eventually they will take all the cash the pap are stupid enough to throw at them, and spit singapore out with a thank you.<BR/>You know bloggers, we are heading for a fall, its the simple story of the circle, we will end up where we began when the colonialists decided they had enough of singapore.<BR/>Papa lee was responsible for building us up, he will also be responsible the way he carries on of killing us.<BR/>The old dictatorial attitudes do not work today. the population have become education and look between the, lines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147930185448325522006-05-18T13:29:00.000+08:002006-05-18T13:29:00.000+08:00but if he wants to maintain his system, he need to...but if he wants to maintain his system, he need to be wise, and right now the wise thing to do is to leave and let his son have a stronger hand; if he stays, everyone can see that LHL does not really have full power as PM<BR/><BR/>remember that Catherine Lim, misguidedly, said GCT was not really responsible for the harsh aspects, got GCT coming down on her really hard? because GCT didnot want people to say that he was not really in charge; LKY surely would not that to be said about his son?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147929919935323592006-05-18T13:25:00.000+08:002006-05-18T13:25:00.000+08:00You can bet the PAP reads all the blogs! So leave ...You can bet the PAP reads all the blogs! So leave your comments for them here!<BR/><BR/>Yes LKY is like an old emperor that cannot let go and does not know he has overstayed. Where on earth will you find a democratic country having the father as emperor, son as the prince and daughter-in-law as the guardian of all (people's) state assets (and losing money for them too)? Who cannot see the coincidence? History will reflect that as well and tarnish his image and the Lees no doubt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147927409539071332006-05-18T12:43:00.000+08:002006-05-18T12:43:00.000+08:00This Michael Backman really needs to get his facts...This Michael Backman really needs to get his facts straight. SDP did not win any seats. This reduces the credibility of his pieceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147924495038711312006-05-18T11:54:00.000+08:002006-05-18T11:54:00.000+08:00SDA retained the one seat. SDP won 0 seats. This f...SDA retained the one seat. SDP won 0 seats. This fellow needs to look at his facts again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147918717840946552006-05-18T10:18:00.000+08:002006-05-18T10:18:00.000+08:00I doubt the association was meant to be taken seri...I doubt the association was meant to be taken seriously. But he is right about Singaporean papers' obsession with describing rape cases in slightly excessive detail for my liking. I remember an article in the ST a long time back about an underaged girl abused by a step-father, and some parts literally read like a sex story. I don't know if that's still an on-going habit..Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04700080080606453374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147911889122896602006-05-18T08:24:00.000+08:002006-05-18T08:24:00.000+08:00i agree that MM should step aside to allow for the...i agree that MM should step aside to allow for the younger generation to step up, with him playing a gradually diminished role in preparation for the day that he dies. <BR/><BR/>however, Mr Blackman's point about smutocracy is ludicrous, esp. the way he draw links between the sort of news that is being covered and the lack of political debates. <BR/><BR/>and most importantly, to call SDP a major opposition in this year's campaign demonstrates how stupid Mr Blackman is. SDP was the opposition that wasn't.rench00https://www.blogger.com/profile/08945837600494918295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539995.post-1147880859030278722006-05-17T23:47:00.000+08:002006-05-17T23:47:00.000+08:00i expect MM Lee to sue Mr Backman. He is in his el...i expect MM Lee to sue Mr Backman. He is in his elements - another legal confrontation would top off the China trip.. But oh, wait a second, Mr Backman is not a Singaporean. So how to bring him in for questioning?? Or get him detained??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com