Comments I have Made

1. "That Wasn't an English Word?" by Nathan Ang

http://nathanang.blogspot.com/2011/07/that-wasnt-english-word.html#comments

2. "Shakespeare's Language, Our Language" by Ivan Yeo

http://ivanlablog.blogspot.com/2011/07/shakespeares-language-our-language.html#comments

3. "Water Sources for Singapore" by Nicholas Tey

http://nichtey.blogspot.com/2011/08/water-sources-for-singapore.html?showComment=1313300204257#c4314182983830121723

4. "National Day T3P8" by Leonard Goh

http://leonard-languageartsblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/national-day-t3p8.html

5. "Singapore, Malaysia and Soccer" by Tan Jiefeng

http://2i121.blogspot.com/2011/08/singapore-malaysia-and-soccer.html

6. "Mugging" by Gordon Koh

http://twoeyeone-fifteen.blogspot.com/2011/08/mugging.html

7. "This I Believe" by Raphael Chang

http://twoeyeone.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-i-believe.html

8. "Final post of the year" by Roystan Ang

http://2i102roystanang.blogspot.com/2011/08/final-post-of-year.html

9. "Personal Essay: This I believe" by Nathan Ang

http://nathanang.blogspot.com/2011/08/personal-essay-this-i-believe.html

10. "Sportsmanship" by Daniel Tan

http://swordofthedragonslayer.blogspot.com/2011/08/sportsmanship.html

Proverbs

Hello all! Today I will be sharing with you the unexplored aspects of the English language, where roads are few, people are sparse and little have explored. Famous English proverbs will be the subject of today's post. I'm sure you know many of them, such as "Once bitten, twice shy." But do you know their origins? And what I think of some of them? Nope. So join me as I delve into the world of proverbs!

1. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts

I'm sure you know the story of the Greeks and the Trojan Horse. This proverb was captured by Virgil in his book Aeneid, Book 2, 19 BC. As we all know, the Greeks sent a gift of a giant horse to the Trojans. They presented it as a gift, but in fact there were Greek soldiers concealed in the horse. When nightfall came, the Greeks sprang out and massacred the Trojans. The city of Troy was destroyed in the process. The meaning today is to be suspicious of gifts that come from the enemy.

2. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

This one is definitely a commonplace proverb amongst most married men. This proverb originated from William Congreve, in his poem The Mourning Bride, 1697. I think this is an exaggeration, albeit a funny one. In many countries in the world, the hierachy is patriachal. In other words, the men are the dominant sex. This is true in Eastern countries like China, India and some tribal natives in Western countries like Brazil or America. If a woman were really to unleash the fury of hell on a man, I imagine she'd be severely punished! In fact, society in these countries despised a strong woman. Women were expected to always submit to men, not the other way around! I think this was inaccurately formed.

3. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me

This must be a common proverb circulating amongst schoolchildren, especially those who endure taunts. The origin is unknown, but the meaning is clear: Verbal assaults will not have any physical, tangible effect on a person. While I think the intent -- to help people ignore taunts and insults -- is noble, the phrase itself is not correct. It has actually been scientifically proven that verbal insults have an impact on a person's long-term health. Children who do not have to endure taunts and jeers grow up with a higher self-esteem and they are more optimistic and motivated in life when they reach adulthood. So words actually can hurt a person, by inhibiting his or her development.

4. To travel hopefully is better than to arrive.

This phrase is a Robert Louis Stevenson quotation, from Virginibus Puerisque, 1881. The idea is the same as the earlier Taoist saying, "The journey is the reward". There are two meanings for this phrase. One is that ignorance is bliss, and this is in fact the official meaning of the proverb. However, I choose to interpret it in another way. The meaning can also be that when you chase after something, the thrill is not in the achievement, but is in the chase. In one of those cheesy police-and-thief high-speed chases, the thrill is always in the chase, not in the police catching the thieves. When you put in effort to improve in a certain field, you'll definitely enjoy the process more than the result.

I have been your guide on just a short segment of the entire tour you can take of the English language. For more information, you can also go to this website: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/proverbs.html

and have a fun time clicking on the various links, looking at English proverbs you never knew existed!

Sportsmanship

Hello all. To my Singaporean audience, I'm sure some of you have been keeping up with recent sports events, such as the recent Singapore v.s. Malaysia match in the qualifier rounds. Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 in one match, and drew 1-1 in the next to progress to the next round of qualifying matches in the World Cup. Some Malaysians, unhappy with the defeat, attempted to use underhanded means to steal the rightful victory from Singapore. Green laser pointer lights were shone at the Singapore team's goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud during a crucial free kick in an attempt to crack the Lion's strong defense. Furthermore, some Malaysian fans taunted the Singaporean fans with jeers of "Singapore dogs" and threw bottles at them. This has raised the vital question of sportsmanship. Is the next generation going to be so focused on winning that they forget their moral values?

Sportsmanship means to be fair in following the rules of the game. If one loses, one congratulates the winning team and does not begrudge them the win. If one wins, one commends the losing team on their valiant effort in trying to win. To be a sportsman does not mean just to be proficient in a certain sport. It also means understanding and displaying the underlying moral values of sports that should be inculcated into all who truly respect the sport. Sportsmen want to win, but they do not result to unscrupulous means to do so. I think this is the true beauty of sports: the human element.

I think, in the above scenario, the act of cheating definitely was not justified. The match was being held in Bukit Jalil National Stadium, in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysians already had the advantage of home ground. Of course, the normal exchange of jaunts and attempts at intimidating the opposing team was inevitable. It is a commonplace occurence at soccer matches all around the world, especially one as important as the qualifiers for the World Cup. However, I think the Malaysians definitely did not need to stoop as low as attempting to sabotage the Singapore team's defense, throwing bottles at the Singaporean fans with intention of bodily harm or taunting the Singaporeans by calling them dogs. I feel the Malaysians should be more accepting of the loss, which resulted from completely clean play on the Singaporean side and an arsenal of underhand tricks from the Malaysian side. I am not just speaking in my capacity as a Singaporean. While I am enraged by the fact that Malaysia, which has fostered close relations with Singapore over the half century we have been independent, I am looking at the situation as an observer. If the Malaysian team really wanted to win that badly, there were many alternatives to cheating. They could have trained harder, recruited better players and studied the weaknesses of the Singaporean team more. The fact that they tried to take the easy way out shows that they were just too lazy to put in more effort and thusly do not deserve the win.

However, I do not think it is right to fight fire with fire. The Malaysian team may have been less than accepting of the win on the Singaporean side and insulted Singapore by saying it is "nothing without foreign players". The Malaysian fans were extremely unhappy about the loss. The Singaporean fans may have been attacked. Does that give Singaporeans the right to stoop to their level and retaliate? I do not think so. Just because someone may have been wronged, does it mean that he is justified to take the law into his own hands and retaliate? No. The Singaporean who hacked into the Malaysian football website is not only showing that he is incapable of ignoring meaningless insults, he is also damaging relations between Singapore and Malaysia even further. If nobody on the Singaporean side had retaliated, Singapore would have been completely justified in accusing Malaysia of being the agressor. Now the matter has been complicated as Malaysia now has a counter-argument to Singapore's accusations. Instead of being resolved in a relatively short period of time, the matter is likely to drag on longer.

To end off, here is an edited quote from Shakespeare in his play, The Merchant of Venice.

"The quality of sportsmanship is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes." So may you be also a sportsman, and not only enjoy sports more, but allow others to enjoy it more as well.

Studying Abroad

As more people in the world have better education, the importance of qualifications becomes ever – more important. With a growing number of people seeking higher education and better qualifications, the choice of where to go for university studies weighs heavily on even more people. In my opinion, overseas university studies provide their fair share of advantages. While I also accept that students studying abroad might face difficulties, I do not believe that the only cause is living and studying in a different culture or that these difficulties outweigh the advantages.

There are numerous benefits to studying abroad. One of them is practice of another language. While anyone can study foreign languages anywhere in the world, there is a huge benefit from having daily practice in using the language. One does not just become more fluent, but also understands the more complex nuances of the language. Also, one who has had extensive exposure to a language has a distinct advantage over someone who has only relied on theory when applying for jobs or positions that require the usage of this other language. For example, in China, only those people who can pass the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi or the Chinese Proficiency Test for foreigners will be able to obtain a visa to work or live in the country. Those who are unable to obtain a passing mark will have to retake the test until they are able to pass. Those who are proficient in the use of Chinese language will have a definite edge over those who are not as they do not have to spend a few weeks or months taking courses on the Chinese language and can immediately apply for a visa.

Having said that, students will inevitably face numerous difficulties while studying abroad. One such difficulty would be separation from family and friends. When one goes abroad to study, one will be alone in the country for an extended period of time. Away from the support and love of parents, one is left to fend for oneself in an unfamiliar land surrounded by unfamiliar people. Most students who go abroad would also not be so forthcoming, and take a longer time to make new friends in a foreign country. Even worse, the more introverted of such foreign students might suddenly find themselves with no one to confide in or to spend time with. Away from the guidance of parents, one might also turn astray from the path of lawfulness. Consider the recent example of the Hwa Chong alumnus who was found with many videos of child pornography on his laptop. He had been on a scholarship in a foreign university. Had he been studying in Singapore, it would be much more convenient for his parents to check on him and maintain a watchful eye over him, and perhaps he would not have turned astray in the first place.

However, I think it is inappropriate to consider these difficulties to stem from living and studying in a different culture. With the advent of airplanes, many countries around the world have become global countries and the presence of foreigners in the country is hardly surprising. I only see a few problems that one might face in trying to live and study in a different culture. One would be the language barrier. While people who go abroad to study generally study the main language of that country as well, one will often be unable to completely master the language within the few months of preparation one is given before the start of the first term of university. There will still be some figures of speech or metaphors used in conversation that one will not understand. However, I do not think this is a very big problem. As countries become more globalised, most have recognised the usage of English as the international language and most people these days can speak English, albeit haltingly. Another problem would be racial discrimination. Although it has become far less common in our present day world, it still exists in many parts of the world. For example, an Australian girl recently made a video about how Asians in her school were “always yammering on their phones” and how they were irritating. In her video, there were many defamatory comments about Asians. This showcases the severity of racial discrimination that lingers in certain parts of the world.

Some people would argue that it is better to stay home. They bring up the monetary cost of studying abroad and dismiss the concept. Others are concerned about losing friends in their home countries. I am of the opinion that the monetary issue, at least, is not a problem. As more parents can afford to provide their children with good education, more students realise the importance of education in a knowledge-based economy. As such, many students are pushing themselves harder to win scholarships and bursaries. Through these scholarships and bursaries, students who have excelled in their studies can obtain government funding to study in foreign universities. Their expenses will be paid for, in exchange for a few years of bondage when they have graduated from university. I also think the drifting apart from friends is not a very large problem. As one ages, one makes many friends, such as those in the same class or school. Inevitably, some of these friends will be forgotten as new ones come in to replace them. In a new country, I think one has the opportunity to make many friends to replace those who gradually drift out of one’s social circle. Additionally, with the advent of technology like the Internet, one can still keep in touch with many friends through various social platforms like FaceBook, Twitter, Tumblr, the list goes on.

To conclude, I believe that the advantages of studying abroad outweigh the disadvantages. Safety remains one’s first concern above all else. Students who are not so mature or independent should also consider heavily whether studying abroad is the right path for them.

Happy National Day

Yesterday was a day of commemoration for the existence of this country. It was the day for celebration of our achievements, and the day for remembrance of our forefathers who made the vibrant Singapore today possible. But amidst all our rejoicing at the success Singapore has become, let us not forget how it all began.

Singapore's independence should never have been something to celebrate. In 1965, Singapore left only because the Malaysian Central Government decided that the racial riots in both countries would lead to eventual self-destruction. Singapore's Government, which had for so long tried to convince the people that merger with Malaya was the right way to go, had to break the bad news to the public. Singapore was going to leave Malaysia.

With no viable economy, and the constant threat of Communism to fight, Singapore was in a tough spot. Unemployment was at an all time high of 10%. Half the country lived in slums and squatters. Electricity, clean water and adequate food was a luxury. It seemed like we would never make it through. Those of you who think Singapore was destined for greatness, think again. Imagine living in this time. No Internet. No computer games. No phones. Black and white television. No air-conditioner. No washing machine. Not even a clean house to live in. Would you then have celebrated the separation of Singapore from Malaysia?

Yet through brilliant, far-sighted leadership Singapore made it through the tough times as a country. The fire seven times tried us, and we emerged victorious each time. First was the job and housing crunch of the 1960s. Next was the Asian financial crisis. Then SARS came along and everyone thought they would die. Then it was bird flu. Then dengue fever. Each time we were put to the test, sorely battered and bruised. Yet we weathered the storms. And with each time, we grew as a nation. It was in the fiery blazes of these disasters that our national identity was forged. And it was forged anew each time it broke. The iron that this country is made of has been tested time and time again. And it has withstood the devouring infernos.

To the young people of today: This country was never meant to be. But it is, and it is because of the mettle of our people that we have grown as one nation today. Grown as one country. Grown as one people. The seed that was sown by sheer accident has germinated. In times of drought it put down roots, digging through the ground for water. When others tried to choke it it put out leaves and fought ever more to reach the sun. And now the tree stands tall and strong, after fourty six years of trial. It is our job to continue the legacy our forefathers have left behind, to continue digging for water. To continue fighting for sunlight. To continue the struggle they left behind.

It is good to celebrate our achievements. But if you remember the hardship of the past, you will only appreciate our National Day all the more.

This I Believe: Perseverance

When I was in primary school, I was always teased because I was chubbier than everyone else. I was very naive and gullible, and this made me the victim of many practical jokes and bullying. I was even insulted on various occasions, for being fat. I had no real friends to speak of, except maybe one or two who were nicer to me.

At that tender age, innocent and sheltered from the harsh realities of the world, I thought they were -- there was no other word for it -- cool. Yes, cool. They'd play soccer every day during recess, coming back looking like soccer professionals a minute or two before the bell rang. They'd eat lunch together after school, laughing and joking over plates of fragrant chicken rice, steaming bowls of noodles and half-empty bottles of sweet drinks. They'd even go over to one another's house for birthday parties, which were rumoured to be the best ever hosted. They were an adventurous, rebellious group, and to be counted amongst their ranks I thought I was willing to do anything.

It started off with joining in their soccer games. I was always the last one chosen, the fat little kid who couldn't kick a ball to save his life. Oft I heard a groan of disdain or a sigh of annoyance from the captain who had to pick me. Oft I caught glimpse of my team members glaring at me with irritated faces. Oft I ran to take a pass, only for the pass to be taken by someone else from my team. I was never allowed to touch the ball, except when they wanted to mock me. Then they would pass it to me, and I was permitted to dribble straight towards the enemy goal. Inevitably, I would miss time and time again. I would miss all the passes, fumble over my own clumsy feet and fall down, time and time again. I was the Zero.

At lunch, when I brought my food to the table the laughter would subtly die down. The animated banter would come to a halt. Even the food seemed less fragrant in the chilly atmosphere. Soon, I got the message: I could not eat with them. But in my naivete, in the innocence of youth, I persisted with my beliefs. It was just because I hadn't proved myself yet, right? I could still win their friendship, right? Missing all the balls in soccer didn't matter, right?

I was bullied, beaten, mocked, taunted, teased, tormented and humiliated. And yet I now I stand all the more firm, unshaken by tremors, undaunted by storms, unblemished from the lesson learnt. I have learnt to climb onto the obstacles that block my path, and turn them into stepping stones. And it is these erstwhile friends that are responsible for this.

I have them to thank for moulding me into the person I am today. If they had not tripped me, would I have learnt to pick myself up? If they had not taunted me, would I have learnt to ignore the taunts? If they had not wronged me so many times, would I have learnt how to endure the torments? No. Just as plants amongst weeds strive ever more to break the weeds' stranglehold and capture the light of sun, a person who has been tormented will fight all the more determinedly to rise above the opposition. Just as the hand once burnt by fire learns to handle the flames better, a person once deceived will know who not to count as friends. Just as gazelles run ever more swiftly with lions snapping at their heels, a person who has been bullied will be spurred on even more.

Perseverance is the mark of a true leader: to continue in adversity, or not embark at all. I believe perseverance is the quality that serves one best in life.

Financial Firestorm: Will America pull through?

http://www.economist.com/node/21525446

“The Debt-Ceiling Deal”

The deficit-reduction deal that finally raised America’s debt ceiling and prevented immediate default seemed to be successful, at least in the short-term. Republicans managed to prevent higher taxes, while Democrats managed to preserve their healthcare and housing initiatives. Ironically, however, nobody seems to be satisfied with it. Democrats and Republicans alike denounced the scheme, and both pointed the finger of blame at each other.

The deal promises $917 billion in spending cuts over the next decade, in return for an increase in the debt ceiling of $900 million. A plan to further reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion must be formulated and approved by Congress by December 23^rd, in return for another increase in the debt ceiling of the same amount. This is far from a perfect solution, but it will have to do until a better one can be set into motion. Why is the deficit such a big deal? On it’s own, it is economic in nature, and that is something the Government can rectify. But the problem comes in when political parties try to politicize the economics. Then the entire country becomes involved, and the problem is made much more complex.

I think the economics should stay economic and fiscal in nature. Granted, economic policies affect the entire country, just as politics do. But the critical difference is that when facing an economic problem, a country can stand united to meet it head-on, with all of its strength. A plan can be worked out in a relatively short amount of time, and the plan can be set into motion across the entire country. Policies can be effective in just a few months. When political parties try to use economics to impact politics, the country becomes divided. Nobody can agree on what to do, because both parties think the other is wrong, and that their own chosen solution is the best. There is no ability to reach a compromise, let alone a consensus that everyone supports. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided cannot stand.” That is the case in America, when the Republicans and Democrats were not just fighting a routine political battle. They needed to first fight the economic battle, as a whole, as one entity. When that was won, the political battle could be carried out.

Who can be deemed to be “more correct”? The Republicans press for huge tax cuts, which they claim will help companies to hire more workers and create jobs. The Democrats press for higher taxes on the affluent and more wealth to be distributed amongst the poor. Frankly speaking, I do not think either one will work on its own.

The Republicans believe that with more money, companies can create more jobs. I think it already has become very apparent that companies based in America are no longer hiring from the pool of workers in America, who demand high pay, good working conditions as well as job security. Compare this to the image of a typical Chinese factory worker. He comes from a poor family or village, so he is thankful for any type of job at all. He is used to waking up early and sleeping late. He does not complain about being overworked or having not enough sleep. Isn’t it much easier and much less bothersome for companies to hire workers fro countries with lower standards? This is essentially why America cannot recover effectively from the economic crisis. Companies find it much easier to hire from other countries. But the demands of high salary are driven by higher cost of living. The only solution I see is to retrain workers so they have better qualifications for the job. Essentially, higher tax cuts will never work because the money saved does not benefit the employees. The money saved benefits the top cats and lines their pockets.

The Democrats believe that with more distribution of money to the poorer people, they will be more able to get jobs. How does that premise work? A person who consistently gets “unemployment benefits” for doing absolutely nothing will soon realise that he can live off the government’s “welfare packages”. It is just like giving a child rewards for lazing in front of the television and expecting him to do his homework. The basic idea simply does not work. The main focus should not be on looking after the unemployed. The main focus should be on enabling the unemployed to be employed so they can look after themselves. The added disadvantage is that when such pensions for elderly folks are rolled out, it is very hard to take them back. People will think it is unfair that they worked for so long, and the people before them got to enjoy it but they didn’t. The people of France protested all over the country in response to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s decision to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. How do you expect someone to get a job and look after himself when he can get more from lazing in front of the television all day?

I think these two measures can only work if they are employed together, with an added component. Companies will get tax cuts, provided that they use the money to help their employees get trained. Individuals will get pension, provided that they go for retraining classes to improve their qualifications. The basic premises of the two different measures can work if they are modified with conditions. Which company would increase a relatively high employee salary when it could use the money to fatten its profit margins, and which person would go work when he could get money for free? I think this is one of the best ways to share political pain equally between the two parties, and solve America’s budget deficit problems.

Ultimately, America’s leaders will have to pull together and emerge from the fiscal firestorm that already threatens to engulf the nation. Otherwise, America will default on its debt. And when it does, it will be too late.

Copycats of the East

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904292504576484080863377102.html

“Made in China: Fake Stores”

We are all familiar with the traditional Chinese copycat companies, who market goods that are extremely cheap, extremely similar to the goods marketed by global brands such as Apple, and often do not last long. But have we heard of the new Chinese copycats: those who set up imitation IKEA furniture stores, imitation Subway outlets and imitation Dairy Queen ice cream outlets?

Sophisticated store owners are now recreating the store experiences of many global brands which have decided to enter China: such as IKEA, Apple and Subway, down to the nitty-gritty details like helpful store maps, coupons, shopping bag logos and employee uniforms. These stores so remarkably resemble the original brand stalls that it is very easy to confuse the original and the copycat. Sometimes the goods they sell aren’t even fake. In Kunming, China, a foreign blogger posted photos of a fake Apple store selling real Apple goods, such as iPads and iPhones, in an almost identical store setting.

I think this has benefits as it helps to raise awareness for the original stores. I have never heard of Dairy Queen before today, but now I think I will go try the ice-cream they sell, if they have an outlet in Singapore. Subway has undoubtedly become more widely recognized in China because of its copycat counterpart. The fake Subway stores even accept Subway discount coupons if customers confuse the two brands. In the case of the fake Apple outlet in Kunming, Apple also benefits from the sales of the iPads and iPhones as those are imported from its factories. For Subway, which is trying to encourage a type of food not traditionally consumed in China, the extra publicity actually helps many Chinese citizens to gain some exposure to Western style food.

However, it also has detriments. Apple is known to exclusively select its staff for its outlets in other parts of the world, but the Kunming outlet is not subject to such restrictions. It could tarnish the reputation Apple has worked so hard to establish and put many potential customers off Apple goods even before they buy the goods. Also, if this trend continues, the Chinese government will be regarded as powerless to stop rampant infringement of copyrights even in their own country, large though it may be. The Chinese Communist Party spends so much money yearly on internal defence to prevent riots and protests even before they are conceived. With a robust economic growth and vast financial resources, being the biggest creditor of the United States of America, it is hard to believe that China is powerless to even cut down on the number of such imitators, when it has proven to be so effective in controlling public sentiment via censorship of “anti-government” material.

Should these fake spinoffs of original brands be allowed to continue? Perhaps a more apt question is: can they be stopped? Every year, the number of ambitious copycat companies increases, and the trend has been showing no sign of slowing down, even during the economic recession when buyers all over the world became more cautious and thrifty. It is unclear what other effects this will have on China’s reputation as a global economic power, global brands and consumer sentiment in China. One thing, however, is clear: If China does not stop this trend, or at least attempt to, its reputation will be irrevocably tarnished.

China's one-child policy

http://www.economist.com/node/16846390

“Rethinking China’s one-child policy”

Does China have enough people? The question seems ridiculous at first. China is renowned for having the world’s largest population, and many people, although appalled at the draconian measures employed in the brutal enforcement of the one-child policy, grudgingly agree that it was about time China did something to control its gargantuan population and lightning-quick population growth. However, recent censuses uncover some doubts about the one-child policy. The total fertility rate, calculated by dividing the number of new births by the total number of women in the country, may be just hovering around 1.4 – a far cry from the 2.1 rate needed for “natural replacement” when a country can replace its population, keeping it about the same size.

According to statistics published by the Brookings Institution, people above the age of 60 now represent 13.3% of the population, up from 10.3% in 2000, or 39 million more elderly above the age of 60. In the same period, the percentage of young people below 14 plummeted from 23% to 17%. The huge abundance of cheap labour supplied by the population boom – make that a population explosion – that spurred China’s industrialization in the past three decades is nearly over. In the next couple of years, the percentage of citizens above 65 will escalate exponentially, while the population comprising youths below 23 will dip dramatically. The untold effects on China’s breakneck economic growth will be devastating.

I personally think the one-child policy has to be seriously revamped and re-evaluated, if not completely done away with. If the slow population growth continues and results in the drastic dip in the size of the Chinese workforce, the shrinking number of working adults will have to carry the burden of supporting an escalating number of Chinese elderly, in the form of increased taxes. The government will have to increase spending on healthcare and benefits for the elderly. As a result, less money can be dedicated to other more meaningful areas, such as investing in technology to make their factories and industries more environmentally friendly, or in programs to reforest the severely deforested parts of China. These phenomena will take a large bite of China’s already slowing economic growth.

Furthermore, many Chinese prefer to have boys over girls. Boys can carry on the family name, and they have been the head of the house in Chinese traditional culture for millennia to date. While male-dominant cultures are also rampant in countries like India, the one-child policy has played a significant role in exacerbating the situation. Many families will do almost anything to ensure their one legal child is male, including female infanticide and going for ultrasound scans to check the gender of the foetus. This is not only a violation of human rights, it will achieve the effect of “pouring oil on the fire” as Queen Elizabeth once described it.

Some people contend that in the conservative world of politics, it is nigh on impossible to achieve the kind of overnight change China needs to counter the negative effects of its notorious one-child policy. They argue that policies cannot be changed on a whim, that the situation must be evaluated and re-evaluated before the government can take action to remedy the situation. They claim that this boosts foreign confidence in the country. Let me pose a question. Would it be better to have a sufficiently growing workforce or good foreign relations, given that the two are mutually exclusive? I think the obvious answer is a sufficiently growing workforce, for the aforementioned reasons. Yes, quick policy changes are rare in general, but the true mark of a good leader is that he knows when convention needs to be thrown out the window, when tradition can be upturned and trampled on, when policies that have become mainstream need to be kicked out. If and when the situation calls for it, such changes are not only possible, they are also necessary.

If the Chinese Communist Party sees fit to revamp the one-child policy into a two-child policy, well done. If not, China will face its most serious demographic problem yet. And when it does, it will probably be too late.

"Don't wait till places are gone before you enjoy them"

I think Mr Loh, in his article, does have a point. Just like we should not wait until people are dead to commemorate their lives or to praise them, we should not wait until places are closing before we visit them and receive whatever insights and nostalgia that place may bring. I fondly remember the Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Center along Stirling Road in Queenstown. Before it closed early this year, I frequented the hawker center often to eat the delicious popiah and nasi ayam or chicken rice. It is, to me, a reminder of the days spent revising for the Primary School Leaving Exam (PSLE). To keep my morale up, my mother often went to buy food back from the cooked food center, especially my favourite chicken rice. I soon came to associate studying for the PSLE with the fragrant aroma of chicken rice. That made the entire experience more palatable and enjoyable for me.

I think this idea can be applied to other areas of life. If we start revising for our tests earlier, we have more time to absorb the material. We can also take a slower pace and thoroughly cover each topic. If there is extra time, we can even go through the material again to “gain new insights” as the saying goes in Chinese. The early bird gets the worm. Isn’t it much better to make good use of our time, rather than fall prey to the numerous inventions technology has for us to waste time? I am sure that instead of rushing through an important assignment a few days before the deadline, it is much better to start a few weeks before, conduct the necessary research or read up on the necessary topics, then finish a beautiful piece that any student can feel proud of.

However, it is necessary to acknowledge that to know what to do is easier than to do. If do were as easy as to know what is right to do, "chapels would be churches, and poor men's huts would be prince's palaces", as stated in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Indeed, it is often harder to practise than to preach. However, everything crumbles to human persistence. Thomas Edison persevered for a thousand experiments before he invented the lightbulb. Colonel Sanders went around asking hundreds of restaurant chains to cook his new recipe for fried chicken before someone said yes. That's how we got KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken today. Is it really so difficult to make time to start on a project early, to go do a bit of pre-lecture reading, to research on the topic before attending a meeting? Is it truly impossible to be the early bird that catches the worm?

However, I also think that more can be done to promote this attitude in Singaporeans, of starting early and finishing early. At work, projects could be given larger timeframes, but more projects could be taken on simultaneously. Employees would be encouraged to start early, and do a little more of the project everyday, instead of rushing through one project. In school, more groupwork can be assigned by teachers, but be given a larger timeframe so students develop the habit of good time management. In school, it should be compulsory to take on two projects at the same time, but the timeframe for each project can be larger. Instead of the current four and a half months given in Hwa Chong Institution, students can be given seven months, but will be forced to juggle two projects. This will not only encourage good time management, it will also achieve more results in the same amount of time. Instead of one project per year, now there are two projects per year.

People talk about getting through the day to relax. Instead of wishing time passed more quickly in school or at work and later wondering where the time went, why not take each day slowly, and start things for the long-term future?

Panel Discussion #1

Welcome back, my avid fans/friends and let's kick start the term with something interesting to perk you up.

Recently in Singapore, there was a huge hullabaloo over the Dr Susan Lim controversy. Dr Susan Lim was one of Singapore's most brilliant doctors, and the Brunei royal family had requested her expertise in treating the Sultan of Brunei's sister-in-law. The patient had advanced breast cancer, and was unlikely to survive even with treatment, but was adamant on demanding treatment. For six years, Dr Lim treated the patient. The total bill came to $22.4 million dollars.

The big question: Was it justified? Is it ethical?

There are many different responsed regarding the former question. One must take into account how the doctor scurried around to attend to the extremely demanding patient. According to the accounts of Dr Susan Lim, the patient was very insistent and required her to attend to her personal needs whenever she asked, not even consenting to nurses who took instructions from Dr Lim herself. On one occasion, Dr Lim had just undergone eye surgery, and was having bed rest. However, the patient demanded that Dr Lim attend to her anyway. No matter how people tried to convince her, the patient would not budge in her demands. In the end, Dr Lim had to rely on many other people's help to take an ambulance to the patient's residence, and took a huge medical risk in the fact that she might have lost her eyesight by forgoing bed rest. If that scenario had panned out, she would have been blinded for the rest of her life, just because of one patient's impatience. Also, Dr Lim was the coordinator of many other specialists, such as gyneacologists, psychologists, carcinologists, cardiologists and biologists. There was an entire team of doctors managed by Dr Lim, managing and coordinating their efforts to provide efficient and effective treatment. One can only imagine how torturous the experience must have been.

On the other hand, many assert that the fees charged were simply too high. Even if Dr Lim had been earning a couple million per year, the fees still did not add up to the whopping sum of $22.4 million dollars. Also, it was confirmed after the initial public outburst that she had inflated the bills sent to her by many doctors, by factors of more than twenty. One doctor had sent a bill for $400, which was inflated to above $80,000 by Dr Lim. The Singapore Health Ministry in particular is extremely upset that an offical from Brunei had to come to Singapore personally to make a request on the Sultan's behalf to lower the medical price given by Dr Susan Lim. Additionally, many point out that the patient died despite all the treatment. Worries abound that Singapore's reputation for providing cheap, yet high-quality medical treatment will be tarnished by what has now become a widely publicised affair not only in Singapore, but in surrounding Asia-Pacific countries as well.

This question will remain unanswered for a long time yet.

With regard to the second question, the replies are even more variegated. How ethical is charging high fees? To answer this question, we must ask another one. Why is the public upset over this? Is it because they feel indignant on the patient's behalf? Is it because they fear repercussions on themselves? Is it because they feel ashamed that one of their countrymen has inadvertently tarnished their country's reputation?

From the Government standpoint, I think it is the third reason. The Singapore Health Ministry was and continues to be extremely distraught over what they perceive to be a breach in the code of conduct that all doctors are expected to honour. The message they have been promoting for the past half a century is that Singapore provides cheap, good healthcare. Of course they'd be more than upset, perhaps furious, that a doctor registered in Singapore, a Singaporean, would go so far as to directly contradict them. They fear losing popularity, and while the next general elections are five years off, five years is not a long time. Singapore doctors are expected to provide good, cheap healthcare, and solidify the world perception of Singapore.

From the public standpoint, I think it is the second one. Singaporeans have always been rather selfish, and "kiasu" or afraid to die. Why should they feel for a rich member of the Brunei royal family when they perceive the lives of the rich to be so much better than the lives of the middle class, of the working class, of the poor? I think the majority of Singaporeans are just trying to prevent such an incident from occuring to themselves. Chances are you, the reader who is absorbed in this blog post, are also indignant for this reason. Of course you'll try to cover it up, but what is the real reason for any anger you may be feeling over this incident? You are afraid it's going to affect you and your nice familiar comfortable life.

Back to the question. Is it ethical? The line of ethics is murky. It does not run straight. It curves all over the place, constantly changing along with public expectations. I cannot answer this question yet.

This question is far from answered.

Reverse Discrimination

Welcome, my fervent supporters. Today, I will discuss reverse discrimination in my final session of the term.

What is reverse discrimination? Let us start off by defining discrimination. Discrimination is the unfair treatment of a certain group of people based on perceived differences. Reverse discriminatinon is logically the favouring of a group of people who have been treated with discrimination in the past. There are many types of reverse discrimination such as feminism, but today I would like to focus on reverse discrimination against students from elite schools.

There are various reasons for such reverse discrimination, most of which I will not ennumerate. However, I would like to elucidate on the the factor I feel is most important today. Such reasons include a sense of innate envy or jealousy that a student from a non-elite school would tend to feel towards a student from an elite school.

When one faces an erudite academic with many gleaming awards and achievements, it is quite common to feel envious of his or her multitude of highly-honoured and regarded awards and achievements. It is perfectly normal and even beneficial as this envy pushes one to greater heights as well, giving one the motivation to protect one's dignity or to disprove one's inferiority by achieving as much, if not more. However, the problem arises when one is over-sensitive and takes another person's achievements as an insult to oneself. This is a destructive process of cognition because instead of treating another persons' summit as an objective, one will have the "sour grapes" mentality and discriminate against the elite students just to vent their anger and frustration. It is easy to see how many other prejudices can stem from this redundant irritation with the elite students.

I personally feel that this is the most important reason as it is the most prevalent. It is a natural tendency to feel envious of another's achievements. This is actually a survival instinct we inherited from our evolutionary ancestors, the primeapes, albeit extremely diluted over the past millennia. All animals have the instinct to either escape from or eliminate other animals who may compete with them or pose a threat to their existence. It was necessary in the primaeval ages when natural selection only picked the fittest to survive amidst the diverse competition from various species.

Recently, there was a post on STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print) about some Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) students eating ice-cream on the bus. While I feel this is a murky case to begin with, I think reverse discrimination played a large role.

The STOMPer who posted this article, described the HCI students eating ice cream on the bus with a snide, sardonic tone, implying that there are higher expectations of HCI students than normal students. I can understand this statement since HCI is reputed for its strong root in the Confucian ethics system and is famed for its strict code of conduct. I also think the boys were in the wrong by eating on the bus. This incident of course drew much public furore. However, this raises another point.

There is a fine line separating objective disciplinary actions and prejudiced attitudes towards students from elite schools. Why should we as HCI students need to be absolutely perfect to meet the expectations of the public? Why should any students from any elite school expected to never trip up? Conversely, why are public expectations of the neighbourhood schools so low and why is there so much praise when a student from a neighbourhood school scores well in national competitions as compared with an "seen it all" attitude from the media when students from elite schools clinch the gold? After all, everyone in any secondary school, no matter how elite, is still a teenager at the core. Everyone is the same in this regard. I think it is rather biased to have expectations based on the school one attends. While I concede that this is perfectly normal, I think that the main argument when criticising students should not be their school.

The majority of Singaporeans love such gossip over controversial issues like this, so they can assert their opinions on the situation as best. However, I think it unfair and prejudiced to target all news at the elite schools of Singapore. Just because someone is from an elite school does not mean they are infallible. There have been many recent incidents to prove contrary, such as the HCI alumnus who was caught with videos of child pornography on his laptop and the HCI alumnus who set the record for most number of men slept with. My point is that one should treat everyone fairly and objectively based on individual characteristics and not based on their school or workplace. If one wishes to bring up school or workplace, one should relate it back to the individual by explaining how the school or workplace has cultivated certain desirable or undesirable characteristics in the individual.

Reverse discrimination is extremely diverse, appearing in all fields of work and play. One should be careful not to fall into the trap of utilising such fallacious arguments in one's cognition.

Mother's Day Exclusive

Welcome readers, to this exclusive session on Mother's Day. What is Mother's Day? It is a globally celebrated holiday that falls on the 2nd Sunday of May every year. It commemorates the contributions of all mothers who have done so much to bring up their children.

The origins of Mother's Day are rather obscure. However, it is widely accepted by historians all over the world that Mother's day originated in the United States of America (USA). The original purpose for Mother's Day was to oppose war, started by Julia Ward Howe of the USA. Written in 1870, it was a pacfiist reaction to the ravaging American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. Howe's feminist attitude dictated her ideals that women had a right and responsibility to sculpt their societies at the political level. She was very specific that the word "Mother's" was to be a singular possesive form, not a plural possesive (Mothers') or plural non-possesive (Mothers Day). The idea was for each family to honour their own matriarch, and not as a general festival to celebrate mothers. As such, it is evident that the original purpose has evolved somewhat.

I believe that whatever the case, we should treat this festival with reverance and also respect. Our mothers have indeed contributed much to our lives, taking on much of the responsibilities and burdens that accompany parenthood. We should never take this for granted, even though a mother's love is unconditional.

However, it is rather tragic that many youths of the present era do not feel the love of their mothers and fathers. They believe that their parents are deliberately restricting their freedom and as such are hostile towards their parents. Have they ever considered the viewpoint of their parents? They are their parents' flesh and blood. Their parents only wish for the best for their children and are not afraid to sacrifice so their children can lead better lives. How sad it is then, if these efforts are not recognised?

My own mother has helped me many times. She drives me to school twice a week, waking up at 6:50 and cutting short her already limited sleep so I can rest a little longer every day. If I were to take a bus to school, I would have to wake up at least half an hour earlier. Also, my mother is the stern matriarch of our family. She consistently checks on me, asking whether I have read the newspapers for that day, satisfied my weekly book-reading quota or practised the piano for at least an hour that day. If I had not, there would be a "volcanic eruption" of sorts because her temper goes off extremely easily. However, she ultimately loves me very much because she is my mother and only wants the best for me.

Looking back at some of the sillier incidents when she helped me, I cannot help but feel a pang of guilt. Many times in primary school, I would forget to bring consent forms for enrichment activities or forget to get exam papers signed by my parents. My mother had to make many trips from her busy office to come to my primary school to resolved the matter. I feel very remorseful now as I reminisce all her effort in bringing me up.

I would really like to wish my special mother a very "Happy Mother's Day!" This is an opportunity that only comes once in a year, and I think all of us should commemorate our mothers on this special day.

Poem Analysis: "Daddy's Day"

This is one of my favourite poems, a poem titled "Daddy's Day", composed in 2000 by poet Cheryl Costello-Forshey. The poem is about a girl who talks about her father who died in the 911 September 11 incident when terrorists hijacked flight Q33 NY and crashed into the World Trade Centre.

Her hair up in a ponytail, her favorite dress tied with a bow

Today was Daddy’s Day at school, and she couldn’t wait to go

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home

Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone

The poem starts off with a description of the girl's appearance. It briefly introduces the situation, where a girl is preparing for Daddy's Day in school, or a day where children bring their fathers to school to introduce them to their classmates. However, it immediately provides a twist by saying that she would be going to school alone.

This invokes many feelings in the readers such as curiosity and suspense. By providing an interesting twist in the start, it makes the reader feel obliged to continue reading the poem. Also, it sets a bittersweet tone for the rest of the poem by contrasting the girl's excitement with the sombre nature of the situation. I like this stanza as it establishes the conflict and twist within the first few lines of the poem.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say

What to tell her classmates, on this Daddy’s Day

But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone

And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home

But the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all

About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls

This stanza continues the plot, by describing her serene expression and feelings even when confronted by the thought that she might be ridiculed or poked fun at for not having a father. It describes her mother's anxious expressions for her daughter as well.

The stanza continues the bittersweet theme by contrasting the girl's anticipation with her mother's sadness and anxiety. Also, it continues the suspense by describing the father as "a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls". It is still unclear whether the father is dead or constantly away from home. I like this stanza for that reason.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet

Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called, a student from the class

To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed

At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare

Each of them were searching, for a man that wasn’t there

“Where’s her daddy at?” She heard a boy call out

“She probably doesn’t have one.” Another student dared to shout

And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say

“Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day.”

This stanza is slightly longer. It describes the scene in the classroom, setting the anticipation for the girl's show and tell on her father. It also shows how she is ridiculed and written off by the students and parents in the classroom.

It heightens the suspense and anticipation. What is she going to say next? Once again, a reference is made to the father as "a man that wasn't there". The poem is still unclear about the father's exact details.

The words did not offend her, as she smiled at her friends

And looked back at her teacher, who told her to begin

And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak

And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique

“My Daddy couldn’t be here, because he lives so far away

But I know he wishes he could be with me on this day

This stanza sates some of the curiosity the reader experiences reading this poem. There is a tranquil air about the girl, as she "smiled at her friends" despite the snide comments from the audience about her father. Also, she is portrayed as very serene and mature, despite her young age. She is very confident, and at the same time innocent in her words. However, who exactly is the father?

And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know

All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so

He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike

He surprised me with pink roses, and he taught me to fly a kite

We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone

And though you cannot see him, I’m not standing all alone

‘Cause my daddy’s always with me, even though we are apart

I know because he told me, he’ll forever be here in my heart”

This stanza shows the happy relationship the girl had with her father and how she cherishes those memories of her father. In her innocence and happiness, she believes in her father to be always by her side even when he has left the world. Even though her father is absent, she still loves him because he'll "forever be here in my heart."

With that her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest

Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears

Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years

For she stood up for the love, of a man not in her life

Doing what was best for her, doing what was right

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd

She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud

This portrays her true love towards her father, even though she only had hazy memories of her father who was "a man not in her life". It shows how the girl is mature enough to love her father unconditionally like a family should.

“I love my daddy very much, he’s my shining star

And if he could he’d be here, but heavens just too far

You see, he was a fireman and died just this past year

When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it’s like he never went away”

And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day

And to her mother’s amazement, she witnessed with surprise

A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside

Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side

This is the conclusion to the poem. The girl reveals that her father has died just recently, while valiantly trying to douse the fires that erupted at the World Trade Centre, and celebrates her fathers existence even though he has died. To her, he will live on eternally in her heart, and he is watching her from heaven with pride and happiness as she talks about him.

“I know you’re with me daddy.” To the silence she called out

And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt

Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed

But there placed on her desktop, was a beautiful fragrant pink rose

And a child was blessed, if only a moment, by the love of her shining bright star

And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far

On the whole, this poem is very meaningful as it commemorates fathers all over the world, not just those who bravely gave their lives saving others in the bombing of the World Trade Centre.

Indeed, the role of our fathers in bringing us up is very diminished as most credit always goes to mothers. While I do not dispute that mothers have put in much effort to raise children, I believe that the fathers have contributed their fair share as well. Fathers are usually the sole breadwinner when the mother is too uneducated to work or chooses to take care of her children rather than work. They are the ones who stand in the background supportively, while the mothers raise the children. Fathers are tasked with both familial and career duties.

My father always used to go on business trips. As such, he would try to send me to school more often in the morning, waking up at 6:50 just to drive me to school. We always had conversations in the car, talking about all manner of things. It was his way of communicating and getting to know his son, I suppose.

In lieu of Mother's Day, while we are giving our mothers treats and celebrating their special day with them, let us remember the contribution that our fathers have made in bringing us up.

Book Review: Firestorm

Hello, my avid readers. Today, I shall be sharing with you a book I read not too long ago. It is entitled "Firestorm" and is written by author David Klass. "Firestorm" is a science fiction book that talks about global warming.

Jack Danielson is a regular teenager living in Hadley-by-Hudson, New York, the United States of America. However, his entire life is turned upside-down when he is set upon by the Dark Army, an army of hybrid mutants from the future who thrive in the pollution-ravaged Earth. Together with his loyal companion dog Gisco, and his guardian Eko, they must save the ocean from a mysterious man named Dargon, before it is too late.

The idea of a young hero stepping forward to save humanity has been used in many science-fiction and fantasy books. However, Jack saving the Earth from humans destroying it through various types of pollution provides an interesting and gripping twist to the idea. The book conveys the need to save the environment by showing what the Earth will be like if nothing is done now. The book also emphasises how everyone can work together to save the Earth by helping out in their own tiny way, perhaps planting another tree, or helping to clear some rubbish on the floor. It is a work of art that combines environmental awareness with an action-packed that is sure to keep the reader glued to the pages.

This book is extremely unique, because of the creative spin it takes on the global warming issue. Many books I have read about global warming have been non-fiction books that simply provide the facts in a dry, dull manner. However, this book has the added advantage of coming in a suspenseful and gripping plot. I think this is a great way to learn about facts, because the emotions that accompany the book will help to ingrain those facts into one's brain. This is beneficial as compared to the conventional methods of teaching that many students perceive as boring. However, one should be careful that the book is not too off-topic for revision purposes.

I think this book is extremely useful in teaching both science and literature lessons because of its hybrid nature. I liked the book so much I finished it in two days and went on to borrow the sequel, finishing that in three days. The action and suspense that is provided abundantly in the plot is also a major benefit for teachers as they can be fairly sure that students will finish the book in a week at maximum due to its appeal to the younger generation. Also, the youth of the protagonist is likely to appeal very much to other youths as well. I would recommend this book to all literature and science teachers to incorporate in their lessons. There are indeed many learning points such as protecting the environment, helping those in need and being wary and alert of those who would deceive you. For example, in one chapter of the story, Jack sabotages a trawler ship that is owned by the evil Dargon and stands by his decision even though he is brutally punished afterwards. He also does not fall prey to Dargon's balm of honeyed lies with which Dargon tries to entice Jack to stop in his quest to save the Earth.

However, this book has some content which may be inappropriate for younger readers such as romance and violence. I would recommend that only children of 10 years or older read this book. For example, in the aforementioned chapter, Dargon punished Jack by chopping off his little finger on the left hand. This may not be suitable for those who are not mature enough to deal with violence, even if it is entirely fictional.

Also, this book has provided me with additional vocabulary to add to my word bank. For example, "salient" which means important, "obfuscated" which means to make obscure or unclear, and "hoi polloi" which is a Greek word for "the masses". Other words include "speleology" which means the study of caves and "vulcanology" which means the study of volcanoes.

Overall, a delectable read. I will be borrowing the third and final book when it becomes available at my local library.

STOMP

STOMP stands for Straits Times Online Mobile Print. It is a Singaporean website that provides users with the opportunity to discuss hot topics like the furore over the recent General elections. Alternatively, one can post pictures onto STOMP to share a humourous experience or to showcase a public act of disgrace. It is undeniable that the STOMP website provides a forum for Singaporeans to share different viewpoints on a topic. However, what about the ethics of such a website? Is it really all it's cracked up to be?

The website was indeed started with the objective of providing a forum to the hoi polloi of Singapore. However, there are certain rules and regulations one cannot cross. One can complain about the mischievous acts of a student in a public area such as a shopping centre, but one cannot insinuate that the student's school is lousy just because of one incident. One can lament that his supervisor at work is rather oppressive, but one cannot go on to directly insult his bosses. In recent times, there have been more and more of such posts by Singaporean STOMPers. These posts often have no real meaning, and are just to let off steam after a stressful day. This is perfectly alright as long as it is within the ethical and legal boundaries. However, these posts usually amount to slander and the poster can be sued legally for slander.

The following is a link to a STOMP article.

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/623034/inconsiderate_ns_man_blocks_bus_passageway_with_duffel_bag.html

The article is about a National Serviceman (NS man) being inconsiderate by placing his bag on the floor. The STOMPer who posted it was apparently extremely distressed by this inconsiderate act. However, I do not see how it is being inconsiderate. It is akin to a student placing his bag on the floor as it is very bulky and heavy from his gear. It would be realistic to place the bag on the floor as opposed to on his lap or on the chair. Also, the bus is rather empty and there is no visible sign that people are bothered or irritated by this. I think he was actually being considerate as he did not put the bag on the chair, where it would have taken up an additional seat and possibly made the seat dirty. Also, the man placed his bag where there was a wider path for people to walk through. In my opinion, a person wanting to walk past could simply step over the bag. It is not a big bother for anyone, perhaps worthy of a minor lament but the STOMPer overexaggerated the frustration this man caused. It is irrelevant and nearly amounts to public flaming.

In general, I do not think that taking pictures of people in the wrong is the best way to report nuisance acts by inconsiderate people. I think it would have been much better, if in the picture someone could have stepped forward to explain to the NS man about how his duffel bag was affecting other commuters on the bus. Insulting from behind a veil of anonymity is often far too easy. If someone wishes to insult or criticise another person, he or she should step forward in the open and not hide behind the anonymity of the internet.

STOMP is a website that has much potential to become the Singaporean "Facebook". However, we should in any case think thrice before posting possibly offensive remarks online.

Singapore General Elections

Welcome back, my avid fans. Today I will be doing exclusive coverage of the Singapore General Elections, and my personal reflections.

The past ten days saw a islandwide frenzy of emotion-stirring rallies, with political competitors and opponents both gunning for political points. Opposition parties have clashed ferociously with the People's Action Party (PAP) in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) all over the pandemonic political battlefield, and both sides have tried their hardest for political victory. Yesterday saw the final respite after months of hard work by both candidates and voters.

As a supporter of the PAP, my natural first reaction when I had heard that Aljunied GRC had gone to the WP was of course distaste and disappointment. However, my mother chided me for not supporting the WP, saying that they deserved the win. Even though we lived in Tanjong Pagar GRC, it was apparent that the WP's passionate rally speeches and gestures of endearment had swayed my ever-headstrong mother as well. How did they do it? And what lessons can we learn?

This election marked a historic watershed for Singapore's electoral landscape. Many new feelings were instilled in the next generation of young voters, and many old rivalries were once again inflamed by the impassioned speeches of both the opposition and the PAP. However, the PAP defeated all parties and retained all their seats, with only one exception of Aljunied GRC. However, it is this one exception that will send the General Elections (GE) 2011 down into the Singaporean history.

The WP's "A"-team, comprising its secretary-general Low Thia Kiang and its chairwoman Sylvia Lim, defeated long-time defending champion George Yeo, the minister of Finance. How did they wrest the laurel of success from the PAP's team?

There are indeed a multitude of reasons. Firstly, they showed empathy towards the common man, and focused their shots on the weaknesses of the PAP's policies, such as housing affordability and healthcare. These were the biggest grouses of the man on the street, and still are today. They consistently rallied around the need for citizens to have a greater say and a greater influence in shaping the policies of the Singapore Government. The PAP had long been far too arrogant, deluded by sucess into thinking their throne on the parliamentary seats was impregnable. The WP gave the people the promise of a voice for reform, and the promise of a more citizen-oriented government. By showing empathy in their rallying speeches, and using the approval of the audience to their advantage, charismatic speakers like Pritam Singh and Low Thia Kiang were able to win the hearts and votes of many in Aljunied GRC.

Secondly, they appealed to the huge surge of young voters in this year's elections. The younger generation had mostly been born after 1975 and as such had not seen the miracles that the PAP had worked in the early years of Singapore. Appealing to the technologically-savvy generation of youth, they utilised social media like Facebook and Twitter to their maximum advantage. They used the interactivity and low cost of the Internet to set up a powerful campaign starting from their small budget. By contrast, the PAP did not manage to effectively harness the power of the Internet. Many residents were not impressed by the routine vans with loudspeakers and grassroots leaders handing out leaflets that were deployed by the PAP. Feisty "Boo"s were heard when one such van made its rounds. Also, grassroots leaders were told to "shove off" by an irate resident when they were promoting the PAP.

However, what was the real distinguishing factor? The PAP unrelentingly pounded the WP's arguments, calling for them to reveal plans of their own. They attempted to appeal to people's common sense and logic. However, the WP refused to wage war on a battlefield unfavourable to them. They instead drew the focus onto the need for reform, and for a "co-driver to slap the driver awake when he is asleeep" as Mr Low Thia Kiang put it. The WP's mandate proved to be far more effective than the PAP's in garnering votes for themselves. The PAP was like a well armoured fighter throwing punches at thin air, while the WP was like a distant sniper, aiming with impeccable precision at the flaws and chinks in the PAP's armour. With their powerful speeches and forceful arguments, they were able to use emotion and passion to overcome the obstacles that the PAP flung in their path.

The PAP, which had long become oblivious to change in the Singaporean landscape and blinded by their prolonged success in the general elections through the years, had grown far too obstinate. They simply refused to listen to the needs of the citizens, writing them off as everyday or inevitable occurrences. Mr Mah Bow Tan, the minister for National Development, kept insisting that housing prices were affordable for the Singaporean masses, despite insistent claims that housing was too highly-priced. This was the major mistake that the PAP made. In most of the GRCs and SMCs that were contested, the PAP only won by razor-thin margins of hundreds of votes. Mrs Lina Chiam of the Singapore People's Party lost by only 114 votes, or just a meagre 0.4%. The general sentiment of those who voted for opposition parties said that the main motivation had been to give the PAP a wake-up call, rather than to display support for those parties. As the proverb goes, "Pride comes before a fall." The PAP, blinded by pride, were not able to see how their seats were threatened by the soaring aspirations of the opposition parties. This ultimately led to their stunning loss in Aljunied GRC to the WP.

If we are complacent ourselves, we will never be able to achieve greater results. As the Chinese saying goes, "There is always a taller mountain." Whenever we think we have climbed to the peak of our achievement, there is always a higher peak for us to scale. It is when we think our achievements are the pinnacle that we stop growing. Other people, by contrast, treat it as the foundation for their own greater achievements. Complacency is like a huge rock blocking our path. It is when we shake the complacent mindset and shift into a different paradigm that the rock will become a stepping stone instead to climb to greater glory.

Likewise, if we have noble aspirations and a persevering heart, the WP has shown that even the most deeply ingrained of conventions can be overcome by diligence and perseverance in pursuing one's dream. When we are constantly chasing after our objectives, there will come a day when we finally catch up to them. As the CHinese saying goes, "There is nothing difficult in the world, only lazy people." If we have the due diligence, we can always find a way to break down obstacles in our path to success

Although I do not approve of the WP's victory in Aljunied, I concede that this may cause the PAP to realise their arrogant mistakes and revamp their policies. With the WP in parliament, there will also be a greater cause for the PAP to stop being apathetic and negligent towards the citizens. Nobody can improve without rigorous competition and testing, and this applies to the field of politics as well. Hopefully, this will prove as a wake-up call to the PAP and keep Singapore's government on their toes.