40th national birthday - does it mean anything to you?

[huaiwei]

Let me just say that there are many tests and many ways to see a situation, if you do well in say subject 'Maths' in 90% but fail in English at 40% do you pass well?? How Singapore rank in term of political freedom? Tell me?

Well, just like an educational system, certain subjects are considered more important than others. Failing Chinese now wont stop your university education, but failing English probably will. To pragmatic Singaporeans who just want a roof over their heads, an A grade in political freedom is probably about as useful as an A grade in PE.

 

[Hommie]

But this then shows that you are being selective in your comparisons. Will that not be more biased then simply comparing with our immediate neighbours (which cant change anytime now), or with similar-sized countries around the world (which cant change much either)? I am not saying comparing with our neighbours is the best means of judging Singapore's progress, but arbitruarily choosing any other country is not a better option either in my view.

Then don't. I already said, its not fair to compare.

I am a Protestant, and my minor is History, so you must be kidding to assume I dont know religious history. I do not wish to compare the extent of religious conflicts around the World, but I think my point is clear here.

i agree that complacency is the biggest poison, and yes, I felt PTP's presense is a wonderful tool in forcing PSA to get out of the mud and realise competition is knocking on its doors. But to then say our neighbours are catching up at the expense of Singapore is again an out-dated comment. Since the movement of two major shipping lines there, no other line has migrated. And I have heard inside talk that one of them was pretty unhappy with the situation over there. The PTP may register stella growth (from a much lower baseline), but PSA is growing just as well at unprecedented levels.

I don't disagree with you here. In that(port), we are doing well for now.

 

[Hommie]

Well, just like an educational system, certain subjects are considered more important than others. Failing Chinese now wont stop your university education, but failing English probably will. To pragmatic Singaporeans who just want a roof over their heads, an A grade in political freedom is probably about as useful as an A grade in PE.

That's very subjective. Some rank it higher than that.

 

[Hommie]

Erm wait. Why am I suddenly picked upon in that sentence?

You posed the same question about separating the state and system too as dkw,

If you say the ruling party is the country, then how do you like one and dislike the other?

 

[huaiwei]

That's very subjective. Some rank it higher than that.

Yes...some. But like it or not, do wider society in this part of the world accord equal emphasize to it as other regions do? This problem is not confined to Singapore, or its government. If we want a more liberal and open society, then we need wider changes throughout, and more importantly, we need a population which shows a desire for such a change. How many of our peers are willing to step out and do this?

Not targetting this at anyone here, but I have always wondered. What is the point of expressing grievances here on the internet and hiding behind a nickname? Here I am using my REAL name as my user name. Why does it seem like I am the minority here? Not that I am trying to assert any superiority here, but I have to point out that the lack of accountability and responsiblity is destroying the call for transparency more than it is helping it. And THERE lies the irony.

 

[huaiwei]

You posed the same question about separating the state and system too as dkw,

So how does that mean I believe "criticism against the system is against the country."?

 

[Hommie]

Yes...some. But like it or not, do wider society in this part of the world accord equal emphasize to it as other regions do? This problem is not confined to Singapore, or its government. If we want a more liberal and open society, then we need wider changes throughout, and more importantly, we need a population which shows a desire for such a change. How many of our peers are willing to step out and do this?

As I mentioned earlier, its subjective. More and more are coming out to speak than before as encourage by garment, ironically. ;p

Not targetting this at anyone here, but I have always wondered. What is the point of expressing grievances here on the internet and hiding behind a nickname? Here I am using my REAL name as my user name. Why does it seem like I am the minority here? Not that I am trying to assert any superiority here, but I have to point out that the lack of accountability and responsiblity is destroying the call for transparency more than it is helping it. And THERE lies the irony.

Me too. I have list my name on here for MOs and even my number for those collecting zing straps on the consumer section. Beats me why people wanna hid their number too.;p

 

[tOGGY]

Not that I am trying to assert any superiority here, but I have to point out that the lack of accountability and responsiblity is destroying the call for transparency more than it is helping it. And THERE lies the irony.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I do also observe this to be true. It is important to be even more accountable and responsible when we post our comments. Not less.

 

[Hommie]

So how does that mean I believe "criticism against the system is against the country."?

The problem is how can I not. Question for a question. Ask your own intend to ask and what kind answers you wants.

 

[huaiwei]

As I mentioned earlier, its subjective. More and more are coming out to speak than before as encourage by garment, ironically. ;p

Well, I am not sure if I would include government-sanctioned "free speech", but yes, I do believe our society will progresively open up. It is inevitable, and yes, I believe the government knows it. But patience is needed here too, because you cant force political or social ideals upon the population in a rushed manner (unless you think the present garmen is successful in this? I think not). Let things take its natural course, and yes, I believe bitching prematurely is going to impeed rather than help the situation too. Let the less contentious issues unravel themselves, and the core issues will follow.

I suppose this ends our discussion here about the above issue?

Me too. I have list my name on here for MOs and even my number for those collecting zing straps on the consumer section. Beats me why people wanna hid their number too.;p

Erm...the consumer section is quite a different situation altogether mr...

 

[huaiwei]

The problem is how can I not. Question for a question. Ask your own intend to ask and what kind answers you wants.

No i fail to understand your chain of thought here. I simply see no logical correlation, unless you can enlighten me on this one?

 

[Hommie]

No i fail to understand your chain of thought here. I simply see no logical correlation, unless you can enlighten me on this one?

Neither do I understand your repeated question, thought I have answered them already.

 

[Hommie]

Okay, good to clarify that. So you are not against the country, even though you question the way things are run. I'm glad you agree because that is Zerstorer's/huaiwei/my position all along, that you can criticise the system without criticising the country, that the system and the country are in fact separate.

So you agreed that the system and country should be separate? ;p

 

[Hommie]

No i fail to understand your chain of thought here. I simply see no logical correlation, unless you can enlighten me on this one?

I understand now, if you go back to your earlier post, you are engaging by answering questions and questioning answers not directed at you, thus the connection. If you don't think you agree with it, then don't answer the comment not aim at you.

 

[huaiwei]

I understand now, if you go back to your earlier post, you are engaging by answering questions and questioning answers not directed at you, thus the connection. If you don't think you agree with it, then don't answer the comment not aim at you.

Isnt that a form of censorship?

 

[Hommie]

Isnt that a form of censorship?

Why is that so? If you don't agree with the question, repost in your own fashion. I will choose whether I want to answer or not if the question is directed to me. Don't be lazy! :bsmilie:

 

[huaiwei]

Why is that so? If you don't agree with the question, repost in your own fashion. I will choose whether I want to answer or not if the question is directed to me. Don't be lazy! :bsmilie:

And I will choose to comment in any way I want if I want. Isnt this liberalism the way you see it?

 

[Hommie]

Erm...the consumer section is quite a different situation altogether mr...

No, what! Why do you need to hide you numbers too since you want full accountability? I told you where to get my number and name already, why not do the same? ;p

 

[Hommie]

And I will choose to comment in any way I want if I want. Isnt this liberalism the way you see it?

Then I'll comment the way I want to or not and you'll risk me lumping you with the others unintentionally lor. That's all! Where got censorship? Aren't you posting now? Did any of your comment got deleted by me? :dunno:

 

[huaiwei]

No, what! Why do you need to hide you numbers too since you want full accountability? I told you where to get my number and name already, why not do the same? ;p

Actually I have no idea what you are talking about. I dont even know what an MO is other then it being a Medical Officer. And if you are interested in this kind of low-level discussion, why dont you request for a change of your username unless you are called hommie in your IC?

Whatever the case, I think this conversation is not worth pursuing. I dont even feel like I am talking to an adult, to be honest, so my apologies if you happen to be one. I would rather prepare to scoot off downtown and celebrate the nation's anniversary in a short while from now!