Press Secretary of MICA response to Mr Brown article
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And the guy in charge of it, Colin Goh, occasionally his columns appear in the Sunday times, and his comic strip regularly in the newpaper always poking fun at singapore also never shut down?Originally posted by vito_corleone:talking c0ck is based in the us, that's why its still alive. if not earlier kena shut down by mica
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because Mr Brown's words are too close to reality. Talking Cock is really sibei ho chio.Originally posted by ditzy:And the guy in charge of it, Colin Goh, occasionally his columns appear in the Sunday times, and his comic strip regularly in the newpaper always poking fun at singapore also never shut down? -
I guess he hit some sore spot.. so they pain then cannot tahan..
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forums are definitely getting more and more vocal these days.. there is only a marginal difference between criticism and inciting/flaming. i felt that it is the latter that the government are concerned with.Originally posted by LazerLordz:I have never believed that criticism is a privilege. It is our right and we should never forget that.
emotion aside, i too believe in constructive criticism. it's the government behaviour/response that i am truely disappointed with. talk about first world government.. alas.
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Yep, you're right. But sometimes, don't you notice they tolerate more of the mudslinging(which no one takes seriously) than hard-hitting, well-crafted criticism of policies which come from the everyman and are easily connected with the public, but with the intellect of anyone who is able to spot their flaws in a glance.Originally posted by YI:forums are definitely getting more and more vocal these days.. there is only a marginal difference between criticism and inciting/flaming. i felt that it is the latter that the government are concerned with.
emotion aside, i too believe in constructive criticism. it's the government behaviour/response that i am truely disappointed with. talk about first world government.. alas.
I see divide and conquer. Thing is, how long can this last.. All we desire is a fair engagement, and for the government to realise that politics is a two way street, and the people are the ultimate arbiters of policy success.They have to dump the mindset that only qualified individuals be allowed to even merely discuss related issues. -
Constructive criticism ought to come with a solution package if not it will be treated as inciting/flaming as what Mr Brown had done.
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That's a very elitist point of view. Singapore has to get rid of such mindsets, or else we will be left with only academics who will discuss matters relating to the everyman, and you and I, well, sucking thumb gets bored after a while you know.Originally posted by TooFree:Constructive criticism ought to come with a solution package if not it will be treated as inciting/flaming as what Mr Brown had done.
Opinions are opinions, we as everymen, have an opinion and we have to sound out if we feel something is wrong. -
Oh. You would rather all of Singaporeans get engulf into politic-tussle and risk dividing the social fabric with the forming of two or more party armed camp among its supporters. The next time you and I will no longer be Singaporeans sharing the same identity. We will be rival. You sure you want that to happen?Originally posted by LazerLordz:That's a very elitist point of view. Singapore has to get rid of such mindsets, or else we will be left with only academics who will discuss matters relating to the everyman, and you and I, well, sucking thumb gets bored after a while you know.
Opinions are opinions, we as everymen, have an opinion and we have to sound out if we feel something is wrong.
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We're probably one of the few countries left which is close to micro-managing daily behaviour of its citizens. We're also one of the few countries left where uniformed personnel are supposed to be blindly respected - no questions asked.
I live in Bedok, Singapore, province of North Korea. -
Armed camp? I think you are overtly imaginative.Originally posted by TooFree:Oh. You would rather all of Singaporeans get engulf into politic-tussle and risk dividing the social fabric with the forming of two or more party armed camp among its supporters. The next time you and I will no longer be Singaporeans sharing the same identity. We will be rival. You sure you want that to happen?
I'm for peaceful debates, the lack of a solution does not equate to a presence of armed fighters beating each other silly. We are not ruffians, nor are we sheep or little children.We are citizens who by and large, are affected by national issues. Who are they to tell us that we cannot discuss issues unless we are experts in that field?That's simply preposterous.
It's like telling a Chinese he cannot discuss matters relating to the CCP because he is not a political scientist or a member of the Politburo or National People's Congress.
What is a Singaporean identity? My vision is of a Singapore that is one nation which embraces all individuals regardless of beliefs and opinions. The nation is growing, this is an unavoidable fact.
As long as we keep the racial harmony and respect religion, who's to say we cannot achieve a melting pot? When we are inclusive, there is an outlet for differences to be raised. Not worth kidding ourselves that putting a lid on things, will cause fundamental differences of opinion to vanish. -
Respect has to be earned, aren't we supposed to be meritocratic? Where success and respect are earned through hard work, and not blind obedience..Originally posted by gentlerock:We're probably one of the few countries left which is close to micro-managing daily behaviour of its citizens. We're also one of the few countries left where uniformed personnel are supposed to be blindly respected - no questions asked.
I live in Bedok, Singapore, province of North Korea. -
if there are no probable solution/alternative, what good will it do by promulgating to the general public? raise public awareness? the question is can they handle it? those who are capable and most willingly had already found themselves the perfect medium to further their cause. those standing by the sideline such as you and me will know the ugly truth in due course.Originally posted by TooFree:Constructive criticism ought to come with a solution package if not it will be treated as inciting/flaming as what Mr Brown had done. -
loyalty/discipline/obedience has been highly regarded since ancient time but unquestionable loyalty/obedience? it's up to individuals.Originally posted by gentlerock:We're probably one of the few countries left which is close to micro-managing daily behaviour of its citizens. We're also one of the few countries left where uniformed personnel are supposed to be blindly respected - no questions asked.
edit: obedience added after reading lazerlordz post. -
my sentiments. i have always been gracious. i am giving lhl and his team time to overhaul the continuous unpopular practices in which i doubt will change. i do hope to be proven wrong. this government had brought us far.. but enough is enough.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Yep, you're right. But sometimes, don't you notice they tolerate more of the mudslinging(which no one takes seriously) than hard-hitting, well-crafted criticism of policies which come from the everyman and are easily connected with the public, but with the intellect of anyone who is able to spot their flaws in a glance.
I see divide and conquer. Thing is, how long can this last.. All we desire is a fair engagement, and for the government to realise that politics is a two way street, and the people are the ultimate arbiters of policy success.They have to dump the mindset that only qualified individuals be allowed to even merely discuss related issues. -
Aiyoh.....our society ah? We were programmed this way from young mah.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Respect has to be earned, aren't we supposed to be meritocratic? Where success and respect are earned through hard work, and not blind obedience..
Don't you remember that in all your years in school, you were always forced to stand up and formally greet your teachers (although like robots..."Ready? 1, 2, 3, Goooood Morneeng Teecher" ) whenever they walked into the classroom? You didn't have to mean it, you didn't even have to like the guy, but you had to do it.
Yes, yes.....through those kinds of light daily brainwashing, we have been trained to be blindly respectful of certain parties (seniors, authorities, etc).
Not saying that authorities should not be respected, but just like credit, respect should be given where deserved. -
i believe we have sounded out enough over recent years to capture their attention. they too have acknowledged during the last election that a faction of the public are fed up with their overkill tactic. but is it enough for them to warrant a change? with their capability of swinging multi-millions carrots, and the unspoken fear of government retaliation amongst others on their side of the table.. it seems that we are still in need of some serious amplifiers.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Opinions are opinions, we as everymen, have an opinion and we have to sound out if we feel something is wrong. -
meritocractic? elitistic you mean. this is a society where scholars call the shot.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Respect has to be earned, aren't we supposed to be meritocratic? Where success and respect are earned through hard work, and not blind obedience.. -
Thats only half right, pal. You left out in that sometimes, their wives/relatives call the shots too.Originally posted by YI:meritocractic? elitistic you mean. this is a society where scholars call the shot.
Ok, Ok....granted, the scholars call the shots to let their wives call the shots. -
From yahoo
Sunday July 9, 5:08 PM
Supporters of suspended Singaporean blogger hold silent protest
Supporters of a Singaporean blogger have gathered at a busy subway station for a silent protest at the suspension of his weekly newspaper column after the government criticised his latest satirical piece about high living costs.
At least 30 supporters turned up at City Hall station at 2:00 pm dressed in brown attire in support of the blogger, who goes by the moniker Mr Brown.
"I think most of us feel that it is very important to have an independent voice in the print media," said a 25-year-old man who declined to be named.
He said he was told of the planned protest via a SMS text message on Saturday evening, like many of the others.
"For them to suspend the column is ridiculous," said a 19-year-old Canadian student who only wants to be known as Bronwyn. She was at the subway station with her sister and mother to take part in the silent protest.
The 36-year-old blogger, whose real name is Lee Kin Mun, is aware of the 30-minute silent protest but friends say he is not the organiser.
"We are aware of it but we did not organise it. We are touched by the gesture and we hope that nobody gets into trouble because of us," the blogger's friend Edmund Tan told AFP.
In Singapore any public protest of at least five people without a police permit is illegal. A few policemen patrolled the subway station but no arrests were made.
The Today newspaper's publisher MediaCorp confirmed Thursday it has suspended Mr Brown's weekly column from July 7 but gave no reason.
His latest satirical piece entitled "S'poreans are fed, up with progress!" drew a strong rebuttal from the government who said the writer was distorting the truth.
Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF or Reporters Without Borders) has described the government's condemnation of Mr Brown's column as "disturbing" in light of its already strict curbs on the media.
In April RSF condemned Singapore's restrictions on political discussions in blogs and websites ahead of general elections in May.
Last year the group ranked Singapore 140th out of 167 countries in its annual press freedom index. -
Well.. his column, at least to me, is alot more 'tame' than wad i see posted here..
Hmm.. how about inviting him to post here ?
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Good to hear that people are willing to step forward to show their support in a peaceful way.
Let's leave it at that.We are a educated and peaceful bunch. -
Isn't it a fact that Utilities is up, Taxi fare going up, Public transport also going up. If Mr. Brown is highlighting the deepest sentiments from the heartlanders, shouldn't the "pay and pay" or "highest pay officials" be grateful to him for sounding the alarm of something big is stirring in the communities? Instead of ignoring the problem and burying their heads in the sand or worse shoot the messenger. The world highest paid ministers even have the guts to ask him to shutup or provide the solution to the problems.
Shouldn't it be the jobs of the minister to address the people concerns and address their problem? -
Now then you know? This has been a tiresome issue for ages.Originally posted by adven7:Isn't it a fact that Utilities is up, Taxi fare going up, Public transport also going up. If Mr. Brown is highlighting the deepest sentiments from the heartlanders, shouldn't the "pay and pay" or "highest pay officials" be grateful to him for sounding the alarm of something big is stirring in the communities? Instead of ignoring the problem and burying their heads in the sand or worse shoot the messenger. The world highest paid ministers even have the guts to ask him to shutup or provide the solution to the problems.
Shouldn't it be the jobs of the minister to address the people concerns and address their problem?
It's the mindset.You know, if we groom our youth today to be responsible people who are willing to stand up for their rights, it might have an effect. -
It's supposed to be their job to do so.Originally posted by adven7:Isn't it a fact that Utilities is up, Taxi fare going up, Public transport also going up. If Mr. Brown is highlighting the deepest sentiments from the heartlanders, shouldn't the "pay and pay" or "highest pay officials" be grateful to him for sounding the alarm of something big is stirring in the communities? Instead of ignoring the problem and burying their heads in the sand or worse shoot the messenger. The world highest paid ministers even have the guts to ask him to shutup or provide the solution to the problems.
Shouldn't it be the jobs of the minister to address the people concerns and address their problem?
But of course, they don't quite share the same sentiments.
Take MP Denise Phua, for instance. When she came across so much anti-PAP rhetoric on the Internet, what did she do? Far from trying to address the issues raised by the netizens, she called for the Internet to be regulated. -
Pros and Cons. Activistism may served its purpose strictly from a society well-being prospective but it is certainly detriment to the nation economic point of view.
Preventing an imposition on price will only see the profits of private corporate eroded away and subsquently investments and jobs for our citizens. In this circumstance, it is more advisable to diverse a win-win policy for both private industries and the welfarism of our citizens is through a special group appointed by the government to overlook the pricing policy.