"What you do not own, you cannot defend"
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I think this quote encapsulates perfectly the difference between America and Singapore. In America you can criticise your country however harshly and still be regarded as a patriot. However, in Singapore, do that and you are regarded as a threat and a traitor.Originally posted by fymk:Let me quote you James A Baldwin
"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually"
The Singapore government seems to fail to understand that patriotism stems from a sense of ownership of the country. Genuine patriots feel that the country belong to them, and that they have the right and ability to make it better. Part of this feeling of ownership comes from the freedom to think and say what is good and bad about the country. It is this freedom which we seem to lack, and hence we cannot foster genuine patriotism and love for the country.
LKY said this before: "What you cannot defend, you do not own." I think it should be: "What you do not own, you cannot defend". -
The only thing I have ownership over in Singapore are my memories of growing up there under a government which used to care about the progress of the country.Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:I think this quote encapsulates perfectly the difference between America and Singapore. In America you can criticise your country however harshly and still be regarded as a patriot. However, in Singapore, do that and you are regarded as a threat and a traitor.
The Singapore government seems to fail to understand that patriotism stems from a sense of ownership of the country. Genuine patriots feel that the country belong to them, and that they have the right and ability to make it better. Part of this feeling of ownership comes from the freedom to think and say what is good and bad about the country. It is this freedom which we seem to lack, and hence we cannot foster genuine patriotism and love for the country.
LKY said this before: "What you cannot defend, you do not own." I think it should be: "What you do not own, you cannot defend".
I may have gone overseas but that doesn't mean that I will forget about her. She will always be my homeland, and my history is entwined with hers . My children in the future will also know where I am from. Like someone said , during the Japanese occupation of China, the overseas chinese contributed money to help her up because China was their homeland.
When and if a time of adversity comes for Singapore, I still like to see myself helping fellow Singaporeans and Singapore herself within the best of my capabilities. -
Singapore is slowly turning herself into a 6 star resort hotel for the rich.
Guess who has to serve the rich?
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I shudder to that thought...Originally posted by charlize:Singapore is slowly turning herself into a 6 star resort hotel for the rich.
Guess who has to serve the rich?
locals being conditioned over years to serve on Foreigners on hand and knees! -
I know.I know ........Gazelle is our front runner, he is all prepared for it.Originally posted by charlize:Singapore is slowly turning herself into a 6 star resort hotel for the rich.
Guess who has to serve the rich?
If you not believe it, check out the tropics set by him
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It all goes down to the government's mentality.Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:I think this quote encapsulates perfectly the difference between America and Singapore. In America you can criticise your country however harshly and still be regarded as a patriot. However, in Singapore, do that and you are regarded as a threat and a traitor.
The Singapore government seems to fail to understand that patriotism stems from a sense of ownership of the country. Genuine patriots feel that the country belong to them, and that they have the right and ability to make it better. Part of this feeling of ownership comes from the freedom to think and say what is good and bad about the country. It is this freedom which we seem to lack, and hence we cannot foster genuine patriotism and love for the country.
LKY said this before: "What you cannot defend, you do not own." I think it should be: "What you do not own, you cannot defend".
Our government thinks they are the best, and that whatever they do is right. So when we, the commoners, make noises about their policies, they are not very happy because 'the dumbdumbs do not know what is good for them'.
Bottomline is, whatever they say and do are right because they are the smartest whereas we commoners will be the complete opposite so dumbdumbs should shut up and not make noises!
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The gazelle will go down on all fours to service his clientele.Originally posted by miserable:I know.I know ........Gazelle is our front runner, he is all prepared for it.
If you not believe it, check out the tropics set by him -
If we dont haf a sense of ownership over something, how can we be expected to defend or take responsibility for it? How do we inculcate a sense of ownership of singapore to singaporeans? Allow their views to be heard and taken seriously.
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Which is why the political ideology of the PAP, especially that ideological hubris and winner-takes-all mentality may be dangerous to Singapore's growth and maturity in the long-term.
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someone owns everything, so technically we're defending HIS
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Well said. This should go down in the registry of Quotable Quotes.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Which is why the political ideology of the PAP, especially that ideological hubris and winner-takes-all mentality may be dangerous to Singapore's growth and maturity in the long-term. -
Nope we can make noise sign petition wadever. But the government makes the descision for everything. They allow us to voice our opinions. Then they will say " we thank u for your time, we will look into this." aft u leave. Its goes into the bin.Originally posted by Slipshade:It all goes down to the government's mentality.
Our government thinks they are the best, and that whatever they do is right. So when we, the commoners, make noises about their policies, they are not very happy because 'the dumbdumbs do not know what is good for them'.
Bottomline is, whatever they say and do are right because they are the smartest whereas we commoners will be the complete opposite so dumbdumbs should shut up and not make noises! -
Well, we can always stage a peaceful protest by Applying for a permit.Originally posted by seotiblizzard:Nope we can make noise sign petition wadever. But the government makes the descision for everything. They allow us to voice our opinions. Then they will say " we thank u for your time, we will look into this." aft u leave. Its goes into the bin.
If it gets through that is... if not..
We could always petition and write to the papers, at least they will write a reply back.
Seriously, the only reason why most Singaporeans will defend their country is because of their family and friends. If they can all be shifted to another place, i don't think the conviction will be there anymore.
I'm a Singaporean, but am i really part of Singapore? -
The problem does not lie so much in the difference between America and Singapore. Rather, this problem is a plague that's endemic of all rogue regimes run by despots and tyrants.Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:I think this quote encapsulates perfectly the difference between America and Singapore. In America you can criticise your country however harshly and still be regarded as a patriot. However, in Singapore, do that and you are regarded as a threat and a traitor.
The Singapore government seems to fail to understand that patriotism stems from a sense of ownership of the country. Genuine patriots feel that the country belong to them, and that they have the right and ability to make it better. Part of this feeling of ownership comes from the freedom to think and say what is good and bad about the country. It is this freedom which we seem to lack, and hence we cannot foster genuine patriotism and love for the country.
LKY said this before: "What you cannot defend, you do not own." I think it should be: "What you do not own, you cannot defend".
Think about it : how many dictatorships have actually afforded its masses the fundamental rights to the freedom of thought, freedom of expression, freedom from want? Essentially, such values form the cornerstones upon which any democracy (regardless of how their Constitutions and governments are structured) flourish. It's hardly rocket science to work out if such values were preached in dictatorships and other oppressed regimes, the very act of exercising such rights are effectively a direct threat to the interests and existence of those perpetuating such rogue regimes. The "symptoms" you describe that are endemic of life in such oppressed regimes are merely the tools and stigma which the despots would so dearly love to inculcate in its citizenry so as to ensure social cohesion and harmony could be effortlessly maintained. After all, in sociological terms, how else could such tyrants possibly castigate deviants who are out to reveal the truth?
Ultimately, it's not hard to see the repercussions of such policies in these rogue regimes have a detrimental impact on its citizenry far beyond political ramifications - is it then any wonder why citizens schooled in a liberal democracy where rights and freedoms are no less cherished than "law and order" or "bread and butter" actually develop a better acumen towards managing their finances, possessing a certain depth in thought quintessential to success in life (among a host of other qualities)?
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Fail to understand of pretend not to understand?Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:The Singapore government seems to fail to understand. -
Yes, this paternalistic attitude has to change. Our people are getting better educated and the government should at least trust us to be able to think for ourselves and make our choices, instead of telling us what to do all the time. If the government never takes the initiative to shift the responsibility for our lives to us, it would be difficult for us to develop love for the country as a place where we want to live rather than a place where we just happen to be stuck in.Originally posted by Slipshade:It all goes down to the government's mentality.
Our government thinks they are the best, and that whatever they do is right. So when we, the commoners, make noises about their policies, they are not very happy because 'the dumbdumbs do not know what is good for them'.
Bottomline is, whatever they say and do are right because they are the smartest whereas we commoners will be the complete opposite so dumbdumbs should shut up and not make noises! -
You are very right, shared the same sentiments.Originally posted by charlize:Singapore is slowly turning herself into a 6 star resort hotel for the rich.
Guess who has to serve the rich?
I see SG becoming a place where the rich come and do business or play and then leave where the FT will come and earn and then return to their home land.
Not unlike the transit lounge in the airport or a huge mega superstore with 1 stop service where u get all your things done and leave -
He is right. He own and he defending..You don't own, what there for you to defend? So must own first..Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:Selective quote:
LKY said this before: "What you cannot defend, you do not own." I think it should be: "What you do not own, you cannot defend".