Anwar is acquitted
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Anwar, careful wor, still got the ISA law in Malaysia wor...
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I luv US of A the greatest Country on EArth.
Originally posted by Qitai:
You cant be responsible for everything.
[b]I don't admire Americas Media - too much agenda based reporting with no social responsibilitycontinuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas Politics - funded by interest groups helped by media properganda
SPCA shd fund PAP next time they will be more benevolent.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas democracy - low turn up rate. Many people don't vote
Better to stay at home and watch cable.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas justice system - Frivilous lawsuit like suing Mac Donald for overeating are even allowed. Laywers, once engaged cannot be dropped even both parties want to let it rest (in some cases if a certain agreement is signed)
I want to sue the char que tiao hawker for selling me unhealthy food also.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas tax system - 26% or higher income tax with at least 10% GST and other state taxes
I want to be American. Live off dole dun need to work.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas social safety - walking alone out on the street is generally very unsafe
You make it safe by carrying your own firearms.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire Americas foriegn affair handling - "I am big, you listen to me. If the international law fits me, everyone must respect it. If the international law do not fit me, it is outdated"
When you are big everybody listen to you. Rulz of the jungle.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admire America civil sector finance - The country is in debt. The only reason they can get away with it is because they are big and powerful
Consumer spending help boost the economy.continuing post by Qitai:
I don't admite America free medical system - It is free, but you can wait for years before it is your turn to see the doctor. In the end, everyone goes to private medical and it is so expensive that medical insurance is one of the most important item in employment contract.
There is always mercy killing.continuing post by Qitai:
The list goes on......
In general, there is nothing great about America. Not that it do not have it's merit. But when someone compliments America, I just have to do the opposite and ask what is so great about America Democracy? I see so many flaws there.
Long live America ! -
Goes to show Badawi is not so vindictive & is confident of himself. Happy for his family cos they suffered greatly
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Atobe: Nice refute. And I am glad there is no names calling this time.
First, I do not claim Singapore to be perfect either (and is in fact far from it). But I just like to tear down any perfect picture of U.S.. People like to describe it as paradise and I hate that. It has it's share of it's problem.
So, that means I will not counter everything statement you made because a number of the criticism about Singapore are true and you did not challenge my every statements (i.e. Singapore and U.S. are both bad but in different ways).
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Here are just some additional points to back some conclusions you doubt.
*Turn-up rate of U.S. - Source - quote from source below: "The voter turn-out rate stood at 69.3 percent in 1964, declining to 61.3 percent in 1992, and hit a record low of 54.2 percent four years later." Note that last figure - 54.2% turn-up rate in 1998.
http://www.ncpa.org/pd/govern/aug98g.html
Again, Singapore is not better. But, U.S. isn't that great as some may think. Just look at the voter's turn up rate. Noted that information is slightly old but I don't want to spend too much time on this.
*Tax - Singapore tax is much lower for the average person due to it having alot more brackets. U.S. tax starts with 16% and jumps to 26% almost immediately. U.S. medical benefit sounds good officially, but when you do not get the chance to see the doctor . . . . . . . . . . . (Comments from a U.S. Friend actually)
*Medical - can't find the paper now. But this has been much talked about by my colleagues in U.S. during any conversation on health care. If you have worked in U.S. before, you know how important health insurance is.
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Anyway, as long as the message that U.S. is not as perfect as some may like to think is received, I am fine with that. I will not argue with you whether U.S. or Singapore is better here with you. That, by itself, is a very huge topic and I do not want to be thread-jacking. -
Strange how this thread started off as a piece of ML news and stray into a debate between US and SG.
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Partly my fault lohOriginally posted by Jason Bourne:Strange how this thread started off as a piece of ML news and stray into a debate between US and SG. 
. But cannot resist posting when I see people praise how perfect U.S. is. Always trigger my reaction to point out all the flaws I am aware of in U.S. -
Maybe Dr M still in control ? After all Anwar has to go into exile when he is release.
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It was mentioned (or "hinted") in the news that probably there is a secret agreement between Anwar and the ML govt that if he is to be released, he will not come back and stir up any problem with the existing administration. By releasing him, the present govt will also look good as it shows to the world that it is a "new and fairer" govt than Dr M's time.Originally posted by paperchicken:Maybe Dr M still in control ? After all Anwar has to go into exile when he is release. -
Dr M has better PR skills then LKY.Originally posted by Jason Bourne:It was mentioned (or "hinted") in the news that probably there is a secret agreement between Anwar and the ML govt that if he is to be released, he will not come back and stir up any problem with the existing administration. By releasing him, the present govt will also look good as it shows to the world that it is a "new and fairer" govt than Dr M's time.
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Originally posted by paperchicken:Dr M has better PR skills then LKY.
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Can Singapore leaders of the new era learn to be more humane like Premier Badawi?Originally posted by gerrykoh:Goes to show Badawi is not so vindictive & is confident of himself. Happy for his family cos they suffered greatly
If we cannot be like the US with rights of citizens protected under the constitution, giving rise to the likelihood of government abuse, can we at least give some leeways to ordinary citizens when they break the lesser laws of defamation or illegal assembly etc by being more humane always.
There is no need to be so negative but the people who are now largely educated and more law-abiding. If we are more mature as a country, we should be able not only to open up but even invite these so-called anti-government elements to come forward to participate in building the nation in a more constructive way.
Communalism and communism were regarded as threats before and ISD was created to tackle anti-government elements. What reasons can there be for treating active citizens as threats if what they are interested in is to improve accountability and transparency or stand for election.
Time has changed. Citizens are asked to change their mindset for the sake of the country. How about government leaders taking a lead in such fundamental change before asking people to change? -
Originally posted by robertteh:
That is leading by example.
Can Singapore leaders of the new era learn to be more humane like Premier Badawi?
If we cannot be like the US with rights of citizens protected under the constitution, giving rise to the likelihood of government abuse, can we at least give some leeways to ordinary citizens when they break the lesser laws of defamation or illegal assembly etc by being more humane always.
There is no need to be so negative but the people who are now largely educated and more law-abiding. If we are more mature as a country, we should be able not only to open up but even invite these so-called anti-government elements to come forward to participate in building the nation in a more constructive way.
Communalism and communism were regarded as threats before and ISD was created to tackle anti-government elements. What reasons can there be for treating active citizens as threats if what they are interested in is to improve accountability and transparency or stand for election.
Time has changed. Citizens are asked to change their mindset for the sake of the country. [b]How about government leaders taking a lead in such fundamental change before asking people to change? [/b]
At least they should give more leeways in freedom of speech and not sue till you go bankrupt. That seem to the PAP's usual modus operandi. -
Anwar has suffered injustic when he was thrown into jail. I wonder if Badawi will do anything to put the facts right.Originally posted by gerrykoh:Goes to show Badawi is not so vindictive & is confident of himself. Happy for his family cos they suffered greatly -
The US is by no means perfect. Fundamental flaws exisit in their society such as lack of gun control, no universal access to medicare, a large population of poor and disenfranchised. Sure there is lobbying and representation by interest groups -- but frequently there are still two sides lobbying every major issue.
The one thing the U.S. has going for it is patriotism. Rich or poor, black or white, educated or ignorant -- almost every American believes his/her country is the greatest country on earth, and is prepared to defend America and its interests to the death if required. Every American truly believes that if someone really wants to make something of themselves that that can and will be achieved. Every American knows that you can fight city hall if your case is just, and generally believes that justice will be served when called upon -- and if it isn't it will the second time or the third time. Patriotism isn't just born in you -- it's instilled and when it's as instilled as it is in Americans its because there is a good reason.
Almost none of that is true in many parts of the world, and little of that is true in Singapore where you can never be sure of justice if it isn't in the government's interest. So before you slag the US, take a look around you. Imperfect as America is, if you have the deep conviction that you are as prepared to defend your country and beliefs as almost every American is -- then you can walk the walk without just talking the talk. -
Does Anwar have to go into exile? I thought he is going to Germany just for surgery. He is officially acquitted by the court of law. If he is released only to have to go into exile then all these praises to Pak Lah are misplaced then.Originally posted by paperchicken:Maybe Dr M still in control ? After all Anwar has to go into exile when he is release. -
i hope Badawi will improve malaysia relationship with the outside world.(US, sg etc)Originally posted by paperchicken:Anwar has suffered injustic when he was thrown into jail. I wonder if Badawi will do anything to put the facts right.
dont follow DR.Mad. -
Dr M not that stupid he deliberate pick trouble with SG and US because his support is weakening at home. He use SG as whipping boy and US as bogeyman to unite malay votes at home.Originally posted by paperduck:i hope Badawi will improve malaysia relationship with the outside world.(US, sg etc)
dont follow DR.Mad. -
agree, not only the malay..also the chinese in malaysia..some of my relative in malaysia see him as a hero for anti-US.Originally posted by paperchicken:Dr M not that stupid he deliberate pick trouble with SG and US because his support is weakening at home. He use SG as whipping boy and US as bogeyman to unite malay votes at home. -
All I can say is that Dr. M is a clever man. He doesn't speak out without a purpose. And I believe he has a genuine heart in wanting to bring Malaysia to the world stage, although he too cannot escape from nepotism.
A good heart plus a clever man to me is the most important characteristic for a good leader. I can ignore his other flaws like the way he deals with Anwar, although I have my sympathies for him. -
apart the ' good heart'.Originally posted by Qitai:All I can say is that Dr. M is a clever man. He doesn't speak out without a purpose. And I believe he has a genuine heart in wanting to bring Malaysia to the world stage, although he too cannot escape from nepotism.
A good heart plus a clever man to me is the most important characteristic for a good leader. I can ignore his other flaws like the way he deals with Anwar, although I have my sympathies for him.
i total agree ur piont of view. -
On Anwar's release, I can't help but to wonder if it is really a safe decision to release him.
I just saw a sentence in today's Straits Time mentioning that he would be flying out of the country on an Arab tycoon's private jet.
Now. Why would Arabian businessmen be so timely informed about his recent release, generous and eager to offer their assistance to him?
Who is this 'businessman'?
How many 'helpful and eager businessmen' are there altogether that we have not seen appear from behind the scenes?
And the most questionable of all questions - Why are Anwar's faraway friends SO well informed, generous and helpful?
I question on these Arabs' underlaying political agenda for getting involved in a SEA country's domestic affair.