time waits for no man memories fade... limbs go weary... still i run the race the race to be with you... my Savior and my Lord
navigation on the right
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
11:04 PM
signed up for the petition at www.facts.com.sg today. Which means i am AGAINST the approval of casinos in Singapore. Saw alot of signatories on the website too. but i just wonder, how many people are actually opposing the launch of casinos just because they think it doesn't seem right? Do most of the people even bother that much? Or are they just going with the herd mentality and just following what they've been led to believe? As it happens, i've some thoughts on this casino issue, not so much because i'm much of a political thinker, but just that I happened to be present at various scenarios where this topic was discussed. Anyways, I was at LKY's talk at NUS about a month or so ago. You might probably remember it for a certain history undergraduate who had a few choice words for our MM(he doesn't melt anywhere....ok not funny). It was rather a pity that the whole event was overshadowed by a history undergraduate who should be applauded for his courage in venting his exams stress on probably the most powerful political figure in Singapore. (personally i prefer to just go for a jog) While his talk on "how much of our past experience is relevant for our future" was perhaps just another excuse for his "back in the pre-independence days" stories, it was perhaps his answers during the Q&A sessions that really meant more to me. Apart from that brave soul, there were others who questioned our MM. In particular, i remember the first guy cos he sounded so eloquent and his tone was so measured and sounded so refined while asking his 5 min question. By 5 min question, i mean that's how long it took for him to ask his question. To sum up his question, it was something about how come Singaporeans do not have their own identity and how we've grown to not have a sense of belonging. I'm sure at some point in time this topic has come out and you've probably just nodded your head in agreement and started bemoaning what wretched souls we are to not have a home for our own. I must admit, that prior to that talk, that's pretty how much i felt. MM's response was what shook me up. In fact, his answers to every other question after that were very simple. No. 1, where did you get that information? No. 2, if you really feel so strong about it, do something about it. Going back to the Mr 5 minute man, the first question revealed the source of his enlightment: our esteemed Mr Taxi Driver man. Yup, that's right. Naturally, the whole auditorium erupted in laughter, and from then on, he was in shambles. Turned out later that this fella was actually interested to join PAP. hmmmm..... But mockery aside, MM's response was certainly hard hitting. Yet, it was so basic and fundamental. And his challenge to you to do something about it. Well, how can you fight argue against a man who has done nothing but fight for this nation all his life? Leading by example is the most powerful way to lead just because of this factor: you are untouchable. Still, what is the moral of this whole story? Well, for one, Singaporeans seem to be rather NATO (no action, talk only). Of course, i am a fool to comment on all this as i am showing the NATO characteristic that i'm speaking out against. but i justify myself: I do not mean to say that action speaks louder than words and we should all form political parties. But rather, i just feel that whenever we decry any government decision, let it be an informed one and not just part of a chorus of noise. MM Lee himself said that the government does not intend to be swayed by a minority group of people who make alot of noise. When you come to think of it, you cannot deny that a government's role is to take into account the welfare of the general population and not submit to the noisy minority. Contrasting this stand against the certain political systems in other countries where governments are not as strong-willed as ours, this argument would seem very much validated. Back to the casino argument, i'm sure that the government has mapped out all the benefits and costs of having a casino, if not for considering the net benefits on our society, then perhaps to prepare their defence. And their arguments are pretty sound; people are already doing it, it is already culture. the money is flowing about already, so why not capture it? It absolutely cannot be denied that gambling is all part of asian tradition. Just think of Chinese New Year where gambling is part and parcel of the celebrations. It came as quite a shock to me that some of my friends who had otherwise been proclaiming such high moral standards throughout the year could just shrug off their fling during the festivities as just being "once a year what" or "it's tradition". 4-D, Toto, and soccer betting is rampant around us everywhere we turn. Indeed, there is much money floating about. Basing on all this factors, i see no reason why a casino should not be built. Indeed, it sounds like a perfectly logical reason and could even cure some gamblers of their habit as the government would be able to regulate the industry from now on.(sounds like wishful thinking tho) However, i still signed that petition. Why? Simple reason: i believe that, by allowing the casino move to go through, the government is signalling the approval of gambling as an acceptable lifestyle habit. While gambling is marginally accepted as a neccessary evil now, allowing the casino would be a big step in the WRONG direction. I agree especially with the notion that we should think of our future generations. While it can be argued that adults should be allowed the free will to do what they feel is right, we reflect the more important potential victims of this move: our children. So, rather than being a noisy minority, let us be a responsible majority and make our claim loudly heard by our leaders. Yup, that's my horribly long-winded answer. Never said i would entertain. =P
who am i?
People call me:Simon
i was born: Sept 1981
so i am: 24yrs old
mental torture @: SMU
spam me/msn @: simontkf@hotmail.com
liKes
God
True friends
freedom
tranquility
Soccer!
aspirations
heaven
tentmaker
2 kids - elder son and younger daughter
early retirement
happiness
ArChiVes
[+] March 2005
[+] April 2005
[+] May 2005
[+] June 2005
[+] July 2005
[+] August 2005
[+] September 2005
[+] October 2005
[+] December 2005
[+] January 2006
