Thursday, November 04, 2004
If You Tolerate This,Then Your Children Will Be Next

I finally managed to get my hands on the new Verve (one of my favourite bands) compilation and I've waited a rather long time for this,because I was extremely eager to listen to the two unreleased songs (both recorded during the recording of the seminal Urban Hymns LP.Try finding a critic's best albums list in 1997 that does NOT contain this LP.You won't find many.) on this singles package."This Could be My Moment"is the more melodious of the two but I could still see why it's an outtake rather than an alnum track.It builds up nicely before ending abruptly in a blur of noise that doesn't sound coherent.But the other new track "Monte Carlo" is such a dreary dirge,I couldn't bear listening to it.What's surprised me though are the early Verve tracks which I never had heard before because I only had their last two albums (1995's A Northern Soul and 97's Urban Hymns)."Blue","All In The Mind" and "Gravity Grave" surprised me with their quality."All..." particularly could be something U2 would be proud of.

Anyway,leading to my main topic,I can't help but use the just over US elections as an example.Bush won.Fair play to him.I have to be honest and said that I didn't really fancy him and I prefered Kerry over him but it's not because I didn't like Bush's face(which was Storm's reason for not liking him).I thought he went into Iraq for the wrong reasons (even though,like I said earlier,I felt it was a correct war to wage) and I still feel he should have the grace to admit his mistake.Evidently,he doesn't.And I am terribly weary of a president who spends freely without consideration for the ballooning budget deficit.And I am weary of a unilateralist superpower.Would Kerry have made a difference?

I don't know.And I wouldn't know now.

Kerry just seem that bit more careful and intelligent in his thinking.Which I like.But he seems to lack conviction and backbone.Which Bush has a plenty...and which the Americans evidently like.In an uncertain world,it's good to have a strong man in charge.And Bush is a strong person with clearcut values and ideas.Fair play to him.Jean Grey says that God is behind him and have given him the mandate.Erm,I have reservations about that.But Bush has been known to be popular among Christians so that doesn't surprise me.And Bush,is no doubt,good for the global economy with his free trade policies.

What I do hope is that Bush,in his second and last term in office and with no need to appease the American general public anymore,will make some decisions that'd bring the world closer together rather than wedge it apart.He has to understand that Iraq can only be won with allies on his side.He has to understand and address the roots of Muslim Extremism and bring Muslim nations to his side rather than push them away.He has to understand the US cannot just keep spending without no regards to its debts.If and when Asian countries decide they cannot prop up US treasury bonds anymore,there might be a danger of the US economy collapsing.That'd send the whole world into a tailspin and into a global recession.And a really bad one at that.

Well,actually,the one thing I like about Bush is also the topic for this post.His strong anti-terrorism stand.He will not and should not back down from whatever video threats that Mr Bin Laden might hurl at him.He cannot and should not tolerate this kind of nonsense.Because if he does,the world will not only be a dangerous place for us,it will be for our children as well.There is no place in the world for terrorism and we should not tolerate it.It's good that Bush is someone who will hunt these people down to the last man because of his strong beliefs.If this sounds hawkish,I am not apologising for it.I understand that when building allies,one needs to be diplomatic.yes,by all means,show the diplomatic side when negotiating with governments and bringing them to your side.When understanding the feelings of the general Muslim population and why they feel uncomfortable with certain things.But against terrorists,can there be reconciliation?

If we tolerate this,will our children ever grow up in a more peaceful world?

There are certain things in Singapore that maybe we should not take lying down either.A couple of days back,there was an article in ST about how more bloggers are becomign more political in their blogs.ST even highlighted a number of bloggers and the stuff they engage in.The article also mentioned that the MBA might require certain blogs with political viewpoints to register with them.For what?To censor and police them?To hunt and shut them down where necessary?The government puts out all this PR talk about liberalisation and maturing of society but then goes behind the backs of people and does things like this?It might probably use the reasoning that society is not yet mature enough to handle such talk.But when will the government stop deciding for us as to whether we are mature or not?Are we that brainless and undiscerning?No wonder we need to bring so so many expats in...to help us grow up eh?

If we tolerate this,will our children will be stifled udner the same conditions?

As one can tell,I will simply continue to say what I want on this blog.It's my platform,my world.If censure comes,I will simply shut this blog down and start another blog or stop writing altogether.Do not blame one for being politically apathetic...if one's vision of a politically vibrant society is simply one that nods along to everything PAPa says.

Inconsiderate and bad behaviour.We see this so often in our lifes yet turn a blind eye to it.On the way home,Jean Grey talked to me on the train today about how no one gave up their seats to Muslims despite knowing that this is the month of ramadan and that our Muslim friends will be tired and weak after a day of fasting.Do you see anyone doing that?Yeah,she's right.No.She says that people are selfish by nature and if only,people would take the time to understand each other better,the world would be a much better place.She's right again.Would it kill a person to take a little time to understand each other a little better?If everyone just tries a little harder,the world will be a much better place already.On the train,I was silent and could only say it's a nice concept.Because all the people around us who heard us,how many do you think would hear and take heed?How many in fact will read this and take heed?

I read an article somewhere which reporetd somethign that happened to Richard Simmons,that exercise guru with the outrageous dress sense and whiny voice.Apparently someone saw him at an airport and shouted aloud to everyone,"Hey everyone,look,that's Richard Simmons.Let's all jump up and dance to the 50's."Simmons proceeded to go over and gave that guy a slap.Apparently the police brought him in for "talks" but Simmons protested that the action was insensitive for a guy with issues.Seriously,if you were in Simmons' shoes,won't you feel embarrassed and maybe do the exact same thing too?How insensitive was the guy's action at the airport?I understand that it might all be done in the name of fun and I'm no prude,but fun still should not be had at the expense of hurting someone.I'd think that sometimes gays and transexuals/transvestites could be treated in the same way by th mainstream.Sniggers and whispers behind their backs.I don't know.Keep your thoughts to yourself or discuss it when not in the presence of them,whether you are homophobic or whateevr phobic.Try not to make noises right behind their backs.They deserve some respect upfront.

Huang Na's death has brought about diverse reactions from many quarters.What it has brought out though is the kindred feelings of sympathy and empathy from many people.We almost feel the loss as acutely as Huang Na's parents themselves.It shows that Singaporeans do care and that's great.But it also brought out the ugly side in Singaporeans.Please read the Huang Na discussion forum on CNA.There was one person who asked why Huang's mother was so "how lian" and shoved away reporters angrily because she didn't want to be interviewed.Some said she didn't have the right to be angry with reporters who shoved their mikes into her face.Some said she should be brought in for questioning for not fulfilling a mother's role.To those writers,listen to yourselves,you bunch of #$%^&* b#sta$ds.A mother just lost her child so give her a break.

What do you mean by "how lian",the jerk who wrote this?A doctor wrote correctly in Thursday's ST forum to give Huang's mother some breathing space and let her grief and cope in private.Her reactions is obviously one of extreme grief.So give her that breathing space.How do you expect her to answer questions in a calm manner in a situation like this?If she did,she'd really be uncaring.And as for her leaving Huang here,let it be said that the mum regrets it greatly now but we have to look the reasons for her leaving.Maybe she shouldn't have left Huang alone but Huang is one precocious child who flew to China and back on her own before.One surely would have used that as a gauge that perhaps Huang can take care of herself for a few days.The benefit of hindsight is worthless to a grieving mother.So spare her your fabulous insights.Any Tom,Dick and Harry can say the same thing on retrospect.

Of course,the most horrific thing about thsi whole affair is how sick people can get...murdering innocent little chidren for reasons best known to themselves.How someone can be heartless enough to do such a thing is beyond the comprehension of most,if not all.What does it say about the society and indeed,the world,we are living in?That it's becoming more and more amoral?I don't know.I don't want to look in that direction.What kind of values are people holding onto?Or are they even aware of and have values?Self-awareness is something too many people lack.

If we tolerate this,how much of a civil and considerate society will our children live in?

Everything is a choice.It's whether you want to do it or not.Not doing something is a choice as well.


The future teaches you to be alone
The present to be afraid and cold
So if I can shoot rabbits
Then I can shoot fascists

Bullets for your brain today
But we'll forget it all again
Monuments put from pen to paper
Turns me into a gutless wonder

And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next

Gravity keeps my head down
Or is it maybe shame
At being so young and being so vain

Holes in your head today
But I'm a pacifist
I've walked La Ramblas
But not with real intent

And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next

And on the street tonight an old man plays
With newspaper cuttings of his glory days

And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next


This past few topics have been rather heavy-going.I think i'd have to write a light one the next time around