Status is Everything

"A Clash of Titans" says Aaron http://aaron-ng.info/blog/a-clash-of-titans.html and on sunday a reporter talks about it using a similar title and even quoting Aaron, just that aaron is conveniently forgotten and appears as a "blogger". However and even more interesting article is this which was taken from today's Today.


http://www.todayonline.com/articles/171478.asp

Entitled Citizen Lee launches a debate and a waiting game. One thing interesting about the article is the way it is written. It portrays A Star as part of the government and Dr Lee as Citizen Lee, a member of the commons. In one move, we are shown by the MSM that Dr Lee, far from being one of the members of the Lee Family, is now to become a Citizen, albeit a very concerned citizen as that. Words like " I will not let this mistake continue" and the dropping of phrases like "private citizen" seem to be a method by which the press is telling the public that "Hey Singapore is open! Here we have a PRIVATE CITIZEN airing her views on a government policy and nothing has happened yet!" Perhaps this could be an implicit hint to others out there to give their views freely.

Now lets look at it this way. First and foremost no doubt that, given her background, she isnt just talking cock. Her views deserve consideration. And yet, if one remembers there are many other professionals in Singapore Society who have at one time or another given their views on several issues. At times their views have even been counter to the stand taken by the government. However, observe the consequences. Most of the others have been ignored. Aaron was also given short shrift when that fella did not quote his name. Some were even told that their data was faulty. Catherine Lim was whacked verbally. Yet observe the results of Dr Lee's actions. If i remember correctly even Mr Goh Chok Tong said it was a good debate. Philip Yeo did not tell her to resign. In fact there seems to be considerable media coverage of the issue.

Therefore, the moral of the story, if one is in singapore one must have qualifications to be heard. However, nothing can beat having a shadow of a p0werful person looming over. Thus i feel that, as long as Singapore society remains the way it is, we should exercise caution. Only people like Dr Lee and a select few, by virtue of status, can safely air the views with only token reprisal against them.