Political Orthodoxy and Respect!

Chua Lee Hoong of "reading the internet posting often makes my blood boil" fame wrote this on ST 3 Jan 2009.

'The problem with the Internet is not political expression that is 'alternative', for political orthodoxy deserves to be retain only when it serves a purpose. When it doesn't it ought to be jettisoned. The problem with the Internet is reliability: To what extent can you trust what you read online? Whether due to ignorance, mischief or sheer absence of quality control, much of what's written online has to be taken with a pinch of salt".

Political orthodoxy?

I guess where Chua Lee Hoong is concerned, anything not in alignment with PAP's self-serving agenda is political apostacy. If every Singaporean has the same religious devotion to PAP, then her blood will not boil so often.

She concludes, "A long recession provides an opportunity to educate a new generation of Singaporeans on what governing entails. When the chips are down, when people are less sure of their future - that is when they are more likely to listen. The only snag: That means more challenge to the government."

I do not think people listen because when the chips are down or when they are unsure of the future. They are just sick and tired listening to the same old obscene phonographic record stuck in the same groove singing the same old hubris song! The only snag: The whole shebang of super duper pay for super duper A-Team Ministers did not measure up. When millions were paid for superlative talents, delivery of sterling performance and results were expected. Alas, they delivered only higher cost of living (hurting the poor most), depreciating assets, retrenchments and silly excuses for poor performance, mistakes and complacency!

She asks if bloggers serve a purpose in blogging?

I honestly don't know.

Personally, I write on the recommendation of my doctor that letting go of my unhappiness in a blog can help reduce my blood pressure thus prevent another heart attack. It has immense therapeutic value - physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm glad that it helps me stay alive and keeps my life meaningful. To have appreciative comments encouraging me to write is a bonus that's keeps my heart beating gratefully.

Which leads me next to "Law won't tolerate attacks. Courts' authority must be respected by all, says CJ; Shanmugam and A-G echo his words" wrote KC Vijayan of ST, 5 Jan 2009.

It will be lovely if such respect comes from the heart of all.

However, respect is not something that can be bought, forced upon or bullied into or dumb down. Respect, like trust, can only be earned by those who are worthy of respect. Trust is only worthy of those who are trustworthy. Respect for a person or an institution cannot be, just because some powerful people say so. The worthiness deserving the respect must be there.

If a court is run honourably with respect, fairness and justice, people will respect the court and its decisions from the bottom of their hearts. However, if a court is a sham working under fear or favour (in any country in the world), it will make a mockery of justice and fair play and end up a laughing stock.

I look forward to the day when Singapore Courts' authority is respected by all without the IBA reporting on us and people having to be careful about the T-shirts they wear.

I do not know if I should be jettisoned and fed to the fish but, as advised, please read what I write with a pinch of salt.

Thank you.

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