Originally posted by vito_corleone:
1)the issue is, have the alternatives proved themselves? as for
what do we call "them", i'd say politically apathetic
How can the alternatives prove
themselves when no opportunities have been extended to them ?
It is the perennial "chicken and egg" situation - which comes first
: "the opportunity to be given before proof of experience can be
shown", or "show proof of experience before the opportunity is
given" ?
It is much like Chia Thye Poh being locked up for 35 years behind
bars and demanding the proof from LKY on the accusations made, but
no open trial was ever given for Chia to prove his innocence of the
accusations made by LKY.
"Political apathetic" ? These guys are not apathetic to politics as
they are immersed in political debate but simply indecisive when
called, only to act out the "kiasu and kiasi" Singaporean
syndrome.
"Kiasu" - as they do not want to lose out on the possible upgrading
works.
"Kiasi" - as much as they want to get rid of the oppressive
economic and socio-political climate in Singapore, they remain
afraid to move into unknown grounds; preferring to accept "the
devil whom they are familiar with, rather then risk some other
devil whom they have no feeling for".
You are much kinder to this bunch of indecisive Singaporeans, as I
will call them no better then "fence-sitting fools".
Do Singaporeans have any self-respect left, or is it mere false
selfish pride that remained ? Is this not a failure of 45 years of
Government Policy that resulted in a nation of timid people
?
Character - the willingness to accept responsibility
for one's own life - is the source from which self respect
springs.
Joan Didion (1934 - ), "Slouching Towards
Bethlehem"
Forming characters! Whose? Our own or others? Both.
And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our
existence.
Elihu Burritt
2)whatever the intent, if a contract was made between 2 willing
parties, it is unrevokable. an offer can only be revoked prior to
acceptance.
Your point may be correct that 2
willing parties made a contract that is unrevokable, however that
does not make the illegal
acts of 1 party contrary to the implied and stated
contents any more
legal.
Are you contending that it was legal for the lawyer to walk away
with his clients' monies, as they have both entered into a
"contract of willing
parties" for him to receive the monies ?
3)patriot act was renewed
It was given a good amount
of airing in a First World Political Environment that made
a First World Government.
It was renewed with the interest of all parties - the Executive,
the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Citizens.
4)yes the US constitution is supreme but the ruling elite has
amended it to suit their interests and it still reigns supreme. eg.
you cant own guns in many places although the constitution states
that every citizen has the right to bear arms 
they "amended" that
right with some nonsense "safety" amendment
"Nonsense 'safety' " ?
The US "Gun Law" amended to "suit their interests" ?
Or was the "Gun Law" amended to allow a "hold-over" period for
background checks to be made on the intended gun owner - for the
SAKE OF THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY that the
intended gun owner has no criminal background
?
It was a COMPROMISE between the gun owners and the community at
large, and not amended for the interests of the gun owners
benefit.
5)who in the right frame of mind would give support to monkeys like
CSJ? he doesnt even know how to fend for himself and plan, clashing
head-on with a stronger foe is pure folly. empty bravado does not
work. i wouldnt trust him to deal on singapore's behalf with regard
to national affairs. WP is somewhat rising but they still lack
experience and political competence, give them some time and
they'll mature into a more potent force, provided more "capable"
people join their ranks.
If CSJ irks you so badly, lets put
him aside, lets work on your statement concerning the OTHER
Alternative Parties.
Who do you think will "give them some time" and how will they
"mature into a more potent force" when the opportunity to pick up
experience is not given ?
Is this not the "chicken and egg" situation again ?
Capability is only developed when one has the opportunity to pick
up experience; and experience is accumulated when there is
opportunity given to do so. Why be so "wishy-washy" with the
Alternative Parties ?
People grow through experience if they meet life
honestly and courageously. This is how character is
built.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962), My
Day
You
cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create
experience. You must undergo it.
Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)
6)the US was never a crown colony. the "constitution that the US
adopted was an idea borrowed from the french. the english legal
system slowly evolved from the common law that william of normandy
introduced, coupled with traditions and centuries of trials and
evolution, king reigned supreme, king appointed judges, applied
common law to replace christian law, introduced equity when common
law had loopholes,parliament took over and wanted to write the laws
on justification that it represented the people, king refused
blahblah yadayada there's chapters and chapters about how it
finally evolved into the modern day english legal system, now known
as common law reasoning and institutions...,there's helluva a
damned chunk regarding english legal histroy we shall not go too
deep into that
"US was never a Crown Colony" -
which history book did you use to come to this conclusion ?
What was the US Revolution all about if not
to pull the various colonies in the New World away from
the oppressive rule of the English King George III
?
7)your last passage makes no damned sense
No matter if you make no 'damned
sense' to your nonsense about unwritten
constitutions that I was trying to clear up - this
is no skin off my nose. 