Allo CX
Haha, valid point. But we don't dispute that reasoned open debate
on controversial issues is a sign of a mature self-confident
Singapore from a civil society argument perspective. That's what
all these internet forums are for, to slowly build up our
resilience towards valid criticisms and tolerance of dissenting
views.
However, on the issue of Singapore's water spat with Malaysia and
the role Singaporeans could play, we are standing on the soapbox
and voicing inter-state, rather than intra-state, concerns. By the
dissent in our ranks, Malaysia would know what makes us tick and
what could cause us to pressure the government to even be more
accomodating towards the Malaysians' scam.
For example, some of us already dislike the idea of drinking
Newater. It's a matter of time before Malaysia starts a propaganda
drive to hit Singapore on that front like mentioning about the
harmful effects of Singapore's Newater in the long term etc. Those
who are already on the fence where Newater is concerned might just
go along with the Malaysia ploy that we should just pay a bit more
for their sweet water as after all, it is merely the price of a
plate of char kway teow per 1000 gallons of water, something that
Singapoeans can afford anyways.
Afraid of dissenting views? We all know it depends on the context
and a straight yes and no answer would be inappropriate.
To take a step back, let's look at our own metaarguments here. Both
of us have different views on why Singaporeans should have their
own mind on the water dispute. Your angle is a civil society one
while ours is a flag waving one.
