tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post4086659086058558837..comments2024-03-28T21:39:05.175+08:00Comments on Senang Diri: C2D: Bridging the gulf in opinionsDavid Boeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-7979650073043059812010-11-11T21:34:30.313+08:002010-11-11T21:34:30.313+08:00In April 2003 when Singapore announced it would be...In April 2003 when Singapore announced it would be sending troops to serve the US in Iraq, the UNSC had not yet even debated the formation of a multinational security force let alone passed a resolution authorizing member states to participtate in such a force. The US (and UK) were then still designated as "occupying powers". It is hard to ignore the echoes from our history. How much different was the SAF's mission in Iraq from those of the Taiwanese and Koreans who were were brought into Singapore to serve in the Japanese security services during that Occupation ?<br /><br />The morality of war is never an easy subject. If we are going to ask our men to kill other human beings and take the risk of getting killed themselves, we better have absolute certainty in the rightness of our cause. All the more in a conscript army. Trying to curry favour (or in SAF-speak, sar ka) George Bush didn't pass the test and still doesn't.Ngiam Shih Tunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800779441060614157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-88066593335945749142010-11-04T22:45:27.252+08:002010-11-04T22:45:27.252+08:00Ngiam,
I mentioned coalition and UN-led PSOs. Th...Ngiam, <br /><br />I mentioned coalition and UN-led PSOs. The UN does not work as egalitarian as one might hope to see it in theory, it is all about grand bargains led by major powers in the UNSC.. <br /><br />Small states follow international law, and international law's legitimacy is sourced back to the same council, and the powers that are "conferred" upon the P-5. <br /><br />I believe Singapore's national interest is paramount, and if certain "alliances" have to be formed to protect our survival, then that's what counts..mackindernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-32163914074327288172010-11-04T21:22:47.689+08:002010-11-04T21:22:47.689+08:00Mackinder - at the end of the day, Singapore is a ...Mackinder - at the end of the day, Singapore is a small state. Small states benefit from the rule of law. You really think we are safer now that we've helped American neo-conservatives destroy the Westphalian system ? Or if you believe that national sovereignty is an outmoded concept, then WTF are we fighting for ?Ngiam Shih Tunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800779441060614157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-17199287775080442692010-11-04T09:47:54.431+08:002010-11-04T09:47:54.431+08:00In ancient Greek states like Athens and Republican...In ancient Greek states like Athens and Republican Rome (before Imperial Rome), only citizens can serve and fight in the army.*<br /><br />*There were exceptions later brought on by the emergencies in the Peloponnesian War and so forth.<br /><br /><br />Swedish and British welfare states had failed miserably in the eighties and nineties. The UK is now embarking on one of their greatest ever cuts. Let this be a lesson to those who advocate greater and greater welfarism and benefits.<br /><br />Prosperity only lasts a certain period and not forever. The majority of the people here grew up in a state of growth. What if this is replaced by stagnation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-39316148453476287572010-11-04T09:37:29.110+08:002010-11-04T09:37:29.110+08:00I think it is telling that Zi Rui didn't answe...I think it is telling that Zi Rui didn't answer SM Goh's question - “This is your country,” said SM Goh. “What do you want me to do to make you feel you belong?”<br /><br />I thought the answer was obvious enough. Universal healthcare for citizens (or at least regulars in the uniformed services), enhanced CPF and pension schemes for elderly, and a flat for every budding young family - affordable enough so the loan doesn't last beyond 10 years.<br /><br />But that would be wrong. For starters, outside of most of the contributors to this blog, Singaporeans, like most rational economic people, tend to try to profit as much as possible from every benefit given. The government appears to be keeping a reserved attitude with benefits because - when you show too much kindness to your people, they tend to bleed you dry and then blame you for overspending later. We keep wanting more, but I don't know how much we're doing to justify the 'want'.<br /><br />Just an example that came to my mind:<br /><br />Unlike Malaysia, we have no real culture to export and speak of. When their people host events, they do it in the spirit of goodwill, heritage, etc. We host the YOG as a... of all things, a financial investment, and deny that it was too excessive an investment even after the budget explodes 3 times. <br /><br />Are we clinging on to something that isn't there? I mean, being a citizen means what?FinalFivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00257178519784703985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-87300783877214207182010-11-04T02:59:17.629+08:002010-11-04T02:59:17.629+08:00Ngiam,
Coalition ops are part of our national in...Ngiam, <br /><br />Coalition ops are part of our national interest. So in that sense, one may look at our PSO missions as a form of ensuring our lads get the operational experience in a conflict zone, which peacetime training cannot provide. <br /><br />Our international profile as a nation is growing, the challenge is for the rest of the population to understand that as a a developed state, we have certain responsibilities that have been added to our plate, and greater contribution to coalition and UN PSOs are expected of us, I feel.mackindernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-40171209133068188192010-11-03T23:59:07.380+08:002010-11-03T23:59:07.380+08:00Defending my country is one thing; Sending my son ...Defending my country is one thing; Sending my son to die for other people's empires is another. In 2003 it was for the Americans. In 2023 we might well be told to send troops to "teach a lesson" to some random African country that didn't give face to China.<br /><br />The SAF wasn't created overnight- It took decades to build, and a single bad political decision will not destroy it either. But over time, if people have to ask, "Is the job of the SAF to defend Singapore, or is it to be used as tribute offered up to foreign powers ?" it's legitimacy will slowly but surely corrode away.<br /><br />Anonymous@Nov 3 9:31 - There is a difference between the nation and the party. We forget that in Singapore very often, but it is important to remember that the SAF serves the nation not the party in power.Ngiam Shih Tunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800779441060614157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-25752326652883664782010-11-03T21:31:37.466+08:002010-11-03T21:31:37.466+08:00Actually... if one thinks about it, all these year...Actually... if one thinks about it, all these years what is the NS men in Potong Pasir and Hougang defending?<br /><br />A system that deliberately punishes them for excercising their constitutional rights? I always wondered how to answer if a soldier asked me that question.<br /><br />GCK's comment about "Who will build your HDB?" is sooooo off the mark its intellectually insulting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-80527641614435928512010-11-03T15:29:54.546+08:002010-11-03T15:29:54.546+08:00Such sentiments from Zi Rui has been prevalent for...Such sentiments from Zi Rui has been prevalent for a number of years. Only ostriches cannot sense the unhappiness on the ground. Now we can only confirmed what had been our worst fears all along, that our leaders have been deceiving themselves. What I will defend is my children whom I have been encouraging to migrate when they are in their adult years. Sad to say, migration has never been in my mind all these years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-39757972325624780172010-11-03T14:41:59.454+08:002010-11-03T14:41:59.454+08:00I think we should always be wary of the potential ...I think we should always be wary of the potential fifth column emerging amongst us with the influx of foreigners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com