The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Sunday, February 08, 2015

The next 50 years of Singapore's security

This is an edited excerpt from a speech by Ho Kwon Ping, who makes some very incisive and insightful comments about Singapore.
Note:
-the arguments about caning, esp the one concerning 'proportionality'...think also: is caning in line with S'pore's aim to become a gracious society? Does such an ungracious and barbaric punishment help us to achieve this aim, or is an ironic testament to our ungracious society?
- horrors of horrors! 7-year-olds can be caned! I didn't know that!!! GASP!
-the point about pushing the boundaries of OB markers in a constructive sense, esp with regard to racial issues....Note the idea that the entrenchment of OB markers (preventing people from discussing volatile and sensitive topics) can actually worsen the tensions, as disallowing people to discuss it means long-held prejudices, esp misguided ones, will never have a chance to be corrected in open debates and will continue to fester.....

Qns:
1.     Is violence ever justified? (Cam. 2012)
2.     How far, in your society, should unpopular views be open to discussion? (Cam. 2013)