Good day! In this entry, I will be focusing on the topic of the use of chinese language in Singapore.
Since the applications of chinese language into the education system, many people have been debating about the usefulness of it in the Singaporean context and many people have questioned whether Singaporeans really practice the language.
Firstly, I feel that many students practised the language. In school, I can hear many conversations which are conducted in Chinese. There are also many activities which are held in Chinese, like dramas, plays and they have attracted many audiences who enjoy and learn through such activities. Some of my friends enjoy chinese lessons and say they benefited much of it. This rising culture could be due to the rise in Mandarin pop culture in th recent times, where pop icons coming from chinese speaking countries have captured the attention of our young here. Thus they want to follow their idols and learn from them, one way is through mastering the chinese language. Also, some mature youngsters understand the rise in China's economy status from the past, they realise the need to catch up with chinese people and if not, they will lose out to them in the future.
From the above paragraph, I have pointed the reasons for why many students practised chinese language. Although there might be some instances where students dislike chinese, but these are the minorities. I hope that through education, peer and family influences, it will change their opinon of chinese language and try their very best to improve their language skill.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Should homosexuals be allowed?
I am back! In this week entry, I will be touching on the issue of whether to allow homosexuals in Singapore society. Firstly, I would like to state my stand. I feel strongly that we should allow. The following paragraphs will illustrate my stand.
Firstly, I feel that homosexuals are just another human being even though they might be different from a normal one. They eat, sleep, do work, except that they have the liking for the same gender. For that difference, I feel they should not be discounted into the society. Majority of them have tried their best fitting into society yet still the public does not accept them. I guess those homosexuals do not want to have the liking for the same gender as well, but it is probably due to innate thinking where it is inborn within them. They cannot help it but like the same gender. For that reason, I feel we should empathize with them and accept them.
Secondly, many countries around the world have also widely accepted the idea of homosexualism. Countries like US, Britain have laws protecting the rights of homosexualism. If a small country like Singapore does not accept it, what would other countries think of us? Will we lose out? This is partially due to the fact of global influence and increasing competitiveness among countries. Every single factor is as important to determine the country's stability and power in the world.
Lastly, I feel that homosexuals should be given the chance to be contributing to the society. And this is especially in a small country like Singapore where labour is limited, every single manpower is cherished. We should not ostracize them beacuse of the special differences, for we are forgoing necessary and important manpower.
In conclusion, I feel homosexuals should be accepted by public in Singapore.
Firstly, I feel that homosexuals are just another human being even though they might be different from a normal one. They eat, sleep, do work, except that they have the liking for the same gender. For that difference, I feel they should not be discounted into the society. Majority of them have tried their best fitting into society yet still the public does not accept them. I guess those homosexuals do not want to have the liking for the same gender as well, but it is probably due to innate thinking where it is inborn within them. They cannot help it but like the same gender. For that reason, I feel we should empathize with them and accept them.
Secondly, many countries around the world have also widely accepted the idea of homosexualism. Countries like US, Britain have laws protecting the rights of homosexualism. If a small country like Singapore does not accept it, what would other countries think of us? Will we lose out? This is partially due to the fact of global influence and increasing competitiveness among countries. Every single factor is as important to determine the country's stability and power in the world.
Lastly, I feel that homosexuals should be given the chance to be contributing to the society. And this is especially in a small country like Singapore where labour is limited, every single manpower is cherished. We should not ostracize them beacuse of the special differences, for we are forgoing necessary and important manpower.
In conclusion, I feel homosexuals should be accepted by public in Singapore.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Mental Youngs
Hi again! Recently, there has been a sensational news which shook the entire world, a South Korean murdered 32 people with his guns and later committed suicide in a university in America. The effects are devastating, innocent lives are lost and it brought about many harmful chain effects to the community living there and around America. Students were afraid to attend school for fear of facing the same situation, parents are paranoid when sending their children to school.
In this entry, I shall discuss on the signs of a mental child. The South Korean man was clearly not in his right state of mind to take the lives of people. There was evidence since the past few years and yet people surrounding him ignored it and some continue to alienate him, resulting his problems to snowball into the recent event. This is a good wake up call to schools and communities around the world to take action and improvise to help these mental students.
Furthermore, I also feel that he, along with those he killed, is a victim. He has suffered so much pain and agony and yet nobody is around to understand his problems and lend a shoulder for support. What happened is partly because of the influence of the surroundings on him, examples are the class he is in, the school he is in etc. From what I have read, I know that he is much isolated in his school and many people dislike him. This is also partially their fault, how could they treat him unequally and show him disrespect like any other human beings? Is this fair to him? Would they be responsible if he one day has his revenge on them? Of course a normal human being would feel infuriated and want to get back on those people. Therefore I feel that they are partially responsible.
However, I feel that he is responsible for his own plight too. He did not want to seek help from the school councilors and teachers and kept everything to himself. He thought that no one was there for him but he did not know that his teachers were very much willing to help. If he has turned to help, this situation will cease to exist.
Sadly, whats done cannot be undone. What we can do now is to learn from the past mistakes and correct them so that this would not happen in the future again.
In this entry, I shall discuss on the signs of a mental child. The South Korean man was clearly not in his right state of mind to take the lives of people. There was evidence since the past few years and yet people surrounding him ignored it and some continue to alienate him, resulting his problems to snowball into the recent event. This is a good wake up call to schools and communities around the world to take action and improvise to help these mental students.
Furthermore, I also feel that he, along with those he killed, is a victim. He has suffered so much pain and agony and yet nobody is around to understand his problems and lend a shoulder for support. What happened is partly because of the influence of the surroundings on him, examples are the class he is in, the school he is in etc. From what I have read, I know that he is much isolated in his school and many people dislike him. This is also partially their fault, how could they treat him unequally and show him disrespect like any other human beings? Is this fair to him? Would they be responsible if he one day has his revenge on them? Of course a normal human being would feel infuriated and want to get back on those people. Therefore I feel that they are partially responsible.
However, I feel that he is responsible for his own plight too. He did not want to seek help from the school councilors and teachers and kept everything to himself. He thought that no one was there for him but he did not know that his teachers were very much willing to help. If he has turned to help, this situation will cease to exist.
Sadly, whats done cannot be undone. What we can do now is to learn from the past mistakes and correct them so that this would not happen in the future again.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Is the use of torture ever justified in dealing with criminals and terrorists?
After reading the articles from TIME online, I feel that the use of torture is not really justified in dealing with criminals and terrorists. From the first article, the writer questions the real purpose in moving the detainees to other US base in Guantánamo Bay. He also states that there are not enough evidence to bring them to court and feels that the US government has a lot of hidden transparencies in the job of questioning detainees. They do a lot of cover up for their unknown real intentions. This will undermine the moral and real purpose of committing such acts which is to find justice for those innocent victims. The writer states that the government is using it to fulfil its desire for more power in the region and also for control.
Secondly, the writer also mentions that the use of torture is too harsh. Citing evidence from the article, the 9/11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (K.S.M.), who, according to senior intelligence officials, was told his children would be hurt if he didn't cooperate. Furthermore, some detainees really could not provide answers and yet the interrogators continued to pursue methods of harsh torture. This is unfair to the other party even though they have committed heinous crimes. Prior to this, I feel that governments should revise their way of interrogating detainees, some leeway should be granted even though the detainees were culprits. However, I stress that no leniency should be given to them when meting out the punishment. They certainly deserve their punishment for the wrong doings.
Also, in public sense, I hope they could have a better understanding of the whole picture instead of a narrow view. They could ask questions about the intentions of government organizations and pressured them into providing them with more transparencies and answers so that they know what they are supporting for is morally right.
Secondly, the writer also mentions that the use of torture is too harsh. Citing evidence from the article, the 9/11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (K.S.M.), who, according to senior intelligence officials, was told his children would be hurt if he didn't cooperate. Furthermore, some detainees really could not provide answers and yet the interrogators continued to pursue methods of harsh torture. This is unfair to the other party even though they have committed heinous crimes. Prior to this, I feel that governments should revise their way of interrogating detainees, some leeway should be granted even though the detainees were culprits. However, I stress that no leniency should be given to them when meting out the punishment. They certainly deserve their punishment for the wrong doings.
Also, in public sense, I hope they could have a better understanding of the whole picture instead of a narrow view. They could ask questions about the intentions of government organizations and pressured them into providing them with more transparencies and answers so that they know what they are supporting for is morally right.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
New Media – Power to the people or threat to stability?
Hi again! This week i will be discussing on the development of media in the current society. This will include the pros and cons of the issue. I feel the answer to this question is depending on the individual who uses the media, how they use it to fulfil their purpose. Is it to spread news and information? Or is it to spread terrorism or undesirable things?
It can be of good intention to educate the public. For example, people can read instant online news and find out recent events happening around the world. Or they use it as a place to communicate with people around the world instantly, through emails or online chat rooms. Recently, there is also introduction of blogspot where it gives users a chance to air their opinions and views on certain matters. This is in conjunction of the allowance of freedom of speech practised by many countries around the world.
However, people could abuse it this privilege too. Some people misuse the blogspot to express their displeasure, some in the form of insulting people or making racial remarks which are devastating to a country's stability. This may lead to serious consequences like racial riots, internal wars so on. Even modern day terrorists use this media to spread their idea of terrorism across the globe, brainwashing many innocent people to follow their cause. These acts can cause alot of instability in countries, for example, more people will tend to terrorism and more acts of terrorism will occur. Inter-racial riots can also happen and lead to the distortment of the country society.
In conclusion, I restate my point that the media is a place for people to use. It is a privilege. Whether people make full use of it or abuse it, it will solely depend on the individual's mindset and choice.
It can be of good intention to educate the public. For example, people can read instant online news and find out recent events happening around the world. Or they use it as a place to communicate with people around the world instantly, through emails or online chat rooms. Recently, there is also introduction of blogspot where it gives users a chance to air their opinions and views on certain matters. This is in conjunction of the allowance of freedom of speech practised by many countries around the world.
However, people could abuse it this privilege too. Some people misuse the blogspot to express their displeasure, some in the form of insulting people or making racial remarks which are devastating to a country's stability. This may lead to serious consequences like racial riots, internal wars so on. Even modern day terrorists use this media to spread their idea of terrorism across the globe, brainwashing many innocent people to follow their cause. These acts can cause alot of instability in countries, for example, more people will tend to terrorism and more acts of terrorism will occur. Inter-racial riots can also happen and lead to the distortment of the country society.
In conclusion, I restate my point that the media is a place for people to use. It is a privilege. Whether people make full use of it or abuse it, it will solely depend on the individual's mindset and choice.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Lee Kuan Yew
Hello! In this blog entry, we are required to choose a person who have made a significant impact on societies. I have chosen Lee Kuan Yew, the Minister Mentor of Singapore.
I find him unfluential because of a few reasons. As Singapore was developing as an independent country in the 1960s, he played a very big role in it. He introduced alot of policies like economic policies which improved the living conditions of Singaporeans at that time. for example, he established the Economics Development Board in 1961 to attract foreign investment, offering attractive tax incentives and providing access to the highly skilled, disciplined and relatively low paid work force. He also provided opportunities for industralization in the country and allow the creation of jobs for the people. Another evidence can be shown when he hired the use of a British economic expert, Dr Albert Winsemius, to help in the industralization process. Dr Albert then further developed the Jurong Industrial Estate in Singapore.
Another reason is in terms of national security in Singapore, during his prime minister years, he wanted Singapore to have a citizen armed force. He assigned his fellow minister, Goh Keng Swee, to help him build Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). This aided the security in Singapore, as during that 1960s period, there was alot of unrest like racial riots and foreign issues. Singapore has to depend on itself for its security.
Currently, he is the Minister Mentor of Singapore and continues to help in the development of Singapore by providing advices to ministers. Til now, I find him still very influential in the political matters of Singapore.
I find him unfluential because of a few reasons. As Singapore was developing as an independent country in the 1960s, he played a very big role in it. He introduced alot of policies like economic policies which improved the living conditions of Singaporeans at that time. for example, he established the Economics Development Board in 1961 to attract foreign investment, offering attractive tax incentives and providing access to the highly skilled, disciplined and relatively low paid work force. He also provided opportunities for industralization in the country and allow the creation of jobs for the people. Another evidence can be shown when he hired the use of a British economic expert, Dr Albert Winsemius, to help in the industralization process. Dr Albert then further developed the Jurong Industrial Estate in Singapore.
Another reason is in terms of national security in Singapore, during his prime minister years, he wanted Singapore to have a citizen armed force. He assigned his fellow minister, Goh Keng Swee, to help him build Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). This aided the security in Singapore, as during that 1960s period, there was alot of unrest like racial riots and foreign issues. Singapore has to depend on itself for its security.
Currently, he is the Minister Mentor of Singapore and continues to help in the development of Singapore by providing advices to ministers. Til now, I find him still very influential in the political matters of Singapore.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Climatic Changes In The World
Hi again! In this week entry, i will touch on the topic of the earth's climate. Recently, there are some articles published in the newspaper regarding the issue of global warming and climatic change around the world. I shall not touch the statistics as it would defintely bored the readers. What is sure with the intention of giving the statisitcs is that the world climate is becoming worse.
Scientists have predicted bad future for the earth climate in the future eg. such as rising temperature, rising sea level which could increase flooding in many areas etc. I am sure all these information is related to global warming. What is global warming? This is surely a term which everyone would be sure of. Schools, government, media have mentioned the term for the past few years. Yet there are little public response to it. Most people have turned a blind eye to this prevailing problem in the world.
It has come to my senses that the world is indeed changing. Every hour, every minute, every second. We, the dwellers of this world, might not have experience such a change, but sadly as a fact, it is. And though we might not know that the earth climate is indeed changing, we need to do something to stop its progress. There are alot of things we can contribute, i shall not elaborate on this, these things are of our common sense eg. less usage of air cons etc. What i hope after writing this entry is that people start to understand the seriousness of the problem and do something to it before it worsens. I love this world which i live in and I also want the future generations to enjoy this privellege. I hope other people share my thoughts too.
Scientists have predicted bad future for the earth climate in the future eg. such as rising temperature, rising sea level which could increase flooding in many areas etc. I am sure all these information is related to global warming. What is global warming? This is surely a term which everyone would be sure of. Schools, government, media have mentioned the term for the past few years. Yet there are little public response to it. Most people have turned a blind eye to this prevailing problem in the world.
It has come to my senses that the world is indeed changing. Every hour, every minute, every second. We, the dwellers of this world, might not have experience such a change, but sadly as a fact, it is. And though we might not know that the earth climate is indeed changing, we need to do something to stop its progress. There are alot of things we can contribute, i shall not elaborate on this, these things are of our common sense eg. less usage of air cons etc. What i hope after writing this entry is that people start to understand the seriousness of the problem and do something to it before it worsens. I love this world which i live in and I also want the future generations to enjoy this privellege. I hope other people share my thoughts too.
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