Singapore Democrats

Very well done!!! This is something that Singaporean students can stand tall and be proud of in the world. Unlike those disgusting petty little stuff the pap is doing, only bring shame to Singapore.

Way to go. Take the lead guys, Singapore really need a change for the better.

I'm happy to see that students and ordinary citizens have taken the initiative to organize a protest to give themselves a voice in the public arena.

The university (NTU) has never given any satisfactory reason why it censored the article written about Dr Chee Soon Juan's visit. The students are perfectly right to say that the censorship is "detrimental to the processes of free intellectual exchange".

The students also said, "According to English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, no opinion or idea is ever entirely wrong or right. This freedom of expression can only serve to better our education by allowing us to extract the good and discard the bad from all heard ideas. But first, we need to let these ideas be heard!"

I fully agree with the message the students conveyed during the demonstration, which is truly the first of its kind to be held at Speaker's Corner.

The first demonstration at Speaker’s Corner this year was a protest against maid abuse on 02 Sept by Hearer of Cries (HOC), a non-profit organization.

Yesterday, there was a vigil held in remembrance of JBJ organized by the JBJ Facebook group.

Mr Roy Tan, 50, a self-confessed gay who works in the health-care industry, also intends to hold event at Speaker’s Corner on Nov 15 which will include speeches on gay rights and a march in the park with placards protesting against Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises homosexual sex.

Let us support these efforts by individual citizens to advance their rights to assembly and freedom of speech in public.

There is no reason to censor the students' work in the first place. I'm happy for them as I'm sure they must be glad that they have spoken up, we are too! We, the people!

I am impressed.

Prof Su Guaning from China is only a mouthpiece and loyal NTU Prez. In the bigger scheme of things here, he and his council members will have to wait for instructions/orders from above....MHA/PMO.
Let's see whether and how our 4 heroes who spoke bravely and eloquently yesterday will be persecuted, blacklisted or just "marked" (entered into the ISD's e-files as potential trouble-makers).
Don't be afraid.....the fight for freedom, democracy and human rights are universal for all good men and women!

Only kids' play..

Nothing significant at all..

Zzzzz...

keep it up

[quote=maxChew]
Let's see whether and how our 4 heroes who spoke bravely and eloquently yesterday will be persecuted, blacklisted or just "marked" (entered into the ISD's e-files as potential trouble-makers).
Don't be afraid.....the fight for freedom, democracy and human rights are universal for all good men and women![/quote]

No, PAP not so stupid! They will be marked by the professors failing their courses. The reason would be they missed an "important lecture/lab test"
which carries 40% of total grade because they were mingling with SDP instead of going to the respective venues during that time.


So, BEWARE STUDENTS!!!

take note... the straitstimes had reported this and they did it in an unbiased way

is this the start of a change

[quote=Mike]Only kids' play..

Nothing significant at all..

Zzzzz...[/quote]Haelst du dich fuer schlau? Fresse halten bitte.

But kids will become adults ...

and then they will be banned.

Oral sex was banned, now it is ok ...

soon democracy will be ok too.

And I will sleep in peace zzzzZZZ

It was heartening to see younger Singaporeans gathering together to boldly express their opinions.

The next generation is not afraid of you, Old Man. In time to come, both your days and your ways will be over.

Unlike you who play with kids in Geylang ... You better check the ID first.

Haha ....

Read the students union reply carefully.

First it insinuates the impossibility of their students' being exposed to "a diversity of views" since this would have to be so only "from time to time" and "on top of the heavy curriculum".

Then the letter says they "have to decline the request for a forum".

Is the union Vice President merely mouthing what he had been told to say as the reason for the decline, while subtly telling us that the union had to or constrained to decline the request for the forum?

[quote=Mike]But kids will become adults ...

and then they will be banned.

Oral sex was banned, now it is ok ...

soon democracy will be ok too.

And I will sleep in peace zzzzZZZ[/quote]

to the imposter who post under my user name..

Get a name yourself instead of using what I've been using..

Don't copy others..!

Yes I agree, Seelan.

This is the FIRST time in a very long while that a large group of non-partisan citizens have gathered in public to demonstrate for a worthwhile cause. Truly the FIRST of its kind!

The younger generation must be encouraged. And yes, they seem not to be afraid too. It is good. Slowly the gridlock of fear will be demolished.

No matter what their current political persuasion is, even if not pro-Opposition, as long as people start to speak up with conviction and without fear, it can only be for the better for Singapore.

E-Jay

"The wise are free from doubt; love is never vexed; the bold have no fears."

Kudos to NTU students. I can beginning to see Dr Chee effort bear some fruits.

Another one from Confucius, "Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs."

[quote]
Only kids' play..

Nothing significant at all..

Zzzzz...
[/quote]

Hi Mike,

you want adult play, go geylang lah.

This will be the first of many. But be prepared, the moment they are about to lose power they will do what despots do best.

Salam Reformasi!

DR CHEE MUST BE THINKING THE WHOLE WORLD IS BLIND, EXCEPT HIM. YOU THINK YOU WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO NTU WITHOUT SEEKING POLITICAL MELLIAGE. WHY DONT YOU GO GEYLANG??

I THINK THESE UNDER-GRADUATES PITTY HIM MORE THAN UNDERSTAND HIM

I'm an undergraduate and not only do I not pity Dr Chee, I admire and respect him from the bottom of my heart.

I pity the old man though, half-dead and majority of Singaporean can't wait for him to die.

yes, i agree that there is something commendable, novel and wholly refreshing about the recent play out of affairs.

many are quick to label it, perhaps too prematurely in my opinion, a indicator of singapore's students finally standing up for their rights.

i may like to sound a warning bell.

protesting, agitation, political consciousness and all the high-flown ideals the sdp advocates are not ends in themselves. they must lead to something constructive, socially beneficial and ideally, even practically, economically rewarding so that the lives of others in the community can be improved in very real and material ways.

with that in mind, i do not think a unrestrained praise and jubilation should envelope us as we should objectively warn ourselves against the possible pitfalls in a student culture where confrontation outweighs consensus.

i may be a bit too alarmist, but i do not think a student body which has no qualms about protesting and taking things to the street even before other more "civil" options are explored should be the kind we should be raving about and promoting.

students must learn, above other things, to work within the system when it is not necessary to go outside of it. in times when it is, it ought to be a case when other options have been explored and exhausted. this ability to show restraint in manner and conduct, i dare say, is as precious as the tenacious ability to take it to the streets and vocally mount opposition/dissatisfaction.

lets maintain some balance in my jubilation and advocacy of a certain "kind" of student life in singapore.

This is great!! I wish I was there to have seen the protest with my own eyes! Cheers to more good things to come!

Here’s a gem dug out from way, way back in the good ol’ days of the US of A, when things were quite plain, simple and straightforward.

We could draw inspiration from …..

The following, which is the text of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776):

I That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

II That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them.

III That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation or community; of all the various modes and forms of government that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration; and that, whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.

IV That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services; which, not being descendible, neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator, or judge be hereditary.

V That the legislative and executive powers of the state should be separate and distinct from the judicative; and, that the members of the two first may be restrained from oppression by feeling and participating the burthens of the people, they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to a private station, return into that body from which they were originally taken, and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain, and regular elections in which all, or any part of the former members, to be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws shall direct.

VI That elections of members to serve as representatives of the people in assembly ought to be free; and that all men, having sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to, the community have the right of suffrage and cannot be taxed or deprived of their property for public uses without their own consent or that of their representatives so elected, nor bound by any law to which they have not, in like manner, assented, for the public good.

VII That all power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by any authority without consent of the representatives of the people is injurious to their rights and ought not to be exercised.

VIII That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand the cause and nature of his accusation to be confronted with the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of his vicinage, without whose unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty, nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself; that no man be deprived of his liberty except by the law of the land or the judgement of his peers.

IX That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

X That general warrants, whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of a fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, or whose offense is not particularly described and supported by evidence, are grievous and oppressive and ought not to be granted.

XI That in controversies respecting property and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other and ought to be held sacred.

XII That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.

XIII That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that, in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to, and be governed by, the civil power.

XIV That the people have a right to uniform government; and therefore, that no government separate from, or independent of, the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established within the limits thereof.

XV That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.

XVI That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.

Adopted unanimously June 12, 1776 Virginia Convention of Delegates drafted by Mr. George Mason

We should evaluate and determine the kind of Leaders we want for our beloved country, Singapore

Here are the Top 10 Qualities of a Good Leader

By David Hakala

——————————————————————————–

Leadership can be defined as one’s ability to get others to willingly follow. Every organization needs leaders at every level. Leaders can be found and nurtured if you look for the following character traits:

A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric Co., said, “Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.”

A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious.

A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same.

Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Such an individual can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity.

Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity. A leader who is centered in integrity will be more approachable by followers.

Dedication means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. A leader inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes to complete the next step toward the vision. By setting an excellent example, leaders can show followers that there are no nine-to-five jobs on the team, only opportunities to achieve something great.

Magnanimity means giving credit where it is due. A magnanimous leader ensures that credit for successes is spread as widely as possible throughout the organization. Conversely, a good leader takes personal responsibility for failures. This sort of reverse magnanimity helps other people feel good about themselves and draws the team closer together. To spread the fame and take the blame is a hallmark of effective leadership.

Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members of the team. A humble leader is not self-effacing but rather tries to elevate everyone. Leaders with humility also understand that their status does not make them a god. Mahatma Gandhi is a role model for Indian leaders, and he pursued a “follower-centric” leadership role.

Openness means being able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Good leaders are able to suspend judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accept new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision.

Creativity is the ability to think differently, to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Creativity gives leaders the ability to see things that others have not seen and thus lead followers in new directions. The most important question that a leader can ask is, “What if … ?” Possibly the worst thing a leader can say is, “I know this is a dumb question … ”

Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He or she must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication.

Assertiveness is not the same as aggressiveness. Rather, it is the ability to clearly state what one expects so that there will be no misunderstandings. A leader must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their leader.

Many leaders have difficulty striking the right amount of assertiveness, according to a study in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the APA (American Psychological Association). It seems that being underassertive or overassertive may be the most common weakness among aspiring leaders.

A sense of humor is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Effective leaders know how to use humor to energize followers. Humor is a form of power that provides some control over the work environment. And simply put, humor fosters good camaraderie.

Intrinsic traits such as intelligence, good looks, height and so on are not necessary to become a leader. Anyone can cultivate these leadership qualities.

——————————————————————————–

[quote=Mike Tan]DR CHEE MUST BE THINKING THE WHOLE WORLD IS BLIND, EXCEPT HIM. YOU THINK YOU WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO NTU WITHOUT SEEKING POLITICAL MELLIAGE. WHY DONT YOU GO GEYLANG??

I THINK THESE UNDER-GRADUATES PITTY HIM MORE THAN UNDERSTAND HIM[/quote]

You think, I thought, who confirm? Pls don't speak on behalf of we NTU students. We have full of respect to Dr Chee. If you don;t have the intellect to understand what we are doing, pls take your peanut size brain enclosed with coconut shell out of this forum.

Thank God.

NTU is doing something we can be proud of. Not just for Singapore but as a school.

Haha... NTU pride can rear its (ugly) head finally.


And stop those shaming attacks on me. NTU.

I'm just a baby. Be nice.

I may be crazy but I think that's what you are proud of NTU for. Right now especially.


Oh ya mike. Well done.

I admire your bravery for making stupid comments like that.

At least you tried.

And that itself isn't so stupid.

Have a good sleep.

Old man is old.

He will die anyway.

And before He died. He did quite a couple of things. Some of the people who are championing this cause will NEVER or can NEVER possibly do.

I hope I stand corrected.

We are not proud not because we are going to "kill off" the old man. Or see his doom.

No, no. The would be the saddest thing in Singapore History.

In fact we are afraid that happens. Honestly.

Unless something changes.

We find New Worthy Blood to take on his mantle.

And if you think the people who are so passionate will do that.

I suggest you wait a while more.

The one to helm this nation for the next ten years or twenty years. Are actually the ones who are our parents and mentors. "I think I can see you start to worry now."

Not us.

Our time will come. But not now. And our job is to learn the ropes from those who have laid the sacrifice, make our mark and necessary stupid mistakes.

Coz the world or the country ain't so forgiving when you stick your neck out.

It was never in the past since LKY's time. Nor is it now.

And it won't be. For years to come.

Get prepared for that.

[quote=Mike Tan]DR CHEE MUST BE THINKING THE WHOLE WORLD IS BLIND, EXCEPT HIM. YOU THINK YOU WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO NTU WITHOUT SEEKING POLITICAL MELLIAGE. WHY DONT YOU GO GEYLANG??

I THINK THESE UNDER-GRADUATES PITTY HIM MORE THAN UNDERSTAND HIM[/quote]Don't disgrace my name by having the same name. You Mike from Geylang right?

Actually truth for this matter is that 270+ students have the intention to show up.. but were coerced not to do so with very good reasons.. so it was the 70 that dared to do so..

just for the record.. i'm surprised sdp does not know.. or maybe you already do..