After a maid carrying NS man's backpack, now it's a father's turn

It seems that carrying of backpacks for national servicemen continues to make the news among Singaporeans.

The latest comes on Thursday when a reader of the popular Singapore citizen journalism website Stomp sent a picture of a serviceman in army uniform, making an older man - apparently his father - carry his backpack.

In March, a reader had sent to Stomp, a picture of a national serviceman making his maid carry his army backpack. It generated much buzz on and off the internet, with people criticizing NS man of being "spoilt" and too "soft" whereas some gave the NS man the benefit of the doubt, citing possible reasons like having injuries.

However, in this case, it is no longer a maid, it seems like it is a father. A person supposedly the elder of the NS man is helping him carry his heavy backpack. Some might say that it is fatherly love, but to me, it shows that the NS man is really spoilt. He should have carried the load and not led his father, who is older and supposedly weaker.

I feel that the NS man should be the one blamed. Some might blame the father too but I feel that the NS man should have refused if his father offered to carry his heavy load. He should not have allowed his father to carry his burden for him.

I feel that NS man should really watch what they do in public as in their uniforms, even the slightest of mistakes, people would be able to pick it up and make a fuss about it. I really hope that no such cases surface anymore, or it will really leave a bad impression of other NS man whom I believe are capable of doing such simple task of carrying their own load, and not being so "spoilt".

Book Review - The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a book written by Khaled Hosseini. It was published in 2003 and it was even made into a flim with the same name.

The Kite Runner is basically talking about the story of a boy, Amir, who is from Afghanistan. It starts off by talking about Amir and his friend, Hassan, who was also the son of his servant Hazara's son. The story then turns to Amir betraying Hassan because he wanted love from his father, Baba. Many incidents occur before Amir is able to redeem himself for the guilt he had to endure after witnessing an incident.

The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet Invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime.

The Kite Runner has many themes to it, including friendship, father and son relationships, and also war. But in my opinion, the quest for self redemption was the main theme for this book. This can be seen as most incidents of the story is driven by this theme. For example, Amir tries to redeem himself by going back to help Sohrab, the child of Hassan, get out of the hands of a evil Taliban official.

Overall, this book is very interesting to read. I really liked this book as it also portrayed some real like scenarios like the one in Afghanistan, which had violence. I really recommend this book to others.

Does modern technology has made us lazy?

Modern technology has indeed made us humans lazy. Lazy is defined as being disinclined to work or do a certain thing. Modern technology has brought us convenience and with that, it resulted in laziness in terms of physical, mental and also, in terms of human contact.

Modern technology has made us lazy physically. Modern technology such as cars and elevators has made things convenient for us humans. It has replaced walking and climbing stars respectively. As humans would choose to do things the easier way, they would resort to driving, taking the elevators etc. This would make them lazy as even simple task like climbing up the stairs are replaced by elevators. The introduction of the internet also makes it easy for humans to research. As almost all information could be found on the internet with technology advancing so rapidly, the convenience would result in humans not feeling the need to go down to libraries to find information. Computers also give humans a way to type out things like homework. This replaces the act of writing. This would allow humans to complete work without tiring out their hands. Thus, this examples of technology gives us humans convenience and would make us lazy as humans would not feel the need to take the more physically tiring option if they had something to make it easier for them.

Modern technology has made us lazy mentally. For example, the internet also makes researching for information easy. With internet access near us, humans do not see the need to go down to use hard copy materials. Internet also has many information which decreases the creativity of humans as most things are already available on the net and humans would not feel the need to think of new ideas again if something similar is already done by someone else. Many information and notes on the internet would also make humans mentally lazy as with the notes on internet, for example, students would not feel the need to listen and take down notes in class. Hence, as modern technology has given humans so much convenience, this has made us mentally lazy, making us humans lazy to use our minds.

Modern technology has also made us lazy in terms of human contact. Emails and phones has given humans an easier way of communicating and replaces talking face to face. Introduction of instant messaging programmes like MSN and Facebook has given humans a much more easier way of “talking” to their friends without the need to meet up and go face to face just to pass a message or to simply have a chat. The introduction of video conferencing and video-chatting has also given a much more easier to communicate. Relatives could talk to each other via video-chatting and do not need to meet up somewhere. As most people have access to these technology, being humans, people would rather choose to stay in the confort of their homes to socialize than to go out and socialize. Without much human contact, relationships between humans would not be as good as before as some expressions could not be expressed through those means. Furthermore, if one spends too much time socializing using technology, they would slowly lose the ability to communicate with others face to face as they would be too used to using typed out words to express their thoughts. Thus, as these new technologies has given us convenience, we are becoming lazy to socialize and communicate face to face.

In conclusion, modern technology has made us lazy physically, mentally and also in human contact mainly due to inventions giving us convenience.

My Opinion - North Korea Food Aid

I feel that food aid should not be given to North Korea. First and foremost, this is because the food aid given might be diverted to the military rather than the needy as before mentioned. Furthermore, North Korea, upon receiving food aid, might cut even more spending on food to buy more military weapons or even the nuclear program. This would be a waste of resources as the US and South Korea would be indirectly helping in the military efforts of North Korea which both US and South Korea opposed while the needy people in North Korea will continue to suffer. I also feel that if food aid was given, the people of North Korea would not be suffering, and that the government might not feel the effects of what they are currently doing, like focusing of the military and nuclear efforts. Hence, it would be like a reward for bad behaviour and they might not stop their bad behaviours and might launch other attacks on South Korea or other countries in the future. Furthermore, the reports by the UN to me was unreliable. The information gathered by the UN are from interviewing around hundred households and most of their informations are also from the government. Firstly, the households, even though might report that they are suffering, might not represent the whole nation as the rest of the country might be well off. Secondly, the government, as we all know, are not so trustworthy. They might be exaggerating the figures in hope of getting more food aid. Scholars specializing in the study of North Korea also questioned the credibility of the information gathered from the government, and also the lack of accountability of the government, stating that such details are often used for propaganda.

However, in view of human rights, I do feel that North Korea should be given food aid. Gving the benefit of the doubt to North Korea citizens, I believe that there are really people suffering in North Korea that goes unreported. One reason is that North Korea is really concerned about their image, trying to potray a very glorious image and they would keep outsiders from seeing the true sufferings of their people. Hence, I feel that food aid should be given to these people, only if monitors from US or South Korea or any other countries giving food aid are allowed into the country. This is to ensure that the food supplies reach the intended recipients and not reach the wrong hands.

However, there is still the issue that even if food aid is given, North Korea might not accept it as they had previously refused a few food aids. They might not allow outsiders to monitor the food aid to the places that need it most as they do not want outsiders to see the bad side of their country. I feel that no matter how air-tight protocol may be, they will still cheat as the regime’s transparency cannot be guaranteed. Hence, even if food aid was given, there would be issues of the food aid reaching the intended recipients properly.

In conclusion, I feel that food aid should not be given to North Korea, but giving the benefit of the doubt to the needy people, I feel that food aid should be given, just for the human rights of the people. Thank you.

Current Affairs - North Korea Food Aid

The UN have reported that around six million North Koreans have been affected by this crisis and are in urgent need of food aid. US televangelist Franklin Graham has also had talks with North Korea about food aids. Former US president Jimmy Carter has also expressed his concern and even said that South Korea and United States withholding food aid is a violation of human rights as having food to eat is basic human rights. The UN has also called for 430 thousand tonnes of food aid to be send and urged US and South Korea to put aside diplomatic relations to help the people suffering in North Korea. Furthermore, there was also a concern that there would be a repeat of the 1990s famine whereby around a million people starved due to decades-long mismanagement and disasters which brought devastation to the people living in North Korea during that time.

However, on the other hand, the US and South Korea are not so willing in providing food aid to North Korea. Firstly, they say that the figures by the UN are exaggerated. South Korean interlligence estimates that food production was 5.1 million tonnes in 2010, while the total need of North Korea is around 5.3 million tonnes. There isn't a big difference and there should not be a case of famine. There is also a suspicion that North Korea exaggerated the food shortages to seek more food aid and a reason to this was so that they could build a properous society ahead of the century birth of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. Furthermore, there were also concerns that food production in North Korea are underreported. For example, farmers in North Korea under-report their food production so as to sell more products to earn more money to buy more equipments and other things. So by right, there should be enough food to go around in North Korea. A concern to food aid being send to North Korea is that the food aid would be shipped to North Korea's elite and military, instead of the people who really need it. This might occur as North Korea is somewhat ruled by the military and they might put the military ahead of the citizens and this claim is further supported by the fact that the country had cut spending on food imports by 40 percent but not cut spending on ballistic missile programs or imports of luxury items. This might also be the current situation whereby the government channels most of the food production away from remote and less populated areas to more wealthy and important places, and also to the military. Hence, helping the North Koreans might seem like a waste of resources to South Korea and US. South Korea has said that they would provide food aid only if North Korea apologises for the attacks on a South Korean warship and on island of South Korea. US also worries that giving food aid would be a sign of reward for bad behaviour after stopping providing food aid in 2009 following the expelling of monitors in North Korea.

Band of Brothers Review - Episode 7 Breaking Point

After watching episode seven of the Band of Brothers, I feel that the show actually depicts the real effects of war. Firstly, it shows the emotional effects it has on the soldiers. For example, when Lieutanent Buck Compton saw two other soldiers, who were his friends, being seriously wounded after a series of artillery barrage, he became mentally unstable. And furthermore, before this incident, he was a good combat leader and experienced but because of the horrors of war he had seen, he was traumatized especially when it was his friends who were injured or killed. This part shows how war actually affects a person's state of mind. Another example for this is when a soldier tried to dig a foxhole with his bare hands after an artillery barrage, even until his hands were bleeding. This showed that soldiers would loose their state of mind and do things that a normal human being would not do, and this is how a real war would affect a soldier. Secondly, the show also show the hardship the soldiers has to endure. For example, in the battle of Foy, many soldiers were being shot down and in the end, soldiers were also killed by snipers. And before that, during the artillery barrage, a soldier's leg was blown off and this shows the cruelty of war. From other readings, it says that easy company fought in cold weather under German artillery fire without winter clothing and with limited rations and ammunition. In the battle of Foy, it was snowing, with the soldiers wearing a rather thin layer of clothing and they were shivering from the cold. This shows that they have to fight in extreme conditions, showing the hardships these soldiers have to go through during a war. And they were continuously subjected to artillery firing. Hence, this two points shows that Band of Brothers does not romantisize the story of easy company.

However, some parts of Band of Brothers does romantisize war in general. As there were a few parts in episode 7 of Band of Brothers, “Breaking Point”, that might not happen in a real war. The first one, which is also the most eye-catching part, was when Lieutanent Speirs ran towards German soldiers to get in contact with another company. He was not shot down and the Germans did little to resist his “advance”. This would not be really possible in a real war as the enemy would usually shoot at an enemy at first sight. Another part was during the artillery barrage before the battle of Foy. During the barrage, the show showed little casualties, even though two soldiers received serious injuries. Furthermore, even though the soldiers received serious injuries, in a real war, the soldiers would have probably been killed in a real war as the artillery bomb shell exploded right in front of them, which in a real war, would have been fatal. Even though it shows the cruelty of war, it hides more of it then show it. Another part is when the soldiers also joked during the bombings. For example, when a soldier was pinned down in his foxhole after the first bombings, he joked that he “overdid his foxholes”. This would not really happen in a real war as the soldiers would be focused in fighting the war, caring more for their own lives than to joke with others. Hence, some parts of the Band of Brothers romantisizes war in general.

Overall, the Band of Brothers does romantisize war in general. Even though it depicts some effects of war, it still hides the real effects and most of the effects of a war.

When The History Channel's broadcasted Band of Brothers on-air and it was sponsored by the US Army, it was to show people not only how the American soldiers fought in a war and their experiences, but also to show how a war affects us. I feel that this is significant as this broadcasting is sponsored by the US army, suggesting that the US army wants to spread the message of how a war looks like and maybe, to let other people know how the Americans had became victorious in the previous war.

YOG Opening Ceremony

The Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony is held on 14th August 2010, at the floating platform at the Marina Bay. It took Singapore around 350 million dollars and two years of preparation just for this event.

The opening ceremony is led by young talent, who displayed the "can do" spirit of youth. The opening ceremony involved around 7000 performers who were mostly 18 years old. It also had effects such as water effects and is watched by around 27000 spectators from the stands and many more from their homes.

There were many interesting segments such as the part called "Playing with Fire". However, I liked the part whereby the torch was lit by Singapore sailor Darren Choy. Upon docking from a float, Amanda Lim, who is a Asian Youth Games and SEA Games medalist, passed on the torch to other torch bearers which ended up with Darren. When he reached the cauldron, he placed the torch at the edge of it and fire burst from the cauldron, firing up the cauldron. This was dubbed the "vortex flame".

I feel that the opening ceremony was a success as I felt that it was very grand and spectacular. I also felt that the fireworks was quite spectacular even though the one done during the National Day Parade just a few days ago was much better. Overall, I think that the opening ceremony was a success and I hope that the Games would be a success too.

Abortion - Is it Immoral?

This is a hotly debated topic and this topic was also discussed during one of my "Thinking" lessons. We shared our views on how we felt about this topic and in this blog post, I am going to share my views about this topic. I would talk about the pros and cons of abortion.

There are pros of abortion and one of it is that, if a child has a high chance of contracting a disease, for example, aids, it would be the right thing to do to abort the birth of the child as if it was to be conceived, the child would suffer with that particular disease. Another situation whereby abortion is alright is when a child suffers from some disabilities such as mentally or physically, like loosing a limb. This would cause them to have a social stigma when born and they cannot live a full life. Another circumstance is that if conceiving the child would put the mother's life in danger, aborting the child would be an option to save a life.

However, one of the objection to the child having a mental illness and suffering after being born, is that the child might not even know that it has the disease and would thing that everything in his daily life is normal, even when being bullied or mocked by other children.

There are also cons of abortion and one of it is that, it is immoral as it is depriving the child to have a chance to live. A child might be aborted for some reasons like the parents not having enough money to raise and give the child a good life. Furthermore, depriving a child the right to live is immoral and the child could be put up for adoptions after being born.

However, an objection to that point is that the child might have some disabilities like having a missing limb and the child would not be able to enjoy a happy childhood and is unable to live a full life. Thus, abortion might be considered to prevent the sufferings the child would experience after being born.

In conclusion, I feel that abortion is immoral in certain circumstances such as when the life of the mother is in danger. I feel that abortion is a matter not to be lightly taken as it determines whether a child gets to live. Thus, I am alright with abortion but to a certain extent.

Feel free to comment on this post.

YOG Torch Relay Ceremony

On August 11th, the YOG torch relay finally came to our school. I was very excited to see the torch as it was a once in a life time chance to do so. However, I was required to perform for the YOG torch relay as I was in the Lion dance.

After morning assembly, students started flooding the Kah Kee Drive and waited along the side of the road for the torch to arrive. As we waited for the VIP, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, to arrive. And when he arrived, we started playing and even though we started too early earlier on, we managed to finish our performance. We quickly carried our things like drums away so as not to block the cars. I was very disappointed as when we had put the things back to the room, the torch had already passed. However, according to one of my friends who saw the “torch”, he said it was really a let-down. He said that the “torch” was actually a lantern and furthermore, he said that the runner was actually walking.

If what my friend had said was true, I would rather not see the ceremony as the runner should be holding the flame with pride and not walking while holding it. It tells a person that the flame is either embarrassing to hold or it does not show any significance. I was really disappointed with this ceremony as I did not get to see the torch and also, the runner had no pride in doing so.

National Day Parade 2010 - Live Our Dream, Fly Our Flag

This year's national day toook place at the Padang rather than at the Floating Platform at the Marina Bay. This year's theme is "Live our Dream, Fly our Flag".

Some highlights for this year's National Day Parade was the aerial display. Fighter jets such as the F15SG multirole fighter. The mobile column was also very spectacular as new additions of tanks such as the Leopard 2A4 tanks and also artilerries was displayed. This year's NDP song was composed and sang by Corrinne May. The fireworks display was also equally spectacular as it was set at nine different positions - Padang, City Hall, Esplanade Theatre, Marina Bay, Suntec City, Pan Pacific hotel, Ritz Calton Millenia Hotel and UOB Plaza & Mayband Tower. Thus, even though many people didn't get to get tickets to see the National Day Parade at Padang, they could get a glimpse of the fireworks from the other places such as the Marina Bay by watching nearby.

I personally feel that this year's NDP was a success as it was very spectecular and it showed the success Singapore has such as in military. I was amazed by the fireowrks display as it was very grand and was very interesting and I hope that the next NDP would be as good as this one.