Monday, August 27, 2007
Personal reponse 6
Newspaper article 6
Popular Bar Slammed for Cheeky Use of Stars & Crescent of S’pore flag
The New Paper
11 August 2007
-Singapore
“It’s in spirit of fun.”
“It’s an insult to nation.”
“Don’t disrespect flag.”
Rather varied set of views, I might add. I personally think that whilst the “cheeky use of stars and crescent” is all in all creative, I must admit that to a certain degree, it is a mockery of our Singapore flag. Call it conservatism, call it old-fashioned; I call it “respect”.
As Singaporeans, it is our obligation, no, duty to maintain a certain standard of reverence for our flag. Significant meaning belies the symbols on the flag, and the improper use of them can be damaging to Singapore’s image. I do not think that our flag, should be in any circumstance, be subjected to a form of ridicule.
Let us take into account the responses some have provided us with. Those that oppose the use of symbols regard the issue as an insult to the nation, that the nightspot operators did not use their common sense, and the entire incident in general is obscene. Whereas those that do not have any qualms about the incident add that it’s a “tongue-in-cheek” and not malicious attempt to desecrate the national symbol.
Singaporeans seem to have particularly conflicting views on this issue. Perhaps, we must contemplate an entirely different side of the issue, that of the nightspot operator. If we were in his shoes, would we do the same thing for the sake of advertising? We cannot deny that it is in fact a rather effective medium – the theme of sex appeal, to sell a product. In a bid to draw attention to this joint, had the operator crossed the fine line that distinguishes the acceptable from the unacceptable?
In our rapidly-progressing society that we have today, there would be however, a need to be more open and receptive. Singapore’s censorship on various issues is less stringent today than it was a couple of years ago. Censorship in itself, has many benefits, but in an effort to give our citizens a larger exposure, does censorship still have a stand in our society? Though I share a common view with the 83% of Singaporeans who polled, stating that ad had gone too far, we must consider the effects on our country in the long run. Not raising the issue when such incidents of disrespect of our flag occur, we are giving others the go-ahead that it is alright. On the contrary, it is far from “alright”. The marketing manager from Germany also added that they have a lot of worse things from where he comes from.
We cannot gauge the severity of this issue with other countries. Instead, we must seek ways to continually improve our image, and consider what is best for our country, our homeland. Whether we like it or not, our flag is our country, it represents us, and surely, it is deserving of utmost reverence.
Popular Bar Slammed for Cheeky Use of Stars & Crescent of S’pore flag
The New Paper
11 August 2007
-Singapore
“It’s in spirit of fun.”
“It’s an insult to nation.”
“Don’t disrespect flag.”
Rather varied set of views, I might add. I personally think that whilst the “cheeky use of stars and crescent” is all in all creative, I must admit that to a certain degree, it is a mockery of our Singapore flag. Call it conservatism, call it old-fashioned; I call it “respect”.
As Singaporeans, it is our obligation, no, duty to maintain a certain standard of reverence for our flag. Significant meaning belies the symbols on the flag, and the improper use of them can be damaging to Singapore’s image. I do not think that our flag, should be in any circumstance, be subjected to a form of ridicule.
Let us take into account the responses some have provided us with. Those that oppose the use of symbols regard the issue as an insult to the nation, that the nightspot operators did not use their common sense, and the entire incident in general is obscene. Whereas those that do not have any qualms about the incident add that it’s a “tongue-in-cheek” and not malicious attempt to desecrate the national symbol.
Singaporeans seem to have particularly conflicting views on this issue. Perhaps, we must contemplate an entirely different side of the issue, that of the nightspot operator. If we were in his shoes, would we do the same thing for the sake of advertising? We cannot deny that it is in fact a rather effective medium – the theme of sex appeal, to sell a product. In a bid to draw attention to this joint, had the operator crossed the fine line that distinguishes the acceptable from the unacceptable?
In our rapidly-progressing society that we have today, there would be however, a need to be more open and receptive. Singapore’s censorship on various issues is less stringent today than it was a couple of years ago. Censorship in itself, has many benefits, but in an effort to give our citizens a larger exposure, does censorship still have a stand in our society? Though I share a common view with the 83% of Singaporeans who polled, stating that ad had gone too far, we must consider the effects on our country in the long run. Not raising the issue when such incidents of disrespect of our flag occur, we are giving others the go-ahead that it is alright. On the contrary, it is far from “alright”. The marketing manager from Germany also added that they have a lot of worse things from where he comes from.
We cannot gauge the severity of this issue with other countries. Instead, we must seek ways to continually improve our image, and consider what is best for our country, our homeland. Whether we like it or not, our flag is our country, it represents us, and surely, it is deserving of utmost reverence.
# posted by Kris @ 5:17 AM 
Comments:
<< Home
The 2nd commentary is better organised than the 1st, and hence more effective in conveying your ideas. The range of reading is fairly good, though articles seem limited to local issues.
Post a Comment
<< Home
