Monday, May 09, 2005

Open Letter to Mr Philip Yeo

Congratulations on your victory. A bitter victory that perhaps left quite a few scars.

AcidFlask has apologised in the manner you wanted him to.

But, tell me, was it worth it?

Was it really necessary? Did it do more hurt than heal in the end?

What are the repercussions on your reputation? The very same reputation that you strive so hard to upkeep?

Did the apology reassure you, made you sleep tighter at night? Did the apology improve your quality of life in any way? Did it do wonders for your ego? (ok don't answer the last).

It was supposed to be a simple, clearcut shushing procedure.

How did it get blown up? Why did it get blown up? Why did it enthrall so many local and foreign entities?

Would it then contrastingly have become more of a loudhailer effect?

Were their interest in the affairs in your best interests?

On Hindsight, would there have been a better way to resolve the issue? One more subtle, one more proportionate, one more reasonable?

On Hindsight, would it have been better to dismiss it with a wave of your hand? He is but a student, whereas you are the head of a government agency. The repute and goodwill that have accrued over the years surely outweigh the student's. Do you doubt that people will see your good works in a different light just because of a simple student's inane comments on an obscure blog? If so, why?

I, for one, do not doubt, nor have ever doubted your esteemed name or works, nor will this issue affect my opinion in any way. However, this event has cast a dark cloud over sensitive, fragile issues such as the Singapore's reputation in the eyes of the world and free speech. It has planted seeds of doubt which would hopefully not be allowed to sprout. I recognise that defending your name is important. But in the same vein I beseech you to understand our position (as citizens of Singapore, and as purveyors of free speech).

I do sincerely hope that it was worth it.

32 Comments:

Blogger redrown said...

This is written in the spirit of 'fair comment'. If anyone has any reason to construe it as defamatory, please let me know immediately and I will take it down immediately with unreserved apologies (grovelling optional)

P.S I am but a layman blogger and as such I am not sure when I have overstepped the boundaries..plus I am also actually quite poor, I cant really afford lawsuits...

11:16 AM  
Blogger WhiteOut said...

=)

3:18 PM  
Blogger Daniel said...

nice one, redrown.
And your comment too =D

5:41 PM  
Blogger redrown said...

thanks guys=)

5:50 PM  
Blogger Darth Sidious said...

Some nice proverbial ass kicking.
Nice one.

Let's hope you don't get sued :)

5:45 PM  
Blogger redrown said...

I can say with 100% certainty that my words are not defamatory...ok, make that 90%

6:56 PM  
Blogger this dying soul said...

i say they're not defamatory, p < .05

your critique is purely on Mr Yeo's actions and their consequences, without allusions to his character.

8:48 PM  
Blogger redrown said...

Heheh dont worry la guys, its definitely NOT defamatory material.

The actual purpose of the disclaimer is not to disclaim responsibility, but its presence is actually to prove a point (ie, that we feel obliged to 'play safe')

And my comment reply to Darth Sidious was tongue in cheek, ie, although I am certain its not defamatory, in light of current circumstances one can never be too sure=)

Plus I have no reason to actually defame PY or A*Star since I have no grudge with them, other than disagreeing with the methods they adopted in this episode. But to cuss his name, now that wouldn't serve any purpose at all, would it;)

As ThisDyingSoul says, the commentary is on his actions and consequences (with a slightly mischevous slant to make it less dry), nothing more and nothing less =)

10:19 PM  
Blogger Daniel said...

seems like someone is getting a sense of humour. LOL kidding!

1:00 AM  
Blogger jeffyen said...

i say they're not defamatory, p < .05

hahaa, but if we look at actual precedents, the thing can easily shift, depending on mood, to 'not defamatory', p > .5 We just don't know, there's no conclusion...

hehe, scare all of you... ;p

1:17 AM  
Blogger redrown said...

daniel: in my mind I have always imagined myself to be the paragon of humour. too bad its only in my mind. Heheh.

jeff: i just got a threatening email in my mailbox =(.

Kidding!

2:14 AM  
Blogger this dying soul said...

no leh jeff, it means the people involved in the precedents kena Type I error.

as for redrown, are you getting nihilist on us? "in my mind..." and all that stuff

9:50 AM  
Blogger redrown said...

heh...it was actually a paltry attempt at self-deprecatory humour

10:53 AM  
Blogger Daniel said...

maybe you really are the paragon of humour la...just that you don't show it in your posts. No other arena to assess you mah. ok la back to serious =)

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Anonymous Improve Quality Of Life said...

Hello -> redrown <- I just wanted to let you know that Open Letter to Mr Philip Yeo was an interesting read and well presented. Just my two cents.

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