Time to raise our Flags!

Less than 1 month to go.  Hope I can encourage my fellow Singaporeans to raise them as high as possible,

Khorkar wrote:

Less than 1 month to go.  Hope I can encourage my fellow Singaporeans to raise them as high as possible,

 its not the same anymore. used to be proud to raise a Singapore flag during national day. Now a flat completed decorated with Flag hang by Town council Foreign workers symbolise only how active the PAP grassroot leaders are..

nothing Patriotic about it..

I will raise the flag when I take out the pin on the putting green. It will be either red, white or blue flag.

nrafee wrote:

 its not the same anymore. used to be proud to raise a Singapore flag during national day. Now a flat completed decorated with Flag hang by Town council Foreign workers symbolise only how active the PAP grassroot leaders are..

nothing Patriotic about it..

+1 like

Wad you said is so true...
Its harder for me to love my country now that i'm older...or rather after knowing more about the system that runs my country....

i didnt put up any flag in my home for many years. i also feel that the NDP Parade is a show and waste of taxpayer's money. do u know how many manhours is required to put up this show to remind singaporeans that gahman did a lot for all of us? these manhours can be put to better use example to attend to my feedback to AVA of 10-15 stray dogs residing in a "jungle" near my house barking from nite to dawn and attacking pedestrains including me is not being taken care after 4 mths. 

Count On Me Singapore!

Please don't take this reply as anything but an observation.  I am not attempting to be disrespectful as I am merely a guest in Singapore and don't understand all of the complexities of the politics, of being from here, or being a citizen here for some time.

As mentioned before, I am not Singaporean and I only have a glimpse of what is going on here, and albeit a short period of time.  But I come from the US and the 4th of July is the one day of the year, where regardless of what crap is going on I am able to salute my flag and give thanks and admiration for all of those who have sacrificed to create the country that I call home.  It allows me to reflect on the history and what it means to me.  Yes there are times where I am not sentimental because I dislike who is in power or what they are doing to the country I call home, but at the same time I am from there and it is my duty to show respect to those who have fallen for me to have the freedoms that me and my family are able to enjoy. 

National day, seems similar to me.  From what I have gathered in my research is that Singapore had an extremely tough road in WW2 and through it's independence.  From that I see a great nation has emerged and while many may not agree with the politics and happenings here currently, you are blessed to be able to live in such a place that has a low crime rate, relatively free from drugs, and citizens who are not only tolerant to many different ethnicities, but warm and welcoming.  Believe me when I say there are far worse places where you could live.  I am not sure if even the worst off Singaporean would want to live in some places that I have been in the US.

Essentially..while I do agree that there is always going to be discontent with whatever government is in power, use days like this to celebrate what you have and what people before you have sacrificed.   

I could sit here for hours and go on about how I don't like what has happened in the US recently and how the current administration is the worst, blah, blah blah...but it would never preclude me from celebrating the independence day that is important to me and my country.  Sometimes you just have to put some of the BS aside and celebrate that day for what it is.

Finally, if I was ever unhappy enough with my country that I would not support or display the flag...that would be a clear sign for me to leave and move somewhere else that I did respect.  

Sorry...rant over and hope that I did not offend anyone with my perspective on what has been said about National day here in SG.

haha people, just my humble opinion. Its true that people are fustrated at changes and rises in standard of living. But, we should be feeling happy for what our small nation have achieved thus far. Its certainly feels proud when comments such as "wao, you are from Singapore! what a beautiful and safe place" flows along our ears...

Every country has imperfections. And, sadly, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. What I can say is that I enjoy life in Singapore and while there are shortcomings, I've seen much worse. For what it's worth, I'm happy to call Singapore home

DRGjr72 wrote:

Please don't take this reply as anything but an observation.  I am not attempting to be disrespectful as I am merely a guest in Singapore and don't understand all of the complexities of the politics, of being from here, or being a citizen here for some time.

As mentioned before, I am not Singaporean and I only have a glimpse of what is going on here, and albeit a short period of time.  But I come from the US and the 4th of July is the one day of the year, where regardless of what crap is going on I am able to salute my flag and give thanks and admiration for all of those who have sacrificed to create the country that I call home.  It allows me to reflect on the history and what it means to me.  Yes there are times where I am not sentimental because I dislike who is in power or what they are doing to the country I call home, but at the same time I am from there and it is my duty to show respect to those who have fallen for me to have the freedoms that me and my family are able to enjoy. 

National day, seems similar to me.  From what I have gathered in my research is that Singapore had an extremely tough road in WW2 and through it's independence.  From that I see a great nation has emerged and while many may not agree with the politics and happenings here currently, you are blessed to be able to live in such a place that has a low crime rate, relatively free from drugs, and citizens who are not only tolerant to many different ethnicities, but warm and welcoming.  Believe me when I say there are far worse places where you could live.  I am not sure if even the worst off Singaporean would want to live in some places that I have been in the US.

Essentially..while I do agree that there is always going to be discontent with whatever government is in power, use days like this to celebrate what you have and what people before you have sacrificed.   

I could sit here for hours and go on about how I don't like what has happened in the US recently and how the current administration is the worst, blah, blah blah...but it would never preclude me from celebrating the independence day that is important to me and my country.  Sometimes you just have to put some of the BS aside and celebrate that day for what it is.

Finally, if I was ever unhappy enough with my country that I would not support or display the flag...that would be a clear sign for me to leave and move somewhere else that I did respect.  

Sorry...rant over and hope that I did not offend anyone with my perspective on what has been said about National day here in SG.

 
+1 Like this too...

Wat you said strikes a chord with what a wise man told me once..."loving your country doesnt mean you have to love the ppl who's running it"

I also thought what you said is very meaningful. Celebrate on how we got to where we are. Imagine having a non singaporean telling us how to celebrate. Very paisey you know...you certainly made me look like an ungrateful bugger...haha.

I tried. Like i said, its just harder now. I hope its not the same for the rest of you.

I'll try to celebrate it for the sake of Leftenan Adnan and Lim Bo Seng...hmmm wait...dats before we became independent...

I'll celebrate it for our brothers in SCDF, SPF and SAF who have given their life in the course of their duty.....(hmm didnt we already have that too?...SAF Day?...)...

aiyah....i'll just celebrate it for the fireworks... (oh shucks...that's my tax they are turning to fancy fires..)...

Oh well....i'll just celebrate it as any other holidays......

DRGjr72 wrote:

... give thanks and admiration for all of those who have sacrificed to create the country that I call home...

 Dan,

The spirit is very different here.. Americans are show their patriotism and their love for the independence day. it is the day, your people celebrate INDEPENDENCE.
(there is a even movie call Independence day), it is clearly nothing to do with political parties, government etc..

Here, in the good of days, we parade our tanks, choppers and F16, drive them down the streets to show the people what we have,(actually we still do parade our fighter jets and choppers). the people all stand and cheer when the prime minister and president arrives in their 8/16 traffic police escorted convoy...
 I think it is a scaled down version of the China and North Korea National day. Hail supreme leader...

I am not saying Singaporean do not love our country. It is just that our home, seems very different from what it was.. more and more immigrants, calling themselves Singaporeans. when I was in primary school, i remembered in my society studies class, that we have a population of 2.8M... that was only 18 years ago. 1985.
in the short span of 20 years we nearly doubled in population.

nrafee wrote:

DRGjr72 wrote:

... give thanks and admiration for all of those who have sacrificed to create the country that I call home...

 Dan,

The spirit is very different here.. Americans are show their patriotism and their love for the independence day. it is the day, your people celebrate INDEPENDENCE.
(there is a even movie call Independence day), it is clearly nothing to do with political parties, government etc..

Here, in the good of days, we parade our tanks, choppers and F16, drive them down the streets to show the people what we have,(actually we still do parade our fighter jets and choppers). the people all stand and cheer when the prime minister and president arrives in their 8/16 traffic police escorted convoy...
 I think it is a scaled down version of the China and North Korea National day. Hail supreme leader...

I am not saying Singaporean do not love our country. It is just that our home, seems very different from what it was.. more and more immigrants, calling themselves Singaporeans. when I was in primary school, i remembered in my society studies class, that we have a population of 2.8M... that was only 18 years ago. 1985.
in the short span of 20 years we nearly doubled in population.

 
Thank you for the insight.  Like I mentioned before..I am a newbie here relatively speaking and my points were merely an observation of what I experience at home on a day that is similar in nature to what I have seen/heard here.  This is how I learn about the culture and what drives peoples decisions and rationale.  It is how you learn.

I was just merely sharing my point of view on a topic that seemed to be getting very negative, and where I am from a "national" type day is a day of positivity about your country, regardless of what is going on.  It was a day to celebrate the fact that you were there and that was your country.

To your point, my country, too, is different than it was 20-25 years ago.  I can recall things that I did as a kid that I can no longer do, or will never be able to allow my son to do.  Is that a bad thing?  I think it depends on your perspective.  Things change, people change, countries change.  I adapted and dealt with it back home..what other choice did I have as I was not in power and could not change the laws or policy.

As far as immigration is concerned...I don't want to touch that one as it is a hot button topic here.  But in the US, it is what we know.  We are a country that is filled with immigrants.  It might be the most diverse population of people in the world.  I do see how it can be an issue though.  It is one there today.  Tons of talk and discussion on what is right and wrong and how to we make sure that we are doing what is correct for the citizens of our country.  Big issue in the US is illegals, it seems here is the amount of immigrants that they are allowing.  A little different.

peace2903 wrote:

DRGJr72, I actually wanted to write and join in the fray of complaining. But after reading your insight..... I 'remembered' the meaning of National Day - Singapore's independence!
Thank you for the reminder!

 this is even better... the independence of  Singapore wasn't quite the same as any other countries where people fought and died for freedom...
We were kicked out by malaysia government in 1965 where Lee Kuan Yew wept... (at 58sec of the video)

Come.. history lesson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ND3U_9HgQ

I love my country and I will still hang the flag.
After reading some posts above these are my thoughts,

Do you know how much food wastage was during this type of celebration?
Do you know the manpower wasted on manning or organising?

I was personally involved in the NDP before and witnessing more than few boxes of food (with at least 20 to 30 packets in one box) being thrown away due to over indenting, or food wastage. Have you seen our own Singaporean (I do not mean new immigrants who are PR or granted Citizenship), after every rehearsal scavenging the rubbish container for good. Have you seen our own Singaporean scavenging for the so called useless goodies bags only to find out that they wanted the bags as school bags for their children.

Manpower standing by from Morning till late night for the preparation.. And I have not seen the NDP since dunno how many years but nevertheless I will still hang the flag out as I am proud to be a true blue Singaporean.

Khorkar wrote:

Less than 1 month to go.  Hope I can encourage my fellow Singaporeans to raise them as high as possible,

 bro bro bro ....

why do you even want to open this can of worms ?????

this is my country, this is my flag
this is my future, this is my life
this is my family, these are my friends
we are singapore, we are singapore,
we will stand together, hear the lion roar

   

OK, let's be frank.

You may be Singaporean.

You may be Malaysian.

You may be American.

You may be Martian.

But, you are a golfer and whichever the case...

......Have a good golf weekend.

Raise the flag? No.
On the 9th of August, I'll just be observing a moment of silence for the late grand old dame who's been turned into a circus roadshow.

bogeyman72 wrote:

rt wrote:

this is my country, this is my flag
this is my future, this is my life
this is my family, these are my friends
we are singapore, we are singapore,
we will stand together, hear the lion roar

   

kucing "miao miao"-ing, still fantasizing it is a lion?

hahaha

what a pity!

s-killer wrote:

Khorkar wrote:

Less than 1 month to go.  Hope I can encourage my fellow Singaporeans to raise them as high as possible,

 bro bro bro ....

why do you even want to open this can of worms ?????

All, I think we need to be objective and understand the point of raising national flag.  It is to mark and respect that what Singapore's independence day stood for and that you love the country.  Each of us may agree or disagree on politics, people or whatsoever.  Its all acceptable but one much respect the love for country and the land.  Therefore, you raise the flag regardless the background and it goes beyond all differences of opinions.

Above all, this is important and being a matured society.

I really love national day because it is a public holiday and I may be able to play a round golf to celebrate our independence. 

Ok, on a serious note, I do love my country as this is the place I call home. I have lived abroad but never felt the sense of belonging. This is where I belong but I just feel that it shouldnt be a case where one will feel patriotic on a particular day. Its a waste of money and resources, and I just dont like the annual propaganda.