school is getting more and more "interesting" as the days go by. i somehow feel threatened and insecure as a result of events or things that have happen in school eversince the start of this year and the change of school management.

take recently for example, the blogging issue in which my classmate, Terrance and a few others were apprehanded for making remarks about the school principal which are supposedly "unfounded" and "untrue" according to the Principal, himself, he was also made to do a public apology stating that all that he said was false. to me, by saying that this incident as mentioned is "unfounded" and "untrue" is as good as denying the fact that this incident actually took place. we all knew that the incident DID take place and the things that were done were indeed TRUE and not some form of fabrication of students who just want some attention. isn't this similiar to lying? or would i take it as covering one's backside after all, some people could get into real trouble with MOE if it was ever leak there.

blogs to me are personal diaries and in the face of modern technology, a place whereby we could vent our anger, pen our thoughts and express our feelings. freedom of expression and freedom of speech exists there. this is like a little universe of our own. a space where we can forget who we are and be someone that we always wanted to be.

the reason why i started this blog was so as to express the many disgruntlements that i have with the things around me and to provide my friends with a source of entertainment to cheer them up. as much as i may agree that there should be a form of censorship, wouldnt it be a better idea if these people just leave our blogs alone. i believe that there is choice to read or not to read the entry. and in this case, whoever that read it, chose the former and as a result all these things started happening, disrupting our otherwise stressful lives by adding additional stress to it.

under the media laws, as long as there is truth reported in what that was being said even as deframatory as it may seem, it is right. take the watergate scandal for example, the media reported the scandal. were they sue? or they suppress like how we are now? the answer is No. why? coz there is truth in whatever that they reported and the American Government knows it. but in my case here it is different. in what way different you may wonder? the truth was being told, feelings were being expressed and it was ultimately suppressed by the "government". are they really that scared of the consequences or they just unhappy about what was happening? these are some of the possible theories that one may examine from a student's point of view.

where now can we express how we feel? when even our blogs are not safe from the scrutiny of the school management? express it to them? nah. u think it is possible? i do not think so. everything that we believe in and everything that we feel is now under threat. the general feeling after speaking with some people is that we never know when or where we will be called up for a coffee session with the principal if we are ever unhappy with anything about the school and express them publicly. if all these people can come to the same conclusion it would mean that we all feel the same way with regards to certain issues and that something is really wrong.

express it to the teachers perharps? you sure? i tell you why. because they will shoot you down and convince you that it is the right way to go and that things will be better after a while and after that they completely forget about the entire things. i express my unhappiness over some issues to the former principal, Mrs Ong and several teachers which are in existent and valid. but is anything done? No. things are still the same as it is and i have learn to live with it with a little modifications here and there and they told me exactly what i just typed.

another possible source that we are go one may say are the Student Council? are you sure? the Student Council in the eyes of many is the political mouthpiece of the school. whatever the school management wants, it is directed through them and from there they try to convince the students that it is right and it is the way to go. they are just not the leaders that they are suppose to be. they are just figureheads for a greater power behind the scenes. have anything been done while they are around? ya. the most notable achievement to date would probably be the change in canteen vendors other than that? i really can't think of any. but i also must give credit where credit is due, like the 2nd Student Council did try to make some changes and propose them to the teachers in charge and what happened? it was shot down and deemed as unsuitable. of course, one may argue that they do organise things like orientation and concerts and such but at whose direction? the school's.

as a leader or a representative of the school, it is important that they fight for our rights and to make school a better place and a more condusive enviroment for all of us ultimately. but do we see that happening? yes. they do fight. but among themselves. for power, for prestige, for glory and for the need to be recongnise and to be the most popular guy or girl around. to me, the vast majority of them are not leaders but rather childish kids who wants a little fame and glory. how then can we highlight our problems when this avenue is closed too? deframation? nah. it is the truth.

i quote from the principal in a speech he make this morning, "if you are unhappy about the school policies, you can always come to look for me or any of my teachers.........and we will explain it to you in great detail" note the word that is being used here is "explain" and not "we will try to do something about it if it is valid" by saying this sentence, it further supports the fact that the school in not open to suggestions and would come down hard on us if we ever attempt to do so as there is also a hint of a threat in the last few words of his sentence "explain it to you in great detail" the tone in which is was delievered to me, was a little intimidating and it is like openly challenging anyone to deframe him and the school.....if we dare and faced expulsion if so.

we would also be expelled if ever such an incident happens again as quoted by the principal once again but i can assure myself and others that the school cannot expel us on the basis that we spoke up for what is wrong, which is indeed wrong and for highlighting the mistakes of a few certain people. they can only expel us if crime is being commited or if they feel we are beyond their control which in this case is not as it was only the principal that was insulted for somethings that was being done.

so am i suppose to feel intimidated by what was being said and done? no. i feel disgusted rather. and for those that know me, i do not get disgusted that easily and when i do i can get really vocal and critical of it. i believe in standing up and speaking up for what i believe in and i hold on to these beliefs tightly even though i may be at the losing end at times. if you are wrong. you are wrong. i would respect you even more if the fault is being admitted but if you try to cover up and push the blame elsewhere, i surely have something to say about it.

take for example, recently one of my fellow CLTs tried to push the blame to me for something which was very plain obvious to everyone that it was really his fault and not mine as i wasn't even suppose to be involved in the first place. what happened in the end? i gave him a piece of my mind for untrueful accusations. if you think that i will back down when i am accuse, one is wrong. i will always stand up to fight for my right and if i really am at fault. i am not afraid to admit it and to apologise for the inconvenience caused.

that in my opinion is how a gentlemen and a leader should behave. for cadets will not look up to you when you try to push the blame elsewhere or to cover up, instead they will start questioning themselves why are they following such a leader? a leader is suppose to be a role model, a friend, a confidante. in the end, they would respect you for your rank and not you as a person, which i feel is rather sad. to get things done, one first need the support of the masses as things done willingly, are things that are being accomplished with quality. the mandate of the cadets are important without a doubt.

i do not mind anyone reading my blog, be it teachers or students, friends or enemies. you may come to understand me better or you may come to loathe me as a result. but at least at the end, you will know how i feel even though i may not express my feelings to you. but to punish me for expressing wrongdoings is wrong. these is being known as suppression or oppression and i think it is wrong.

to me, the current situation is just like being in a totalitarian state. where i am not suppose to say what i want, to do what i like but rather i have to be cautious of what i say and what i do or i could be "arrested". Suppression and Oppression at its very best. history has already proven itself time and time again that these 2 actions are the causes for the fall of dynasties and the rise of nationalism or the start of a revolution.

French Revolution started coz the people were not happy with the French monarchy for the oppression that they faced. the policies that were implemented.

Russian Revolution started too coz the people were not happy with the Russian monarch for the suppression that they faced and the policies that were being implemented.

China Revolution started coz the people were unhappy with the Qing Government for the policies that were implemented and the suppression that they faced.

note the similiarites in which all these revolutions take place? these are only a few examples of the revolutions that happened throughout the course of history. but the factors are all the same. respect is lost as a result of the implementation of policies that are suppose to be "beneficial" to the people but in the end, it caused more harm than good. they lost the mandate of the people to rule. take the Emacipitation of Serfs in Russia by Nicholas II for example. it was started off with good intentions but ultimately led to the downfall of the Tsar and the many social and economic problems that plague Russia for a few generations.

by suppressing the people, nothing good will come out of it. it is only a short term effect and in long run what will happen? how long can the people be suppress before they stand up to fight for what they believe in? most revolutions as stated before starts this way. mandate once lost is not easy to get it back.

i guess i have stray too much from the main point. the point that i want to make is that opinions should be heard and respected and that there should be a good relationship between the school and the students, after all, what school can function without students and what students we will be without the school? it is a win-win situation for both parties and sometimes it is necessary to compromise on either side. we will all benefit from it.

freedom of expression and speech should be encouraged as it is only through criticsim that we can learn? if one only wants to hear what is right, one will only be stuck there while others are able to move on. to me, i feel that criticisim is important for developement as a person. it will only make you better as you know what is wrong with you. but in order to do that, one has put aside egoism as it is the only barrier that stands in our way. it is human to be pissed when something bad is being said about oneself but that is being petty. personal grudges should be put aside as we work towards a greater goal. we should look at the big picture as a whole and not that small picture. great leaders are able to visualise long term and not short term. i believe that the direction in which we are going is right but perharps that methods being used are wrong.

i will stand behind my friends as long as they are in the right but even if they are at fault, i will still stand by them as the bonds of friendship are tested by trials and tribulations and i believe in loyalty towards friends.

"We should be living in a world with the freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of worship and freedom from fear" - Theodore Roosevelt (quoted from a blog that i've read)