Lee Hsien Loong disparages NSmen

From: "truth"
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:05:40 GMT
Local: Fri, Oct 2 2009 11:05 am
Subject: Lee Hsien Loong disparages NSmen

I'm shocked that these words can come from a former Brigadier-General of the
Singapore Armed Forces, the current Prime Minister of Singapore!

"If we make it (NS and Reservist for PR) a requirement, we would not get the
people we wanted. Secondly, if they did serve NS at 30, 40 and 50 years old.
I would not like to be their platoon commander."

If I have not learned to be cool, calm and collected from my guru, Wisdom,
the first words that should come from my mouth would be: "KNNMCCB" or, "Fcuk
you, man!"

So why am I so bloody mad?

I was released from the bondage of NS and reservists' in-camp training
almost 20 years ago at age 40! It hurts me to know that having been
considered over the hill as a NSman at 30, I was still asked to waste my
time to serve certain platoon commanders who did not appreciate my service.

I do not know the context at which such stupid statement came from a
statesman but to belittle the contributions and sacrifices of thousands of
NSmen who serves till 40 is appallingly sick! It is so sad to know that
Singapore citizens who recite the Singapore Aspiration (Pledge?) are lesser
mortals in Singapore than PRs who spice up the lives of elite Singaporeans!

Why such callous deed tears my guts out?

At this moment, my 18 month-old grand-daughter is yearning for her father.
She is fatherless for 3 weeks because her 35 year-old dad (who is my son) is
out of Singapore in some godforsaken jungle somewhere doing reservist
training which his Platoon Commander (if he were PM Lee) does not appreciate
because he's too old to be in NS.

It's all well and good when careless politician speaks of buying votes and
fixing oppositions [Link] but to callously deride the sacrifices of so many
true blue Singaporean NSmen is really asking for trouble.

NSmen and reservists are already disillusioned by ministers who make a
mockery of nation serving by paying themselves millions; the 'white horse'
classification of NSmen and the disadvantage they face in equal employment
opportunity [Link].

Mr Prime Minister, why rock the boat further with such insensitivity?

Under the current economic and social condition in Singapore,

A grateful heart
A touch of kindness
A sense of solidarity
A caring demeanour

is what we expect from a leader.

A high falutin ingrate is furthest from our minds!

God bless Singapore.