Politics airport-style

This week, headline news was made when Thai protesters arrayed against the elected government seized and occupied Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports, cutting the capital off from international air links. What is fight all about? Full essay.

The government wants active citizens so that they can harass them

Remember the campaign a few years back calling for "active citizens"? Here's a story about the troubles we go through, harassed by the governmental apparatus every step of the way when one attempts to organise a forum and film showcase. Full essay.

Conversation stoppers

In Malaysia, islamists warn off critics of the recent fatwa against "tomboys". In Singapore our government zealously files contempt of court charges against the Wall Street Journal Asia and three activists, in separate cases. Strange bedfellows? Full essay.

One party good, two parties bad, says PM Lee. Again.

Lee Hsien Loong said incoming President Obama will be attempting to undo the fruits of George Bush's labours, it's the nature of a two-party system that there will be this chopping and changing. Singapore cannot afford such an adversarial two-party system, he said. Not for the first time. Full essay.

Screwed by the impotent

DBS Bank is retrenching 900 employees following a poor third quarter performance. Lim Swee Say, cabinet minister and trade union czar, blasted it for not consulting the union beforehand. But why should DBS Bank do so? Full essay.

Tea leaves from California's Proposition 8

What can Singaporeans learn from the failed campaign against Proposition 8? In my view, attention needs to be paid to opinion formation among ethnic minorities, and to developing an effective response to irrational fears that children will turn gay. Full essay.

Scary ride down the economic roller coaster

The financial crisis has turned into an economic one. Singapore's GDP growth may be negative in 2009; lay-offs begin, and still no one knows where the bottom is. Full essay.

Bali bombers and the death penalty

Having moral convictions is easy. Holding them fast against the reality that people are capable of doing abominably evil deeds is a lot more difficult. Full essay.

Man killed for exposing himself

Suhaimi Sulong propositioned 2 young men in Orchard Towers for oral sex and exposed himself to a third. These 3, with 3 more friends, attacked him, beating him to death. Originally charged with manslaughter, the charges were later reduced. Was the prosecutor showing undue leniency? Full essay.

Obama: change we can expect

Americans have elected a new leader, who will take office next January. A quick essay sharing my reading of this man, after watching him for almost a year as he campaigned for the presidency. Full essay.

Indulgence towards anti-gay hate speech

A run-of-the-mill news story in the Straits Times attracts anti-gay rants. Why are these allowed to stand when similar hate speech touching on race and religion are not? asked a reader. Full essay.