All The Hoo-Ha

Note: This post does not pretend to have any deep analysis on the National Day Rally.

Today's paper, as expected, was chock-full of articles on PM Lee's National Day Rally speech. I spent an admittedly short time watching the live telecast on TV.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me, is that all free-to-air channels in Singapore are showing it. Talk about having a captive audience. And thank god for cable. Nothing says "State Sponsored Television" more than simultaneous broadcasting of the same program.

Another that that amazes me, is how many times can the audience nod their head in "aggreement" whenever the camera pans in their direction. I don't know if their neck is strained after the whole shebang, but my patience sure was wore thin.

I mean, you don't need to nod you head on camera so that everyone on TV know you agree with whatever's being said. I don't think I'll ever see people like JBJ or some opposition misfit getting invited to such an event.

So If you are invited to the speech, you probably is part of the establishment. Nothing wrong with that, by the way.

But I sympathise with the audience. Come on. You can't take a nap, it'll probably be very rude to stand up mid-speech to go for a shite. And when you kena TV camera, you must show that you are very attentive and not yawn. And to sustain this, for 3hr plus.

Back to the main point. There is no point to this post. Why?

Because remember, this is a Rally. You know who gets rallied?

Troops going to war (to die) and Citizens who get motivated by a politician making promises in a 3 hr speech.

So don't get all hyped up over some initiatives that are yet to be implemented. Yes, the policies/intiatives all look promising, but execution of the plan is very important.

Remember this. What policies we have now (some that are bad) were probably announced amid roaring clapping some years ago in a National Day Rally.

What we have now, (depending of your point of view, whether we are in a good or bad state) was probably the result of policies announced in some Rallies some years ago.

So we should critique the present, and not praise what is yet to be implemented. No point really. Talk is cheap. Lets see the results in this coming year(s).

Related:

Rethoric Vs Reality