http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070919/tap-thailand-accident-air-c8d5519.html

The Thai air plane crash that has been all over the news recently is now nearing its final moments and with its closing comes several new revelations. While the facts and amount of injured and confirmed blow are without doubt some of the more important parts of the article, the fact that the plane was twice as old as it was previously thought to be is far more thought-provoking. Certainly, it is not a good indication on the budget airlines and the Thai authorities’ part, and the tourism industry will certainly be feeling the effects. And yet, one must ask why such a basic mistake might be made.

Of course, any such guesses will not receive any indication of truth from the Thai authorities. However, possibly, it is simply because there is far too much information regarding every little detail, every small fact in the running of the country. Even the most advanced computers, and even the neatest filing systems have their limits and while the truth remains and in fact has already been found, it is nigh-impossible for everything to be available at a moment’s notice.

This is also seen in how the cause of the plane crash has still not been discovered. There are far too many factors to consider. The article names bad weather, dangerous wind conditions, airport malfunctions, and pilot error, each amazingly detailed and complicated upon study, and more importantly, each a separate field in one process. To fully understand the situation is to require the meteorologists, pilots, and aviation experts. Vutichai Singhamany, a safety director at the Department of Civil Aviation, states "the investigation will take time -- I cannot say how long.’

There have been many cases of similar cases, and it has always been said that ‘accidents happen’. This incident of the budget plane crash is but one in a series of many that attests the limits of the human ability and what happens when one ventures too far into the field of human error. Of course steps are always taken to reduce the possibility of human error, but until the day where every single last process can be automated and carried out by technology, which appears to be in the distance, it will still continue to exist. The right way and the only way to respond is to try to improve yet again, pick up the pieces, and continue to move forwards, like what the Thai authorities have tried to do.

"Young money is big"

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20070922/tap-301373-231650b.html

The article addresses the phenomenon of teenagers being the target group of many different products today. The different products show certain traits of teenagers nowadays, such as teenagers being ‘more exposed and experimental’ according to marketing manager Tan Theng Theng and the desire to be unique or in accordance with fashion. These various reasons have caused the market to concentrate more than previously on teenagers as a suitable target audience, and it would not be far-fetched to claim that this may result in certain subtle changes, such as advertisements, products, and even publicity events being aimed at teenagers. We could well see a slow shift towards a ‘younger’ outlook in industries in general.

However, beyond that and concentrating more on the teenagers themselves, it reveals certain important facts about teenagers. For example, that teenagers would make a suitable target audience for $25 facials and t-shirts shows that the amount of money teenagers have access too recently is much more than in previous times. That the teenagers are described as ‘extremely viral’ or in other words that they spread news and ideas around quickly and forcefully show that most teenagers are easily influenced by their peers. By themselves, these observations are simple and perhaps harmless.

And yet it would be advisable to read more deeply into these observations and see what it foretells. For example, the fact that teenagers are easily influenced has both pros and cons. A successful government campaign aimed towards teenagers, for example, is likely to be incredibly effective due teenagers spreading word and starting a chain reaction. And on the flip side, negative influences such as drugs that gains influence among teenagers are likely to spread just as quick and cause massive damage. That teenagers have more pocket money could mean that parents are holding a looser rein on them, which again has its negative and positive aspects.

I feel that it is especially important for the government to take note of such aspects of teenagers. As mentioned before, the government can take advantage of this and carry out its policies effectively, and it would do well to ensure that no harmful effects manifest. At the same time, I am certain that the government recognize that teenagers are and will be the future of Singapore, and as such, extra attention must be paid to them if Singapore’s prosperity is to be ensured.

In the long run, there is no telling what may happen to these important aspects of teenagers. Possibly they might increase in magnitude, or perhaps they might eventually die off. Either way, however, I feel that it is certain that they will have strong effects, and should not be ignored.

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070520/3/32532.html

This article is certainly news of great importance. It shows the return of a veteran of Singapore politics, and another important member of the opposition. The fact Jeyeratnam has returned with the intent to form another political party can only mean that there will be more opposition to the PAP and therefore a much more diverse political scene. This is likely to be beneficial in aiding Singapore from becoming a one-party state and promoting democracy.

Certainly, the fact that Jeyeratnam has returned has the potential for much political impact, most of which is positive for Singapore’s political scene, which has been dominated by the PAP almost effortlessly in recent years. However, as with all else, there can be negative consequences as well. Jeyeratnam has advocated reform tirelessly, and many fear that reform may well introduce much unneeded imbalance in growing Singapore that can only have negative effects. Similarly, there is the possibility that Jeyeratnam would be bankrupted by the Lee family once again, which would almost certainly snuff out his political career.

This article is a bit unique itself because in addition to Jeyeratnam’s views, there are opposing views as well, stated without quoting in the article. This is quite different from other articles and adds an extra bit of depth to the article; it shows that there are conflicting opinions regarding certain ideas and gives the reader food for thought on political issues in Singapore. Indeed, even outside of that, the article also provides points of view that go against the PAP, such as that of Amnesty International, for which I think, gives the article more coverage depth.

In regards to Jeyeratnam himself, one cannot help but hope somewhat that he is at the very least successful. If he does succeed, it can only mean some good things as it is unlikely he will be able to invoke massive reform, but will in the process give a new opinion and voice in the Parliament and provide more competition to the PAP, who may well be pushed to give better options to the citizens to maintain more seats. At the same time, it would be a much brighter future for Jeyeratnam himself after long years of bankruptcy and certainly a much welcomed change in his life.

Luckily, it appears that for this article there are not many influences that can give cause for my being prejudiced or biased. Since young I have taken very little interest in politics and do not care very much about my family members tendency towards the opposition parties. There may be a possibility of being biased towards Jayaretnam for being bankrupted, which I consider as a rather bad fate, but otherwise I have tried to be objective at all times possible and believe that this article does not show any major signs of prejudice.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070510/5/singapore275191.html

Generally, this article is one of many that I find hard to truly understand. It deals with teenagers that for the most part, I do not think I am similar to. But it is meaningful even if I am not similar to them, on a societal level, because of the social problem that this article portrays, and personally, because it shows me some problems that I myself may well face that are common associated with youth.

The article as well points out that contrary to the belief of most Singaporeans, teenagers are able to cope with problems by themselves and also to make the right choices even after making some wrong ones. All of this really shows that people are not condemned after making certain choices because they can still break out of what they got themselves into. Although a simple idea in itself, this idea seems rather untrue; there have been many classic cases of ‘problem children’ that we are exposed to, that all portray people who take wrong path in life and unredeemable. The article on the other hand, provides evidence to the contrary.

Once again, the article does however have certain flaws, although it is arguable that the laws regarding media prevent them from fixing these flaws, which is that only one point of view is represented, or if several points of view are shown, that these points of view all concur. All the points of view in this article all speak about the positive effects of the centres, hotline, and programme on the youths. Of course, even if there were divergent views, it is unlikely that it would have been allowed to be published, but otherwise other views could only help the article. Without portraying opposing ideas, the article glaringly points out to the reader that not all ideas may be provided, only positive ones.

It is not difficult to empathize with the youths in this article. The article already points out that the youths are being led back to the right track in life with the help of the centers and hotline and it is quite obvious that they are happy at the moment. The next logical step would be to gauge the response at a more in-depth level and then see if it would be beneficial to open more centres or another hotline. Another alternative would be to have more focus on certain troubling issues; the boy-girl relationship problems stated in the article are an excellent example.

In closing, I must of course state that in my views and opinions there may be certain misjudgments. One example of this would simply be how I tend to make sweeping statements and assume that those teenagers who get into fights and other similar behaviour are juvenile delinquents who have no positive side. This is of course unlikely to be true, and there may well be several exceptions, but because of the majority, such biased statements are made for convenience.

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,124124,00.html?

This article is particularly important to me here because it, of course, applies directly my age group. But beyond personal importance, the article also shows something vital about our current society, which is simply, that children are not only becoming more mature and exposed overall but also that parents are starting to lose their control over their children’s upbringing more. It must be said that while parents are not wrong in trying to give their children more control over their own lives, at the same time I feel that they are being over excessive in the aspect, leading to the current situation.

This aspect of control shows itself in nearly all about things too. The concept where control must be balanced between excess and deficiency is incredibly important. It is somewhat similar to stretching a rubber band: if you overwork it, it will snap. But if you do not stretch it, then it will not be able to do whatever it needs to. When thinking about life in general, this much is true even for a student. Work and play must be balanced between excess and deficit.

Although it should be noted that as with nearly all kinds journalism this article only offers a few points of view that are roughly similar to each other(Aoxiang Counselling Service and Pastor Andrew Choo in this case). The children themselves do not have their perspective presented in this article which must, I admit, make for a rather one-sided article. Certainly the children themselves will account for their behavior, and it would be more effective to get their opinions as well, although of course it is possible that it is difficult to get them to reveal what they think.

The point of view of the children in question may have been somewhat painted in a negative light in the article, considering it’s called a ‘worrying trend’ and ‘a social problem’. While I do not deny that this is something that should not be encouraged, at the same time one should not think that the children are simply delinquents are the like. Rather, they, as stated by the article itself, are merely more open-minded and less conservative. As such, the children should not be thought as ‘problem children’ and I think that they would not want to be thought of as such either.

Of course, as with many cases, one cannot speak for others. Although I do think that the children are not to be victimized, this is merely my own point of view. Without hearing about their own opinions straight from themselves, there is no way of knowing fully what they really think. However, all ideas and responses must be made with that limit and hence this is the best I can do.

Response to article about politics/societal issues

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070221/ap_on_re_as/koreas_nuclear;_ylt=AmgYZTy8bUts205YbIdP7zPMWM0F

My first thought of this article is that it is significant. The power of nuclear warfare is seen here. Economically, nuclear warfare’s power is shown by the compensation price, and politically it has forced many powerful countries to convince North Korea to give it up. However, that is still merely on the surface. To me, what is even deeper than that is the current world we live in. That North Korea must be convinced with such a heavy price only shows how fragile our current world is, considering that even though only two countries may be taken out, that is more than enough to possibly cause major chaos in the world.

If that is so, then why does our world not erupt into chaos? The reason is simply because there are major powers like the United States and the European Union that are always making sure that the world does not slip off that fine line. This kind of concept also applies to other situations too. For example, in sports played in real life, there are almost always referees or umpires. This too, follows the concept where someone of high authority handles things. Even in simple family relationships, the head of the family makes sure no quarrels erupt.

Although of course, this comes from the United States’ point of view, considering the Washington origin. And while the article is certainly reasonable in saying that North Korea with nuclear bombs is a threat to the safety of the world, one cannot help but think about the North Koreans’ ideas. To them they are being stripped of one of their important assets. Would they not think that it would be more reasonable for them to keep their nuclear program and instead simply ban weapons instead?

Indeed, while it may seem difficult to come to terms, considering the reported ill-treatment of North Koreans by defectors, with the fact that North Korea may have a need to be advantaged, stripping North Korea of nuclear power may well only cause harm to the North Koreans without minimizing any kind of danger. Although I may not have undergone the same treatment that these people have and cannot speak for them completely, I believe that this would be the most advantageous for them from what I know.

Although, of course, I too am subject to influences that affect this response. For example, the media has always painted a negative image of North Korea in my mind and I must admit that I can only think of North Koreans as mostly suffering and do not know much else. There are also other prejudices present, such as the view of others on the internet, which have mostly been anti-Bush which do make me somewhat untrusting about the current United States’ politics. However, these are the limits of knowledge to a state where they have all but closed their borders, and also as an imperfect person, for which I hope I have minimized my prejudice as much as possible.

500 words