The Best of Times the Worse of Times

Whole of last week I've just been so jittery
Best of times worst of times line by Charles dickens ringing in my head .
In the throes of change
A tipping point
Will things change for better or for worse of just stay the same? 

Thaipusam 2015.. I don't want to forget it. 
Already things are quieter about it.

Last week I felt so much for those three men on trial for the fights
First time ever found myself doubting our justice system.
I felt the difference between knowing something all along and then really recognising something.  Have always known that newspapers twist the news to present only one sanctioned view. Now I really saw it . Online media though messy presented so many different perspectives ideas challenging the sanctioned views.
So often i was  blatantly disgusted at the reporting in ST that ignored calls about people's unhappiness over the unfairness of no music allowed for thaipusam and allowed for so many others like chinghay Chinese funerals st Patrick's day etc. 

Police and ST and ministers boldly claimed the men smelled of alcohol. One of the men denies drinking totally.  So convenient to label Indians as drunkards and then excuse brutish thuggish police behaviour as necessary to contain them. So convenient so despicable.  so frightening too.. if they stoop to this for a fight when else have they done this? What about the riots last year? Inept scared police just blame who they can to explain their pathetic performance. It appears instead of quelling the riots or preventing the fight they likely fuelled it by their stupid boorishness.  So now what?

One of the men claims he shoved a man who pushed his sister in law down.  Now that lady has filed a report against the police themselves.  What bravery! She has done this despite threats from the police that if these allegations are found to be untrue severe action will be taken against her. What utter bravery! Esp when we see the police are totally cool with twisting facts to protect themselves and the government will support the police to preserve the image of a clean government.
Frightening.
Very very frightening.
Utopia turned dystopia just like that
Coz social media reveals different sides to stories.

Then the crazy politicians commenting on this. Advising public not to overreact. Firstly it was the police who overreacted. Then the politicians telling us to remember law and order and policemen must be respected!!! Missing the point. People angry about unfairness of the law. 
People not just Indians but people.
They finally hear us and then go on a wild indefensible defence about privilege.
Public not the police or politicians saw that the rule was unfair and debated that rather than the men who got into a fight. Stupid right? Think it was hard for then to understand what we were mad about. They expected public to say oh good job police you contained the drunkards and the fights. Not wait a minute police why so many plainclothes police why no music in the first place why so rough with devotees etc. Took them by surprise.  Stupid people. 

So now.   We have been asking for music for years. 40 years in fact.  And shanmugam now says we must listen to the people reconsider the allowing of music.  Why you can only hear now , coz the noise is loud.

Then the policing got terrible. 
First ' gag order about the three men and the fracas. That fracas has thrown up gross discrimination and brought about the possibility of music for thaipusam at last after 40 years but we can't talk about them. Apparently we might prejudice the case! Seriously the talking is what might bring about justice rather than prejudice it!  I'm very sure now that without that noise it would have been clear cut throw them in jail the drunk hooligans!  Idiots. So afraid of being shown up as unfair. Idiots 

Then a refusal to grant permit to protest and ask for musical instruments and a public  holiday for thaipusam  . So can't talk online can't talk in  public just shut up and let the powers that be decode everything . Some democracy.  My country!! Filthy.
What are they afraid of? For the first time
Singaporeans getting together to fight for minority rights and they clamp down saying this may divide!  They are just afraid! Afraid the racist policies of the country will be talked about that people will become aware. Like i said filthy! !!

so we are at a turning point of sorts. Will we get musical instruments next year. I think so, though there was this dubious horrendous message from MHA recently about why music and road closures are allowed for ching gay and St Patrick's but not Thaipusam - apparently route is shorter and risk factor is less - what rubbish! they are scared of Indians. that's the problem. and letting the events of 40 years ago cloud their thinking now. cannot grow up, cannot let go. paranoid freakish government. I'm close to despising them. I cannot take them seriously now. I view their actions with suspicion. Race politics in this day and age in MY country. 

Will we get a holiday next year. No - some ministry came straight out and said no but I respect them for addressing the issue head on, no stupid excuses about privileges, just facts and their honest fear that if we give this holiday, we'll have to give holidays for many more religious events and that will become a slippery slope. I respect that. It's acknowledging in fact that maybe a holiday should be given but that it can't coz of other consequences now. at least treats the reading public as educated and understanding. 

Unlike MHA with blanket statements about one being more risky than the other. What a load of bull. cowards. how to respect them like this. bums. 

How bout those three men? I pray for them. everyday we all need to pray for them. in my eyes, they are the heroes of this play - the ones who got the whole thing moving so that at least 40 years later the gov is at last acknowledging the rules need to be changed. if they are imprisoned and punished, they become like sacrifices for this good thing to happen. I pray for them everyday. 

so... yes... best and worst of times no?