Not only do we refrain from speaking up against the US and it’s allies, commonly referred to as the West, we have echoed their denigration and propaganda against their adversaries like Russia and China. It isn’t far-fetched to say we have become a mouthpiece of the West, especially the US.
Our local newspapers carry articles published by Western newspapers – Reuters, Bloomberg, Agence France-Presse and NYTimes reflecting Western interest everyday. Even worse, our local newspapers tweak the headlines to give a slanted impression. For example, in the bombing of the rail hub in eastern Ukraine on Friday (8/4/22) which killed about 50 civilians, The Straits Times headline reads “50 killed in rocket strike at rail hub for evacuation, says Ukraine” By using “says Ukraine” it gives the impression that Russia is the culprit since Ukraine is reporting the crime, when in fact it is not clear who fired the missile. Our local Business Times is even worse. Its headline for the same story says “At least 50 killed as Russia strikes Ukraine rail evacuation hub”. How does BT know Russia launched the missiles? Many other countries are more objective. The Canberra Times simply headlined the story “50 killed in strike on Ukraine rail hub”, making no reference to the culprit as it is not established.
The one-sided reporting can also be found in our local newspapers everyday when it comes to stories related to the containment of China, stories about countries resisting the imposition of neoliberalism, vaccines, and many others that concern the interest of the Western bloc, especially the US.
Foong Swee Fong
The above is part of an article by Foong Swee Fong posted in the TRE about Singapore becoming a statellite state of the USA. Don't say I say want.
All I can say is, why Singapore allows itself to be in such a state and making an enemy of Russia and unfriendly to China, when it is not in its interest to take the side of one party in international relations? Is Singapore digging its own grave by putting its neck out on the chopping block when it should be playing tai chi and not taking sides? It is ok to be slightly leaning on one side and wavering left and right now and then. To completely slump to one side and to be seen as against another side is like burning the bridge or putting all the eggs in one basket, all in, and hoping for the best. But a wrong decision or the dice turned out differently means its the end. Game over.
What do you think? Is it wise or foolish to jump in at all cost and no turning back, no room to sneak out to safety if the bet is wrong?
21 comments:
As I see it, this pro-Western position of the CNA, the ST and Today have been established long ago, when the cows have not come home yet. However, it was not so obvious previously.
Only in recent times, over the last few years, have things been clearly and distinctively established that these government mouth pieces have been regurgitating the words of foreign newspapers without so much as to make critical comments that would cast a doubt or something.
Sinkie no more have Lky & Rajaratnam, current gen g so out of touch lah..what to do.
In the Star Wars universe; we work for Emperor Palpatine...
Back to the Future:
'First, most of what we know comes from the Russians who investigated the bio-labs that were abandoned following the invasion of Ukraine. These are the people who uncovered the pathogens and other toxic substances that were kept at the 30-or-so facilities around the country. The Russian team has also studied the documents “they received from employees of Ukrainian laboratories on the implementation of military biological programs of the United States.” In other words, the Russians have compiled evidence that the US is violating its obligations under the terms of the Biological Weapons Convention.
Here’s another excerpt from the Russian report that helps to shed light on what’s really been going on at these Ukrainian virus factories:
“During the implementation of these projects, six families of viruses (including coronaviruses) and three types of pathogenic bacteria (pathogens of plague, brucellosis and leptospirosis) were identified. This is due to the main characteristics of these pathogens that make them favourable for the purposes of infection: resistance to drugs, rapid speed of spread from animals to humans, etc…..'
That better stay in the realm of conspiracy theory...
https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/uncle-sams-bio-weapons-extravaganza/
Insolent UK warns superpower China to ‘play by the rules’ or face consequences
Liz Truss, UK foreign secretary, has warned China to learn lessons from the west’s robust economic response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying Beijing will face consequences if it does not “play by the rules”.
Truss, in a hawkish set-piece speech, argued that the Ukraine crisis had delivered a salutary lesson to the west and showed that democracies must use economic levers to rein in authoritarian regimes.
Her comments underline the dramatic change in tone on China taken by Conservative governments since David Cameron, then-prime minister, in 2015 said he wanted the UK to be Beijing’s “best partner in the west”.
In her speech at Mansion House in the City of London, Truss said the west must stop being “naive about the geopolitical power of economics” and get tough with countries such as China.
“Countries must play by the rules and that includes China,” she said, adding that Beijing was “rapidly building a military capable of projecting power deep into areas of European strategic interest”.
“By talking about the rise of China as inevitable, we are doing China’s work for it,” she said. “In fact their rise is not inevitable. They will not continue to rise if they do not play by the rules.
“We have shown with Russia the kind of choices we’re prepared to make when international rules are violated. We’ve shown that we’re prepared to prioritise security and respect for sovereignty over short-term economic gain.”
Truss’s comments appear to be a warning to Beijing that it would face severe economic reprisals if it launched an attack on Taiwan.
Britain in 2020 announced it was banishing Huawei, the Chinese telecoms company, from its 5G network. London has been strongly critical of human rights abuses in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang and a crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
Truss said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had forced the west to reassess its reliance on exports from countries with authoritarian regimes. “We are showing economic access is no longer a given — it has to be earned.”
Truss' comments will be well received by Tory members of parliament — Truss is seen as a potential contender to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister — but are likely to be shrugged aside in Beijing.
The Americans invested so much to build a huge bioweapon infrastructure under the Mariupol steel mill plus another 30 plus bioweapon labs in Ukriane to deal with Russia, targeting to destroy the population of Russia in an overt or covert war. The number of bioweapon labs shows how serious and evil the Americans are and what they are planning to do.
They must have similar facilities in countries around China with even more of such facilities to wipe out the Chinese population. China must hunt down these facilities and target them for destruction. The American fortress in Taiwan, is a good possibility. Japan and South Korean, Okinawa Islands would be likely sites for such facilities.
From records of outbreaks of infectious diseases in China in the last few decades, putting the pieces together, these were not naturally occurring diseases but caused by bioweapons spread by hostile agents to harm China.
Covid19 is the worst case so far, could have crippled China for good. Thank God and the wisdom of Chinese leadership, it is well controlled and prevented from spreading all over China that could have killed millions of Chinese during the last Chinese New Year.
The Chinese know that this is a bioweapon and persisted in not allowing it to spread, with their zero Covid policy. This plague must be stamped out in China. It must not be allowed to go free like in the reckless and irresponsible western countries.
I opine that the red dot is treading on a dangerous path in a very close relationship wif the superpowers in the world !! Russia now is keeping a close watch on this tiny dot knowing it is behaving "unfriendly". We dun want our citizens who travel abroad, esp to Moscow, to be targeted ! We r oredi vulnerable and yet want to stand tall on a world stage ! What for ?
"Dear friends" - Magnanimous Russia Giving Astray Tiny Red Dot a Chance ?
Russia's new Ambassador to Singapore Nikolay Kudashev on April 19 presented his credentials to President Halimah Yacob, and later remarked that he expects Singapore "would reciprocate" his efforts to establish friendly bilateral relations.
The presentation of credentials — a formal diplomatic act where an envoy of a foreign country seeks credence to speak on behalf of his or her home country — was announced by the Russian Embassy here in a Facebook post on April 19.
The Facebook post, signed off by Mr Kudashev, 64, was addressed to "Dear friends" and concluded: "Looking forward to establishing friendly and cordial relations. Expect you would reciprocate.”
Yes, this is a clear message from the Russians, we can still be friends if Singapore stops its hostility against the Russians.
Singapore has been made to stand up like a sore thumb by the Americans and a joke not only in Asean but in the whole world. The American allies are violating all the sanctions and making a fool of Singapore.
Singapore should take this opportunity to make amends and patch up with the Russians and start a new page.
The olive branch has been extended and waiting for Singapore to reciprocate.
Moscow put Singapore on the "unfriendly countries" list after the roaring mouse toed the Western line in imposing non-UN approved sanctions on Russia.
Now Russia says "Dear friends" - meaning taking S'pore off the "unfriendly countries" list, but the Russian envoy also says "establishing" - meaning the "friendly relations" not there yet and needs further action from the city state.
Since there has been the show of reality in the political arena of the Present PAP's central government, the obvious fact that the PAP has committed itself knowingly to the call of Western Powers to align itself with the West, is very telling.
How then can it make amends without first antagonising the Cruel, Deceptive, Evil and Lawless USA?
This would take a very strong and astute government to act with caution and cleverness.
Knowing the PAP's position today, it would be very difficult for the present government to act accordingly. Until and unless there is a change of guards, this position will be very difficult.
Singapore doesn't make wrong bets.
Hi Left Eye, are you will to bet on that?
Wrong bets have happened many times, but have all been hidden from public view.
That has always been the Singapore way.
Hah? If hidden from public view, how to proof your bet? Don't be stupid. Cannot win.
When hyperinflation hits the West,China & Russia will make a killing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7-qEC_4QXM
Fed Watcher that Predicted Super Inflation and War Says Famine Is Next
'Fed Watcher that Predicted Super Inflation and War Says Famine Is Next'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7-qEC_4QXM&t=416s
Russia & China will be laughing all the way to the bank when hyperinflation hits the West...
It is too dangerous for the whole world to depend entirely on SWIFT.
As it is, the deals countries are making are now bypassing the US$ and Euro. That in itself is significant and instilling nervousness in the USA. Look at the way they are threatening India, saying India should not undermine the US$ Hegemony. Does that not say anything important?
Anon, you wrote "Russia & China will be laughing all the way to the bank when hyperinflation hits the West."
Why is this so? Both have their reserves also in US$. Also which bank are you talking about? Is it the Federal reserve?
AFP:
US Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday but is asymptomatic and not considered a current close contact of President Joe Biden, the White House said in a statement.
"Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the vice president's residence," said Harris' press secretary, Kirsten Allen.
"She has not been a close contact to the president or first lady due to their respective recent travel schedules," Allen said in a statement, adding that Harris would "return to the White House when she tests negative."
Biden spoke with Harris by phone, and he "wanted to check in and make sure she has everything she needs as she quarantines at home," a White House statement said.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden, 79, tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday.
Harris, 57, is the latest in a rash of cases sweeping through the Washington elite, with multiple members of Congress also announcing positive tests on Tuesday.
The vice president's husband, Doug Emhoff, came down with COVID-19 in March, although Harris herself remained negative.
As infections from the virulent, but dramatically less dangerous, Omicron variant of the coronavirus mount, the White House has publicly aired the possibility of Biden testing positive - while downplaying any potential fallout.
Danson Cheong, ST correspondent in TBeijing. If one read just 2 of his filings from China, you would have a clue where his sentiments lie.
Always reporting on the negatives and likes quoting western sources, is the ST Trying to be the NYT or WAPO by also carrying Oped pieces from them and also sinophobe British papers.on China?
Has the West found an Asian geopolitical ally in Singapore?
- it is one of the few Asian countries to openly condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and announce its own unilateral sanctions against Russia
- it hasn't invested very much in the maintenance of either the appearance of independence, nor the goodwill of China
- it has very publicly aligned itself with the US, very public in its calls for US involvement in the Indo-Pacific as a hedge against a rising China, and proudly claiming the mantle of 'America's best friend in Southeast Asia
Anon 11.35 - Your link say the following:-
"A survey taken in early March by Blackbox Research, a pollster, found that 95% of Singaporeans sympathized with Ukraine and 60% backed sanctions on Russia. Only 4% said they opposed the sanctions."
Seems like the majority of Sinkies support the garment actions.
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