JBJ is dead

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Some hail him as the hero who fought for his ideals with never dying faith. Others hail him as the failure who did not achieve anything. I could not put it better than the opening of this article entry I found at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122280294134591419.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "Singapore lost a man yesterday whose life reflected the best of the city-state. He suffered under the Japanese World War II occupation of the island; earned a place at the British bar; devoted himself to his work, family and faith; and forewent personal wealth to fight for democratic ideals in public office." This man who died is none other than Joshua B. Jeyaretnam. I am not a very politically active person. But I have seen the man distributing some opposition publication every once in a while I am in town. The Hammer, is what they call their news letters. A man who was brought down very harshly for making comments that defamed the active party politicians. Jailed and sent to prison for not being able to pay up his fines. Makes me reflect on the political scene in Singapore. Do we actually have a condusive environment for the opposition party to strive and set up a firm footing to challenge the government? Do we actually have competent opposition leaders outside of those that are sitting in parliment to give the minority disgrunted citizens their voice? I wonder... with his death, does his debt to the people he defamed dies with him? Or will his poor son have to continue to pay for his mistakes? Is it never possible to make a come back after you fall from the political horse here in Singapore? I wonder...