AN EX-MSD CLERICAL OFFICER HAS A DIRECT APPEAL FOR LONG-AWAITED HELP

THE DIRECTOR

MILITARY SECURITY DEPARTMENT

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

GOMBAK BASE

MINDEF BUILDING

303 GOMBAK DRIVE

(OFF UPPER BUKIT TIMAH ROAD)

SINGAPORE 669645

TELEPHONE NO.: 67683128

WEBSITE : http://www.mindef.gov.sg/

(ATTENTION : BG DAVID KOH TEE HIAN)

DEAR SIR,

RE: THE LONG, LONG, LONG NIGHTMARE :

36 YEARS OF LOST AND WASTED

LIVING, WORKING AND PLAYING

-- AS AN UNWILLING AND UNHAPPY

IMPLANTEE


PLEASE REFER TO MY UPDATED POSTING IN THIS BLOG, http://afighterandalovertoo.blogspot.com/ -- with reference to my remarkably poignant article (to this day) on my status as an unwilling and unhappy implantee -- namely, "THE FEARLESS AND INGENIOUS INDIVIDUALISTIC OPPOSITIONIST IN A SURVEILLANCE SOCIETY" (DATED 2.11.2008, SUNDAY).

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO 3 PREVIOUS EMAILS WHICH I HAD SENT TO YOU -- NAMELY, "MY IMPLANTATION AND MY RESPONSE TO THAT GRAVE MISTAKE" (DATED 17.6.08); "MY PREDICAMENT AS AN UNWILLING AND UNHAPPY IMPLANTEE" (DATED 18.6.08); AND, LASTLY, "WHEN I'M 54" (DATED 23.6.08). I HAVE NOT RECEIVE ANY REPLY WHATSOEVER TO ANY AND ALL OF THESE 3 EMAILS FROM YOUR KIND OFFICE YET, SIR!


PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THROUGH THE ABOVE-MENTIONED UPDATED POSTING IN THIS PARTICULAR BLOG -- AND ALSO, FOR A SECOND TIME HOPEFULLY, THE URGENTLY WRITTEN 3 EMAILS THAT I HAD SENT TO YOU VERY MUCH EARLIER!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND NECESSARY ACTION, PLEASE.

YOURS TRULY

DAVID CHUA CHUAN SEAH

(DISSENTING WRITER: VOICE OF CONSCIENCE)

Yes, We Still Need Modern(ist) Heroes (and Heroines)

MODERN HEROES AND HEROINES

NEED TO BE STUBBORN --

IF THEY WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE

There were few FAMOUS heroines in the world's long history. Philosphers, writers, poets, painters, architects, scientists, political leaders, industrialists, landowners, and a host of innumerable other professionals -- except probably the world's oldest (namely, prostitutes) -- were mostly men. Male heroes in the past could easily express themselves, with no social or political restrictions -- the strengths and uniqueness of their personalites and character, and the depth of their values, convictions and principles (including their loyalty to them) -- in significant and, on many occasions, influential works, efforts and endeavours. They had helped mankind to build -- and thus to travel along -- the necessary and vital roads to our common destination as human beings, living and working, as civilized men and women in more and more developed societies and polities: in other words, human progress and achievement.



In the 21st century, women have had come a long way indeed. There are now female intellectuals, politicians, engineers, technicians, scientists, managers, sports personalities, professors, academics, scholars, economists, computer analysts, computer programmers, investors, bankers, financiers, property agents, manufacturers, professional photographers, and many others who represent the undeniable progresses made by females in modern times -- through, especially, the availability 0f, and accessibility to, formal education in the schools, colleges, universities and other institutions of learning.



Such progresses in female accomplishments and efforts are achieved by those fortunate women in societies which believe in the freedom and in the rights of their citizens to pursue their education -- up to the highest possible level. So now, in addition to those occupations, fields of endeavour and professions which, traditionally, were already open to the presence and practice of (then still unemancipated) women in their ranks, back in the stupid old days -- yes, long before female emancipation and the women's liberation movement (and what has been called feminism), there are numerous examples of both women and men who are able to benefit from their many years of formal and institutional education and training -- with highly lucrative results and attractive material returns -- and also, yes, with the enviable experience of feeling a great or strong sense of personal achievement, advancement and immense satisfaction. Also, and perhaps most importantly, these women and men are able to feel proud about their contributions to the betterment of society -- and of the world, and of mankind at large.



These are our modern-day heroes and heroines -- and we need them, even in this era of postmodernism, globalization, biopolitics and the advent of modern electronic/electrical surveillance techniques, technologies and activities.



My Own Personal Misgivings, Doubts and Apprehensions --

Concerning The Path of Modern Societies and Governments:


Readers of my blog posts so far have already learnt how I view and regard such key and significant developments in human history. To put it simply, I view and regard them with repugnance and deep horror. I cannot reconcile the world I grew up in -- a world in which there were no deliberate attempts by important leaders of society and politics and industry to celebrate the so-called "virtues" of ambiguities, inconsistencies, illogicallities, ambivalences, contradictions, relativism and anti-idealism as the dominant "realities" of our modern time.



I have questioned and challenged their versions of what philosophers, throughout history, had always been in single-minded pursuit of -- namely, the TRUTH. And this is what is troubling and disturbing me: in each and every discipline that men (and now women) have been studying --be it philosphy, history, psychology, political philosophy (or political science, as it has come to be studied as nowadays), literature, the arts, public administration, sports and games, government, etc. -- there is a drastic transformation in the nature and methods in which such disciplines used to be associated and identified with. It has really turned my intellectual life -- and my world -- upside down (initially, for the majority of the past 36years , when I almost knew nothing in an effective and vital sense, and only recently, during the past few months, when I, finally and gradually, was allowed by the surveillance authorities to discover and to realise the enormity and magnitude of the not-quite-beneficial changes in my life -- as a man, human being, citizen and writer -- an unpleasant and totally unacceptable situation caused by my being unreluctantly and illegally "implanted" by the MINDEF authorities in SAFTI in the year 1972, more than 36 years ago).



What exactly are my grievances and so-called "complaints"? And what are my priorities now? It is very basic. To put it simply, I cannot remain fully and positively and fruitfully alive and still believe that my countless intellectual mentors from the West -- the great thinkers and writers who had produced innumerable timeless classics of so many diverse intellectual, moral and artistic persuasions and contents -- yes, I cannot simply and unquestioningly believe -- let alone accept -- that these great mentors of mine (my all-time HEROES and, yes, occasionally, HEROINES ) are now totally redundant, effete, irrelevant and hopelessly out-of-tune with, and out-of-place in, the so-called "realities" -- political, economic, social, cultural and scientific -- in these contemporary times, in a world that has vastly changed, almost beyond my recognition, from the world I grew up, back in the 1960s!



Unfortunately, I stand almost alone (and this long-held belief in my own isolation -- as practically demonstrated in my solitary life-style and "anti-social" behaviour during the past 36 years and more! -- as well as my publicly witnessed "weirdness" and "bizarreness" -- is itself an indication of the plight and predicament I was put in (and still am in now) -- as a result of having my intellectual faculties, especially, undermined and tampered with by the ubiquitous surveillance authorities in Singapore, since the year 1972!



So, I have to conclude (and this is my main concern now -- yes, my priority!): We still need heroes and heroines -- but they must include those men and women who, in this era of postmodernism, globalization, biopolitics and governmental mass surveillance, nevertheless still believe in the values, principles and insights provided by those heroic and unique authors in the Western intellectual and humanistic traditions.



Unless there are enough women and men who share and hold such traditional, timeless and classic modernist and even pre-modernist attitudes and ideas, there will be no place for oppositionists and individualists like me, not even to hide myself -- let alone earn a living as a professional writer! Yes, perhaps then, I should go up to the high mountains and live out the rest of my life as a recluse!

The Fearless and Ingenious Individualistic Oppositionist in A Surveillance Society

We Don't Have To Fear

Surveillance Officers:

Truth Is On Our Side


I can readily reveal ALL the facts and particulars about myself, my past and my life so far! When you have no privacy left, as we all are under electronic surveillance by the authorities, you have nothing to hide! I, for one, have absolutely nothing to hide! That's why I'm not afraid of these greedy, inept, rich and powerful censors, monitors, spies and controllers working in the faceless, nameless, unidentified and unknown surveillance groups, departments or teams that owe their allegiance and authority -- and rich salaries, of course! -- to the autocratic and authoritarian PAP Government of Singapore! Their agents, double agents, moles and spies are ubiquitous. But they don't have a public voice -- collectively or individually (except under disguises and in anonymity)!


Will these surveillance officers still tempt my fierce and merciless responses if they know EVERYTHING about my identity -- yes, about the person known as "me"? I am prepared to put my life on the line! Take it, if you can, Big Brother!


So here they are -- these attributes, facts, particulars and personal information that form my personal profile -- on yours truly and humbly, as a male heterosexual consumer, masculine citizen, manly worker, and brave human being, which, considered together as a whole personality and character, can be easily identified as the blogging individualistic oppositionist called David Chua Chuan Seah:

1. Shopping preferences: stationeries, books, magazines, groceries,
2. Health condition: in perfect health
3. Marital status: Single
4. Financial situation: Getting poorer and poorer
5. Date of birth: 30th July 1953
6. Sex/gender: male
7. Age: 55
8. Monthly/annual income: S$600.00 per month
9. Race /ethnicity: Chinese
10. Residential address: Block 264, Yishun Street 22, #10-145, Singapore 760264
11. Physical characteristics: 1.73 metres (height); 67 kilogram (weight); still good-looking
12. Family size: Bachelor (lives alone)
13. Siblings: 7 others (4 brothers; 3 sisters)
14. Handphone number: 82654077
15. Utilities consumption: electricity (S$100.oo per month); water (S$16.00 per month)
16. Magazine/newspaper preferences: Serious, quality opinion-pieces or commentaries
17. Occupation: Writer
18. Level of education: Pre-university 2 (Science)
19. Response to "money-making" opportunities: Any terms and conditions that require more discussions?
20. Constituency/ electoral district: Nee Soon East
21. Size (& type/brand) of clothes worn: XXL T-shirts (any comfortable type/brand); long pants measuring 38 inches at the waist (any comfortable and smart-looking type/brand)
22. Habits: All good ones
23. Arrest records: Twice jailed for stealing books; once for molest; and once for stealing foods
24. Lifestyle preferences: Modernist, casual, independent, multi-varied and multi-faceted
25. Hobbies: None
26. Religious affiliation: None
27. Homeownership: Owner of purchased 3-room HDB flat
28. Characteristics of residence: Not important (seriously!)
29. Mode of transport: Mass Rapid Transit and Buses
30. Type of car/vehicle owned: None
31. Characteristics of car/vehicle owned: Not applicable
32. Response to direct mail/email solicitations: None
33. Monetary contributions to political parties: None
34. Monetary contributions to religious and charitable groups: None
35. Membership in book, VCD, DVD and CD clubs: None
36. Mail/email order purchases and type: None
37. Product ownership: Electronic/electrical (refridgerator, portable CD player-cum-radio, electric fan, water-heaters; vacuum cleaner, electric rice-cooker, hair-dryer and electric kettle)
38. Pet ownership & type: None
39. Interests: Reading; writing; thinking; drumming; listening to music; meeting and chatting with girls and women (and fucking them, if they're willing)
40. Book preferences: Philosophy, History, Humanistic Psychology, Literature, Politics, & Popular Culture
41. Music/song preferences: Songs from the late Sixties (especially those by The Beatles, Neil Young and Bob Dylan) and Seventies
42. Membership of upper-class, elitist social circles/groups: None
43. Sexual preferences: Penetrative heterosexual intercourse (preferably adopting man-above and male-dominant penetrative sexual intercourse positions)
44. Political views and beliefs: libertarianism and liberalism
45. NRIC No.: S0028486F
46. Name/nickname/alias: Chua Chuan Seah/David/Nikos
47. Language/dialect understood: Mandarin and English/Hokkien and Cantonese
48. Email address: chua.chuanseah4@gmail.com; cschua57@yahoo.com.sg
49. Website address: http://afighterandalovertoo.blogspot.com/; http://thenon-romanticloverandwriter.blogspot.com/ ; http://trainofmypresence.blogspot.com/; http://wholecity.blogspot.com/
50. Employment history: Serious full-time writer of quality essays/articles and sometimes not-so-serious part-time and temporary worker (1976 -- 2008)
51. National service records: Completed two-and-a-half years (1971 -- 1974) in the SAF; reservist rank: Senior Corporal (civil defence)
52. Countries visited: Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand
53. Countries I intend to visit: England, U.S., Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Holland, Japan, Italy, China, Germany, France, Canada and Australia

PERSONAL NOTES ON THE LOCATION

OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF

MILITARY SECURITY DEPARTMENT (MSD)

IN MINDEF

AND ON OTHER RELATED PARTICULARS :

(1) LOCATION OF MILITARY SECURITY

DEPARTMENT (MSD) :

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE,

GOMBAK BASE,

MINDEF BUILDING,

GOMBAK DRIVE,

SINGAPORE.

TEL. NO.: 67683128

WEBSITE : www.mindef.gov.sg

(2) WITH MY UNINTENDED MINIMAL EXPOSURE OF THEIR IDENTITIES, THE NAMES (AND THEIR OFFICIAL POSITIONS) OF THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND SUBORDINATE PERSONNEL, WHO WERE KNOWN TO ME AS MY FELLOW COLLEAGUES WHEN I WAS EMPLOYED AT MILITARY SECURITY DEPARTMENT (BETWEEN DECEMBER 1975 AND OCTOBER 1976) ARE TRUE, CORRECT, ACCURATE AND APPLICABLE ONLY WITH REFERENCE TO THAT PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME. CURRENTLY, I HAVE NO ACCESS WHATSOEVER TO, OR CLEAR KNOWLEDGE OF, THE ACTUAL OR CURRENT STATUS OR POSITIONS OF THESE (FORMER?) MSD OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL -- IN TERMS OF ACCURACY, CORRECTNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

The ABOVE-MENTIONED names are some of the ubiquitous "Voices" that belong to those "able" and "good" men and women whose "work" daily consists of bombarding me (and "disruptive", "unruly", "insubordinate" and "ill-disciplined" people like us) with their irritating, "loving" and intrusive remarks, comments and chatterings from their base at their TOP SECRET remote and far-away long-distance location at Bukit Gombak in Bukit Timah, Singapore -- exercising their continuous so-called "self-defence routine" of propagating PAP ideology and of ensuring and perpetuating the PAP's hold onto power over us, the poor, helpless, and unfortunate victimised citizens (even though we have, in the past, NEVER given them our unreserved consent or permission to be put under such close minute-by-minute, day-by-day and life-long electronic long-distance "authoritative" group surveillance) :

DAVID KOH TEE HIAN (BRIGADIER- GENERAL) -- THE CURRENT DIRECTOR, MSD;

1. Phyllis Balakrishnan -- CLERICAL OFFICER (1976);
2. Melinda Chew -- CLERICAL OFFICER (1976);
3. Nancy Lim -- PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO DEPUTY HEAD (1976);
4. Ms Lum -- CLERK (1976);
5. Ms Oh -- CLERK (1976);
6. Ms Catherine -- CLERK (1976);
7. Ms Irene Fong -- HEAD, MSD REGISTRY (1976);
8. David Ong -- INVESTIGATION OFFICER (1976);
9. Lta. Ang -- INVESTIGATION OFFICER (1976);
10. (Name Yet To Be Recalled) -- HEAD, VETTING SECTION (1976);
11. S. Arumugam -- DEPUTY HEAD, MSD (1976);
12. Mr Wang Ah Shih -- HEAD, MSD (1976);
13. CAPTAIN (1976) Tan Hong Huat -- RETIRED COLONEL AND CURRENT DIRECTOR OF TOP SECRET PROJECT THAT TARGETTED ME AS A VICTIM OF IMPLANTATION;
14. Mr Lee -- INVESTIGATION OFFICER (1976).

MY DEPARTING COMMENT:

I'm going to be -- yes, I'll continue to be -- a confident and resourceful (and long-haired) liberated, liberal and libertarian writer-intellectual. And that's fine by me!

These cunning and manipulative surveillance officers, pretending to "help" me, finally (after 36 years of victimization and manipulation by them?), achieve my much-desired success as a writer of published (i.e. printed) books (of collected essays) -- and also as a lover of the females among them in the TOP SECRET control room, are now working on -- well, they keep trying to learn -- how to finally turn me into an absolutely isolated, controlled and brainwashed subject -- as opposed to my current status as an unrepentant critic of the PAP Government (and especially, of LKY)!

Their "productive" efforts, time spent and resources used will all be in vain! I am sure of that!

My Recent Times And Experiences With Various Asian Beauties -- As An Oppositionist and Critic of the Surveillance Authorities

My Overdue "Sexual" Contacts

(Countless!), Social Relations

(Countless!) and Penetrative Sexual

Intercourse Sessions --

With Good (!) Women and Girls

( From 28th June 2008

To 29th October 2008) :

1. 28.6.08 (Sat.) -- With "Fei Fei" (young, cheerful & lovely); satisfaction: 100% !;
2. 20.7.08 (Sun.) -- With "Yeh" (attractive); satisfaction: 80% !;
3. 30.7.08 (Wed.) -- With "Fung Fung" (mischievous but loving); satisfaction: 50% !;
4. 13.9.08 (Sat.) -- With "Yan" (25, cheerful, pretty, Indonesian); satisfaction: 90% !;
5. 19.9.08 (Fri.) -- With "Huey Bin" (young, cheerful & beautiful); satisfaction: 90% !;
6. 20.9.08 (Sat.) -- With "Jenny" (mercenary but totally obliging); satisfaction: 70% !;
7. 21.9.08 (Sun.) -- With "Xiao Fung" (simply, adorably lovely); satisfaction: 100% !!!;
8. 27.9.08 (Sat.) -- With "Xiao Chang" (loving & lovely); satisfaction: 100% !;
9. 29.9.08 (Mon.) -- With "Linda" (pretty); 90% !;
10. 1.10.08 (Wed.) -- With "Hantu" (pretty, sexy and, yes!, money-minded!); satisfaction: 55% !;
11. 19.10.08 (Sun.) -- With "Xuan Xuan" (22, attractive, charming, loving, irrepressible, responsive, interested, sexy, amiable, companionable, considerate, sociable, friendly, genial,helpful, kind, obliging and solicitous; terrific!); satisfaction: 100% !;
12. 22.10.08 (Wed.) -- With "Xuan Xuan" (again! -- still charming, loving, irrepressible and passionate; lots of foreplay; wonderful!); satisfaction: 100% !;
13. 29.10.08 (Wed.) -- With "Xuan Xuan" (yes, once again! -- my darling lover, new-found girlfriend, honey and babe! I love her with all my heart, soul, mind and body! My major success in my love, sex and social life after 36 years of being under governmental surveillance and manipulation! Rock on, Sweetie!); satisfaction: 160% !!!!!!!

COMMENTARY:

The PAP bastards think I can't stop THEM from undermining and spoiling my love, sex and social life -- probably due to the fact that I can't see them in person! But really, I don't give them a fucking recognition or acknowledgement!

So I don't bother about these surveillance officers. I know the PAP's TOP SECRET! Openly and publicly! It is: Domination Over Its Subjects! I just do what I please! All it takes is for someone I trust to enhance my life -- sexually and hence intellectually. Yes, this is how I live my life on my own terms and conditions -- as a reluctant "implantee", an "agent", a critic, a writer, a "schizophrenic", a "pervert", a lover, a "molester", a "prisoner", a blogger and a socio-political commentator and essayist. And I just need the perfect accompaniment -- a nice, pretty girl whom I love with all my heart, soul, mind, and body -- for such a multi-various life. And do you know who that lucky girl might be? Well, she is my latest girlfriend and lover, Kelly. I, an individualist, feel lucky to have met Kelly. Say good luck to me -- for I am under surveillance by the authorities and my rights as a man, writer, citizen and human being are being infringed upon and cruelly violated by these ubiquitous authorities. I, too, am an ordinary human being after all: I need conveniences, accessibilities, accommodation, advantages, amenities, appliances, appropriateness, availability, benefits, chances, comfort, ease, enjoyment, facilities, fitness, handiness, help, leisure, opportuneness, opportunities, satisfaction, services, serviceability, suitability, timeliness, uses, usefulness and utilities!

Nowadays, I'm in greater control of my life and personal being and my career as a writer is in ascendancy! (Yes! Yes!)

I'm loving, responsible, liberated, natural, versatile, provocative, sensual, quiet, commanding, attentive, modern, notable, intriguing, ingenious, captivating, deep, mysterious, daring, confident, friendly (except to the MSD/PAP officers), honest, wild (sometimes!), resourceful, cultivated, well-read, high-brow (most of the time), low-brow (sometimes), handsome (still!), individualistic, sexy, manly, notorious, sincere, bold, assertive, independent, sharp-minded, intelligent, thoughtful, intuitive, forceful, self-educated (mostly) and, yes, FREE (determinedly, insistently, persistently and potently!). I am the star in my own blogs -- for I write not as a team of group-thinking composite bloggers but only (and only) as myself, an independent authorial voice (of reason and compassion).

I'm getting poorer and poorer in my finances; but I'm becoming richer and richer in my mind. I'm more powerful now as a writer, citizen-leader and critic. The PAP bastards can torture me in any way they want. But as long as I am alive, I will always be an oppositionist (in this post-modernist, globalized world), a writer and critic who loves women and girls (especially when they are pretty and shapely)!

If there is only one idea of freedom, and only one, then the PAP will win! But the PAP has not won, not yet! If it has, then it would not repeat this word "freedom" over and over, again and again! It wants to, with such repetition, change not only people's minds but also their very BRAINS!

If the PAP has succeeded in getting its own version or idea of "freedom" into the BRAIN of every Singapore citizen, then it could simply have taken freedom -- as it has defined it -- for granted! Did it? Does the PAP still? Even today?

QUOTES FOR THE TIMES:

Deprivation and impotence sanctify the "mindless", the most humble!

-- George Steiner, ERRATA: AN EXAMINED LIFE (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1997)

Untold personal destitution, ridicule, isolation, obscurity, not to speak of persecution on ideological-political grounds, has attended on the production of great art, literature or philosophic investigation....the evidences of suffering and solitude remain overwhelming. In the midst of the inhumanity and indifference of history; a handful of men and women have been creatively possessed by the compelling splendour of the "useless"! This constitutes the eminent dignity, the "princeliness" of our "brutal" kind.

-- George Steiner, ibid

None are more enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

-- Goethe

But who will guard the guardians themselves?

-- Juvenal (c. 60 -- 130 AD)

The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.

-- Edmund Burke (1729 -- 1797)

Book Publishers and Governmental Surveillance

The PAP Government's Denial of

My Rights -- As A Citizen and

Writer --

To Publish Serious and Quality

Essays

(to be Collected in Printed Books)

Due To

the Timid and Subservient

Local Publishers


Readers of my previous blog entry will be surprised by this latest new post, as I have last indicated that it might be quite sometime before I will resume active blogging activities in this particular website. Well, I am back too soon! -- unfortunately for the chief reason that I'm suffering from state interventions into my attempt to write, and to have my writings published in book form by hopefully brave publishers in the local print media industry.

Indeed, I have failed miserably! The surveillance web, spun by the PAP authorities, has ensured that I will never be successful as a writer in the print media (which is easier for the PAP to control by intimidation and harassment and threats than the electronic media).

I have already come to terms with the reality that we are all under constant surveillance. But I can't get used to the idea that I am somehow a PRIME SUSPECT for subversion in the oppositionist camp of critics and dissidents! Am I still required to demonstrate my political innocence? My identity is known to the authorities: they know, to enlighten my readers, my shopping preferences, health status, marital status, financial situation, date of birth, gender, age, monthly income, race, the locations of my many (past and present) residences, physical characteristics, family background, handphone number, level of education, profession, magazine preferences, utility consumption, responsiveness to money-making opportunities, constituency, size and brand of clothes worn, habits, lifestyle preferences, hobbies, religious affiliations, home-ownership, mortgate payments, mode of transport, responsiveness to direct female solicitations, contributions to political, religious and charitable groups, electronic products ownership, pet ownership, interests, book preferences, music preferences, and, lastly, heterosexual orientation/preference.

The PAP Government's determination to build a surveillance state behind the backs of singaporeans is becoming increasingly sinister! It is a measure of ministerial arrogance! The PAP Government is trying to end the presumption of innocence. What am I guilty of? Political subversion? What kind of major changes is the government clearly determined to enforce -- in the relationship between the citizen and the state?

Is this an example of twisted priorities? (Or are we looking at something far more worrying?) Do they not realise that heightened and sustained surveillance increases mistrust in any society? It places the delicate social contract between individuals and the state under the pressures, intrusions and disapprovals of our government's surveillance systems.

What are the costs of all these surveillance schemes, efforts, techniques, technologies, methods, systems, measures, plans, etc.? Will I be correctly, accurately and fairly identified, as a writer with a liberated, liberal and libertarian outlook? If not, will such wrong, inaccurate and unfair identification lead to my loss of RIGHTS as a man, human being, citizen and writer? Or even, to Fraudulent and False Arrest by the police enforcers of the "just" laws?

There will be a huge disruption in the day-to-day running of my life -- until this matter concerning my attempt to write on socio-political issues in Singapore and to have such writings published locally -- is resolved conclusively by the (surveillance) authorities!

Telling Stories (Part Two)

THE TRUTH ABOUT

MY STORY-TELLING:

PART TWO OF MY LIFE (2009 -- )


On Postmodernism, Relativism,

Nonsense and Frivolities



To postmodernists, truths exist only in relation to specific discourses. There are no absolute or universal facts--only stories that "work" at particular times for their particular "speakers". Pragmatism in philosophy puts forward a similar argument. Structuralists, poststructuralists and new historicists argue that it is impossible to access reality except through texts.

Discourse theorists suggests that it is NOT truth that counts, but who defines it, and what uses they put it to; KNOWLEDGE IS USED IN THE EXERCISE OF POWER:

1. Observers are never neutral or disinterested. Truth-claims serve specific interests;
2. You can only look at an object of enquiry from a particular viewpoint, and through a specific set of expectations and requirements;
3. No account of historical reality is free of narrative--because you can't reconstruct the past as it "really" happened, you can only tell stories about it.

This can be seen as a relativist outlook. It can lead to a critical engagement with history. It enables new histories to be written that reveal the significance of previously neglected groups, or which challenge dominant but biased accounts; feminist histories or Marxist histories would be two examples of this. [But is there any guarantee such re-writing of history will not be subjected to biased outlook and misleading interpretations of their own -- reflecting considerable vested interests invested into such "histories"-- rendering such "histories" totally unacceptable to traditional historians (and to someone like me?)].

Since all histories are stories, historians needn't worry about evidence, accuracy or validation--as they can be all simulated or manufactured! Does all this not open the door to irresponsible, even dangerous, revisions of history? And give itself no grounds on which to dispute them? Are there not clear boundaries between history and fiction? Do we not need to believe that there are such things as undeniable, objective facts? If we don't tell it like it is, we'll all be mad!

Postmodernists can defend their position by claiming that it is not about choosing between pure facts and fantasy. (You can tell that one account is truer than another--without assuming that your knowledge is perfect or that new facts won't come to light.)

Postmodernist relativism makes us aware of the rules and conventions under which claims are made--i.e., we must "play" by the agreed rules--applying, in other words, the standards of the historical community. We must be "in" the history language game; we must be historians! (Yes, but what kind of historians?)