Close Encounter Of The Nasty Kind

The Economist (April 23rd-29th 2011) wrote that "the usual triumph of the PAP does not disguise the fact that Singaporeans do feel dissatisfied." The author ventured to say that the PAP may have to revisit some of their long standing policies, "Otherwise the rift between the aspirations of the electorate and the composition of their representatives in parliament may become too wide."

We know too well of the bad policies that cause so much pain and distress, and we suspect PM Lee is cognizant of same. “I think 66 per cent is a very high number. Whether we’ll reach that I can’t say,” lamented the once gung-ho BG, no longer riding on cloud number nine. The Economist predicted the number could dip below 60%. Grasping at straws Lee lashed at the unconverted, "Are you carried away by somebody who’s got a silver tongue but is unsound?"

The reality is that his own Ministers are as much to blame. Silver tongue soothes, acid tongue bites. Read how Lui Tuck Yew single handedly orchestrated an epic fail when he was supposed to work the ground for support.

A Moulmein resident was merely asking why the Minister deserved his vote, when Lui inexplicably flew off the handle, "shot me a look of pure anger, waved his hand about in the air", and "then swung round and stormed off". The worried resident wrote Lui a follow-up in email in case it was a matter of miscommunication, the irony being that the short tempered fellow is actually appointed Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts.

Read what the Minister wrote in reply:

Dear [Name Redacted] ,

i am sure this may not apply to you given that you have now taken the trouble to write this note but unfortunately I encounter some people whose minds are made up and whose main intent seem to be to slow us down in our outreach. And nothing, we say, no explanation we give whether to do with cost of living, etc will ever be good enough.
The pragmatic way to deal with this is simply to disengage at an opportune moment.
Dont worry, it didnt leave a sour note with me nor a poor impression of you.

Regards,

Lui Tuck Yew

Notice there's enough evidence in the missive to suggest that the belligerent rear Admiral is still on the war-path with anyone who refuses to be cowed by his omnipresence. Note also his strategy when confronted by an adversary, "The pragmatic way to deal with this is simply to disengage at an opportune moment." Which reminds one of the Italian joke: Why do Italian tanks have 5 reverse gears and 1 forward gear. Answer: The forward gear is for when the enemy attacks from behind. Guess Lui bought those submarines for the Navy so that he can hide underwater while the war is raging on above.