Patriotism

As I thought about the word 'patriotism', a memory flashed back to a scene in 27 Carmichael Road, which was my very first home. I was in the living room and in front of me was a hi-fi playing 'Count on me Singapore'. It was during those days where we still used cassette players. Shows how old I really am.

Having been through a number of national days, I feel that this day has really lost it's meaning to me. Of course, I do appreciate the off day I get but that's really about it. I think especially of late, I have really lost my 'loyalty' to this country. Having heard and seen so many decisions made by our leaders has left me really sceptical about our leadership.

I can't remember when was the last time I ever said our national pledge, but for good reason. I cringe when I come to the line 'to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality'. I seriously wonder if any of the leaders feel the same way when they recite this line or has this just become some mantra that we just mutter without giving any thought.

Just a food for thought. I remember this incident a long time ago when someone from U.S. was caught vandalising in Singapore. We decided to cane that joker. I believe it was Bill Clinton who was President at that time and he specially pleaded for that joker to be spared of the cane. It did not go through. The man got his strokes with our famous 'rotan'. I remember at that time I was pretty impressed with our judicial system. Yeah, give it to him! I might be wrong about this but should a simiar situation crop up now, would we still be as firm as we were many years back?

To be fair, I have my part to play in all these. As I thought about the faults of our present leadership, I was reminded that the bible talks very clearly in the book of Romans that we believers are to pray for our leadership. That part, I seem to have conveniently forgotten. Should I have made it a point to pray for our leadership every time I have a complaint who knows how different it might have been now. So I stand convicted by the scriptures. And I will make it a point to pray for our leadership every time I have some ill feelings toward them. God help me......