Let's put it this way ..when the press and media are explicitly and government implicitly in support of the Old guards..how can the New Guards win? And Look at Pearl Forss of CNA so happy when she announced the results! From the very minute Josie was reprimanded by her bank the DBS for her role in AWARE, it was clear she was somewhat a pawn, fighting the odds! God in heaven and perhaps also on earth... wasn't willing to give her that miracle to win!
Of course Derek Hong's about turn did not help either . As to why the about turn of a Pastor who has always been strong in his views, your guess is as good as mine.
The only good thing about the whole issue is that parents are now more AWARE that what is recommended by AWARE in the sex education curriculum MAY NOT be the right sort of value teachings, they want for their kids. SECONDLY that if they do not voice their concerns regarding any issue, the government takes it to mean "everything is fine !"
The MOE also cannot support the new Guard simply because to do so would be tantamount to admitting they have not been vigilant enough in their scrutiny of Aware's sex education curriculum for schools.
Dr Thio's appearance as Femininist mentor certainly did not help the cause of the new guards. She is known for her conservative and perhaps more ultra extreme conservative Christian views. The Old Guards boosted with the media reports of warnings from government leaders as well as socially correct viewpoints of various religious leaders of different religions, very cleverly play the religious card-(that this was a secular organisation turning Christian)
Now playing along that line of reasoning, they quickily won over supporters of other religious inclinations. Rightly or wrongly - the "fear factor came into the minds of those of other religious persuasions- "oh we cannot allow this organistion to be "taken over " by Christians. Though logically, no decent Muslim Hindu or Buddhist would have agreed that " anal sex can be healthy ..or homo is neutral or Pink family is ok." as taught in the aware sex education curriculum Thus the strong significance religion still holds- in the political positioning of issues here.
Dr Thio may not realise this , but by terming herself as Feminist Mentor , it could have been viewed as if she was ridiculing the MM . When the MM is termed Mentor ...it makes sense NOT to use the same terminology "mentor". She could have called herself Senior member, Guide, Honorary Adviser ..whatever but she unwittingly chose to call herself a Feminist Mentor!
As I had said earlier I applaud Josie for her daring, in taking on the marauding horde of lesbians and gays, but she probably didn't realise in reality how formidable they can be. HER heart and spirit may have been in the right place for the sake of our kids , but she could be wearing shoes too big for her feet, based upon her poor performance at the EOGM. She seemed to have lost her cool too many times, unfortunately! Nevertheless, she should be commended for at least trying.
For those who have followed the events closely, the whole episode clearly shows how potent the "invisible hand " of the government functions, in influencing success or failure of ANY group seeking office even in organisations- secular and/or religious.
Without the tacit support of the government ( even when they say they do not interfere) and without the "help " of the press in "shaping" public opinion , it is difficult for any group to succeed in their objective! And that is reality for us in Singapore!
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.314
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