Speaker's corner

Read some interesting articles today in TODAY:

First, valet parking is now (or has always been) illegal at HDB parking areas and there's operation 'clamp-down on valet parking @ Holland V' happening now. I heard it on the news and, yesterday, the massage place i go to at Holland V which offers me free valet when i go for a massage, called me to apologise about the need to stop that wonderful perk i've been enjoying!


I totally agree with Chitra that having valet parking would be a win-win for everybody. She correctly points out that parking at Holland V is a nightmare and that the ERP parking doesn't solve any parking issues that people face. And really, there's a shortage of carparks always! I also agree that businesses would be hit. As it is already, none of my friends want to drive down to Holland V for dinner. And those who did would usually just valet park. The valet parking companies are now appealing to HDB. I do hope that their views are heard and that HDB comes back with a ruling that would be a win-win situation for everyone.


While I was in the office slaving (and starving) away. Feliz and KT of www.geeksnotfreaks.com were making a speech at the Speakers Corner and Hong Lim park about how mobile phone charges should be lowered or even free. The news reported that it was a light-hearted speech which ended off with the duo singing an Abba ditty 'Money Money Money'. Unfortunately, only 15 people turned up to hear them, and most of them were friends.


Now, if I had known, I'd have gone down to listen. But i don't really know where they list the speeches that will happen, i really have to go and search. Apparently there's something happening there tomorrow too, by the Online Citizen at 5pm and they'll be talking about improving Singapore's Public Transport System.


I've always been for more space for expression in Singapore, and i think i'd better do my part to show that we need these spaces and that Singaporeans, especially young Singaporeans, want to use the space. I think we've got a knack for complaining that we don't have enough of this and enough of that. And when we get a bit, we say it's not enough and that gov is not being sincere, or that it's too late. Then is it as a sign of protest that we don't use the little inch that's been given to then demand a mile? No...it's probably cause we're just a nation of complainers more than anything.

So i think i'm going to go down tomorrow to hear the Online Citizen and support our claim that we want more freedom of expression and speech, and that we're mature enough to handle this responsibilities and that government should allow for more.

i wonder if those valet companies should sign up to say a couple of things at the speaker's corner!