Commentary 2:
The advantages and drawbacks of gambling
The integrated Resort (IR) in Singapore has definitely been a debatable topic over the past few years. The IR targets to hold a casino in fifteen thousand square meters of area. This triggers people to consider the possible effects that gambling will have on Singapore. The casino industry in the US hopes to extend its industry in Asia. Singapore’s government is a jurisdiction that enforces strong rules in this county and ensures law and order. This makes a Singapore an ideal country for the casino industry. However will this industry make a positive impact on this country?
Let us first look at the economical impact of gambling. The casino is aimed to act as a catalyst for Singapore’s economy in the future and to boost its tourism industry. It is to boost Singapore’s reputation as a ‘must-visit’ country. This will of course boost the economy of the country. Furthermore, the 15 per cent tax rate will definitely make way for more developments in the country. Singapore being a thriving, young country, a strong foundation in the economy is necessary for the long term success of this country. The IR will act as a profit-generating centre that brings investors from all over the world. This will also increase Singapore’s business opportunities with other countries. It prevents Singaporeans from gambling in overseas casinos such as Genting Highlands and Las Vegas. This will thus benefit Singapore’s economy. This shows that gambling will bring about a positive impact on Singapore’s economy. The evidence for these benefits will be the casinos in other countries. 460 casinos in Washington DC collected a stunning 32.4 billion dollars in 2006. The taxes paid after these collections definitely benefit the country’s economy. Thus, this proves that there is a positive impact on the economy that is caused by gambling.
Secondly, let us look at the how gambling affects the citizens of a country. Research shows that nearly 2.5 million people in the US are pathological gamblers. This refers to those addicted to gambling despite the harmful consequences that they face in the future. There is a definite appeal to gambling that attracts many people to this risky game. The risk involved in this game attracts many rich men and women who do not have much to gain from the money they may win. However, for those who lose large sums of money in gambling, the game becomes an obsession. Many pathological gamblers neglect their families, friends and even their own health due their obsession. This is one of the significant disadvantages of gambling. This was one of the factors that were deeply considered before the decision to build the IR in Singapore. The possible effect it had on the population in Singapore is hazardous to the nation’s progress.
Most debatable topics always have two sides of arguments. Likewise, gambling has its advantages and its drawbacks. The Singapore government has decided to build the IR with confidence that the advantages will exceed the drawbacks by a large margin. We can only wait to see how true this is.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Expository: Cruelty to pets and stray animals
Animal cruelty is a rising problem in Singapore in the past few years. More than 876 cases of animal abuse was investigated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in the year 2007. In reference to the Arkonline website, about cruelty in the USA, most animal abusers are reportedly abusive to people.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
applying aristotle modes to santokh singh's article
SANTOKH SINGHFATHER FIGURES
santokh@sph.com.sg
HOW would I have reacted as a father if my sons had been caught streaking on campus?(Emotional tone)
Reading about some male students getting punished for running naked from one building to another at the National University of Singapore set me thinking, and two other reports on youth provided some background.
I think I would have sat my boys down and lectured them on respecting themselves, respecting the rights of others to their space (and views) and so on.(emotional examples)
Then I would have knocked them on their heads for getting caught. (That is something I learnt in the Army – if you pull a prank, make sure you don't get caught.) After which I would have gone to the Hall, and the University, to appeal on their behalf, if it came to that.
Too protective? Too relaxed? Excuse for poor upbringing?
Perhaps, but the other reports in the same three days would have put some of this in perspective.
First, there was the story of a 17-year-old who was an average student, from an average family, with average grades in school.He was believed to be socially well-adjusted and did not display any signs of violence.But he went on a shooting rampage at his school, killing 10 schoolmates, three teachers and three passers-by before being gunned down by the police.(literal and historical analogies)That was in Germany on Wednesday.Average students
Then there was the report of 13 average students, from average schools, and believed to be from average family backgrounds.They, too, were understood to be socially well-adjusted, until they were caught carrying dangerous weapons to school. Their intention, we are told, was to hurt people in their schools.That was in Singapore.
So the story of a group of 20-year-olds streaking in their Hall pales in comparison. (Factual data and statistics)Yes, they too were all average students, from average families, and with average grades that helped them qualify for university.They are also understood to be socially well-adjusted, active sportsmen who did not display any sign of sexually maladjusted behaviour.Yes, this "group of misfits" went on a streaking rampage, running naked from one hostel block to another in the middle of the night before they were reported to the authorities by some female students.But all they did was to give some students a view they were not comfortable with.
They did not kill, or threaten to kill, anyone.While no one can tell the future, I do live with some confidence that my sons are not likely to turn out killers or likely to take choppers to school.But I'm not too sure about the streaking, especially if it is done as part of a Hall tradition or an Officer's Mess ragging session in the Army.
Yes, I do have some confidence in the value systems of my children, and their ability to tell right from wrong.(appeal to personal ethics and character)But I would find it difficult to moralise, let alone punish them with a clear conscience, for something like streaking.
After all, I too had gone skinny-dipping with some friends, though not on our shores, when I was in university.It was not to celebrate any sporting victory nor to drown any sorrow. It was also not part of a dare.It was just for the fun of it.
And we didn't get caught or thrown out of university.
santokh@sph.com.sg
HOW would I have reacted as a father if my sons had been caught streaking on campus?(Emotional tone)
Reading about some male students getting punished for running naked from one building to another at the National University of Singapore set me thinking, and two other reports on youth provided some background.
I think I would have sat my boys down and lectured them on respecting themselves, respecting the rights of others to their space (and views) and so on.(emotional examples)
Then I would have knocked them on their heads for getting caught. (That is something I learnt in the Army – if you pull a prank, make sure you don't get caught.) After which I would have gone to the Hall, and the University, to appeal on their behalf, if it came to that.
Too protective? Too relaxed? Excuse for poor upbringing?
Perhaps, but the other reports in the same three days would have put some of this in perspective.
First, there was the story of a 17-year-old who was an average student, from an average family, with average grades in school.He was believed to be socially well-adjusted and did not display any signs of violence.But he went on a shooting rampage at his school, killing 10 schoolmates, three teachers and three passers-by before being gunned down by the police.(literal and historical analogies)That was in Germany on Wednesday.Average students
Then there was the report of 13 average students, from average schools, and believed to be from average family backgrounds.They, too, were understood to be socially well-adjusted, until they were caught carrying dangerous weapons to school. Their intention, we are told, was to hurt people in their schools.That was in Singapore.
So the story of a group of 20-year-olds streaking in their Hall pales in comparison. (Factual data and statistics)Yes, they too were all average students, from average families, and with average grades that helped them qualify for university.They are also understood to be socially well-adjusted, active sportsmen who did not display any sign of sexually maladjusted behaviour.Yes, this "group of misfits" went on a streaking rampage, running naked from one hostel block to another in the middle of the night before they were reported to the authorities by some female students.But all they did was to give some students a view they were not comfortable with.
They did not kill, or threaten to kill, anyone.While no one can tell the future, I do live with some confidence that my sons are not likely to turn out killers or likely to take choppers to school.But I'm not too sure about the streaking, especially if it is done as part of a Hall tradition or an Officer's Mess ragging session in the Army.
Yes, I do have some confidence in the value systems of my children, and their ability to tell right from wrong.(appeal to personal ethics and character)But I would find it difficult to moralise, let alone punish them with a clear conscience, for something like streaking.
After all, I too had gone skinny-dipping with some friends, though not on our shores, when I was in university.It was not to celebrate any sporting victory nor to drown any sorrow. It was also not part of a dare.It was just for the fun of it.
And we didn't get caught or thrown out of university.
What is an expostion?
An expostion is very different from narrative writing. It is a writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain; a detailed statement or explanation. It is a unbiased discussion about a certain topic. It is a technique is used writing.
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