So, the stage is set. We will have another round of what cannot be anything but a sham.

In a show on TV, MM Lee tried to engage with a group of Singaporeans who are what is being called the post independence generation. It was an interesting dialog with some highlights and some lowlights. What I got out of it was the MM Lee still clings on to some archaic ways of thinking tempered by his "databank".

He was challenged about podcasts, blogs etc. His answer to disallow them for the elections was because "we cannot engage in a robust dialog". It is hard to believe that the PAP really *thinks* that they cannot engage in a dialog via blogs and podcasts. It is a pink elephant. They know that they cannot get into a robust dialog because they cannot package their answers. They need spin doctors to spin their replies (and helped by the compliant media) which cannot be done on the net. So, let's just take the easy way out and ban it. There, done.

To a question if only 20% of people voted, would that be deemed to be a mandate, all he could do was to deflect it to say that it is a reflection of failure of the opponents. Who's pulling whose leg here, Mr Lee? The government that has been in office, at least since 2001, did not have the honest mandate of the people. The bulk of the people got in via walkovers which is an abuse of the constitutional right of a citizen's right to vote. Walkovers are a scar on the intellect and a fatal blow to the body politic. It takes away the raison d'taire for having a constitution and an elections process.

Overall the show as a sad display of a man and a party that has lost it. The party he founded is short of ideas and boldness (not that the other parties have anyihing better). All said, Mr Lee, it would be wiser for you to step aside and retire like a gentleman. You have served well and we will applaud you and your place in history is well deserved. Thanks for the memories. We can erect a statue for you in front of the Marina casino - seriously!