Debate people! Full of melodrama as constantly witnessed by many viewers on tv and newspapers. How I savoured the drama when a debate took place last Friday at uni. The journalism students held a debate last Friday, 20 Oct 2006 on two very controversial issues which has been bothering many of us either incessantly or pervasively.

i) Sensitive issues should be discussed openly and in the press
ii) Racial harmony and national stability is more important than press freedom.

i) Government consisted of Bernard Cheah, Mei and Alex. Opposition consisted of people whom I couldn't recall their names. It all started pretty well and at the same time, it looked like Government was on the verge of victory with BC? and Mei kicking things well. IMHO, I thought they really creamed the Opposition with their expansive use of language(a bit of "exaggeration here...). Though I pitied the Opposition, some of the facts provided by the government were a bit shaky in terms of credibility. It spawned fluctuant thoughts. Putting that aside, I was a bit disappointed that the Opposition armed themselves with soft examples. Using rape wasn't the smartest move.Eg:Noritta Samsuddin was a really bad example because she was raped and murdered. How can that escape major news headlines that would carry the reminiscence of NS? I have to say that it's a very weak example. No offence.

The Government did make a major flaw when Alex, the final speaker burped an important note but baked it very controversial. He mentioned that rural people are the uneducated and closed minded ones. It is because of them that riots run wildfire. But I thought that he might have a point downstream. No, nothing floated.

When both teams had finally summarised their points, the audience began their quest. In short, majority of the discussion revolved around Alex's "point". Pity that guy, I've been there and done it. The other matter on hand also was the Kg Medan issue. Some said that it was a racial issue, others got the essence of the story. Truth be told, it all started when two families there had separate occasions. One a funeral and the other a wedding. How come these people don't understand tolerance? Give and take, the world is unfair. So what? We are all attached to what irks most.

All in all, I had to print a very long,unnecessary lecture which I felt didn't really do justice to my point. I was rambling my ass down there with everybody looking at me as though I was some preacher's kid. That's the story for the day my honoured audience and readers...Cheers!