SuicidalGuidedog

SuicidalGuidedog t1_j36usm7 wrote

It feels a lot like the wheel is superfluous to this execution. My final words would probably be "sure, I mean it hurts, but why call it a Breaking Wheel? You could have broken my limbs and tied them to just about anything... hey, come back, I'm not done berating you."

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_ixxutkf wrote

The previous answer is still accurate for an answer to the original question, based on your link. The policy is not retro-active so she would (should) have inherited her father's Indian race (according to the archaic Singaporian policy). Even those born after this 2011 policy change are still only allowed one race - the double barrel option doesn't change that. From your source "For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used."

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_ixxtr3m wrote

A democracy isn't defined by changing government. It's defined by a system of government by the will of the people. Generally most people agree that 'democracy' is shorthand for 'representative democracy' whereby most people can vote freely and fairly (I say mostly because even the most democratic country doesn't let children vote). There are opposition parties and regular elections in Singapore so by that standard it's a democracy.

That being said, I don't think it counts as a logical democracy. Just not for the same reason you quoted above. A single party being repeatedly elected doesn't, on its own, prove a place to be undemocratic.

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_ixavnkc wrote

The phrase "failure to adapt and compete" is rather facile in this context. I mean, sure, it's true, but to what end? It's essentially placing the blame on the victim of extinction. It's the equivalent of cutting down a jungle and then when a tiger walks out you shoot it in the face and shrug "I guess he failed to adapt". Yeah, to the actions that we all took.

I'd argue it's more valuable to just say that we're clearly damaging our own environment and causing the shockingly fast extinction of multiple flora and fauna. When you get to the stage we humans have of having this level of control on our environment, it's no longer the case where other species need to adapt.

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_ixauovq wrote

I agree. While that's true, I didn't want to give someone the ability to question some 'natural' extinctions. Human mechanisation has vastly increased the speed of extinction. For example, Aboriginal Australians possibly hunted the Diprotodon to extinction, but that type of thing is just a curious anecdote. Real extinction is directly due to hunting with guns and removing habitat at an industrial level.

But I take your point and don't disagree.

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_iss4b1q wrote

There's definitely been an increase in the requirements to be awarded the Medal of Honor. I believe there was a "clean up" of about a thousand names when they removed awards that were considered 'unworthy'. People like Buffalo Bill had his taken away (although posthumously reinstated in the 1980s).

To put it in context, there have been 3,530 medals awarded and 1,523 were during the Civil War. That's more than the entire 20th Century combined.

If you want some really questionable awards for the Medal of Honor I'd start with the Battle of Veracruz. It triggered a new way of looking at medals in general and is broadly considered a turning point for the Medal of Honor.

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