Can Justice and Mercy co-exist?

I think that justice and mercy can co-exist. In Merchant of Venice, these two virtues are heavily reflected in Act 4 Scene 1. Mercy is displaying forgiveness for an act which is caused by compassion and kindness. However, justice is the fulfilling the law and dishing out punishment that is due.

Many feel that justice is referred to as “an eye for an eye”. However, I feel that this is a misconception. Justice does not necessarily have to be deemed “immoral”. In the case of a murderer, I feel that justice has to be done and no mercy is to be shown depending on the circumstances of the case. This is because the offender has to pay for his wrong doings. On the other hand, mercy can be shown if the offender has done something out of accident or passion. I feel that these crimes can be shown mercy as the offender might not have the intention to do so. A recent case in Iran shows how justice and mercy can co-exist. A man had splashed acid on a woman which resulted in her becoming blind. The court showed justice by allowing the victim to exact revenge onto the attacker. However, the victim decided to show mercy and waivered the punishment on the attacker. This case clearly shows how justice and mercy can co-exist. Many feel that mercy cannot exist with justice as it lightens the sentence of it. I feel that this is wrong as mercy should not be for anyone else to decide but the punisher himself.

In conclusion, I feel that mercy and justice can co-exist. This is because our choices are the determining factor of the outcome.

Term 3 Week 4 Blogging Assignment

I think that Shakespeare wanted to show the theme of Anti-Semitism which is the hate for Jews. In the Merchant of Venice, Shylock was often discriminated by Antonio. Antonio would usually spit on Shylock and call him a “cut-throat dog”. I feel that this really reflects how Antonio, who is a Christian, despises Shylock, who is a Jew. Also, his servant Launcelot and his daughter, Jessica all abandoned him. I feel that Shylock is very pitiful as he has to tolerate all these discriminating acts and also a loss of his only child, Jessica. Furthermore, when Antonio could not return the sum of money which he borrowed from Shylock, he got Bassino’s wife, Portia to act as a judge to help out Antonio. In conclusion, I feel that it is through these events that Shakespeare reveals the Anti-Semitism theme to the audience.

Term 3 Week 4 Blogging Assignment

Jim Rogers is trying to point out that with the world’s rapidly evolving economy, we need to have a global perspective and adapt to these changes. As China is now prospering and is a superpower, we need to pick up Chinese and immerse ourselves in the Chinese culture in order to keep up with the economy. With fluent Chinese, we would be able to communicate effectively with China and keep up with the global market. I agree with Jim Rogers as we need to have a global perspective. It is just plain foolish to think that a country would forever be the world’s leading market. I feel that we have to constantly adapt to these changes in order to survive in this world. As Jim Rogers said “The money is in the East, and the debtors are in the West.” Thus I feel that we need to go with the flow of the economy. Luckily, Singapore promotes bilingualism, which most of us learn English and Chinese. This would greatly benefit us in the future as China would become the biggest market in the world. Jim Rogers solution to America’s decline is to immerse himself in the countries and cultures that are ascending.

Term 3 Week 3 Blogging Assignment

Education is a very important for every person. Without it, one would not be able to make it anywhere in the world and would be earning a low pay. Janelle Lee's letter has mentioned several points which I agree with.

I agree with her view that Singapore's education is very examination-based. It mainly focuses on students doing well for their exams just by memorizing heaps of information and facts that were gained for worksheets or notes that the teachers give out. Have you asked yourself, why are Singaporean students so quiet? Never asking questions? This is probably due to the fact that our education system suppresses our humility to talk. Whenever we ask teachers something out of the syllabus, they often would shun the question or just reply that it is not taught, thus we do not need to know. I feel that this is a huge issue and it needs to be addressed. In my opinion, I feel that the education system should be built to support the inquisitive minds of students instead of cramming information and facts into student’s heads. I feel that students who often ask “Why?” would always learn faster and better. This is because they really want to know about something. However, this is the different in our education system. Students are forced to learn things that they don’t want to. I do not disapprove of this as these things may be beneficial for us but I feel that the education system should focus more on the curiosity of student’s minds. In my opinion, I think that it would be difficult to bring up a generation of future leaders with such a constricting education system. We are often unable to voice out our opinion and thoughts in our education. I feel that our education has failed its purpose. Education is to teach a person how to be creative and opinionated and able to respond to situations accordingly. I think that facts and information alone can never achieve this. Also, our education system fails to develop talents to their full potential. For example, people well versed in arts or music is often left aside as they are unable to reach their full potential. Thus, I feel that the government should do more to alter the education system to bring up a generation of inquisitive, innovative and creative leaders.

I think that an ideal education is impossible in our society. It is the “survival of the fittest” in the world. Those without a good degree would earn low income and probably suffer from poverty. Those with a good education and good degree would get a good job and earn more money. Thus, I feel that it is impossible for people to strive in different areas of life as the only path way which affirms a good life is getting to a good university and getting a good job. In conclusion, I feel that the education system now is greatly flawed and something has to be done to rectify it.

Term 3 Week 2 Blogging Assignment

Water is essential for all life on Earth. 66% of our Earth surface is water while only 3% are drinkable. For decades, pollution has spread like plague all over the world, making water too polluted to be consumed. Water, unlike food, cannot be substituted. Water is becoming more scarce over the years due to global warming. Human rights is a basic right which every humans deserves while a commodity is something useful which is controlled by demand. If water is treated as a commodity, what would happen to the poor people? They would simply thirst to death while the wealthy people would be able to buy water. Many people suffer all over the world due to the scarcity of water. It disturbs me to know that while others are thirsting to death or drinking contaminated water, I am able to bathe and drink clean water. However, if it were treated as a human right, many people might abuse the use of water, but we should also consider that fact that everyone deserves the right to live. Therefore, I feel that water should be a human right. You may think that this notion is impossible as many problems would surface. For example, who would pay for the poor who are unable to buy water? Although it is near impossible, I feel that as humans, we should at least try our best to reach out and provide water to the poor. Is it fair to see millions die of thirst? In conclusion, I feel that water should be treated as a human right.

Term 3 Week 1 Blogging Assginment

I feel that there should not be weekly day off for maids, but probably once or twice per month. I feel that too much freedom for these maids might lead to unhealthy consequences. For example, if the maid follows her friends to the casino and gamble, she might lose money. This might lead to a gambling addiction and might result in the maid succumbing to stealing money from her employers. Also, if a maid were given too much freedom, she might think that she is entitled to it. I have sometimes seen maids meeting up at the void deck during the work time just to chat. I feel that this fine but they should not abuse their freedom just to meet up with friends. This might affect their job performance and they might not finish what they were assigned to do on time. Also, with more off days, we might have to still pay them. This is a loss for us as we are paying the maids to help out in the household but not to pay for them to go out with their friends. Imagine if a poor couple hired a maid to take care of their parents and had to work on ends just to pay the maid. Wouldn’t that be unfair to the couple? They have paid for the maid to take care of their parents as they are too busy to do so. I feel that Halimah Yacob should not have suggested the change of legislation as I feel that it is the employer’s choice of giving the amount of off days the maid has. In conclusion, I feel that maids should be given an ample amount of freedom but not an over excessive amount till they digress from their work or adopt a bad habit.

HBL 25 May

1) All over the world, in war-torn countries, children are constantly being recruited as soldiers. Children can take direct part in hostilities (child soldiers), or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or for propaganda. International human rights law state that minors under 15 are not allowed to take part in direct hostilities while minors under 18 but above 15 are allowed to take part under their consent. Many innocent children are harmed as they do not know what is right from wrong when being recruited. For example, in places like Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan children are being abducted and forced to be participate in these types of activities.

2)

Steps in Analysis
	Point	Evidence	Elaboration
1.	Point of View Point of view of the author	“Will their life and blood be poured Down some endless thirsty hole ”	This shows how the author feels about the children who died and it express and solemn yet sad emotion as the author illustrates the loss of life.
2.	Situation and Setting Children are deprived from education and forced to fight.	“Chalk and blackboards will not be To this door there is no key From this life they can not flee And these children are not free Could we simply light a candle Could we give them half a chance Could we teach them how to read Could we teach them how to dance”	This shows what happens to these children in war-torn countries. They are not able to receive education and they can not flee from their current state of life.
3	Language/ Diction Rhymes	Every last word of the second and fourth line of the stanza rhymes	This emphasises how the children are suffering and it gives the reader an “re-occurring” feeling.
4	Personal Response I feel that these children are very pitiful as they are forced into wars which they do not even know or understand about. They are forced to fight and are deprived from education. We should appreciate our education and lives as we are more fortunate than these poor children.	“Chalk and blackboards will not be To this door there is no key From this life they can not flee And these children are not free” “Could we simply light a candle Could we give them half a chance Could we teach them how to read Could we teach them how to dance Or will a war consume them Their body and their soul Will their life and blood be poured Down some endless thirsty hole”	We all lived in such a safe and peaceful country where there is no war. We have education, luxuries and sufficient food and water. Yet, many youths complain about how education in boring and tiring. I feel that we should toss aside this mindset and think about how other children around the world are suffering. Thus, we should appreciate what we have and donate to organisations which help aid these unfortunate children.