Friday 29 April - They have 5 years to regret and I have no doubts they will; Election rallies enter second day

Rally Roundup

- PAP: "Grow and Share Package is the best way to help the needy"; WP: "Co-driver's role is to slap the driver if he falls asleep or drives dangerously; NSP: "SM Goh ran Singapore like a corporation"; SDP: "Government has lost its moral compass" and balls to stand up against the 'father and son' (emphasis mine); RP: "Inheriting the legacy of JBJ" (Satay Club)

Manufacturing Consent:

- "Print media - Some things change, some things stay the same": With the advent of cellphone camera and rapid digital distribution channels like twittering and Facebook, it is difficult for the mainstream media to suppress pictures depicting favorable turnout at opposition rallies without hurting its credibility. However, placement of pictures, length of each article reserved for points raised in the opposition rallies as well as news coverage for parties still appear significantly favourable to the incumbents. While only 35% of young voters reply primarily on the mainstream media for news, the proportion for older voters is likely much higher. This situation allows the MSM to twist facts to suit their needs, hence it is important to watch out for biased reporting in the news and call for press freedom. (Yawning Bread)

- "Extensive Coverage given to PAP in the Straits Times": Lots of editorial space and pictures dedicated to the incumbent, the PAP compared to opposition candidates give a distorted view of sentiments on the ground. The mainstream media has also chosen to focus on "giving the PAP a mandate" for "leadership renewal" while ignoring key issues such as open-door immigration, rising cost of living and public housing property bubble.  (Singapore Election Watch)

Mudslinging:

- "The day Vivian lit a match": He is evil, says the author. By insinuating without saying explicitly, Vivian has casted seeds of doubt into the populace on that Vincent is both a gay and possibly a pedophile while the alleged video evidence surrounding the case is taken out of context and edited just enough to give only a shred of credibility to that conclusion. The entire episode is done to alienate Vincent from the conservative population, the Christians and possibly sensible Singaporeans who did not follow the episode closely, so that Vivian can secure a safe win at Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. (onesingaporean)

- "Vivian Balakrishnan" cast doubt on his own good character": Response from the online community has been uniformly negative about Dr Balakrishnan. (Mr Wang Says So)

Having the last say:

- "MM Lee steps into the Aljunied Battle": Aljunied voters will regret voting for the Workers' Party, says MM Lee. "They have five years to ruminate and regret what they did. And I have no doubts they will regret it," he added during a walkabout in Tampines. (Satay Club)

And that is all thanks to Ng Teck Siong of the SDA. One has to wonder if he is more than just incompetent?