Does strong language equate disrespect?

Mr Tan Kin Lian, former chief executive of NTUC, has been enjoying some popularity writing as a columnist for The Online Citizen (TOC). Recently, he questioned the flak that Health Minister Khaw Boon Wah has been receiving for his suggestion for cheaper homes for the elderly in Johor. Following a flurry of exchanges in the comments section, (some of which criticised Mr Tan) he followed up with an article - "Respect other people's views".

I feel that given a person of Tan's worldly experience, he is surprisingly delicate - he was visibly miffed whenever he encountered strong language.

I think that it is unrealistic to expect political debates to be gentle, and that participants should refrain from any and all comments that could be construed as an attack any of the participants.

Below is the comment I posted on that thread :

"AC on February 24th, 2009 9.36 am

I think that while we should not deviate from the issue at hand into personal attacks and insults; we should not expect the polar opposite as the norm - that all communication have be respectful and polite before any exchange can actually take place. Let’s not be overly sensitive and delicate - political debates are hardly the realm of ’sugar and spice and everything nice’.

—–

I think that cheaper nursing homes overseas should be an option explored by the private sector instead of being spear-headed by our Health Minister. I think that as a minister Khaw should be aware that he represents the government, and that his words will be, rightly or wrongly, perceived as government policy inclinations.

Unless I am mistaken, Khaw himself had said strong words publicly condemning the lack of filial piety. For the same man to broach on the topic of not only sending one’s parents to a home for elderly, but a home that is in another country, is very inappropriate and borders on hypocrisy. Is it then surprising that Singaporeans take him to task?"