Brave struggle against colonialism

When Johnny was eight, he regarded his father as the source of all knowledge, the ultimate hero, a role model.

By the time Johnny was 18 and studying at university, his father's stature had diminished while his own had grown to the omniscient level. Everything had become black or white, no grey.

Most Johnnys, by the time they reach about 40, look back in amusement at their youthful radical ideals and have learned to see grey, as well as black and white.

Unfortunately, some Johnnys never mature, never see any viewpoint but their own. These are the dangerous radicals, the dangerous fundamentalists of religion or politics. Often charismatic in their radicalism, they hinder the search for peace on earth and goodwill towards any except those who think as they do.

These are the Johnnys who insult men like Lee Kuan Yew.

Forty years ago, Dr Lee stood tall in Asia for his brave struggle against undemocratic colonialism. I once consulted him myself on this same situation in the bad old days of corruption and have reason to respect him. Eventually, he led Singapore through its colonial past and post-colonial difficulties.

Your correspondent Wee Tian Hong (letter, South China Morning Post, December 9) says he cannot understand the Hong Kong radicals' definition of democracy. I, too, would like to know the answer to that question. To all appearances in Hong Kong, the word resembles its American meaning - that is, do as we say, or else. I would call that budding dictatorship.

ELSIE TU

Kowloon