Is "liberal" a state of mind?

College activities galore last week, all replete with fascinating side stories that were, at times, more captivating than the activities themselves.

Friday, we had three activities, all riddled with controversy. 12.30pm, the Model UN students set off for the South East Asia Forensics Competition in International School KL with glee. Now for the obligatory controversy: Some tutors were reluctant, even hostile, to release students to go. That was the primary reason the bus departed late, which was the primary reasons the Muslim boys arrived at their prayer grounds late, which was the primary reason many missed Impromptu Speaking, which many later felt was the highlight of the day.

Little were we to know we were merely in the eye of a storm, as another controversial episode unfurled beneath the horrified eyes of many in college.

Assembly this week (A SapphireTM Project) doubled as the Opening Ceremony of Creative Week. Creative Week: From Junk to Art. Doesn't explain the sumo wrestling competitions on the schedule though. The Indian Cultural Club, with a few Malay girls in tow - this is where the situation starts getting prickly - performed a fully clothed Bhangra dance, to the delight of the liberal members of college.

This, of course, was the cue for an unspoken cold war to occur. Many whispered comments have been overheard by the members of Veritas who have had the guts to come to us. Will this be a long-standing matter of contention within the narrow confines of college grounds, where stoking tensions can simmer with no end in sight? Only God knows why. I (and this is personal, not Veritas) personally (just in case the previous message isn't clear enough) - believe you can always look away, if you think it's not to your liking. Each culture has their quirks; you can choose to disregard them but you certainly gotta respect them if you want to earn respect. Intolerance of other religions or cultures merely reflects badly on yours, thus giving others an unfair chance to strengthen their stereotypes against yours.

Nightfall beckoned the Battle of the Bands, which, as always, was a highly entertaining battle of the good, the bad, and the simply off-key. Highlight: Mr Jamal on guitar. Still, we are obliged to question the origins of a notice on the door saying: "Girls and boys have to sit apart during this event." Kudos to a teacher who, in a fit of disgust, shredded it with his bare hands. Still, he needn't have put the notice up, for the boys and the girls, as usual, decided to sit apart.

Saturday was Life Saving Day. Nothing eventful, just a bunch of 16 enjoying a longer than usual swim, eh? It was an ordeal for some, a nagging pain in the neck for most, and a breeze for the select few with Mr Hamdan-esque physiques. Many failed once - before you bemoan their frail constitutions, try swimming 50m and towing a person back in 3 minutes. Then try flinging a rope 20m into the pool without it entangling AND getting it pat down the first try.

Try college. It has its ups and downs, but then, that sure beats Form Six.

Students, please post your views on the above incidents below. We are not liberal, neither are we conservative, we are the truth, as we see it.