I refer to the online letter titled "RJC students, watch your dropping pants and short skirts" on ST forum on 8 sep(http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,339311,00.html?). I am undeniably touched by the author's concern for RJ , especially when he comes from the institution located right next to us. However, after reading the article, even the barely literate, i'm sure, would have noticed something wrong. But what is it that makes it wrong?

The letter aptly points out a very pertinent trend in an "illustrious institution." The fact that SOME RJ students dress sloppily is undeniable but to say that RJ girls are seen "invariably" in short skirts and "many" guys have dropping pants is stretching the limit. For one, "invariably" means constantly which means if i can find 1 counter-example, the argument falls through.

The second reason, i have to say as a student practising science, is that his accusations are groundless. This is because he could not have conducted attire checks on the entire RJ population without playing truant and risking himself being in a boys' home or the mental hospital for an uncanny fetish. So, i suppose him a normal student that perhaps saw 10 girls wearing short skirts and 10 guys wearing dropping pants in a day. Still, thts less than 1% of the entire RJ population and cannot be used to generalise the remaining 99% of the population.

The above 2 "wrongs" can be easily forgiven with a simple line of "freedom of speech". The author is obviously entitled to his opinion of the RJ population and the RJ population, as the elites, would not mind the criticism. However, we need to discern criticism from scathing attacks and the final line he wrote "I urge the school authorities to take action." hits himself in the foot. At first glance, one might have thought that the author keyed in the wrong address when sending the email but common sense tells u that an individual with an IQ above 100 or even 150 and a PSLE score of 261 and above could not have commited such a elementary error. Thus, the ultimate motive of the author then becomes apparent.

I quote, "far from making a statement", all he had accomplished was to show his lack of maturity. "Just because a student is out of school boundaries does not mean that the school image cannot be affected by the student's dress and actions." I am indeed thankful that he did not reveal his own school. "Never underestimate Man's ability to be stupid" Mr Joseph Wong once said. How apt.