"Our forefathers fought for the right to fee speech."

What probably is a typo, the New York Times, quoted Pamelyn Ferdin, president of a radical animal rights group and former child star, said that "Our forefathers fought for the right to fee speech." While this was meant as a complaint againts the recent convictions of six members for terrorism and "Internet stalking", it reminded me of another country, half way around the globe, called Singapore, that has just charged one of its most outspoken critics in contempt of court "because he made critical comments about the Singapore judiciary"(Reuters). Dr. Chee Soon Juan was earlier declared bankrupt after failing to pay S$500,000 in damages awarded to former prime ministers Goh Chok Tong and Lee Kuan Yew for allegedly misleading Parliament.

If speaking freely can cost you S$500,000, then it is indeed the right to fee speech that founding father Lee Kuan Yew seems to have fought for.