I was so glad to read in the news that the 3-4 year old little girl who was raped and taped in Nevada is identified and found.
There is good to be made from the rapid transmission of news in this information age, and it's a good call that the FBI and law enforcement agencies to release the little girl and the rapist's picture from the video.
I hope more good will come out of finding and helping victims. I really do.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
On Bush's "push" on climate policy in UN...
Now this is "good."
First, Bush ambushed the Kyoto Protocol; lost all morale ground; then try to resurrect himself (and see if he can put down anything in his "legacy", if any) in his lame duck phase second term by first, claiming the headline that he's going to tackle the climate change, then proposing to allow countries to do good by making the cap of carbon dioxide emission *voluntary* (rather than mandatory).
He gets even "better." The argument of doing away with mandatory emission cap is that, because countries (like US, most notably) won't comply with mandatory requirement. So, let's make it voluntary, so that everyone (including US) will sign...and, nothing (ie. no one will bother to cap the emission) will happen!!! The Bush administration calls it a "strategy."
By jove, since when did we sink this low in logics!!??!! I don't think this argument (if you can call it an argument) can pass the muster of a 5-year-old.
No matter, Bush still has John Howard, the lone pee-on in Australia, to agree with him on that one.
First, Bush ambushed the Kyoto Protocol; lost all morale ground; then try to resurrect himself (and see if he can put down anything in his "legacy", if any) in his lame duck phase second term by first, claiming the headline that he's going to tackle the climate change, then proposing to allow countries to do good by making the cap of carbon dioxide emission *voluntary* (rather than mandatory).
He gets even "better." The argument of doing away with mandatory emission cap is that, because countries (like US, most notably) won't comply with mandatory requirement. So, let's make it voluntary, so that everyone (including US) will sign...and, nothing (ie. no one will bother to cap the emission) will happen!!! The Bush administration calls it a "strategy."
By jove, since when did we sink this low in logics!!??!! I don't think this argument (if you can call it an argument) can pass the muster of a 5-year-old.
No matter, Bush still has John Howard, the lone pee-on in Australia, to agree with him on that one.
On New York Times killing the TimeSelect paid service...
It's just a matter before New York Times would kill its foray into monetizing its popular website in creating the TimeSelect paid subscription service. So, it comes as no surprise when NYTimes ends this service.
While its columnists at NYTimes are popular, I don't think these days anyone would pay to read others' opinion online. Afterall, everyone (even dogs, if they could type) has an opinion, duly exposed in the millions of blogs out there. Nobody is going to pay to read yet some more opinions.
I would say, though, that NYT always has wonderful and indepth reporting. If I were to do research and study, I could use the archive library of NYT even if I have to pay. If NYT is not already doing that, maybe they should consider that (in order to make some bucks to help with the bottomline).
The attempt of NYTimes is quite different from, say, Wall Street Journal, which even I myself am considering signing up. When I pay, I want to see real, good quality content that is *hard news*, and WSJ fits my requirement. On top of that, I want to read it whenever and wherever I want it. I don't want to have to wait for the newspaper delivery at my door everyday. And I get to do my part for not wasting more trees, printing newspapers hardcopy. (I really hate it that people in the neighborhood would order their daily newspapers, just to have them thrown out, in their original plastic wrap. It's despicable.)
I must disclose my displeasure of Murdoch's takeover of Wall Street Journal. I really, really hope the newsroom of WSJ will not suffer. Otherwise, I'll vote with my feet.
While its columnists at NYTimes are popular, I don't think these days anyone would pay to read others' opinion online. Afterall, everyone (even dogs, if they could type) has an opinion, duly exposed in the millions of blogs out there. Nobody is going to pay to read yet some more opinions.
I would say, though, that NYT always has wonderful and indepth reporting. If I were to do research and study, I could use the archive library of NYT even if I have to pay. If NYT is not already doing that, maybe they should consider that (in order to make some bucks to help with the bottomline).
The attempt of NYTimes is quite different from, say, Wall Street Journal, which even I myself am considering signing up. When I pay, I want to see real, good quality content that is *hard news*, and WSJ fits my requirement. On top of that, I want to read it whenever and wherever I want it. I don't want to have to wait for the newspaper delivery at my door everyday. And I get to do my part for not wasting more trees, printing newspapers hardcopy. (I really hate it that people in the neighborhood would order their daily newspapers, just to have them thrown out, in their original plastic wrap. It's despicable.)
I must disclose my displeasure of Murdoch's takeover of Wall Street Journal. I really, really hope the newsroom of WSJ will not suffer. Otherwise, I'll vote with my feet.
Do not forget and give up on this little girl...
I hope the report on this little 4-5 year old girl will not be forgotten after just one day on cnn.com
She was found to be raped on video tape by an adult white male (face caught on video), but the police does not know who or where she is. I want to cry and my heart aches when I read reports like this. I hope someone out there could rescue this girl, and all those girls and boys who are in similar or worse situation.
How could any humans (if they are still humans) possibly do anything like that to kids? I hope they get castrated, and rot somewhere (no, not in jail, since I don't want these animals to be fed and taken care of) in hell. I really do.
She was found to be raped on video tape by an adult white male (face caught on video), but the police does not know who or where she is. I want to cry and my heart aches when I read reports like this. I hope someone out there could rescue this girl, and all those girls and boys who are in similar or worse situation.
How could any humans (if they are still humans) possibly do anything like that to kids? I hope they get castrated, and rot somewhere (no, not in jail, since I don't want these animals to be fed and taken care of) in hell. I really do.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
On the "happiness gap" between men and women...
The blog at New York Times on the Happiness Gap between men and women makes very interesting read.
What we do know is women are not that happy these days, compared to previous generations.
The blog mentions this "study" that shows a "happiness gap" between men and women, and that women are more unhappy than men. I would be very curious to find out the methodology, sample size, and the interpretation of the actual results, among other things of this "study", before I jump to a conclusion. No matter, people responding to the blog do (jump to the conclusion that the study *IS* indeed accurate and realistic). So, we see a lot of generalizations, caricatures, stereotypes, and implied feelings and meanings from the bloggers (based on their perceived notion on this topic, and their own experience and observations).
What we see is something like this:
Men's (mostly, based on their screen names which might not be truly reflective) responses...
(1) That women of the post-feminism era are whinners. They asked for more, and now they have the opportunites, they're having too much for them to chew for.
(2) That men don't sweat details, but women can get too hung up on details in life that they don't see necessary or important. (Case in point: Picking up socks scattered around the house, or dishes not stack in the right place or in the right way in the cabinet.) As a result, they don't bother cleaning up. The result? The women can't stand it, so they do it themselves, on top of all the chores and work they have to do. And they complain the men are lazy.
(3) Along the lines of (2), men don't do the things that women might deem important or necessary. However, they would do it, if they're asked to. But the women don't. Why? Cuz the women *think* the "men are lazy," so they don't bother asking. All the women should do is ask.
(4) The house-husbands or supportive partners postings to the successful career women/mothers are revealing. They acknowledge the ability of their wives, and are fully supportive of it (ie. do the chores, take care of the kids, be supportive, in general). They are happier than their own fathers since these men spent more of their time with childrearing, and are enjoying the quality time. The wives, on the other hand, are not happy still. While they might have the time with the kids after work etc, and they enjoy success at work, they would never be comparable to their own mothers who, in the previous generations' perfect world, are stay-home moms. However, they *do* want to go out and "use their brain power." So, while they might attend career success and family harmony, that falls short of their own "ideal" of perfect mothers.
Women's (again, based on screen names only, which can be deceptive) responses...
(5) There are so many guys who are *pigs* (the good-at-nothing couch potatoes), and too few good, straight men. They are lazy and won't help with chores and kids. Why do women have to do it all? "Of course I'm unhappy."
(6) "What're you talking about? I'm happy in life, being single and all." (Or substitute the word "single" with "single mom.")
(7) "Don't whine, girls. If you don't want babies, take the pills. Don't have the babies and then whine about all the work that follows."
(8) "I feel trapped" trying to beat the career path, and raising a family.
etc etc etc...
I work (the top 5% income bracket), and I have kids and husband. Over the years, here are what I learn from the process (and it's evolving still):
(a) Let's get the priority straight. The family (and the kids) comes first. Jobs and career come and go, but family is what stays with you for life.
(b) I don't think I'll be able to focus on my career, if my husband has not given up his. This is not some Asian countries like India or Thailand or Hong Kong, when it's cheap and easy to keep housemaids. (In those countries, it almost a given that you would have to have that, if you want to keep a 2-income family.) Well, something (or someone) has to give. In those countries, the maids are all-too-often poor mothers in their own countries (eg. Philippines) who have to forsake their own family care, in order to work for some other better-off families, allowing their masters and mistresses to continue their career paths.
(c) Along the lines of (b), with families usually so far apart in America, there is little extended family support either. So, one of us has to stay with the kids.
(d) I used to sweat the details too, which used to be one source of spousal arguments. (He would do the dishes, but for some mysterious reasons, would not put them in the dish holders. So the cleaned, wet, dripping dishes all ended up sitting on the counter, and I have to stack them away.) But he does take care of other things (eg. cooking, schooling). I learnt to do my part. I might be busy, but how hard is it to put the clean dishes away anyways?!? My tolerance level on messiness is getting higher too. When it gets to a point where I can't stand it, I tell him to clean up, and he will. Being messy is one thing, but I don't tolerate dirty stuffs.
(e) Learn to multi-task, and multi-task well. As a working mother, you have to do. Period.
(f) Learn to delegate. Everyone in the family has to pull their weight, including the kids. There is no servant here. When it's clean-up time, everyone does clean-up. Period.
(g) Be mindful of the psychological toll on the husband for giving up a career to stay home. Be creative. Think of some career move that your husband can do at home, so that he can control his schedule, and keep a link to the outside. It's good for his self-esteem as well.
(h) With all that's going on, the stay-home dad needs to learn to multi-task well as well. That's no other alternative.
(i) Be realistic. Ask yourself if you really, really want the romantic ideals of the bygone days, of stay-home moms. A lot of women (like myself) really do want, and need to work and stay active. If we waste away our brain cells staying at home for 14-15 years or so for the kids, and one day find the kids decide it's time they make out on their own, what are we to do? Ditto with the men/husbands. In this day and age, I strongly believe we (men and women) have to beat out our own path. Just following the footsteps and stereotypes of our parents is just not good enough. It took me some 10 years to come to that realization. We have to adjust our behavior, and expectations, and goals, in order to be happy.
I'm pretty happy with where we are now with the family. I do wish I have 36 hours a day, so that I can do more. While he's starting a venture from home, I want to start a separate venture of my own too, on top of the existing job. All these, while taking care of the kids, and enjoying time with them too. Oh, did I mention I want to do an MBA or follow a masters degree to enrich myself too? Hm...come to think of it, I wish I have 48 hours a day...
What we do know is women are not that happy these days, compared to previous generations.
The blog mentions this "study" that shows a "happiness gap" between men and women, and that women are more unhappy than men. I would be very curious to find out the methodology, sample size, and the interpretation of the actual results, among other things of this "study", before I jump to a conclusion. No matter, people responding to the blog do (jump to the conclusion that the study *IS* indeed accurate and realistic). So, we see a lot of generalizations, caricatures, stereotypes, and implied feelings and meanings from the bloggers (based on their perceived notion on this topic, and their own experience and observations).
What we see is something like this:
Men's (mostly, based on their screen names which might not be truly reflective) responses...
(1) That women of the post-feminism era are whinners. They asked for more, and now they have the opportunites, they're having too much for them to chew for.
(2) That men don't sweat details, but women can get too hung up on details in life that they don't see necessary or important. (Case in point: Picking up socks scattered around the house, or dishes not stack in the right place or in the right way in the cabinet.) As a result, they don't bother cleaning up. The result? The women can't stand it, so they do it themselves, on top of all the chores and work they have to do. And they complain the men are lazy.
(3) Along the lines of (2), men don't do the things that women might deem important or necessary. However, they would do it, if they're asked to. But the women don't. Why? Cuz the women *think* the "men are lazy," so they don't bother asking. All the women should do is ask.
(4) The house-husbands or supportive partners postings to the successful career women/mothers are revealing. They acknowledge the ability of their wives, and are fully supportive of it (ie. do the chores, take care of the kids, be supportive, in general). They are happier than their own fathers since these men spent more of their time with childrearing, and are enjoying the quality time. The wives, on the other hand, are not happy still. While they might have the time with the kids after work etc, and they enjoy success at work, they would never be comparable to their own mothers who, in the previous generations' perfect world, are stay-home moms. However, they *do* want to go out and "use their brain power." So, while they might attend career success and family harmony, that falls short of their own "ideal" of perfect mothers.
Women's (again, based on screen names only, which can be deceptive) responses...
(5) There are so many guys who are *pigs* (the good-at-nothing couch potatoes), and too few good, straight men. They are lazy and won't help with chores and kids. Why do women have to do it all? "Of course I'm unhappy."
(6) "What're you talking about? I'm happy in life, being single and all." (Or substitute the word "single" with "single mom.")
(7) "Don't whine, girls. If you don't want babies, take the pills. Don't have the babies and then whine about all the work that follows."
(8) "I feel trapped" trying to beat the career path, and raising a family.
etc etc etc...
I work (the top 5% income bracket), and I have kids and husband. Over the years, here are what I learn from the process (and it's evolving still):
(a) Let's get the priority straight. The family (and the kids) comes first. Jobs and career come and go, but family is what stays with you for life.
(b) I don't think I'll be able to focus on my career, if my husband has not given up his. This is not some Asian countries like India or Thailand or Hong Kong, when it's cheap and easy to keep housemaids. (In those countries, it almost a given that you would have to have that, if you want to keep a 2-income family.) Well, something (or someone) has to give. In those countries, the maids are all-too-often poor mothers in their own countries (eg. Philippines) who have to forsake their own family care, in order to work for some other better-off families, allowing their masters and mistresses to continue their career paths.
(c) Along the lines of (b), with families usually so far apart in America, there is little extended family support either. So, one of us has to stay with the kids.
(d) I used to sweat the details too, which used to be one source of spousal arguments. (He would do the dishes, but for some mysterious reasons, would not put them in the dish holders. So the cleaned, wet, dripping dishes all ended up sitting on the counter, and I have to stack them away.) But he does take care of other things (eg. cooking, schooling). I learnt to do my part. I might be busy, but how hard is it to put the clean dishes away anyways?!? My tolerance level on messiness is getting higher too. When it gets to a point where I can't stand it, I tell him to clean up, and he will. Being messy is one thing, but I don't tolerate dirty stuffs.
(e) Learn to multi-task, and multi-task well. As a working mother, you have to do. Period.
(f) Learn to delegate. Everyone in the family has to pull their weight, including the kids. There is no servant here. When it's clean-up time, everyone does clean-up. Period.
(g) Be mindful of the psychological toll on the husband for giving up a career to stay home. Be creative. Think of some career move that your husband can do at home, so that he can control his schedule, and keep a link to the outside. It's good for his self-esteem as well.
(h) With all that's going on, the stay-home dad needs to learn to multi-task well as well. That's no other alternative.
(i) Be realistic. Ask yourself if you really, really want the romantic ideals of the bygone days, of stay-home moms. A lot of women (like myself) really do want, and need to work and stay active. If we waste away our brain cells staying at home for 14-15 years or so for the kids, and one day find the kids decide it's time they make out on their own, what are we to do? Ditto with the men/husbands. In this day and age, I strongly believe we (men and women) have to beat out our own path. Just following the footsteps and stereotypes of our parents is just not good enough. It took me some 10 years to come to that realization. We have to adjust our behavior, and expectations, and goals, in order to be happy.
I'm pretty happy with where we are now with the family. I do wish I have 36 hours a day, so that I can do more. While he's starting a venture from home, I want to start a separate venture of my own too, on top of the existing job. All these, while taking care of the kids, and enjoying time with them too. Oh, did I mention I want to do an MBA or follow a masters degree to enrich myself too? Hm...come to think of it, I wish I have 48 hours a day...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
On being a Christian and a woman...
It's always a challenge, reading articles like this that discusses about the failings of Christians, and indeed in this case, two pastors/preachers who were married and are now filing for divorce due to domestic violence.
I am never illusioned about how difficult it is to be a Christian, and to preach the Christian way of living. But it's hard, looking at someone (here, a female preacher) who preaches (and teaches) black women of how to be a good wife, of how to stroke the ego of the husband, and to deal with sexual desire and promiscuity while preaching chastity, among other things.
One might say that her experience is particularly hard to swallow, given what she preaches, and the way she's going from one marriage to another, both ending in domestic violence. Is herself or the husband or both, to be blamed for the failing? How could the husband, in this case when he's a "bishop" himself, be hitting his wife while preaching for loving and caring relationship? There is so much hypocrisy when people looking at Christians, or indeed whoever claims to be Christians.
It's very true that people hold Christians to higher bar and standard when it comes to the way of living and the preaching that are coming from them. It's a very dangerous to elevate any individual to be "prophetess" (as in the case of this female preacher), and equate her with Bible teachings. One can quickly get disillusioned when failures happen. This is one reason I don't go to church often, although I regard myself as generally, a believer. One could argue that one needs the support group to strive and grow and share. I don't know if I'm ready to set myself up for disappointment and disillusionment.
Maybe someday God will show me the way. For now, I'm content staying at the sideline...
I am never illusioned about how difficult it is to be a Christian, and to preach the Christian way of living. But it's hard, looking at someone (here, a female preacher) who preaches (and teaches) black women of how to be a good wife, of how to stroke the ego of the husband, and to deal with sexual desire and promiscuity while preaching chastity, among other things.
One might say that her experience is particularly hard to swallow, given what she preaches, and the way she's going from one marriage to another, both ending in domestic violence. Is herself or the husband or both, to be blamed for the failing? How could the husband, in this case when he's a "bishop" himself, be hitting his wife while preaching for loving and caring relationship? There is so much hypocrisy when people looking at Christians, or indeed whoever claims to be Christians.
It's very true that people hold Christians to higher bar and standard when it comes to the way of living and the preaching that are coming from them. It's a very dangerous to elevate any individual to be "prophetess" (as in the case of this female preacher), and equate her with Bible teachings. One can quickly get disillusioned when failures happen. This is one reason I don't go to church often, although I regard myself as generally, a believer. One could argue that one needs the support group to strive and grow and share. I don't know if I'm ready to set myself up for disappointment and disillusionment.
Maybe someday God will show me the way. For now, I'm content staying at the sideline...
Monday, September 17, 2007
On Katrina and federal government's role in its rebuilding...
It's disheartening, reading the article "Where's the money?" from Fortune magazine in the August 20, 2007 issue.
One glaring point to take away is the gross ineptness of the federal government (read, Bush administration) in dealing with the issue. What Bush is saying/doing is, I opened my wallet, here's some money, go take care of yourself.
I might probably be labeled an independent liberal, but I'm no socialist. I do strongly believe that there are certain basic infrastructure and human needs, which responsibilities the federal government cannot abdicate. The needs for the rebuild is so vast, huge and urgent (still) that they call for the federal government to take over on temporary basis. This decisive step would have, should have, could have removed most, if not all, the feudal territorial infightings of different ruling agencies, local governments, and private entities. But the Bush administration does not have the competency and insight to do the right thing. All Bush does was, try to take the easy way out, and claim the glory of it.
It leads me to wonder, if Bush is unable to rebuild even a piece of land in his own backyard, how is he to be trusted to rebuild a remote landmass for a mess that the neo-cons (with his full endorsement) made in Iraq? As we all know too well, Iraq is infinitely worse than New Orleans (there really is no comparison). But in terms of planning, they both show the same pattern of incompetency of this Bush administration.
It makes me angry, very angry in fact, to see that pattern repeating again and again. And I'm very angry at Bush for what he has allowed this country to come down to, and what he has marched this country toward. Sometimes, I wish he would have the chance to stand for re-election, then the voters would show him what he's worth.
Don't bother with legacy, Mr Bush, since you have these two forever marred on your nameplate.
One glaring point to take away is the gross ineptness of the federal government (read, Bush administration) in dealing with the issue. What Bush is saying/doing is, I opened my wallet, here's some money, go take care of yourself.
I might probably be labeled an independent liberal, but I'm no socialist. I do strongly believe that there are certain basic infrastructure and human needs, which responsibilities the federal government cannot abdicate. The needs for the rebuild is so vast, huge and urgent (still) that they call for the federal government to take over on temporary basis. This decisive step would have, should have, could have removed most, if not all, the feudal territorial infightings of different ruling agencies, local governments, and private entities. But the Bush administration does not have the competency and insight to do the right thing. All Bush does was, try to take the easy way out, and claim the glory of it.
It leads me to wonder, if Bush is unable to rebuild even a piece of land in his own backyard, how is he to be trusted to rebuild a remote landmass for a mess that the neo-cons (with his full endorsement) made in Iraq? As we all know too well, Iraq is infinitely worse than New Orleans (there really is no comparison). But in terms of planning, they both show the same pattern of incompetency of this Bush administration.
It makes me angry, very angry in fact, to see that pattern repeating again and again. And I'm very angry at Bush for what he has allowed this country to come down to, and what he has marched this country toward. Sometimes, I wish he would have the chance to stand for re-election, then the voters would show him what he's worth.
Don't bother with legacy, Mr Bush, since you have these two forever marred on your nameplate.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
More on John Howard, the Australian PM and the Bush lap dog...
It is royally annoying to read reports like http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6988552.stm of John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, and how he emulates the policy and style of Bush Jr, and how unpopular he is now, who also faces complete annihilation in the election by year end.
I hope he gets annihilated. At least Bush would not get the slap of the face since there won't be another election for him anymore. For Howard, the stakes are high. If Dem wins in US, Howard will be marginalized (or at least not as warmly received). If his party fails in the election at year end, he loses. So, he'd better hoped and prayed that some GOP wins in US, and his party doesn't lose, then he'll prolong this about-face.
If bin Laden is smart, he shouldn't stage another attack in US. Otherwise, it'll push US further into the same agenda, making it less likely for al Qaeda to gain foothold in the befuddled Middle Eastern countries.
I hope he gets annihilated. At least Bush would not get the slap of the face since there won't be another election for him anymore. For Howard, the stakes are high. If Dem wins in US, Howard will be marginalized (or at least not as warmly received). If his party fails in the election at year end, he loses. So, he'd better hoped and prayed that some GOP wins in US, and his party doesn't lose, then he'll prolong this about-face.
If bin Laden is smart, he shouldn't stage another attack in US. Otherwise, it'll push US further into the same agenda, making it less likely for al Qaeda to gain foothold in the befuddled Middle Eastern countries.
On the 6th anniversary of 9/11...
I can't believe it. It's the 6th anniversary of 9/11.
I still remember clearly what happened that morning, when I was in office, and then some colleague called out, that something happened in NYC. In march everyone into the big conference room where the big TV was. Most everyone hadn't the slightest clue what's happening. Everyone's laughing and chatting when we went in. And then we saw black smoke coming out of one of the towers of World Trade Center. There's so much talking going on, on top of the TV, that I didn't realize what's going on. The picture on the TV looked so cleared and gorgeous that it's movie-perfect. It's too Hollywood like - afterall, things always happen either in New York or LA, don't they.
We were chitchatting about general stuffs: how tall WTC was; who had worked there on which floor; etc. Nobody comprehended how grave the situation was. And then the towers collapsed. The only thing that came out of everyone was a lot of wow's. I just thought, "wow, that's bad."
It wasn't until the next day, when more videos came in, and there are views from the ground. There are videos showing people jumping from on high to escape (and die). There are videos of people running away from ground zero when clouds of dust flooded the street like special effects in Hollywood. It's still surreal, but it isn't until then when I realized how bad this was, and I couldn't stop my tears rolling down my face, even though I wasn't crying out loud.
Six years on, much is revealed and still more is not. There are good and bad things that come out of it.
The good: False illusion of safety, away from the middle east, is gone. People are more aware of the mortal dangers that we are in. I can't think of anything else that is good about 09/11.
The bad: We should know by now that we shouldn't have gone in Iraq on the pretext of 9/11 (I hope), as the Bush administration tried to sell it and still selling it. (Apparently there are still silly people who would regurgitate the same tidbits fed by Karl Rove on why and how 09/11 and Iraq are related. Shame on them.) And on how Bush Jr squanders away the chance to do a good job in Afghanistan, and instead, do a very bad job in there, in Iraq. Through it all, America completely lost its morale leadership of the world. Bush Jr should know that these will forever be his legacy. He knew it, and tries to salvage it. Well, Mr President, I'm sorry to tell you, but it's too late now. The uprising of the neo-cons in the Bush administration in hijacking the agenda, and the erosion of civil liberty on the pretext of fighting terrorism, are in most cases, BS.
The way that this administration is going, the way that it's antagonizing the whole world, it's doing a service to bin Laden in driving recruits his way. In terms of ugly, this is one of the worst things that Bush has delivered this country. I'm ashamed of him.
I still remember clearly what happened that morning, when I was in office, and then some colleague called out, that something happened in NYC. In march everyone into the big conference room where the big TV was. Most everyone hadn't the slightest clue what's happening. Everyone's laughing and chatting when we went in. And then we saw black smoke coming out of one of the towers of World Trade Center. There's so much talking going on, on top of the TV, that I didn't realize what's going on. The picture on the TV looked so cleared and gorgeous that it's movie-perfect. It's too Hollywood like - afterall, things always happen either in New York or LA, don't they.
We were chitchatting about general stuffs: how tall WTC was; who had worked there on which floor; etc. Nobody comprehended how grave the situation was. And then the towers collapsed. The only thing that came out of everyone was a lot of wow's. I just thought, "wow, that's bad."
It wasn't until the next day, when more videos came in, and there are views from the ground. There are videos showing people jumping from on high to escape (and die). There are videos of people running away from ground zero when clouds of dust flooded the street like special effects in Hollywood. It's still surreal, but it isn't until then when I realized how bad this was, and I couldn't stop my tears rolling down my face, even though I wasn't crying out loud.
Six years on, much is revealed and still more is not. There are good and bad things that come out of it.
The good: False illusion of safety, away from the middle east, is gone. People are more aware of the mortal dangers that we are in. I can't think of anything else that is good about 09/11.
The bad: We should know by now that we shouldn't have gone in Iraq on the pretext of 9/11 (I hope), as the Bush administration tried to sell it and still selling it. (Apparently there are still silly people who would regurgitate the same tidbits fed by Karl Rove on why and how 09/11 and Iraq are related. Shame on them.) And on how Bush Jr squanders away the chance to do a good job in Afghanistan, and instead, do a very bad job in there, in Iraq. Through it all, America completely lost its morale leadership of the world. Bush Jr should know that these will forever be his legacy. He knew it, and tries to salvage it. Well, Mr President, I'm sorry to tell you, but it's too late now. The uprising of the neo-cons in the Bush administration in hijacking the agenda, and the erosion of civil liberty on the pretext of fighting terrorism, are in most cases, BS.
The way that this administration is going, the way that it's antagonizing the whole world, it's doing a service to bin Laden in driving recruits his way. In terms of ugly, this is one of the worst things that Bush has delivered this country. I'm ashamed of him.
On a hot summer month in Hong Kong...
I was missing in action for my journal (blog) in August. We've traveled to Hong Kong for a month, and, boy, ain't I out of touch with it.
I've been back for a few times to Hong Kong since the 1997 handover to China. Although I noticed changes, I hadn't given it as much thought. Afterall, I had relocated from Hong Kong for quite some years now, and I felt kind of detached from it physically and somewhat emotionally. While I know its landscape is ever-changing (except perhaps the Peak and the south side of the Hong Kong island), I even lost my sense of directions more than a few times.
This time round, there's some business to take care of, and I found myself perking up my senses again. It's interesting to find so many things changed and changing, yet others still stay the same.
A walk in Central still saw all the young women and men dressed in the trendy and in-style. That is to be expected. But this boy-sized and outsized watches on slim wrists came across to me as unnecessary and in most cases, unsightly. Do they care if this looks good only for maybe 1% of the people? I don't think so. Regardless, a trend is a trend is a trend.
The city is buzzing again with energy not seen in a few years, at least not in the past few visits since 2000 after the Asia financial crisis in 1997 and the resultant property market crash in Hong Kong. I'm glad that the financial market is getting a boost from China's announcement that it's opening up the Hong Kong Stock Exchange only for mainland investors (from a few "focus" cities).
Most everything and everyone in Hong Kong flow with finances. Just look at the average (even below average) joes and janes parking themselves almost permanently in the retail bank branches everywhere to soak up minutiae changes in the financial news and rates on the TV monitors. Do you know they have a name? They are the crane-by-the-pond, carefully watching for fish and all ready with their beak to attack. Hongkongers have a unique (and often very accurately funny) way of naming things in Cantonese.
People still walk fast. In fact, I found myself always in a hurry that I'm usually walking faster than all fellow pedestrians, albeit being a semi-tourist. This much I have improved, even better myself before I left this beloved city decades ago.
And the tourists. How they have changed in their faces. Of course you should know now, that it gets almost all of its tourists and tourist dollars from mainland China. Those traditional shopper-bargain places like Tsimshatsui seems to have lost its allure. It's sad and pathetic to walk through TST East to find shops either shuttered or relegated to sell hawkers. This was an area that used to be quite vibrant, albeit for a not-so-moral reason of all the big nightclubs being there. These days, as China opens its door more and more, even the prostitutes have to go north, as the saying goes. So, most nightclubs are gone, and at night, it's eerily quiet walking through TST East. I knew all the facts about all these, but to take it in first-hand, is still somewhat sad.
Last few times, I saw a lot of tourists buses from mainland China parked next to department stores, and those tourists were a sorry sight. They were either squatting in front of high-class stores, or spitting at the roadside. I had wondered if I would want these customers, if I were a highend store. Of course, poor men don't have the luxury to choose. It's almost a lucky break for Hong Kong that mainland China had picked up where the Brits left off, and those mainland Chinese dollars helped keep Hong Kong float. These time round, I didn't see any squatting and spitting. I was told that China made those tourists read through leaflets on how to *behave* when they're outside of the country. They do seem to heed the instructions. But you know what, it's all play-acting. To get rid of the squatting and spitting, it has to go deeper, into the kind of civic education, if any, that these people receive. I doubt if they get any. This much I don't expect to change in the coming future, and so it doesn't.
Buildings are always changing hands and shapes. I never never like the new Peak Tower. The new IFC building looks terrible. It's a robotic arm of an evil sticking out from the ground. It doesn't look good. The BOC building and the HSBC headquarters building still holds its own, even the old Hopewell Center still rings. Sometimes, newer doesn't always means better. And, I would miss the Queen's Pier and the old Central's pier that was shaved to make way for the new.
The humid and salty weather can take its toll quickly on building structures. The New World Hotel and the old Regent Hotel buildings in TST are a case in point. With the outer walls changing color and molding, it looks like it's about to fall, although its interior is still pretty pleasant. But that's one thing that distinguishes one developer from another who can manage properly well. Just look at Pacific Place and you'll realize what I meant.
Hong Kong is a changing city, and its populace adapt fast. Just look at how much they have now embraced the north, how much Putonghua there is on the TV (Chinese and English channels alike). I do hope it'll hold its own, and withstand the onslaught from Shanghai and Beijing.
It's funny that I find myself craving for all souvenirs that are old Hongkong. I collect business cards from each restaurants and hotels that I visit. I buy magnets that are meant for silly tourists. My husband even bought souvenirs from the Central's main post office. (Now, THAT is a bit too much for it.) Speaking of which, on our way down the post office, I saw those old canvas HK Post Office mailbags on display. I said, "now THAT is a souvenir that I would definitely buy." I know none of the people from Hong Kong would have fathomed that someone would want the old postman's mailbags, or understood that a bag like THAT has characters in it. All they would think of is cheap plastic piggybanks. And herein lies one of its problems. Hongkongers think they're very cosmopolitan (and they are, in most sense), with westernized forward thinking. But most people there do not really understand what that means or entails.
I've been back for a few times to Hong Kong since the 1997 handover to China. Although I noticed changes, I hadn't given it as much thought. Afterall, I had relocated from Hong Kong for quite some years now, and I felt kind of detached from it physically and somewhat emotionally. While I know its landscape is ever-changing (except perhaps the Peak and the south side of the Hong Kong island), I even lost my sense of directions more than a few times.
This time round, there's some business to take care of, and I found myself perking up my senses again. It's interesting to find so many things changed and changing, yet others still stay the same.
A walk in Central still saw all the young women and men dressed in the trendy and in-style. That is to be expected. But this boy-sized and outsized watches on slim wrists came across to me as unnecessary and in most cases, unsightly. Do they care if this looks good only for maybe 1% of the people? I don't think so. Regardless, a trend is a trend is a trend.
The city is buzzing again with energy not seen in a few years, at least not in the past few visits since 2000 after the Asia financial crisis in 1997 and the resultant property market crash in Hong Kong. I'm glad that the financial market is getting a boost from China's announcement that it's opening up the Hong Kong Stock Exchange only for mainland investors (from a few "focus" cities).
Most everything and everyone in Hong Kong flow with finances. Just look at the average (even below average) joes and janes parking themselves almost permanently in the retail bank branches everywhere to soak up minutiae changes in the financial news and rates on the TV monitors. Do you know they have a name? They are the crane-by-the-pond, carefully watching for fish and all ready with their beak to attack. Hongkongers have a unique (and often very accurately funny) way of naming things in Cantonese.
People still walk fast. In fact, I found myself always in a hurry that I'm usually walking faster than all fellow pedestrians, albeit being a semi-tourist. This much I have improved, even better myself before I left this beloved city decades ago.
And the tourists. How they have changed in their faces. Of course you should know now, that it gets almost all of its tourists and tourist dollars from mainland China. Those traditional shopper-bargain places like Tsimshatsui seems to have lost its allure. It's sad and pathetic to walk through TST East to find shops either shuttered or relegated to sell hawkers. This was an area that used to be quite vibrant, albeit for a not-so-moral reason of all the big nightclubs being there. These days, as China opens its door more and more, even the prostitutes have to go north, as the saying goes. So, most nightclubs are gone, and at night, it's eerily quiet walking through TST East. I knew all the facts about all these, but to take it in first-hand, is still somewhat sad.
Last few times, I saw a lot of tourists buses from mainland China parked next to department stores, and those tourists were a sorry sight. They were either squatting in front of high-class stores, or spitting at the roadside. I had wondered if I would want these customers, if I were a highend store. Of course, poor men don't have the luxury to choose. It's almost a lucky break for Hong Kong that mainland China had picked up where the Brits left off, and those mainland Chinese dollars helped keep Hong Kong float. These time round, I didn't see any squatting and spitting. I was told that China made those tourists read through leaflets on how to *behave* when they're outside of the country. They do seem to heed the instructions. But you know what, it's all play-acting. To get rid of the squatting and spitting, it has to go deeper, into the kind of civic education, if any, that these people receive. I doubt if they get any. This much I don't expect to change in the coming future, and so it doesn't.
Buildings are always changing hands and shapes. I never never like the new Peak Tower. The new IFC building looks terrible. It's a robotic arm of an evil sticking out from the ground. It doesn't look good. The BOC building and the HSBC headquarters building still holds its own, even the old Hopewell Center still rings. Sometimes, newer doesn't always means better. And, I would miss the Queen's Pier and the old Central's pier that was shaved to make way for the new.
The humid and salty weather can take its toll quickly on building structures. The New World Hotel and the old Regent Hotel buildings in TST are a case in point. With the outer walls changing color and molding, it looks like it's about to fall, although its interior is still pretty pleasant. But that's one thing that distinguishes one developer from another who can manage properly well. Just look at Pacific Place and you'll realize what I meant.
Hong Kong is a changing city, and its populace adapt fast. Just look at how much they have now embraced the north, how much Putonghua there is on the TV (Chinese and English channels alike). I do hope it'll hold its own, and withstand the onslaught from Shanghai and Beijing.
It's funny that I find myself craving for all souvenirs that are old Hongkong. I collect business cards from each restaurants and hotels that I visit. I buy magnets that are meant for silly tourists. My husband even bought souvenirs from the Central's main post office. (Now, THAT is a bit too much for it.) Speaking of which, on our way down the post office, I saw those old canvas HK Post Office mailbags on display. I said, "now THAT is a souvenir that I would definitely buy." I know none of the people from Hong Kong would have fathomed that someone would want the old postman's mailbags, or understood that a bag like THAT has characters in it. All they would think of is cheap plastic piggybanks. And herein lies one of its problems. Hongkongers think they're very cosmopolitan (and they are, in most sense), with westernized forward thinking. But most people there do not really understand what that means or entails.
Monday, September 10, 2007
On the passing of Pavarotti...
Reading the obituary of Pavarotti at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/arts/music/07pavarotti.html?pagewanted=all reminds a lot about Diana.
It reminds me of someone who is not that bright, but has become hugely popular simply by manipulation of the media and the camera. If they're judged by their intellect, their popularity is not justified. But both of them present (and flirt) themselves so well in front of cameras, that people seem to care about what their true worth are.
At least Pavarotti succeeded by some measures in popularizing the opera, Diana helped only in almost bringing down the royal family that once fed her and clothed her with heirloom jewelry. Talking about bitch.
It reminds me of someone who is not that bright, but has become hugely popular simply by manipulation of the media and the camera. If they're judged by their intellect, their popularity is not justified. But both of them present (and flirt) themselves so well in front of cameras, that people seem to care about what their true worth are.
At least Pavarotti succeeded by some measures in popularizing the opera, Diana helped only in almost bringing down the royal family that once fed her and clothed her with heirloom jewelry. Talking about bitch.
On Britney's comeback on MTV award...
Boy, isn't it painful to watch Britney Spears' comeback dance video at the MTV Award on http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1568788&vid=174394
It's painful, watching the slow decline of a once vibrant young lady, and who now tries to find her way back, with the same ways and means, yet the world has changed so much, and so has she.
Someone should have told her that she needs to get the rhythm back before dancing. Looking at her old dance videos and her latest performance, it's startling. She's either on drugs, or her heart was completely not in it. Either way, she looks like she's sleep-walking on stage. Not that I endorse the kind of provocativeness of her former self, but to see a fellow human being having lost the sparkle in his/her eyes and his/her zeal for life, that's just sad.
It's painful, watching the slow decline of a once vibrant young lady, and who now tries to find her way back, with the same ways and means, yet the world has changed so much, and so has she.
Someone should have told her that she needs to get the rhythm back before dancing. Looking at her old dance videos and her latest performance, it's startling. She's either on drugs, or her heart was completely not in it. Either way, she looks like she's sleep-walking on stage. Not that I endorse the kind of provocativeness of her former self, but to see a fellow human being having lost the sparkle in his/her eyes and his/her zeal for life, that's just sad.
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