Archive for May, 2005

March of the volunteers brainwashed

General | Posted by Terence
May 14 2005

I couldn’t agree more with BWG, who beat me to posting about the government’s proposed ‘adustments’ to broadcasting the national anthem, March of the Volunteers.

This is yet another misguided move by the Hong Kong government, who believe that subjecting its citizens to such force-fed media would actually increase patriotism in the city. As Dr. Ma Ngok was quoted in the SCMP as saying : “Civic education is not as simple as just broadcasting a few national anthems” – and he’s right, it isn’t. Subjecting people to propaganda such as daily airings of the national anthem achieves nothing short of further enraging an already sensitive public.

Sure, Hong Kong is now part of China and i’m all for civic education: locals should learn Chinese history, learn more about China, know how to speak Putonghua (普通话) – but two systems must surely ensure that we in Hong Kong still have a mind of our own. To be proud of being Chinese does not mean subjecting ourselves to central government control and being brainwashed by their propaganda. I’m fed up of the authorities constantly tying the two together. In fact, we love the country and want to make it better – that’s why people speak up and protest. To just do as your told and sit in the corner with the dunce hat on is not patriotic – it’s stupid.

I am reminded of the quote by Samuel Johnson: “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”. Indeed. Respect is earned; not demanded. If a country is worth respecting, you can be sure its citizens will be patriotic. Shoving it down our throats will not achieve this.

I’m looking forward to the day when we start seeing North Korean or Saddam Hussein style music videos appearing on TVB & ATV.

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Fluffy Bun Towers

Hong Kong | Posted by Terence
May 10 2005

n: tra·di·tion

1 : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior

OK – so someone explain to me please, how making a mockery of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival by replacing the buns with “cakes or dolls” constitutes reviving a tradition? Although the Hong Kong government has finally agreed to bring back the traditional bun tower scramble after a ban of 27 years, they have already replaced the bamboo structure with steel, and participants must now first undergo training sessions by certified mountain climbers. Now they’re already talking about making the bun scramble a year-round event and replacing the buns with other items. Why? Because it would apparently make a good tourist attraction.

From the SCMP:

He [Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping] said the steamed buns which are the usual targets of the climbers could be replaced with “cakes or dolls” and the quasi-religious event staged instead as a sporting challenge.

…

[Kwong Kwok-wai agrees:]

“I think it is an excellent idea, as many more people can try climbing the bun tower and get a taste of tradition. Scrambling for the buns is just a gimmick. I don’t mind replacing the buns with other things.”

Does the government not understand the definition of a tradition? To turn an annual event into a year-round affair, then remove the key feature of the festival itself (the innocent steamed bun) and replace it with something totally irrelevant is nothing short of a complete joke. Whilst I agree that change to all things is inevitable, and by all means safety is a factor, but you don’t exactly see the authorities in Pamplona banning bulls in the bull run, nor the Gloucestershire County Council taking the cheese and hill away from the famous cheese roll. They certainly don’t hold it every day. How can you possibly call scrambling for buns in the bun festival a gimmick? The buns are the bun festival!

Oh the wonders of a capitalist society run by a misled government!

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The beginnings of a new era!

General | Posted by Terence
May 08 2005

Well ok, not quite. But as if this world hasn’t got enough blogs already here is yet another one – and i’ve finally got my arse in gear to write the first entry. (The skeleton was made in January ; i’ve been too lazy ever since).

So who/what/where am I? Well that final one I can answer – I currently reside in Hong Kong, where I work as an IT service provider. But read my posts, and you can make up your own mind about the rest.

And of course, if anyone has any comments or (more likely) complaints, I can be reached at terence AT parker DOT com. No spam please – there’s a proper shelf for that in the supermarket.

Terence

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