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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2007-08 Rotary Year : Issue 13 : 3 January 2008 |
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is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong |
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| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan |
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Editorial
(Have
You Heard Them?) - By Francis Wann |
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District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship |
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Have You Heard Them?
You would have assumed that the contents of her speech was nothing groundbreaking; it's all about ordinary people living out their lives. Central to her speech is always the basic human values. Normally she¡¦d talk about her own family, and as you watched the video clip on Youtube, you¡¦d find her chatting with Prince Andrew and other members of the family. It¡¦s exactly this unassuming manner which strikes a chord with a lot of people. She talked about changes and passing of time, and she mentioned in particular the vulnerable in our society, which could be a timely reminder to the rest of us. And the Youtube craze has also seen the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowen Williams following the Queen¡¦s steps. In his Christmas message, he challenges our ¡§disposable¡¨ attitudes in things and relationships. In a society where almost everything is transient, he asked if we¡¦re ¡§ so fixated on keeping up with change that we lose any sense of our need and stability.¡¨ The message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the World Day of Peace emphasized the importance of the human family. The peoples of the earth are called to build relationships of solidarity and cooperation among themselves as one human family. As the Second Vatican Council declared, all peoples are one community and have one origin, because God caused the whole human race to dwell on the face of the earth (cf. Acts 17:26); they also have one final end, God. One after another, our world leaders spelled out their hopes and aspirations for the new year. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised a year of ¡§real and serious changes¡¨. With important legislation making long-term changes, he said in his new year message, in energy, climate change, health, pensions, planning, housing, education and transport, 2008 will be a year of mesurable changes in public services¡K And President George Bush started the new year by reassuring Americans that the US economy remained vibrant, and that ¡§we will continue to stand beside our partners in the international community to lay a foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren.¡¨ Sounds familiar? As we plough through the gobbledygook of doublespeak, many of us are still wondering about the global credit problems which have spread to other economies, or the international summit on global changes which ended with a list of water-down resolutions. And on the political front, we heard about Benazir Bhutto tragic death, the unstable situation in Kenya, and the hostage saga in Columbia. And back home, many of us are still assessing the impact of the decision by the National People¡¦s Congress not to go ahead with universal suffrage in 2012. And as we begin to question our own conscience, our ministers are trying to convince us that plans are on the pipeline to help the poor. But of course as they say it¡¦s public money and they have to be discreet. I still remember the same old story that you should teach them fishing rather than feed them with fish. Yawn. Dear friend, are you one of those who rushed out for the countdown, or are you rushing for a decoder for your HDMI television? Whoever you are, the new year should at least made you think. A happy new year to you. |
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From
the Charter President
I had thought of sending you this in Paris or South America, but I have decided to type you a short message and bid you goodbye in cyber space from my familiar room in Mid-levels; and it is probably safer. I met many of you at Calvin's daughter's wedding banquet last night. It was a really happy occasion. I couldn't stop thinking about "The father of the bride" made famous the second time by Steve Martin. Those of you who have daughters - you'd better prepared - and I refer in particular to other member who has four and has boasted about a fifth. If he does that, I would write a book. I am one of those lazy ones who would not do things until they become urgent; and I don't take pride in it actually. I have been asked many times in the past few weeks what cities I am going or visiting, how I am going and so on. I could only offer pretty scanty details, for I have yet to study the itinerary. "I can do it on the flight to Paris," I said to myself. But I did make some preparations, including buying a brand new luggage bag and equipment - mainly apparel - that would last me for at least one hour in the open in blistering snowstorm. But then I am visiting these places in their Summer; and I have found out that it won't be very much lower than zero degree Celisus, which is so friendly and a far cry from the -30 degrees Celisus I had to go through in Mongolia when I was DG some seven years ago, in November. Those were the days; and we were totally unprepared as far as clothes were concerned. I am taking my laptop with me so that I can make the odd notes and download the pictures I would take during the trip. I have undertaken to talk about this trip after I am back. I hope there would be things worth your wait and your time to listen to, even if they are from me. I actually did a lot of things today, so far, so much so that I have forgotten how tired I must be. I did not touch my bed until 2am and I got up before 6am. I had a breakfast meeting in Central on - surprise, surprise, Rotary matters - and then I went to the bank to fix up some banking matters, before I make my way to HKU to return the gown and collect my Degree Certificate. I then had lunch with somebody in HKU and did some last minute shopping - I was afraid I might need more disposable stuff. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I also paid my tax which would be due tomorrow. I am mindful of "Tax is as certain as Death" or was it the other way round. I hope I have not bored you to tears. I hope you have had a good holiday and a flying start for 2008. Whatever you do, wherever you may be, I wish you well. May Rotary be with you; and may God keep you and your family together. See you soon. |
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Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response from the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. |
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President :
Marvin Lai |
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