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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2007-08 Rotary Year : Issue 20 : 3 May 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
(It's
only a game) - By Francis Wann |
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District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship |
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It's Only A Game
Everyone is upbeat about it, and the passion is most visible on the faces of our primary school kids as they lined up to cheer the torch bearers. They all say China is now a major player and a stakeholder in world politics. And they all say China has shown the world how powerful we've become. But with less than a hundred days to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, it's also time we took a hard look at ourselves, and our country. What has always amazed me and many others is the national tendency to overdo anything and everything. From the unrest in Tibet a few weeks ago to the war of words with CNN to the recent refused entry of Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot, and to the massive police presence during the relay, it only serves to prove one point - Beijing - or our Government - cannot afford any miscalculations in this event. And that's going to make the whole thing less attractive. While nobody wants to see the Games fail, the overzealous attitude as displayed among the organizers and community leaders would only dampen its true meaning of friendship. And at a time China is still struggling to reassure the world that it will play the game by the rules, those incidents reported in the media would be seen as black marks on the report card. Over the past years, we've seen, tolerated, and been amazed by the influx of travelers from the mainland. They shout on public transport and in restaurants, squat on pavements and inside the Pen's lobby, and sometimes spit and litter at wish. We don't have to repeat those linguistic puns in translation so evident on restaurant menus and road signs which have become some sort of international joke, and believe me, the joke would only intensify as the Games nears. Take no offence China. They would only appreciate our effort to serve the English-speaking world, and in fact most of the errors in language are not fatal. But what's fatal is our commitment to improvement in our human rights records. The Games is a world stage, and it would be naive to assume that politics and sports don't come together. Many have voiced their hopes that China use this occasion to prove to the world that it means what it says. Some would remember Bo Yang, the famous activist writer who died a few days ago. He was famous for his book "The Ugly Chinese" which was once banned. And naturally it was banned for being too honest. Today another activist Mia Farrow managed to pass through our immigration. The Hollywood star of "Rosemary's Baby" is now United Nations Children's Fund Goodwill Ambassador and has been very involved in campaigning for Darfur, Sudan where there is evidence of ongoing catastrophic genocide. In an interview today, she also appealed to China to exercise its leverage to end the genocide. Not exactly something China wants to hear. |
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From
the Charter President
I recall that my first experience of chain letters dated back at least half a century when a letter neatly typed arrived in a white envelop with no return address but with my name written on it. The letter said that Lady Luck had selected me as a receipient of good luck and fortune provided that I did not break the chain by sending the letter to five or ten other individuals to whom I wished luck and so on, with a warning that if I broke the chain I would face some calamity that could be disastrous. Photocopying was unheard of in those days and I did not have access to a typewriter; but I dutifully copied the letter on thin paper and with the aid of carbon papers made five copies that were barely legible and sent them to five friends. One receipient was definitely a friend, for he promptly recognized my handwriting and called me to apologize he had broken the chain for good reasons. Some day, I might tell you who this friend is, a friend who helped me get off this habit at a young age. Now, half a century later, chain letters have taken a different format and become more sophisticated. Indeed, one can gauge something of the senders from what they send or re-send and the manner and fashion by which they so do. Furthermore, with emails and so on, it is relatively easy and labour saving to send off these letters and keep the chains unbroken, which is a reason for the perpetuation of some ill conceived moves based on benign intentions. Back to the present, the chain letter I was looking at is about some sagacious words attributed to Dalai Lama circa 2005. It is billed as Instructions for life. There are 19 items - I suspect there were more for I had seen a longer list and in different formats. It comes with an instruction that it is to leave the reader within 96 hours, regardless of your religious belief. Here they are; and I wish you well if you have read thus far. Do whatever you like with it; but most important of all, I wish you would live it. 1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. 3. Follow the three R's: Respect for self, Respect for other's and Responsibility for all your actions. 4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. 5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. 6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship. 7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. 8. Spend some time alone every day. 9. Open arms to change, but don't let go of your values. 10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. 12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. 13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. 14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality. 15. Be gentle with the earth. 16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before. 17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. 18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. 19. Approach love and coking with reckless abandon. Have a nice weekend and try to spread some good karma. |
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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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