This year is the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948. Yesterday, I read it fully for the first time and I was lifted by the noble and idealistic sentiments it encapsulates. I imagine back in 1948, how abstract and unrealistic many of the concepts in the declaration must be for its drafters [which I found, included the Chinese scholar 張彭春 representing Asia, who apparently introduced classical Chinese philosophical ideas from Confucius and Mencius; and sought to unify Eastern and Western ideals while the Declaration was debated] and for most people in the world, which is why I have full admiration for the drafters to put in words a world not as it is or as it could be, but a better world as it should be. Although not every one might agree with every article, it is amazing to see how those ideals in the Universal Declaration have moved from Western liberal ideas towards being shared ideals by people around the world.
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Preamble
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
Everyone has the right to a nationality.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Cape No.7 - Apolitical Film
Cape No.7 (海角七号) is a love-music film, and a really good one.
Watching this love film with certain political perspective, in my opinion, is hurting one's very soul for peace and love.
There are lines and a few scenes, just like in every other film, that is open to different interpretation. Yet, taking a radical interpretation to suggest this love film has a certain political innuendo is taking it too far.
The very first line "fuck you Taipei" by the main actor who left Taipei for his hometown after a disappointing career is seen by some quarters as poking the eye of the KMT.
The few scenes wherein an elderly supporting cast is singing and speaking Japanese is taken as glorifying Japanization is an outright failure to understand the historical setting in which that particular generation is subject to.
The last scene of a Taiwanese girl waiting at the dock hoping in vain for her timid and subsequently remorseful Japanese teacher cum lover to take her along with the ship departing for Japan following the surrender is interpreted as embracing Japanese Imperialism is also too arbitrary without most natural human sentiment for love.
Alas, all these misgiving and misunderstanding are stretched and twisted out of proportion. It is particularly sad that it has been politicized and it is also really unnecessary for many compatriots to make hurtful comment unhelpful to cross-strait relationship and that between Chinese and Japanese. This relationship I spoke about is not that between a polity and a polity. It is one that exist at the most basic level between peoples.
It is reported that the film is banned in the mainland because of its positive portray of Japanization in Taiwan. I hope this is not true.
Speaking for myself, I have been and will continue to be, highly critical against the right wing Japanese and also the Japanese royal house for failing to apologize unconditionally for the World War II aggression.
However, nothing in the film I find any attempt at glorifying the Imperial Japan. It is a plain portray of two love stories connected via the seven undelivered letters written on board by the then remorseful lover.
The separation between the Japanese teacher and his young Taiwanese lover in the film, is no different from, any lovers separated by the force of war and conflict. Their longing to be together and their love for each other is as human and natural as anyone of us would have desired.
It is terribly sad that many of critics have been possessed by an increasingly violence-prone nationalism to ruthlessly dismiss the bond of love between that of a man and a woman.
No way, shall we forget the history of pain and no way shall we deny the future of love and peace.
The past lesson of war and conflict make it even more imperative that love and friendship across the strait and across the East Sea shall ever be denied to us and the future generation.
********************************************************
The plot is centered at the seven undelivered love letters written 60 years ago to the title of the film, Cape No. 7, which is an old address during the Japanese rule in a very scenic seaside town, Hengchun, in the southern tip of Taiwan.
According to Wei Te-sheng, the film director, the choice of Hengchun is to amplify the various contrast in the story and the characters to deliver a message of inclusiveness of love for lovers, family and friends. This, I think, the film had succeeded.
The script delivered in Mandarin, Japanese and Min Nan (Taiwanese), particularly the latter maybe difficult for non-Min Nan speakers to understand the film well. This is a reason I believe why I like this film. Each time the Min Nan is spoken, I find resonance to my root, never mind it is slightly different Min Nan from what I speak.
My guess is that the film can strike a chord with very few overseas Chinese. There are simply not too many who speak Min Nan these day or have had an understanding of Taiwan.
No wonder, the film was recording breaking in Taiwan and yet it didn't have a strong showing in Hong Kong.
What is amazing in retrospect is that the casting is actually rather weak. The leading actor, Van Fan (an aborigine himself, this again show the inclusiness of this film) is actually a singer and had no silver screen experience prior to the shooting.
The actress is a Japanese who speak decent Mandarin who had little success in her earlier debut. Other supporting casts are mainly unknown. The film director himself had limited experience in a full-length motion and had to spend his own money to finish the production.
To live up as a successful blockbuster, Cape No 7 succeeded in connecting with everyone's longing for love, an universal value. Adding icing to the cake, the music, from sentimental to rock songs, sung mostly in Mandarin and few in Japanese, against a combination of modern and traditional musical instrument is so good to the extent that I keep replaying them from the Youtube.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Moments from My Metropolis - Cosmopolitan Confucians
[11 Dec - Revised and updated since posting]
One of the stories I remember about Confucius is this one about personal virtues of honesty and integrity. It was said that in leading my his moral example when he was briefly Chief Minister of a minor state, even the common people would not help themselves to objects/money dropped by others on the street.
So my search for the spirit of Cosmopolitan Confucians led me to think of several instances of miraculous recovery when we had left things behind in the metropolis we now live in, New York. You see, contrary to common perception of New York as an rapacious, impersonal and unfeeling place, for all the time I have been here I have found it to be surprisingly decent, human and - yes, in one word - civilized - place. There was even this survey in June 2006 by Reader Digest that (surprise!!) found that its the most helpful city in the US using three simple but unscientific tests: (i) walk up to a door and see if the person ahead holds the door; (ii) Buying something small in a shop and observe if the cashier says "thank you", (iii) Randomly dropping some books and papers in a busy location to see if anyone would help to pick up. Turns out that: 90 percent held the door open, 19 out of 20 store clerks said “thank you,” and more than 55% helped with the flying papers.
My first story was when my mother was hospitalized for stroke in September 2006. After she was first admitted, she had asked us to pack up a bag of her clothes and personal items to be brought to her at the hospital. But when we visit her the next day, we left behind – and presumably lost - the bag in a taxi. Dismayed but nonetheless I tried my best to report it to the taxi commission's lost and found hotline in case some one turned it in.
Incredibly, a few days later some body brought the bag in - not only did we recover the bag, the bag somehow made its way back to our apartment! It turned out that the next passenger who took the cab saw the bag. Later as she told us, when she saw the bag she thought what a nice bag and whoever who lost it must feel quite bad. So she decided to take responsibility for returning it. She opened up the bag and fortuitously she found my magazines inside (which still had my address on it). She realised from the address that we live close to her sister's gym so she got her sister to drop it off the next time she went for gym. What a wonderful heartwarming experience that was!
Another time, this time its Christmas last year; we went to a Barnes and Nobel bookshop at Union Square but as we were in the sunway station we realised that Mew Yee had left her gloves where she was sitting down in the bookshop.
It was the height of the Xmas shopping season and there were crowds of people everywhere and the pair of gloves she had lost was brand-new and was one of those nice super-insulated ones people wear to ski. We were not too sure if we could still find it but I decided to try anyway so I made my way back to the bookshop. The gloves were nowhere to be found where she was sitting so I made my way to the cashier. Sure enough, some one found the gloves and turned it over to the cashier ! The cashier a young black man just held the gloves up, "Is this it?" I said yes grabbed the gloves and thanked him profusely.
Moments like these makes me feel really good about human nature. Because it took more than one good person to turn it in but also another who gave it up in without doubting if I was bona fide. Faith in the integrity and uprightness of fellow citizens in their dealings with other people within society I feel is pretty Confucian.
Another characteristic that I'd observed, especially in taking public transportation, is that even when people go about within their personal shell - people tend to create their own private psychological bubbles especially in a crowded environment like public transport - people tend to pop out to help others and then pop in again.
Just this morning I happen to sit behind a young lady who was reading a tabloid who was later joined by an old lady. The old lady interrupted her to ask what street the bus was on, and all of a sudden a few people within earshot quickly spang into action. I looked out of the cloudy window (it was raining) and said, "66th"; the buy behind me quickly wiped the window with his gloves to correct me, "68th" he said before going back into our bubble. The young lady offered to look out for the old lady's stop and they got chatting about how depressing tabloid news tend to be. Before getting off, the old lady wished the young lady "have a nice day and think good thoughts". And they are off into their bubbles again.
Another such impromptu community action often revolve around the "back door". New York buses has a front door (by the driver) and a back door which open when pushed only if the driver disarms the door (e.g. at a stop). Quite often the driver forgets to disarm the door so people trying to get out would find themselves unable to open the back door. They would bellow out, "Back door!" to attract the driver's attention - and almost always people sitting near the back door would all join in a chorus of "Back door!!" - especially if the "victim" were children, older people or women unable to shout too loudly. After that instance of "community action" people would dissolve back into their own little bubbles again.
Moments like these are actually quite typical. So much so that the New York Times keep a fortnighly column for readers to write-in about such human-interest encounters in the city, called "Metropolitan Diaries". Here I enclose the link http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/nyregion/24diary.html to a recent column. In one post, someone tried to return a Blackberry only to find that it belonged to her old highschool coach; in another, a human chain brought out a bag of steamed dumplings from a subway car during the rush hour crush. Amusing and heartwarming.
This column remain one of my favourite columns in the venerable grey lady, NYT.
One of the stories I remember about Confucius is this one about personal virtues of honesty and integrity. It was said that in leading my his moral example when he was briefly Chief Minister of a minor state, even the common people would not help themselves to objects/money dropped by others on the street.
So my search for the spirit of Cosmopolitan Confucians led me to think of several instances of miraculous recovery when we had left things behind in the metropolis we now live in, New York. You see, contrary to common perception of New York as an rapacious, impersonal and unfeeling place, for all the time I have been here I have found it to be surprisingly decent, human and - yes, in one word - civilized - place. There was even this survey in June 2006 by Reader Digest that (surprise!!) found that its the most helpful city in the US using three simple but unscientific tests: (i) walk up to a door and see if the person ahead holds the door; (ii) Buying something small in a shop and observe if the cashier says "thank you", (iii) Randomly dropping some books and papers in a busy location to see if anyone would help to pick up. Turns out that: 90 percent held the door open, 19 out of 20 store clerks said “thank you,” and more than 55% helped with the flying papers.
My first story was when my mother was hospitalized for stroke in September 2006. After she was first admitted, she had asked us to pack up a bag of her clothes and personal items to be brought to her at the hospital. But when we visit her the next day, we left behind – and presumably lost - the bag in a taxi. Dismayed but nonetheless I tried my best to report it to the taxi commission's lost and found hotline in case some one turned it in.
Incredibly, a few days later some body brought the bag in - not only did we recover the bag, the bag somehow made its way back to our apartment! It turned out that the next passenger who took the cab saw the bag. Later as she told us, when she saw the bag she thought what a nice bag and whoever who lost it must feel quite bad. So she decided to take responsibility for returning it. She opened up the bag and fortuitously she found my magazines inside (which still had my address on it). She realised from the address that we live close to her sister's gym so she got her sister to drop it off the next time she went for gym. What a wonderful heartwarming experience that was!
Another time, this time its Christmas last year; we went to a Barnes and Nobel bookshop at Union Square but as we were in the sunway station we realised that Mew Yee had left her gloves where she was sitting down in the bookshop.
It was the height of the Xmas shopping season and there were crowds of people everywhere and the pair of gloves she had lost was brand-new and was one of those nice super-insulated ones people wear to ski. We were not too sure if we could still find it but I decided to try anyway so I made my way back to the bookshop. The gloves were nowhere to be found where she was sitting so I made my way to the cashier. Sure enough, some one found the gloves and turned it over to the cashier ! The cashier a young black man just held the gloves up, "Is this it?" I said yes grabbed the gloves and thanked him profusely.
Moments like these makes me feel really good about human nature. Because it took more than one good person to turn it in but also another who gave it up in without doubting if I was bona fide. Faith in the integrity and uprightness of fellow citizens in their dealings with other people within society I feel is pretty Confucian.
Another characteristic that I'd observed, especially in taking public transportation, is that even when people go about within their personal shell - people tend to create their own private psychological bubbles especially in a crowded environment like public transport - people tend to pop out to help others and then pop in again.
Just this morning I happen to sit behind a young lady who was reading a tabloid who was later joined by an old lady. The old lady interrupted her to ask what street the bus was on, and all of a sudden a few people within earshot quickly spang into action. I looked out of the cloudy window (it was raining) and said, "66th"; the buy behind me quickly wiped the window with his gloves to correct me, "68th" he said before going back into our bubble. The young lady offered to look out for the old lady's stop and they got chatting about how depressing tabloid news tend to be. Before getting off, the old lady wished the young lady "have a nice day and think good thoughts". And they are off into their bubbles again.
Another such impromptu community action often revolve around the "back door". New York buses has a front door (by the driver) and a back door which open when pushed only if the driver disarms the door (e.g. at a stop). Quite often the driver forgets to disarm the door so people trying to get out would find themselves unable to open the back door. They would bellow out, "Back door!" to attract the driver's attention - and almost always people sitting near the back door would all join in a chorus of "Back door!!" - especially if the "victim" were children, older people or women unable to shout too loudly. After that instance of "community action" people would dissolve back into their own little bubbles again.
Moments like these are actually quite typical. So much so that the New York Times keep a fortnighly column for readers to write-in about such human-interest encounters in the city, called "Metropolitan Diaries". Here I enclose the link http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/nyregion/24diary.html to a recent column. In one post, someone tried to return a Blackberry only to find that it belonged to her old highschool coach; in another, a human chain brought out a bag of steamed dumplings from a subway car during the rush hour crush. Amusing and heartwarming.
This column remain one of my favourite columns in the venerable grey lady, NYT.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Respect for Elders - the Beijing Episode
As the mercury drops below sub-zero in Beijing , there is a very heart-warming news coming from the Capital.
Not to be outdone by the Shanghai lady cab driver (actually unrelated), it is announced that the Beijing public buses will begin to offer free ride from 2009 to elderly aged 65 and above.
Buses and the commuting system will be designed to be more elderly friendly and there will be at least 10% of seats made available to the needy.
There is even a very thoughtful directive requiring that the bus driver to ensure that the elderly are securely seated before pulling the bus.
Clearly, Confucianism is making a come back to China. Hu's governing philosophy - 以人为本 (people-based) has its root in classic Confucianism. Over time, Hu's doctrine can be extended to include not just welfare and interest of the people (民生民利) but also right and liberty (民主自由) of the peoples.
It will be a historical paradox to blame China's feudalism on Confucianism (from 1900s to 1970s) and to credit Confucianism for China's progress and democratization (starting now).
I am planning to write over the next few months some snippets on Confucianism from a liberal perspective. This is quite a misnomer because Confucianism is often associated with conservative ideas. The truth is Confucianism although coded in term of deference to the ancient and sometimes legendary kings and sages, it was actually a progressive philosophy promoting benovalent governance during the Spring and Autumn period.
What I am going to write is not a reinterpretation but rather a constructive account of the Confucianism's progressiveness that is often overlooked.
京巴士增老人座位[08:52] 2008年12月9日 (二)
北京的公共巴士集團新規定，老人沒找到座位前，巴士不能啟動。每輛巴士的「老幼病殘孕」專座須達10%以上。
明年1月1日起，65周歲老人持老年卡將免費乘坐巴士。為此，巴士集團提高了對老年人的服務標準。明年1月1日前，所有巴士廂中必須保證10%的座椅為「老幼病殘孕」專座，如果不達標或位置不對，車隊要對巴士內座椅進行重新安裝。此外，為了保證老年人在車廂內安全，老人上車後沒有找到座位前，司機不得啟動車輛。
據了解，目前本市每輛巴士上大約有8個到10個「老幼病殘孕」專座，專座顏色以黃色、紅色為主。如按照10%的比例計算，座椅總數較少的單機車基本能夠達標，但是車型14米到18米的通道車就需要增加專座。此外，由於車型不同，不少中門上車、前後門下車的巴士，專座位置設在中門，這樣反而不利於座位上的老年人從前後門下車。針對這種情況，巴士隊也將重新安裝專座。
巴士公司明年還要求在有條件的站台設老人乘車「綠色通道」。車輛進站後，將首先開啟面向老幼病殘孕候車區的車門，讓他們先上車坐到座位上，再開啟其它車門。
(京華時報)
Not to be outdone by the Shanghai lady cab driver (actually unrelated), it is announced that the Beijing public buses will begin to offer free ride from 2009 to elderly aged 65 and above.
Buses and the commuting system will be designed to be more elderly friendly and there will be at least 10% of seats made available to the needy.
There is even a very thoughtful directive requiring that the bus driver to ensure that the elderly are securely seated before pulling the bus.
Clearly, Confucianism is making a come back to China. Hu's governing philosophy - 以人为本 (people-based) has its root in classic Confucianism. Over time, Hu's doctrine can be extended to include not just welfare and interest of the people (民生民利) but also right and liberty (民主自由) of the peoples.
It will be a historical paradox to blame China's feudalism on Confucianism (from 1900s to 1970s) and to credit Confucianism for China's progress and democratization (starting now).
I am planning to write over the next few months some snippets on Confucianism from a liberal perspective. This is quite a misnomer because Confucianism is often associated with conservative ideas. The truth is Confucianism although coded in term of deference to the ancient and sometimes legendary kings and sages, it was actually a progressive philosophy promoting benovalent governance during the Spring and Autumn period.
What I am going to write is not a reinterpretation but rather a constructive account of the Confucianism's progressiveness that is often overlooked.
京巴士增老人座位[08:52] 2008年12月9日 (二)
北京的公共巴士集團新規定，老人沒找到座位前，巴士不能啟動。每輛巴士的「老幼病殘孕」專座須達10%以上。
明年1月1日起，65周歲老人持老年卡將免費乘坐巴士。為此，巴士集團提高了對老年人的服務標準。明年1月1日前，所有巴士廂中必須保證10%的座椅為「老幼病殘孕」專座，如果不達標或位置不對，車隊要對巴士內座椅進行重新安裝。此外，為了保證老年人在車廂內安全，老人上車後沒有找到座位前，司機不得啟動車輛。
據了解，目前本市每輛巴士上大約有8個到10個「老幼病殘孕」專座，專座顏色以黃色、紅色為主。如按照10%的比例計算，座椅總數較少的單機車基本能夠達標，但是車型14米到18米的通道車就需要增加專座。此外，由於車型不同，不少中門上車、前後門下車的巴士，專座位置設在中門，這樣反而不利於座位上的老年人從前後門下車。針對這種情況，巴士隊也將重新安裝專座。
巴士公司明年還要求在有條件的站台設老人乘車「綠色通道」。車輛進站後，將首先開啟面向老幼病殘孕候車區的車門，讓他們先上車坐到座位上，再開啟其它車門。
(京華時報)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Respect for Elders - the Shanghai Episode
Last week, on my way to Shanghai, I had a chance encounter with Jeff Ooi (see the earlier post); on my way back, I had another chance encounter with a minor celebrity of Shanghai.
She is neither an actress nor a singer. She is but a taxi driver in the Shanghai metropolis.
She is Gu Guiyun, a very chatty middle aged taxi driver. The ride to Pudong aifrport was long enough for me to discover something applaudable about this lady.
She became famous after her good deed was reported in the local press several years ago. And that little good deed is simple yet meaningful. To the cynics and critics, it maybe showy; to the great many, me included, it is a sweet and thoughtful gesture.
She gives a free ride to any octogenarian who by chance boarded her taxi. This little gesture is a token of respect to the elderly. Whatever her motives in doing so, the very doing of it encourages the public to think of the elderly.
A short greeting, a little smile or a tiny help go a very big way in how we treat and respect the elderly. There is no better way than educating our children to start from the very early age.
I am particularly impressed that this Confucianist trait is still alive in Shanghai and I applaud this Madam Gu.
Following is an online Chinese report on her charitable deed.
2006年10月30日 13:03
今天是重阳节，上午，五四中学的同学们迎来了一个特殊的“老师”———大众出租六分公司“的姐”顾桂云。近三年来，她一直坚守着自己许下的一条助老承诺———八旬以上老人坐车不收钱。 的姐讲故事说敬老 “尊老并不是一句套话，我今天就给你们说几个故事，我的女儿比你们大不了几岁，在家里，我也是这么跟她说的。”今天上午，五四中学多功能厅内，顾桂云和她的班组成员在与五四中学的少年志愿队成员们进行座谈。 “现在油价飙升，开车成本那么高，你们家人支持吗？”同学们问。 顾桂云笑了，“如果我的丈夫反对，我肯定不能坚持到今天，所以要谢谢他。女儿一开始也很不理解，笑我“戆”，说，妈妈，我坐公交都收钱的，你为什么开出租不收钱，哪有这么做生意的？我就告诉她，你以后也会老的，也会需要照顾的。”
在座谈中，“的哥”、“的姐”们一再强调，做好事不是刻意的，而是在日常生活中，多个心眼，做些举手之劳、力所能及的事情。 坐我的车是种缘份 “有人说我是做好事，当然也有人不理解，甚至说我作秀的也有。”顾桂云告诉记者，一开始她曾经把一张“八旬老人乘坐本车可以免单”的牌子贴在车子座位后面。因为是自己的个人行为，顾桂云每次都是出了公司才挂上牌子，回公司前再把牌子取下来。但是后来发现，一些乘客的第一反应是，“你们公司又在搞活动啦？”一些老人坐了别的大众车被收了钱，甚至专门打电话到公司投诉。“现在牌子我不挂了，看到年纪大的就问问人家多大岁数。” 这些“郁闷”的往事也曾经困扰过顾桂云，“后来想想，自己要尽这份孝心，随便别人怎么想吧。”但有的人提出的要求太“过分”，顾桂云也难以承受。一位媳妇曾经打电话找到顾桂云，说自己的公公行动不便，每个星期都要到锦江乐园附近去看病，希望顾桂云可以免费接送一下，而她们家去医院要大概80元车资，加上等候每次需要3个小时左右。“我做好事也是有限度的，我自己也是上有老下有小。”对于这样近乎无理的要求，顾桂云只能无奈地摇摇头，“老人坐我的车，这就是一种缘分，我敬点孝心给他们的免单，并不是刻意去做。” 父母早逝成遗憾 说到这个“免单规矩”的由来，顾桂云就忍不住思念自己早逝的父母。“我的父母如果还在世，也有80多岁了，可惜他们走得早，没有享到我一天的福。”这个遗憾，让顾桂云至今耿耿于怀，每次看到白发苍苍的老人伸手拦车，她就会想起自己的父母，想起父母把自己拉扯大的艰辛。“我现在唯一能做的，就是孝敬好自己的婆婆还有这些坐我车子的老人。” 2004年4月的一天，顾桂云在仁济医院门口接到一对从宝山罗店赶来看病的老夫妻。由于专家门诊不开，那对80多岁的老夫妇扑了个空。顾桂云开车将他们送到了瑞金医院后，搀扶老人下车。转身要走时，阿婆想起还未付钱，追了上来。顾桂云表示免费，但阿婆拉着她不让走，“小姑娘，你一个女人开出租车挣的也是辛苦钱，我们怎么能不付呢？”站在车前一时不肯离开。 顾桂云的解释最终让老太感动得流下了泪，旁边的人得知原委后，不禁交口称赞。从此，她暗下决心，要将助老行动制度化：见到老人上车就闲聊几句，只要得知老人年过八旬，一律免车费。
新闻背景：顾桂云受聘校外辅导员
今天起，五四中学校长沈嵘聘请顾桂云担任校外辅导员，并准备邀请她下半年随行探访该校的院士老校友。 据沈校长介绍，他从媒体上得知顾桂云的事迹后，为其坚持助老的信念所打动。在与顾桂云所属的大众出租公司进行沟通后，将其历年的感人事迹作为学生思想道德学习的榜样案例
She is neither an actress nor a singer. She is but a taxi driver in the Shanghai metropolis.
She is Gu Guiyun, a very chatty middle aged taxi driver. The ride to Pudong aifrport was long enough for me to discover something applaudable about this lady.
She became famous after her good deed was reported in the local press several years ago. And that little good deed is simple yet meaningful. To the cynics and critics, it maybe showy; to the great many, me included, it is a sweet and thoughtful gesture.
She gives a free ride to any octogenarian who by chance boarded her taxi. This little gesture is a token of respect to the elderly. Whatever her motives in doing so, the very doing of it encourages the public to think of the elderly.
A short greeting, a little smile or a tiny help go a very big way in how we treat and respect the elderly. There is no better way than educating our children to start from the very early age.
I am particularly impressed that this Confucianist trait is still alive in Shanghai and I applaud this Madam Gu.
Following is an online Chinese report on her charitable deed.
2006年10月30日 13:03
今天是重阳节，上午，五四中学的同学们迎来了一个特殊的“老师”———大众出租六分公司“的姐”顾桂云。近三年来，她一直坚守着自己许下的一条助老承诺———八旬以上老人坐车不收钱。 的姐讲故事说敬老 “尊老并不是一句套话，我今天就给你们说几个故事，我的女儿比你们大不了几岁，在家里，我也是这么跟她说的。”今天上午，五四中学多功能厅内，顾桂云和她的班组成员在与五四中学的少年志愿队成员们进行座谈。 “现在油价飙升，开车成本那么高，你们家人支持吗？”同学们问。 顾桂云笑了，“如果我的丈夫反对，我肯定不能坚持到今天，所以要谢谢他。女儿一开始也很不理解，笑我“戆”，说，妈妈，我坐公交都收钱的，你为什么开出租不收钱，哪有这么做生意的？我就告诉她，你以后也会老的，也会需要照顾的。”
在座谈中，“的哥”、“的姐”们一再强调，做好事不是刻意的，而是在日常生活中，多个心眼，做些举手之劳、力所能及的事情。 坐我的车是种缘份 “有人说我是做好事，当然也有人不理解，甚至说我作秀的也有。”顾桂云告诉记者，一开始她曾经把一张“八旬老人乘坐本车可以免单”的牌子贴在车子座位后面。因为是自己的个人行为，顾桂云每次都是出了公司才挂上牌子，回公司前再把牌子取下来。但是后来发现，一些乘客的第一反应是，“你们公司又在搞活动啦？”一些老人坐了别的大众车被收了钱，甚至专门打电话到公司投诉。“现在牌子我不挂了，看到年纪大的就问问人家多大岁数。” 这些“郁闷”的往事也曾经困扰过顾桂云，“后来想想，自己要尽这份孝心，随便别人怎么想吧。”但有的人提出的要求太“过分”，顾桂云也难以承受。一位媳妇曾经打电话找到顾桂云，说自己的公公行动不便，每个星期都要到锦江乐园附近去看病，希望顾桂云可以免费接送一下，而她们家去医院要大概80元车资，加上等候每次需要3个小时左右。“我做好事也是有限度的，我自己也是上有老下有小。”对于这样近乎无理的要求，顾桂云只能无奈地摇摇头，“老人坐我的车，这就是一种缘分，我敬点孝心给他们的免单，并不是刻意去做。” 父母早逝成遗憾 说到这个“免单规矩”的由来，顾桂云就忍不住思念自己早逝的父母。“我的父母如果还在世，也有80多岁了，可惜他们走得早，没有享到我一天的福。”这个遗憾，让顾桂云至今耿耿于怀，每次看到白发苍苍的老人伸手拦车，她就会想起自己的父母，想起父母把自己拉扯大的艰辛。“我现在唯一能做的，就是孝敬好自己的婆婆还有这些坐我车子的老人。” 2004年4月的一天，顾桂云在仁济医院门口接到一对从宝山罗店赶来看病的老夫妻。由于专家门诊不开，那对80多岁的老夫妇扑了个空。顾桂云开车将他们送到了瑞金医院后，搀扶老人下车。转身要走时，阿婆想起还未付钱，追了上来。顾桂云表示免费，但阿婆拉着她不让走，“小姑娘，你一个女人开出租车挣的也是辛苦钱，我们怎么能不付呢？”站在车前一时不肯离开。 顾桂云的解释最终让老太感动得流下了泪，旁边的人得知原委后，不禁交口称赞。从此，她暗下决心，要将助老行动制度化：见到老人上车就闲聊几句，只要得知老人年过八旬，一律免车费。
新闻背景：顾桂云受聘校外辅导员
今天起，五四中学校长沈嵘聘请顾桂云担任校外辅导员，并准备邀请她下半年随行探访该校的院士老校友。 据沈校长介绍，他从媒体上得知顾桂云的事迹后，为其坚持助老的信念所打动。在与顾桂云所属的大众出租公司进行沟通后，将其历年的感人事迹作为学生思想道德学习的榜样案例
A Chance Encounter with Jeff Ooi
I had a chance encounter with the first blogger cum Member of Malaysian Parliament, Jeff Ooi at the HKIA last Wednesday.
Jeff was unfortunate in that his flight had to be re-routed via Singapore, thank to the blockage of Bangkok airport by the royalist PAD. ( I was actually rather surprized over the weekend reading the Economist's article that is highly critical of the Thai monarchy - won't be surprise if the Economist run into trouble in Thailand.)
It was not difficult to recognise him as I have been following his blog for some times. The meeting took place at a book shop as we were browsing through books whilst waiting for our respective boarding call.
Without adhering to the Malaysia's protocol, I went up to greet him by addressing him as Jeff and not the YB. This would have been quite unthinkable with the BN politicians.
Easy going, relaxed, friendly and highly approachable, Jeff and I spoke very candidly for a couple of minutes touching on several issues including the Penang's DAP governance and the long outstanding Pakatan Rakyat's shadow cabinet line-up. I must say I was rather surprize with his candidness.
Jeff was travelling in the region to network, sourcing ideas and capitals to be brought back to Penang. He is currently the Chief-of Staffs to Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang State.
No question, the DAP state government, without experience of state administration prior to GE 308, is very anxious of the financial meltdown. After all, Penang's economy is mostly industrial and export oriented.
As such, the challenge to the DAP is particularly enormous however with such fine men in Jeff, my very limited experience with DAP has reinforced my favorable impression of DAP. After all, DAP has been very consistent throughout preaching competency, accountability and transparency. I would have prefered the word meritocracy to competency. Obviously competency is politically more correct in a country that confuses special position as special right.
Just a side note, in my 9 years out of the country, I had the privilege being invited to two dinners held in honor of the visiting Malaysian Prime Ministers. Dr M, as I recall, had the stateman stature for Malaysia whether or not you agree with him. At that time, he was at the height of his political career having won a huge mandate in the general election and was beyond challenge in UMNO.
Pak Lah, on the other hand, came across not as articulate and sophisticated as Dr M. He left a strong impression of more of a people's man. Another word, more grassroot. In many ways, his undoing has done more to the country than his doing. I said this without demeaning him. Many peoples I spoke to are more hopeful for Malaysia than ever. That's his greatest legacy.
One good fortune being abroad is that as long as you are socially active among your countrymen in overseas, you get these rare opportunities to be invited for official dinner, paid for either by the corporate sector eager to please the Malaysian dignitary or the Malaysian tax payers.
Jeff was unfortunate in that his flight had to be re-routed via Singapore, thank to the blockage of Bangkok airport by the royalist PAD. ( I was actually rather surprized over the weekend reading the Economist's article that is highly critical of the Thai monarchy - won't be surprise if the Economist run into trouble in Thailand.)
It was not difficult to recognise him as I have been following his blog for some times. The meeting took place at a book shop as we were browsing through books whilst waiting for our respective boarding call.
Without adhering to the Malaysia's protocol, I went up to greet him by addressing him as Jeff and not the YB. This would have been quite unthinkable with the BN politicians.
Easy going, relaxed, friendly and highly approachable, Jeff and I spoke very candidly for a couple of minutes touching on several issues including the Penang's DAP governance and the long outstanding Pakatan Rakyat's shadow cabinet line-up. I must say I was rather surprize with his candidness.
Jeff was travelling in the region to network, sourcing ideas and capitals to be brought back to Penang. He is currently the Chief-of Staffs to Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang State.
No question, the DAP state government, without experience of state administration prior to GE 308, is very anxious of the financial meltdown. After all, Penang's economy is mostly industrial and export oriented.
As such, the challenge to the DAP is particularly enormous however with such fine men in Jeff, my very limited experience with DAP has reinforced my favorable impression of DAP. After all, DAP has been very consistent throughout preaching competency, accountability and transparency. I would have prefered the word meritocracy to competency. Obviously competency is politically more correct in a country that confuses special position as special right.
Just a side note, in my 9 years out of the country, I had the privilege being invited to two dinners held in honor of the visiting Malaysian Prime Ministers. Dr M, as I recall, had the stateman stature for Malaysia whether or not you agree with him. At that time, he was at the height of his political career having won a huge mandate in the general election and was beyond challenge in UMNO.
Pak Lah, on the other hand, came across not as articulate and sophisticated as Dr M. He left a strong impression of more of a people's man. Another word, more grassroot. In many ways, his undoing has done more to the country than his doing. I said this without demeaning him. Many peoples I spoke to are more hopeful for Malaysia than ever. That's his greatest legacy.
One good fortune being abroad is that as long as you are socially active among your countrymen in overseas, you get these rare opportunities to be invited for official dinner, paid for either by the corporate sector eager to please the Malaysian dignitary or the Malaysian tax payers.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Terrorism is not far from us
I just learn from a friend from the industry who escaped unharm during the terrorist attack at Oberoi Hotel of Mumbai.
According to him, the terrorists were shooting indiscriminately at the restaurant guests. The terrorist didn't sort out certain nationalities before shooting. It was indiscriminate shooting to churn out the heaviest casualties.
As the terrorists were shooting, everyone were running for their life and my friend was fortunate to have escaped and survive. His American colleague and a local business partner were not as fortunate. They were killed and another local business associate were severely injured.
Not until I learn this first hand from someone I know personally, terrorism is always somewhat inpersonal and remote. This is the closest experience I had with terrorism. It really send a chill down my spine.
I had traveled to Mumbai and I had stayed at Oberoi. The victim could have been me, and indeed anyone who happens to be at the place and at the time.
According to him, the terrorists were shooting indiscriminately at the restaurant guests. The terrorist didn't sort out certain nationalities before shooting. It was indiscriminate shooting to churn out the heaviest casualties.
As the terrorists were shooting, everyone were running for their life and my friend was fortunate to have escaped and survive. His American colleague and a local business partner were not as fortunate. They were killed and another local business associate were severely injured.
Not until I learn this first hand from someone I know personally, terrorism is always somewhat inpersonal and remote. This is the closest experience I had with terrorism. It really send a chill down my spine.
I had traveled to Mumbai and I had stayed at Oberoi. The victim could have been me, and indeed anyone who happens to be at the place and at the time.
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