泰國的反政府示威在過去大半年一直未有停止，近幾日更升級，數以千計示威者包圍曼谷國際機場，迫使機場無限期關閉。
泰國政局混亂，不是一時三刻的事。基本上每隔三幾年一少亂，十年八載一大亂。無論是民選政府或軍政府，都會引發反對派人士組織政變。
比較嚴重的一次，是1992年發生的「黑色5月」，軍方發動政變奪權，隨即引發大規模示威及軍方流血武力鎮壓，死傷無數。後來泰皇介入，奪權及下令鎮壓的總理下台。
事件完結後不久，很多民主國家及人權組織組成調查小組，前往曼谷進行調查，調查重點主要是在緊急狀態下幾天發生的事情，更重要是了解幾千名失蹤示威者的去向。
我對此印象猶深，因為當時仍是大學生的我，因緣際遇，參與了一個由國際人權組織組成的調查小組(Fact Finding Mission)，為香港代表，不湆英語的立場局議員劉千石當義務英語/廣東話的即時傳譯(我是協辦組織找來的，跟劉先生事前並不認識)。而這個調本小組成員來自世界各地。老媽知道後說：「不要被子彈射到就好了。」
記得當時剛解除戒嚴，市面氣氛仍有點緊張，晚上遊人很少(你可以想像沒有遊客的曼谷嗎？)。而我們就在一星期的行程內不停的訪問，訪問示威參與者、官方人員、報章記者、失蹤者家屬等。
當即時傳譯是非常累人的工作，腦袋很少時間可以有空間思想，是由早上一離開酒店房間由吃早餐開始跟著劉先生直至晚上他回自己房間為止，故大部份的訪問過程我也忘記了，但令我印象最深刻的，是訪問失蹤者家屬，看見他們焦慮的面孔，期待我們能帶來答案的奢望，即使不懂泰文，也可以強烈地感受到他們的無助。
我們完成的報告後來呈交到聯合國人權委員會，但老實說，所有調查報告的作用都不大。我們仍是不知道失蹤者的去向，泰國仍然依舊的亂，泰國人仍是依舊的這樣生活。
我有預感，不論這次反政府運動結果如何，誰上台，誰下台，泰國政局的問題仍是解決不了。
26/11/2008
24/11/2008
22/11/2008
戒奶
今期「壹週刊」有一篇關於飲用牛奶會產生毒素上腦，破壞腦細胞，甚至與自閉症及精神分裂症有關的文章。
我想引用以下某幾段(斜體引用自壹週刊)：
「牛奶是重要的毒素來源，因為奶裡面的動物蛋白很難消化，不單造成腸胃敏感問題，還會製造一種叫酪蛋白嗎啡(Casomorphins)的毒素，令腦部發炎，出現幻覺，很多人戒奶就無事…驗尿就知道有無呢種毒素，但香港無得驗，要拎去美國做。」
「大量的霉菌(Yeasts)有很大的破壞力，當它鑽入腸，會炸爛腸，出現腸漏，令毒菌可以入血上腦……」
「近年愈來愈多兒童有自閉症問題，上網發現原來生物醫學療法有幫助，…… 發現自閉症近十年升十倍，每八十七人就有一個有問題，專家找新醫治方法，都發現戒奶(Casein Free Diet)有幫助……」
「暢銷書《你可以不飲牛奶》中，指牛奶和很多疾病，包括哮喘、敏感、濕疹、情緒不穩、便秘和肥胖等有關，牛奶的動物蛋白和脂肪構造和人類有別，很難被人體吸收；而另一種成分乳糖亦很難被分解，直接進入腸胃後，更會導致肚脹、腹瀉等問題。」
我想引用這篇文章，是因為我一直想知道為何西方人(美國人)患自閉、哮喘、各類敏感、heartburn、甚至帕金遜及老人痴呆病的比率比亞洲人高。
當然我不是指牛奶是萬惡之源，但我一直相信東方人跟西方人的飲食習慣，與我們的身體健康有重大關係。正如中國人常吃煙燻食物，較容易患喉癌、鼻咽癌，西方人飲牛奶高脂食物較容易患乳癌等。
我本身是一個乳糖不耐症(lactose intolerance)患者，自小有記憶以來，我都不吃喝任何奶類製品；但長大後知道乳糖耐受性是可以慢慢建立的，所以過去幾年我都會偶爾冒著肚痛肚瀉的危險，喝杯奶茶/咖啡，或吃幾塊Pizza(昨晚我就吃了Pizza，跟著整晚胃隱隱痛)。
我相信我還會偶爾喝奶茶/咖啡，但對於不能吃喝奶製品，我已經不再感到缺失及失落。不論這篇文章是否屬實，起碼我知道我現在沒有患自閉、哮喘、各類敏感、heartburn等病患，我亦希望這情況可繼續下去。
19/11/2008
14/11/2008
11/11/2008
6/11/2008
The Future of the Republican Party
隨意寫下這篇，不想費神翻譯，希望別介意。
The race is over.
The Democratic Party won the Presidency by a landslide, and will lead the Congress in majority.
The analysis implied it could have been worse for the Republican Party, and I agree. I don’t believe the Obama tsunami has cost the lost of those seats in the Senate and the House. I believe it was the candidates themselves, and the GOP itself, which led to their own defeat. I also believe for the years to come, if the GOP doesn’t realize what cost them, and only blames it on a mixed race American with a funny name, or the economy, they will have more defeats lying in their doorstep.
Let me begin by asking this question: after their presidencies, where did the GOP presidents go? Where was Ronald Regan? Where was George Bush 41st? And you can pretty much assume where George W Bush 43rd will be.
No where. They retire. They retreat back to their secluded upper class comfort, surround themselves with their old pals.
And where are the Democratic presidents? Jimmy Carter is still out there fighting for humanity and human rights in different parts of the world. Bill Clinton, other than having highly paid speeches to help pay off his attorney fees, also finds time to build the Clinton Global Initiative. And albeit being just the vice-president and experienced a well-known defeat of the presidential bid , Al Gore is still out there devoting himself into something he believes in, which also has something to do with the welfare of the world.
You know what I’m trying to say?
No, it’s not about whether the Democratic presidents have actually achieved anything after they left their offices.
It’s about why people get into politics in the first place, may it be a Republican or a Democrat. And why it will be gloomy for the GOP future.
Those who are at the top tier of politics are no doubt ambitious, and get ego boost from recognition. But some want the top job because of what the job entails, and others, like most of the GOP top dogs, just want it because it IS the top job.
You know the type. The kid who wants to win every game, the same kid who wants to be an eagle scout, the homecoming “king”. Why does he want all that? Because that’s what the culture tells him, that’s what his peers tell him, and of course that’s what dad tells him. Be at the top or be gone. I call them “icing chaser”. And what’s better icing than the number 1 job in the world?
That’s where the problem lays. He could be gloomed by poppa or uncles who have been in power, or he could be self-made billionaire who can’t be satisfied by his fortune and need to find the next ego fix. Whatever the reason, the GOP protégés go into politics for the wrong reason.
That’s why once they got the job, the job is over, because the whole job is just to get the job! If there is anything done right in their presidencies, it’s usually because of timing and coincidences (Regan taking the praise for the end of the cold war), not because they actively pursue to solve any problems and to make the world a better place.
And that’s why once the presidency is over, they disappear from the world, because there is no higher job to obtain, it’s the end of the icing chase.
The Democratic presidents? Of course they have ambitions too, and huge egos. But at least their intellect and discipline fit their ambitions. They couldn’t just barely make it to college (McCain, Bush 43rd), because they would need to be top of the class to get the scholarships to finish school. They didn’t have dads and grandpas paving the paths for them (except for Kennedy). They didn’t have time or second chances to screw up their young lives.
Instead of using their intellect to make millions, they have a greater sense of purpose, they want to serve. They don’t get the ego boost simply by getting the job, but by doing the job well. They want to be recognized by all, not just their peers and papas.
That is also why there is no end to their paths, because they are addicted to serve. I can’t imagine seeing Carter or Clinton retiring in a ranch.
The irony to this particular presidential campaign is…. if McCain was not raised by generations of 4-star admiral, he would have made a good middle ranking Democrat. He wasn't called the "maverick" of the GOP for no reason! He will continue to serve, we should give him some credit. Imagine if it was Mitt Romney running!
The future of the Republican Party lies in the composition of the party, and where they find their new bloods. If they continue to run in an inner circle of old school blue blooded elites without taking consideration of their intellects and sense of purpose, they will continue to fail. Believe it or not, enough Americans are still smart enough to know if you want their votes for the RIGHT reason.
Elites they do need. Just elites not by blood, or money, but by caliber, and by virtue.
But then, who has caliber and virtue in his/her right mind would want to join a party that is against pro-choice, against gun control, against stem cell research, against gay rights?
Beats me.
The race is over.
The Democratic Party won the Presidency by a landslide, and will lead the Congress in majority.
The analysis implied it could have been worse for the Republican Party, and I agree. I don’t believe the Obama tsunami has cost the lost of those seats in the Senate and the House. I believe it was the candidates themselves, and the GOP itself, which led to their own defeat. I also believe for the years to come, if the GOP doesn’t realize what cost them, and only blames it on a mixed race American with a funny name, or the economy, they will have more defeats lying in their doorstep.
Let me begin by asking this question: after their presidencies, where did the GOP presidents go? Where was Ronald Regan? Where was George Bush 41st? And you can pretty much assume where George W Bush 43rd will be.
No where. They retire. They retreat back to their secluded upper class comfort, surround themselves with their old pals.
And where are the Democratic presidents? Jimmy Carter is still out there fighting for humanity and human rights in different parts of the world. Bill Clinton, other than having highly paid speeches to help pay off his attorney fees, also finds time to build the Clinton Global Initiative. And albeit being just the vice-president and experienced a well-known defeat of the presidential bid , Al Gore is still out there devoting himself into something he believes in, which also has something to do with the welfare of the world.
You know what I’m trying to say?
No, it’s not about whether the Democratic presidents have actually achieved anything after they left their offices.
It’s about why people get into politics in the first place, may it be a Republican or a Democrat. And why it will be gloomy for the GOP future.
Those who are at the top tier of politics are no doubt ambitious, and get ego boost from recognition. But some want the top job because of what the job entails, and others, like most of the GOP top dogs, just want it because it IS the top job.
You know the type. The kid who wants to win every game, the same kid who wants to be an eagle scout, the homecoming “king”. Why does he want all that? Because that’s what the culture tells him, that’s what his peers tell him, and of course that’s what dad tells him. Be at the top or be gone. I call them “icing chaser”. And what’s better icing than the number 1 job in the world?
That’s where the problem lays. He could be gloomed by poppa or uncles who have been in power, or he could be self-made billionaire who can’t be satisfied by his fortune and need to find the next ego fix. Whatever the reason, the GOP protégés go into politics for the wrong reason.
That’s why once they got the job, the job is over, because the whole job is just to get the job! If there is anything done right in their presidencies, it’s usually because of timing and coincidences (Regan taking the praise for the end of the cold war), not because they actively pursue to solve any problems and to make the world a better place.
And that’s why once the presidency is over, they disappear from the world, because there is no higher job to obtain, it’s the end of the icing chase.
The Democratic presidents? Of course they have ambitions too, and huge egos. But at least their intellect and discipline fit their ambitions. They couldn’t just barely make it to college (McCain, Bush 43rd), because they would need to be top of the class to get the scholarships to finish school. They didn’t have dads and grandpas paving the paths for them (except for Kennedy). They didn’t have time or second chances to screw up their young lives.
Instead of using their intellect to make millions, they have a greater sense of purpose, they want to serve. They don’t get the ego boost simply by getting the job, but by doing the job well. They want to be recognized by all, not just their peers and papas.
That is also why there is no end to their paths, because they are addicted to serve. I can’t imagine seeing Carter or Clinton retiring in a ranch.
The irony to this particular presidential campaign is…. if McCain was not raised by generations of 4-star admiral, he would have made a good middle ranking Democrat. He wasn't called the "maverick" of the GOP for no reason! He will continue to serve, we should give him some credit. Imagine if it was Mitt Romney running!
The future of the Republican Party lies in the composition of the party, and where they find their new bloods. If they continue to run in an inner circle of old school blue blooded elites without taking consideration of their intellects and sense of purpose, they will continue to fail. Believe it or not, enough Americans are still smart enough to know if you want their votes for the RIGHT reason.
Elites they do need. Just elites not by blood, or money, but by caliber, and by virtue.
But then, who has caliber and virtue in his/her right mind would want to join a party that is against pro-choice, against gun control, against stem cell research, against gay rights?
Beats me.
5/11/2008
4/11/2008
紅葉
上星期沒有到西部看紅葉，紅葉卻在今個星期到臨。
週日下午再跟老公遊車河及到附近的公園走走。上星期凍了幾天，樹葉變色加快，我相信西部的葉若不是已落下，也已變得枯黃。
幸好今年沒有錯過紅葉期，我很喜歡這兒的秋天！
容許我變成男人一會兒：今個週末體育賽事很精彩！週六大學美式足球我的至愛Florida Gators大勝Georgia Bulldogs(49-10)，Gators的quarterback(四分衛) Tim Tebow如有神助，他已破了大學期四分衛最多「帶波衝到底線」(rushback)的紀錄，而他只是三年級的學生呢！
另外，今天看了今年最後一場(巴西)一級方程式賽事，因為最後幾圈下雨，大部份車手需換軚，不到最後一圈最後一轉角位都不知道誰會奪得全年總冠軍！恭喜麥拿倫車隊的Lewis Hamilton，經過多風雨的一年，終嘗所願，成為有史以來最年輕總冠軍，亦是第一名黑人總冠軍。
剛看完NASCAR，執筆時正在收看NFL美式足球Indiana Colts對New England Patriots。
很完美的週末啊！
週日下午再跟老公遊車河及到附近的公園走走。上星期凍了幾天，樹葉變色加快，我相信西部的葉若不是已落下，也已變得枯黃。
幸好今年沒有錯過紅葉期，我很喜歡這兒的秋天！
容許我變成男人一會兒：今個週末體育賽事很精彩！週六大學美式足球我的至愛Florida Gators大勝Georgia Bulldogs(49-10)，Gators的quarterback(四分衛) Tim Tebow如有神助，他已破了大學期四分衛最多「帶波衝到底線」(rushback)的紀錄，而他只是三年級的學生呢！
另外，今天看了今年最後一場(巴西)一級方程式賽事，因為最後幾圈下雨，大部份車手需換軚，不到最後一圈最後一轉角位都不知道誰會奪得全年總冠軍！恭喜麥拿倫車隊的Lewis Hamilton，經過多風雨的一年，終嘗所願，成為有史以來最年輕總冠軍，亦是第一名黑人總冠軍。
剛看完NASCAR，執筆時正在收看NFL美式足球Indiana Colts對New England Patriots。
很完美的週末啊！
3/11/2008
Trick or Treat
週五萬聖節，我跟老公都留守在家等小朋友敲門。
我們的家附近都不是大馬路，比較安全，吸引到小朋友。
一直到晚上7時還未有客到，我還害怕買了的加大碼朱古力將會被老公消滅。
原來萬聖節在週末，小孩與父母都比較夜一點出場。7時過後，門鐘就不停響。
還好今年出現的小朋友全都有裝扮，因為我不太喜歡一心討免費糖果，連裝扮都懶的青少年，去年就有幾個。
今年最佳服裝獎，應是一個約2-3歲的小男孩穿上一身Incredible Hulk的膠皮衣連頭套，一個螢光綠色小矮人，很可愛！我還特地將一大筒明治朱豆力像皮糖送給一個剛會走路的小女孩，她拿著以為是玩具很高興！
不到9時，已有6-70個小朋友到訪，還差點不夠糖果！約10時我們便熄了門外的燈。
小朋友，下年請早！
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