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CHINA - "An enigma within a riddle within a mystery"
When one is in China, one is compelled to think about her, with compassion always, with despair sometimes, and with discrimination and understanding rarely, for one either loves or hates China. Perhaps even when one does not live in China one sometimes thinks of her as an old, great, big country which remains aloof from the world and does not quite belong to it. The a1oofness has a certain fascination. But if one comes to China, one feels engulfed and soon stops thinking. One merely feels she is there, a tremendous existence somewhat too big for the human mind to encompass, a seemingly inconsequential chaos obeying its own laws of existence and enacting its own powerful life-drama, at times tragic, at times comical, but a1ways intensely and boisterously real; then after a while, one begins to think again, with wonder and amazement. This time, the reaction will be temperamental; it merely indicates whether one is a romantic cosmopolitan individual or a conceited, self-satisfying prig. One either likes or dislikes China, and then proceeds to justify one's likes or dislikes. That is just as well, for we must take some sort of attitude toward China to justify ourselves as intelligent beings. We grope for reasons, and begin to tell one another little anecdotes, trifles of everyday life, escaped or casual words of conversation, things of tremendous importance that make us philosophers and enable us to become, with great equanimity, either her implacable critics, allowing nothing good for her, or else her ardent, romantic admirers. Of course, these generalizations are rather silly. But that is how human opinions are formed all over the world, and it is unavoidable. Then we set about arguing with one another. Some always come out from the argument supremely satisfying their rightness, self-assured that they have an opinion of China and of the Chinese people. They are the happy people who rule the world and import merchandise from one part of it to another, and who are always in the right. Others found themselves beset with doubts and perplexities, with a feeling of awe and bewilderment, perhaps with awe or mystification and they end where they began. But all of us feel China is there, a great mystical Dasein£® For China is the greatest mystifying and stupefying fact in the modern world, and that not only because of her age or her geographical greatness, She is the oldest living nation with a continuous culture; she gave the world some of its most important inventions; she has a literature, a philosophy, a wisdom of life entirely her own; and in the realm of art, she soared where others merely made an effort to flap their wings.
It surprised me when I learnt that this critique was written almost 80 years ago by Lin Yutang Nothing much seems to have changed regarding how the World and China regard the images of each other. Perhaps Europe should lead the world in renewing the Entente Cordiale.
1 JULY 1997
Hong Kong was the subject of three agreements made over a century ago. First, 1842, when Britain acquired the small Island of Hong Kong - freehold - that is only about 4 or 5 per cent of the present land, followed by another treaty for the strip of land on Kowloon, the other side of a small bit of sea. Together these only make up 8 per cent of the present day Hong Kong. When Britain said that’s not enough for our trading purposes; we wanted to keep a big trading base. China wouldn’t let us have any more land freehold but gave us a large piece of land on lease, a 99 year lease and that lease ended on the 30th June, 1997. So by international law that land reverted to China at 24.00 the 30th of June. Only, it’s not barren land. It is a prosperous, thriving community; it is Chinese talent, British administration, liberty, justice and rising democracy - has been wonderful for Chinese people. Business has thrived since the handover in large measure because of the boom across the border in China. But Hong Kong is still an international city, looking outwards to the world as well as inland to the Pearl River Delta. What does Hong Kong have to do to ensure that this role is not supplanted by Shanghai, with the equally massive resources and workforce of the Yangtse delta behind it? Will Hong Kong retain its separate economic identity and its own currency; or might it, over time, integrate more closely with the rest of China? One reason why China so much wanted Hong Kong to continue to thrive after the handover was that it would set an example for Taiwan, to which it has offered even greater freedom if it accepts Chinese sovereignty. But even if Taiwan is unpersuaded, there is no question that the people of Hong Kong have made an astonishing success of their "barren rock" – thanks partly to the light touch of their distant rulers, be they in London or in Beijing. Hong Kong has long been a lure for international businesses, particularly, in recent years, those for whom China is strategically important. This report will be essential reading for The Economist’s global audience of business, financial and political leaders. It will be sought out by all those who do business in the region or have investments there, and by those who visit Hong Kong frequently. Let it be remembered by critics of this , the largest Imperial Power in World History - An agreement was honoured. Additionally we left head high, bands playing - not in helicopers to a song by Bing Crosby.
The Hong Kong and central Chinese governments have turned down requests for Britain to take part in major celebrations planned to mark the 10th anniversary of the return of the former colony to the mainland. Pity.. Long Live Britain, Long Live Hong Kong, Long live the People of China.
DNA - Do Not Alter?
President Bush has chosen to use his veto pen again on the stem cell issue where politics, ethics and science collide. Opponents of the latest stem cell measure insisted that the use of embryonic stem cells was wrong on moral grounds. Then why oh why is america hell bent on poisoning our food? Richard Lewontin, professor of genetics at Harvard University, on genetic engineering: "We have such a miserably poor understanding of how the organism develops from its DNA that I would be surprised if we do not get a rude shock sooner rather than later." Confused - so am I ! Genetically modified food The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops has been a disaster. The science of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another was supposed to be a giant leap forward, but instead they pose a serious threat to biodiversity and our own health. In addition, the real reason for their development has not been to end world hunger but to increase the stranglehold multinational biotech companies already have on food production. Genetically modified crops can enter the food chain and threaten biodiveristy" We are told that GM crops will help feed the world's poor but according to the United Nations, we already produce more than enough food to satisfy everyone. And even though consumers, in Britain and Europe, have rejected GM foods outright, the biotech companies and the governments that support them are still trying to force their inventions on us, purely for commercial gain. But the long term effects of GM crops have not been properly researched and, by cross-pollinating with non-GM crops and wild plants, they replicate themselves and contaminate the environment with genetic pollution that is impossible to clean up. The simple truth is, we do not need GM technology. Using sustainable and organic farming methods will allow us to repair the damage done by industrial farming, reducing the excessive use of fertiliser, herbicides and other man-made chemicals, and making GM crops redundant. Genetic research can deliver enormous scientific advances, both in medicine and in our understanding of the natural world. But when that research is applied to alter the genetic make-up of living organisms, it has the potential to cause enormous damage to human health and the environment. By manipulating the genetic make-up of plants and animals, genes from one species can be artificially inserted into another, unrelated one. This is supposed to give genetically modified (GM) organisms new abilities - such as maize that produces its own pesticide - which will be disease and drought resistant as well as being able to provide more food for the world's poor. On the other hand however, the use of herbicides has increased and a wealth of contamination scandals (in which non-GM crops become polluted with GM material) have erupted. On top of that, farmers who were supposed to reap the benefits of GM technology are instead facing financial ruin and starvation. Corporate interests The multinational biotech companies such as Monsanto and Bayer Cropscience, who develop GM crops, own the rights to the varieties they develop, increasing their stranglehold on global agriculture and allowing them to generate vast profits. They make even more money by making their crops resistant to just one brand of herbicide - their own. As a result, the production of our food is governed by economic models rather than natural ones, and bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, the European Commission and several national governments are keen to force GM products on the global market. An international agreement called the 'Biosafety Protocol' aims to regulate the use and movement of genetically modified organisms, but again biotech companies and governments sympathetic to their interests are attempting to disable it, making the familiar argument that environmental protection is a barrier to international trade. The Russian Parliament's Security Committee has drafted a bill banning production and sale of genetically modified food. Contamination scandals Once GM crops are planted, cross-pollination means other crops often become contaminated and GM material ends up in the food chain. Contamination scandals are now commonplace, often originating from farm trials in which the GM crops are unapproved for human consumption. GM organisms are also serious threat to biodiversity. Designed to grow faster and stronger, they out-compete native varieties and, again, cross-pollination (which its supporters insisted was impossible) could result in their genetic material spreading far and wide, potentially altering entire species. Once they make it out into the wild, there is no way to recall them and we will have to live with the consequences. The human enzymes put into rice are responsible for causing most kinds of human cancer. The message is that its acceptable,to american minds, and american business and their supporters, to alter the cell structure of plants. We can have apparently healthy daffodills but not healthy off spring. Tinker with a potato to rid it of blight but NOT alter the cell structure of a human embryo thus eradicating hereditry or birth defects in our children. No more cancer, no spina bifida, no parkinson's disease, no altzimer's - no disease . . . . NO - Just healthy spuds for our sick and dying. Always assuming that global warming does nt kill us first.
SUMMER SOLSTICE
As the sun spirals its longest dance, And to fulfill their truest destiny
RUNYMEDE JUNE 15 1215
JOHN, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justices, foresters, sheriffs, stewards, servants, and to all his officials and loyal subjects, Greeting. . . . So begins the most important document ever written on behalf of a people - The Magna Carta Libertatum or "Great Charter of Freedoms" It's 63 clauses list basic values of liberty and freedom that have spread world wide in the wake of the British Empire. The constitutional importance of Magna Carta lies in the fact that it placed limits upon the absolute power of the King and made him subject to the law. The most famous of its sixty-three clauses said that no free man could be imprisoned, outlawed or exiled except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land, and that justice could not be sold, delayed or denied. It also contained clauses relating to the treatment of heirs and widows and to the payment of debts. It provided for uniform measures of wine, ale, corn and cloth throughout the realm. It confirmed the liberties of the Church and of all cities and towns and it sought to regulate the conduct of all local officials such as sheriffs, bailiffs and constables and ensure that they knew and observed the law.
" Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Sir Winston Churchill
A DAY TO REMEMBERHistory of Father's DayJune 19th 1910 was the first Father's Day and was,it is alleged, organised by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, USA in memory and honour of her father William Smart who was a farmer widowed by the death of his wife in childbirth and left to raise their six young children. When in adulthood herself she realised the strength of her father in his task of raising his family single-handed and wanted to commemorate and pay tribute to him in some way. Hence a Father's Day celebration came into being. As Father's Day celebrations began to grow in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent U.S. Father's Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June. Father's Day is now celebrated worldwide and in Canada, USA and the UK is traditionally on the 3rd Sunday in June. This year in 2007 it is held on the 17th June. In Australia, Father's Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday in September and will be September 2nd this year. It has now become a tradition to spoil your Father/Dad on his special day and allow him to take it easy, put his feet up and relax. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My eldest Son is moving house this weekend so I imagine his father's day will be postponed! Here I shall be totally relaxed - no cooking, gardening, ironing, cleaning, just a relaxing day sat in my deck chair, in the garden,weather permitting, finishing a Daphne Du Maurier novel,"The House on the Strand." I mentioned to a friend recently that my love of reading came from my Mother. I cannot remember my Father reading anything except the daily newspaper. I remember the only piece of advice he gave me, that was to get a job that had a pension at the end of it. I am thankful that I listened and indeed followed this wisdom. I can only remember two or three chats with him. He worked permanent nights for over 30 years,as a toolmaker at Gardner Bros. As a result he was always a distant figure, in many ways a victim of the new age he was forging. The factory in Patricroft, Salford,made the most efficient diesel engines in the world. Powering lorries and buses throughout the country. During WW2 he worked in Trafford Park helping produce engines for the Spitfire. Like many young men in the 1930's he turned his hand to anything to earn a weekly wage. Although he served his apprenticeship at Avery's Scales, at one time he worked for Kleeneze, before moving to Metropolitan Vickers as a fitter. In contrast I worked for only 2 employers in 40 years. I wish all you father's out there a tranquil day of rest on Sunday the 17th.
Dear Granddad. . . .I hope you don't mind me writing to you but I need to know what a 'Holiday' is? You see Mom and Dad are getting really excited about a 'Holiday.' They have bought me a ' jet rocket swimring' Is it far to paddle to Crete from Jorvik? I am having to take lots of packets of my super baby milk, my suitcase won't have room for any clothes. I am doing well since I was in hospital with 'Transposition of the Great Arteries', I am putting on weight steadily and everyone is pleased with my progress. I get lots of fresh air and exercise going for walks with Mummy and Daddy. Do all Daddies dress up in Viking costumes? When you come to see me next week you can take some pictures for your blog. Are you really very old? What's a pensioner? What's a Laird? What's transposition ? What's procrastinating ? I have lots more questions when you visit. . . . . .
Bye, Alex.
TASTE A LITTLE HISTORY OF INDIA.
On the 16 June of every year since 1606, the Sikh have commemorated the martyrdom of their first martyr, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev. Sikh history until then had been peaceful and non-violent. All the Sikh Gurus had taught the message of compassion, love, dedication, hard work, worship of one God and the commitment to peace and harmony for all the peoples of the world. During the Guruship of Guru Arjan many thousands of the native people had began to follow the teachings of Sikhism and both the Hindus and Muslims were crowding to Gobindwal, the centre of Sikh during the late 1500's. After the death of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1605, his son Jahagir became the leader of India. Unlike his father, Jahagir was a fundamentalist Muslim, obsessed into turning the country into an Islamic state. Both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists concerned at the rapid increase in the popularity of Guru Arjan, moved the new head of state Emperor Jahangir against the Guru. Jahangir himself was also jealous about Guru's propagation of Sikhism. He promptly obliged the enemies of Guru Sahib. Many baseless allegations were levelled against Guru Sahib, one of those was helping the rebellious Khusrau, who was Jahangir's son and determined to rule Punjab. This is what Emperor Jahangir wrote in his diary called the "Tuzuk-i-Jahagiri", which translates to "Memoirs of Jahangir" "In Gobindwal, which is on the river Biyah (Beas), there was a Hindu named Arjun, in the garments of sainthood and sanctity, so much so that he had captured many of the simple-hearted of the Hindus, and even of the ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners, and they had loudly sounded the drum of his holiness. They called him Guru, and from all sides stupid people crowded to worship and manifest complete faith in him. For three or four generations (of spiritual successors) they had kept this shop warm. Many times it occurred to me to put a stop to this vain affair or to bring him into the assembly of the people of Islam. At last when Khusrau passed along this road this insignificant fellow proposed to wait upon him. Khusrau happened to halt at the place where he was, and he came out and did homage to him. He behaved to Khusrau in certain special ways, and made on his forehead a finger-mark in saffron, which the Indians (Hinduwan) call qashqa, (Tilak) and is considered propitious. When this came to my ears and I clearly understood his folly, I ordered them to produce him and handed over his houses, dwelling-places, and children to Murtaza Khan, and having confiscated his property commanded that he should be put to death." Accordingly in Late May 1606, Guru Arjan Dev was arrested and brought to Lahore where He was subject to severe torture. He was made to sit on a burning hot plate while hot sand was poured over his head and body. It is said that Mian Mir (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Sahib) tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru ji forbid him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Guru Ji body was blistered and burnt. For several days, the Guru was subjected to this unrelenting torture. Subsequently, Guru Arjan Dev was taken for a bath in the river, Ravi. As thousands watched He entered the river never to be seen again. Thus Guru Sahib embraced martyrdom on Jeth Sudi 4th (1st Harh) Samvat 1663, (May 16, 1606). The martyrdom of Guru Sahib changed the entire character of Sikhism.
Do you Ken a shanty for Sunday?A chance change of wireless channel yesterday brought memories of singing lessons at school flooding back. Amazing what they taught us back in early 1950 ! So here's a folky/ sea shanty for the Boro two, as they sail the ocean blue.
Wraggle Taggle Gypsies, O!
There were three gypsies a come to my door, Let me tell you a story. . . .
"A Fisherman's Business" - a tale of life The businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos; I have a full and busy life, senor." The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise." The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." "But what then, senor?" The businessman laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions." "Millions, senor? Then what?" The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos." The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?" --Author Unknown A letter from the front - June 1944Dear All, I suppose the events of the last week or two have somewhat shaken you, and I am sorry that I could not have given you some indication of what was transpiring. If you have seen the film "Next of Kin" you will perhaps forgive my silence and realise it was of the utmost importance that strict secrecy was kept about this operation.
http://www.warchronicle.com/ksli/soldierstories_wwii/jones.htm 4th JUNE 1989
Tens of thousands gathered Monday for Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil to mark the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the only such commemoration on Chinese soil. DOES IT REALLY MATTER?Over the years it has been my pleasure to speak with folk on all the continents, apart from Antartica, about all subjects - because how will we understand our equals in Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe if we do not listen and exchange views? Unlike some I do not have my head buried upto the shoulders in the sand. I understand the threat of global warming. I see the threat of economic monopoly. I disagree with the indoctrination of the mind by both religious and political dogma. The intensity of internet relationships has on one occasion clouded my mind. Typing away here is just one step away from talking to myself. Talking to oneself is they say, the first step to madness. At times I sit here and dispair of human frailties. I am not perfect, not above criticism yet there are times when I yell, "The emperor is wearing NO clothes"
Yet I shout into a vacuum.
Does it really matter?
Perhaps I should just pass on little snippets of wisdom from third parties that can be dismissed with the press of a button. Perhaps I should draw up the Castles drawbridge.
Here is one such snippet that I trust you enjoy.
~Friendship~
Your friend is your needs answered And he is your board When your friend And when he is silent For without words, When you part And let there be For love And let your best be For what is your friend Seek him always And in the sweetness For in the dew KAHLIL GIBRAN 1883 - 1931 Of computers, battleships and downloads !
Commemorations today - On June 1 1957, ERNIE,[Electronic random number indicator equipment.] – the Premium Bonds prize draw machine - picked his first winner, with the jackpot a princely £1,000. That would have been enough to buy a new Morris Minor, a caravan to tow, return flights to New York or a top of the range black and white TV. £1,000 in 1956 is worth about £16,729 today. Perhaps we have come to regard Premium Bonds as a halfway house between shares, which can always suffer absolute losses, and savings accounts which can't match the excitement of a monthly flutter. And unlike the Lottery, tyou can always get their stake money back. One fact to ponder: the eight luckiest baptised names for winners last year were Hannah (number one) followed by Emma, Sean, Emily, Michelle, Lisa, Sophie and Rebecca. Do you think ERNIE could be a ladies man ?? (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES.
Britain had been at War with Revolutionary France for 14 months by the time of the events culminating in the Naval Battle of 1st June 1794. By 1794 France was on the threshold of starvation due to a bad harvest and political disturbance. As a result, the French had assembled a convoy of some 117 Merchant ships in Chesapeake Bay, USA. The holds of these ships were filled with grain and stores for the relief of France. Perhaps the first example of America backing the wrong side.
The French plan of action to ensure the safe arrival of these ships was, an immediate escort of 4 ships of the line commanded by Admiral Vanstabel to accompany the convoy - a second squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Neilly to sail to meet the convoy and help escort it back to France and the main French Fleet commanded by Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse to sail from the port of Brest to provide any necessary cover should the convoy be threatened by the Royal Navy.
By April 1794, Admiral Richard Howe had assembled the British Fleet off St Helens on the Isle of Wight. The Fleet consisted of 32 ships of the line with attendant frigates. Owing to a shortage of Marines the 29th of Foot, like a number of other infantry regiments had to provide drafts for sea-going duty. The four hundred-plus of the regiment were distributed among several ships; "Brunswick", "Ramillies", "Glory", "Thunderer" and "Alfred".
On 28th May, at about 8:10 pm a frigate made the signal for "a fleet bearing South West" directly to windward. It was not until 6 pm that action commenced and lasted until 10:pm. British casualties were slight in that the whole number killed and wounded was but twenty two. On the morning of the 29th it was hazy and the action continued from 9: am until about 4:pm when the French bore away to support their disabled ships. On the 30th, it was very foggy and there was no action with the French. On the 31st, the fog cleared about 2: pm and the French were sighted far to leeward.
Six French ships were captured and another, the 'Le Vengeur', sunk, while the severely damaged remainder of the French fleet made off in considerable confusion. After five days of strenuous chase (68 year old Admiral Howe scarcely left the deck, only resting occasionally in a chair) and a hard-fought battle, the British were too exhausted to mount a pursuit. The British Navy had won the day, and the news of victory was greeted with wild enthusiasm in Britain. In days of your a location gave its name to a memorable battle, eg Bosworth Field, Trafalgar, however this Battle was fought so far out in the Atlantic that it has always been known by it's date "The Glorious First of June". ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) SIR EDWARD ELGAR BORN 02.06.1857 Classic fm will be broadcasting all his works tomorrow to remember one of Englands finest composers. It can be accessed via the web: http://www.classicfm.com/ 10 titles of well known pieces he composed:
Oh yes it was 40 years ago today that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club band was released
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