居民會Banner被惡意破壞 Banners were Deliberately Destroyed

這兩天忙著今晚的港鐵居民會，但今早卻發現我在區內的相關宣傳Banner被惡意破壞！

這已不是區內首次發生這樣"無品"的做法：早前有政黨為求摶宣傳，在區內四處偷掛橫額，我向地政處投訴，被多次警告後，該黨取巧地在最後一刻聽話拆除，轉眼卻又掛在另一個非法位置，如此三番四次令地政處周車勞頓，無疑浪費公帑，最後地政處忍無可忍下全部沒收該黨非法橫額(應該還會罰款)。

其他如華富也有此問題；我懷疑我這次被該黨惡意報復，這次更變本加厲，趁我今晚開居民會，就惡意破壞我的宣傳banner。怪不得該黨被社民連的黃毓文斥為"無恥"。

My banners were found deliberately destroyed by other somebody. I suspect the banners were cut by a political party.  All the banner destroyed were about the consultation meeting tonight. It's clearly shown that somebody or some party want to revenge me and my party.

I think it's one of the reason that why such party is denounced as a shameless one.

 

港鐵黃竹坑站最後諮詢會 Final Public Consultation Meeting on SIL WCH Station

明天我們邀請了港鐵和政府路政署代表到黃竹坑召開最後一次的諮詢會，諮詢會詳情如下：

地點：雅濤閣巴士總站側

日期：11月28日

時間：晚上八時至九時三十分

希望大家，尤其是雅濤閣的居民踴躍出席，就深灣沒有出入口一事再次反映意見。我先前跟進，詳見：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/index?l=f&id=12

（港鐵小冊子：http://www.mtr.com.hk/chi/projects/images/sil_brochure_chi.pdf）

We are going to have a final round local public consultation meeting on the SIL project of MTR, details of this meeting is as follows:

Date: 28 Nov. 2008

Time: 8-9:30pm

Venue: Space besides the Shum Wan bus terminus

I invite you to attend this meeting to voice out our concerns. My pervious follow ups, pls refer to : http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/index?l=f&id=12

（MTR Leaflet on SIL：http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/projects/images/sil_brochure_eng.pdf）

 

Keep Repulse Bay Public and Open(2) 反對淺水灣泳灘私有化(2)

Pls stroll down for the abstract of the Eng version of my comments on the Planning Application. Pls refer to http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?new=1&mid=4373

以下是今天我們給規劃署的申述信(參考http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?new=1&mid=4373)：

就規劃申請提出意見
Comments on Planning Application
申請編號S/H17/10

 本人徐遠華，現以南區區議議員及民主黨南區黨團代表身份，謹以以下理據反對申請人就申請編號S/H17/10 的A項申請﹕

1.         政府不應輕易出賣公共資產
規劃圖則中A項的海景大樓(A1)、該大樓東面的公眾停車場(A2)以及大樓西面的土地(A3)均屬於全港市民擁有的公共資產，海景大樓及大樓西面的土地現時用地均屬於「其他指定用途」注明「與海灘有關的休憩用途」，而該大樓東面的公眾停車場的土地現時屬於「休憩用地」。這三項都是公共擁有，且可供公眾使用的公共資產，如果被改劃為「綜合發展區」，無異於是出賣公共資產，我們反對將屬於全民擁有的資產以土地規劃的形式實質上轉讓給私人發展商。

2.         反對公共資產甚至淺水灣沙難被私有化
申請人以海景大樓用地未被善用為申請改劃的主要理據，而規劃署完全沒有與時並進，仍沿用數十年來的一元化舊思維，不顧及上述用地是公共資產、公共空間、集體回憶及以及其他善用公共資產的方式，抱著「市場萬靈」的心態，以為只須界定產權，將公共資產私有化即可解決問題。
 
我們擔心，如果上述公共資產被改劃為「綜合發展區」，不僅A項中的海景大樓(A1)、公眾停車場(A2)以及該大樓西面的土地(A3)均會被私有化，而且連接著這塊土地的一大片淺水灣沙灘也會被直接或以間接的方式私有化，屆時市民失去的不僅僅是述三項公共資產，而且也將失去這一片本可自由及直接使用的淺水灣沙灘。這樣的做法令經濟和環境保育不能保持均衡，也未能達至可持續發展的理念。
 
3.         海景大樓和淺水灣是全港市民的公共空間和集體記憶象徵
如上所述，規劃圖則中A項所涉及的均是將公共資產私有化的做法，我們反對這種無視這種收窄本原是市民擁用及直接享用的公共空間；如果改劃獲批，連接著這塊土地的一大片淺水灣沙灘也會被直接或以間接的方式私有化，淺水灣作為公共空間和集體記憶的象徵將一去不返。
 
4.          私有化非唯一出路，改善原有公共資產的管理才是對症下藥的良方
我們認為市場並非萬靈丹藥，尤其是針對公共資產的管理時，私有化絕非唯一出路，如何改善原有公共資產的管理才是對症下藥的良方。政府可研究保存及活化海景大樓一帶土地及設施，令市民繼續享用。我們建議，政府應朝著既有注明「與海灘有關的休憩用途」的方向重新研究如何善用及加強管理這些公共資產。我們也並不反對在該用地有商業活動，但最重要的是公眾必須有發言權、參與權和監察權，使公眾更好享有本屬市民的資產。
 
5.          私有化將令政府和公眾失去淺水灣未來發展的主動權
現時海景大等是政府擁有的物業，公眾對物業的發展和管理仍有發言權，可直接監察政府。即使將來發展商仍須向城規會作出改變用途或其他申請，方可改建為酒店或商餔；但如果本申請獲批，政府和公眾將失去淺水灣未來發展的主動權，屆時，公眾將無權監察發展商如何使用土地。
 
6.          淺水灣將淪為平民止步的富豪俱樂部中的私人沙灘
將公共資產私有化的做法，土地競投機制必將令該塊土地價格大幅上升，發展商為謀求最大利潤，我們擔心將來重建的項目必是高消費場所，並非普羅市民可隨意進入的設施，屆時淺水灣將淪為平民止步的富豪俱樂部中的私人沙灘。
 
7.         破壞景觀及增加區內交通負荷
據我們了解，如果上述公共資產被改劃為「綜合發展區」，古色古香的海景大樓很可能將被拆卸，而現址將興建簇新的新型建築物，破壞現時淺水彎的景觀。預計將來新的大樓有五層，高度太高，而可建築面積則由現時的2600平方米增加至4300平方米，增幅達1.5倍。根據「規劃署人口分布推算2007-2016」報告推算，淺水灣區2006年的人口為9900人，但到2012年時將增至10,700人。如果興建酒店等，人流大增，無疑將增加區內本已沉重的交通負荷，令交通擠塞的問題更為惡化。
 
 
上述7點是本人就是項申請的反對意見。
 
另外，本人贊成此申請編號S/H17/10 的B及C項申請：即將深水灣道以南的「綠化地帶」改劃為「具特殊科學價值地點」地點；以及刪除擬議第八十一號幹路的可能路線及附注。
 

Here's my comments:

1. Gov't should be sell out the public assets arbitrarily

2. Repulse Bay should not be privatised but keep open

3. the Seaview Building and the Repulse Bay are public space and symbol of public memory

4. Improving the management of the Seaview Building is a better way to solve the problem

5. the public will lose initiative of the future development of Repulse Bay

6. the access to the Repulse Bay and Seaview Building may be limited to the rich, but not the general public

7. it'll damage the surrounding view and putting pressure on the local traffic

 

Keep Repulse Bay Public and Open 反對淺水灣泳灘私有化

今天我草擬了一份反對淺水灣泳灘私有化的申述書，改正一些字眼後再放上來，明天就會交給城規會。

此事近日搞得熱烘烘，好像很多南區區議員都很關注環保，所以齊起反對一樣。但其實真相是：今年3月10日的會上，只有包括我，柴文瀚、歐立成、張漢芬和溫艾狄五人反對；而今年10月13日的會上，則只有我和柴文瀚發言明確反對規劃署這個私有化的計劃。

可參考9月5日南華早報對我的訪問：

Repulse Bay residents and some district councillors suggested the building be preserved.

"The building blends in with the surroundings so well," Southern District councillor Tsui Yuen-wa said. "This is what Repulse Bay should be - a classy atmosphere. Some residents told me they wouldn't want to see a modern hotel here. It would make them feel like they were in Central."

Mr Tsui said he was also concerned that rezoning would mean existing public space would be privatised.

Councillor Chu Hing-hong said: "The building is beautiful and has been a photo-shooting spot, especially for Chinese tourists."

還有官方區議會會議記錄(錄音)可查：

1. 3月10日的地區發展及環境事務委員會會議

http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/south_d/chinese/audio_file/08/DDEC/ddec_2/ddec_2.htm

2. 10月13日的地區發展及環境事務委員會會議

http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/south_d/chinese/audio_file/08/DDEC/ddec_6/ddec_6.htm

此事件，可參考：

http://www.designinghongkong.com/cms/

 

People are debating about the re-zoning application of the Repulse Bay and plans to privatise the Seaview Building to probably a hotel development.

It seems many district councillors are against such application. But it is NOT.

If you look into the facts. According to the formal minutes, there were only FIVE members, including Mr Chai Man Hon, Mr. Au Lap Shing, Mr. Cheung Hon Fun, Ms Wan Ai Tik and me, vote against it on the 10th March 2008 committee meeting.

And there were only TWO(Mr Chai Man Hon and me) made clear statement on the 13 Oct. 2008 committee meeting to against such application.

You can check out these facts at the following minutes of the meetings(recording file, Chinese only):

a).10th March 2008

http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/south_d/chinese/audio_file/08/DDEC/ddec_2/ddec_2.htm

b). 13 Oct. 2008 http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/south_d/chinese/audio_file/08/DDEC/ddec_6/ddec_6.htm

I've rasied my concerns to the SCMP and it was published on 5 Sept. as following:

Repulse Bay residents and some district councillors suggested the building be preserved.

"The building blends in with the surroundings so well," Southern District councillor Tsui Yuen-wa said. "This is what Repulse Bay should be - a classy atmosphere. Some residents told me they wouldn't want to see a modern hotel here. It would make them feel like they were in Central."

Mr Tsui said he was also concerned that rezoning would mean existing public space would be privatised.

Councillor Chu Hing-hong said: "The building is beautiful and has been a photo-shooting spot, especially for Chinese tourists."

You may refer to this link to know more about this issue:

http://www.designinghongkong.com/cms/

矮人看戲何曾見，都是隨人說短長 ( 清。趙翼 ) Comments by the Short

矮人看戲何曾見，都是隨人說短長 ( 清。趙翼 )

政治評論大多可作如是觀。

While enjoying a drama, the short who standing behind the taller don't see anything, they just follow comments made by others, no matter good or bad.(Qing Dynasty, Zhao Yi)

So do political commentaries.

PS: I'm sure I'm the shortest one among the translators.

 

他朝君體也相同 You Will be the Same

「今夕吾軀歸故土，他朝君體也相同」是跑馬地天主教墳場冷酷的對聯。往日坐車初經此處，看著這片墓地，心裡諗著對聯，震撼異常，彷彿有逝者兀地從墳地站起，冷眼直指，喃喃自語：

今夕吾軀歸故土，他朝君體也相同。

現在，每天上班都經過這裡，日子久了，偶爾想起對聯，已不再有異樣的感覺。

是太熟悉了吧。

還是：麻木了？

巴士穿梭而過的那一剎那，或許，就是人生；或許，那是你與我擦身而過的相遇；或許是，生與死既近又遠的距離。

這種一剎那的相遇和距離，或許就如我和父母，兄弟，朋友、同學之間的關係；同理，功名利祿亦然。

人生，從來冷酷；天地，本來不仁。

後記：當選一周年的晚上，不知為何竟情緒低落，湧起這些想法。功名、利祿、名譽、地位、嬌妻、兒女，人生若夢幻泡影，這些究竟是理想呢還是痴望? 雖是老生常談的感概，但我相信，感概背後的失落與痛苦真確而實然。當晚，還想起紅樓夢的好了歌和前些日子讀到的英文詩，見後)。

There is a profound sadness of 'duilian'(對聯,a Chinese form of a pair lines in a poem) at the front gate of the graveyard at Happy Valley, I tried to translate the lines into English like this: Today I'm buried underground like going hometown, you will be the same tomorrow.

I was shocked when I read these lines first time, the feeling was like one of the dead sanding up suddenly from his graveyard and said to me :

Today I'm buried underground like going hometown, you will be the same tomorrow.

As time goes by, I don't have specially feeling now. It's because the lines become familiar with me or I become insensitive to the lines?

Life may is like the moment while the bus passes by this graveyard, or that's the moment you and I encounter with each other, or the distance of life and death.

That moment and distance, may be the relationship between me and my parents, brother and sisters, friends, as well as success and fame.

I feel the profound sadness in the lines. It's almost a cliche to say that 'Life is but an empty dream', but I believe there IS such profound sadness in life indeed.

PS: It's strange that I had the above feeling at night of the first anniversary year of being elected. And it reminded me of a poem in the Story of the Stone and a traditional nursery rhyme I read from a book some days ago, see below.

好了歌   

世人都曉神仙好, 只有功名忘不了﹗
古今將相在何方? 荒塚一堆草沒了﹗
世人都曉神仙好, 只有金銀忘不了﹗
終朝只恨聚無多, 及到多時眼閉了﹗
世人都曉神仙好, 只有嬌妻忘不了﹗
君生日日說恩情, 君死又隨人去了﹗
世人都曉神仙好, 只有兒孫忘不了﹗
痴心父母古來多, 孝順兒孫誰見了﹖

 
Death and Death and Death Indeed
 
There was a man of double deed
Sowed his garden full of seed.
And when that seed began to grow
'Twas like a garden full of snow.
When the snow began to melt
'Twas like a ship without a belt.
When the ship began to sail
'Twas like a bird without a tail.
When the bird began to fly
'Twas like an eagle in the sky.
When the sky began to roar
'Twas like a lion at the door.
When the door began to crack
'Twas like a stick across my back.
When my back began to smart
'Twas like a penknife in my heart.
When my heart began to bleed
'Twas death and death and death indeed.

- TRADITIONAL NURSERY RHYME

http://www.abandonedamerica.org/hospitals/fuller/fssg1/deathindeed.html

瀏覽人次超過二萬 Over 20,000 Visitors!

今天才發現，原來我這個網誌(這個如此悶的網誌!)的瀏覽人次已超過2萬了！就算是慶祝我當選一年的禮物吧。

從開始到瀏覽人次達1萬，時間約一年(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=2327)；現在從1萬到2萬，時間約8個月，每天的瀏覽人次比以前增加了約30%，我很高興有這個意想不到的進步。

每個工作日都中英對照寫一篇(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=1409)，偶一為之絕非難事，但坦白說，要堅持下來其實並不容易；古人說"未改初心有幾人"，我雖然偶然仍會有停寫網誌的念頭，但到目前為主，我總算是堅持了下來，未負初心。這也是值得我自己驕傲的一件事。

當然，網誌裡面有很多很多的缺點，很多很多需要改善的地方。感謝各位，特別是經常來瀏覽和留言朋友：你們的鼓勵是我最大的推動力。

我會繼續加油，一天天寫，一點一滴地力求進步(參考：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=4070)。

Over20,000 visitors has browsed this blog, this boring community-work blog. It took around one year to get to 10,000 visitors(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=2327); but it only took about 8 months to reach 20,000. I'm proud of this result!

I've been writing bilingual blog after I was elected one year ago. It's easy to update a blog like this way if you do it a few times a week or a month, but it's difficult to keep updating every working day(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=1409).

But, as you can see, there are many mistakes in this blog, and there are huge room for improvement. I thank you those friends who come to my blog often. You are the main driving force to keep me work like this.

I'll keep updating this blog, as I aim at improving myself day by day.(Pls refer to http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=4070 )

去年今日：當選一周年 One Year Performance

回味，當年今日：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=1351

PS: 年尾我會略寫一份自我評估/檢討，力求做得更好。也歡迎各位評價，為我過去一年的工作打分。

I was elected as a southern district councillor on 18 Nov. 2007: http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=1351

PS: I'll write a review of my work and performance at the end of this year in order to improve myself. You are comments are always welcome.

 

送你一片彩虹 Rainbow as a Gift

上星期的深灣彩虹，美的讓人心醉。

Isn't the rainbow so beautiful?!

黃竹坑邨清拆工程(4) Demolition Work of Wong Chuk Hang Estate(4)

12月起黃竹坑邨就會按三個階段清拆了，第一期會先拆卸第3座，第7座及第10座，大家可見第10座已搭起了竹棚，我們就快告別這座黃竹坑邨了。

以前黃竹坑邨的居民應該會很懷念這座陪伴他們成長的屋邨。

更多清拆的跟進，請見：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=4146，http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3657　and http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3096

Wong Chuk Hang Estat will be demolished from December. There will be 3 stages of the work, the 3rd, 7th and 10th blocks will be demolish at the first stage. You can see the following pictures that everything is ready and we are going to say goodbye to the Estate.

I'm sure many ex- residents will miss this Estate and the days while they were living in it.

For more info about the demolishment project, pls refer to my previous follow ups: http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=4146，http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3657　and http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3096

惠福道泊車問題 Parking Problem at Welfare Road

惠福道本是雙程路，但長久以來卻因每天大量到海洋公園及珍寶海鮮舫的旅遊巴停泊而變成單程路。近來因珍寶閣附近的工地開工，工程車等更多，甚至阻塞了康復中心的出入口。康復中心比其他機構較多使用救傷車，如果有緊急事故，真不知什麼人應負責。

因惠福道並不是禁區，故警察不能執法抄牌；如劃作禁區，旅遊巴可能又會在附近其他地方停泊，即只是將問題推往他處，而問題依舊。

此外，十多架車輛停泊在一邊，一般都不會停車熄匙，廢氣四溢；加上附近沒有公廁，有司機甚至將裝著排泄物的膠樽或膠袋拋在路邊，影響衛生。

康復中心和我聯名提出這個題，將在星期五的分區會討論如何解決這個題。

Welfare Road is a two-ways road, but it has "became" an one-way road for a long time, since there are many travel buses park here to wait for tourists at Ocean Park and Jumbo Floating Restaurant. It even causes traffic jam at the front gate of the JCRC, which a rehabilitating centre sometimes needs ambulance service,that may delay the service.

Parking at the Welfare Road doesn't against the law, so the policeman can do nothing. If we set up the "double yellow line" here, we just push the problem away but not solve it.

The parking causes other problems: many travel bus drivers don't turn off the engines that the pollution is serious here; and there is no public boilet nearby, some of bus drivers even dump their excreta which installed or packed by bottles or bags besides the Welfare Road.

The JCRC and I raise this problem and it will discussed at the Area Committee this Friday.

小事一件 小樹兩棵 Trees Re-Planted

前早被大風吹斷的南濤閣門口和惠福道樹木，再三催促後，署方今天終於重植了兩棵小樹。

小事一件，聊作紀錄

Two new trees have been planted today at Welfare Road and in front of South Wave Court. These trees were blown broken by the typhoon around two months ago.

 

南濤閣行人過路設施問卷調查(2) Survey: Crossing Facility at Shum Wan Road(2)

今早七點多就在雅濤閣繼續問卷調查，多謝義工Peggy在突然轉冷的天氣的幫忙(今早只有17度！)；一如計劃，今晚七點到九點，我會繼續在雅濤閣做問卷調查。目前我已收集了約150份問卷，加上今晚，希望總數會增至180。

稍後統計和分析問卷結果後，我會寄上或電郵給受訪居民。

感謝各位對我地區工作的支持！

We went to Broardview Court to conduct our survey this morning. We'll go again tonight from 7 to 9pm as planned. Thanks to a volunteer, Peggy, helped me to conduct the survey on the sudden cold morning.

So far I've collected around 150 questionnaires, hope I could get 30 more tonight. I'll mail or email the result to the interviewed later.

Many thanks to residents of WCH who support my community work!

義務法律諮詢 Free Legal Consultation Service

我們11月的法律諮詢安排如下：

Here's the arrangment of legal consultation service this month:

時間Date	地點/Venue	聯絡電話/Contact
11月7日(五) 7 Nov. (Fri)	黃竹坑惠福道3號珍寶閣地下 徐遠華　議員辦事處 G/F, Jumbo Court, 3 Welfare Road, Wong Chuk Hang, H.K	2553-2115
11月13日(四) 13 Nov. (Thur)	華富邨華泰樓119室 甘乃威　柴文瀚　議員聯合辦事處 Rm. 119, Wah Tai House, Wah Fu Estate, H.K.	2555-8555
11月21日(五) 21 Nov. (Fri)	海怡半島東商場101號舖 馮煒光　議員辦事處 Shop 101, East Shopping Mall, South Horizon	2555-6438
11月27日(五) 27 Nov. (Fri)	華富邨華泰樓119室 甘乃威　柴文瀚　議員聯合辦事處 Rm. 119, Wah Tai House, Wah Fu Estate, H.K.	2555-8555

南濤閣行人過路設施問卷調查 Survey: Crossing Facility at Shum Wan Road, WCH

先向各位道歉：一是因為我今早做問卷調查，但到晚上才放到網上；二是我印出來後才發現，我忘了把單張上面的立法會議員更新為甘乃威，仍用了以前楊森、李柱銘的名字。今早一位眼利的街坊留意到後第二個問題後，指責我做事不小心，這次是很好的教訓，我的確疏忽了，以後我會更加留意，不再犯這樣的錯。

 

我先前關於這次問卷的跟進，可見：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3197。正如單張所指，此項建議旨在保障居民，尤其是長者過馬路時的安全，但有居民擔心可能會阻塞交通，也可能沒有居民會使用過路設施，所以展開問卷調查，希望更清楚居民(特別是南濤閣居民)的意向，作為我日後跟進此建議的參考。

 

I'm conducting a survey about my proposal of setting up a crossing facility at Shum Wan Road near the South Wave Court, in order to prevent accident. My previous follow ups, pls refer to http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3197 . I understand that there are concerns about the traffic congestion there, and some residetns doubt that few people use the facility. It's the main reason that I conduct this survey to know what residents think about my proposal.

今堂佢地只係掟波... They Just Throwing the Ball Around

朋友是位中學教師，下面是我和他的MSN對話：

朋友 說:
上完.

我 說:
 

朋友 說:
今堂佢地只係掟波.

朋友 說:
同訓教.好乖

我 說:
掟波??!!

我 說:
好乖?

朋友 說:
不再狂奔同隻揪=)

我 說:
 

My friend is a teacher at secondary school, here is our MSN conversation:

My friend: Finally the class is over.

Me:  

My friend: today they just throwing the ball around

My friend: and sleep. they are good today.

Me:  throwing boss around??!!

Me: good?

My friend: today they don't run around and fight =)

Me:

美國大選雜感 Notes on the US Presidential Election

It's my notes on the US presidential election. I'm sorry for not providing a bilingual version. I'll write an English abstract later.

今天奧巴馬當選美國第一位黑人總統，坦白說，我在奧巴馬與希拉莉初選時並不看好他，即使他勝出初選後，我仍偏向認為經驗豐富的麥凱恩更適合擔任總統。於我而言，年青有朝氣並不是領袖必備的條件，經驗、識見和政治決斷才是。但是在視像時代，前者容易成為推銷的優點，後者則難以表達。各位從這點可看出我的保守傾向。

當然，上述都是直觀式的判斷，因為我並不熟悉美國選情，即使現在，對兩人的政綱除了報章裡"雞精式"的報導外所知的僅是共和民主兩黨的基本價值觀的差異。順便說一句：香港選舉時本地傳媒連這類報導也欠缺，真是可歎可笑可悲！

印象中我第一次留心美國選舉是2000年。那次布殊和戈爾須由司法機構裁決選舉決果，其間一切和平有序解決一國政治內最大的問題，讓我大開眼界，深受震撼！因為我相信，即使有一天中國有了民主制，因為缺乏深厚的法治和憲政傳統，如果出現類似憲政困境，出現內亂乃至軍人界入政治的機會必將大於和平解決。我還記得，戈爾當年那篇精彩的演說辭，接受法院裁決，坦然承認落選，並向新任總統表示將成為他治下美國的"忠誠的僕人"......

我還記得2000年的美國總統的難產，曾招致好些中國人的嘲笑，但對我而言，整個過程，包括解決總統難產問題的過程，在在顯示出美國政治制度及公民質素的穩健和優越。

這次美國初選時，我一開始錯以為美國社會的種族歧視仍嚴重至不會選舉一位黑人作總統(這顥示我的無知！)。這次的選舉，彰顯了美國強盛的另一層面：美國社會終於克服了立國兩百多年來的種族問題！而如果希拉莉勝出初選，我相信會她會成為第一位女性總統。這又意謂著另一項偉大成就：男女平等。(或可參見：http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=3166&prev=3378&next=4164)

身在中國、身在香港的朋友們，不知道你們會否和我一樣，對這樣的制度和平等的社會有"雖不能至，心向往之"的憧憬?

我當然不會說民主是萬靈丹藥(這是反對民主的人對支持民主的人的常見指控)，美國式政治如利益團體的壓力、財團對政治的影響力、選舉期花費和時間過長等等都是倣效美國制度時必須克服的難題。

僅以選舉經費和時間看，美國總統選舉動輒花費數以十億計美元，時間超逾兩年，相比起歐洲國家，尚不計其動用的社會資源，籌募經費和時間對候選人的壓力比其他地區高得極不合理，其間金錢在政治中的影響力不言自明。

幸好，香港學的是英式制度，有經費上限(區議會僅為4萬8千，立法會約在180萬上下，行政長官為950萬)，競選期也相對合理(從報名到點票，約兩個月，似乎短了一點)；可惜，台灣學的是美制，沒有選舉經費和時間限制，故有曠日持久的真正的"選戰"。

在我看來，這並非台灣人之福。因為有高質素公民討論的美國尚可形成整個社會健康的大辯論，但在台灣或其他新興民主體制，曠日持久的真正的"選戰"意謂著無情的社會撕裂，以及兩股社會勢力的對抗，沒有高質的公民質素和公民社會的新興民主體制，往往經不起這樣的選戰煉獄。

我曾親自問過美國的專業競選策略人：難道美國人不認為這樣不健康不合理麼？

他說：美國的選舉已成了一種寵大的行業，這個與選舉、候選人密切相關的行業本身就是利益團體，從業員自然反對一切試圖限制選舉經費和時限的法例。

這無疑令金錢對政治的影響力大開中門。

難怪有曾長駐美國華盛頓的港府官員對我說：美國政治是 legalized corruption( 合法化的貪污)！

就此而言，香港、中國在學習民主化的過程中，必須時刻警醒：不能重蹈美、台的覆轍！

PS: 大陸沒有新聞自由，但對國內政治關係不緊密的國際新聞，其視野比香港大多了。當然，須小心其報導是否客觀，評論是否公允。

這次的美國大選，大陸這個網站的特輯比好多本港網站好多了。見：http://www.cns.hk:89/special/2008/0606/7.shtml

one more PS: 沒想到寫了這麼長，我懷疑：到底有多少人會看完？值得這麼花時間麼？

黃竹坑邨邨口巴士專線(2)

昨天因天雨，實地視察(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/our_wch/article?mid=4164)改為在惠福道的東華三院復康中心開會商議。運輸署傾向不取消黃竹坑邨邨口巴士專線，原因主要有二：

1. 最主要的原因是港鐵已交了報告給運輸署，希望將黃竹坑巴士總站搬到對面的停車場，即將來即使取消了巴士專線，車輛轉入邨口後，只能左轉香葉道再繞道警校道入深灣，而不能直接如巴士一樣經黃竹坑巴士總站入深灣；

2. 因黃竹坑道的消防局約將在一年後搬到南風徑，運輸署現在考慮等消防局搬走後再將消防局對出的出車口改為U-Turn位。

黃竹坑巴士總站可能被搬到對面的停車場的方案影響區內交通甚大，運輸署正在評估是否同意。我會緊密跟進此事進展。

 

父子 Father and Son

偷懶一下，把以前偶然拍下的舊照片放上來，權作今天的網誌。

Too busy to write blog article, I share with you this old picture today.