Back to work...but...

there's no internet!!!!!

Yes, it's right. There's an earthquake in Taiwan last night, and even people in HK could feel it (not including me though...I was already quite dizzy myself after taking coughing pills all day...) Some tele-cables underseas were broken, and it affects internet, long-distance calls, etc. The internet is slow, and I can't (slowly) log in gmail and browse my own blog until now.

And yes, I kept coughing and I could hardly speak until now. But then my knee hurts again, I guess, because of the cold weather. I think I need to see a doctor soon.

Merry Christmas

114 for Leong, the race for chief is on

This is the headline of the South China Morning Post today.

I always like the headings of English newspapers over the Chinese ones. This heading makes you think the whole town is in the heat of the Chief Executive election in March next year, while in fact no one really cares, or NO ONE CAN CARE except the 800 members of the Election Committee who can vote in the election (well, unless you are going to participate in the civil referendum).

I belong to the social welfare sector. It's interesting enough that all of the candidates from the Social Welfare Department and many of the agency heads lost. I guess that's life when most of the voters are frontline social workers.

The last time we had an "election" for CE was ten years ago. The 2nd election in 2002 and the by-election last year was uncontested (!!). While I might not be absolutely in favour of Leong, I sure do to want to see a competition.

Election Committee Sub-sectors Elections 2006

This is the first time I voted at a "small circle" election. Even though I don't agree on it, I think it's important to make sure those I support are in and those I don't are out.

P.S. Today's the International Human Rights Day. What a coincident.

Article 21(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:

(a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

(b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors;

(c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.

Maintenance

The estate I live in is under major maintenance (changing new tiles on the outside building walls) lately. This is how it looks like now. We, the people, not the cars, need to "de-tour" going in and out of the buildings. Last Saturday, I almost couldn't find my way back home after having breakfast at the shopping mall!