Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy new year 快樂新年


















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf9cT2Y7RCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCgaeJfzQrg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08SD3xyBlds&feature=related

"Happy New Year"

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Friday, December 24, 2010

O Holy Night


















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-8jYpa1-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jr-2eyRtV4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4MQ-emtC1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uiqRCW6I8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhcZ6b2FSsk

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!












White Christmas



















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGxVQBp0y-I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeUMfZzdiEc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HrAy5xqzOs

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Carol of The Bell


 





























 Carol Of The Bells

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

 


Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good 

cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air

Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas

On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home

Ding, dong, ding, dong.


Composed by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych (1877-1921) in 1916. Originally titled Shchedryk, this Ukranian folk song is about a sparrow and the bountiful year that awaits a family. It was first performed in the Ukraine on the night of January 13, 1916, on the Julian calendar this is considered New Year's Eve. In the United States the song was first performed on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall.

Carol of the Bells, also known as the Ukrainian Carol, was adapted from Shchedryk by Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921), which was first performed in December 1916 by students at Kiev University. The original Ukrainian song is based on an old Slavic legend that every bell in the world rang in honour of Jesus on the night of his birth.


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Snowy Beiping 風雪中的北平




 




《風雪中的北平》是小六在香港讀過的一課書。

http://www.mymandarin.com/reading/beiping.htm



風雪中的北平 金兆梓

北平,確是一個值得留戀的地方,每遇到冬天的風雪,我腦中必浮現了一個風雪中的北平。

當我住在北平那一年,有一天我早上起來,往城南訪一個朋友,去時太陽本已有些發毛;一點鐘左右,起身回家時,北風正一陣緊似一陣的刮著,天也黑將下來。我滿望到了騾馬市大街,可以雇車;不料走到那平日「肩摩轂擊」的大街,一看,完全換了樣,不要說車,連行人也沒有。原來那些「熙來攘往」的人都受了風的威脅,躲在家裏了,只剩我一人硬著頭皮和風在奪路。風真大,我這時又逆著風向走,走上了三步,倒退了兩步,這可沒有法了。忽然想著嚴陵灘上那些背著縴,逆水行舟的縴夫,我便往前斜著身子,學他們的走法,一步一步的和風拚命。這樣,果然好了些。但是一路上棋子般大的泥塊,夾著粉末似的細沙,被風捲起來,儘往我臉上打。眼睛裏、鼻子裏、耳裏、嘴裏,甚至牙齒縫兒裏,滿是沙;不必說,臉上著了風帶著的泥塊,又是疼,又是冷,越冷就越疼。不好,到了宣武門的城門洞了。這時候,風給城門洞一逼緊,力量益發大,我真有點「寸步難移」。我只好掉轉頭,背著風,採用「沈著應戰」的方略——乘它一休息,我就回身趕上進佔了幾步;它一來,我又掉轉頭,背著它,靜待著。照這樣的方略,支撐了三次,總算進了城。於是再用縴夫的走法,苦苦的奪路到了家。

當晚我因和風奮鬥之餘,疲乏已極,倒頭便睡。一覺醒來,風聲沒有了,紙窗上大放晴光。我心裏一喜,趕緊起來,捲上窗簾一望,呀!原來是一天大雪,竟在一個晚上,不聲不響的,將我家那院子「粉妝玉琢」起來。

我住的地方,叫大石作,左景山而右北海,離兩處都不過「一箭之地」。我那時忽發雅興,想揀一高處看看北平的雪景,當下揀定了北海中的白塔。我靠手杖的幫助,一氣跑上了塔的絕頂;四面眺望,整個北平內城就收在眼底,給那光明的、皎潔的、靜默的雪,瀰漫著,懷抱著,和昨天飛沙走石、漫天黑暗、大風中的北平一比較,我真不信是在同一個世界之內——昨天是一個煙塵蔽天的北平,今天是天地空無一點塵了。俯視足下的五龍亭、漪瀾堂一帶,盡成了「瓊樓玉宇」,而我已聳身在瓊樓玉宇之巔。這時候,我真覺有些「高處不勝寒」了。



Sleigh Ride




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OATi34PKNPw&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rSocVAD6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odw_-Wg2Ndc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROvLqh-_jdM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra6val6Vsjw&feature=fvst

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkFbsmz-lyk

SLEIGH RIDE
(Leroy Anderson / Mitchell Parish)

Recorded by : Leroy Anderson; Glen Campbell; Bing Crosby;
The Carpenters; The Partridge Family; The Ventures; and many others ...

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, gidd yap,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a of perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
the chestnuts pop. pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee
and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you



Sunday, December 12, 2010

没有主角的和平奖音乐会 - BBC


Posted by Picasa


诺贝尔和平奖音乐会12月11日深夜在奥斯陆曲终人散,这是诺贝尔委员会为期三天的官方活动的最后一个节目。

音乐会举行之前我曾经询问主办方的发言人,晚上是否为刘晓波作任何特别安排,得到的答案是:“没有”。

但到了现场才发现,主办方早有部署。

自从1994年开始,挪威诺贝尔委员会每年都在和平奖颁奖礼之后举行音乐会,为当年的和平奖得主庆祝,并传播和平的声音。

今年的音乐会由美国演员安妮·海瑟薇(Anne Hathaway)和丹素·华盛顿(Danzel Washington)主持,并邀请了九位来自世界各地的著名歌手表演。

音乐会一开始,会场两侧的大屏幕就播出过去几天奥斯陆发生的、要求释放刘晓波的示威活动片段。

向刘晓波致敬
华盛顿解释了刘晓波无法亲临现场的原因,并对此表达遗憾。华盛顿说:“今夜,我们向您的勇气以及献身人权的精神致敬,在场1600名观众都支持您。”

他的话音刚落,全场立刻响起了热烈的掌声,持续一分钟。

大会接着又播放了诺贝尔和平奖得主、缅甸反对派领袖昂山素季在12月10日发给诺贝尔委员会的视频短片,她用英语呼吁大家继续关注民主。

由于刘晓波在狱中曾透过刘霞表示,希望能在和平奖仪式听到儿童的表演,大会特别安排挪威青年弦乐团为他演奏一曲。

大约两个多钟头的音乐会进行到一半的时候,会场中央落下大屏幕,播放了刘晓波自从六四以来的画面,两位主持人介绍他做过的事情。

海瑟薇和华盛顿又语带伤感地且背诵“我没有敌人—我的最后陈述”的摘要。

英国爵士乐队Jamiroquai Jamiroquai主音Jay Kay献唱完后特别叮嘱了一句:“今晚当大家就寝的时候,请惦记着这个人。”

事实上,这并非第一次和平奖得主缺席为其举行的音乐会,美国总统奥巴马去年就没有出席。

但是由于刘晓波身份的特殊性,加上主办方的上述节目编排,让音乐会渗透出丝丝的伤感。

和平奖音乐会曲终人散,但是围绕着刘晓波获奖的风波却继续掀起一圈圈的涟漪,不断向外扩散。

Saturday, December 11, 2010

蘋論:空凳是人權的缺席,也是對人權的等待 – (李怡)

 
Posted by Picasa




http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1405

蘋論:空凳是人權的缺席,也是對人權的等待 – (李怡) – 2010年12月11日

一個位於北歐、人口不到 500萬的小國,一百多年來每年遴選一位對世界和平有傑出貢獻的人物。在全球各大國環伺,政治、經濟、軍事紛紛施加影響及壓力之下,就憑着人民所信賴的評選委員會對普世價值的堅持,由於選出的絕大多數獲獎者實至名歸、深得全球大多數人的認同,而建立這個不僅被認為是殿堂級、甚至被認為是上帝級的獎項。環顧百多年世界各國設立多如牛毛的獎項,沒有一個及得上這小國的堅持。向這獎項吐唾沫的人,唾沫只會回落到自己臉上。

昨天,一年一度的頒獎禮,放上了一張空凳。空凳的簡單意義,是得獎人缺席。因頒發的是和平獎,故獲獎者的缺席,即意味他所屬國家的和平缺席。

和平,與人權有重要而直接的關係。當人民過着無自由的奴隸生活,在暴力壓抑下的「和平」就不是真正和平,而是「同而不和」的小人的「和諧」。因此,空凳的另一象徵意義,是獲獎者所屬國家的人權缺席。

如果世人對這個國家的和平與人權的缺席仍有懷疑的話,那麼頒獎禮前當局一系列的嚴控、監視、斷手機、斷網絡、逼外遊,甚至禁止 6人以上聚餐等嚴重侵犯人民權利的法西斯壓制,就自我證實這個國家的和平與人權正正是一張空凳。

一張空凳,也象徵着真話在這個國家的缺席。外交部發言人姜瑜說,有 100多個國家與組織表示支持中方的立場。但她沒有把國家與組織分開來說,究竟有多少是國家,多少是組織,它們的名字能否公開?這些國家與組織在中國壓力下不參加頒獎禮,是基於利害考慮還是支持中共的高壓政策?

幾乎全人類都看到這張空凳,只有獲獎者所屬國家的十三億人看不到空凳,因此這個國家人民的知情權,也是一張空凳。

頒獎禮以女高音的歌聲拉開序幕,這首挪威作曲家 Edvard Grieg所寫的名曲《 Solveig’s Song》,由易卜生填詞,歌詞說,冬去春來夏秋又至,一年過去,「但我知道你會回來」,「你會發現我在等你」,「你孤身上路」,但「上帝會賜你力量」。這歌聲,不謀而合地表達人們對劉曉波獲釋的期待,頒獎禮隨後讀出劉曉波〈我沒有敵人──我的最後陳述〉一文中,他說:「我對未來自由中國的降臨充滿樂觀的期待,因為任何力量也無法阻攔心向自由的人性欲求,中國終將變成人權至上的法治國」。這段話賦予那首歌新的意義:「我」是指中國人民,而「你」則是指自由、法治、人權。「我知道你會回來」,因為上帝會賜「不自由毋寧死」的自由以力量。

在諾獎主席亞格蘭( Thorbjorn Jagland)的致辭多次引起歷久不息的掌聲,尤其他說一定要釋放劉曉波的時候。小提琴家張萬鈞演奏中國歌曲《茉莉花》《彩雲追月》和英國作曲家 Edward Elgar的《愛的禮讚》。《彩雲追月》是中共早年的革命作曲家任光的作品:「一樣的相思/一樣的離愁/日復一日,年復一年/親人啊親人我在盼/盼望相見的明天。」

劉曉波在他的陳述中,談到他與妻子劉霞的愛情:「我在有形的監獄中服刑,你在無形的心獄中等待,你的愛,就是超越高牆、穿透鐵窗的陽光……讓我始終保有內心的平和、坦蕩與明亮……而我對你的愛,充滿了負疚和歉意,有時沉重得讓我腳步蹣跚。……」《彩雲追月》像是對二人高貴愛情的頌歌。

《茉莉花》是被意大利歌劇家普契尼選作歌劇《杜蘭朵》主旋律的中國民歌。「好一朵茉莉花,滿園的花開賽不過它。……」是不是也意味着它是自由民主的鮮花呢?

挪威演員 Liv Ullmann讀出劉曉波的陳詞,她說:「我期待我的國家是一片可以自由表達的土地……,在這裏,不同的價值、思想、信仰、政見……既相互競爭又和平共處;……在這裏,所有的政見都將攤在陽光下接受民眾的選擇,每個國民都能毫無恐懼地發表政見……我期待,我將是中國綿綿不絕的文字獄的最後一個受害者,……」

筆者對中國政治的改進本不抱希望。然而,受諾貝爾和平獎的刺激,中國的內政外交已發展到荒謬卑鄙近乎瘋狂的地步了。基於物極必反的原理,恐怕也不能排除有一個審慎樂觀的期待吧。而諾獎的刺激,說不定正是對中國政改的激勵。
放上獎狀的空凳,也象徵對中國人權的等待。

Solveig's Song




















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtApYQ9plwE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3N1yBEGbw&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2Adi2iFRM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHNjdvqwgGY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exb4pLW1mTE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkfpKqzPFZA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pJ-SXkn2E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NM5LgC0mto&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO-lweEDKGg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU0WNE14RAY
The winter may pass and the spring disappear
The spring disappear
The summer too will vanish and then the year
And then the year
But this I know for certain: you'll come back again
You'll come back again
And even as I promised you'll find me waiting then
You'll find me waiting then

Oh-oh-oh ....

God help you when wand'ring your way all alone
Your way all alone
God grant to you his strength as you'll kneel at his throne
As you'll kneel at his throne
If you are in heaven now waiting for me
In heaven for me
And we shall meet again love and never parted be
And never parted be!

Oh-oh-oh ....
冬天已經過去,
春天不再回來,
春天不再回來!
夏天也將消逝,
一年年地等待,
一年年地等待;
我始終深信,
你一定能回來,
你一定能回來,
我曾經答應你,
我要忠誠等待你,
等待著你回來。
啊!

無論你在那里,
願上帝保佑你,
願上帝保佑你!
我要永遠忠誠地等你回來,
等待著你回來。


Friday, December 10, 2010

心裡只有你没有他 historia de un amor



















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-xAZeEsNRA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJiUUKtwV0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz711PbPqC8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrCnX0oP_k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-WIg7rLnr8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpKLkcGe0Ss&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVSGU2tk50&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcbajjaspHU



我的心里只有你没有他

你要相信我的情意并不假

只有你才是我梦想

只有你才叫我牵挂

我的心里没有他

我的心里只有你没有他

你要相信我的情意并不假

我的眼睛为了你看

我的眉毛为了你画

从来不是为了他

我的心里只有你没有他

你要相信我的情意并不假

只有你才是我梦想

只有你才叫我牵挂

我的心里没有他

自从那日送走你回了家

那一天

不时我把自己骗 自己骂

只怪我当时没有把你留下

对着你把心来挖

让你看上一个明白

我的心里可有他

我的心里只有你没有他

你要相信我的情意并不假

只有你才是我梦想

只有你才叫我牵挂

我的心里没有他

自从那日送走你回了家

那一天

不时我把自己骗 自己骂

只怪我当时没有把你留下

对着你把心来挖

让你看上一个明白

我的心里可有他

我的心里只有你没有他

你要相信我的情意并不假

只有你才是我梦想

只有你才叫我牵挂

我的心里没有他

只有你才是我梦想

只有你才叫我牵挂

我的心里没有他

Yesterday












Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Peace prize: Some stand with jailed laureate...


When the celebrated American violinist Lynn Chang was invited to perform at today’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, he asked for 24 hours to think about it.

Tweet 0diggsdiggYahoo! Buzz ShareThis The 2010 peace laureate, Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for “subverting state power,” and neither he nor his wife was allowed to travel to Oslo to accept the prize. A regime that will lock a man up because he advocates peaceful democratic reform and freedom of expression is likely to have few scruples about lashing out at anyone who honors that man. So while Chang, whose father immigrated to America in 1949, was “thrilled and honored” to be invited to the Nobel ceremony, he was also aware that there might be repercussions: The Chinese government could bar him from visiting relatives still living in China, for example. Or it could forbid Chinese music students from studying at the schools with which Chang is affiliated, which include Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and the Boston and New England conservatories.

But when Chang consulted with family members and school officials, he says, the near-unanimous consensus was: “Absolutely, you should do this.’’ And so, to his credit and to theirs, Chang is performing in Oslo. He will be doing more than paying tribute to the absent Liu. He will also be conveying the esteem of some of Boston’s renowned institutions of learning, which had to choose between standing with Liu or with his jailers, and made the right choice.

Boston Globe Editorial

美 籍 華 裔 小 提 琴 家 張 萬 鈞 為 劉 曉 波 演 奏

2010-12-10 HKT 20:39

諾 貝 爾 和 平 獎 頒 獎 禮 正 在 挪 威 首 都 奧 斯 陸 舉 行 。 會 場 放 了 一 張 空 椅 , 象 徵 在 獄 中 無 法 領 獎 的 劉 曉 波 。

美 籍 華 裔 小 提 琴 家 張 萬 鈞 , 演 奏 《 茱 莉 花 》 、 《 彩 雲 追 月 》 及 《 愛 的 禮 讚 》 , 以 表 達 劉 曉 波 同 劉 霞 之 情 。

諾 貝 爾 委 員 會 主 席 亞 格 蘭 致 詞 , 讚 揚 劉 曉 波 致 力 在 中 國 爭 取 人 權 , 對 他 無 法 親 自 領 獎 感 到 遺 憾 , 但 亞 格 蘭 認 為 , 頒 獎 給 他 是 有 需 要 同 合 適 。 在 他 發 言 期 間 , 全 場 多 次 鼓 掌 。

诺贝尔委员会:刘晓波没做任何错事




诺贝尔委员会:刘晓波没做任何错事 BBC

颁奖现场为刘晓波设置空出的座椅
在挪威首都奥斯陆举行的诺贝尔和平奖颁奖仪式结束,中国再次表态,反对任何人、任何国家利用诺贝尔和平奖干涉中国内政,侵犯中国司法主权。

在周五(12月10日)举行的颁奖仪式上,诺贝尔委员会主席亚格兰德强调,今年的和平奖得主刘晓波并没有做错任何事,他所做的不过是行使公民权利要求民主。

中国一直反对诺贝尔委员会将和平奖颁发给在狱中服刑的刘晓波,称他是“罪犯”。

中国外交部发言人姜瑜周五还说,挪威诺贝尔委员会的决定不能代表世界大多数人,特别是广大发展中国家的意愿。

刘晓波因“颠覆国家政权罪”被中国当局判处11年徒刑。

公民权

亚格兰德说,诺贝尔奖的意义从来不是要冒犯任何人。诺贝尔委员会也是希望借此表达人权、民主和权利之间的关系。

他说:“相当重要的一点是提醒世界,我们现在享有的广泛权利,都是由那些冒着巨大危险的人奋斗争取来的。”

“他们冒着风险为他人、为我们所有的人而奋斗,这就是为什么今天刘晓波应该有我们的支持。”

亚格兰德在讲话中还强调刘晓波所一直坚持的和平理念。

他说刘晓波在“六四”学生民主运动期间就提倡非暴力。

他还呼吁中国应该有面对批评的勇气。

亚格兰德说,中国的宪法保障基本人权,赋予公民言论自由、结社自由和示威自由。

“中国宪法第41条讲明,公民有权对国家机构提出批评和意见。”

“刘晓波只不过行使了他的公民权利,他没有做错任何事。他应该获得释放!”

亚格兰德的呼吁受到颁奖仪式现场人士全体起立鼓掌。

Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo









OSLO, Norway—Clapping solemnly, dignitaries in Norway celebrated this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, with an empty chair.

Tweet 0diggsdiggYahoo! Buzz ShareThis Friday's ceremony was the first time in 74 years the prestigious $1.4 million award was not handed over, because Liu is serving an 11-year sentence in China on subversion charges for urging sweeping changes to Beijing's one-party communist political system.

China was infuriated when the 54-year-old literary critic won, describing the award as an attack on its political and legal system. Authorities have placed Liu's supporters, including his wife Liu Xia, under house arrest to prevent anyone from picking up his prize.

In Beijing, both CNN and BBC TV went black at 8 p.m. local time, exactly when the Oslo ceremony was taking place. Security outside Liu's apartment in Beijing was heavy and several dozen journalists were herded away by uniformed police to a cordoned-off area.

The last time a Nobel Peace Prize was not handed out was in 1936, when Adolf Hitler prevented German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky from accepting his award.

China has also pressured foreign diplomats to stay away from the Nobel ceremony. China and 17 other countries have declined to attend, including Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. At least 46 of the 65 countries with embassies in Oslo accepted invitations. Serbia, which previously said it would stay away, announced Thursday it would now attend.

Some 1,000 guests, including ambassadors, royalty and other VIPs took their seats in Oslo's modernist City Hall for the two-hour ceremony, among them U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Ambassador Barry White. About 100 Chinese dissidents in exile and some activists from Hong Kong were also attending.

Chinese dissident Wan Yanhai, the only one on a list of 140 activists in China invited by Liu's wife to attend the ceremony, said the jubilation felt by many at Liu's honor will be tinged with sadness.

"I believe many people will cry, because everything he has done did not do any harm to the country and the people in the world. He just fulfilled his responsibility," Wan told The Associated Press. "But he suffered a lot of pain for his speeches, journals and advocacy of rights."

Wan managed to travel to Oslo because he fled to the United States in May after Chinese authorities increased their harassment of his AIDS advocacy group.

Before the ceremony, 2,000 schoolchildren gathered outside city hall in a display of appreciation for Liu. Some handed letters to Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland, hoping he could convey their greetings to the jailed laureate.

Jagland said awarding the prize to Liu was not "a prize against China," and he urged Beijing that as a world power it "should become used to being debated and criticized."

Outside Parliament, the Norwegian-Chinese Association held a pro-China rally with a handful of people proclaiming the committee had made a mistake in awarding the prize to Liu.

The Nobel Peace prize can be collected only by the laureate or close family members. Cold War dissidents Andrei Sakharov of the Soviet Union and Lech Walesa of Poland were able to have their wives collect the prizes for them. Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's award was accepted by her 18-year-old son in 1991.

The ceremony in Oslo will be followed by a torchlight parade through Oslo's streets and a banquet hosted by Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja.

In the Swedish capital of Stockholm, the other Nobel laureates were to be honored in a separate ceremony Friday. Winners in literature, physics, chemistry and economics will received their awards from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, followed by another lavish dinner.

In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman noted that Friday is International Human Rights Day and said the German government will continue to press for Liu's release.

"It is fitting that, on just this day, in Liu Xiaobo a man is being honored with the Nobel Peace Prize who has worked courageously for political freedom and human rights," Christoph Steegmans said. Germany "regrets that Liu Xiaobo was not allowed to take part personally in the award ceremony."

On Thursday, about 100 protesters chanting "Freedom to Liu! Freedom for China!" marched to the Chinese Embassy in Oslo but were thwarted by police from delivering a petition with more than 100,000 signatures urging Liu's release from prison. Boston Globe

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Yesterday


 























 

Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

LA CUMPARSITA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkfzK_nX-QM&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxULtnH9ss&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4SK4E3HnFI&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KftrpkWYL8w&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS3-JOaK-D0&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ni1SommEYU&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0taj4JSvm-A&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS-__I8d--Q&feature=related


三八線外 Beyond The 38th Parallel


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三八線外

在朝鮮半島上,有一條軍事分隔線,以北緯38度作為界,是在第二次世界大戰後,美蘇兩國為方便接受日本投降而設,結果成了東西兩大陣營的切割線。到了朝鮮戰爭結束後,在1953年,同樣把三八線視為停戰協定而確立的休戰線。三八線的北部,為朝鮮民主主義人民共和國所控制,稱為北韓,南部為大韓民國的領土,稱為南韓。為避免雙方在停戰後,因擦槍走火造成不必要的事件,在三八線兩側,大概4公里的寬度範圍,列為非軍事區。

值得注意的是,雖然過去在三八線上,發生過無數次的小規模軍事衝突,雙方都可訴諸於在板門店休戰村的會議桌上,四方可以你眼望我眼,一言不發,對望數小時而結束會談,但總算是相安無事,大事化無。所謂四方是中、美、及南北韓,另外還會有其他中立國家的觀察員列席。

自從2006年開始,美國正式將板門店的警備任務,交予南韓。在2009年,朝鮮宣佈退出停戰協定,加上中國軍事實力不斷冒升,整個朝鮮半島的地緣政治,出現了前所未有的危機。大體上,在三八線上雖然是無戰事,但是在朝鮮半島兩岸,不按理出牌的事件,則層出不窮,從未有缺少過。

由於北韓有大國在背後撐腰,甚至暗中給予技術協助,自2007年開始,不斷向日本海及黃海發射遠程導彈,而且射程一次比一次厲害,直逼日本領海的範圍,更揚言射程可達美國的西岸太平洋地區。在11月中,北韓官員有意向到訪的兩名美國專家說,正在寧邊的核設施基地,建設一座輕水反應堆,並希望在2012年之前,完成這座小型試驗反應堆。相比之下,輕水反應堆遠不及重水反應堆適合製造核武器,但毫無否認的事實是,北韓正朝著發展核武器的方向邁進。

當然最恐慌莫過如日本,因為,在民主國家如美國,也會出了一個小布殊,在光天化日之下,向世人撒謊,說人家有大殺傷力武器,來一個先發制人,把伊拉克炸個稀巴爛,倘若類似北韓這個“國際爛仔”,集黨軍政大權於一身,更會是無法無天,加上有核子牙作為武裝,唯恐天下不亂,有意打一場反帝熱核戰爭,誰可阻擋呢!況且一般人認為,這個狂人正面臨家族權力接班,情勢更不可預料。

在本年3月,南韓軍艦天安號,在接近北韓的海域的白翎島附近,遭擬似北韓魚雷擊中,斷成兩截沉沒,艦上有46名官兵葬身怒海。南韓朝野上下一致要求反擊,因無法確定百份百是北韓所為,而且在美國的壓力下,只向聯合國投訴了事。

這次北韓選擇開炮轟擊南韓控制的延坪島,令兩名軍人及兩名平民喪生,由於涉及平民的安危,美韓雙方作出了最強烈的姿態,預期在黃海,出動核動航母喬治華盛頓號進行軍演,一試北韓的底線,而北韓威脅以火海飛彈反擊,看來只是雷聲大、雨點小,不可能有實際的軍事行動。當然,最暴跳如雷的莫過如中國,一向視黃海為中國的內海,更面臨美日韓的嚴重軍事挑戰,只能怪責自己對北韓看管不力,讓這頭癲狗作出狂莽的舉動。

從白翎島到延坪島,北韓所選擇的地點都是海上挑釁,是在黃海這一邊,而非在日本海那邊,更不在陸地三八線上,目的當然是十分明顯,就是想把中國拖進去。何況北韓自知海軍力量薄弱,也不惜在海上發難,若然不能做到背後有中國支持的假像,也要逼使中國表態。在台面上,重開6方會談是有急切的必要,但私底下,不是向中國討錢,就是要實物的支援。

有評論說,美國人會關注到金正日由於健康出現嚴重問題,要把皇位傳給兒子金正恩,因而影響朝鮮半島的政局穩定。其實,美國的立場是絕不含糊,十分清晰,就是反對核擴散,若是不擔憂到日本盟友的安危,及刺激起中國的大腦神經及反美情緒,花上三兩小時的時間,就可把北韓的核子設施,一一摧毀。

在這次海上“曬馬”,美國當然會是穩坐釣魚船。在北韓的北邊,有俄國人的政治籌碼,東邊有中國這個和事老,南邊和西邊有南韓和日本這兩頭“看家犬”,間中也利用聯合國的大仁大義,必要時更可動用強大的軍力,延坪島的炮擊又怎會令美國動怒顏呢!明乎此,三八線上是不可能有任何全面戰事的。

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

昂山素姬 Aung San Suu Kyi


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昂山素姬

在英語世界中,她的緬甸名字拉丁拼音是Aung San Suu Kyi,中國大陸稱她為昂山素季,台灣的譯法是翁山蘇姬,在馬來亞、新加坡被翻成昂山舒吉。無論是怎樣翻,她都是同屬一人,當然香港人特別鍾情的,就是昂山素姬這一個譯名,素姬有她柔弱樸實的一面,昂山則表現出有堅毅不屈的傲骨。

昂山素姬系出名門,父親翁山將軍為爭取緬甸獨立,與英國談判,反被政敵暗殺,母親是駐印度大使。她大半生是遠離祖國,在外求學,在英國牛津大學畢業後,與阿里斯結婚。為照顧生病的母親,昂山素姬在1988年返回緬甸。同年,長期執政的“社會主義綱領黨”領袖吳奈溫將軍下台,緬甸爆發大規模的民主遊行,並遭到血腥鎮壓,軍政府隨即上台掌權。深受印度聖雄甘地的非暴力主張影響,昂山素姬開始參予政治,並致力推行民主選舉。1989年首次遭到軟禁,她拒絕了被驅出境作為換取自由的條件。

在國際壓力下,緬甸在1990年舉行全國大選,昂山素姬的政黨“全國民主聯盟”贏得了絕對優勢。在正常的情況下,她理應成為緬甸總理,但緬甸軍方不承認這次選舉結果,軍人拒絕交出政權,因而引發國際猛烈評擊。同年,昂山素姬獲薩哈羅夫獎,翌年再獲諾貝爾和平獎。她在1995年7月間獲釋,然而她很清楚,一旦離開緬甸,返回英國探望家人,很有可能便永遠不能再次重返緬甸。結果她選擇留下,從此再也沒有機會與她的丈夫見面。她的丈夫於1999年病逝。

從1989年開始,在其後的21年期間,緬甸軍政府毋視國際反對,斷斷續續軟禁昂山素姬在寓所中,長達15年之久,直至2010年11月13日傍晚,昂山素姬終於重獲自由。昂山素姬獲釋,當然是國際對緬甸軍政府不斷施壓的結果。西方評論員一向視緬甸為中國的行省,可見中國對緬甸的影響力。法國總統薩爾科齊認為,在中國國家主席胡錦濤要求下,逼使緬甸軍政府放人。如這樣的說法屬實,劉曉波便是唯一仍在牢獄中受苦的諾貝爾和平獎得主了,中國豈不是更不如緬甸軍政府對待昂山素姬的“寬大”,更加證明中國政府的“不仁”。

昂山素姬因長期受緬甸軍政府軟禁,無法出國,是由兒子替她領取諾貝爾和平獎。劉曉波身在獄中,共產黨當然不會放他出來領獎,就算他的妻子劉霞所居住的公寓,公安當局也圍起鋼板,限制她的進出自由,禁止境外傳媒採訪,預料劉曉波獲取諾貝爾和平獎,將會是無人代領。中國政府在國內全面封殺有關諾貝爾和平獎的消息,更施以外交壓力,要求各國大使不要參加12月10日在奧斯陸舉行的頒獎儀式。懾於中國這個經濟新沙皇,目前已有俄羅斯、哈薩克斯坦、古巴、摩洛哥、伊拉克都不會派大使出席頒獎典禮,中國當然是不會參加。

香港特別行政區首長曾蔭權,在立法會被議員問及對劉曉波獲獎的看法,表示拒絕致評,可是行政會議召集人梁振英,下一屆特別行政長官熱門人物曾對大學生公開表示,第一個中國人獲諾貝爾和平獎的應該是鄧小平。中國一向認為諾貝爾和平獎,已淪為西方攻擊中國的工具,在1989年天安門事件之後,給西藏精神領袖達賴喇嘛頒獎就是一例。把和平獎頒給劉曉波這個異議份子,更是公然對中國法院判決的挑戰。如鄧小平能聽到梁振英這個說法,必然會把棺木也翻轉過來,況且,諾貝爾獎是從不授予已故人物。而昂山素姬的獲獎是無可爭議的。

昂山素姬寧願被鎖在國門,也不以“自由”作為對民主奮鬥的交換條件,用15年被軟禁的時間,要讓軍政府屈服下來。肩負上諾貝爾和平獎的光環,劉曉波必然會把牢底坐穿,當權者留他在監獄多一天,就要付出同樣的政治代價,奧斯陸的頒獎典禮,就成了這個政權恥辱的標記。(本文部份資料取自維基百科)

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Por una cabeza Scent Of A Woman



















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in5EPHVgcXg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWRzQBwPT-c&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JH8Thx7ieE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZW7Hd8J8A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsU9zmnZ37g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgcqijaUxdg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eYH0YN_2jE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC9mcl--rk4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os8uUf7pQac&feature=related

El Choclo Kiss of Fire


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzw8KIYRbBU&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCXxJFmfGVc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9tg0JrHsT0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8YSUUeQhHA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wKwQ2UIA_o


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoOdjz1v5jg&feature=fvsr


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_i89ETEaE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSUyoppGCaE&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyfryI0tZFI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE3Hs4bsPhg


I touch your lips and all at once the sparks go flying
Those devil lips that know so well the art of lying
And though I see the danger, still the flame grows higher
I know I must surrender to your kiss of fire


Just like a torch, you set the soul within me burning
I must go on, I'm on this road of no returning
And though it burns me and it turns me into ashes
My whole world crashes without your kiss of fire


I can't resist you, what good is there in trying?
What good is there denying you're all that I desire?
Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely
If I'm a slave, then it's a slave I want to be
Don't pity me, don't pity me


Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow
Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow
I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me
Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire


I can't resist you, what good is there in trying?
What good is there denying you're all that I desire?
Since first I kissed you my heart was yours completely
If I'm a slave, then it's a slave I want to be
Don't pity me, don't pity me


Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow
Love me tonight and let the devil take tomorrow
I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me
Though it consumes me??. the kiss of fire!!!


Tango "Jealousy"




















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwzNvBYK5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0IcFyXUWs&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxDK_4-sdsk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi2t5AmAutg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqOHNP-RThU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXlnoGec5tA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRX_8Es9MFU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMP7kEovwA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKvy7RI7rU&feature=related

Friday, November 12, 2010

Smile




















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQfwpEDdOw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85ApzR43jU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HsJ7CgmIVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCpD72b-dfs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slotyA4opnM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnbjM7ERPB4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtPYWgwj3PM&feature=related

(A tribute to Charlie Chaplin taken from the stage version of "Smile")
Words Written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
Music Composed by Charles Chaplin.
Produced by David Foster and Michael Jackson.
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile if you'll just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile

Smile


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQfwpEDdOw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85ApzR43jU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HsJ7CgmIVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCpD72b-dfs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slotyA4opnM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnbjM7ERPB4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtPYWgwj3PM&feature=related

(A tribute to Charlie Chaplin taken from the stage version of "Smile")
Words Written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
Music Composed by Charles Chaplin.
Produced by David Foster and Michael Jackson.
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile if you'll just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile


Smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85ApzR43jU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HsJ7CgmIVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCpD72b-dfs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slotyA4opnM

(A tribute to Charlie Chaplin taken from the stage version of "Smile")
Words Written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
Music Composed by Charles Chaplin.
Produced by David Foster and Michael Jackson.
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile if you'll just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just Smile


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Mid-Term Election 2010 Aftermath 選舉過後


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選舉過後

美國國會中期選舉已塵埃落定。在投票當日,大清早往所屬票站投票,氣氛未見太熱烈。雖然說,高投票率對民主黨候選人有利,麻州是民主黨的票倉,正如所料,包括現任州長在內,民主黨眾議員順利連任或當選,共和黨人全線敗北,連3條覆決議題,兩條遭否決。但在全國的層面,共和黨成功奪回眾議院的多數議席,而在參議院也拉近了民主、共和兩黨的距離,在參院議席數目上,仍是民主黨佔優。

在選舉前,輿論一致認為民主黨“大敗”,香港無線新聞也如此說,可是在“敗”與“大敗”之間,還有客觀的準則,民主黨要喪失了多少議席才是“敗”,要是大部份也選不上,這就算是“大敗”了,但是,實際的選舉結果是怎樣,這又是另一回事。共和黨在參眾兩院的進帳,分別為5席及61席。論數目,民主黨在參議院100席中仍佔51席,保持著稍微多數的優勢。在眾議院,共和黨在435席中,佔了239席,成為多數黨,奪得眾議院議長的寶座。

兩年前,對共和黨布殊政府不滿的憤怒選民,把奧巴馬送到白宮,在共和黨諸多制肘下,民主黨人舉步為艱,加上面臨在大蕭條以來的經濟危機,在選情失利之際,奧巴馬也不辭勞苦,四出為民主黨拉票,答謝他們在2008年的支持。另有一說,奧巴馬在這兩年來的表現,實是把民主黨拖跨,這未免誇大其詞,不錯,這次中期選舉,可算是對奧巴馬政績的“公投”,但如低估了共和黨政客、保守派及茶葉黨的瘋狂進攻,就犯了幼稚病了。

這些右翼政客不惜動用大企業、財團的捐款,選舉前,在主流媒體充塞著負面的政治宣傳廣告,令人看而生厭。反觀民主黨人表現中規中矩,在大部份情況下,投票支持奧巴馬的刺激經濟議案及全民醫保計劃,因支持這些利民紓困的議案,而受到落選的“懲罰”,只表現出選民的目光短視、無知。

奧巴馬為民主黨及自己,打完這場2012年選舉前哨戰後,已累積了不少對付共和黨人策略的經驗。問題的核心是在共和黨上台後,他們會推出一些影響大眾民生的政策。在“小政府”、“削開支”、“減稅”巧言令色的競選宣傳口號的背後,如說清楚,也不一定會受共和黨支持者的歡迎,可是,現時悔之已晚了。如在投票日,沒有拿定主意,反投共和黨的民主黨選民,在今後兩年,將會是受盡共和黨政客的愚辱,又豈能沒有受騙的感覺呢。

英國石油BP曾給共和黨政客秘密巨額捐款,可能已無須對墨西哥彎的世紀漏油賠償及繼續清理油污。在共和黨控制下的眾議院,會放寬對離岸石油鑽探開採的限制。在醫保改革方面,共和黨議員會集中火力,推翻全民醫保,進一步緊縮老人醫療補助、社安、失業援助,對窮人的救濟及糧食券。更極端的做法就是關閉若干行政部門、取消政府的規定及消費者權益保障,削減聯邦教育撥款,甚至癱瘓政府。就宗教問題更趨保守,共和黨一向是敵視回教國家、反對墮胎、不准同性戀者公開參軍、阻攔就潔淨空氣、能源立法。

在共和黨控制下的國會,奧巴馬及民主黨所提出的議案,以至一些官員的任命,更難通過。過去,共和黨已利用議會拖延程序,成功阻撓參院百份之70的事務,拒絕了奧巴馬240個任命,已在眾議院通過的300項提案,在參議院被扼殺,這包括愎甦經濟、增加就業、保障消費者、協助業主、可負擔醫療、潔淨能源就業、節制開支及國家安全等方面的立法。現時共和黨以勢淩人,奧巴馬在未來餘下兩年任期,施政更加是困難重重。

一向逢奧巴馬必反的約翰博納,由少數派領袖,搖身一變成為眾議院議長,當然會繼續向總統及民主黨人說不,他面對的不再是清一色共和黨人,還有受茶葉黨支持的新舊議員,在他的領導下,要把各方勢力,形成為一股純潔及統一的議會力量,還是力有不逮,似乎他樂於花費精神,就是不讓奧巴馬連任。草根民眾要積極造好基層工作,讓這群狐狸露出尾巴。世事難料,望兩年後乾坤再轉,現在就是捲起衣袖,埋頭苦幹的時候了。

Monday, November 1, 2010

思樂冰 Slurpee


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思樂冰

在美國國會中期選舉前,由於民主黨候選人的選情告急,於是奧巴馬也不等閒視之。四出為民主黨人籌款、助選、站台。在超過20次的集會中,奧巴馬表現非常一致,信息非常清晰。在解釋目前美國所面臨的經濟困境、就業困難時,奧巴馬常用的,就是這個“思樂冰 - Slurpee”的比喻了,這令民主黨人及奧巴馬的支持者透心涼,而共和黨人就感到非常怒火。“思樂冰”可在7-11便利店買到,是有多種不同顏色與口味的冷飲,經奧巴馬總統一說,便形容為是受共和黨人歡迎的飲料,更成了袖手旁觀、幸災樂禍、逢民主黨必反的同義詞了。

在奧巴馬上任前,共和黨人及布殊政府就掘了一個經濟大洞,美國前進的車子就跌進其中。奧巴馬及其團隊,加上民主黨人、眾議院議長、參議院主席,捲起衣袖,穿起長靴子,一起跳進這大洞,泥足深陷,又髒又臭,蚊蠅滿佈,汗流浹背,設法合力把汽車推出地面。在開始看到曙光時,只見共和國黨人站在一旁,手執紙扇,啜飲著“思樂冰”。當奧巴馬呼籲共和黨反對派,一起協力推車時,他們態度輕漫,絕不理睬。到民主黨人把車子推出深洞後,共和黨人便拍拍奧巴馬的肩膀,要取回車匙,奧巴馬當然是拒絕,因為,共和黨人根本不懂駕車。前進波是“D”,代表民主黨,後退波是“R”,正是共和國黨的縮寫。

每次奧巴馬用以上這個比喻,民主黨支持者必然會捧腹大笑,其實是笑中帶淚,在中期選舉,對民主黨不利因素是太多了。美國人滿以為在過去10年來,布殊政府所種下的禍根,這個爛攤子會在一年半載,經打針吃藥後,便可以改變過來。世紀金融危機,銀行壞帳,汽車工業崩潰,房產泡沫,政府龐大開支,巨額財赤,出口減退,貿易逆差,失業率高企,職位以百萬計減少,這些都不是一朝一夕可以解決,奧巴馬已經起用了全國最優秀的人才,組成最強的團隊,努力工作,頭髮早已斑白,奈何共和黨從中作梗,處處為難,令改革法案不能輕易通過,舉步為艱。

共和黨人要削減開支、減稅、小政府、不要政府立例干予銀行投機買賣及石油開發等活動,取消一些如教育、商務、環境等部門,讓宗教與政治混在一起,還原他們所謂正統的憲法,推翻全民醫保法,這一切舉動的背後,都有不可告人的目的,就是反對奧巴馬這個黑人當總統,要他只做一屆、不能連任,更主張與民主黨人採取不合作的態度,絕不妥協。假若這些是救國良方,為何在布殊在任時,不提出要求,美國當然不會弄到現時這個樣子了。共和黨人要挽回的是昔日的“黃金歲月”,不過,天真的美國人就是活在過去,為未來艱苦工作,一點耐性也沒有。加上茶葉黨、霍士、莎拉佩蓮,不斷煽動憤怒的選民,民主黨當然是處於劣勢,情勢極為不妙。

所謂美國中期選舉,名義上是涉及每兩年一次的435名眾議員及3份1參議員改選,同時有37個州會選出州長,但實質是對奧巴馬近2年任期政績的投票。現時在參眾兩院,民主黨均取得多數議席,如大眾所料,若共和黨取得大多數席位,只會增添總統的施政壓力,對大眾民生有利的提案更難通過。而好處就是,民主黨無須投鼠忌器,按良知及民主黨全國政綱投票,而再無必要受中期選舉的形勢,左右投票的取向。據美國新聞週刊的最新民意調查顯示,更多人相信民主黨更有效處理國家的經濟,對奧巴馬的政績滿意度為百份之54。當然,扭轉經濟困境仍然是決定的因素。

在中期選舉過後,共和黨人和茶葉黨,更會集中火力攻擊總統的經濟及醫保政策。由於中國擁有巨額美國國債,及貿易市場,會繼續成為共和黨“抽水”攻擊的對像,加上中國在外交上支持如北韓、緬甸、伊朗及古巴等“邪惡”國家,美國必然會不甘示弱,會與中國有一定的磨擦。在共和黨控制下的國會,中美關係更難會有好轉的可能。在未來兩年間,假若共和黨滿以為藉著憤怒選民的支持,繼續享受 “思樂冰”,不幹實事,到2012年大選,民主黨將會重奪國會的控制權,兩黨政治有趣之處,就在於此了。