Daily Lessons from Life 21-22 April 2011 -

It was strange to be without internet access while in Hong Kong last night!! I guessed I, and we, have grown so dependent on internet to do work and be comfortable!!

"Fri, Apr 22, 2011 AsiaOne - Chinese official knocks down student while rushing for lunch

AN ACCIDENT that occurred two years ago involving a student and a county head is making waves online when recent security camera footage was leaked on the Internet.

The accident happened in Hebei province, where a speeding mini van used by the head of Xingtai county, knocked down a 14-year-old student while running a red light."


"Ai, activist Asians on Time's 'most influential' - CNA 22 April 2011

HONG KONG: Detained Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, the activist mayor of a tsunami-hit Japanese town, and South Korean singer Rain were listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people Friday.

Campaigners made a strong showing among the 17 Asians on the global list, which the magazine said was themed around social media and activism.

But topping a separate reader poll was South Korean pop star Rain, as Time's online readers cast aside moguls and heads of state for the third year running in favour of the heartthrob and singer of "Hip Song".

"That's pretty impressive online power for a guy whose main claim to Western fame is a role in the 2009 film Ninja Assassin," the magazine commented.

Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei, detained in Beijing since April 3 on suspicion of "economic crimes" and whose whereabouts are unknown, appears in an entry unlikely to please the Chinese government.

Former US ambassador to China and longtime Ai supporter John Huntsman wrote in the magazine: "Ai Weiwei is the kind of visionary any nation should be proud to count among its creative class."

China's rising influence is also reflected in the listing of Charles Chao, founder of the web giant Sina-Weibo, journalist Hu Shuli, who started Caijing magazine, and media personality Hung Huang.

The country's vice president and leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping also makes the list -- but with a caveat.

"For the past 40 years, as the strength of the Chinese nation has risen, the power of its top leader has declined," warned veteran journalist Fareed Zakaria in a commentary."

Interesting news. Does one supports the other? Does the corruption of the official leaders and their irresponsible behaviors correlate to the rise in activists in China?

Lessons for me are:

1. no unjust act will be ignored forever. Just a matter of when it will be discovered and justice meted now!;

2. the Western media view of what is influential can be controversial. I do not always agree with their choices for their obviously too one-sided view. In relation to point no. 1 raised above, I am sure more activists will emerge if social injustice and unjust behaviors by the people in powwer continue to run amok and left unchecked. When the critical mass is reached, it may be a tsunami that will overpower the most powerful corrupt leader(s)' army!! Hope China will never come to that and that some good sense and self-control is exercised!;

3. will the Chinese government react badly about Mr Ai being listed as the top influential person, it will be laughable if the Chiense government over-react. It is just a publication voting, it is not universal. Of course, there were injustice and unfairness and corruption as alleged, it is up to the 'representative of people's power' to respectfully take note that the real masters are the people. When people were oppressed and sufferred too much, there is little to lose! That's when it become dicey and dangerous!!

May the East vs. the West battle continue... Wisely...