1. First of all, my apologies for not writing any comments since 18 June 2016. One has underestimated the slackness that can come from long distance travel!
2. Catching up to 22 June 2016 in London
a. The Orlando killing of 49 people and the shows of solidarity of the LGBT community in Singaproe
A show of hatred for a different lifestyle, supposedly motivated by a wayward Muslim. Of course, the ever presence debate of 'gun control vs. freedom and right to bear arms' will be once again resurrected from its death! Such tragedy will not change the continual insistence by the 'pro-gun' Americans that had such high-powered arms not being possible to be sold to a civilian gun lover, this type of senseless killing will happen again.
I guess even if the family members of these 'pro-gun' folks were among the dead, they may not change their minds still. So, such is the power of values. Once locked in, very hard to change - for better or for worst!
b. the stabbing and gunned down death of MP Jo Cox of UK Parliament
Am amazed at the outpouring of anti-violence and anti-hate voices after this young 41-year old 1st time MP was murdered by a supposed mentally disturbed neo-Nazi who gave his name as 'death to the traitor' when asked on the accused dock in court! MP Jo's crime? She is for 'to remain in EU', the heated referendum that the UK people will be voting on tomorrow where to 'stay or to leave EU'!
BBC News reported that her death was followed in many other countries and by politicians there, and here in UK for sure. That it inspired many of them to pledge that they will uphold the values embraced and personified by MP Job - to be tolerance, to work for their constituents' welfare and good, not to be working for fame and fortune, etc. etc.
I hope they will live up to their pledges. It will be a tough act to follow if they are not strong and committed to such ideals.
c. Show down in South China Sea by USA and China?
"US warns China against provocations once court rules on sea claims - 22 June 2016 Reuter
WASHINGTON: The United States warned China on Wednesday against taking "additional provocative actions" following an impending international court ruling on the South China Sea that is expected to largely reject Beijing's broad territorial claims.
Colin Willett, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said Washington had "a lot of options" to respond to any such Chinese moves in a region she said was vital to U.S. interests. She also made clear that with a ruling expected possibly within weeks, the United States was working to rally sometimes wavering allies and partners in the region to ensure a unified front.
"We, the United States, do have very clear national interests in the area," Willett told Reuters.
"We have an interest in upholding our defence commitments and our security partnerships."
The Philippines is contesting China's claim to an area shown on its maps as a nine-dash line stretching deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia, covering hundreds of disputed islands and reefs and encompassing a vital global trade route.
The consensus among officials and analysts inside and out the region is that the ruling will go largely against Beijing.
U.S. officials have warned China against declaring an air defence identification zone in the South China Sea, as it did in the East China Sea in 2013, and against stepping up its building and fortification of artificial islands.
China has accused the United States of "hyping" the issue and warned in May that international complaints about its actions in the South China Sea would snap back on its critics. But it has largely avoided specific threats of how it might respond to the arbitration ruling.
The U.S. aircraft carriers John C. Stennis and Ronald Reagan staged joint operations last weekend in seas east of the Philippines in a show of strength ahead of The Hague ruling, prompting strong
Chinese criticism.
Only eight countries have publicly supported China's position, including land-locked states such as Niger and Afghanistan, according to Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.
A senior U.S. official said ASEAN countries were "under an intense amount of pressure" and made clear that behind the scenes, Washington was working to stiffen their resolve."
While there were wide condemnation about the latest North Korea's missiles test, YET AGAIN! This one is the most closely watched 'diplomatic' issue in Asia! Will USA be able to defend against China in this part of the world? Will its allies, especially Asean, be able to stick together against the pressures exerted by the mighty China 'yuan money' machine since Asean is mainly about money!! What will Putin of Russia do with USA stretched in the Middle East and maybe in Asia? Will Russian starts putting Putin's not so well disguised grand vision of reclaiming the might of USSR by invading its old 'territories'?
We live in interesting time for sure. Would be exciting to see how all these develop. For better or for worst?
I hope for the better. Will my wish be granted?
2. Catching up to 22 June 2016 in London
a. The Orlando killing of 49 people and the shows of solidarity of the LGBT community in Singaproe
A show of hatred for a different lifestyle, supposedly motivated by a wayward Muslim. Of course, the ever presence debate of 'gun control vs. freedom and right to bear arms' will be once again resurrected from its death! Such tragedy will not change the continual insistence by the 'pro-gun' Americans that had such high-powered arms not being possible to be sold to a civilian gun lover, this type of senseless killing will happen again.
I guess even if the family members of these 'pro-gun' folks were among the dead, they may not change their minds still. So, such is the power of values. Once locked in, very hard to change - for better or for worst!
b. the stabbing and gunned down death of MP Jo Cox of UK Parliament
Am amazed at the outpouring of anti-violence and anti-hate voices after this young 41-year old 1st time MP was murdered by a supposed mentally disturbed neo-Nazi who gave his name as 'death to the traitor' when asked on the accused dock in court! MP Jo's crime? She is for 'to remain in EU', the heated referendum that the UK people will be voting on tomorrow where to 'stay or to leave EU'!
BBC News reported that her death was followed in many other countries and by politicians there, and here in UK for sure. That it inspired many of them to pledge that they will uphold the values embraced and personified by MP Job - to be tolerance, to work for their constituents' welfare and good, not to be working for fame and fortune, etc. etc.
I hope they will live up to their pledges. It will be a tough act to follow if they are not strong and committed to such ideals.
c. Show down in South China Sea by USA and China?
"US warns China against provocations once court rules on sea claims - 22 June 2016 Reuter
WASHINGTON: The United States warned China on Wednesday against taking "additional provocative actions" following an impending international court ruling on the South China Sea that is expected to largely reject Beijing's broad territorial claims.
Colin Willett, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said Washington had "a lot of options" to respond to any such Chinese moves in a region she said was vital to U.S. interests. She also made clear that with a ruling expected possibly within weeks, the United States was working to rally sometimes wavering allies and partners in the region to ensure a unified front.
"We, the United States, do have very clear national interests in the area," Willett told Reuters.
"We have an interest in upholding our defence commitments and our security partnerships."
The Philippines is contesting China's claim to an area shown on its maps as a nine-dash line stretching deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia, covering hundreds of disputed islands and reefs and encompassing a vital global trade route.
The consensus among officials and analysts inside and out the region is that the ruling will go largely against Beijing.
U.S. officials have warned China against declaring an air defence identification zone in the South China Sea, as it did in the East China Sea in 2013, and against stepping up its building and fortification of artificial islands.
China has accused the United States of "hyping" the issue and warned in May that international complaints about its actions in the South China Sea would snap back on its critics. But it has largely avoided specific threats of how it might respond to the arbitration ruling.
The U.S. aircraft carriers John C. Stennis and Ronald Reagan staged joint operations last weekend in seas east of the Philippines in a show of strength ahead of The Hague ruling, prompting strong
Chinese criticism.
Only eight countries have publicly supported China's position, including land-locked states such as Niger and Afghanistan, according to Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.
A senior U.S. official said ASEAN countries were "under an intense amount of pressure" and made clear that behind the scenes, Washington was working to stiffen their resolve."
While there were wide condemnation about the latest North Korea's missiles test, YET AGAIN! This one is the most closely watched 'diplomatic' issue in Asia! Will USA be able to defend against China in this part of the world? Will its allies, especially Asean, be able to stick together against the pressures exerted by the mighty China 'yuan money' machine since Asean is mainly about money!! What will Putin of Russia do with USA stretched in the Middle East and maybe in Asia? Will Russian starts putting Putin's not so well disguised grand vision of reclaiming the might of USSR by invading its old 'territories'?
We live in interesting time for sure. Would be exciting to see how all these develop. For better or for worst?
I hope for the better. Will my wish be granted?
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