26 June 2011

走过死亡。跨越流动的生命

《走过死亡》是写一个陪伴住民转化成为亡者的过程,《跨越流动的生命》是一篇个人后来对于死亡和生命的思考。两篇文章分开处理是因为后者比较不容易理解,所以要告诉大家单独看个别文章也可以。文章里我改写住民和家人的身份经历,以保护当事人的真正身份。

(照片摄于2008年4月2日台湾花莲介仁街)

“今天第一次亲身体验如何从有气到没有气,一个人断气的过程,深切感觉到没有生命的身体,真的就只是一个躯壳——一个没有流动主体的家。  --FB20110618”

走过死亡

今天护士要我们协助发出病危通知。在工作上需要发出病危通知是常见的,我们疗养院每个月至少有一两位住民会因为健康状况过世。但是也有一些住民经历几个病危通知,依然没有过世。家人长期的不断接到通知,每次都要受到生离死别的煎熬,有些甚至感到麻木而不来。对于这种来与不来两难的决定,我通常尊重家人的决定。

这住民的儿子已经60多岁了。我记得第一次见到他的时候,他望着在床上的母亲,告诉我他以前是个海员,做了许多对不起的事情,现在做着三天打鱼两天晒网的散工。我接到护士通知,犹豫应该是怎样通知儿子。儿子后来回复我的电话,告诉我今天难得刚刚接到工作,刚回家很累,明天才会来。后来告诉护士,护士告诉我住民可能熬不过今天。我重新考虑一遍,决定再打电话给儿子,吩咐他千万要快一点来。

忙完一天的工作,想动一动很久没有机会用的颂钵,祝福这位即将上路的住民。住民身边的呼吸器,似乎是房间里唯一的声音。嘴巴像是出了水的金鱼一样,在不断的张合着、张合着……眼睛露出一丝缝隙,仿佛在等待儿子的到来,露出仅存发黄发黑右下角的牙齿。我把颂钵拿出来,正要开始吟诵的时候,儿子没声没息的出现在房间,告诉我他花了20多元的新币乘搭德士赶来疗养院。儿子在母亲的耳朵喊着告诉母亲他来了,并且问他觉得怎样。他还不断地问我母亲会不会死,还有多少时间。我告诉他我不知道,但是母亲的状况很危机。我们在面对生死真的很无助。

儿子后来问了我一些关于身后事的处理,我便到办公室拿了一些资料,并打电话通知已经约好见面的朋友取消约会。再次回病房见到住民的时候,住民的嘴巴已经没有张合,颈项没有摇动。儿子还在联络他的弟弟、向我询问母亲还能够活多久、向我询问身后事,没有发觉母亲的状况已经改变了。我大概知道他已经没有生命了,我有一本记录病人生死的摄影集,住民的身体感觉上已经没有生命,只剩下一个空空的躯壳罢了,就像摄影集上面显示的一样。我用食指和中指按着他的颈项的大动脉,已经没有跳动了,皮肤的触感没有生命的感觉。我通知护士重新检验住民的生命迹象,以便我们可以进一步工作。

儿子不断的打电话通知弟弟一定要马上赶来,不断的告诉我他对不起生前的母亲。我一边听着他谈话,另外一方面我的灵魂仿佛突然跳出我的躯壳之外,在身体之外观察我和他的对话。我第一次亲生体验一个人如何从有气到没有气,一个人断气的过程。

跨越流动的生命

处理完事情回家,心理一直还围绕在死亡的氛围中,感觉时间突然觉得很慢很慢。见到太太,还没有告诉她今天发生的事情,却听到太太源源不绝的讲着办公室发生的事情。这时候,仿佛觉得时间和世界断裂了。后来太太知道后,一连问了几个问题:问说他是不是痛苦很久才死亡,问了关于家庭的状况。我竟然语结,回答不出她的提问。

我觉得很很烦闷,便走出家门散步。走在路上,突然感觉四周的一切仿佛是流动的,马路、游乐场、月亮、树木、灯柱,一切都像是呈现流动状。一切景象像是电影The Matrix(駭客任務)的流动慢动作呈现着,一切事物慢慢的发生变化。现在、过去、现在、过去、现在、过去、现在……我突然仿佛像是明白了大宇宙和小宇宙的关联。

我用“感觉”两个文字而不用“看到”四周的流动,是因为这种觉察决不是一种用眼睛察觉的现象,而是一种直接用身体感受到的现象。而没有进一步解释大宇宙和小宇宙的关联,是不想用我还不能够掌握的文字来形容我的体验。

我这时候,才深切明白任何语言都没有办法形容当下的状态和心情。刚才和太太的相处,我的心理时间是缓缓而行,而太太的则是快速向前。生病和濒临死亡人是否也如此,在探病者和亲人滔滔不绝的言语中,感觉非常沉重。心理速度很快,活着的人尝试用语言来描述概括瞬间,但是对于心理时间缓慢的人,生病和濒临死亡人来说,这任何文字都是不切当的,连两个字组成的词组都是太粗糙不堪的。在现实世界的人,和在病患、濒临死亡,虽然生活在同一个现实空间里,但是因为生存在两种不同速度的心理世界里,所以两个世界仿佛在心理时间的不符合下断裂了。当我们想用任何语言概括我的瞬间,像是把一个沉重的大石头压在我的身上。我们不能用有限的文字概括无限的流动生命。

我必须推翻我之前的说法:既然连四周的马路、游乐场、月亮、树木、灯柱,一切都是流动的,一个已经死亡的躯体,当然也一样是在流动变化着的。我在想:我们的内心是否都被蒙蔽了,我们是否看不到流动的生命,是否一切有情无情众生都是流动变化的生命?即使一个没有生命的躯壳也是在生成变化着(becoming??)?

我本来以为每个人生活在我们自己的世界中,现在看起来连“世界”这两个字也显得太粗糙了。我们应该是生活在自己的流动之中,两个流动的个体,如果想要流动在一起,真的是太难了。可能颂钵是一个方法之一?


04 June 2011

虛假的左派 真實的羞辱──史特勞斯卡恩情色風暴效應 - 台灣立報


http://www.lihpao.com/?action-viewnews-itemid-107735
虛假的左派 真實的羞辱──史特勞斯卡恩情色風暴效應
2011-6-02 22:28 作者:新國際編輯部
■羅惠珍

國際貨幣基金組織(IMF)前總裁史特勞斯卡恩(Dominique Strauss- Kahn,簡稱DSK)自5月14日因涉嫌性侵,被紐約警察從法航班機的頭等艙逮捕,而後偵訊、上法庭至5月25日搬入月租5萬美元的「晶鑽監獄」,法國社會所受到的衝擊之深廣,超乎想像。知識界、政界、媒體與民間的反應,不僅顯現法國社會所面臨的困境,也提供許多的思考。



■在巴黎一處報攤上,赫見報紙頭版報導國際貨幣基金總裁史特勞斯卡恩被捕的消息,圖攝於5月16日。史特勞斯卡恩被指控性侵,法國社會黨因此陷入一片混亂。(圖文/路透)

陰謀論大行其道
史特勞斯卡恩自2007年底上任IMF總裁後,因隨之而來的全球金融危機,與不久前的希臘金融危機、葡萄牙經濟紓困,而凸顯了他的職務功能與影響力。他的國際知名度提升,運籌帷幄掌理全球經濟的姿態,使他看起來很像權勢僅次於美國總統歐巴馬的「全球第二號人物」,這個期待使得史特勞斯卡恩的民調聲望直線上升,民調說,史特勞斯卡恩成為社會黨明年總統大選的冠軍人選,且能在第二輪決選打敗現任總統沙柯吉,成為法國新總統。

社會黨人多麼希望選舉趕快舉行,早日奪回政權,親疏遠近論功行賞。許多左派的選民也不管到底該不該走史特勞斯卡恩所標榜的社會民主路線,只求這個天縱英明的候選人能打敗與極右派相差無幾的沙柯吉。

紐約警察局的手銬、法庭內等候法官裁決……鎂光燈閃爍,攝影機盡情捕捉,史特勞斯卡恩神情憔悴,表情嚴峻,影像毫不留情,猛烈撞擊法國的觀眾與讀者。於是,社會黨第一書記與發言人都「噙著淚水」宣稱「打擊之大難以承受」。於是,各種言之成理,想像力豐富的陰謀論出籠。那些自稱是史特勞斯卡恩的老朋友迫不急待地爭相站出來。

「根據我的經驗,在這種高檔飯店的總統套房,都是由兩人以上的服務員整理房間,真不知道這個清潔婦是怎麼一個人進入這個房間的?」這是媒體紅人李維(Bernard Henri Lévy)的講法。李維是法國很有權勢的知識分子,以意見領袖自居,今年初還為文分析突尼西亞的茉莉花不會在埃及盛開。李維喜歡把襯衫扣子開得很低,穿梭在上流社會,以受沙柯吉總統召見為榮,卻又常在中間偏左的新聞媒體開闢專欄,因為知識分子的視野左右都開闊。

1970年代曾為廢除死刑積極奔走的律師巴丹特(Rober Badinter),被視為法國的良心,在密特朗當選總統後,人道律師成為司法部長,在人們的質疑中完成廢除死刑。83歲的巴丹特在法國無論左右派都尊崇,他也是最早跳出來說話的人,他批評紐約警察怎麼能將一個未判決前「假設無罪」的人戴上手銬且暴露在全球媒體面前。「他從那麼高的地位被狠狠的拽到地上,一點都未受禮遇,如此粗暴對待,真是奇恥大辱。」巴丹特在法國電視新聞節目的訪問中,義憤填膺,一如過去他為死刑犯伸冤。

陰謀論與屈辱論瀰漫在法國天空,史特勞斯卡恩政壇上的、知識界的朋友們,那些社會菁英們連結成一道權力的長城,共同對抗指控。他們根本認為,那些指控是美國人的指控,是大西洋彼岸的指控,對他們而言,史特勞斯卡恩才是受害者,以陰謀論、文化差異來否認相關的犯罪嫌疑。最令這樣的法國人難受的是:「我們有過啟蒙運動、法國大革命、巴黎公社,還有過六八學運。有大文豪莫里哀、拉辛、巴爾札克、福拜樓、雨果、莫泊桑,我們有燦爛豐富的文學與哲學思想,有堅實的人道主義,並在全世界推展,還輪得到那個攻打伊拉克的美國來審判法蘭西的菁英嗎?而你們怎麼會去相信一個非洲移民的證詞呢?」

「主人玩女僕」的傳統戲碼?
史特勞斯卡恩位高權重,年收入50萬美元,旅行坐頭等艙,住一夜3千美元的豪華套房,飯店清潔婦是逃避戰亂尋求新生活的非洲移民,經過多年的努力與融入終於拿到居留權。這個住在紐約移民社區小公寓樓的單親母親辛苦撫養小孩,為了賺一小時6美元的工資,而成為全世界掌握資金最多的總裁一時興起的性工具。真的是一時興起,無需預謀,因為他相信,以他所掌握的權力與信用,足以讓他為所欲為而不受任何的約束懲罰。

這樣的畫面,呈現了全球化時代新版的奴隸制度,呈現了階級壓迫的重返,也許,這種階級壓迫從來沒有消逝過。

《瑪莉安週刊》資深記者卡恩(Jean-François Kahn)乾脆說,史特勞斯卡恩的行為不過是過去很尋常的「主人玩玩女僕」罷了,過沒幾天,法國前文化部長賈克朗(Jack Lang)在史特勞斯卡恩該不該保釋時,竟也呼應說;「有那麼嚴重嗎?又沒有死人!」

沒有人知道性侵疑案的真相,但每個人都聽到了法國政壇與媒體的反應,多數人、尤其是女性們才恍悟,原來法國社會依舊是男權主宰,儘管10多年前左派聯合政府時代立法通過政治參與男女平權,事實上,不尊重女性、視女性為玩物的封建思維並沒有被革命掉,反而是隨著時代演變換上不同的面貌。法國女性團體終於發出怒吼,然而,要在這樣的時刻才站出來,恐怕也是法國女性的悲哀吧!

法國的媒體似乎也被刮了幾個大巴掌,法國的報紙向來不屑於英美傳媒樂於扒糞揭發名人隱私的沒品小報作風,也不以滿足讀者的偷窺慾為準則,八卦新聞在法國的確少見。這個少見除了媒體風格外、法國民法第9條對隱私權的嚴格保護才是媒體的緊箍咒。

社會黨2007年的總統候選人華雅爾(S. Royal)前兩年與男友相偕至西班古城度假,兩人牽手散步的照片刊登在《巴黎競賽報》(Paris Match)後,她立刻以侵犯隱私權提告。那些以明星名人為封面的八卦雜誌,遊走在法律邊緣,雜誌社通常都要有訴訟費與賠償費的預算。

法國媒體與政壇都孰悉史特勞斯卡恩對女人的糾纏,但是這種新聞到了主編處就壓下來了,因為沒有一家報社願意天天上法庭,還得負擔鉅額的名譽損失賠償風險。

2008年,史特勞斯卡恩因與IMF非洲部女主管的婚外情受內部調查時,法國一位年輕的女作家巴諾(T. Banon)公開多年前史特勞斯卡恩意圖強暴她的過程細節。但沒有一家報社引用報導,誰願意去捅馬蜂窩呢?

史特勞斯卡恩性侵疑案在紐約爆炸後,全世界的媒體趁機批評法國媒體對政治人物的縱容,難道不是作為權力的「共犯結構」嗎?而所謂的隱私權保護法,不也是權力階層所制定的防護牆嗎?

史特勞斯卡恩的性醜聞在法國或許受到了寬容,但是他付出巨額保釋金離開監獄,再搬到設有SPA、小型電影院,月租5萬美元的豪宅時(受全天候監視),人們所受到的震驚大過他被紐約警察逮捕。他不再是「魚子醬左派」了,因為,從這一天起,他的左派面具徹底碎裂掉落了。5萬美元在法國是法定最低工資的35倍,換句話說,可能是35個家庭每月所得的總合。這棟3層樓豪宅面積6百平方公尺,幾乎是法國左派選民10來個家庭的居住空間。他的社會黨身分,他所倡言的左派路線完全暴露了本質上的「虛假」。

「虛偽的左派」如浪潮撲向社會黨,使這個路線混亂的政黨面臨更大的危機,浪潮推擠著法國左派的政治版塊。未來,左派選民只能將他們的認同投向生態環保政黨、法國共產黨、新左派與極左派的政黨。

(寄自巴黎)

31 May 2011

TODAYonline | Singapore | Rules of Prudence for PAP MPs

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110527-0000143/Rules-of-Prudence-for-PAP-MPs
Rules of Prudence for PAP MPs
08:05 PM May 27, 2011
This letter was issued by the Prime Minister's Office to all PAP MPs, a copy of which was made available to the media:



RULES OF PRUDENCE

1. Our Party has won 81 out of 87 seats in the just concluded General Election. The opposition contested 82 seats, of which the PAP won 76, with 60.1% of the votes.



SERVING IN A NEW ERA

2. The people have given us a clear mandate to carry out our programmes. We must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto. We must never break faith with the people, but always carry out our duties to them responsibly, address their worries and advance their interests.

3. The elections have shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed. The Government will have to significantly improve our outreach to voters, our approach to formulating policies, and our policies themselves. As MPs, you play key roles in all these areas. You have to listen hard to voter concerns, help them to tackle pressing needs, reflect their worries and aspirations to the Government and persuade them to support policies which are in their own long term benefit.

4. Singapore is in a new phase of its political development. The PAP government has to operate and govern in a different way than before. But two things should not change. First, we must always hold fast to the spirit of service to the people, and work hard on their behalf. Second, we must never compromise the high standards of honesty and integrity, which have enabled the PAP to keep trust with the people all these decades.



UPHOLDING OUR REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY

5. The PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of our most precious assets. As PAP MPs, your standing in society reflects this high standing of the Party as a whole. I cannot stress strongly enough that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them. Never give cause for accusations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. This would discredit both you and the Party.

6. As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people. Some will be altruistic, public spirited people who will help you without wanting anything in return, spending their time and money to get community projects going and to serve your residents. But a few will cultivate you in order to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, entertainment, and personal favours big and small are just a few of countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

7. You must be able to distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you. At all times you must be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours.

8. You should be scrupulously proper in your contacts with government departments or public officers. Do not lobby any ministry or statutory board on behalf of anyone who is not your constituent or grassroots activist. Do not raise matters with public officers on behalf of friends, clients, contractors, employers, or financiers to advance their business interests. To be above board, conduct business with public officers in writing and avoid making telephone requests. If you have to speak, follow up in writing to put your requests on record.

9. MPs are often approached by friends, grassroots leaders or proprietors of shops and businessmen to officiate at the openings of their new shops or other business events. They usually offer a gesture, such as a donation to a charity or constituency welfare fund. Though you may find it awkward to refuse such requests, once you accept one, you will be hard-pressed to draw a line. As a rule, you should decline invitations to such business events unless you have obtained prior approval from the Whip. The Whip will grant approval only if the business is one that will add much value to the economy.



SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS

10. You must separate your public political position from your private business or professional interests. MPs who are in business, who occupy senior management positions in companies, or who sit on company boards should be especially vigilant. You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal business interest or the benefit of your employers. Your conduct must always be above board.

11. MPs who are employed by companies or industry associations may at times have to make public statements on behalf of their company or industry association. If you have to do so, make it clear that you are not speaking as an MP, but in your private, professional or business capacity.

12. When you raise questions in Parliament related to your own businesses, you should first declare your pecuniary interest in the issue. Do not use Parliamentary questions as a means to lobby the Government on behalf of your businesses.

13. You may, however, speak freely to Cabinet Ministers, who are your Parliamentary colleagues. Ministers will listen carefully to arguments on principles, especially when they relate to the general policy of their Ministries. But Ministers will not change individual acts of discretion, unless they have very good reasons which they can justify publicly. Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers of State who intervene in their Ministries to reverse or alter decisions should promptly report the matter to their Ministers to protect themselves against possible accusations of misconduct. The Government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and cannot yield to pressure from interested parties.



DIRECTORSHIPS

14. MPs are often invited to serve on the Boards of private and publicly listed companies. This is a sign that private sector values PAP MPs' integrity and service, and reflects the high standing of the Party and of PAP MPs in general. The Party permits MPs to serve as directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate.

15. The public will closely scrutinise your involvement in companies, because you are a PAP MP. You should conduct your business activities so as to bring credit to yourself and to the Party. Adverse publicity on your performance as a director, or lapses in the companies you are associated with, will tarnish your reputation as an MP and lower the public's regard for the Party.

16. You should not solicit for Directorships in any companies, lest you appear to be exploiting your political position to benefit yourself.

17. You should not accept directorships where the company just wants to dress up the board with a PAP MP or two, in order to look more respectable.

18. Some grassroots leaders are businessmen who own or manage companies. You should not sit on any boards of companies owned or chaired by grassroots leaders appointed by you, so as to avoid the perception that you are obligated to them or advancing their business interests.

19. If you are offered a Directorship, you have to decide for yourself whether to accept. The Party is not in a position to vet or approve such decisions.

20. Before accepting, consider the possible impact of the Directorship on your political life. Ensure that the company understands that you are doing so strictly in your private capacity, and will not use your public position to champion the interests of the company, or lobby the government on its behalf.

21. Make every effort to familiarise yourself with the business, track record and background of the key promoters of the company. Satisfy yourself that the company is reputable, and that you are able to make a meaningful contribution. Specifically, just like anyone else contemplating a Directorship, you should ask yourself:

a. How well do you know the company, its business strategy, financial status, shareholding structure and the underlying industry?

b. Do you know your fellow directors, the way the Board and its committees fulfil their responsibilities, the reporting structure between Board and Management and the relationship between shareholders and the company?

c. Do you have sufficient industry, financial or professional expertise to fulfil your expected role and responsibilities as a Director? Do you understand your obligations under the law and the Code of Corporate Governance? Will you be able to discharge your fiduciary duties properly and without fear or favour?

d. Will you face any conflicts of interest, and if so can you manage them?

If you are in any doubt, you should decline.

22. Once you have decided to accept an offer of a Directorship, please inform the Whip. Detailed reporting requirements can be found in the Annex.



PARLIAMENT

23. MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek the prior permission of the Government Whip. Please inform the Whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on.

24. If you travel abroad, or need to be absent from Parliament for any reason, you must apply to the Speaker for leave, with copies to the Leader of the House and the Government Whip. You should also inform the Whip where you can be reached while away from Singapore.

25. I will ask the Speaker to give all MPs, particularly new MPs, ample opportunity and latitude to speak in Parliament. Your first opportunity will be during the debate following the President's Address at the opening of Parliament. At the Budget Debate, all MPs should speak up. Script your speeches or put your key points in note form to organise your ideas, and help the media.

26. The public expects PAP MPs to express their views frankly, whether for or against Government policies. In debates, speak freely and with conviction.Press your points vigorously, and do not shy away from robust debate. However, please exercise judgement when putting your points across.

27. Bring out grapevine talk for the Government to rebut, but do not unwittingly lend credence to baseless gossip. By doing so, you help ministers to put across the facts, explain the reasons for policies and decisions, and hence maintain public confidence in the openness and integrity of our actions.

28. Your honest, informed views are an important political input which Ministers will consider in formulating and calibrating policies. Ministers will accept valid, constructive suggestions, but they have to correct inaccurate or mistaken impressions. Over time, the public will see that PAP backbenchers are as effective as opposition MPs, if not better, at holding ministers to account, debating issues fully, and influencing policies for the better.



IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS

29. On certain occasions, like the National Day Parade and the Investiture Ceremony for National Day Awards, the whole Establishment, i.e. the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, will be there. Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which does no credit to them or to the Party.

30. At all public functions and constituency events, punctuality is of paramount importance.



GIFTS

31. You should not accept gifts which might place you under an obligation which conflicts with your public duties. If you receive any gifts other than from close personal friends or relatives, you must declare them to the Clerk of Parliament who will have the gifts valued. If you wish to keep the gifts, you must pay the Government for them at the valuation price.



FUND-RAISING

32. Party Branches should not raise funds on their own without permission, for example by soliciting advertisements for a souvenir magazine or a carnival. If you intend to raise funds, please clear it beforehand with the Organising Secretary. When your branch embarks on a collective fund-raising activity, e.g. a Family Day or Walk-A-Jog, you must follow the rules strictly.



FINANCIAL PRUDENCE

33. As MPs, you should manage your personal financial affairs prudently. Do not over-extend yourself, or become financially embarrassed. This would be not only a potential source of personal embarrassment, but also a weakness which may expose you to pressure or blackmail.

34. In particular, you should not make major financial commitments assuming that you will continue to receive your MP's allowance. While MPs typically serve several terms, you cannot assume that you will automatically be fielded in future General Elections, or that if fielded you will definitely be re-elected. There is no tenure or job security in politics.



DECLARATION OF INCOME

35. For your own protection, every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your business and professional interests, your present employment and monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with officers of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients. Office holders need not do so because you will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Code of Conduct for ministers. This should be done by 30 June 2011.



GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

36. We have held our position in successive elections because our integrity has never been in doubt, and because we are sensitive to the views and attitudes of the people we represent. MPs must always uphold the high standards of the Party and not have lifestyles or personal conduct which will embarrass themselves and the Party. Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference by any MP will erode confidence in him, and ultimately in the Party and Government. New MPs can pick up the dos and don'ts from older MPs, so that they conduct themselves always with modesty, decorum and dignity. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course.



MEDIA PUBLICITY

37. I am releasing a copy of this letter to the media so that the public knows the high standards we demand of our MPs.



DIRECTORSHIP DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS TO THE WHIP

1. Please inform the Whip of all the Directorships that you hold, and of the director's fees or benefits in kind e.g. stock options, which you receive. Include the name of the company, the position(s) held, the date of first appointment and the current Chairman of the Board (if he is someone other than yourself) by end January for the preceding calendar year, using the Schedule attached

2. There is no need to report Directorships of subsidiary companies that you hold by virtue of your employment in the main or holding company.

3. Please update the Whip whenever you have relinquished a Directorship or accepted a new appointment, within two weeks.

周杰倫 - 髮如雪 Fa Ru Xue - Jay Chou by Transition 前進樂團




髮如雪

作詞:方文山
作曲:周杰倫

狼牙月 伊人憔悴
我舉杯 飲盡了風雪
是誰打翻前世櫃 惹塵埃是非
緣字訣 幾番輪迴
妳鎖眉 哭紅顏喚不回
縱然青史已經成灰 我愛不滅
繁華如三千東流水 我只取一瓢愛了解
只戀妳化身的蝶

妳髮如雪 淒美了離別
我焚香感動了誰
邀明月 讓回憶皎潔
愛在月光下完美
妳髮如雪 紛飛了眼淚
我等待蒼老了誰
紅塵醉 微醺的歲月

我用無悔 刻永世愛妳的碑

Rap:
你髮如雪 淒美了離別
我焚香感動了誰
邀明月 讓回憶皎潔
愛在月光下完美
你髮如雪 紛飛了眼淚
我等待蒼老了誰
紅塵醉 微醺的歲月

啦兒啦 啦兒啦 啦兒啦兒啦
啦兒啦 啦兒啦 啦兒啦兒啦
銅鏡映無邪 紮馬尾
妳若撒野 今生我把酒奉陪

Transition, not to be confused with a disbanded Pittsburgh punk group of the same name, is an English rock indie band hailing from Bristol. They lend their style to the influence of U2, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, and were voted amongst the Top Ten Bands in the UK on Channel 4's Slash Music Showcase. Formed in 2007, Transition is made up of the brothers Jesse Edbrooke (guitarist) and Josh Edbrooke (drummer) together with Niall Dunne (guitarist). They said that they like Taiwan and Taiwanese people, they can speak Chinese.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_(band)

29 May 2011

新加坡的政治空间,从一张桌子改起……


http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/yl110528_001.shtml
游润恬:从一张桌子改起……
(2011-05-28)
● 游润恬

  “哇塞,有人在组屋楼下开赌盘?!”

  一名居民经过勿洛水池路第713座组屋楼下时,意外地发现那里人头攒动,有人围着几张桌子嘀嘀咕咕不知说些什么,有看起来像在做事的人手里拿着几张活页纸游走于不同桌子之间,有人低头忙着在电脑输入资料。这名居民难以相信自己的眼睛,在挨着繁忙大路和巴士站的组屋楼下,百余人竟公然聚赌。

  但这名居民看错了。他们不是在聚赌,而是在见议员。而这里的阿裕尼集选区居民投选出来的议员,是工人党秘书长刘程强。

  刘程强接见选民的折叠式桌子,就摆在组屋底层的一个角落,前面是两张红色塑料椅子,头顶是一盏条形荧光棒。桌子的两旁是停车位,一边伸手可触到的是脚踏车停车架,另一边则是露天停车场。

  这里没有门或四壁、没有风扇或冷气、没有打印机或复印机、没有厕所或茶水间。工人党所有六名当选议员都是在类似这样的组屋底层,举行每周一次的接见选民活动。

  相比之下,行动党议员多数是在行动党社区基金会的冷气房里接见选民。对议员、居民和党工来说,那都是一个相对舒适、设施完善的空间。

  朝野议员接见选民的环境与条件一个天一个地,令不少国人咋舌。我本周四去刘程强当选后的第一场接见选民活动。一名等候见刘程强的居民说,国家发展部不应歧视在野议员及在野党管理选区的居民,而应该提供一个像样的地方给所有议员。

  另一名居民则关注议员被迫在组屋底层见居民似乎有损新加坡的国际形象,并认为在冷气房办活动比较有组织,另外也能比较好的照顾到选民的隐私。

  一名妇女则为刘程强感到心疼。她说:“这里灯不够亮,议员‘看纸’很辛苦,灯不够亮蚊子也多。没有厕所,我们不要紧,急的话可以上楼回家用,议员就很不方便。”

  在野党议员不是一直都来在组屋楼下接见选民的。在刘程强1991年当选之前,不少执政和在野党议员都是在组屋楼下或社区大厅里设办公室,以进行党支部活动和接见选民。1991年8月的大选,在野党一举拿下四个议席,这是自行动党执政以来及本届大选之前的最高纪录。建屋发展局在大选落幕后的两个月后,宣布了普遍被视为是出于政治考量的新条例——所有政党从来年的9月起,不准在组屋楼下设办公室。

  当时的国家发展部长丹那巴南说,理由是,组屋底层应保持空旷,并留作居民的社交及休闲的空间,不应被政党所建的隔间或设施占去。

  这项条例自然受到在野议员的猛烈抨击。自1985年以来便在组屋楼下设办公室的当时的新加坡民主党秘书长詹时中一语道破:政府是因为国会里在野党议员多了,而改变条例。

  第一次进入国会的在野党议员刘程强、蒋才正和林孝谆,抗议条例让行动党议员占尽不公平的优势。

  这是因为建屋局允许议员租用设于组屋底层的教育基金会的部分空间,并以部分时间的方式,在那里进行政治活动。这显然为行动党议员留了一条方便之门,让他们继续使用行动党社区基金会已在全岛各区设的幼稚园。

  建屋局允许基层组织、福利团体或教育基金会继续以象征性租金租用组屋底层场地,而私人经营的托儿所须付的租金则是市价。

  行动党当年反驳新条例不公平的说法时指出,在野党大可设立教育基金会,或以市价租用供商业用途空间。对资金与资源有限的在野党来说,这种故意刁难的话听了刺耳。

  选民心里也不是滋味。政府美其名说不让政党设办公室是为了要保留空间给居民使用,但却为了满足执政党的利益而不惜把以小孩子为服务对象的幼稚园政治化。况且接见选民活动已是国人对任何当选议员的基本期待,不尊重议员在正当空间展开接见选民活动的必要,就是不尊重选民的意愿。

  所以当国家发展部昨天下午宣布,建屋局即日起废弃延续了20年的禁令时,互联网上一片欢声四起。

  在新条例下,建屋局今后允许当选议员,以教育基金会等非盈利组织所享用的优惠租金,租用组屋底层的空间以建设办公室。

许文远上任后的漂亮一步

  这是原卫生部长许文远,接替因房屋政策而伤痕累累的马宝山,走马上任当国家发展部长后的第一个重要宣布。这第一步,不只走得漂亮大方,也反映出许文远顺应民意的高度敏感。国人是在工人党议员本周一展开接见选民活动时才开始发出政策不公平的呼声,本报星期三电邮建屋局询问是否考虑放宽禁令,刘程强在同一天的晚上发表“是否放宽政策就看政府的良知了”的言论。两天后,有关当局就宣布放宽条例了。

  从行动党不再以组屋翻新为诱饵的迹象,相信它已经意识到一个受教育水平更高、除了关心口袋也关心社会公平的价值的选民,不再轻易苟同政府过度偏袒执政党的作风。

  其实不少行动党议员也很卖力地付出时间和精力来接见选民,但选民看到工人党议员在条件较差的环境里接见选民,就难免会认为工人党议员的牺牲比较伟大,并对行动党和对政府产生反感。这无助于行动党赢取人心。许文远应该是明白这点,所以作出了识时务的决定。

  行动党议员在冷气幼稚园里接见选民,在野党议员则在人来人往的组屋楼下接见选民。我在起草这篇评论时,本来要用的开头是,“如果说‘冷气国度’是人民行动党治理新加坡的最佳象征,那么‘组屋楼下开桌’,是在野党议员在本地政治生态的夹缝中生存的最明显体现。”不过随着国家发展部修改条例,这个比喻今后不再成立,我也欣然改掉这个评论的开头。

  原内阁资政李光耀办事时保持头脑灵活的先决条件是必须有冷气。政治观察家契连·乔治(Cherian George)因此以“冷气国度”(Air-conditioned Nation),来比喻行动党治理新加坡时确保一切细节尽在调控之中,就如李光耀用冷气来确保房间一定是某个温度。随着李光耀的淡出,以及行动党3.0领导人新思维新作风的抬头,希望各种政策将有更多伸缩的空间。希望行动党领导人也能履行承诺,更频密地为民意探温,发现人民太冷时就把冷气关小一点,发现人民太闷时就打开窗户让空气流通。

  随着行动党采取更包容及更公平的态度,在野党也必须作出适当的调整,减少发出“我们受不公平对待”之类的申诉,因为将更难博取选民的同情。毕竟,马绍尔当选首席部长后只被分配到楼梯口的一张桌子,直到他恫言把桌椅搬到政府大厦草场中央后才有正式办公处的时代,已经终结了。

转载自联合早报网

新寶島康樂隊-鼓聲若響




鼓聲若響

作詞:陳昇
作曲:陳昇

心愛的你甘也有塊聽 聽到阮用心唱的歌聲
嘸管落雨天 或是風颱天 阮是跑江湖的藝人
阿娘你甘也有知影 阮置咧外頭真正打拼
嘸敢來耽誤 當時的詛咒 袂乎你親戚頭前嚥氣
若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情較快活 攀過了一山又一嶺 演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會快活 沒疑誤環境的拖磨 唱出阮悲情的歌聲
心愛的你甘也會諒解 阮會來離開是不得已
三餐著要吃 嘸通來畏寒 想到你嘸敢來哭出聲
若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會快活 攀過了一山又一嶺 演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲 阮的心情會沉重 跳著嘸情願的舞步 全為你風流的人客兄
若聽到鼓聲 阮的心情就快活 拿出阮俐落的本領 演唱阮哀怨的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲 阮的心情就快活 嘸要當做阮風度輕浮 全望你熱情的人客兄
歌聲真迷人 阮的心情是暗淡 日日夜夜塊作夢 返來去 我溫暖的故鄉