Walter's Blog.

Walter's Blog

"But how can you live and have no story to tell?" Fyodor Dostoevsky

Reflections on recent events, plus the occasional fact free rant unfiltered by rational argument.

"If you want to read a blog to get a sense of what is going on in Hong Kong these days or a blog that would tell you what life was like living in colonial Hong Kong, this blog, WALTER'S BLOG, fits the bill." Hong Kong Blog Review

Join Walter's email alert list for new posts

Hong Kong weather

5/5/2024 1 Comment

Campus Warfare

"Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancelling of classes and graduations - none of this is a peaceful protest,"
President Biden, 2nd May 2024.

Hong Kong people will inevitably look at Biden's statement with deep cynicism. As the U.S. police fire tear gas to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters on university campuses and smash their way into occupied buildings, the hypocrisy and double standards are evident.

After all, we suffered months of U.S. support and encouragement for violent protests here that wrecked our city's infrastructure and the university campuses.

It's worth reviewing the damage done in 2019 and 2020. The Hong Kong rioters smashed 740 sets of traffic lights, ripped up 22,000 square metres of paving blocks, took down 60 km of railings, 2,700 traffic bollards and 300 traffic signs to use as weapons against citizens and the police.

Besides, they damaged some 700 highway structures, 1,500 lamp posts, bus stops, and facilities at public transport interchanges. The cost of these repairs was HK$65 million.

Attacks on MTR stations with firebombs and the smashing of ticket machines cost us HK$500 million in repairs, while the damage done at the Polytechnic University alone amounted to HK$700 million.

Yet, even now, the U.S. continues to decry Hong Kong for bringing back order and peace to our streets and campuses with laws that are less draconian than similar provisions in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Hence, folks here watched with interest as protests at 50 campuses in the U.S. last week saw over 2,000 people arrested.

Like the protesters in Hong Kong, some of the students in the U.S. display a level of naivety that belies their position at leading universities. For example, LGBTQ types could at least acknowledge that Hamas and their cohort wouldn't welcome them with open arms. Indeed, they'd not last long in Gaza, and it wouldn't be the Israelis killing them.

These U.S. protests are opening a Pandora's box of competing ideologies, played out by protesters with little or no comprehension of the Middle East's history, circumstances and complexities. Please name that river you are chanting about in an anti-Semitic slogans that threaten Jewish students and staff.

With the approach of graduation ceremonies and the increasing anti-Semitic threats, university authorities felt compelled to act. Each university has a degree of autonomy, except that influential donors are watching and making it clear they won't be so keen to open their wallets if the violent anti-Semitic protests continue.

And while super-rich Jews are big donors, so are Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Hence, as students demand that universities divest from Israel and its associated entities, they appear willing to accept cash from places that wouldn't exactly welcome them.

This ability to hold completely contradictory and nonsensical views together is laughable. In the fullness of time, words come to mean the opposites: “liberals” are authoritarian, “progressives” are antisemitic misogynist paedophilia apologists, the "left" militates against the working class, and “conservatives” embrace DEI.

These protests have been building for months as college authorities indulged the students and imported professional agitators. The extent of harassment suffered by Jews on campuses eventually reached the public eye with a hearing in Congress in late 2023.

Harvard University President Claudine Gay, the University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth testified to give mealy-mouthed responses when questioned about threats to Jewish students. Gay and Magill resigned following an outcry at their limp answer and fence-sitting attitude to the anti-Semitic action happening under their noses.

Anyway, this week, volleys of tear gas soon had the protesters retreating on the UCLA campus and elsewhere. Then, in scenes reminiscent of Hong Kong, police dismantled the tents and makeshift barricaded encampments.

In 2019, the Hong Kong Police received unjustified criticism for their use of tear gas to disperse violent mobs. Nonetheless, the use of tear gas is an appropriate option. Its deployment avoids direct contact between protesters and police with the potential for injuries.

From what I've seen of events on U.S. campuses, the protesters were loud and threatening violence but less aggressive than the mob seen in Hong Kong. Yet, dispersal by tear gas still appears to be the proper option and within the operational rules around the use of minimum force.

In 2019, that point was lost on feckless British politicians, who became overnight experts in public order and anti-riot tactics. These people are now silent about events in the U.S.

In a striking move, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who welcomed the protests in Hong Kong as a "beautiful sight," shared her observation that the U.S. campus events have "a Russian tinge."

She offered no evidence for her assertions. Anyway, if the Russians had a role, would it not perhaps be similar to the actions of the U.S. in Hong Kong and elsewhere?

Of course, the U.S. protesters, like their counterparts here, will seek to portray the police as using excessive force or bias. A torrent of false social media narratives and twisted accounts is already circulating. The aim is to undermine police credibility and spark public outrage. In the ultimate irony, the usual Nazi tropes are out there, used against officers who are protecting Jews.

Such a process of demonisation is a dangerous road to travel. Almost invariably, this litany of false stories triggers the self-activation of extremists and nascent terrorist groups. We saw that in Hong Kong. Fortunately, the police could stop them before planned attacks came to fruition. However, individual "lone wolves" did manage to stab officers.

A similar dynamic could play out across U.S. campuses. Moreover, given the easy access to firearms in the U.S., the possibility of a severe escalation is there.

Is it too churlish to suggest that what goes around comes around as events in the U.S. mirror those here? After all, life can be so arbitrary. And yet, Marcus Aurelius ( 121 – 180AD) reminds us, "Don't join in the mourning or the ecstasy."

Let's leave it there for now.

1 Comment

20/4/2024 1 Comment

Ditch The Disposables!

"A study suggests that as much as 358 trillion microplastic particles floating on the surface of the world's oceans."

Today, Hong Kong has taken a significant step by implementing the long-awaited ban on single-use plastics. This move, particularly crucial for restaurants, takeaways, and numerous small, local dining establishments, is a beacon of hope for our environment.

They are now required to cease using non-biodegradable plastic tableware, straws, toothpicks, and styrofoam containers, contributing to a cleaner, healthier future.

Furthermore, the ban is not limited to the items mentioned above. It also aims to curb the supply of plastic-stemmed cotton buds, umbrella bags, balloon handles, glow sticks, and plastic party hats. Sorry, kids, but a bit of string will suffice.

The ban is set to expand next year, encompassing additional items such as plastic table coverings and plastic-stemmed tooth-floss. The South China Morning Post provides a helpful guide to the scheme here.

While the ban is a step in the right direction, its success and feasibility are yet to be seen. The question that lingers is whether the ban will effectively address the issue of single-use plastics and whether it can be implemented and enforced without significant hurdles.

The ban was initially scheduled for October last year but was postponed following industry criticism. Stakeholders argued that they needed more time to prepare for the transition. A similar situation occurred with the waste-charging scheme, which was due to start on 1 April and is now delayed to 1 August. This is the third such postponement.

A lack of public knowledge prompted the initial delay, and the underway test-run is currently providing valuable insights. It suggests there is considerable room for improvement in terms of public participation. Another delay could be on the cards as participation rates in some buildings are below 20 per cent.

Here in Hong Kong, we are great at enacting laws, although we could be more accomplished at getting the public engagement right while sustaining enforcement action to ensure compliance. The recent spate of fires in high-rise buildings and the admission that building owners ignored fire compliance notices for decades illustrate the point.

The new laws apply to businesses with an online and physical presence. The government has requested that restaurants across the city switch to substitutes such as plant fibre or paper as soon as possible.

Online platforms aim to help them source non-plastic options that are biodegradable. The penalties for non-compliance range from a HK$1,500 fixed penalty to HK$50,000 fines and six months in prison.

In fairness, the government is taking an incremental approach; it is committed to advising, educating, and warning businesses before moving to enforcement. This strategy is designed to ensure a smooth transition and to reassure businesses that the government is not aiming to penalise, but to guide them towards sustainable practices.

Why is the ban coming in? To answer that, remember this image below —it's a stark reminder of the plastic pollution crisis we're facing, and it should be enough to understand the urgency of the ban.

The situation is dire due to the plastic we routinely dump in landfills or allow to escape into the oceans. It is no exaggeration to say that we are ingesting the plastic particles we've released into the environment, which come back to us via fish and other seafood.

A study suggests that as much as 358 trillion micro-plastic particles float on the surface of the world's oceans, with untold trillions more in deeper reaches. This data underscores the urgent need for the ban to address our unsustainable plastic waste issue.

Officials have a comprehensive understanding of the waste material we produce. Plastics are the second most significant component of the stuff we send to rubbish tips, almost 2,400 tonnes daily.

While enforcement action needs to be an option in securing compliance, there is evidence that "nudging" helps and is less controversial. Researchers at Hong Kong University collaborated with multinational e-commerce and retail giant Alibaba to explore how incentives could change the use of plastic cutlery.

These “green nudges” have shown not just promising, but remarkable results, increasing the share of non-single-use cutlery orders by 648%. This is a testament to the power of small changes and the potential for significant impact.

The researchers estimate that if these tactics were applied across China, more than 21.75 billion sets of plastic cutlery could be saved annually, significantly reducing the amount of plastic waste. This is a cause for optimism and encouragement.

In 2018, I made the point that the problem is not the plastic but how we handle it. That remains true.

1 Comment

17/4/2024 1 Comment

What a bunch of knobs!

"The Willy saga puts in stark relief the abysmal quality of MPs."

In the era of smartphones and social media, even the esteemed members of the British Parliament are not immune to misadventures. While we expect elected officials to focus on governance matters, some have been too busy snapping their naughty bits for that.

So, please sit back, relax, and prepare to chuckle as we delve into the amusing world of MPs and their ill-advised adventures in digital photography!

Two weeks ago, Tory MP William (Willy) Wragg admitted sharing "dick pics" in an extraordinary mea culpa. In 2022, a stranger contacted Wragg on the gay dating app Grindr. Wragg, the MP for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester, then exchanged photographs of his "crown jewels" with a stranger — as you do. Apparently.

Armed with images of the upstanding member of parliament, the stranger proceeded to blackmail Wragg to hand over the confidential phone numbers of other MPs, Westminster staffers and political journalists. As a result, two further MPs also provided "dick pics". So much for British politicians taking cyber security seriously.

Instead of condemning Wragg, the Tories circled the wagons and praised him for taking the matter to the Police. That was the least he could do. It reflects the degrading of the U.K.'s parliament that such activities don't raise a significant outcry.

In a laughable and contemptible attempt at distraction, fellow Tory MP Bob Seely suggested that Wragg was caught in a sting by either the Russians or China. The press and social media had a field day with the hapless Seely's unwarranted suggestions. Then again, Seely sees conspiracies and hostile foreign agents at every turn.

Also, Seely needs a better record of judging people. He backed Liz Truss to become Prime Minister, arguing that Truss was the "candidate best able to deal with the major issues facing the country, particularly on the economy and foreign affairs." And that went well.

None of this "pants off and willy out" stuff is new to the British parliament. The Guardian provides a helpful list of recent sexual misconduct by MPs.

And not to be outdone by the Tory toffs, in 2003, Sir Chris Bryant, a Labour MP, posted a picture of himself wearing only underpants on a gay dating site. Bryant was knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours, presumably for services to Y-fronts.

Hong Kong is not immune to this stuff. Who can't forget that in 2014, the media caught former democracy politician Albert Ho looking at soft porn during a budget speech in our parliament?

It is easy to mock the MPs involved in the latest scandal. Nonetheless, the joke here is played on the good people of the U.K. How are parents expected to educate their kids about the dangers of social media when MPs put their "junk" online?

Furthermore, when an MP rolls over easily and is so reckless in sharing such compromising material, their suitability to handle sensitive information and deal with national security issues must be in doubt. And who can trust a rat who betrays his colleagues with such haste? The Willy saga puts in stark relief the abysmal quality of MPs.

In any other profession or job, Wragg would get the sack. He resigned from or was kicked out of the Tory party depending on which version you believe but still serves as an MP. As a last line of defence, reports suggest he's now playing the mental health card to avoid further sanctions. What a weasel.

For sure, some rebranding is needed as the Tories look to be heading to electoral oblivion. Forget about promises of economic reform or healthcare improvements—let's focus on more personal matters!

"Vote Tory: The Leaders Who Really Expose Themselves!”

1 Comment

15/4/2024 0 Comments

Tit-for-Tat down the ages!

"The Iranians can now claim to have hit Israel, while Netanyahu has locked in Biden's support for his regime."

On April 1, Israel killed 16 people, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and seven other officers, by attacking Iran's consulate in Damascus. Such facilities are generally inviolable under international law.

And with that action, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu played a blinder, painting Joe Biden into a geopolitical corner.

In the process, Bibi has exposed the waning U.S. influence on the world stage, as the Iranians opted to ignore Biden's warning about retaliation by attacking Israel directly. This attack is the first time they have been bold enough to mount such an operation. However, in truth, Iran appears to have taken a measured approach, as we shall see.

Then again, Netanyahu provoked the Iranian move by dismissing Biden's advice not to escalate matters by attacking the Iranians. It's a vicious circle.

For sure, Netanyahu took a gamble aimed at drawing the Iranians into a wider conflict. Iran responded with an effort some describe as "performative" by giving warnings, then mainly using slow-moving drones that the "Iron Dome" air defence shield over Israel and other systems dispatched with ease.

The U.S., U.K., France, Jordan, and others all assisted in defeating the Iranian attack. Reports suggest most intercepts were down to U.S. assets in a massive coordinated effort.

No drones even entered Israeli airspace, and no one was injured (there is one unconfirmed report a child was hurt). There is also a suggestion that the ballistic missiles which Iran unleashed that reached Israel didn't have proper warheads. These hit the airbase from which Israel mounted the attack on the consulate.

The Iranians can now claim to have hit Israel, while Netanyahu has locked in Biden's support for his regime. Biden is now in a bind. With 57% of Democratic voters now believing that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, the White House's overriding interest is to conclude, as swiftly as possible, the war that will now define Biden's legacy. But a quick end to the conflict looks less likely now.

Plus, there is no appetite in the West for intervening to overthrow the mad mullahs in Tehran, and nor should there be. Been there. Tried that. Ask the Taliban how it worked out.

The Middle East's history spans millennia, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, the birth of major religions, and the blending of diverse cultures. It has been a cradle of civilisation, with ancient empires such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia leaving indelible marks on the region.

Centuries of conquest, including the Arab-Islamic expansion, Ottoman rule, and European colonialism, have shaped the region's borders, demographics, and political dynamics.

Religion plays a central role in the Middle East, with Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all having deep roots in the region. The Sunni-Shia divide, dating back to the early days of Islam, has had a profound impact on regional politics, fueling sectarian tensions and conflicts.

The region is home to various ethnic groups, such as Arabs, Kurds, Persians, Turks, and others, each with their own aspirations and grievances.

To compound the complexities, the Middle East has long been a theatre of Western interference, driven by geopolitical interests, access to resources, and the pursuit of influence. The colonial legacies of European powers, including the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement and the drawing of artificial borders, have contributed to enduring regional tensions and conflicts.

More recently, foreign interventions, such as the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, have had profound and far-reaching consequences, reshaping the political landscape and exacerbating existing fault lines.

Geography also limits all sides. For example, Iran is a difficult, if not impossible, country to invade. Tim Marshall's book The Power of Geography states, "Iran is defined by two geographical features: its mountains, which form a ring crush on most of its border and the mostly flat salt deserts in its interior … the mountains make Iran a fortress."

Colin Powell, a former U.S. Chief of the Joint Staff, observed, "We don't do mountains."

Yet, the Iranians can shut off 20 percent of the world's oil supplies by attacking ships in the Straits of Hormuz, which is 34 kilometres across at its narrowest point. Further constraining movements in the straits are three-kilometre-wide shipping lanes within easy reach of land-based missiles or fast Iranian boats. Close that channel and the economic shock is considerable.

The U.S. and Iran have a history. In 1953, the CIA, in collaboration with British intelligence, was involved in a covert operation to overthrow the democratically elected government of Iran, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

He nationalised Iran's oil industry, including the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, now known as BP. This move was seen as a threat to Western interests, particularly those of the U.K. and the U.S., as they relied on Iranian oil.

In August 1953, mobs and rioters took to the streets of Tehran, incited by the anti-Mossadegh propaganda and aided by the CIA's operatives. The Shah, convinced to support the coup, issued a royal decree dismissing Mossadegh from office. Mossadegh was arrested, and the Shah was reinstated as the ruler of Iran.

The coup's success allowed the Shah to consolidate his power and reign as an authoritarian monarch with close ties to the United States. The coup also reinstated Western control over Iran's oil industry.

The coup had far-reaching consequences for Iran and the Middle East. It led to widespread anti-American sentiment in Iran. This mood contributed to the eventual Islamic Revolution in 1979, which overthrew the Shah's regime and established an Islamic republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Against this background, there is no straightforward option to deal with Iran without inviting a wider Middle East conflict.

On the back foot in Ukraine and struggling to keep up with China in the Pacific, America does not have the resources to get embroiled in yet another debilitating war in the Middle East. And all this as the U.S. presidential election approaches.

The Middle East is the graveyard of several U.S. president's foreign policy initiatives. The prolonged Iran hostage crisis and the failure of the U.S. military rescue mission brought down President Carter.

President George W. Bush's Middle East policy was defined by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which aimed to remove Saddam Hussein's regime—the subsequent years witnessed sectarian violence, an insurgency, and the rise of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which later transformed into ISIS. The Iraq War and its aftermath have been subject to intense criticism because it achieved nothing positive.

President Obama faired no better. The Syrian civil war, the continued rise of ISIS affiliates, and the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict meant he achieved little of significance.

Biden looks to join this list as violence in the Middle East rolls along and the hypocrisy of his often-claimed "rules-based international order" is exposed.

0 Comments

<<Previous

YOUR CART

Walter's Blog

Campus Warfare

Ditch The Disposables!

What a bunch of knobs!

Tit-for-Tat down the ages!

Author

Archives

Home

Introduction

Contact Walter