Atsuna: Hong Kong Is Experiencing a Cultural Revolution

Hong Kong Is Experiencing a Cultural Revolution

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, edited by Gordon C., written by Atsuna
Original: www.passiontimes.hk/article/11-30-2015/27181 

A 15-vote distance: Teacher Jenny Leung Wing-sze lost to a DAB member in the District Council (DC) Election. Life as a secondary school teacher is already hard, especially when the education sector is so mainlandised. But to be so brave to contest in this election, it is only the love she possesses for her home that enabled her to make such a big sacrifice.

Yet, when the battle ended, in some restaurants, when some neighbours heard that she failed, their response was to exclaim, “Serves her right!” I can even imagine the joyous expressions they might have when they would sing “Congratulations and Celebrations”, filled with schadenfreude.

So you thought this must have been the rantings of some uneducated grumpy old fart? I do have some middle-aged colleagues, who might not have a high qualification, but still decent people. But once I heard them slamming, “That is right! Arrest those who mess around! Occupying the streets and they shall all go to hell!” I am utterly shocked that a decent person like her could turn into such a dragon to a stranger. Those who are willing to sleep on streets and be arrested for Hong Kong are more sinned than criminals in their eyes.

Aleksandras Štromas, a Lithuanian dissident, once said, socialism is “a moral rather than an economic or social concept” (Štromas et al., 2003. Totalitarianism and the Prospects for World Order). The Chinese Communist Party has long given up socialism and become a thorough follower of national capitalism, but is still good at carrying out “thought reforms” and forcing their beliefs onto Hongkongers.

(Apple Daily)

Usually, those who think about politics deeply are the minority – especially in a society like Hong Kong (where people seldom read seriously). The majority of the people do have a conscience, but they are too gullible to propaganda. They might be angry once about the Tian'anmen Massacre, but they would also condemn the Occupy Movement, because their moral values are often skewed, thanks to TVB. When CCP has mainstream media in its grip, they form new “moral values”. They will whitewash the corruption and lies above, and smear those who dare to challenge the authority. Freedom fighters are seen as inexcusable rabble rousers in those elderly's eyes – as the hatred sowed on mice in cats' eyes. No wonder they are so angry about the Occupy Movement.

What they did in the Cultural Revolution was also based on moral concept. They claimed that what they criticised are evils and villains. In such a distorted value system, decent and honest people simply had no room to survive, as they had to either leave the country, or die. Lian Yizheng, a columnist on HKEJ, said there are different “rod-and-carrot” systems in the political and economic environment in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Whereas some might not survive if they cannot accommodate this, some might receive carrot when they know how to live well, like how hypocrites are the champion in Mainland Chinese politics. So Hong Kong, Taiwan and China are indeed three different peoples, each with their own cultural heritage.

Xi Jinping shows his preference to Mao, and some even said he is having a small

(nowTV News; Chan Ching-sum)

“Cultural Revolution”. But Hong Kong is under another cultural revolution too! HKSARG spares no efforts to promote “China-Hong Kong integration”. At the end, they want to assimilate the “rod-and-carrot” systems of Hong Kong and China. Gradually, Hong Kong becomes not so talent-oriented; it is those who are shameless enough who are receiving carrots. Lo Chung-mau, who had a thesis credibility crisis, was challenging the “academic standard” of Johannes Chan. Thugs and scoundrels like Chan Ching-sum, Leticia Lee and Man Shek are the ones who rise to fame/notoriety. People seem not to know how bastard those officials are,

(MemeHK)

but fire at those who dare to challenge the authority. This is the “new values” of Hong Kong. But how many people know that our very own “rod-and-carrot” system, the foundation upon which they made a life for themselves, is eroding?

Kwok: If Jesus was born in this day and age in HK

If Jesus was born in this day and age in Hong Kong

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, edited by B Clarke, written by Kwok Chun-fai
Original: http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/03-29-2015/22057/ 

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark XI: 15-17

High Priest: “That country bumpkin from Galilee, Jesus, is not peace-minded, and he does not have an analytical mind. Silence is golden, and Christians should learn from Christ – when he was killed, he didn't moan or groan.”

A ‘neutral’ citizen in Jerusalem: “I wish the House can be a house of prayer for all nations [Isaiah 56:7], rather than a place where people buy and sell. But when Jesus becomes so violent and pushes people's things onto the ground, then he is wrong. If there are more peaceful ways to achieve justice, I will definitely support him.”

A blue ribbon supporter in Jerusalem: “I am of course against this. What am I actually against though? I don't know. When someone supports something, someone has to be the opposition!”

A ‘mainstream’ citizen in Jerusalem: “Preventing someone from making a living and their daily bread is akin to killing their parents. I am in the retail business, so stop bothering me with your mess and just let me go to work. What, standard working hours? 24 working hours per day now? Ah well, whatever, not much different from how it is now.”

An economist: “Cleaning the House will cause a 350 billion loss for Jerusalem per day. How did I calculate it? Who cares? Cleaning the House may also cause the stock market to plunge as well as the property market. I am thinking whether I should include the spread of the Ebola virus into this.”

An ‘expert’: “After Cleaning the House, the retail industry has become weaker and there are less sales coming through. What Jesus did will affect how tourists perceive Jerusalem. Less and less Individual Visit Scheme visitors are coming through now, and the impact will soon be seen. The international image of Jerusalem is currently under threat.”

A resident around the House, Jerusalem: “When there were lots of transactions taking place in the House, there were a lot of animals, pigeons and goods brought by the traders. We were constantly bothered and hit by those animals, with the goods getting in the way - and this affected our lives. The things in the House have become much more expensive as a result of speculation, yet nobody heeds to our complaints. The House should be a house of prayers for all nations. We want to pray normally. Now I thank Jesus for giving us back our normal lives.”

Executive Council Member of Jerusalem: “Because Jesus does not allow people to get things and pass through the House, the other two roads have been fully saturated. We have just passed the bill of constructing a third pathway (‘third runway’). We allow white elephants to pass through all the time. This might not solve any problems or bring good to the people in the House, but the price is dirt cheap – 141.5 billion! Though everyone will have to pay for this eventually, trust me, you will get advantages from it for sure.”

Chief of soldiers: “Our soldiers will not play tricks on Jesus. Purple robe? A crown of thorns? [John 19:2] Oh c'mon! We exercised minimum force like a caring mother would and we got the job done. The Chief Executive of Jerusalem has thanked me in public. Trust me, everything is as normal. It is about some 160 days, so please be more patient.”

Chief Executive of Jerusalem: “We will set up a 'Bye-bye Jesus Committee'. We are serious, because he wants to be the king of the Jews. It is absolutely reasonable to believe he is backed by the 'external powers', for a person who 'has no place to lay his head' [Luke 9:58]. We have received reliable information, saying that the Jesus asked people to follow him and seek first his kingdom [Matthew 6:33]. Getting rid of local awareness and those terrorists who support independence are of the utmost importance. Long live Caesar!”

Jesus was resurrected three days after his death – too furious.