new thread
As we all know, Leung Kwok-hung was recently elected to office in Hong Kong. He's a pro-democracy LONGHAIR! Yep, there's one of us holding elected office in Hong Kong!
Anyway, looks like he's already creating controversy. Personally, I applaud what he has done, whether it's the middle finger or the choice of clothes.
I'd be interested in your comments. I think it's great!
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's main pro-Beijing party has demanded newly elected lawmaker and radical activist "Longhair" explain showing his middle finger in the legislature house just hours after he was sworn into office this week.
"This sort of behavior from a lawmaker is unacceptable and he needs to account for it," said Ip Kwok-him, deputy chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, which has the largest bloc of seats in the legislature.
Leung Kwok-hung, who shouted pro-democracy slogans before and after he read his oath of office, found himself in trouble at a news conference Wednesday when he made the middle finger salute while referring to another legislator, Philip Wong.
The pro-Beijing Wong flashed his middle finger at demonstrators during a protest against a planned law banning subversive activities against mainland China last year and quickly drew public anger.
Recalling the incident, Leung made the gesture himself to show what Wong did and demanded Wong apologize.
Ip insisted that Leung's action was unacceptable.
"Even if he says he was just trying to show what Philip Wong did, that is unacceptable," Ip told Reuters. His party will demand that Leung explain his behavior in a legislative sub-committee meeting next week.
Leung, already embroiled in a battle to wear T-shirts to legislative meetings, was defiant.
"I tell you, they are mad. I was just showing reporters what Wong did, their complaint is irrelevant," Leung told Reuters.
"I am now challenging them to a public debate on whether I should apologize. If I lose, I will apologize."
Leung wore a black T-shirt printed with pro-democracy slogans and the image of Che Guevara for his swearing-in and has vowed to dress similarly in future legislative sessions.
Some of his more strait-laced colleagues have said such attire was not appropriate and the president of the legislature has called for all members to discuss the matter.
For the record, Che Guevara was the guy who worked with Castro, but was much less significant and is considered a martyr by lots of non-cubans. But Che had nothing to do with support of democracy; he was a communist and hated capatilism, or what he saw of it in Cuba.
What does this have to do with the original post?
The Che Guevara shirt that Leung wore.
And please don't confuse capitalism with democracy.
Dr Ernesto 'Che' Guevara may have been a communist revolutionary, but those regimes he fought to overthrow were not democratically elected, and some of those who he supported actually were.
For a biography of Che, look here:-
Hmmm... You are quite righ, but its tricky not to, capitalism is a clear and natural product of democracy. As soon as people have the freedom to choose their leaders, they will inevitably choose greater personal freedom and begin working to their own ends.
When this happens there are a number of people who tend to get richer and they do so at the expense of others, Trade unionism develops to counter this, it works a little and everyone within the country starts to get a bit richer, though the high flyers get richer still, because people have more money to spend on their products.
But lets not fool ourselves that booming economies and higher disposable incomes for practically everyone in Europe isn't at the expense of some poorer nation half-way accross the world.
More so however, politicians keen on getting re-elected need big bucks to wage their campaigns. But the public at large doesn't have the money to fund their fight, so they turn to big business... hmmm who does that make them answerable to?
You got it, The Captalists!
Actually pretty much all roads lead to capitalism: China have shown that communism can actually work towards building a consumer based economy, this have brought in the big corporations who have been battling it out for a slice of this marketplace. The depotic Saudi's have managed to keep the riches within a few Princes in their land and largely away from the populus, yet they are entirely dependent on the capitalist economies of west.
What makes Democracy do different to either of these regimes? Lets face it they are each controlled by capitalism.
Capitalism can be defined as the exploitation of the people, couple it with Democracy and you have: "The freedom to exploit the people."
Sorted - Painting a very dim view of what makes the world go around...
The big picture is rarely bright when it comes to politics. I can't say I follow politics much because there's so much deceit involved. Who can you believe? Those making the speeches? They didn't even come up with the words they're speaking.
I meant to respond to Sorted's Deceptikons website about why people in America don't vote. I've only had two opportunities in my life to vote and both were a choice between the two evils that were running. Think about it, either way I'm voting for someone evil. I hear the same campaigns every four years and it's all hot air. Read my lips "Once a Bush, always a Bush." I'm surprised Bush Jr. was even nominated after his dad failed to live up to the promises he made in his campaign. He was the lesser of the two evils at the time and I'm sure he did his best to fulfill his promises to us but I only see the National Debt rising and the middle-class disappearing.
I'd like to see a world without classes at all where we are all treated equally, without discrimination of any kind, and our voices are heard. The only example of this I know of is communism and we all know how that resulted.
I hope I haven't offended anyone with my limited knowledge on politics. I try to avoid them because there's so much controversy involved and I don't know of a politician that's trustworthy enough to believe in. I hope to see one within my lifetime though. Anyway, that's my to cents. I expect some of you will probably hate me after this because politics are so controversial. Then again, so is a man's hair length and that hasn't stopped me from just being myself. I'm not trying to offend anyone, just speaking my peace. If somebody would like to set me straight I'll keep an open mind and try to see another's point of view. I'd actually love for somebody to show me the way because I can't see a positive path here.
Bruin
YES, we ALL hate you now! I do speak for everyone, RIGHT?
ME? I'm firmly on both sides of the fence!
Just joshin', Bruin. :P
Alright, I had that comin'. I should just stick to being Switzerland. Being neutral never did anyone any harm lol :-)
It's probably best if I don't. Consider it a leason learned. I really had to get some of that out though.
Well, this thread started with a long-haired Hong Kong politician. It really is quite remarkable for an elected politician to have long hair, and I think it would benefit all of us if there were a lot more of them. As to what his political beliefs are, I only have a limited idea, i.e. he is pro democracy.
Then we got on to his Che Guevara t-shirt, and this led to what I think was a mischaracterisation of the late Dr Guevara, someone whom I admire even if I don't agree with all his views, and who had somewhat longish hair himself.
Joao Batista (Baba), is the leader of a new Trotskyist party in Brazil, and he was elected under Lula's government
Nothing wrong with taking a stand. We both realize that politics is an incendiary topic. You weren't brow beating anyone. I just took the opportunity to bust your chops, old chap! :)
Just so you'll know, I get as good as I give and I'm rarely serious about anything, except hair.
"What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?"
Well said. !VIVA EL CHE! VIVA LA REVOLUCION!
If anyone wants to see a really excellent movie about Che before he became a revolutionary, go see "Motorcycle Diaries." It's an independent film, so it probably is only playing in the big cities. I just saw it tonight so I'm really excited and telling people about it :)
