Happy New Year 2017

Happy New Year 2017. May you have Music, Love and Peace and more ... !!!

George Michael

After Prince, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen, pop star George Michael has passed away. He was 53 years old. RIP Michael.

Square Table Math

Say you saw off one corner of a square table. Traditional calculation will say 4-1 = 3. Now the table has only 3 corners left. But look carefully: 4-1 = 5. You actually have 5 corners. Now look at the cut-off piece. It has 3 corners. So 4-1 = 8. You now have 8 corners. _______________________________________________ The truth is this: you can neither increase nor decrease something, but everything keeps changing and transforming themselves. The seeming loss of something equals the gain of something else, and vice versa. Everything is connected with everything else. No gain, no loss, only change and transformation.

Facebook Friends

Have you ever thought of meeting your Facebook friends in real life? I mean in physical reality? Putting their different locations aside, say you meet one different friend each day, have your figured out how long it will take you to meet them all? If you have 365 friends, it will take you one year. If you have 730 friends, it will take you 2 years and so on. If you have 5000 friends, it will take you almost 14 years. What will Facebook and the real world be like in 14 years?

The Trump Tsai Phone Conversation

In the news, Tsai Ing-wen, the pro-independence president of Taiwan had a phone conversation with Donald Trump, the president elect of the United States of America. Needless to say, it has stirred up much controversy and debate in the world. My opinion is that president Tsai is playing a dangerous game. The chance that she'll win and make Taiwan separate from China and become truly independent is 1%. The chance that she'll lose is 99%. Nobody can change the One China reality, not Taiwan, not the U.S., not the U.N. where China has the veto power in the Security Council Permanent Membership. In any case, I'm all for peace. No violence, No killing, No war !

Coin

A coin has 2 sides. Don't look at only one side and think it is the whole coin.

Bruce Lee and Jimmy Hendrix

Today, November 27 is the birthday of Bruce Lee and Jimmy Hendrix. Bruce would have been 76 years old, and Jimmy 74.Two iconic figures in pop culture.

Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro has passed. He was 90 years old. Rest in Peace. My condolences to the people of Cuba.

Universe or Multiverse?

Universe and Multiverse are both correct. They are not mutually exclusive. They are the same thing or parts of the same thing, which is infinity. To argue that the universe is actually a multiverse, or vice verse, is a futile exercise.

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen has passed away. He was 82. RIP. Love you till the end of time !

President Trump

As I predicted, Donald Trump has won. He will be the next President of the United States of America. The American people have spoken.

Pacifism

Being a pacifist does not mean that you always stay neutral, and may never hold a position or voice an opinion. It does mean that you always support and promote peaceful solutions to all disputes and conflicts between peoples and nations. - Edi Lee for Peace.

Trump or Clinton - Who Is Worse?

I don't take side with Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Neither is a good candidate. Anyway, I am a Canadian, so I can't even vote. But here is the truth: private women talks about men are not always super clean either.

Trump is a man of bad words, but Clinton is a woman of bad actions. Trump's bad words didn't cause any death, but Clinton's bad actions (for example in Iraq, Libya and other places) did cause the death of many. If I were American, I would vote Bernie Sanders. Unfortunately, he was forced out by the powerful Clinton force and NDC.

It is a sad political situation in America, that you don't try to choose who is better, but to avoid who is worse. Who is worse? You decide. Good luck !

Bob Dylan

Congratulations! Bob Dylan wins 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature. He deserves it !

Peacekeeping Canada

In the news, Canada is deploying 600 troops as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.

My thoughts and comments:

Peacekeeping is what Canada does well. It is a worthwhile UN mission activity for world security.

Salute to Canada !

Edi Lee for Peace.

Police Hijabs

In the news, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is allowing its female officers to wear hijabs. It is a move to encourage more Muslim women to consider joining the Mounties, according to Public Safety Canada.

My thoughts and comments:

Today's Canada is a multicultural and free country. As long as it is not a health or safety issue causing harm to the police and / or people, it's better to be liberal than restrictive regarding head-wear.

US Political Drama

Former US Assistant Secretary of Treasury, Paul Craig Roberts, said that Clinton is too valuable to the powerful interest groups that she serves to be indicted. No matter what she does, like her e-mail fiasco, or arming  jihadists in Syria, including the Islamic State to fight President Assad, she just won't be indicted.  

Rumours said Donald Trump might drop out of the race, but I doubt he would. Suppose Hillary won the election in November, what if Donald Trump would not concede, or even take legal action to sue Hillary and who-knows-whom, that the election was rigged and a fraud?

Is it wrong to say that the US political drama is more than crazy right now?

What Lives Matter?

By now, you probably know that the Tenors Quartet member Remigio Pereira has officially apologized for altering the lyrics of O Canada when it was sung at the Major League Baseball all-star game. He changed the lyrics to include the controversial statement of " all lives matter ". That was the part that got him into trouble.

My thoughts and comments:

The fact that you need to clarify or emphasize " all lives matter " is troubling. Of course all lives matter. Yes, even the lives of your enemies matter. All means All.

On the other hand, to say ' black lives matter ' is very legitimate and necessary, to remind the white majority that yes, all lives matter and you must not forget that All means All, and it includes the black people that you continue to discriminate against.

It is risky for a white person in America to say " all lives matter ", even if he or she does not really mean to offend or hurt the minority. Why? Because " all lives matter " is already understood, so there is no need for clarification or reiteration. But " black lives matter " continues to be ignored or forgotten, so it is reasonable for the African Americans to keep reminding the white majority that they are humans, too, not animals or slaves.

The analogy is that a slave being abused said, " My life matters " and the master being the abuser replied, " All lives matter. Actually, my life really matters, but yours doesn't."

Does it mean that white people should never be allowed to say " all lives matter " ?  No, freedom of speech is a fundamental right in a free country. However, you take your own risk if you say it in the wrong way, at the wrong time and place, in the wrong context, or to the wrong people. It's like telling jokes about people of different races, ethnicity and cultures. If you are not a professional comedian, you'd better be careful, otherwise your jokes may turn out not funny but controversial and offensive. Racial jokes when told properly may be funny, but Racism is always wrong.      

Regarding American police brutality and aggression against the black people, an African American friend sounded so sad when she said, " We are tired of singing we shall overcome." 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments 

Clinton E-Mail (2)

I wrote about this in my blog under the heading of Clinton E-Mail on May 6, 2016. This is a follow-up under the heading of Clinton E-Mail (2).

Yes, Hillary was extremely careless, reckless, grossly negligent, and clearly broke the law. But FBI Director James Comey said he would not press charges against her. Basically, it means Hillary is guilty but she won't be indicted. 

As I said many times in the past, nobody is above the law, but then there are people who are beyond the law. Nobody seems to have the guts and means to bring these people to justice. 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments

Buddha's Skull Found in China

In the news (The Lip TV), part of the skull of Buddha has been found in a temple in Nanjing, China.

My thoughts and comments:

What's the point? Just like the Shroud of Turin, the argument can go on forever. If it is true, so what? If it is untrue, so what?

By the way, Buddhism is not Christianity. There is no personal, supernatural god in Buddhism, which was founded by Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha) in the 6th century B.C., way before the birth of Jesus. In Buddhism, everybody can become a Buddha. Interesting news, though.

Dumbed Down Americans

Really dumb Americans are few, but dumbed down Americans are many. It's the elites against the people instead of helping the people.

As Michael Moore says, " there is a gullible side to the American people. They can be easily misled. Religion is the best device to mislead them ".

Obama in Canada

I watched U.S. President Obama give a speech in the Parliament of Canada. I must say that he is a great speaker. In musical terms, the analogy is that he is a great singer. Whether you give him a good song to sing or not, he can still deliver a great performance. That said, how many listeners ever try to analyze the lyrics of a song and see what it says? And whether the singer actually does what he or she sings? 

I agree that the U.S., Canada and Mexico, actually the whole world should reduce the use of fossil fuels for energy, and switch to using clean, green and renewable energy.

I disagree with Obama that he said gender equality is a universal value. I mean it 'should be' a universal value, but it is not. Many countries are still very backwards, ultra-conservative and unfair. They are still very misogynistic and discriminatory against women. Look at Saudi Arabia. If you are a woman, you are not even allowed to drive there.

Regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), I have talked about it before. Of course, Obama was trying to get Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada to come on side and have the TPP signed and rectified. Is the TPP good or bad for the U.S. and Canada? It depends who you are and whom you ask. If you are interested, you can read what I wrote about the TPP on August 1 and October 5, 2015 in my blog Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments.

Regarding global disputes and conflicts, I'm not sure Obama really meant what he said. Certainly every peace-loving person would choose to resolve such serious problems diplomatically and politically, not militarily. But the U.S. military actions everywhere in the world, and the ' let's drop a bomb ' U.S. foreign policy, just don't concur with what Obama said.

I would like to ask this question: when will Washington (and the world) learn that violence is a problem, not a solution? Being a pacifist, my position is that all disputes and conflicts must be negotiated and settled through peaceful means. No violence, No killing, No war. Thank you.

Mars and Elon Musk

In the news, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors will be sending a rocket and a human cargo to Mars respectively in 2018 and 2024. 

My thoughts and comments:

Human landing on Mars will happen. It is not a matter of if but when. If there is no political bullshit and fighting in the world, then with the cooperation of the U.S., Russia, China and other countries, the humans can land on Mars even faster.

Though not easy, it is not impossible to turn Mars into a suitable human habitat. Salute to Elon Musk and inspiring people alike! 

Don't Play With Guns

Telling the Americans not to play with guns is like telling the Canadians not to play hockey or the Chinese not to eat Chinese food. Good luck !!!

Brexit

I don't have the right to vote. I'm speaking as a Canadian only. To me, Canadian politics is so much simpler. I don't have deep knowledge of British politics, but I've done some studies about Brexit. 

This is my opinion: either you are in or you are out. It is not good that you are in, but not quite in, which is the current situation. If I am a British citizen, I'll vote yes, leave the EU. It may hurt a little in the short run, but in the long run, U.K. will get back its ' full ' sovereignty with no higher EU authority above. The U.K. Government will become ' more free ' to do good for the British people, and ' more free ' to work directly with other countries, without having to consult or be subject to the approval of a higher EU Authority. 

I'm not asking for a debate please. I'm only giving my opinion as an observer. I know there are also the Stay-No-Brexit people. I'm sure they have their good reasons why they want to stay. Peace ! 

Political Satire

World politics is becoming a funny cowboy movie in real life. 

 

American bully Donald Trump," Get out. Go back to your mummy." 

 

Filipino Terminator President Rodrigo Duterte, " Don't fuck with me, or else I'll kill you." 

 

Russian super boss Vladimir Putin," Yup, that's what I mean! ".

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali passed away at 74. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. RIP Ali !    

Harambe

By now, you have probably watched the news that in the Cincinnati Zoo, a boy fell into the enclosure where Harambe, a big gorilla, was shot dead.

These are my thoughts and comments:

I love animals. Maybe animals like Harambe should be left in the natural habitat. Maybe the boy's mother was negligent and did not watch him well enough. Maybe the zoo did not provide good security to prevent such accident from happening. Maybe the 400 lb gorilla would not hurt the boy. All maybes!

But it was not a maybe that the boy was in real danger. Whether Harambe intended to hurt the boy or not, the boy could be killed by the strong and massive animal. I'm biased. I value human life more than an animal's life, although I love both humans and animals.

I'm of the opinion that the zoo did the right thing in shooting the gorilla dead and let the boy live.

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments

What Do The Conservatives Conserve?

There was an interesting posting in Facebook. It came from a Miss R.EVOLutionaries, who asked these questions, "Can someone tell me just what it is Conservatives believe they are conserving? It isn't the air, the water, or the land. So just what it is?"

My thoughts and comments:

The Conservatives conserve old values like the master's absolute power over his slaves, which has evolved to become today's political and economic favoring of the rich and powerful, while treating the working class still as slaves to exploit, like refusing to pay them a living wage. The Conservatives would be on the side of the master, not the slaves.

It made me sick to read the news that some poultry workers in the U.S. were not allowed to go to washroom, and were forced to wear diapers, so that their corporate master's money-making machine, of which they were part of, would keep running and not be interrupted. Even if you think this is not modern slavery, it is still a clear violation of human rights. Conservative or not, this is just indefensible.

The Conservatives conserve their money and power, and would tell the government to downsize and deregulate its control, so that they would be free to do their business any way they like, without fear of investigation and prosecution. That would encourage many to do unethical, even illegal activities, to make more money and pay less or no taxes.

The Conservatives would be on the side of the 1%, not the 99%. If you disagree, please correct me and tell me why.

Thank you.

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments 

Political Talk For Peace

Talking about politics day after day has made me tired. I joined in the discussions because I didn't like people who promote war and resist peace for solutions. I found the need to share and support the pacifists' solution and reject the warriors' solution.

I was talking in Youtube with others about the South China Sea conflicts and disputes.There was a Vietnamese guy who insisted on going to war with China, refusing to even accept his own prime minister's position for peace. He wanted the U.S. and Vietnam go to war with China. So much anger, negative emotion and foul language from this man! I told him I didn't take side with one country against another. I said I only took side with peace.

When shall we have lasting peace in this troubled world?

BLT

Facebook always asks me this question: what's on your mind? My answer is BLT. No, they are not Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato. They are Truth, Love and Beauty, my core values in Life.

Kung Fu Fighting in Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized in Parliament on Wednesday, after he rushed across the floor to get Conservative opposition whip Gord Brown by his arm, to direct him to his seat. In doing so, he was also accused of elbowing NDP member of parliament Ruth Ellen Brosseau in her chest. The media reported that Justin got into a shouting match with NDP opposition leader Tom Mulcair.

In my opinion, this incident was overly sensationalized by the media: Canada's prime minister manhandled a member of parliament; physical altercation in the Canadian Parliament; prime minister physically assaulted a female member of parliament and so on and on. The opposition party politicians certainly took advantage of Justin's mistake and kept pounding at him even after he had repeatedly apologized.

Justin was impatient to get a procedural vote on an assisted dying legislation, to meet a soon coming June deadline set out by the Supreme Court of Canada. He crossed the floor to get Gord Brown because the opposition party members were playing political games in the house, by blocking Gord from moving. Justin lost his cool. In getting Gord, Justin accidentally elbowed Ruth's chest. It was an accident, not an assault. If such body contact was interpreted to be an assault, then many people on the big cities' crowded transit trains and buses would become both offenders and victims. 

All said, Justin was wrong in crossing the floor to get Gord Brown, but he was right in quickly giving his complete and repeated apology.

This whole thing is a serious matter, but it also makes me laugh. It reminds me of the politicians in other countries who literally fought and got into physical violence. This happened in Taiwan, South Korea, Ukraine and other countries. Compared with these nations, what happened in the Canadian Parliament on Wednesday was something so very mild.  

In South Korea, I learned that the politicians would preplan how to fight, and make sure that they would be captured in the news footage. The purpose was to show their constituents how hard they worked, even willing to literally fight for them in the legislature. In Canada, it is the first time that something like this happened in parliament.

Putting seriousness aside, I now dream of making a funny movie showing such fights in different countries. For the U.S., the politicians would dress up like cowboys and shoot at one another with jumbo guns. For Canada, they would fight with hockey sticks. Needless to say, the theme song for the satirical movie would be 'kung fu fighting'. Ouch Canada! 

Ann Coulter

The Business Standard News reports that Rightwing commentator Ann Coulter has been arrested by a security officer for trying to use a women’s bathroom in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was mistaken for a man. Needless to say, she was pissed off. Ironically she has been supportive of North Carolina’s anti-transgender laws, which she believes protect children.

My thoughts and comments:

Ann Coulter has a very unpleasant character. Whether she is a real woman or not would not change my view. I watched her talk. She told lies so confidently that her audience would believe she told the truth. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Does Love Hurt?

Liam Neeson says,"Love is the only thing in this world that does not hurt". This statement is part of his words about love, which has been quoted and passed around in Facebook for some time.

First and foremost, Liam is a fine actor and I have nothing against him. I believe in freedom of expression, as he did, and as I am doing now.

Discussion about love has been going on for thousands of years, and still continues. Love is a universal human experience, but there are all kinds of different beliefs and understanding about this very profound subject.

What Liam says is only his own philosophical thought or wishful thinking. In reality, what he says is not true to everyone. It is not a universal truth or absolute truth. Philosophy is not always a matter of absolutely right or absolutely wrong. It is often a matter of perspective, personal experience, belief and understanding. There would be many who disagree with Liam.

Love does not hurt? Are we kidding ourselves? What was the last love song that Liam listened to? No heart was ever broken? Love is the same spinning coin with 2 sides. One side gives you pleasure. The other side gives you pain. Liam's coin of love must be a magical coin, that it always lands on the winning side of pleasure, never the losing side of pain. For most people, if their coin of love lands on the losing side of pain, they'll give it another spin, or give up the coin, or get a new coin. 

In my opinion, love is definitely the right thing to do in life, whether it hurts or not. Love is a great lecture but a lousy performance. You can quote me! 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments 

Clinton E-Mail

Just finished watching a news video in Youtube. It says the US State Department won't release Hillary Clinton's e-mail documents until after the election in November 2016. They will be released in December.

My thoughts and comments:

I think there is some political implication regarding the delay of releasing Hillary's e-mail. If she won the election and became the President of the United States, this whole e-mail scandal thing would just go away. She would not be indicted. But if she lost, she may have to face the music.

It is something so basic that Hillary Clinton should be presumed guilty until proven innocent: a government worker should never use his or her own private e-mail to conduct government business. Especially for Hillary in her high office as the Secretary of State, what is her excuse or defense really? Not to mention that she has her own private server. Using her own private e-mail and server to conduct government business as the Secretary of State? Think about it. It seems clear that she has broken the law. 

My opinion is that Hillary's running for the President's office is about herself, to seek power and prestige as the first female President, while Bernie Sanders' running is not about himself but the American people. Interesting time in America !

Beijing Air

There are many China bashers in America and the world. Some are outright racists. Others are trolls and negative talkers who find every opportunity to trash anything and everything Chinese. Their trolling and trash talks often reveal their own ignorance and stupidity, and lack of self-respect.

While on this subject of China bashers, I would like to mention that there is an opposite extreme. Some people, both Chinese and non-Chinese, are crazy China worshippers. They think anything and everything Chinese is good. Certainly this is wrong.

In a Yotube video about China's five-year plan to move forward, somebody raised this question to me, "would you take a deep breath in Beijing?" I don't know if this person is a China basher or not, but his question was a legitimate one, so I gave him a response: 

Thank you for your concern. I live in Canada. We have very clean air quality here. Beijing is not China, which is a huge country. Beijing is the capital, one of many Chinese cities. Indeed Beijing doesn't have very good air quality. However, the cities with the worst air pollution are mostly in India, not China. Beijing is not even among the top 20 cities with the worst air pollution in the world.

Air quality, water, soil and all such environmental issues are important not only in Beijing or China. It is a global issue we should all be concerned with. Would I take a deep breath in Beijing? No, I don't have to. I live in Canada. But if I visit Beijing, I'll have no choice but to breathe the Beijing air. Millions of people live in Beijing. They have no choice. They are humans. They need to breathe to live.

Please don't belittle the very important environmental issues. If you want to find fault with a country, you'll be able to identify many problems everywhere, not just in Beijing or China. I can ask you a similar question: would you drink the contaminated water in Flint, U.S.A.? Please be a good world citizen and wish all countries to co-operate and fight environmental problems together. We all live in the same boat, which is Planet Earth. Cheers!

Donald Trump is Winning

Ted Cruz has dropped out after Donald Trump won the Republican primary in Indiana.

This is my guess only. I could be wrong:

If it is Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton, Donald will win.

If it is Donald Trump vs Bernie Sanders, Bernie will win.

Interesting time in America !  

What is Success in Life?

A friend posted 11 rules, or life lessons, according to Bill Gates in Facebook.

My thoughts and comments:

What Bill Gates said is generally true but not absolutely true. Rule #11 is sort of funny. It says if you born poor, it's not your mistake. But if you die poor, it is your mistake.  

Have you heard of this Chinese saying? What a person's life is like, or whether it will be successful or not, depends on these 5 determining factors: birth, luck, feng shui, karma (charitable work or helping others) and education.

Indeed life is not fair. Only death is fair (everybody dies). If you were born to poor parents in a poor and backward country, you would face much greater challenge in life. If you were born to rich parents in an advanced country, you would gain much advantage to succeed in life. Still, Bill Gates' advice or life lessons are good references to think about.

My philosophy is that whatever card life gave you at the beginning, you just have to play the game the best you can. Got an Ace? Good for you. Got a 5 only? You still have to play the game and never give up.

What is success in life? There are so many different definitions. To most people, it means money, power and fame. To some spiritual people, it simply means health and happiness. To me, success in life is not about money and material possessions. Peace !

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz has named Carly Fiorina as his vice-president running mate.

I watched him talk. Forgive me, but I felt like listening to a slick evangelist preaching a sermon. Only it was a political sermon, not a religious sermon. The political sermon was Ted's over-the-top praising of Carly. There was nothing wrong in the praising itself. The problem was that he over-did it or delivered his speech in a strange way. That was how I felt anyway. Somehow it sounded like Carly was running for the president's office, while Ted was her vice-president candidate praising her.

If you are allowed to use only one word to describe the speeches of these candidates, what would it be? Here are mine:

Bernie Sanders: sincere.
Hillary Clinton: hypocritical.
Donald Trump: blunt.
Ted Cruz: slick.

If I were an American, I would give my vote to Bernie Sanders. However, the political reality is that we'll probably end up with Hillary or Donald as the next U.S. President. Let's wait and see ! 

Good Bye Prince

Music icon Prince is dead. He was 57. Good Bye Prince. Rest in Peace! 

China - Czech Connection

President Xi Jinping is in Czech Republic for a three-day state visit. It is his first trip to Europe in 2016.

All the best to peace and development with China in Czech Republic and Europe.

Peace to the World !

Jian Ghomeshi Acquitted

Former CBC broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi was acquitted on all charges in his sexual assault trial.

This is what I think: judgement may not be based on emotions, whether it is pros or cons. It must be based on evidence. In this case, Jian basically said that it was only rough sex between consenting adults, and the three women said no, it was physical and sexual assault.

It just didn't make any common sense that a girlfriend (not a stranger) accused Jian of assault, yet continued to liaise with him for more sex, even sent him flowers, after the so-called assault. The deceptive women went through collusion, lies and facts-hiding, even teamed up and said it was time to sink the dick or kill the goose. It was clear that they had the collective motive to destroy Jian.

The women's lack of credibility, sincerity, honesty and seriousness only raised doubts and concerns, not helping them win the case. They didn't tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. I think William Horkins, the judge, passed the correct judgement, because the so-called assault could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments  

Water-Rich Canada

Today, March 22, 2016, is World Water Day. People living in Canada are very lucky, because Canada has 20% of the world's fresh water. Still, we must not take water for granted.

Water is life. People of many parts of the world don't have access to clean and drinkable water. Please be aware of this sad and ugly truth, and don't waste water.

Global Warming

In this blog, I wrote about Climate Change on Dec.31, 2013 and gave it some further comments on Nov.11, 2014. Today's topic is titled Global Warming.    

Just finished watching an Al Jazeera weather report in You Tube. The video is titled February (2016) Shatters Global Temperature Records.

I don't like the term of Climate Change, because weather is very changeable in the short term, and climate always changes in the long term. There would be cold and hot periods from time to time. So what climate change? Climate always changes.

There is some truth regarding global warming, but still I think the focus should be on carbon emission, air pollution, water contamination, rising sea level, environmental abuse, and the misuse and over-harvest of the natural resources on planet earth. These are the real issues that we must deal with. I mean don't argue about terminologies like abnormal weather, climate change, global warming, deep freeze and so on. Instead, deal with the real issues.

I believe global warming is real, but it is not an absolute truth. In other words, global warming is generally true, but not specifically true. Whether it is cold, warm or hot, it depends on the time and location of the place in question. While there are melting and decreasing ice fields in the Arctic, the ice fields in the Antarctic are expanding.

Some believe that global warming is largely caused by human activities, so what? Some believe that global warming is normal, and is largely caused by nature's own forces, so what? Some reject global warming is even real, so what? In any case, we have to deal with the problems, the reality, the facts and effects, not just arguing about terminologies or causes. Again, the real issues are  carbon emission, air pollution, water contamination, rising sea level, environmental abuse, and the misuse and over-harvest of the natural resources on planet earth.

I believe that burning fossil fuels for energy is primitive, not advanced. The whole world should switch to clean, green and renewable energy. It will be much better for the health of  planet earth and its inhabitants.

P.S. A repeated joke on a public notice: due to the cold weather, the protest on global warming has been cancelled.

Panda For Peace?

In the news, CBC reports that the Toronto Zoo has revealed
the names of the first giant pandas born in Canada. Jia Panpan, meaning Canadian Hope, is the male cub. Hiis twin sister is Jia Yueyue, meaning  Canadian Joy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne were among the guests getting the first glimpse of the cubs.

Panda is the national treasure of China and the darling of the world. There are only 2,400 living pandas, more or less, in the whole world. Besides being cute and adorable, the pandas are very friendly diplomats of the Chinese Government.

Do you want to fight with China? O.K., here is a panda for you. Do you still want to fight? No, thank you! Panda for peace? Yes!  

Chris Christie for Vice President?

It was painful to watch Chris Christie stand quietly behind Donald Trump like a little school boy being punished. It just didn't look right. It looked really bad. In spite of Chris Christie 's pro-Trump endorsement, Donald told him to go home.

Chris Christie has completely lost his integrity and credibility. I should say that he gave it all up himself, but for what? To dream of becoming vice-president? What a big embarrassment to the people of New Jersey!

Go Bernie Go

My opinion is this: 
Hillary Clinton's running for office is about herself, to seek power and prestige, and become the first female U.S. president. Bernie Sanders' running is not about himself, but about the American people. Go Bernie Go.

Is China's Economic Boom A Miracle or Myth?

Just finished watching an Al Jazeera news video in Youtube titled Upfront - China's economic boom: Miracle or myth?

Here are my thoughts and comments:

China's economic boom is not a myth. It is real. China has already become the largest trading country in the world. It is the second largest economy after USA. By some measurements, it is already the largest economy in the world. The whole world looks to China for economic growth. The Chinese Renminbi or Yuan is becoming a world trading and reserve currency. The U.S. owes China trillions of dollars. One would be stupid or delusional to think that these facts are all myths.

The so-called stock market 'crash' last summer in China was not a 'crash'. It was a market correction or leveling off. There was some Government intervention, too, to prevent the market from free fall. The U.S. and Western media called it a 'crash' and drastic fall of 30%, but they didn't tell you that before that so-called 'crash', there had been a climb of 150% over just a few months. Would it be a good thing to let stock prices keep going up crazy forever? Be real ! In China, just the stock market would not tell you the whole picture of the Chinese economy. On the other hand, the USA 'crash' in 2008 was a real 'crash'.

Now, regarding Government data, it is highly possible that they would be manipulated, exaggerated or reduced. Both China and the U.S. would do the same thing. In the U.S., the data about unemployment, economic conditions, etc. etc. would not be perfectly and openly honest either.  

The economic slowdown in China is not a sign of failure. The Chinese economy is going through a structural change, moving from strong exporting to domestic consumption and more focus on high-tech development.

Is the Chinese economic boom a miracle? Yes and No. In only a few decades, 700 millions of Chinese have been lifted out of poverty. It is not wrong to call it a miracle, is it? But is it a miracle in the religious and magical sense? No. It is real accomplishment through good governance, management, hard work and development.

Of course, there are many China bashers who would criticize anything and everything Chinese. They always blame China for their own failure or lack of success. Chinese economic slow down? Yeah, but the reported GDP of 2015, for example, was still 6.9%. Even if it was an exaggerated number, it would be at least 5% or so. What was the GDP growth of your country? 1, 2, or 3%?

Fame (2)

On July 31, 2014, I wrote about Fame in this blog. Here are more of my thoughts and comments:

Being famous is not a bad thing, but it is not a 100% good thing either. Being famous gives you many advantages but also some disadvantages. The more famous you are, the more privacy you'll lose. 

Some famous people have to disguise themselves in order to go to public places. People who are not famous are more free to go wherever they want, and don't have to worry about being mobbed or stared at. 

Many famous people just stay within a circle of friends in private settings only. They seldom or never go to public places.They often have to worry about how they look, where they go, what they do, what people they are with, and on and on. 

One can be happy and successful without being famous. Fame is not something absolutely necessary for a good life. Health is. 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments

Happy Valentine

Love is you and me. Happy Valentine!

Marriage (2)

Love without marriage is better than marriage without love. This is only my opinion. You don't have to agree with me.  

For men, here is what the ancient Athenian philosopher Socrates said: by all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

Tomorrow, there will be many marriages but also many divorces. Marriage is a 50 / 50 win-or-lose gamble.

I first wrote about Marriage in this blog on October 24, 2009. You are welcome to read that, too.  

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments  

Year of The Monkey

Wish you happy and healthy in the New Year of the Monkey.
Being happy is being successful,
Being healthy is the most beautiful.

Water and Oil

The hazardous water crisis in Flint, Michigan, is another wake-up call. Indeed, not only the U.S., but the whole world must wake up.
 

Water is more precious than oil. Whether it is profitable or not, burning fossil fuels for energy is just primitive, not advanced. One day, in the future, clean, green and renewable energy will become the main source of energy.

 

We can live without oil, but we cannot live without water.

Martin Luther King Day

Today, Jan. 18, 2016 is Martin Luther King Day. Sadly, his dream of making black and white Americans equal like brothers has not been fully realized. Police brutality towards African Americans continues.

Also, ironically, some black actors and directors complain that the many Oscar nominees this year are all white. I have seen the movie Creed, which I like. Sylvester Stallone playing Rocky Balboa as a boxing trainer has received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, while the lead actor Michael Jordan has received none. Maybe there was no prejudice on this one about acting, but the movie itself was very well directed. It begs the question why the director Ryan Coogler has not been nominated for best director. Is it also because of racial prejudice? Such questions can never receive a definitive answer that satisfies everyone.

Taiwan Election

Taiwan (The Republic of China) has elected its first woman president, Tsai Ing-wen, who is pro-independence or pro self-sovereignty of Taiwan.

My opinion is this:
There are 3 choices for Taiwan:
(1) remain status quo,
(2) unite with China (The Peoples Republic of China) but stay highly autonomous, or
(3) become truly and fully independent.

(3) is the most unlikely outcome, as the PRC just won't allow it. The political and Chinese reality of Taiwan is just too huge for Taiwan to overcome.

(2) is workable but not easy to achieve.

(1) remain status quo, or don't rock the boat approach, is the realistic choice for now, but for how long? Forever? Only time can tell.

David Bowie

David Bowie has died. He was 69. Let's dance !

Middle East

Breaking news: Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran. Bad Bad Bad ... Middle East is a mess !!!