President Barack Obama ordered the government Monday to re-examine whether California and other states should be allowed to have tougher auto emission standards. Within just one week, Obama has managed to roll back many bad policies set by the Bush administration. We have grown used to the top government being brain dead on science and other issues. When we finally hear a president who say things that actually make sense, and that they actually understand issues, it is so refreshing that it is almost unbelievable.

"Year after year, decade after decade, we've chosen delay over decisive action," Obama said. "Rigid ideology has overruled sound science. Special interests have overshadowed common sense. Rhetoric has not led to the hard work needed to achieve results — and our leaders raise their voices each time there's a spike on gas prices, only to grow quiet when the price falls at the pump."

I think the world's issues are inherently complex. So I was cynical about whether we can turn things around just by choosing a different president. But ever since he was elected, Obama has shown much charisma and the will to break from the past. He has brings so much positive energy that makes me feel really hopeful.

Finally I like it that he gave Bush a well deserved slap on the face.

"The days of Washington dragging its heels are over. My administration will not deny facts; we will be guided by them" Obama said.

2009.01.26 [politics] - comments

近日聽到趙來發先生辭世的消息，令人感嘆不已。多年前讀過趙來發《素食宣言》一書，印象猶新。我雖然沒有變成素食者，但也因此而減少吃肉。除了此書外，我還是到了現在才從他朋友口中知道他是文化界活躍分子，曾當過信報，明報等文化版的編輯，可惜認識他時是為時已晚。

住院期間，趙來發還不時在網誌留言，所以他雖然已離開了，但是我還可以透過他的文字知道他的病況。臨終前兩天他給大家留下了最後一段說話：

「幾些兒忘記了怎樣打字，是時刻向大家可能說人生再見的時刻，不要怕，多謝家人姐姐、太太、母父、妹弟及女兒，多謝一切人生經的事物，不一亙足。再見了，有機會再見！」

我媽比他先走數月，人生最後的日子我也陪她經歷過，所以他的文字我很能理解。進醫院，嘗試各種治療均無效，身體一天比一天虛弱，什麼也不要吃，什麼也不要做，像趙來發這位文化人連怎樣打字也差點兒忘了。人身終結前最後數月這條路並不好走，媽媽先行了，我也從她身上學會了死亡是怎樣一回事。人對死亡的恐懼多少是因為對這過程缺少經驗，我因為媽媽有了些經驗，對死亡也不太恐懼了。我的人生路也差不多行了一半，希望在餘下的歲月好好的活，讓來日我可以安然踏上這路。

2009.01.19 comments