Pure critique of reasons

I have to write this in English so that I could distance myself a little from the sorrow brought by the earthquake, and comment on a few matters, rationally. I can’t write anything in Chinese without being emotional at this time. This, in an ironic way, proves that English language is always secondary to me.

I have watched all major TV channels of China, including四川电视台，重庆电视台，凤凰电视台，湖南电视台，中央电视台, and I think I am qualified to make a few comments.

On Leadership
Premier Wen Jia Bao was onsite since day 1, while Hu Jin Tao was there on day 3, or day 4. When Wen Jia Bao was speaking to the victims, sometimes voice-shaken, and even with tears, he was making very soothing and natural remarks “Just hang on there, food is on the way”. In contrast, Hu Jin Tao is very conscious of camera angles, and he was making grand remarks like “The Party and the military will take care of all this! We will overcome this disaster!!”.

I know, I shouldn’t doubt Hu’s caring and sincerity, but Wen won my hearts.

On SuperStars
Jackie Chan and Jet Li went to Sichuan. Jackie Chan said “The Police escorted me along a very difficult road”.

Since the disaster area has already gotten worldwide attention, superstar’s presence is relatively unimportant. We don’t need Jackie to advertise to the world how bad it is over there. Sure, they care about the victims, but my only hope is that they go to ground zero on the condition that they cause no extra burden to the already stretched resources of police and military.

And I heard Andy Lau is on the way.

On Dalai Lama
We haven’t heard from this guy for quite some time. Not even a statement of condolence?

On Donation
I have made some donation via credit card to Tsing Hua foundation, which pledges to fund China RedCross. Nothing to be proud of. I’m doing this to make myself feel a little better.

However, I have overheard a very common conversation. Exact wordings vary, but the themes are similar.

A: Have you donated to the earthquake victims?
B: No, I wish to donate to both, China and Myanmar.
A: So have you donated to both?
B: No, because Myanmar government seems like a badass, and I’m not sure whether the victims will get my money.
A: Then what about China?
B: I don’t think that they need money now.. they are overwhelmed by charities. If I were in china I would like to be a volunteer to help out the logistics…


On Praying
Praying to which God? You couldn’t ask me to pray to someone who did all this. On the other hand, you couldn’t ask me to pray to someone who was not in control during the 20 seconds on May 12th 2:28pm.

Having said this, I do not object to praying if it provides psychological comfort or remedy.