Statement from Samuel Bickett about the Court of Final Appeal’s brusque (three-sentence) rejection of his application to have his conviction overturned.
A week ago, Hong Kong health authorities announced plans for more random-sounding micro-relaxations of Covid restrictions. Among the measures, people entering the city could go to skating rinks and cinemas upon arrival, rather than only after three days. But then, officials changed their minds – keeping movies and ice-skating off-limits to new arrivals (as with restaurants). Whatever, right? But the interesting thing is the Health Bureau’s explanation for the backtrack:
The bureau said it was “to facilitate differentiation by members of the public and avoid public’s confusion during actual operation.”
What would they do if they were trying to create confusion?
A recent summary of Hong Kong’s various not-confusing-at-all Covid regulations.
Motor Moron of the Month Award surely goes to the idiot who tried to drive a Hiace van along Lugard Road (the walking path below the Peak overlooking Victoria Harbour). More pix here.
A few items for the weekend…
The Art Newspaper on the gloomy outlook for China’s cultural scene following in light of Xi Jinping’s party congress speech’s call to…
…“promote confidence in [China’s] culture, cast new glories of socialist culture”.
How to write a half-decent, semi-stimulating editorial: the Guardian on South Korea’s soft power.
Completely out-of-area and off-topic, but too strange (and wittily written) to miss: the ‘Judas’ goats that led sheep up into the slaughter chambers of Midwestern US meat-packing plants in exchange for cigarettes.
“The police replied that at 2:54 p.m. on the 16th, they received a call from a foreign van driver asking for help, saying that his vehicle was trapped on Lugard Road due to the narrow road conditions.” ~hk01. com
Do mainland Chinese count as “foreign”?
I had a friend who lived in one of the old mansions on Lugard Road.
It’s very visible on the side of the hill from the other side of the harbour.
A spectacular view from the verandah.
We drove there once, and were abused by a couple of walkers.
But it is a road, and she had the correct permit displayed on her car, as it says you need when you enter next to the Peak Cafe.
At the end of the vehicle access area there is a very clear round no entry sign, so the driver ignored two signs, and his own common sense.
I find it disappointing these days that names, videos and photos of actual real life events are not allowed due to “privacy” reasons.
If someone does something in public, well, a photo of the person is the least I expect.
The Judas Goat article is very enjoyable. Thanks for the link.
People can follow Google directions but apparently can’t look out of the window and use their own judgement
Sums up modern life.
@Paul Lewis
You make an excellent point.
Governments and internet moguls surveil us electronically 24/7 and that’s ok, but the public is not allowed to take, share or view a photo of something that takes place in a public place, supposedly due to privacy concerns.
We’ve got a lot in common with those sheep in the Judas Goat article.
‘But my GPS said to do it’ is something that happens everywhere… The GPS companies should have to put a decal on the top with a disclaimer noting that not all vehicles can take the routes they recommend.
Here’s are a couple recent ones
https://www.nrk.no/vestland/gps-en-forer-sjaforar-pa-ville-vegar_-1.15709570
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/truck-gets-stuck-on-top-of-conor-pass-in-west-kerry-41882798.html
That being said, it looked like the Hiace wasn’t stuck on anything… surely it would have reverse directional cameras to back down the hill?
Stanley and all
The article does not even touch on why the sheep chose to follow the Judas goat. So, why?
There’s a spectacular spot at the start of the one way system up to the top of Fei Ngo Shan mountain. A hundred feet up the road, it does a tight 100 degree left hand turn. I’m assuming some idiot car drivers think “Oh great, no chance of a speed camera so lets gun the engine and zip up here”. Go peer over the edge of the very steep slope on the right hand side and you’ll see the plastic remains of many morons cars that failed that turn. The police are up there frequently winching smashed vehicles back up the slope. A win win for the walkers.
@Justsayin
“surely it would have reverse directional cameras to back down the hill?”
Hong Kong drivers are not taught how to reverse.
Not even a modicum of sympathy for boy racers and the smashed up pride and joy extensions of their identity and raison d’etre?
Just kidding…I love reveling in schadenfreude when seeing such wrecks…
@dimuendo
Judas Goats take advantage of sheep’s powerful herding instinct.
“Where one goes, the others will follow.”
The Judas Goat is trained by clever men to associate with the sheep, gain the sheep’s confidence, and then lead them to slaughter, all so he can have a single Marlboro cigarette as a reward.
Sounds uncomfortably similar to some of our local worthies.
Google maps: the Judas Goat for humans?
@ Chinese Netizen
Are you or a male or female Netizen? I can tell you’re American educated, which is to say “educated”, but can’t tell is your gender X or Y. Or both?
@goat left in 20m
The obvious paralled between google maps and the Judas goats was lost on me Friday, thanks for connecting the dots 🙂