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Hi JK:
Sorry for slow reply.
Maybe try Wing of Fung Wong Holiday Bungalows in Shui Hau, nr Cheung Sha; I stayed there lately, and seems he also rents long-term.
Good guy I reckon; as well as Cheung Sha, also near a more “hidden” beach facing Sokos.
Bit far from restaurants/shops, but can’t win em all.
tel 29802325.Martin
Hi Chrisman:
Charlie can answer this better than me.
But, briefly, sharks are very rare in Hong Kong – and it may be that right now, there aren’t any dangerous sized ones in Hong Kong (or even close by): shark fin business helped ensure this.
A few years ago, there were a few attacks, with some people killed [article on this site], but just possibly only one shark involved (migrating into area; and maybe not much fish to eat?).
There are shark nets protecting most of main swimming beaches, so keep in these if you’re still concerned – but I guess that if a shark does happen by, it may well be sighted quickly, or you would be v unlucky to be its first bite. :ohmy:Martin
more from Brian Darvell:
Quote:It is gratifying to see that the ripples of the Disney episode are still spreading, with reference being made to the climb-down or capitulation being made in many media items.Meanwhile, you will recall that we put the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas in the Hall of Fame for positive statements regarding Shark Fin Soup. With some shock we found that a webpage for one of their restaurants advertised it. I attempted to secure an explanation, but for a variety of reasons, that have now been explained, a response was very slow in getting back to me and I feared the worst. This led to a some ‘change of status’ announcements.
Now that contact has again be made, we have ascertained what went wrong, and I have been assured that double standards have not been operating. Accordingly, I am relieved to be able to make the following announcement.
Correction
I have been informed by Gordon M. Absher, of MGM MIRAGE Public Affairs, in respect of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, that the discrepancy between their public statement, that they do not and will not serve shark fin soup, and the Shanghai Lilly restaurant webpage menu that I reported on last time, was due to the fact that that page had not been updated in the five years since the item was withdrawn from the menu. That unfortunate oversight has now been corrected, as I indicated.
I offer my apologies to Mr Absher and his colleagues for any misrepresentation arising from that website error, withdraw earlier remarks doubting their honesty, and I have reinstated the establishment in the Hall of Fame. I am happy to accept that the original announcement was sincere. I trust the AZA will take note.
Blatant
At a corporate event at the Island Shangri-La (HK) recently, bowls of shark’s fin soup were being hawked by waitresses in a way that gave the dish prominence over the rest of the food on offer. A gentle protest from several present was met with deaf ears and looks of derision.
Is it reasonable to suppose that hotels are being cynical in that they are happy to trumpet their supposed environmental credentials when it comes to things they cannot make money from – such as not washing towels needlessly – but not those from which they can make a profit.
Negotiations are in hand, and the first indications are positive.
Coverage
You might like to see:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-06-30-voa4.cfmIn contrast, in http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/30/opinion/edbowring.php , Philip Bowring exercises some of the standard sceptical arguments, and it is not worth going through them point by point yet again. It is amazing how repetitious this gets. However, he finishes by saying:
“Perhaps the rest of us can learn to live with each others’ cultural and religious flesh eating habits and prejudices.”But that is just where he is wrong. Totally, absolutely, irrefutably. We will not live if the devastation continues by destructive fishing of this kind. We all lose.
Were these behaviours in isolation, with no effect on the rest of us, I doubt that many would care, so long as no cruelty were involved. However, it is a common heritage that is being plundered, it is our common life-support system that is being damaged, it is the rest of the world’s fisheries that are being exploited (home grounds being now empty). Eating endangered species for someone’s dubious gastronomic pleasure or economic pride is abhorrent. Everybody’s future is affected.
Tolerance under these circumstances is out of place, if not complicit. It is not a case of “learning to live”, but of “learning to die”. I cannot see that as reasonable when it is the immediate profit of the traders and hotels and restaurants that is being defended. Mr Bowring plays into their hands by implying that we can ignore other’s idiosyncrasies with impunity. Not so; as someone once said, nicely redundantly: extinction is for ever.
This update is going to go quiet for a while as I am taking some leave. However, we have in train a variety of possibilities, and we hope to report on those in due course.
BWD
No sooner has Dennis dashed across land and into oblivion (without massive damage) than Hurricane Emily is bearing west across the Caribbean. Emily’s a record 5th tropical storm for this early in the hurricane season; already to Category 4 (of 5). Meanwhile, Typhoon Haitang is bearing down on Taiwan. It too ranks at Category 4, and could strengthen to Cat 5 before reaching Taiwan. As I write, there’s a satellite photo showing very distinct, large eye.
Very soon after I posted the above, the Caribbean is hit by Dennis (the Menace) – the strongest hurricane so early in the hurricane season, and the earliest Category 4 hurricane recorded.
(It’s currently just moving back over the sea after crossing Cuba; forecast to regain major hurricane status.)This just after George Bush helped block G8 from releasing anything saying they’d take action about global warming. (Bush at least admitted global warming’s a problem – but fudged over doing anything, as that would affect American jobs. Hmmm… weather shifting to extremes, inc with hurricanes, couldn’t have even greater adverse impact on the US? Incuding if and when other countries suffer.)
Item on Xinhuanet says that, though tourism accounts for only 7% of “the local output”, it’s main driver of economy:
Tourism Drives Hong Kong EconomyOf course, could be an even better economic driver if had “eco-tourism” (or sustainable tourism), as then far more of the money would actually be of greater benefit within HK – rather than substantially being used to buy stuff from overseas, like the goods people buy on shopping sprees here.
Hi Sally:
Thanks for the message.
I do a v few tours of the kind you mention; may soon take YMCA “summer camp” on birds and wildllife outing.
For some of voluntary organisations, maybe not always “up” for paid tours.But, some people work on these.
For myself, I’m happy to do occasional tours; mainly want to try promoting this kind of tourism thro words, pictures – including on this website, Explore Wild Hong Kong! video (which, now the sun’s back, we can start filming again).
But even doing occasional tours not so easy, as explained; and for those trying full-time, official attitudes remain pretty discouraging.I’m in something called Sustainable Tourism Taskforce, set up under Business Environment Council. Mostly just a talking shop. Couple of related emails copied below.
First, thro STTF, BEC Chief Exec Officer has joined something govt establshed: Tourism Strategy Group, with bigwigs inc Tourism Commission (the value of which is… ??). He mentioned this at STTF meeting, and I asked if he could raise issue of Specialised Tour Guide Licences, as Singapore – which as name suggests could make it far easier for people to guide tours re their specialities.
Quote:I raised this issue this morning at the Tourism Strategy Group meeting. Eva Cheng explained difficulties with the ordinance and legal aspects, but
pleadged that they would again look into what can be done. I asked how this
could be kept alive until such a time as an acceptable outcome is attained.
Broadly the answer seems to be by continuing to raise this issue at the
Strategy Group wrt progress.Not an inspirational update I know, but it is once again on their agenda.
Not just uninspirational; pathetic I say. (Eva Cheng is Commissioner for Tourism.)
Then, an email I circulated to STTF members:
Quote:Last week, at the height of the rains (!), I went to hotel on Cheung
Chau to talk with a travel journalist working for a French internet mag. Late writing about this; reminded as doing something re Lantau. Emailing round sttf about this, as her comments perhaps revealing re promotions of HK to tourists – which in turn impacts the kind of tourism we have here.Her trip was organised thro hktb, chiefly to promote some shopping event. Before heading to hk, she decided it would be good to do additional stories on other aspects of HK. She told tb (in France) she would like to stay on an outlying island; was told they don’t have accommodation. Found info – inc on my outdoors site – re Cheung Chau, which has hotel.
Told that could only stay there on weekends.
Weekends not good for schedule; she was then able to stay on a weeknight (haha – just as monster rains on way! – too bad that after all this she couldn’t walk around Cheung Chau); tb had worried that on weekday CC might seem too quiet, which was what she wanted anywayOn arrival in HK, she’d been taken to Pacific Place and Landmark – finding shops much as in France, goods more expensive.
While such promotions, with emphasis on shopping etc, remain the norm
(and, it seems, pervade mindset of many people promoting hk tourism), I
think it’s tougher attracting people to enjoy much of HK.
Oh, yes, one lingering question I have: why is Selina Chow in charge of
much tourism here?Wouldn’t be quite so sad if HKTB still structured as before, an association funded by members (most of which are big tourism related companies). Now, though, seems it’s more of a quango – given some HK$100 million per year as I recall.
This, too, seems to me related to HKTB’s naff statements re not supporting dai pai dong for being unhygenic.
Hmm, the last noodle place I remember having problem for food poisoning was, err, in Langham Place.Hi Chanpee:
I guess the “photos” are from someone with ideas for a resort at Cheung Sha.
But as mentioned, I think Cheung Sha is great as it is. V nice, if you get chance – and the weather isn’t just this interminable rain 😡 – to walk from west to east along the beach, then over small headland to place with some restaurants in village houses just above tideline, including The Stoep.
There’s also a small hostel-cum-watersports centre, which I haven’t been to but sounds promising. (If you search these forums for “watersports” may find post with link to website.)Many thanks for the comments about this site.
Martin
Hmm…
Thanks for the post, Chanpee
Wonder if you’ve been to Cheung Sha; these shots don’t look like any part of Cheung Sha that I’ve yet seen.
Never mind, Cheung Sha is a lovely place as it is – doesn’t need a resort like this. (Imagine staying there in our chill winter, or our uncomfortably hot and humid summer, during rainy monsoon … Better leave such resorts to places with really good holiday weather, as well as unpolluted seas, and more land available – here, those of us living in HK already have v few unspoiled beaches to enjoy.)You can read short article I’ve done on Cheung Sha, plus see some photos actually taken there on this site: check links on left.
Martin
Post edited by: martin, at: 2005/06/28 19:53
also from Brian Darvell:
Quote:SuccessAs by now most of you will know, the Disney Corporation has finally admitted and accepted that there is no such thing as a sustainable shark fin fishery, which we had been saying all along, and accordingly are removing the soup from their menu, even for insistent customers. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GF25Ak01.html The news travelled around the world rapidly, appearing on the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4622097.stm , in the New York Times, and many other places.
We applaud their decision, although it is regrettable that it took so long, that so much difficulty and obfuscation was encountered along the way, and that there was the conflict with their openly-stated principles in the first place. Even then, and sadly, the acceptance is grudging: But Don Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland’s group managing director, said the company had a good environmental reputation to keep. "Striking the right balance between cultural sensitivities and conservation has always been our goal," he said.
Please, do not take us all for idiots. The only point of balance in any such case is in favour of conservation because any rational, caring culture values its environment more than its immediate gratification. This was, in your argot, a "no brainer". As a further attempt to put a favourable spin on the outcome, we read (SCMP, 2005-06-25): Disney’s vice-president for public affairs, Irene Chan Man-tuen, said the pupils were the first to know of Disney’s decision. "I told them about our decision to remove shark’s fin soup from our banquet menu and they welcomed this decision," she said.
Shall we rehearse the events? First, Disney were shamed into meeting the students by a stinging rebuke from a parent. Second, the attempt to bluster through with trite repetitions of the same tired lines was seen through immediately by the students, who then demanded proper answers. Third, the revelation was given slowly, piecemeal and grudgingly, with no sense that it was a positive, constructive, rational decision based on an intelligent review of the evidence but rather that it was politically unavoidable. "Extensive research"? Right. I suspect that Disney’s PR stock is going to take quite some time to recover, and that the world is now going to be watching like hawks for any further misdemeanours.
Certainly, if shark fin soup appears on any menu associated with either a restaurant owned, run or franchised by Disney, or standing on Disney property, or even if it appears on the menu of any meal of an official function of any kind associated with Disney – and especially in Hong Kong to "celebrate" the opening here – I expect to hear about it very quickly. [Selina: no cheating.] Proactive, generous, long-term-minded actions are essential.
Lessons
We may usefully summarize what has been learnt from this story.
1 Shark Fin Soup is conservationally unsound. This is not an emotional or culturally-imperial position, it is the weight of scientific evidence and expert opinion that leads us inevitably to it.
2 The claim of "no problem", as relied on by the shark fin trade, is shown to be false. The trade therefore have no basis whatsoever for their increasingly absurd statements. No evidence was adduced, only bald denials were made. The only motive for them is profit. They no longer make sense in the debate. They should have no voice in any regulatory body or committee.
3 Bad decisions can be reversed. Despite issues of lack of internal communication, pride ("face"), big money against none, even monster corporations can choose to act responsibly. The prodigal son returned is to be welcomed.
4 Global opinion counts. The reponse to these personal messages, and to those put out by numerous bodies, was strong evidence that this is not a petty quibble of a local nature. The outcome of this affects us all: the health of the planet, our survival. One small step for a mouse (there are a few to go yet…)
5 Children are not to be underestimated in the global conservation movement. They are our heirs, and they will not appreciate being left a mess. They can and they will affect our behaviour as stewards, as they in turn will be stewards, not owners, of the dwindling resources of this planet. We owe them the right to speak, and we owe them the courtesy of listening.
6 Failure to communicate is counterproductive. Ignoring the requests for action and discussion was just plain rude. It does nothing for credibility, nothing for image, nothing for the case: it only makes it worse. Sending out anonymous dismissals, with no address even, says nothing more than "we are hiding". This is an admission of guilt, and we know it. You just cannot hide from millions of eyes. If your fingers are crossed behind your back, we will know.
7 And for the avoidance of doubt: there is no such thing now, nor is there any prospect in the forseeable future of, a sustainable shark fin fishery. Not that it is, in principle, impossible, but because there is no prospect of greed being curtailed, of the industry acting responsibly, of the trade being policed, or of the barbarity being stopped. The only option is to shut it down.
Future
There are, as has been pointed out by our detractors, quite a number of establishments that serve shark fin soup, but as I pointed out, one step at a time: Disney needed to set an example – which it has now done. Could I suggest that, as the occasion arises, and SFS is found on a menu, whether in a restaurant or at a banquet, that it be pointed out that this was a bad idea? Seek an agreement to remove it from the menu, or never to serve it again under any circumstances. Use Disney as the examplar: the guiding icon for the fact that it can be done. Point to the Hall of Fame, explain the virtues. If an agreement is secured, in writing, let me know and I will post the credit on the website. If there is a problem, again let me know, and I will let everybody know… I think we can do this, with the load distributed over many eyes and hands.
Please pass this on to your own groups and lists, ask for all your members to pass it on again, and then again. AsianGeographic have already started http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=82 Let me reprise a line from the very first letter: ‘As Jiminy says, "Every little bit makes a big difference," reminding each person that we all play a critical role in promoting Environmentality.’ http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/index.html
Hall of Fame
As an example, I am delighted to welcome: The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino for a positive statement. As Mr. Punch said: "That’s the way to do it." Oh, and a small concern called Disney has changed their mind and so been upgraded from the Hall of Shame. Well done, guys. It wasn’t so hard to be true, now was it?
Thanks
Although, as implied above, this list will not close permanently just because this one episode is over, I should like here to thank various people, in addition to Disney for doing the right thing: Firstly, all my correspondents – for support and intelligence. Secondly, the world’s media – for carrying the story in a balanced fashion and over a period far longer than I would have thought possible. That is a clear measure of its importance. Thirdly, all of you on this list and other lists for echoing and redoubling the efforts. Keep it up, and the job will get done. Fourthly, the amazing of number of shark-related conservation groups for pulling together (even WWF and Green Power!). They all deserve your support. Fifthly, South China Diving Club, for hosting the web pages documenting this story. Visibility is what keeps this alive. Sixthly, and really importantly, the students at West Island School, Hong Kong, for precipitating the most wonderful capitulation that we could have imagined. Well done, chaps. Many, many thanks. We all look forward to more general progress on this issue. ‘bye for now. BWD http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=79
Disney has been v quiet re the shark fin issue. Not so Brian Darvell; another update here:
Quote:Doubts? Just in case you had any doubts, see it for yourself: stephanie_video.mpg (it is worth waiting for the download, but not if you are squeamish) Mr Chiu Ching-cheung, do you really believe it does not happen? Of course not.You could also read: at_rock_bottom.pdf and http://www.pacfish.org/sharkcon/summary.html Overwhelming Peter Hughes Diving received an amazing response – over 1200 emails – to their request for support in their efforts to persuade Disney of the error of their ways. See: http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=144&Itemid=82
How long can Disney continue to ignore such spontaneous calls for common sense and leadership to prevail? Insult to Injury According to an article in today’s SCMP, Disney have signed a contract forbidding at least one franchised restaurant at the park from selling the the soup. This is correctly identified as employing double standards, as if they have not already by selling their green soul for mainland tourist profits. Typically, no sensible comment has been obtained, and everybody’s favourite, Esther Wong, does not return calls.
Mr 57%
I have speculated about the profit motive for Disney, but of course there is something even bigger as a prize to be captured, regardless of environmental cost – mainland Chinese tourists. The HKSAR government spent some HK$2.5 ~ 3 Billion to get Disney into HK at a time when the only thought in their mind was tourism dollars; the loss of revenue from dwindling numbers was acute. They must still be rather keen to see a return on this "investment" in HK’s future (sc. the future profits of those few big wheels who will benefit). With a potential market of 300 million people just across the border, Disney and the HK government could not care less about the environment, conservation or such disposable assets as principles.
Can anybody seriously imagine leaflets being read when the soup is ordered? Is this what passes for an educational effort to justify strutting under a green umbrella? We are not that stupid to think so. Hence, all efforts are focused on getting mainlanders into the territory, spending freely, to finance grandiose schemes in "Asia’s World City" [cough! choke! sneeze!]. We are talking about a market greater than the North American population, a disposable income that Selina Chow would love to see being spent here. Anything that reduces the spending is anathema. And that goes for Disney’s ridiculous position taken regarding smoking as well. Hey kids! Second hand smoke for everyone!! Again, will mainland Chinese come here for a "fairy-tale wedding" (about as far removed from Chinese tradition as it is possible to get) and be worried about shark fin soup not being available? Will they really think they need it? Only if Disney tells them so … and they are.
But how many weddings can there possibly be to warrant this? In comparison with the millions they hope to get through the gates, that has to be a small proportion. If they think that Chinese customers are really so unthinking, inflexible and insensitive then surely they insult them all. If they think that they are so easily conned by a trumped-up, ad man’s dream, face-giving measure, what value do they put on their customers’ intelligence? About as much as they respect our sincere efforts to undo the cynicism and hypocrisy.
In contrast, Friends of Hoi Ha consider that Hong Kong is in danger of being considered a pariah state in environmental terms, where the environment takes second place to profit and where major consignments of endangered species are either consumed or trans-shipped with impunity. If that affects tourist dollars, won’t that be counterproductive, Selina? 3 minutes of Glory Well, hardly, but CNN did run a rather brief live interview with me today (June 21). The topic is being kept in the public eye, globally, and there is a lot of news to compete with. We should all be taking any and every opportunity to nudge, cajole, persuade and convince people that: – shark fin soup is unsustainable – Disney have misjudged their position
Twitchy
Now here’s a thing. We are not supposed to know this, but TVB, one of two "terrestrial" TV operations here, had managed a grand coup in obtaining the rights to show a long list of Disney films, including some well ahead of the normal time when they would be allowed on general broadcast. The schedule included "Finding Nemo" http://www.pixar.com/featurefilms/nemo/ – where sharks are given a PR opportunity to change their image. ‘Nemo" was intended to be shown close to the September 12th opening of the HK Disneyworld, with the obvious link of the prestige of a major recent release. However, some bright bean-counter seems to have got cold feet in the blood of de-finned sharks. TVB, in their sensitive, caring fashion, have rescheduled ‘Nemo’ to a much later time, presumably in an attempt to avoid controversy. Well, it hasn’t worked, has it? I wonder, too, who will be interested in paying for that broadcast with their advertising dollars even then – all of whom will link themselves inextricably with Disney and its cynicism (it rubs off, you know). But guess what is intended now to be shown instead at that crucial and defining moment for hypocrisy and profiteering? – Cinderella. Oh, my, do they not see the irony?
Who will be the prince for our benighted sharks, Mr Eisner, Mr Iger, or Mr Murphy? Curiosity (1) I read on http://www.rewilding.org/wp/?p=10 that "We have Chinese celebrities like Michele Yeoh and Jackie Chan who have spoken out against" shark fin soup.
Yet, elsewhere we find: "Favourite delecacy [sic] Shark fin soup" http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/celeb/jc.html Oh dear.
Curiosity (2) On http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/10120/newsDate/16-Mar-2001/story.htm we read encouraging words from Tony Leung, while on the other channel we read that Tony Leung is a favourite actor of Selina Chow’s Ooops! Does that mean she is cancelling her fan club subscription? Sigh
By the way, also on http://www.rewilding.org/wp/?p=10 , at the bottom, we read Administrator Says: June 18th, 2005 at 6:04 pm It is sad in this day and age that such arguments against ecological ignorance are even required. Quite. Coverage The Economist’s Hong Kong Briefing has carried a note (no URL). http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GF21Ak02.html The Pew Institute is working in South Africa on a shark TV special for CBS "60 minutes" – profiling the Disney situation. I think we should keep an eye out for this one. http://www.pewoceanscience.org http://www.rsmas.miami.edu
WildAid keep track of the press quite well with a compilation newsletter: WildAid Shark News. If you would like to be on this list, drop a brief note to Victor at wildaid.org.
Tailfin
But Disney remain distant, aloof, disdaining communication. This is not a matter of who looks away first, a childish staring game. This is deadly serious, and Disney cannot even meet our gaze. What does that say for their case? Not a leg to stand on, I would guess. I still say, Shame on you all. BWD
Quote:Attn: Mr Michael D Eisner, CEO The Walt Disney Company 500 S. Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 Dear Mr Eisner I hope you are well. If you check the following link [was to Sea Shepherd store] You will see that Sea Shepherd have produced some delightful T-shirts – and I’ve ordered one for you! However, not knowing you personally, I ordered you a "large" so please let me know if that is incorrect. These things are very easy to change on-line, creditcard payment makes these things so easy, doesn’t it. The front of this T-shirt features a colourful depiction of “Mickey Louse” and “Donald Sucks” preparing a bowl of shark fin soup. The back features the Sea Shepherd logo beneath a de-finned shark.The shirts are on order now and will be shipped in approximately 3 weeks. As I’m sure they’ll be very popular with the millions of people who do have a basic understanding of marine ecology, you might want to reserve some for your friends, colleagues, associates and family? The price is US$18:00 plus US$4:00 shipping within the USA – but they do ship overseas too. In addition Mr Eisner you’ll be thrilled to hear that when you receive the present that I have bought for you – you will also receive an educational brochure on the devastating effects of shark finning and what "you" can do to help us stop it.
Oh – those are my "quote" marks Mr Eisner because, by this point in time, YOU know what YOU can do to help stop it … don’t you? Shirt: Stop Shark Finning T-Shirt SKU: shr-052 The front of this Anti-Shark Finning T-shirt features a colourful depiction of “Mickey Louse” and “Donald Sucks” preparing a bowl of shark fin soup. The back features our Sea Shepherd logo beneath a de-finned shark.
With the purchase of each T-shirt, you will receive an educational brochure on the devastating effects of shark finning and what you can do to help us stop it. Available in short-sleeve, white, and made of 100% organic cotton this T-shirt features the creative, satirical artwork by Sea Shepherd volunteer Geert-Jan Vons. Shirts are on order and will be shipped in approximately 3 weeks. You can reserve yours now! PRICE: $18.00 Regards Annabel Annabel Thomas, Director AquaMarine Diving – Bali (PADI R6344) Correspondence Address: PO Box 2098, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia Office Address: Jl Raya Seminyak 2A, Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia Phone: +62 361 730 107 Fax: +62 361 735 368 Mobile: +62 81 236 588 29 Website: http://www.aquamarinediving.com
more from Brian Darvell:
Quote:Painful Reminder Today is about the 1-month anniversary of the open letter to Disney politely requesting a simple change to a menu: http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=82 We still have not heard an acknowledgement or a sensible word from Disney: only silence, delaying tactics, obfuscation and cheating. Rather rude, I call it.Kym Murphy asked for patience – explain why, if you can, Mr Murphy. I was hoping for something a liitle more prompt in the way of real communication. If you cannot fulfill the explicit moral obligations of your post – whether through personal ineffectiveness or Disney management pressure – and live up to your title, you might as well resign as well. It does you no good to be associated with them. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation must be somewhat embarrassed by this – and they have not said a word either. I wonder why?
Principles "At The Walt Disney Company, we alone are responsible for upholding our excellence and our integrity. This means acting responsibly in all our professional relationships, in a manner consistent with the high standards we set for our business conduct." – Michael Eisner, Chief Executive Officer – Bob Iger, President and Chief Operating Officer http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/corporate_responsibility.html Sorry, come again? That’s Mr Eisner and Mr Iger alone? Can we discuss the meaning of the words "responsibly", "all", "consistent" and "standards", please? We must be working from different dictionaries.
Dominos
I hate to say this, but I think I was right. Yesterday I mentioned a speculation (cynic that I am) – it was immediately followed by a report that it is indeed Selina Chow
that has been urging Disney HK not to yield. In addition, the word is that "two big bosses" from the US parent have been doing exactly the same thing. They wouldn’t happen to be Messrs Eisner and Iger, would they? What is going on? Selina I can understand, just: she is a politician, and appears to have the following endearing attributes: she cannot admit to being wrong, has no conscience, no morals, no sense of civic duty, no functional arguments – only trite formulaic responses that do not bear scrutiny, no willingness to discuss, and is afraid of being to seen to have principles that extend beyond immediate personal benefit (i.e., political survival). If so, she clearly has no sense of the overall value of Hong Kong in the long term, let alone global resources. But why is Disney US so duplicitous? Entering into negotiations with WWF and Green Power (only to rat on them, as it turns out), while secretly saying ‘ignore it’, is just mind-boggling. You know, I would love to be proved wrong. Anybody got the guts? Let’s get this clear: supporting a trade that depends on illegal activity is collusion and culpable. Accomplices to crimes deserve prosecution. How do you sleep, Selina, unless you have no conscience whatsoever? I dare you: prove me wrong. Boycott Further to my summary, a fuller list of Disney companies can be found at [gone, 2008] – and there is a Disney credit card, every use of which gives them money. Best not. Contacts People are finding it extraordinarily difficult to find addresses for key people. Why do they hide so? As far as we can tell, this is the main one: The Walt Disney Company 500 S. Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 USA Key email addresses are in the header. Any other intelligence gratefully received. Petition I am attaching a petition form for you to use if you see fit. It is also available here: http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=67 The general idea is to print a copy, with as many name-list pages as you need, pass it around at your office, club or school, and then send the completed sheets off to Mr Eisner for his consideration. If you do send such a petition, a note of the number of signatures to me would be appreciated. That way we can keep track. Numbers from other petitions could also be mentioned – it’s all the same. We’ll post a grand total from time to time. Ocean Park Suzanne Gendron makes a very important point in the last paragraph of her open letter: [posted above in this forum] Sharks are one of the apex predators in the ocean. This means that they are at the top of the food chain. They fulfil a very important role as such. Other creatures in the ocean that are sick or genetically weak will be the first marine animals attacked by sharks. By doing this, they help to prevent diseases spreading rapidly through a school of fish and keep the fish strong. It is important to us as we compete for the fishes as consumers. If a disease should kill an entire population, it not be good for any of us. We need sharks. Coverage – just goes on increasing: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/15/business/shark.php http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/business/worldbusiness/17shark.html?ex=1119672000&en=a2ea8499f53942a6&ei=5070&emc=eta1 And watch out for the (UK) Sunday Times Travel section, June 19th … Thanks to all my correspondents, your contributions are much appreciated. BWD http://www.scdc.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=82 Post edited by: martin, at: 2005/06/17 23:51
