Q What should be the focus of the consultation on heritage conservation? One of the focuses, not only of the consultation, but much more of policy, should be to preserve architecturally special buildings even if they are not too old. In particular, I am thinking of a building like Grand Court, in Kadoorie Avenue, Kowloon, and possibly also St James Court, on the top of Kadoorie Hill in Kowloon. Kadoorie Hill is a special green zone in the midst of Mong Kok and it would very much make sense to have this area protected. However, it seems that plans for redevelopment, or in proper English, destruction of the old, is imminent. Citic seems to be particularly active in this process, at least in regard to Grand Court. Dr Tobias Brandner, Chinese University of Hong Kong Q How should good parenting be promoted? One way to promote good parenting is through the mass media. More articles and TV programmes about family issues can help to improve parenting. I once watched a TV programme called Super Nanny which aimed to enlighten parents through bad parenting cases. In the programme, the host tried to teach the doting or uncaring parents a wide range of skills in bringing up children with different personalities, such as ways to compliment or punish their children and deal with their psychological problems. I am sure parents can learn from this sort of programme. Other means include talks and campaigns organised by schools. Since we all know that parents are free to choose whether they want to participate in these activities held by parent-teacher associations, a compulsory one is therefore necessary. It should be organised by the Education Department to target all parents. Good parenting requires proper interaction between generations. Children should also learn to appreciate their parents. The importance of filial respect should be advocated through life education at school to induce Hong Kong students to contemplate the reason for the endless love given by their fathers and mothers. Donna So, Kwai Chung On other matters ... Reader Terris Lo, regarding the suggestion that the Mid-Levels escalator be extended to The Peak, was surely joking with the comment that 'this would affect the overall view of The Peak'? (Talkback, December 29) So many ugly and badly planned developments have appeared on the sides of The Peak in recent years that one more or less would have little effect on the overall image of exploitation. An escalator might cause some damage initially, but a careful programme of tree and shrub planting would soon cover up the area affected and provide natural shade for commuters. Judiciously sited solar panels could generate much of the energy required for daily operation of the facility. Any suggestion that would reduce the number of vehicles on our roads while encouraging residents and visitors to be out in the open air should be given careful consideration. Candy Tam, Wan Chai I am a regular passenger on KMB's cross-harbour routes and recently noticed that in almost all of the buses I have travelled on since the onset of winter, all ventilation has been turned off. Can KMB please advise whether the practice of turning off all ventilation in its vehicles is part of the company's policy or a decision of the individual bus driver? Has KMB obtained medical advice and/or considered the risks to the health of its passengers and the spreading of airborne infectious diseases in the absence of any ventilation and appropriately briefed or advised its drivers? Every time I board an unventilated bus, I dread the thought of coughing or sneezing or hearing one of my fellow passengers emitting one. Anthony Wong, Tai Hang Andrew Sun rightly described in CitySeen on January 5 a copycat 'creation' on Canto-pop starlet Joey Yung Cho-yee when she was caught wearing a remake of an original piece by Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf. One doesn't flaunt a fake Rolex the way she did her pirated dress. What saddened me was the unapologetic feedback from Yung in a subsequent television interview that it was all right so long as she carried the fake well and felt comfortable. Not a single word of remorse or apology. One wonders how Yung reconciles her attitude with her year-round pleas to fans not to buy counterfeit CDs. Equally disappointing is the lack of condemnation by Commercial Radio 2, which hosted the show (Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation 2006) featuring Yung in the outfit. One wonders how it can continue to preach its support to and respect for originality of Canto-pop songs. Likewise, there's not a single word of comment, let alone condemnation, from any of the unions, or associations and star spokespeople of show business. The fiasco illustrates clearly the values of some core members and trade representatives of show business which is, ironically, one of the cultural and creative industries: faking is fine as long as it works in one's favour. Before Yung cleans up her acts and apologises, before CR2 takes a stance, before star anti-piracy spokespeople and crusaders in show business come forward, local fans will continue to believe infringement of intellectual property rights is tolerable. The government's effort in stamping out illegal downloads and counterfeit CDs/DVDs also will continue to go down the drain. And in the end, it's those in show business who get hurt. Some final words to Yung's 'designer': You are not exactly a designer, you are a seamstress and give the trade a very bad name. Jonathan Man, Kwai Chung
