Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3014359/carrie-lam-what-kind-mother-punishes-terrified-children-tear-gas
Comment/ Letters

Carrie Lam, what kind of mother punishes terrified children with tear gas and rubber bullets?

  • Government reactions to the extradition protests make clear its mindset that the people are children to be dominated, with neither voice nor power
Police officers use water cannon on a lone protester near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on June 12. Photo: AFP

How dare Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (in her televised interview on TVB) use the metaphor of acting as a mother to those who oppose the extradition bill? What kind of mother does not listen to her “children” when they are terrified and upset?

What kind of mother dooms the future of her “children” by actions she takes in her own self-interest? What kind of mother punishes her “children” with tear gas and rubber bullets?

With her insultingly condescending metaphor, Chief Executive Lam reveals that she intends to exercise control over her “children”, regardless of the harm she is inflicting on them.

This twisted mindset is the ultimate danger to freedom in Hong Kong – whereby the government treats its people as “children” who can be dominated, as they have no voice and no power. Ultimately, it is this warped logic that enables the Hong Kong government to advance the interests of the mainland government, whose rule is absolute, as the “parent” of Hong Kong’s wayward children.

The failure of democracy in Hong Kong dooms it to remain an infant of China in perpetuity.

Catherine LaJeunesse, Sai Kung

Anger boiled over not because of foreign forces

Carrie Lam, shame on you. You have betrayed the people of Hong Kong. Do not be surprised by the anger of Hongkongers.

The only way we can ensure that you see us is to go onto the streets. The young people of Hong Kong have shown us their loyalty and integrity, something that you now seem to lack.

We thought you were one of us but you have proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that you are a puppet of mainland China.

Do not blame the protesters. Blame yourself. It was you who caused their anger to boil over. And our anger has nothing to do with foreign countries inciting us.

I am angry with you, very angry, and I am a 71-year-old expatriate who has lived here in Hong Kong since 1970 and consider it my home. You have not only betrayed us, but also yourself.

Lesley Anderson, Sai Kung