If the Heritage Foundation would invite Wang Jin-Pyng, one wonders whether they are simply like other U.S. think-tanks that are blinded by or too influenced by elitism. Under the KMT, the Legislative Yuan has not deepened democracy, but rather weakened Taiwan's democracy.
...
======================================
The Heritage Foundation
Cordially Invites You
Democracy Building in Interesting Times
Taipei, TAIWAN
A Symposium Featuring Practitioners and Experts on Democratic Development
Co-Hosted by
• The Heritage Foundation
• Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
• Institute for National Policy Research
Featuring:
Edwin J. Feulner, President, The Heritage Foundation (U.S.)
Tien Hung-mao, President, INPR, (Taiwan)
Park Jin, Member of National Assembly, National Assembly (ROK)
Eva Kusuma Sundari, Member of Parliament (Indonesia)
Alan Kah-Kit Leong, Legislative Council (Hong Kong)
Justin S. Chou, Legislator in Legislative Yuan (Taiwan)(invited)
Yuriko Koike, Member of Diet (Japan)
Jeffrey Bergner, Former Assistant Secretary of State (USA)
Shing-Yuang Sheng, National Chengchi University (Taiwan)
Richard Gordon, Chairman, Philippine Red Cross
Parth Shah, President, Center for Civil Society (India)
Junichi Chano, Executive Assistant to the President, The Japan Foundation (Japan)
Min-Hsiu Chiang, National Chengchi University (Taiwan) (Invited)
Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation (U.S.)
Yuli Ismartono, Tempo Magazine (Indonesia)
Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation (Thailand)
Chun-Nan Chiang, Consultant, Apple Daily (Taiwan)
With Keynote Address by
Wang Jin-Pyng, President, Legislative Yuan
(Invited)
Monday, January 10, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel – Taipei, Taiwan
The global financial crisis, increasing military modernization efforts, political leadership and transitions, and demands from domestic publics make for interesting times for democracy building and development in the Asia-Pacific region. Lawmakers and policy experts are constantly trying to find answers to these important national and global events. Thus, The Heritage Foundation, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and Taiwan’s Institute for National Policy Research are collaborating on this symposium, bringing together a group of highly-regarded, experienced and skilled democratic practitioners to discuss and develop best practices for democracies in these interesting times. Please join us as we discuss these issues through the topics of majority and minority rights in governance, informing the legislative process, the role of civil society, and freedom of the press and government accountability.
To RSVP or for inquiries, contact Ms. Rita Wei-Tzu Yen at 886-02-2357-9687 or inpr@ms4.hinet.net.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Being Practical versus Acting out of Pragmatism
There is a difference between being practical and pragmatism. Being practical is figuring out an effective way to carry out principle in a given situation. You do not change a goal of what ought to be done.
Pragmatism disregards pursuit of what ought to be done in favor of settling for what seemingly can be done.
It is not possible to calculate truly and fully what is possible -- what can be done. Those who do so and act on their calculations in the name of pragmatism often fail to account for all the possibilities and so miss the best one.
For example: Pragmatism would have said that the 13 American colonies could not successfully rebel against the British Empire.
Pragmatism would have said that democracy is unwieldy and ineffective and that we need elites to rule us.
These arguments are still used today.
Pragmatism would say that Taiwan should give in to China.
Pragmatism would have said that William Wilberforce should not have tried to eradicate slavery in the British Empire.
---
The lesson of history over and over again exposes the error of operating on the basis of pragmatism.
---
However, sometimes acting on principle does end in a failure to succeed. Even in this case, would have it been better not to act?
Regardless of the outcome, it is better to act on what ought to be done even if the action will not succeed. For your failure may still lead to a laying of the foundation for future generations to succeed.
Pragmatism disregards pursuit of what ought to be done in favor of settling for what seemingly can be done.
It is not possible to calculate truly and fully what is possible -- what can be done. Those who do so and act on their calculations in the name of pragmatism often fail to account for all the possibilities and so miss the best one.
For example: Pragmatism would have said that the 13 American colonies could not successfully rebel against the British Empire.
Pragmatism would have said that democracy is unwieldy and ineffective and that we need elites to rule us.
These arguments are still used today.
Pragmatism would say that Taiwan should give in to China.
Pragmatism would have said that William Wilberforce should not have tried to eradicate slavery in the British Empire.
---
The lesson of history over and over again exposes the error of operating on the basis of pragmatism.
---
However, sometimes acting on principle does end in a failure to succeed. Even in this case, would have it been better not to act?
Regardless of the outcome, it is better to act on what ought to be done even if the action will not succeed. For your failure may still lead to a laying of the foundation for future generations to succeed.
Principle to operate on: Advance of Freedom
Many do not like George W. Bush, but you may find this facebook interview quite enjoyable to watch.
One thing to notice is the issue of making decisions based on the principle of freedom.
There are a lot of gems and excellent quotes by Bush in this interview. ... Maybe we'll take a little time to include some of them.
One big blindspot seems to be Bush's understanding of Taiwan. In the case of China and Taiwan, Bush did not operate out of principle. His State Department did not wholly embrace the freedom of the Taiwanese people. In the video he states that "We handled the Taiwan issue well during my presidency."
History does not bear him out. Ma Ying-jeou's election and the erosion of freedom and democracy in Taiwan was partially a result of the Bush China policies.
Taiwan was not handled well. And under the Obama administration, it continues to be mishandled.
One thing to notice is the issue of making decisions based on the principle of freedom.
Watch live streaming video from facebookguests at livestream.com
There are a lot of gems and excellent quotes by Bush in this interview. ... Maybe we'll take a little time to include some of them.
One big blindspot seems to be Bush's understanding of Taiwan. In the case of China and Taiwan, Bush did not operate out of principle. His State Department did not wholly embrace the freedom of the Taiwanese people. In the video he states that "We handled the Taiwan issue well during my presidency."
History does not bear him out. Ma Ying-jeou's election and the erosion of freedom and democracy in Taiwan was partially a result of the Bush China policies.
Taiwan was not handled well. And under the Obama administration, it continues to be mishandled.
Feared Information to Expose Attitudes?
Michael Richardson reports:
Michael Turton shares the details on one leaked document.
Reading the tidbits, a question arises: do U.S. State Department officials turn off their minds when it comes to considering the clear distinction between Hong Kong's situation and history and Taiwan's situation? Are they thinking that Taiwan should be like Hong Kong?
There likely will not be any earth-shattering revelations from these documents. However, they will very probably give distinct clarity to the attitudes and operating worldviews of those in the U.S. State Department.
As more documents come out -- will we see a callous attitude towards Taiwan, human rights, and justice, an embrace of pragmatism?
Pragmatism is never pragmatic. There are always unintended and often disastrous consequences to carrying out seemingly pragmatic solutions instead of acting on principle.
In these past few decades, brutal communist regimes in North Korea and China are the result of U.S. State Department pragmatism.
In the mid-twentieth century, brutal fascist regimes were the result of the U.S. State Department pragmatism.
In the next few decades, detonation of nuclear weapons by Iran and North Korea or some terrorist organizations to which they were sold could be the outcome of current U.S. State Department pragmatism.
When has the State Department ever been a benefit to the United States, or to the world? When it acts on principles of democracy and inalienable human rights.
WikiLeaks has disclosed that it controls 3,456 documents that relate to Taiwan. A spokesman for the American Institute in Taiwan, Christopher Kavanaugh, told the China Post, “We condemn such unauthorized disclosure.” The WikiLeaks documents originated at the AIT in Taipei and 1,425 are marked “confidential” with another 136 listed as “secret.”
Michael Turton shares the details on one leaked document.
Reading the tidbits, a question arises: do U.S. State Department officials turn off their minds when it comes to considering the clear distinction between Hong Kong's situation and history and Taiwan's situation? Are they thinking that Taiwan should be like Hong Kong?
There likely will not be any earth-shattering revelations from these documents. However, they will very probably give distinct clarity to the attitudes and operating worldviews of those in the U.S. State Department.
As more documents come out -- will we see a callous attitude towards Taiwan, human rights, and justice, an embrace of pragmatism?
Pragmatism is never pragmatic. There are always unintended and often disastrous consequences to carrying out seemingly pragmatic solutions instead of acting on principle.
In these past few decades, brutal communist regimes in North Korea and China are the result of U.S. State Department pragmatism.
In the mid-twentieth century, brutal fascist regimes were the result of the U.S. State Department pragmatism.
In the next few decades, detonation of nuclear weapons by Iran and North Korea or some terrorist organizations to which they were sold could be the outcome of current U.S. State Department pragmatism.
When has the State Department ever been a benefit to the United States, or to the world? When it acts on principles of democracy and inalienable human rights.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Need for educating and outreach to the electorate
A comment by Les in response to Michael Turton's blog post on vote buying reminds us of something that needs to be addressed -- which we actually can have an impact addressing.
The comment is in regard to how it is that Taiwanese -- especially older or less educated Taiwanese -- could be willing to give their vote away to the first vote buyer that comes along -- which often is KMT/Gangster connected.
IN CONCLUSION: We should organize volunteers to educate the less educated electorate with flyers and door-to-door visits to prepare them on how to behave and respond when a vote-buyer comes a-knocking on their doors.
A persistent, long-term campaign against this vote-buyer intimidation , arming the people with responses and reasons, etc. could gradually make the electoral soil unfertile for vote harvesting.
The comment is in regard to how it is that Taiwanese -- especially older or less educated Taiwanese -- could be willing to give their vote away to the first vote buyer that comes along -- which often is KMT/Gangster connected.
A lot of vote-buying relies on the fear of reprisal and some twisted sense of debt owed to the buyer.
The village / town KMT stooges are known to all and it's usually unstated threat that 'we will know' if the bought vote isn't cast. This is helped along by the knowledge that the civil service that is counting is mainly pan-blue.
Rural voters are especially susceptible to the idea that the politicians are their betters. When someone comes and offers politely to buy their vote, it's considered rude to refuse. Likewise, once the vote is bought it's considered rude not to cast it.
Quite a few of my green-leaning friends have older relatives who consistently sell their votes for these reasons, and no amount of explaining or cajoling will change that behavior.
Parents / older relatives of green-leaning friends. The ones selling the votes are not particularly interested in politics per se, but are independence minded and profess a Taiwan identity rather than a Chinese one. The kids live in the city and are DPP supporters. I think the older relatives will sell their vote to the first person who comes to the house, and it's out of some sense that when the 'VIPs' ask, you have to go along, especially when they come bearing gifts. I don't believe they are ignoring deep-seated beliefs for this. More likely they are apathetic about politics in general. Then there is the fear factor, that things will go badly for them if they don't go along with the requests and the 'VIP' doing the asking gets (re)elected anyway.
10:49 AM
IN CONCLUSION: We should organize volunteers to educate the less educated electorate with flyers and door-to-door visits to prepare them on how to behave and respond when a vote-buyer comes a-knocking on their doors.
A persistent, long-term campaign against this vote-buyer intimidation , arming the people with responses and reasons, etc. could gradually make the electoral soil unfertile for vote harvesting.
A China-free Christmas
Please check out the following link if you want to get Christmas presents but do not want to buy any made in China.
chinafreechristmas.info
Too bad we cannot have a China-sympathizer-enabler-Taiwan betrayer-KMT FREE Taiwan.
chinafreechristmas.info
Too bad we cannot have a China-sympathizer-enabler-Taiwan betrayer-KMT FREE Taiwan.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Watch Formosa Betrayed on Netflix
Netflix offers the movie "Formosa Betrayed" on its mail-DVD rental as well as instant view if you have an internet connection.
If you are still not in the loop regarding this movie, we'd recommend reading Tim Maddog's blog post on Taiwan Matters.
Since Netflix is currently offering a 1-month free trial service, you can see the movie for free. Just sign up on the website netflix.com.
While you are at it, why don't you check some more movies to understand similar oppression which nations other than Taiwan also experienced.
Poland: Katyn
Ireland: The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Ireland: Michael Collins
Jews in Belarus: Defiance
If you are still not in the loop regarding this movie, we'd recommend reading Tim Maddog's blog post on Taiwan Matters.
Since Netflix is currently offering a 1-month free trial service, you can see the movie for free. Just sign up on the website netflix.com.
While you are at it, why don't you check some more movies to understand similar oppression which nations other than Taiwan also experienced.
Poland: Katyn
Ireland: The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Ireland: Michael Collins
Jews in Belarus: Defiance
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Register Now for the Taiwan Culture and History Camp/Tour
We wanted to recommend to everyone: http://www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah
Note:
1. Even if you are living in Taiwan, or if you might not classify yourself as "youth", you are welcome to register.
2. Please remember the October 8 registration deadline.
3. This event has hosted many very excellent speakers including one famous Austronesian author.
4. Even if you have visited a lot of the sites in Taiwan, joining this event is worthwhile. Even while on the bus, there are a lot of discussions regarding Taiwan's history and cultures. The Foundation tries to keep the registration fees very low, and subsidizes the cost.
=======================
Dear Friends:
The Tsunah Foundation has launched its Eleventh International Youth Culture Tour of Taiwan program. This is a great opportunity for young International Taiwanese, who are at least 18 years old and were born and/or grew up outside of Taiwan, to get to know more about their motherland. I hope you, your children, or your friends who qualify will enroll in this wonderful program. Please also help relaying this great news by forwarding this information to your friends, members of your organizations, and people in your local Taiwanese communities, or by posting this letter on your web-site and/or establishing the link from your web-site to Tsunah Foundation’s web-site, www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah.
The highlights of this year’s program are listed below.
1. This special November’s tour lasts seven days & six nights (11/08/10-11/14/10).
2. The cost is $650 per person excluding the airplane ticket cost.
3. There is a scholarship program for the participants.
This year, the group will visit the beautiful I-Lan County scenic sites and stay in the Tsunah Center and its dormitory facility for the first two days. Then, the group will go on an around-the-island tour along the island’s most beautiful east coast to Taroko National Park, Hualien, Taitung and Kaohsiung, then back to Taipei, visiting sites of historical and cultural interest, and having some fun at the same time.
Please visit the Tsunah Foundation’s web site, www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah for detailed information and updates.
The deadline for the enrollment is October 08, 2010. However, it is strongly recommended that interested people register as soon as possible due to limited availability. The airplane ticket is also increasingly difficult to find after August due to airlines reduction of flights.
I am looking forward to your participation and/or help. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call me for any question.
Best Regards,
Justina Wu
Tsunah Foundation
(858) 456-1258
tcloudff7@att.net
各位親愛的鄉親：
慈林基金會今年所舉辦的台灣文化之旅歡迎所有的台灣鄉親及其朋友們不分國籍都來參加。
同鄉們若預定於十一月初返台，請考慮參加此文化之旅。您只需多花US$650的旅費，就能無憂無慮的享受七天六夜的巡迴全台文化之旅。不但成就我們旅遊的目標和樂趣，而且還能受到台灣文化之薰陶，使我們更加了解台灣，真是一舉兩得。
您若能說服您的第二代及第三代子女和孫子女隨您一起來報名參加，我們亦非常歡迎，只要他們年滿13歲即可。
這個十一月八日到十一月十四日的英文台灣文化之旅是今年我們第一次嘗試舉辦的，但也可能是唯一的一次。請不要錯過這個難能可貴的機會。US$650的旅費包括您七天的全部費用，吃、住、交通費及參觀景點的門票等。報名表及相關中英文詳情，請上慈林基金會的網站 www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah 瀏覽及下傳。
大家都知道十一月是旅行的淡季。此時回台機票最便宜，且台灣氣候也最宜人。請有意的鄉親及早來報名。謝謝大家！
謝節惠敬上
Justina Wu
Tsunah Foundation
-------------------------------------------------------
The Tsunah Foundation (慈林基金會) was founded in March 1991. Its roots, however, extend back further to a tragedy in 1980, when Mr. and Mrs. Lin I-Hsiung (林義雄) and Su-Min (方素敏) lost their mother, Lin-Yu Ah-Mei, and their twin daughters, Lien Chiun and Tin Chiun, to a politically motivated assassination. Soon after Mr. Lin was released from the political imprisonment, Mr. and Mrs. Lin were exiled from Taiwan. Out of the depths of their grief for their loved ones, and for their separation from their homeland, Mr. and Mrs. Lin found new life and new hope, for themselves and for Taiwan. Eleven years later, the establishment of the Tsunah Foundation in Taiwan was, and remains today, their expression of that hope. The Tsunah Foundation has two missions: (1) to promote the values of empathy, love, and respect for all people, and (2) to promote cultural activities, and foster the development of a community of culturally enlightened, caring Taiwanese citizens.
Note:
1. Even if you are living in Taiwan, or if you might not classify yourself as "youth", you are welcome to register.
2. Please remember the October 8 registration deadline.
3. This event has hosted many very excellent speakers including one famous Austronesian author.
4. Even if you have visited a lot of the sites in Taiwan, joining this event is worthwhile. Even while on the bus, there are a lot of discussions regarding Taiwan's history and cultures. The Foundation tries to keep the registration fees very low, and subsidizes the cost.
=======================
Dear Friends:
The Tsunah Foundation has launched its Eleventh International Youth Culture Tour of Taiwan program. This is a great opportunity for young International Taiwanese, who are at least 18 years old and were born and/or grew up outside of Taiwan, to get to know more about their motherland. I hope you, your children, or your friends who qualify will enroll in this wonderful program. Please also help relaying this great news by forwarding this information to your friends, members of your organizations, and people in your local Taiwanese communities, or by posting this letter on your web-site and/or establishing the link from your web-site to Tsunah Foundation’s web-site, www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah.
The highlights of this year’s program are listed below.
1. This special November’s tour lasts seven days & six nights (11/08/10-11/14/10).
2. The cost is $650 per person excluding the airplane ticket cost.
3. There is a scholarship program for the participants.
This year, the group will visit the beautiful I-Lan County scenic sites and stay in the Tsunah Center and its dormitory facility for the first two days. Then, the group will go on an around-the-island tour along the island’s most beautiful east coast to Taroko National Park, Hualien, Taitung and Kaohsiung, then back to Taipei, visiting sites of historical and cultural interest, and having some fun at the same time.
Please visit the Tsunah Foundation’s web site, www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah for detailed information and updates.
The deadline for the enrollment is October 08, 2010. However, it is strongly recommended that interested people register as soon as possible due to limited availability. The airplane ticket is also increasingly difficult to find after August due to airlines reduction of flights.
I am looking forward to your participation and/or help. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call me for any question.
Best Regards,
Justina Wu
Tsunah Foundation
(858) 456-1258
tcloudff7@att.net
各位親愛的鄉親：
慈林基金會今年所舉辦的台灣文化之旅歡迎所有的台灣鄉親及其朋友們不分國籍都來參加。
同鄉們若預定於十一月初返台，請考慮參加此文化之旅。您只需多花US$650的旅費，就能無憂無慮的享受七天六夜的巡迴全台文化之旅。不但成就我們旅遊的目標和樂趣，而且還能受到台灣文化之薰陶，使我們更加了解台灣，真是一舉兩得。
您若能說服您的第二代及第三代子女和孫子女隨您一起來報名參加，我們亦非常歡迎，只要他們年滿13歲即可。
這個十一月八日到十一月十四日的英文台灣文化之旅是今年我們第一次嘗試舉辦的，但也可能是唯一的一次。請不要錯過這個難能可貴的機會。US$650的旅費包括您七天的全部費用，吃、住、交通費及參觀景點的門票等。報名表及相關中英文詳情，請上慈林基金會的網站 www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah 瀏覽及下傳。
大家都知道十一月是旅行的淡季。此時回台機票最便宜，且台灣氣候也最宜人。請有意的鄉親及早來報名。謝謝大家！
謝節惠敬上
Justina Wu
Tsunah Foundation
The Tsunah Foundation (慈林基金會) was founded in March 1991. Its roots, however, extend back further to a tragedy in 1980, when Mr. and Mrs. Lin I-Hsiung (林義雄) and Su-Min (方素敏) lost their mother, Lin-Yu Ah-Mei, and their twin daughters, Lien Chiun and Tin Chiun, to a politically motivated assassination. Soon after Mr. Lin was released from the political imprisonment, Mr. and Mrs. Lin were exiled from Taiwan. Out of the depths of their grief for their loved ones, and for their separation from their homeland, Mr. and Mrs. Lin found new life and new hope, for themselves and for Taiwan. Eleven years later, the establishment of the Tsunah Foundation in Taiwan was, and remains today, their expression of that hope. The Tsunah Foundation has two missions: (1) to promote the values of empathy, love, and respect for all people, and (2) to promote cultural activities, and foster the development of a community of culturally enlightened, caring Taiwanese citizens.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Get your Taiwanese friends to Watch this Documentary: Ten Conditions of Love
Please just take the time to buy and see this DVD. Also, buy it and give it to your Taiwanese friends. Just ask them to please take the time to see it. If it looks like they will not bother, then invited them over and show the video to them.
There is one question for Taiwanese: Do you want such a China to take over Taiwan?
There is one question for Taiwanese: Do you want such a China to take over Taiwan?
Detailed Historical Records from China -- state clearly that Taiwan is NOT part of China.
An excellent post by Claudia Jean. Read statement after statement, imperial decree after imperial decree that China or the Empires that conquered China did not consider Taiwan part of China.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Reports on Taiwan's expansionist authoritarian neighbor.
Two new reports from the Heritage Foundation -- on Taiwan's neighboring nation that wants to rapaciously annex Taiwan. And to think that there are still all those foolish dreamers in the KMT that romanticize a fictitious "re"unification with (read - annexation by) China.
• New from the Heritage Foundation on China's military versus Taiwan's military
• China's continues to oppressively violate its own people's human rights... (Topics covered: 1. Tiannanmen Square Suppression; 2. Political and other extrajudicial killings; 3. Treatment of Tibet; 4. Judiciary, Legal and Political Prisoners; 5. Arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence; 6. No free speech; 7. No free press; 8. No freedom of Assembly; 9. No freedom of religion; 10. No Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons; 11. Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigations of Alleged Violations of Human Rights; 12. Discrimination, Societal Abuse, and Trafficking in Persons.)
What an horrible government and what an oppressed society.
• New from the Heritage Foundation on China's military versus Taiwan's military
• China's continues to oppressively violate its own people's human rights... (Topics covered: 1. Tiannanmen Square Suppression; 2. Political and other extrajudicial killings; 3. Treatment of Tibet; 4. Judiciary, Legal and Political Prisoners; 5. Arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence; 6. No free speech; 7. No free press; 8. No freedom of Assembly; 9. No freedom of religion; 10. No Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons; 11. Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigations of Alleged Violations of Human Rights; 12. Discrimination, Societal Abuse, and Trafficking in Persons.)
What an horrible government and what an oppressed society.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Newsweek leaves Taiwan out of its ranking of countries... China ranked below Albania, but still too high.
Newsweek (a magazine with red sympathies or at least on the left of the political spectrum) came up with a ranking of countries that put China all the way back to number 59. Taiwan was left out. If not simply ignored, Mongolia did not make the top 100.
As Taiwan undoubtedly would have ranked very high in the world (much higher than China) in the 5 ranking measurements considered -- Education, Health, Quality of Life, Economic Dynamism, and Political Environment -- Newsweek does a disservice to its readers by excluding Taiwan from its ranking.
China received its best score in the Economic Dynamism category. No mention was given to the fact that China's economic rise was heavily fueled by Taiwanese setting up factories and transferring knowhow to China in the 1990's and 2000's.
China came in at the low rank of 93 for political environment. Its peers include Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Cuba and Syria. China also was quite low in education and quality of life.
Those in Taiwan, including the Ma regime, with rose-colored glasses gazing upon a false China dream, need to remember that there are more than 58 countries in the world that Taiwan could do better getting close to (make that more than 90 countries -- with the exception of perhaps Iran and Syria, Taiwan could do better pursuing an ECFA with almost any country other than China.)
Like captains choosing players for their neighborhood baseball team, China as it is currently governed by a brutish, oppressive authoritarian regime, should be one of the last standing -- meaning the last to be picked to play on any team. And if everyone in the crowd has to be put on the team, make China a bench sitter.
As Taiwan undoubtedly would have ranked very high in the world (much higher than China) in the 5 ranking measurements considered -- Education, Health, Quality of Life, Economic Dynamism, and Political Environment -- Newsweek does a disservice to its readers by excluding Taiwan from its ranking.
China received its best score in the Economic Dynamism category. No mention was given to the fact that China's economic rise was heavily fueled by Taiwanese setting up factories and transferring knowhow to China in the 1990's and 2000's.
China came in at the low rank of 93 for political environment. Its peers include Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Cuba and Syria. China also was quite low in education and quality of life.
Those in Taiwan, including the Ma regime, with rose-colored glasses gazing upon a false China dream, need to remember that there are more than 58 countries in the world that Taiwan could do better getting close to (make that more than 90 countries -- with the exception of perhaps Iran and Syria, Taiwan could do better pursuing an ECFA with almost any country other than China.)
Like captains choosing players for their neighborhood baseball team, China as it is currently governed by a brutish, oppressive authoritarian regime, should be one of the last standing -- meaning the last to be picked to play on any team. And if everyone in the crowd has to be put on the team, make China a bench sitter.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Piling lies on top of lies while followers hope to get something in the end...
"You tell them a lie, and then when you don't need it anymore, you tell them another lie and tell them they are progressing along the road to wisdom. Then instead of laughing, they follow you even more, hoping that at the heart of all the lies they'll find the truth. And bit by bit they accept the unacceptable. Amazing." - Terry Pratchett in Guards! Guards!
(p. 116 of Harper Torch edition) © 1989 Terry and Lyn Pratchett
(p. 116 of Harper Torch edition) © 1989 Terry and Lyn Pratchett
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Refreshing: Miami Herald Article refers to Taiwan as Taiwan
Our thanks to the Miami Herald. In a report eulogizing a medical missionary who served in China then fled to Taiwan after the communists conquered China, the newspaper writer and editors correctly labeled Taiwan as Taiwan, formerly Formosa, instead of using some propaganda formula to say Taiwan is part of China.
"When Foochow fell to the Communists, Iverson escaped to Formosa, now Taiwan. "
Refreshing, indeed.
"When Foochow fell to the Communists, Iverson escaped to Formosa, now Taiwan. "
Refreshing, indeed.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Public Declarations of Taiwan's Nationhood and Sovereignty
Seen in the New York Times on Saturday, July 10, 2010
ONE MISTAKE: REPLACE "mainland China" with simply "China". Remove the word "mainland" in all communications. Using the word "mainland" implies that the two nations are one as Hawaii is united to its mainland USA.
臺灣人民建國宣言
1945年日本戰敗無條件投降。1951年9月，日本和美國等48國簽署舊金山和平條約。1952年4月28日該條約生效時，臺灣及澎湖群島成為未確定領土，同時臺灣人民亦成為無國籍者。它的主權乃屬於當時的六百萬臺灣住民以及其子孫。
臺灣人不是蔣介石從中國大陸帶入臺灣的中國人。目前在臺灣的中國人雖然長期居住在台灣，但不認同臺灣。中華民國是蔣介石帶入臺灣的流亡政權集團，很多國家認為它早已滅亡。中華人民共和國聲稱臺灣及澎湖是它的一部份，此既違背事實且無國際法的根據，台灣人民絕不接受。
臺灣人民謹向世界宣告：我們有強烈的意志要建立一個名叫「臺灣」的獨立國家，並願意與世界各國建立平等互惠的關係。我們不是從中國或中華民國獨立，臺灣本來就是屬於臺灣人民的領土。我們要行使人類天賦的住 民自決權利，建立臺灣人的民主國家。我們堅定向世界各國以及愛好民主自由的人民呼籲並懇求：請給予台灣承認與熱烈的支持。
簽署團體：
楊基銓國際文化基金會 臺灣平民民主黨
搶救台灣行動聯盟 臺灣制憲聯合黨
臺灣之友會 臺灣北社
福爾摩莎法理建國會 臺灣教師聯盟
農民黨 建國黨
臺灣平民共和黨 汎美聯盟
日期： 2010年 7月 10日
臺灣人民建国宣言
1945年日本は連合軍に無条件降伏した。1951年9月、日本国は米国など48カ国とサンフランシスコ和平条約を締結した。1952年4月28日、条約の発効により臺灣及び澎湖群島は未確定領土となり、同時に臺灣人民も無国籍となった。臺灣及び澎湖群島の主権は当時六百万の臺灣人民及びその子孫に属する。
臺灣人は蒋介石が中国大陸から連れてきた中国人ではない。中国人は長年臺灣に住んでいながら臺灣を国と認めない。中華民国は蒋介石が臺灣に持ち込んだ亡命政府の集団で、多くの国は既に滅亡した国と認めている。中華人民共和国（中国）は臺灣と澎湖群島が中国領土であると声明したがこれは事実ではなく、国際法的根拠はない。台湾人民は絶対に承認しない。
臺灣人民は強い意志をもって「臺灣」と呼ぶ独立国家を建設し、互恵平等な国際関係を建設することを世界に宣言する。臺灣は臺灣人民の所有するものである。我々は天賦の自決権を行使して臺灣人の民主国を建設する。我々は世界各国及び民主を愛する人々の承認と熱烈なる支持を希う。
署名團體：
楊基銓國際文化基金會 臺灣平民民主黨
搶救台灣行動聯盟 臺灣制憲聯合黨
臺灣之友會 臺灣北社
福爾摩莎法理建國會 臺灣教師聯盟
農民黨 建國黨
臺灣平民共和黨 汎美聯盟
日期： 2010年 7月 10日
Taiwanese People's Declaration of Sovereign Taiwanese Nation
In 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Forces. In September 1951, Japan signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty with 48 countries led by the United States. When the treaty came into effect on April 28, 1952, the sovereignty of Taiwan and Pescadores Islands officially became undecided territories, and the residents of Taiwan also lost their nationality. We declare the right to decide the sovereignty of Taiwan belongs to those six million Taiwanese and their descendants.
Taiwanese people are not the Chinese whom Chiang Kai-shek brought from mainland China. Although they have lived in Taiwan for many years, they have never recognized Taiwan as a sovereign nation and refuse to be called Taiwanese. The Republic of China is Chiang Kai-shek’s government in exile group; many countries consider it as a fallen government. Although the People’s Republic of China insists that Taiwan and Pescadores Islands are part of Chinese territories; it is factually untrue and there is no basis under International law. Taiwanese people never recognize it.
We, the people of Taiwan, hereby declare our strong will and determination to build a nation called Taiwan, and to establish equal and reciprocal relations with all nations in the world. Taiwan naturally and rightfully belongs to the Taiwanese people. We exercise our innate self-determination and right to build a democratic Taiwan. We wish all nations and democracy-loving people of the world to give their recognition and strong supports to our cause.
Signed:
CCY
Center International Cultural Foundation
Taiwan Civilian Democratic party
Taiwan Rescue Action Alliance
Taiwan Constituent Party
Taiwan Friends Association
Taiwan Society North
Union of Taiwanese Teachers
Formosa Nation Legal-Strategy Association
ONE MISTAKE: REPLACE "mainland China" with simply "China". Remove the word "mainland" in all communications. Using the word "mainland" implies that the two nations are one as Hawaii is united to its mainland USA.
臺灣人民建國宣言
1945年日本戰敗無條件投降。1951年9月，日本和美國等48國簽署舊金山和平條約。1952年4月28日該條約生效時，臺灣及澎湖群島成為未確定領土，同時臺灣人民亦成為無國籍者。它的主權乃屬於當時的六百萬臺灣住民以及其子孫。
臺灣人不是蔣介石從中國大陸帶入臺灣的中國人。目前在臺灣的中國人雖然長期居住在台灣，但不認同臺灣。中華民國是蔣介石帶入臺灣的流亡政權集團，很多國家認為它早已滅亡。中華人民共和國聲稱臺灣及澎湖是它的一部份，此既違背事實且無國際法的根據，台灣人民絕不接受。
臺灣人民謹向世界宣告：我們有強烈的意志要建立一個名叫「臺灣」的獨立國家，並願意與世界各國建立平等互惠的關係。我們不是從中國或中華民國獨立，臺灣本來就是屬於臺灣人民的領土。我們要行使人類天賦的住 民自決權利，建立臺灣人的民主國家。我們堅定向世界各國以及愛好民主自由的人民呼籲並懇求：請給予台灣承認與熱烈的支持。
簽署團體：
楊基銓國際文化基金會 臺灣平民民主黨
搶救台灣行動聯盟 臺灣制憲聯合黨
臺灣之友會 臺灣北社
福爾摩莎法理建國會 臺灣教師聯盟
農民黨 建國黨
臺灣平民共和黨 汎美聯盟
日期： 2010年 7月 10日
臺灣人民建国宣言
1945年日本は連合軍に無条件降伏した。1951年9月、日本国は米国など48カ国とサンフランシスコ和平条約を締結した。1952年4月28日、条約の発効により臺灣及び澎湖群島は未確定領土となり、同時に臺灣人民も無国籍となった。臺灣及び澎湖群島の主権は当時六百万の臺灣人民及びその子孫に属する。
臺灣人は蒋介石が中国大陸から連れてきた中国人ではない。中国人は長年臺灣に住んでいながら臺灣を国と認めない。中華民国は蒋介石が臺灣に持ち込んだ亡命政府の集団で、多くの国は既に滅亡した国と認めている。中華人民共和国（中国）は臺灣と澎湖群島が中国領土であると声明したがこれは事実ではなく、国際法的根拠はない。台湾人民は絶対に承認しない。
臺灣人民は強い意志をもって「臺灣」と呼ぶ独立国家を建設し、互恵平等な国際関係を建設することを世界に宣言する。臺灣は臺灣人民の所有するものである。我々は天賦の自決権を行使して臺灣人の民主国を建設する。我々は世界各国及び民主を愛する人々の承認と熱烈なる支持を希う。
署名團體：
楊基銓國際文化基金會 臺灣平民民主黨
搶救台灣行動聯盟 臺灣制憲聯合黨
臺灣之友會 臺灣北社
福爾摩莎法理建國會 臺灣教師聯盟
農民黨 建國黨
臺灣平民共和黨 汎美聯盟
日期： 2010年 7月 10日
Taiwanese People's Declaration of Sovereign Taiwanese Nation
In 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Forces. In September 1951, Japan signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty with 48 countries led by the United States. When the treaty came into effect on April 28, 1952, the sovereignty of Taiwan and Pescadores Islands officially became undecided territories, and the residents of Taiwan also lost their nationality. We declare the right to decide the sovereignty of Taiwan belongs to those six million Taiwanese and their descendants.
Taiwanese people are not the Chinese whom Chiang Kai-shek brought from mainland China. Although they have lived in Taiwan for many years, they have never recognized Taiwan as a sovereign nation and refuse to be called Taiwanese. The Republic of China is Chiang Kai-shek’s government in exile group; many countries consider it as a fallen government. Although the People’s Republic of China insists that Taiwan and Pescadores Islands are part of Chinese territories; it is factually untrue and there is no basis under International law. Taiwanese people never recognize it.
We, the people of Taiwan, hereby declare our strong will and determination to build a nation called Taiwan, and to establish equal and reciprocal relations with all nations in the world. Taiwan naturally and rightfully belongs to the Taiwanese people. We exercise our innate self-determination and right to build a democratic Taiwan. We wish all nations and democracy-loving people of the world to give their recognition and strong supports to our cause.
Signed:
CCY
Center International Cultural Foundation
Taiwan Civilian Democratic party
Taiwan Rescue Action Alliance
Taiwan Constituent Party
Taiwan Friends Association
Taiwan Society North
Union of Taiwanese Teachers
Formosa Nation Legal-Strategy Association
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Ukraine is able to Identify with Taiwan
Pro-Taiwanese organizations should expand their connections to Ukraine. This nation has a cultural and historical background to readily identify and desire to support a nation like Taiwan oppressed by a geographically and culturally nearby expansionist empire. As you open up a dialogue and seek to convince Ukrainian organizations to acknowledge Taiwan, bring one name into the dialogue: Taras Shevchenko.
Sometimes, just a few men and women can lay the groundwork among a people for a future yearning for freedom and self determination. Ukraine, a Slavic nation, had been under the foreign rule of the Russian empire and afterwards the Soviet empire. Although possessing their own distinct language, it was increasingly being overshadowed by another Slavic language: Russian. In the 1800s, one artist, Taras Shevchenko awakened to the need to preserve his people, language and culture and to stir a longing for freedom among his people. While few around him even cared, he began to produce art works, poems, and other writings in his own Ukrainian language. Today he is heralded as both the father of Ukrainian literature and also one major cause for the perseverance of Ukrainian identity that resulted into them today having their own distinct nation.
In a time where those in search of power and prosperity would not deign to seemingly waste their time with the native Ukainian language and culture, Shevchenko produced a remarkably large output of art and literature whose subject was his native Ukraine.
He had a lot of trouble even convincing many of his fellow countrymen of the worth of being their own masters and throwing off the yoke of the Russian empire. In one poem, "Shevchenko turns his bitterness and satire against the Ukrainians themselves, reminding them that only in ‘one's own house’ is there ‘one's own truth’ and entreating them to realize their national potential, stop serving foreign masters, and become honorable people worthy of their history and heritage, in their own free land."* Hope beyond the present seemingly insurmountable difficulties drove him: "he remained steadfast in his belief that divine justice would triumph one day not only in Ukraine, but throughout the world."* Though he did not live to see the day, and even died in Russia away from his homeland, his labors for Ukraine and its people were indeed a major cause to help bring about that day of freedom for Ukraine.
-----------------------------------------
* quotes from The Encyclopedia of Ukraine website.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Boycotting China -- good for your health, the environment, your freedom, and in the long term even your wallet
Because of China's human rights abuses, despotic rule, support of the spread of weapons of mass destruction and authoritarian regimes, and not least it's continued abuse of and attempted annexation of Taiwan, individuals around the world need to begin in earnest to boycott China's products.
Do not buy the products. As a consequence of people power, as more and more boycott, all the foreign companies, particularly Taiwanese and U.S. companies that China has lured into starting factories in China, will begin to stop overlooking China's crimes and begin to feel regret about their deep economic investment in China and correspondent compromise of principles of truth and freedom that go hand in hand with doing business there.
Citizens of the U.S.A. -- whose current president and congress have caused their country to be more indebted to China than ever -- have an even greater vested interest in buying products made in their own country or other countries instead of China and by so doing cause big businesses like Walmart to pull away from such excessive dependence on China.
For example, if you go to Walmart and wish to buy something simple like tweezers to pull a splinter out of your hand, all but one of the tweezers are made in China. The following is made in Pakistan and works fine, so for the China boycott, buy this particular one instead:
NOT made in China... TWEEZERS
MEAT TENDERIZER: In the kitchen cooking tools section, almost all of the Walmart MAINSTAYS (TM) brand are made in China. But there is one Mainstays Brand meat tenderizer MADE IN TAIWAN:
Most of Walmart's Saute Pans are made in China, but one of them, the 5 Quart Covered Saute Pan under the Paula Dean label is made in Thailand.
So take the time, look around. You should be able to find at least one product in each category made in some place other than China.
The same goes for Home Depot or Lowes products. If you are getting paint brushes, a lot of them are made in China, but some are made in the U.S.A. U.S.A.-made paintbrushes are usually a little more expensive, but they are better quality and will last longer.
That is pretty much true for most products.
And remember, Made in China products carry the added danger of toxic chemicals -- remember the recalls of toys with lead, jewelry with Cadmium. With such a corrupt country, companies can bribe their way into cutting corners that disregard safety and endanger the consumer.
And of course stay completely away from food products -- remember the milk with melamine, the hairy crabs with toxins, etc., etc.
You as an individual consumer can do something, but it takes more effort and you can't be lazy about it. But this boycott is well worth the effort and a little extra expense!
P.S. Please do not be enamored with Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine with its appetite for sympathetic magic products like bear paw, rhinoceros horn, all parts of the tiger, has probably single-handedly caused the endangerment and even in many parts regional extinction of tigers, rhinoceroses, bears, clouded leopards, and many other animals. Yes, in Taiwan, the Eastern medicine value of a certain fungus has led to the discovery of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides with anti-tumor properties. We are not saying that all Chinese or Eastern medicine is bad, but if you do not know what products you are consuming or where they come from, if you do not know the procurement practices of the local Eastern medicine store, you may just be participating in the slow but steady extermination of endangered species.
Do not buy the products. As a consequence of people power, as more and more boycott, all the foreign companies, particularly Taiwanese and U.S. companies that China has lured into starting factories in China, will begin to stop overlooking China's crimes and begin to feel regret about their deep economic investment in China and correspondent compromise of principles of truth and freedom that go hand in hand with doing business there.
Citizens of the U.S.A. -- whose current president and congress have caused their country to be more indebted to China than ever -- have an even greater vested interest in buying products made in their own country or other countries instead of China and by so doing cause big businesses like Walmart to pull away from such excessive dependence on China.
For example, if you go to Walmart and wish to buy something simple like tweezers to pull a splinter out of your hand, all but one of the tweezers are made in China. The following is made in Pakistan and works fine, so for the China boycott, buy this particular one instead:
NOT made in China... TWEEZERS
MEAT TENDERIZER: In the kitchen cooking tools section, almost all of the Walmart MAINSTAYS (TM) brand are made in China. But there is one Mainstays Brand meat tenderizer MADE IN TAIWAN:
Most of Walmart's Saute Pans are made in China, but one of them, the 5 Quart Covered Saute Pan under the Paula Dean label is made in Thailand.
So take the time, look around. You should be able to find at least one product in each category made in some place other than China.
The same goes for Home Depot or Lowes products. If you are getting paint brushes, a lot of them are made in China, but some are made in the U.S.A. U.S.A.-made paintbrushes are usually a little more expensive, but they are better quality and will last longer.
That is pretty much true for most products.
And remember, Made in China products carry the added danger of toxic chemicals -- remember the recalls of toys with lead, jewelry with Cadmium. With such a corrupt country, companies can bribe their way into cutting corners that disregard safety and endanger the consumer.
And of course stay completely away from food products -- remember the milk with melamine, the hairy crabs with toxins, etc., etc.
You as an individual consumer can do something, but it takes more effort and you can't be lazy about it. But this boycott is well worth the effort and a little extra expense!
P.S. Please do not be enamored with Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine with its appetite for sympathetic magic products like bear paw, rhinoceros horn, all parts of the tiger, has probably single-handedly caused the endangerment and even in many parts regional extinction of tigers, rhinoceroses, bears, clouded leopards, and many other animals. Yes, in Taiwan, the Eastern medicine value of a certain fungus has led to the discovery of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides with anti-tumor properties. We are not saying that all Chinese or Eastern medicine is bad, but if you do not know what products you are consuming or where they come from, if you do not know the procurement practices of the local Eastern medicine store, you may just be participating in the slow but steady extermination of endangered species.
Homeland
One young Taiwanese woman shares: "This song came into my brain lately, it's so beautiful, it talks about a man was far away from home , the sunset reminds him about his hometown, the song was forbidden during White Terror of Taiwan."
1987年7月15日中國國民黨結束了在台灣實行世界上最長的38年戒嚴，今年適滿20週年。 2007年11月11日晚間行政院新聞局繼高雄、台中在台北縣三重市主辦的禁歌演唱會，包括呂副總統、行政院長張俊雄、行政院秘書長陳景峻等都親自到場，共同欣賞這些曾經被禁的台語老歌。
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Learning Political Wisdom from Literature II - J. R. R. Tolkien
To those who would clasp their mouths, stopper their ears and shut their eyes to a rising threat of war from a foreign agressor because they just want to be comfortable in their little small life, here is some Tolkien to read.
The first comes from the story of Aldarion and Erendis published in a collection called Unfinished Tales.
At one point in the story, a king of an island nation currently in relative prosperity considers reports that have reached him of a gradually increasing threat from an expanding and aggressive evil empire on the continent. In the message that calls for his aid, he reads "Behold! The darkness that is to come is filled with hatred for us, but it hates you no less. The Great Sea will not be too wide for its wings, if it is suffered to come to full growth."
He debates with himself -- should he get involved now before it is too late, or just seek the easy road of peace now, overlooking or appeasing the enemy, and leaving the suffering and enslavement to future generations of his people.
Following is his reasoning (emphasis added):
"Yet if the world grows again dark, [God] must know; and [He] has sent me no sign... What then? Our fathers were rewarded for the aid they gave in the defeat of the Great Shadow. Shall their sons stand aloof, if evil finds a new head?
I am in too great doubt to rule. To prepare or to let be? To prepare for war, which is yet only guessed : train craftsmen and tillers in the midst of peace for bloodspilling and battle : put iron in the hands of greedy captains who will love only conquest, and count the slain as their glory? Will they say to [God]: At least your enemies were amonst them... Or to fold hands, while friends die unjustly : let men live in blind peace, until the ravisher is at the gate? What then will they do, match naked hands against iron and die in vain, or flee leaving the cries of women behind. Will they say to [God], At least I spilled no blood?
When either way may lead to evil, of what worth is choice?
---
These are the issues facing Taiwan. Yes, fighting for their freedom may lead to some hardship and evil. War has terrible effects. But if they do not, hardship and evil will certainly come with annexation by an evil empire which respects neither law nor life nor human right, but only power.
The first comes from the story of Aldarion and Erendis published in a collection called Unfinished Tales.
At one point in the story, a king of an island nation currently in relative prosperity considers reports that have reached him of a gradually increasing threat from an expanding and aggressive evil empire on the continent. In the message that calls for his aid, he reads "Behold! The darkness that is to come is filled with hatred for us, but it hates you no less. The Great Sea will not be too wide for its wings, if it is suffered to come to full growth."
He debates with himself -- should he get involved now before it is too late, or just seek the easy road of peace now, overlooking or appeasing the enemy, and leaving the suffering and enslavement to future generations of his people.
Following is his reasoning (emphasis added):
"Yet if the world grows again dark, [God] must know; and [He] has sent me no sign... What then? Our fathers were rewarded for the aid they gave in the defeat of the Great Shadow. Shall their sons stand aloof, if evil finds a new head?
I am in too great doubt to rule. To prepare or to let be? To prepare for war, which is yet only guessed : train craftsmen and tillers in the midst of peace for bloodspilling and battle : put iron in the hands of greedy captains who will love only conquest, and count the slain as their glory? Will they say to [God]: At least your enemies were amonst them... Or to fold hands, while friends die unjustly : let men live in blind peace, until the ravisher is at the gate? What then will they do, match naked hands against iron and die in vain, or flee leaving the cries of women behind. Will they say to [God], At least I spilled no blood?
When either way may lead to evil, of what worth is choice?
---
These are the issues facing Taiwan. Yes, fighting for their freedom may lead to some hardship and evil. War has terrible effects. But if they do not, hardship and evil will certainly come with annexation by an evil empire which respects neither law nor life nor human right, but only power.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Ways of Teaching the Next Generation: Political Wisdom in Literature
This December will mark the third movie in the series based on Oxford scholar C.S. Lewis' fiction books, the Chronicles of Narnia. Writing for children, Lewis included many comments to teach wisdom regarding the adult world that children would have to navigate. We need these kinds of books for children in Taiwan.
Take for example this quote from The Horse and His Boy which chronicles the escape of a slave boy from a tyrannical empire into a small but free kingdom.
This nation's king discusses relations with their big neighbor:
Although Lewis modeled this fictional empire after the Ottoman empire, his statement is completely appropriate to China and its relations with Tibet, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, etc. I'm curious to see how this statement was translated into Mandarin for the Taiwan book market.
Take for example this quote from The Horse and His Boy which chronicles the escape of a slave boy from a tyrannical empire into a small but free kingdom.
This nation's king discusses relations with their big neighbor:
"Alas... we are a little land. And little lands on the borders of a great empire were always hateful to the lords of the great empire. He longed to blot them out, gobble them up."
Although Lewis modeled this fictional empire after the Ottoman empire, his statement is completely appropriate to China and its relations with Tibet, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, etc. I'm curious to see how this statement was translated into Mandarin for the Taiwan book market.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Applause to good representation of Taiwan as Taiwan
Kudos to the AFP for reporting Taiwan without any kind of formula connecting it to China. It could have used "island nation" but simply saying "island" still leaves the interpretation to the reader instead of funneling Chinese propaganda.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Taiwanese Organizations Reaching out to Poland after the tragedy
With the tragedy of the airplane crash and death of Poland's president and government leaders it would be quite timely for Taiwanese organizations to reach out and express their sympathies. Calling all pro-Taiwan NGO's! Send flowers and sympathy cards to Poland's embassies around the world.
Write: "Our condolences to your nation and people and their democratically elected representatives. With deepest empathy to a fellow nation breaking free from the oppression of foreign empires."
We have our 228. They have their Katyn.
Write: "Our condolences to your nation and people and their democratically elected representatives. With deepest empathy to a fellow nation breaking free from the oppression of foreign empires."
We have our 228. They have their Katyn.
Name changer.
We note a refreshing turn of events: a Taiwanese organization in the U.S., Formosan Association for Public Affairs, has succeeded in getting a U.S. government entity, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, into calling Taiwan, "Taiwan."
Let this little event encourage our perseverance in making a difference person by person, organization by organization.
Let this little event encourage our perseverance in making a difference person by person, organization by organization.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
228 Poem - "In Memory of the Massacred"
In memory of the massacred
Still no justice
Murderers and thieves
Walking free under the sun
Money and power still holding
For glutted offspring
Mortgaging Taiwan to buy their China lie
Corrupting the future
But might makes no right
Come, come, their day of reckoning
Mighty? brutal tyrants
They possess but the void
[- Name withheld]
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Lunar
Happy Lunar New Year!
Remember to use the words "Lunar" New Year in your greeting instead of "Chinese" New Year -- since this lunar new year is celebrated in many nations outside of China including Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
Remember to use the words "Lunar" New Year in your greeting instead of "Chinese" New Year -- since this lunar new year is celebrated in many nations outside of China including Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Formosa Betrayed -- Movie Schedule in the U.S.A., looking for distributor in Taiwan.
formosathemovie.com
2/26 - 2/28
New York Metro
Los Angeles
Orange County
Bay Area / East Bay and Peninsula
San Jose
Boston
3/5 – 3/7
Chicago
Philadelphia
Washington DC and Metro
San Diego
3/12 - 3/14
Houston
Dallas
Austin
Toronto
Vancouver
3/19 - 3/21
Seattle
Atlanta
Miami
St. Louis
Kansas City
3/26 - 3/28
Honolulu
Columbus, OH
Detroit/Ann Arbor
Raleigh/Durham
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Engage the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
We've come across a relatively new organization in the United States with whom Taiwan democracy supporters should begin to network: Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Currently, it looks like more of their focus is to work against terrorism, but the stated founding principles of the organization would naturally lead to an active support of Taiwan's democracy.
As many of you who have time should write the fondation to request an expansion of their further statement of purpose beyond what is currently written -- "to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and militant Islamism."
Contact them and ask them if they are willing to add "to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by authoritarian and communist regimes..."
There is a link. Authoritarian regimes like China work to prop up rogue regimes like Iran. China does not care about terrorism if it is not directed specifically at their own country. In contrast, democratic nations in the Middle East do not tend to support terrorism. Authoritarian regimes like China tend to support anti-democratic regimes around the world.
Basically, in our defense of Taiwan, we cannot afford to leave any front uncontested. We must fight on every level -- the NGO, the news media, the government, the individual.
We can be creative and make the most of every opportunity.
"The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is the only nonpartisan policy institute dedicated exclusively to promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that threaten democracy."
As many of you who have time should write the fondation to request an expansion of their further statement of purpose beyond what is currently written -- "to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and militant Islamism."
Contact them and ask them if they are willing to add "to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by authoritarian and communist regimes..."
There is a link. Authoritarian regimes like China work to prop up rogue regimes like Iran. China does not care about terrorism if it is not directed specifically at their own country. In contrast, democratic nations in the Middle East do not tend to support terrorism. Authoritarian regimes like China tend to support anti-democratic regimes around the world.
Basically, in our defense of Taiwan, we cannot afford to leave any front uncontested. We must fight on every level -- the NGO, the news media, the government, the individual.
We can be creative and make the most of every opportunity.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Don't open factories in China
If you move your companies or open up factories in China, be prepared for your entire business to be stolen, its intellectual property, everything. China is a communist dictatorship. To keep its hold on power, China's government has created an environment of extreme nationalism -- almost racism -- and, in a sense, might-makes-right fascism. Such an authoritarian system is arbitrary. The agenda is to steal intellectual capital and knowhow and transfer technology from foreign companies to local Chinese companies.
I've read about many of these cases over the years. One Taiwanese man built a huge orchid nursery, but all his know-how and intellectual capital -- the way to design everything, and even his entire factory was eventually stolen.
Basically -- there is no ethical or moral restraint -- whatever the Chinese authoritarian government perceives they can get away with on the world stage, they will do.
So also, you have extremely cheap labor -- and factories with terrible working conditions.
You have toxic chemicals in milk, in baby toys with lead paint, in children's jewelry with cadmium, it keeps going. You have crabs raised in lakes in China with toxic levels of heavy metals, etc. that were exported to Taiwan.
Truly, if at all possible, if it is made in China, avoid it.
- JL
• See article in investors.com.
• Share this in Mandarin with your Taiwanese friends.
• In the Washington Post
• In the Wall Street Journal
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Encouragement
Comments from Tim Maddog:
-----------------------
Note that BS-TV's numbers (Hey, that's my screenshot!) are -- with the exception of the Taitung numbers -- different from info I downloaded from the Central Election Commission web site [MS Word .doc file, percentage calculations mine]:
- - -
Taoyuan: DPP = 53,633 (58.05%) / KMT = 36,989 (40.01%)
Taichung: DPP = 63,335 (55.02%) / KMT = 51,776 (44.98%)
Taitung: DPP = 23,190 (49.46%) / KMT = 21,215 (45.25%)
- - -
That might be the result of invalid ballots being figured into the CEC's numbers -- I didn't check.
I'm looking forward to the February 27, 2010 by-election.
Tim Maddog
-----------------------
-----------------------
Some analysis from Vive Le Taiwan:
台中: DPP: 63,335 (up from 61,927 in 2008, 多 1,408 票)
KMT 51,776 (down from 75,563 in 2008, 跌: 23,787 票)
"中間選民"幾乎全部失蹤.
桃園: DPP: 53,633 (down from 58,577 in 2008, 跌 4,944 票)
KMT: 36,989 (down from 71,174 in 2008, 跌 34,185 票)
DPP 選票減少, "中間選民"幾乎全部失蹤.
台東: DPP: 23,190 (up from 21,080(無黨籍許志雄), 多 2,110 票)
KMT: 21,215 (down from 34,794 in 2008, 跌 13,579 票)
無: 2,482 (深藍)
Note: (KMT+無) = 23,697 > 23,190 (DPP) 藍仍然大於綠
"中間選民"幾乎全部失蹤.
In response to the Vive Le Taiwan someone shared:
"Compared with the 2008 elections, the voters were different as a result of, e.g., lower turnouts, emergence of new voters, and deaths of previous voters. So were the candidates. In local elections, relationships/affinities a candidate has with voters has a huge impact on the results. "
His point seems to be that this 2010 election is not completely comparable to the 2008 election. So to calculate number changes does not really give us a complete understanding of the voter makeup.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Keep Taiwan free in this new year - A.D. 2010
Happy New Year! May 2010 be a year of hope for a revival of democracy in Asia and around the world. From the most active political dissident to the busy working mom, from the retired great-grandparent to the great-grandchild, we want to encourage you to do what you can.
In Hong Kong on New Years day there was a pro-democracy march. Though now under the thumb of communist authoritarian China, these persevering citizens of Hong Kong continue to try to push for real democracy instead of the sham democracy that Beijing has set up. Please read the article here.
Notice the way sham democracy works:
"Hong Kong's current leader was chosen by an exclusive committee stacked with Beijing's allies, and only half of the territory's 60 legislators are elected, with the rest picked by special interest groups." - Foxnews.com
Src: AP
You can also read articles in Reuters and The Daily Telegraph
This is the way that Ma Ying-jeo and his Chinese Nationalist Party in Taiwan would alter Taiwan's democracy if they could get away with it -- make it a sham democracy just like it was in the old days under their authoritarian dictatorship of Chiang Kai-shek and then his son Chiang Ching-kuo.
In this year A.D. 2010, there is a lot of work to do to keep the Ma Ying-jeou government and his fascist, pro-authoritarian China KMT party from turning Taiwan into a sham democracy. There is a lot of work to do, but the people of Taiwan have the power to prevent this atrocity from being perpetrated.
2010 is the year not to give up!
Sprint to the finish line -- keep Taiwan free and democratic into 2012. For those not familiar with recent history, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the attempt to create a Republic of China in China. (Taiwan was not a part of it because Taiwan was a part of Japan in 1911.) A 100th anniversary has further significance as a DOUBLE-TEN. On this 100th anniversary, Ma and his corrupt brainwashed cronies who love a fictional ROC would love to effect an annexation of Taiwan by China with the KMT in power in perpetuity over Taiwan. Once that 2011 anniversary is passed however, all that mystical symbolism will be lost and so not achieving their goal by that date will possibly very much dispirit these ROC-myth believers.
The conclusion: We need to put all our energy into preserving democracy and defeating the KMT's agenda for the next two years. If we can hold on, we might be able to take the wind out of their black-gold sails.
Every citizen, every civilian in Taiwan is in a political trench war. You cannot avoid it or pretend it does not exist. What you can do is hold the line. And then inch forward step by step until you have permanently defeated the enemy of freedom and democracy.
In Hong Kong on New Years day there was a pro-democracy march. Though now under the thumb of communist authoritarian China, these persevering citizens of Hong Kong continue to try to push for real democracy instead of the sham democracy that Beijing has set up. Please read the article here.
Notice the way sham democracy works:
"Hong Kong's current leader was chosen by an exclusive committee stacked with Beijing's allies, and only half of the territory's 60 legislators are elected, with the rest picked by special interest groups." - Foxnews.com
You can also read articles in Reuters and The Daily Telegraph
This is the way that Ma Ying-jeo and his Chinese Nationalist Party in Taiwan would alter Taiwan's democracy if they could get away with it -- make it a sham democracy just like it was in the old days under their authoritarian dictatorship of Chiang Kai-shek and then his son Chiang Ching-kuo.
In this year A.D. 2010, there is a lot of work to do to keep the Ma Ying-jeou government and his fascist, pro-authoritarian China KMT party from turning Taiwan into a sham democracy. There is a lot of work to do, but the people of Taiwan have the power to prevent this atrocity from being perpetrated.
2010 is the year not to give up!
Sprint to the finish line -- keep Taiwan free and democratic into 2012. For those not familiar with recent history, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the attempt to create a Republic of China in China. (Taiwan was not a part of it because Taiwan was a part of Japan in 1911.) A 100th anniversary has further significance as a DOUBLE-TEN. On this 100th anniversary, Ma and his corrupt brainwashed cronies who love a fictional ROC would love to effect an annexation of Taiwan by China with the KMT in power in perpetuity over Taiwan. Once that 2011 anniversary is passed however, all that mystical symbolism will be lost and so not achieving their goal by that date will possibly very much dispirit these ROC-myth believers.
The conclusion: We need to put all our energy into preserving democracy and defeating the KMT's agenda for the next two years. If we can hold on, we might be able to take the wind out of their black-gold sails.
Every citizen, every civilian in Taiwan is in a political trench war. You cannot avoid it or pretend it does not exist. What you can do is hold the line. And then inch forward step by step until you have permanently defeated the enemy of freedom and democracy.
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