You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2008.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
To be filled in…
P.S. to Pitchfork — Don’t forget this review.
Some recent news, I think, is really encouraging for Taiwan’s democratic model.
The former president Chen Shui-bian, who I supported for a long time, has been arrested on moneylaundering and embezzlement charges [see also NYT]. On the one hand, it is very sad to see someone who has symbolized Taiwan Consciousness movement to go down like this. On the other hand, it is really great to see that even powerful politicians are not shielded from the law. Compare: suppose that there were many inappropriate financian transactions under the Bush administration, do you think he would be prosecuted after he steps down? I hope Chen will receive a fair trial, and whatever the outcome, the fact that a legal procedure is taken is promising for the fledging democracy.
The other important issue recently is China’s delegates visiting Taiwan. Current president Ma Ying-jeou’s government has taken steps that are overaccomodating toward the Chinese delegation. Specifically, recently they granted protestors permission after a long petition process, but then moved the meeting that they are protesting to a different time. Many students and academics are rightfully now sitting-in to protest this suppression of democracy.
A sign that Taiwan Consciousness is alive and well, regardless of who is in power, is Ma’s latest approval rating: 22.6%. This quote from the article is telling: “To sum up, at least 50 to 60 percent of the public disapprove of how Ma is doing as president, believing that Ma has a serious problem of slanting toward China at the expense of Taiwan’s national sovereignty.”
For lighter fares, read My Mom is a Fob and My Dad is a Fob.
