tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post7279714304240729548..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: President Ma Lambasted in Major International MediaMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-48217015065174911662009-08-17T23:17:23.968+08:002009-08-17T23:17:23.968+08:00Crackhead anon, Taiwan LOVES a good hero story, an...Crackhead anon, Taiwan LOVES a good hero story, and stories like the group of four that has rescued many people off mountains is being played over and over again. It is now day 9. It is only now that American military helicopters have been allowed to come and participate in the rescue effort. But while we need to recognize these heros, as long as the central government is dilly-dallying, we will continue to kick and scream and write and complain until the lives of everyone in disaster areas are safe.<br /><br />P.S. Katrina-Morakot aren't comparable in terms of scale. Basically a third of Taiwan was underwater or covered by mud. The impact on Taiwan is way greater proportionally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-57890623540833914622009-08-17T14:09:29.075+08:002009-08-17T14:09:29.075+08:00Why haven't you written, or talked about how m...<b><br />Why haven't you written, or talked about how many people have been evacuated so far? Rescuing vicitms from the most remote regions will of couse take much longer, because the army and workers can't even land helicopters there. What do you, Turton, have to hide by NOT saying how much have been done by Taiwan's heors and how many people have been evactuated from so many scattered regions and wide spread areas? Sing some praises of Taiwan's heros who have been ignored so far, because everyone is so eager to pin "incompetence" on pretty boy Ma.</b><br /><br />You know, you have serious mental problems. Get help.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-88553537215041590532009-08-17T13:38:50.983+08:002009-08-17T13:38:50.983+08:00After my last comment, I ran across this CNN video...After my last comment, I ran across this <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/08/15/vo.taiwan.wash.away.rescue.ettv?iref=videosearch" rel="nofollow">CNN video</a> Of a rescue. I was amazed and impressed by the hard work the rescuers were putting forth and the risks they were willing to take to help others. But also saw that additional trained rescuers from, for example, nearby Japan would have been very helpful. The civilians were doing a lot of the work while the guys out there in uniform were clearly giving it their all - more help would have made the situation safer for everyone.Readinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-44976327648018870172009-08-17T13:18:42.609+08:002009-08-17T13:18:42.609+08:00Ma is already shifting blame by saying he will hol...Ma is already shifting blame by saying he will hold them accountable and punish them. Sadly I don't think he means that he will hang himself.<br /><br />http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/16/taiwan.president.typhoon/index.htmlChina Debunkedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12517300765261742442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-81974851416191635422009-08-17T13:11:25.931+08:002009-08-17T13:11:25.931+08:00Anon wrote: Every time you crticize Ma, you are sa...Anon wrote: <i>Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that our military or our rescue workers have not working their ass off from day one.</i><br /><br />and later wrote<br /><br /><i>the THOUSANDS of people that Taiwanese army and rescue workers have steadily and "slowly" been evacuating. Yes, slowly, for good reasons. It's not Hollywood moveis, so people were not all evacuated from all these scattered villages as fast as the blood-thirsty media like. However, everyone is doing their best</i><br /><br />I did hear a report that some rescuers weren't mobilized immediately (not their fault but their bosses fault). However I'll assume you are correct that they were all mobilized immediately, and I do believe they are nearly all committed people who have been working their hardest. <br /><br />You know, one of the things Ma has been criticized for is refusing foreign aid from places like Japan and the United States. Japan is only a few hours away by plane. Since the rescuers are already are doing their best but their best has to be slow - wouldn't additional help have been useful in reaching the people that were being left behind while the Taiwanese rescuers were already working as hard as they possible could and could work no harder?Readinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-12613165646987505772009-08-17T12:59:01.418+08:002009-08-17T12:59:01.418+08:00Anon wrote: "Ma and the KMT are getting very-...Anon wrote: "Ma and the KMT are getting very-well deserved criticism. The gloating from the green side is sad to see though."<br /><br />Isn't there a saying in politics about staying out of the say when your opponent is destroying himself?Readinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-57562487160221006972009-08-17T12:20:51.521+08:002009-08-17T12:20:51.521+08:00"I have been pleasantly surprised by DPP'..."I have been pleasantly surprised by DPP's restraint in exploiting this tragedy."<br /><br />You are right Mr Anon. This is not time for political parties to fight. Its time to work hand-in-hand KMT and DPP to overcome this tragedy."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-350111267507066582009-08-17T11:58:50.013+08:002009-08-17T11:58:50.013+08:00"Ah, so you mean that when people in disaster..."Ah, so you mean that when people in disaster areas criticized Ma, they purposely neglected the work the Taiwanese military and the Taiwanese rescue workers had started from Day ONE."<br /><br />Of course. Who is out there flying the helicopters? Who is out there recusing their lives crossing raging rivers day in and day out. Have you heard praises of those heros? Every media is out blood for a "slow" government. Most silent affected people were grateful and understanding, but the TVs don't show them, because the cameras love the emotion, yelling, wailing, impatient screamers. Of course, those affected people thing the government is slow, because by the standard, the government has to get everyone out in one day or two days regardless of the weather conditions, regardless of the dangerous mudslide hidden dangers. They only care about themselves. To the selfish people, if the army and rescue workers don't get them out in an hour, the "government" is slow. <br /><br />Why haven't you written, or talked about how many people have been evacuated so far? Rescuing vicitms from the most remote regions will of couse take much longer, because the army and workers can't even land helicopters there. What do you, Turton, have to hide by NOT saying how much have been done by Taiwan's heors and how many people have been evactuated from so many scattered regions and wide spread areas? Sing some praises of Taiwan's heros who have been ignored so far, because everyone is so eager to pin "incompetence" on pretty boy Ma.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-42873368906103615432009-08-17T10:21:17.344+08:002009-08-17T10:21:17.344+08:00Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that ou...<b>Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that our military or our rescue workers have not working their ass off from day one.</b><br /><br />These people that are working their asses off aren't doing it for the sake of Ma. They're doing it for Taiwan and the people affected by this disaster.<br />Frankly, we're lucky that these people have done what they've done <i>in spite of</i> Ma's inaction. Kudos to them. And Michael has already covered some of their work in other posts.<br /><br /><b>What pissed me off the most is that in your pursuit to paint the above picture of Ma, you have purposely neglected the work the Taiwanese military and the Taiwanese rescue workers had started from Day ONE.</b><br />I'm assuming by "above picture," you mean Ma giving credit for the rescue work already done? Not quite clear. That's a picture Ma's trying to paint for himself by going out as he is. He'll try to take credit for the work that has been done, and try to shift the blame on what <i>hasn't</i> been done to others.Robert R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12956389352825464115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-1650202434943562542009-08-16T11:24:01.173+08:002009-08-16T11:24:01.173+08:00Anon:
I hope you're living in Taiwan and are ...Anon:<br /><br />I hope you're living in Taiwan and are able to avail yourself of the fine medical system here. Organic brain disease is always a challenge for medical professionals, but they would do their best to help.vinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-45636478583131777772009-08-16T01:06:51.354+08:002009-08-16T01:06:51.354+08:00Hey, thanks for providing more info for folks like...Hey, thanks for providing more info for folks like me, living in Taiwan but not yet being able to understand Chinese fluently... <br /><br />It shows that I don't understand Taiwan just yet, because for me it wasn't ever a question before the last election, that Ma is a terrible choice and if he wins, it will all end up in tears one way or the other. I cannot comprehend how so many people voted for him...<br /><br />Seeing his reaction after the typhoon I hope much more people realize what goes on...Gergely Imrehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554253588208922722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-16045554418476840662009-08-15T23:45:20.018+08:002009-08-15T23:45:20.018+08:00So Ma-tong has apparently apologized. Today he was...So Ma-tong has apparently apologized. Today he was out hugging old ladies and (from the TV news clips) keeping his mouth shut.<br />Does anyone else feel like the country is being run by his handlers, PR consultants and spin-doctors?lesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-43831460176144256902009-08-15T20:28:04.924+08:002009-08-15T20:28:04.924+08:00Thomas, excellent questions. Perhaps the local KMT...Thomas, excellent questions. Perhaps the local KMTers are watching, and drawing conclusions. After all, they must know that in the KMT, they will never be more than local politicians, and yet you know many must dream of greater things.<br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-17979224534097005952009-08-15T19:28:22.133+08:002009-08-15T19:28:22.133+08:00"Ma is just a face as the president, the real..."Ma is just a face as the president, the real work has been done day in and day out by the army and rescue workers."<br /><br /><br />Ma has one more thing... he had power. How he chooses to use, or not use that power is a major issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-28580196548970707652009-08-15T19:10:55.380+08:002009-08-15T19:10:55.380+08:00What pissed me off the most is that in your pursui...<b>What pissed me off the most is that in your pursuit to paint the above picutre of Ma, you have purposely neglected the work the Taiwanese military and the Taiwanese rescue workers had started from Day ONE. You have purposedly ignore the sacrafice and death of rescue workers and army.</b><br /><br />Ah, so you mean that when people in disaster areas criticized Ma, they purposely neglected the work the Taiwanese military and the Taiwanese rescue workers had started from Day ONE.<br /><br />That's good to know.<br /><br />As for ignoring rescue workers, you really are an idiot. I mean really, no wonder you post anonymously. <br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-21184130565809116072009-08-15T16:54:14.149+08:002009-08-15T16:54:14.149+08:00In terms of the political fallout, if it is true t...In terms of the political fallout, if it is true that local elections are decided more based on personal acquaintences (guanxi) than on party loyalty, the typhoon itself may not affect the showing of the parties in those elections.<br /><br />Yet there is another aspect to the political fallout that I haven't seen mentioned on any blog yet. What about Ma's efforts to consolidate his authority within the KMT? <br /><br />Remember that articles by the TT and the CP about two weeks ago that reported on the possibility of KMT factional infighting? Those problems are still there. <br /><br />Ma is just about to take up the chairmanship, and there are clearly some in the KMT who are not too fond of him, whether it be because Ma is not good for their financial interests or because of Ma's political stances (less likely). Without a doubt, both he and his cabinet have f@#ked up royally in many ways, and Ma has lost a lot of face. Meanwhile, the KMT Old Guard has been pretty quiet. <br /><br />So how will this affect Ma's consolidation of power. Will it make rogue candidates and unhappy KMT legislators feel better about defying the wishes of their chairman? And when Ma needs someone in a pinch, will he command the loyalty that he would like?Tommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13552370490869601403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-52045574241851349232009-08-15T16:22:16.795+08:002009-08-15T16:22:16.795+08:00"what we know already about our out of touch,..."what we know already about our out of touch, imperious, aloof, inept leader: he doesn't appear to give a shit about the people of Taiwan, and he appears to lack any and all competence."<br /><br />Who cares what pretty boy Ma looked like when he visited the disater sites. Do you want him to bow down and wail like some out of control losers to show he cared?<br /><br />What pissed me off the most is that in your pursuit to paint the above picutre of Ma, you have purposely neglected the work the Taiwanese military and the Taiwanese rescue workers had started from Day ONE. You have purposedly ignore the sacrafice and death of rescue workers and army. <br /><br />Ma is just a face as the president, the real work has been done day in and day out by the army and rescue workers. In order to paint Ma as what you want, you ignore the THOUSANDS of people that Taiwanese army and rescue workers have steadily and "slowly" been evacuating. Yes, slowly, for good reasons. It's not Hollywood moveis, so people were not all evacuated from all these scattered villages as fast as the blood-thirsty media like. However, everyone is doing their best, including the God-damned government workers you despise so much.<br /><br />Who cares what pretty boy Ma looks like and says. Give the hardworking Taiwanese armies and resecues workers credit when credit is due. They have done a GREAT job.<br /><br />Or you just can't acknowledge that the Taiwanese army and resecue workers have done a great job to the best of their ability, because it would otherwise conflict with your preconception that "Ma appears to lack any and all competence.." <br /><br />With regards of where you have been or what you have done to help, I have only seen pictures of lightly affected areas and beautiful scenary on a nice day trip. Were you trying to show that the damage was not as devastating as the media is showing? lol... Why don't you go fly some resucue planes and go cross some raging rivers in the mountains.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-34563690121069002292009-08-15T16:06:34.539+08:002009-08-15T16:06:34.539+08:00"The gloating from the green side is sad to s...<b>"The gloating from the green side is sad to see though."</b><br /><br />I can't say in absolute terms there hasn't been gloating, especially seen almost all the counties and cities affected are Green, and even if the cynical calculus you say is true, by the same logic, they cannot gloat because they too will not be able to completely escape the anger of their constituents. <br /><br />But anon, additionally, the most visible greens are <i>from</i> these places. These are the places where they grew up or where they live now or who they represent. I haven't seen any gloating myself, but the most visible things I see are yes, <b>anger and pleading</b>. They kept begging for Ma to declare a state of emergency, to mobilize the military in search, rescue, and dropping of aid. I don't know why they have to beg for it, but no time to gloat when you are begging for help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-88793572195833011872009-08-15T15:56:40.992+08:002009-08-15T15:56:40.992+08:00Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that ou...<b>Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that our military or our rescue workers have not working their ass off from day one.</b><br /><br />Ma is being crucified by his own people, who don't need any help from me. Do you think that when people in the south criticize the President, they are criticizing the military and rescue workers, or does that happen only when this blogger criticizes? Or what? <br /><br />This piece reflects on and comments on the foreign media coverage, which has, over the years, been far too fawning toward our President. It is good to see the foreign media showing, through local comments, what we know already about our out of touch, imperious, aloof, inept leader: he doesn't appear to give a shit about the people of Taiwan, and he appears to lack any and all competence.<br /><br />Meanwhile the actual people of Taiwan, whom I worked with this week, are kicking ass down south. Thank all gods the people of Taiwan are better than their leaders.<br /><br />Hope you get out and work or donate money, anon.<br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-84073710676744291772009-08-15T15:08:37.715+08:002009-08-15T15:08:37.715+08:00I am curious how Ma would have reacted if this had...I am curious how Ma would have reacted if this had been in China. Would he have quickly mobilized aid?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-7008574668071964532009-08-15T15:06:54.308+08:002009-08-15T15:06:54.308+08:00"Just because they stay in where they live an..."Just because they stay in where they live and, but you see,<br />they didn't learn, they didn't realize how serious this disaster was."<br /><br />Ahh! Ma being paternalistic again. It reminds me of when he was going to teach the Aborigines to live in the city and play be the city's rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-78939033702479190172009-08-15T11:40:38.820+08:002009-08-15T11:40:38.820+08:00I think the key point is that when foreign media o...I think the key point is that when foreign media outlets actually have reporters on the ground in Taiwan they do a much better job. Most of the major international media organizations have reporters in the south of Taiwan now. When they are reporting from Beijing, Tokyo or Washington they are out of touch with reality and prone to distortion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58194717441274981372009-08-15T08:45:15.932+08:002009-08-15T08:45:15.932+08:00The dead bodies are not all recovered, yet low lif...The dead bodies are not all recovered, yet low life scum bags like you are already gleefully scoring political points from Taiwan's tragedy. Every time you crticize Ma, you are saying that our military or our rescue workers have not working their ass off from day one. One solider's internet comment seems to easily erase all of the rescue work that has began on day one under the worst possible conidition. Even though the soldier's and rescue workers' behind the scene hard work made it to the blood-thirsty TV, it doens't meant that lots of work have started and have been on going. It seems slow, because it's not a movie, and it's not like the TV heros. Rescue works is damgerous and a slow process in the mountains.<br /> <br />I have been pleasantly surprised by DPP's restraint in exploiting this tragedy. <br /> <br />But, Mr. T., you... you have sunken to a new low.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-34675021058729539422009-08-15T08:25:43.402+08:002009-08-15T08:25:43.402+08:00光陰的故事 taiwanesedrama-storyoftime.blogspot.com
Wa...光陰的故事 taiwanesedrama-storyoftime.blogspot.com <br /><br />Watch all the episodes!!!Kevnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-54033443626665987462009-08-15T08:19:33.863+08:002009-08-15T08:19:33.863+08:00Ma and the KMT are getting very-well deserved crit...Ma and the KMT are getting very-well deserved criticism. The gloating from the green side is sad to see though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com