tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post8085137449116665327..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Flower Show Blues Impact Taipei Mayoral electionMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-40227146939514692622010-08-31T19:53:25.195+08:002010-08-31T19:53:25.195+08:00Thanks! You're the only one who commented. But...Thanks! You're the only one who commented. But I thought it was perfect.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-84301293248966025042010-08-31T19:10:55.046+08:002010-08-31T19:10:55.046+08:00I love the photo for this post. Great summary of ...I love the photo for this post. Great summary of a political disaster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-90684906687470708042010-08-31T18:14:10.561+08:002010-08-31T18:14:10.561+08:00The World Games did get at least some positive int...The World Games did get at least some positive international publicity for Taiwan and it was enjoyed by the local residents. I hope the same happens for the flower expo.<br />Organizing events like this is a positive thing for Taiwan, and it will give the experience to host larger events in the future.<br /><br />As for the timing of the flower expo - it couldn't be much worse for Hao. These type of events normally produce negative publicity in the early stages before problems/controversies are ironed out. <br /><br />The expo was actually awarded to Taipei during Ma's term, and the timing dictated by the organizing authority.Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-24165617141366728882010-08-31T10:27:35.397+08:002010-08-31T10:27:35.397+08:00@ Mike, You make yourself look like an jerk challe...@ Mike, You make yourself look like an jerk challenging MT over one freaking word. <br /><br />Now that I can see your true nature, I'll be sure to skip over your lame letters to the Taipei Times from now one.mxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-68249003965181960692010-08-31T07:17:00.744+08:002010-08-31T07:17:00.744+08:00I retract it.I retract it.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-53364157803103797632010-08-31T00:28:12.575+08:002010-08-31T00:28:12.575+08:00"You're just playing games, Fagan."
...<i>"You're just playing games, Fagan."</i><br /><br />Ha! Your puns are better than your rebuttals. <br /><br />ESPN may have had a limited showing of the World Games in Asia, but it seems likely next to nobody bothered to watch it. And in any case, the politically important market was always the U.S. not Asia.<br /><br />Your claim of "plenty of positive publicity" is a very ugly stretch of the limited facts and you should take it back.mikehttp://www.mirrorsignalmove.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-13400708252628923342010-08-30T23:45:07.831+08:002010-08-30T23:45:07.831+08:00Richard said
So am I a homophobe? No. But do I be...Richard said<br /><br /><b>So am I a homophobe? No. But do I believe homosexuality is wrong? Yes.</b><br /><br />Nice contradiction there. If you believe it's wrong, you are a homophobe. Simple as that.<br /><br />It's no different to "I'm not a racist but....".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-11294833898659446122010-08-30T23:40:22.481+08:002010-08-30T23:40:22.481+08:00MT, to be fair, the World Games didn't get any...MT, to be fair, the World Games didn't get anything like international publicity. Mike has you here. Heck, even my mom, who's about the biggest sporting fan in the world and almost religiously watches international sport of any kind, had never even heard of them until I mentioned them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-3823355712832967262010-08-30T23:27:35.788+08:002010-08-30T23:27:35.788+08:00There was no international television audience to ...<b>There was no international television audience to speak of,</b><br /><br />http://www.campaignasia.com/Article/209599,espn-star-sports-to-promote-world-games-2009-kaohsiung.aspx<br /><br /><b> and very little newspaper coverage.</b> <br /><br />You're just playing games, Fagan.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-9864991752033686192010-08-30T23:14:22.277+08:002010-08-30T23:14:22.277+08:00You're the one with the bullshit and incompete...You're the one with the bullshit and incompetence problem, not me. <br /><br />You have one CNN article, a minor NYT piece and perhaps one or two others dotted around here and there. Underwhelming. There was no international television audience to speak of, and very little newspaper coverage. <br /><br />You can take your technicality but you're not entitled to your claim that there was "plenty of positive publicity", and you should, being a fundamentally honest man, retract it. <br /><br />Yes the Flora Expo is a colossal waste of money, but to claim the World Games wasn't because it drew lots of international publicity is simply not true.mikehttp://www.mirrorsignalmove.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-81696816906081793332010-08-30T22:42:00.365+08:002010-08-30T22:42:00.365+08:00I have only lived in Taipei for 6 years, but nearl...<b>I have only lived in Taipei for 6 years, but nearly everyone you speak to says the environment is significantly improved on the 1990s.</b><br /><br />I lived in Taipei beginning in 1989. I heartily agree. And the massive wave of improvement began under Chen. Before him Taipei was a nightmare.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-7638425397755669912010-08-30T22:40:54.742+08:002010-08-30T22:40:54.742+08:00Sure, but almost all of that is domestic, not inte...<b><br />Sure, but almost all of that is domestic, not international and so none of it is sufficient to support your claim.</b><br /><br />I knew you'd pull this fucking bullshit. If you can't find articles on CNN, etc, articles on the stadium being the best in the world -- which I blogged on -- you can't blame me for your own incompetence.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-31867479323616124702010-08-30T22:39:54.897+08:002010-08-30T22:39:54.897+08:00That is quite a weak list Michael. Taipei City als...<b>That is quite a weak list Michael. Taipei City also has riverside parks, and has cleaned up its waterways. It has technology/industrial parks, as well as plenty of museums. Since A-bian was only mayor for 4 years, he can only take a little of the credit for this.</b><br /><br />No shit. I said it was incomplete. You've shifted goalposts on me too. Su accomplished more with less, period.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-10400931615264278172010-08-30T22:30:49.754+08:002010-08-30T22:30:49.754+08:00"Google a few terms, you'll soon find art...<i>"Google a few terms, you'll soon find articles on the eco-friendly world games, the big new stadium, etc."</i><br /><br />Sure, but almost all of that is domestic, not international and so none of it is sufficient to support your claim. Aside from one article buried inside the architecture subsection of the New York Times, this "plenty of positive publicity for the island" seems to be conspicuous by its absence. <br /><br />This claim that the World Games was so successful in drawing international attention to Taiwan was made as soon as the World Games was over - it was bullshit then, and it's bullshit now. There was almost zero coverage of the World Games by any major Western news outlet. The television audience for the World Games seems to have been exclusively domestic, not international. <br /><br />Show me some facts that can sufficiently support this claim that the World Games brought "plenty of positive publicity to the island" and I'll let it drop.mikehttp://www.mirrorsignalmove.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-27573672929542530692010-08-30T21:36:05.324+08:002010-08-30T21:36:05.324+08:00dredging the Keelung River and other waterways
riv...<b>dredging the Keelung River and other waterways<br />riverside parks<br />Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf<br />Yingge Ceramics Museum,<br />Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology<br />Gold Ecological Park Museum<br />Tingpu High Tech Park<br />Tatung Industrial Park</b><br /><br />That is quite a weak list Michael. Taipei City also has riverside parks, and has cleaned up its waterways. It has technology/industrial parks, as well as plenty of museums. Since A-bian was only mayor for 4 years, he can only take a little of the credit for this.<br /><br />I have only lived in Taipei for 6 years, but nearly everyone you speak to says the environment is significantly improved on the 1990s.<br /><br />Okami - you have lived in Taipei County for 10 years - 5 under a DPP executive and 5 under a KMT executive. Does all the credit for the improvement go to the DPP executive?Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-6995495884463642472010-08-30T18:58:15.301+08:002010-08-30T18:58:15.301+08:00About Taipei City/county disparity, I lived in Tai...About Taipei City/county disparity, I lived in Taipei County for 8 years and it got better and more developed every year and dare I say prettier (soft bigotry of low expectations but true). Taipei city got what during that time besides a quiet resurgence of gambling parlours and what again? Aside from more traffic and ever rising land prices Taipei City hasn't improved in a lot of areas. That happened despite the huge disparity in funding they both get. Tucheng and Sanxia became livable. I wouldn't have used that term for them 8 years ago. Xindian went from a dump to a very nice place to live during that time. Yungho and Zhongho became cleaner and much nicer places to live. They've always had horrible traffic however. Danshui was a pimple on the ass of Taipei City when I first came here. Over a 10 year period there has been a quiet revolution between the 2 and the County has come along way while Taipei still dawdles. I definitely know which FAP I enjoyed dealing with more.Okaminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-39508706273980165382010-08-30T18:08:18.828+08:002010-08-30T18:08:18.828+08:00I live in Taipei City. When you cross the river to...<b>I live in Taipei City. When you cross the river to Taipei County, the contrast is noticeable. Of course, a lot of the reason is that Taipei County had to make do with far fewer funds. But really, in 16 years of DPP rule in Taipei County, not too much improved. How many illegal gravel operations did they manage to get rid of? Is there really an excuse for the complete absence of side-walks anywhere? Why did it take a KMT executive to copy Taipei's effective trash bag scheme?</b><br /><br />Lessee.... a few items.<br /><br />dredging the Keelung River and other waterways<br />riverside parks<br />Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf<br />Yingge Ceramics Museum, <br />Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology <br />Gold Ecological Park Museum <br />Tingpu High Tech Park<br />Tatung Industrial Park<br /><br />Taipei county was basically transformed during his tenure. There's quite a bit more. He also made a name for himself as Pingtung Magistrate. Nothing that Hau has done compares to that. Of course, Hau started with the much higher base that Chen had created. <br /><br />Just look at K-town, I-lan, and Taipei under Chen Shui-bian. Even Tainan. Then look at Taichung and Miaoli and other KMT ruled places (like Keelung). In general, the DPP does a better job than the KMT, even with fewer resources. <br /><br />@Mike, yes TVBS is my favorite poll, they are reliable in their underestimation of the pan-Green vote.<br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-50224908265318520922010-08-30T17:56:40.215+08:002010-08-30T17:56:40.215+08:00When the KMT gets their priorities right, I believ...When the KMT gets their priorities right, I believe many more will suffer. How can you take money away from emergency funds (especially after what happened August last year!!!) and use for a flower expo. Speechless.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-78013954990314016062010-08-30T17:51:21.744+08:002010-08-30T17:51:21.744+08:00Not only that but as the DPP pointed out the other...Not only that but as the DPP pointed out the other day, Hau has taken an ADDITIONAL up to $500 million NT from the reserve funds meant for emergencies and pumped it into the flower exhibitions.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-39634028580358335312010-08-30T17:47:39.213+08:002010-08-30T17:47:39.213+08:00Far out, and now we recently learn that the amount...Far out, and now we recently learn that the amount of money Hau spends on the flower expo is equivalent to all the budget that Chiayi County gets for an entire year?! Oh yeah, I forgot. Taipei City, until the legislator by-elections early last year had been a KMT stronghold in the north...<br /><br />Not surprised. KMT has consistently claimed their professionalism in managing finance (euphemism for "fostering complete and utter inequality"), when in reality they rely upon using mountains of stats immersed within a ocean of political and techical language (to make them sound all the more pro). And then expect everyone to belive them. Makes me speechless.<br /><br />Oh and "M" has Su really done nothing in his 8 years as Taipei County Magistrate? I wonder what Chou has done for Taipei County? Or even better; I wonder what Hau has done for Taipei City? Actually, the ultimate question, which you know is coming anway -- what has Ma done for Taiwan? Enough said.<br /><br />Polls? Think Taipei and Xinbei have been close for the last couple of months. Taipei's been close ever since Su announced his bid, everything has been within +/- 4% or less for the last couple of months. Always suspected that Su's lead had been secretly "ignored" by TVBS, and they only publish results when the stats/ sampling gives them a lead on Hau's behalf. Though Xinbei seems to have produced some interesting "flunctuations" with the TVBS putting Eric Chu at 47% to 40% support against Tsai; DPP's own poll puts both at 42%; whilst I-tel's poll has Tsai up at 55% with Eric Chu at 45% [this one did however, omit the option "undecided".] Hmm... and I-tel's and TVBS polls were conducted around the same day, and both released on the 23rd August?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-79226920696702494072010-08-30T17:41:37.899+08:002010-08-30T17:41:37.899+08:00Come on Turton - it shouldn't be too hard for ...<b>Come on Turton - it shouldn't be too hard for you, why are you running from this? Give just one example of the World Games bringing "plenty of positive publicity to the island".</b><br /><br />Are you serious? I can't even go out for a two hour bike ride?<br /><br />Google a few terms, you'll soon find articles on the eco-friendly world games, the big new stadium, etc.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-88442964607485165072010-08-30T16:44:12.491+08:002010-08-30T16:44:12.491+08:00I don't really care, man. U want a flower exh...I don't really care, man. U want a flower exhibition, gun exhibition, toilet exhibition, homosexual exhibition, heterosexual exhibition, no-sex exhibition, or a all day talk show about how old people should have sex...etc in Taipei City...I don't give a F**K, man. Just don't spend billions on them and buy stuffs at 30 times market price.Dixteelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689510846926854542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-46675425772739881582010-08-30T15:12:10.136+08:002010-08-30T15:12:10.136+08:00M, I guess for me there's a difference between...M, I guess for me there's a difference between encouraging someone to be homosexual, and just encouraging them to be themselves. And funny you should mention the "grooming" part, because yes I have come across a few gays (lesbians) that like to try and bring out the gay in otherwise straight girls. So am I a homophobe? No. But do I believe homosexuality is wrong? Yes. Does that mean I'm going to champion the streets of Taipei or wherever with anti-gay remarks? No. Anyways, before we get way off topic here, that will be my last comment on that.<br /><br />As far as DPP criticism on green blogs, Michael's done it on his blog a-plenty and you can check out my archive as well. Especially when it comes to CSB and the way he handled things in the past and currently, I think you'll find a fair share of DPP criticism in that respect.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13864496921909619980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-27290705978539303402010-08-30T14:53:49.149+08:002010-08-30T14:53:49.149+08:00ROFL. How long have you lived in Taipei?
I live i...<b>ROFL. How long have you lived in Taipei?</b><br /><br />I live in Taipei City. When you cross the river to Taipei County, the contrast is noticeable. Of course, a lot of the reason is that Taipei County had to make do with far fewer funds. But really, in 16 years of DPP rule in Taipei County, not too much improved. How many illegal gravel operations did they manage to get rid of? Is there really an excuse for the complete absence of side-walks anywhere? Why did it take a KMT executive to copy Taipei's effective trash bag scheme?<br /><br />Su's main accomplishment seems to be the Xinban special district. Construction projects seem to be his main thing. Sound familiar?Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-42302646683796593412010-08-30T14:44:38.461+08:002010-08-30T14:44:38.461+08:00"Moreover the World Games brought plenty of p...<i>"Moreover the World Games brought plenty of positive publicity to the island."</i><br /><br />Come on Turton - it shouldn't be too hard for you, why are you running from this? Give just one example of the World Games bringing "plenty of positive publicity to the island".mikehttp://www.mirrorsignalmove.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com