tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post8676870172094260014..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Five Commentaries for WednesdayMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-6195075962258285062009-05-09T00:22:00.000+08:002009-05-09T00:22:00.000+08:00"the DPP apparently feels that if everyone can ide...<B>"the DPP apparently feels that if everyone can identify with Taiwan, it will automatically win. I think 2008 exposed the fallacy of that position."</B>I don't think that was why they lost so big at all. I think 1) everyone was just tired (sick) of CSB and wanted to try something else and 2) a vast majority of people really were convinced that Taiwan's economy was in dire straits... (which leaves us without words to describe our current situation...)<br /><br />All the things about how great Korea's economy is, how awesome it is for Thailand to have street protests that topple popularly elected govts every few years--they all ring hollow now, but they didn't a little more than a year ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-32845341881709405532009-05-09T00:02:00.000+08:002009-05-09T00:02:00.000+08:00"but this party cannot be based on divisiveness an...<B>"but this party cannot be based on divisiveness and tribalism or be seen as an ally or puppet of foreign militarists."</B>Wait, what the hell, did you notice you just described the Chinese KMT?<br /><br />The KMT labels green supporters alternatively as low class, violent, dumb and innocent, naive, easily manipulated. They always deny facing the history of 228 and white terror, preferring to simply ask everyone to just forget it all. They think anyone that holds any reservations about increasing economic dependence on China is foolish, too local, irrational.<br /><br />I don't think I need to expound on how the KMT finds the CCP a better ally and negotiating partner than the DPP...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-7401069866515491262009-05-08T02:40:00.000+08:002009-05-08T02:40:00.000+08:00Rosen says: In the U.S. experience and world-wide,...Rosen says: <I>In the U.S. experience and world-wide, inward investment has proven not to undermine national security but rather enhance it.</I>Really? How so?Readinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-17581234094420489452009-05-07T12:14:00.000+08:002009-05-07T12:14:00.000+08:00Amen to getting rid of the phrase, "the perfect st...Amen to getting rid of the phrase, "the perfect storm." <br /><br />I mean, it wasn't a bad movie for a Hollywood Blockbuster. No car chases or gun battles and I applaud any director who kills off all of the heroes at the end - it just doesn't happen enough on the American silver screen. But I'm sick and tired of hearing that phrase on everyone's lips. Even Putin used it the other day. <br /><br />Any poetry it once had has long ago been eroded away through its constant, thoughtless repetition. <br /><br />Thank you, professor.Sean Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07882147052586949944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-55761045392342941832009-05-07T11:45:00.000+08:002009-05-07T11:45:00.000+08:00anon,
sometimes minority or the weaker party in a...anon,<br /><br />sometimes minority or the weaker party in a democratic system has its value. Usually they are the one that has the most progressive ideas that is beyond other people's concept at the time. And slowly, if their ideas are not too bad, people might accept them gradually.<br /><br />If DPP didn't push for TI concept etc, and get shits from KMT and its cronies all the time for the past 20 or so years, there is no way 70% (or was it 60%...don't remember) of people now identify themselves as Taiwanese (and not Chinese). <br /><br />If they just follow the majority idea...sure, they might get more support and more money, but we will probably still think we are pure Chinese, and eventual "unification" is unavoidable (note even how the term changes, nowadays people use "annexation" instead of unification)...It's just an example of how minority changes others.Dixteelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689510846926854542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58396514021500511212009-05-07T07:30:00.000+08:002009-05-07T07:30:00.000+08:00Could it be that the DPP's lack of grass roots org...<B>Could it be that the DPP's lack of grass roots organization and lack of cash have to do with its unrealistic stance on TI?</B><BR><BR>Yes, in addition to your point, I also think that Taidu is supposed to replace the lack of a party organization -- the DPP apparently feels that if everyone can identify with Taiwan, it will automatically win. I think 2008 exposed the fallacy of that position.<br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-20518979796982533632009-05-07T07:29:00.000+08:002009-05-07T07:29:00.000+08:00BTW, it's about time that you grow up and stop equ...<B>BTW, it's about time that you grow up and stop equating anti-CSB/anti-DPP to pro-KMT/pro-China.</B><BR><BR>Anon, I've never made any excuses for Chen Shui-bian. I don't know where you get this idiotic shit from.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-46590118167279304872009-05-07T04:55:00.000+08:002009-05-07T04:55:00.000+08:00"It is not belief in Taidu that keeps the DPP out ..."It is not belief in Taidu that keeps the DPP out of power, but its lack of a strong party structure at the grass roots level, failure to set up youth and volunteer training organizations, lack of cash, and so forth."<br /><br />Could it be that the DPP's lack of grass roots organization and lack of cash have to do with its unrealistic stance on TI? The KMT has downplayed its platform of unifying China under its auspices because most Taiwanese find it unrealistic. A Repubilc of Taiwan is equally unrealistic to most Taiwanese yet the DPP places that above all else in its platform.<br /><br />Taiwan needs to have a new progressive party promoting freedom and democratic values as a counter to a resurgent KMT, but this party cannot be based on divisiveness and tribalism or be seen as an ally or puppet of foreign militarists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-56030767364130749092009-05-07T03:34:00.000+08:002009-05-07T03:34:00.000+08:00"Suave"? Who is this guy, Frank Booth out of Blue ..."Suave"? Who is this guy, Frank Booth out of Blue Velvet?<br />http://tinyurl.com/d5k76camidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04549468846113375560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-70079256185540673402009-05-07T01:08:00.000+08:002009-05-07T01:08:00.000+08:00"It is not belief in Taidu that keeps the DPP out ..."It is not belief in Taidu that keeps the DPP out of power, but its lack of a strong party structure at the grass roots level, failure to set up youth and volunteer training organizations, lack of cash, and so forth."<br /><br />And who causes the "lack of cash" in DPP? <br />1) CSB wife ratting out the past donors had pretty much scared future donors to give to DPP coffer.<br />2) The elephant in the room is that CSB put some much of the supposedly campaign contribution money to DPP into his own pocket and overseas accounts. It is outrageous that Taidu fraction is still making excuses for CSB instead of calling him out for whom he is: a thief who stole from DPP and from his country. If your excuses for CSB is true and he is just stashing away campaign contribution overseas, then it's time for DPP and Tsai to go after CSB for a big chunk of the "campaign contrition". The DPP tradition was for the donors to give money to the DPP party’s leaders for the party's use, not for his family luxurious life style. DPP does have a legal case to sue CSB for 背信 and 侵佔 to go after CSB cash, but DPP and Tsai is not doing a thing. <br /> <br />民進黨窮到這個地步沒錢打選戰 是活該啦 自作孽不可活 <br /><br />BTW, it's about time that you grow up and stop equating anti-CSB/anti-DPP to pro-KMT/pro-China.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-55808185676338157872009-05-06T22:26:00.000+08:002009-05-06T22:26:00.000+08:00.
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"...Rosen doesn't consider the possibility t....<br />.<br />.<br /><B>"...Rosen doesn't consider the possibility that the KMT is not negotiating in good faith on behalf of the island."</B> <br /><br />This is one of the main principles of Western reporting -- especially U.S. corporate establishment journalism. If it fits the establishment agenda, then accept propaganda at face value. <br /><br />Think about how U.S. journalists <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPRLYwnYRYo" REL="nofollow">fawned over war criminal George W. Bush for years.</A>.<br />.<br />.skiingkowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05381159852660053893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-55215756284839522732009-05-06T17:36:00.000+08:002009-05-06T17:36:00.000+08:00I think a summary of the rationale behind China's ...I think a summary of the rationale behind China's actions are as follows:<br /><br />Taiwan annexation = unhindered access to drilling for oil and natural gas in the straits.<br /><br />Spratlys = oil<br /><br />Paracels = oil<br /><br />Senkakus = natural gas<br /><br />Africa = oil, natural gas<br /><br />Control of East China Sea ("EEZ") = oil, natural gas<br /><br />Control of South China Sea = oil<br /><br />Control of Indian Ocean = oil<br /><br />Support Myanmar dictatorship = natural gas<br /><br />Support of Iran = oil<br /><br />Support of North Korea = oil, natural gas<br /><br />Funding jihadists in Iraq, Afghanistan = keep US bogged down so China can get more oil<br /><br />"The Institute of Energy Economics in Japan...forecasts that oil consumption in China will grow to 590 million metric tons in 2020 from 220 million tons in 2000, and the country's oil imports will soar to 450 million tons during the same period, compared with 250 million tons for Japan. <br /><br />Furthermore, China is expected to become a net importer of natural gas by 2010. China is also expected to become a net importer of gasoline within this year. <br /><br />China's dependence on the region's oil is expected to reach 50% in 2020 from 15% in 2000, according to experts."<br /><br />(http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/FG27Dh03.html)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-67949402323335334942009-05-06T16:24:00.000+08:002009-05-06T16:24:00.000+08:00Also, I'm skeptical that Chinese enterprises would...<B>Also, I'm skeptical that Chinese enterprises would have much production facilities here... They would only long enough to figure out how to make it by themselves back in China.</B>Yes, I had the same thought. What is Taipei going to do, seize the 10% share in Far Eastern mobile?Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-11993893723834459692009-05-06T16:23:00.000+08:002009-05-06T16:23:00.000+08:00Right, because you'd be jumping up and down with j...<B>Right, because you'd be jumping up and down with joy, if only the Nanjing talks had ended with more direct flights between Taipei and Shanghai.</B>Actually, I've always supported direct flights. I'm just not the kind of idiot who believes they will solve our problems.<br /><br /><B>You must have a lot of time on your hands. Who else has the time to generate paragraph of fluff, just in order to rebut Plate's central thesis that Ma is "suave"?</B>I have so much time on my hands, I even have time to waste on pro-China idiots.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-63062631226385379582009-05-06T16:04:00.000+08:002009-05-06T16:04:00.000+08:00Zombie liar Tom Plate needs brains! He actually wr...<A HREF="http://www.zombiewatchnetwork.com/2008/10/17/the-zomblog-zombie-lies/" REL="nofollow" TITLE="''the lies that just won't die''">Zombie</A> <A HREF="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/13/18340/5758/205/371018" REL="nofollow" TITLE="''no matter how many times they are killed''">liar</A> Tom Plate needs brains! He actually wrote:<br />- - -<br /><I>Elected last year in a landslide over his discredited predecessor (Chen Shui-bian</I> [...]<br />- - -<br /><br />Gee, I'd been thinking all this time that Ma had run against Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) in that election. Gotta luv <I>that</I> "historical reality," eh?<br /><br />Michael, you much more sensibly wrote:<br />- - -<br /><I>The DPP was successful in keeping both Taiwan and our cross-strait markets. That is why Beijing hated the DPP. What's going on is not avoiding the "bear hug" but embracing it. Sad.</I>- - -<br /><br />Can you say "<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtcSYPjJbgg" REL="nofollow" TITLE="''... and after the spanking, the oral sex!''">Castle Anthrax</A>"?<br /><br /><A HREF="http://taiwanmatters.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow" TITLE="Taiwan Matters!">Tim Maddog</A>Tim Maddoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943522529132663780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-32495630412833576612009-05-06T14:41:00.000+08:002009-05-06T14:41:00.000+08:00Right, because you'd be jumping up and down with j...Right, because you'd be jumping up and down with joy, if only the Nanjing talks had ended with more direct flights between Taipei and Shanghai.<br /><br />You must have a lot of time on your hands. Who else has the time to generate paragraph of fluff, just in order to rebut Plate's central thesis that Ma is "suave"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-90450897240986941972009-05-06T13:48:00.000+08:002009-05-06T13:48:00.000+08:00Because those blog-thingies have magic power to pr...<I>Because those blog-thingies have magic power to promote stuff, merely opening one will change the world and be big news.</I>You haven't used your magical powers yet? I use mine for a heightened sense of superiority.Robert R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12956389352825464115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-58094991565947484352009-05-06T13:47:00.000+08:002009-05-06T13:47:00.000+08:00I'm impressed how Anderson spends 2 paragraphs...I'm impressed how Anderson spends 2 paragraphs on the November negotiations, without a peep of the associated protests. Just goes to further show Michael's point about how this has nothing to do with the people, and everything to do with the KMT.<br /><br />I'm baffled about Lundh's assertion that trading with China has enhanced the national security of any country.<br />You can see that China already has an affect on the foreign policy of many western countries because of the great trade defict and dependence on China. Sure, they can get away with meeting the Dalai Lama, but even then Sarkozy ran back to Beijing with apologies.<br />In Africa it's worse. They've signed agreements for China to do all of these public works projects, and for China to bring in their own people & equipment tax free. So aside from the projects (which never seem to get completed), they resell all of this "surplus" equipment (such as computers) they bring in, knocking out many local businesses.<br /><br />Also, I'm skeptical that Chinese enterprises would have much production facilities here... They would only long enough to figure out how to make it by themselves back in China.<br /><br />"<I>President Ma and other KMT officials insist that Beijing will act out of a new, enlightened sense of self-interest;...</I>"<br />Sure, China acts out of self-interest. That interest being annexing Taiwan. Working in good faith with a "government of Taiwan" works against those interests and their stated goals.<br />How is this not straightforward?Robert R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12956389352825464115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-56003537676997007892009-05-06T10:15:00.000+08:002009-05-06T10:15:00.000+08:00"Elected last year in a landslide over his discred..."Elected last year in a landslide over his discredited predecessor (Chen Shui-bian"<br /><br />He's wrong, but also right. The last presidential election was more about not electing CSB than about electing Ma. The DPP should have distanced itself a lot more from CSB if they wanted to have a chance to win that election...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com