Pro-Blue Themes in the Media

The Asia Times last week featured a mix of pro-Blue themes though balanced by some thoughtful analysis, from Ting-I Tsai, a "freelance writer" here.

First the Blue Theme....

Analysts are certain that Chen, who has lost much public support after the exposure of corruption scandals involving his son-in-law and close aides, can no longer play his old trick of diverting public attention by provoking China with pro-independence moves, such as drafting a "new constitution" for the island. Thus, during the remaining two years of his office, the situation in the Taiwan Strait will likely remain stable.

"His old trick" is a bit of judgmental nonsense that should have been spotted and expunged by the editor. More worrisome is this comment.....

Thus, during the remaining two years of his office, the situation in the Taiwan Strait will likely remain stable.

....a wrongheaded bit of nonsense. First, it assumes that Chen is to blame for instability, as if other actors, such as China, Japan, and the US, don't exist. Second, by blanking out China, it makes the reader forget that the source of the problem is China, not Chen. The missile and military build-up are destabilizing, but the author neither points that out nor holds China to account. The situation in the Straits cannot remain stable as long as the Chinese military build up and the threat to Taiwan continues. Naturally the next quote is from pro-KMT analyst Emile Sheng, whose citations often appear in anti-Chen pieces. The rest of the article offers a variety of viewpoints, including this thoughtful one from Antonio Chang:

"Taiwan has a premier with substantial authority. The government is functioning as usual, without A-bian [Chen's nickname], and we should take this chance to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of the presidential system, cabinet system, and the semi-presidential system," said Antonio Chiang, former deputy secretary general of Taiwan's National Security Council.

I can't emphasize this enough: the legislature has too much power, and the Presidency is weak. That needs to be rectified through a major Constitutional overhaul.

(hat tip to Wulingren's That was my advice too! Wulingren has an excellent blog; check it out)

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