Friday, September 15, 2006

Violence and Red Guards in Taipei

Well, as I feared, the bad news keeps rolling out of the faux "people's protest" in Taipei. Taiwan News reports that gangs are already. hard at work among the crowd:

The CIB and the city's police authority have been extremely cautious in their plans for keeping the upcoming parade under control. Local media disclosed that members of most criminal rings in northern Taiwan have colluded to cause turmoil at the rally by attacking one of the official buildings the parade will pass by. As the parade will pass the buildings of many government agencies, including the Presidential Office, the reportedly planned attacks have shocked the community and brought considerable pressure on local law enforcement officials.

Kao said police have found that members of certain criminal rings are already taking part in the ongoing sit-in held by Shih and his comrades on Ketagalan Boulevard against Chen. "Some of them even play a role in maintaining the event's order," Kao said.


Yesterday there were reports of people wearing green being beaten, and a large number of people who have to pass through protest areas told media personnel they wear red to avoid violence against themselves. A China Times columnist said marchers should attack the Presidential building, and there were many calls for violent attacks on government buildings reported in the media. There were also threats that the Shih campaign protesters would lay siege to the train station and attack protesters coming in today for the pro-Chen protest. Shih meanwhile tried to separate himself from what he has launched:

In response to the alleged planned violence, Shih and his colleagues have already urged members participating in today's parade to remain peaceful throughout the march. But they have also made it clear that should there be any attacks initiated by people involved in the event, the organizers will not be responsible as the parade is separate from individual acts of violence.

Sure, Shih. He also said that Chen would "bear all responsibility" for any violence -- meaning that Shih expects it now. Meanwhile a 12 year old boy got up and read an anti-Chen poem to the crowd to loud cheers, causing many observers to remark on the affinity to Mao's Red Guard era.

The presence of gangsters is a strong signal that the protest is a partisan pro-Blue job, since the Taipei gangs are overwhelmingly pro-Blue. The Taiwan News and other Green media have pointed out that the protest is a partisan political hack job:

However, the most troubling question is whether Shih or the other leaders of the "Depose Chen" action genuinely have control over their own headquarters and whether the headquarters genuinely has the capability to maintain discipline and control among "Depose Chen" supporters.

Numerous incidents, including threats against reporters, recurrent attacks on passers-by, mob censorship in the so-called "Citizens Forum" and signs of the presence of gang members, give rise to serious concern.

Moreover, a revealing contrast was the hounding of a "Depose Chen" spokesman for using the term "Taiwan Country" on September 9 and the enthusiastic welcome given yesterday afternoon by Shih and the red-shirted crowd for an imitator of the late autocrat Chiang Ching-kuo who led the crowd in shouting slogans such as "Long Live the Republic of China!" and "Long Live the Chinese Nationalist Party!"


You'd have to be pretty naive to take seriously the "non-partisan" label for this made-for-media event.

I said earlier that violence might break out because it favors many different political agendas. Here's hoping Mayor Ma sets aside his partisan political stance and puts a stop to it. Ma could be one of the chief losers if the crowd is used as a cover for politically-motivated gangster violence. And Taiwan would be the biggest loser of all. Meanwhile, Shih, always shooting off his mouth, said in response to the DPP counter-demonstration today:

Responding to reports that the DPP has resolved to mobilize people to attend a Taiwan Society-initiated rally tomorrow at the same location where supporters of Shih's anti-corruption campaign have been gathering since last Saturday, Shih criticized DPP officials, saying only Nazis and Mussolini mobilize crowds.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

"China must be loving this" I agree but as a Taiwanese living in Taiwan I hate it.

I do not support pan-blue.

I do not support pan-green

I support anti-chen.

pan-blue and pan-green no difference. both selfish.

I support Taiwan independence.

I wish for a good and strong leader. I think I am asking for something impossible?

Anonymous said...

How can it be unbiased if there is comment moderation?

Michael Turton said...

I don't moderate comments for content. I have a couple of bad'uns who post death threats, pornography, etc, and some sophisticated spammers. But I pass any comment that doesn't contain threats or something illegal.

Michael

Michael Turton said...


I wish for a good and strong leader. I think I am asking for something impossible?


Yes. Because the Taiwan presidency is weak. First the constitution has to be changed......

And yearning for a leader is wrong. In a democracy, YOU are the leader. So get out there and lead!

Michael

Anonymous said...

"In a democracy, YOU are the leader"

Isn't that anarchy?

I have no desire to be leader.

I believe democracy is free speech not everyone be leader, only those who want to be leader.

That's why I don't agree Chen saying Taiwan is his "Cross". Nobody force him to be Taiwan President. He campaigned for it.

Michael Turton said...

"In a democracy, YOU are the leader"

Isn't that anarchy?


No, diversity. Stop thinking like an subject. Start thinking like a citizen. A leader is not a person who gives orders. A leader is a person who has a positive vision of the future and gets others to follow him. Leadership can be getting others to clean up a beach. Campaigning against drunk driving. Helping stray animals. Getting out the vote for your candidate. Getting people to study public policy issues. Leadership doesn't mean getting a position of power and giving everyone orders. That's authoritarianism. That's the strong leader. But a democratic leader is not strong, but wise.

Michael

Anonymous said...

"Do you support a fair and complete investigation by the judicial system into this matter?"

Yes, I support a fair investigation but I don't believe I am getting a fair investigation regarding Chen related cases investigation.

I believe the investigators are doing their best but pressure from higher officials are hard to stop. Western countries are freer to their investigation than us.

"Or do you support violent mobs making a mockery out of the laws of the land before the innocent is proven guilty?"

I do not support violent but I support mockery of law if law is not good. That means law should be change.

Not guilty does not always mean one is innocent. It means one has good lawyer.

I do not understand how you can justify using someone's invoices for governmnet expenses. Isn't that a crime in all countries also USA?

"if you support independence like you say that you do -- then how can you not support the pan-green?"

I support pan-green agenda for Taiwan independence but I do not support pan-green for Chen cases.

I also support pan-green for KMT wealth investigations which pan-green has not done in 6 years, only now they begin.

"You should be proud of being Taiwanese"

I love Taiwan inspite of now. I live in Taiwan and I think I will also die in Taiwan.

"No, diversity. Stop thinking like an subject. Start thinking like a citizen."

If everyone is leader then fighting will never stop. Not everyone is qualified to be leader. And not all leaders are good leaders.

Not everyone can be leader but everyone can participate. I think a leader is one who leads or guides.

I voted for Chen because I believed pan-green agenda but I am not so sure anymore. That's why I cannot accept Chen say Taiwan is his "Cross".

Pan-Green have done many not honorable things to support Chen. Chen has not been honest with his speeches. He talks like a smart lawyer. A very good talker who evades issues.

" A real "leader" does not resort to mob rule"

A real leader can handle a mob.

"it should be the Democratic party in the U.S.A."

Why? What is wrong with Democratic party of USA?
Why is it only USA has right to gather thousands of people?

"The Taipei mob's justification is, frankly, embarrassing (by world standards) in comparison."

Mob justification? I thought Michael said be citizen and not subject. Citizen has a right to free speech. Right to be angry if government is not effective. So happens many people are angry at the same time then it becomes a crowd.

"in comparison" to what?

"Actually, Lewinsky's blue dress is more of what this outrage reminds me of."

That is not fair comparison but that is your opinion.

Anonymous said...

"I support Taiwan independence."

No, you don't! You support KMT corruption in Taiwan's government!

Taiwan's constitution have to be change. KMT and CCP are the LOOSERS against it and keeping us, Taiwanese, down with their horse crap!!

Iron_Jackal_TW

Anonymous said...

Waiting for Taiwan's judicial system to deal with any possible Chen corruption? When an informed blogger like Feiren posts over at Forumosa that the Taiwan judiciary make take years and years to sort out a mess when it involves people with money and power, can we blame the citizenry for wanting swifter justice? Or is feiren wrong and the wheels of justice work at the appropriate speed in Taiwan and it's just a matter of educating the citizenry of that fact? Never mind the citizenry of Taiwan, could someone here educate me about the Taiwan judiciary and its credibility? THX

Anonymous said...

I do not support pan-blue.
I do not support pan-green
I support anti-Ma/anti-China.
I support Taiwan independence.

I wonder what most people would say about my comment? Pro-DDP? Sure, laugh away. I too laugh at those who claimed the opposite.

Anonymous said...

I do not support pan-blue.
I do not support pan-green
I support anti-Ma/anti-China.
I support Taiwan independence.

I wonder what most people would say about my comment? Pro-DDP? Sure, laugh away. I too laugh at those who claimed the opposite.

Anonymous said...

"No, you don't! You support KMT corruption in Taiwan's government!" Iron_Jackal_TW

Outbursts like this is why Taiwan right now is divided.

I have said...
I support Taiwan independence.
I do not support KMT.
I voted for Chen.
Iron_Jackal_TW still say I support KMT? Why is this? I do not understand.

Head of Taiwan government now is Chen not KMT. I have never voted KMT. Then when I have the chance I voted for Chen and now this.

"LOOSERS against it and keeping us, Taiwanese, down with their horse crap"

Looser is better than corrupt. Why is it only you a Taiwanese?

I am Taiwanese and I speak Taiwanese so I understand Chen speeches. There are also Hakka and Aborigine in Taiwan who do not understand Taiwanese. Chen always just speak Taiwanese. They feel bad because they feel left out like Chen do not respect them. I know many of them and this is what they tell me.

"down with their horse crap"

Michael why do allow Iron_Jackal_TW to say "horse crap"?

"judiciary make take years and years to sort out a mess when it involves people with money and power"

I hate it that the judiciary is taking such a long time. I am afraid the longer time judiciary take, the more Taiwan will become divided.

"you should find a leader who will put forth a vision to change this system for the betterment of Taiwan. Has Shih done this? From what I have heard, he is simply asking for the President to step down."

I hope for a good and strong leader. As much as I have great respect for Shih, he is not the one. If he runs for president, I will not vote for him because I honestly believe he will not be an effective president.

Thank you stop_george and Michael Turton for taking the time to know more about my country Taiwan even if we don't agree on anti-chen issue.

tipping888 said...

Your articles and photos are both excellent. I am very very impressed with your insights on Taiwan issues.

Your blog is not just your view from Taiwan but also the the inner voice of most Taiwanese people.