The DPP is now officially overflowing with candidates for the 2008 Presidential elections as Annette Lu tossed her fur scarf into the ring. Hardly was she out of the gate when CNN came under fire from all over for its ridiculous story that repeated insulting Chinese characterizations of Lu:(UPDATE: As the comments below pointed out, this is an AP story taken up by CNN. ).
The Presidential Office expressed concern yesterday over a story run by the Associated Press (AP) that described Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) as "the scum of the nation."With the headline "Taiwan's `scum of the nation' runs for president," the story said Lu was an outspoken vice president that "China has called `insane' and the `scum of the nation.'"
The headline was later changed to a more moderate tone that read "Lu seeks to be first Taiwan woman president" after the Presidential Office expressed concern.
Lu said last night that she would send a letter of protest to CNN and demand an apology or an interview in order to safeguard the country's dignity.
Presidential Office spokesman David Lee (
李南陽 ) said the AP told him that CNN, which is an AP subscriber, had changed its original headline to make it sound more sensational.
CNN's error illustrates once again how the US media thoughtlessly replicates Beijing's discourse on Taiwan. The CNN article also prepares us for the Mad Annette scenario:
She has repeatedly angered Beijing with her support for Taiwanese independence, and tensions with China would likely rise if she were elected.
On Tuesday, she again challenged Beijing's sacred view that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. "Taiwan is a Pacific country, not an affiliate of China," she said.
Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the Communists won a civil war and took over the mainland in 1949. Beijing insists Taiwan must unify eventually or face a devastating war.
We can only shake our heads at the kind of reporting that straightfacedly argues that "tensions will rise" if a pro-democracy politician is elected President. Apparently, as with virtually all reporting on the island, tensions are not affected if Chinese packs the Strait with missiles. Can anyone pass me an MSM article that forthrightedly states that China's rising military budget is increasing tension across the Taiwan Straits?
What are Annette's chances? The CNN article cites a political analyst at [National] Taipei University:
It is interesting that Lu can have "a good...blueprint" but be a person without a clear stance. I hope next time CNN quotes an analyst who is able to put things in more distanced terms "but many feel she is conceited" or "there is a widespread perception that Lu has a problem with arrogance."Political analyst Chiang Min-chin of Taipei University said Lu would likely lose her ruling Democratic Progressive Party's primary. Most party members dislike her because she isn't a team player.
"Lu has good vision and a blueprint for ruling the country," Chiang said. "But many people have misunderstood her because of her uncompromising character. As a highly conceited person, she has never bothered to clarify her stance."
In the main, though, Lu should have little chance of winning a primary. Still, it is good to see her hat in the ring, a reminder of how many quality politicians the DPP has.
Lu's original reaction to being the "scum of the earth" was reported by Time a while back...
TIME: Beijing directed some pretty nasty words at you last week. How did you feel being the target for such verbal abuse?
Lu: They made me famous. I took it as a compliment--targeting me like that has made me internationally well-known. Actually, I'm used to that kind of treatment. Some of the language reminded me of what the Kuomintang (KMT) accused me of 20 years ago. The KMT put me in jail for six years, but they never thought that 20 years later they would have to transfer their regime to me on behalf of the freedom fighters.
TIME: What do you think Beijing's intention was in attacking you?
Lu: I think it reflects a deliberate and considered strategy toward Taiwan. It indicates that they are running out of patience and rationality. Singling me out also shows they were trying to divide me and the President-elect and to undermine our relationship, and to press him to make a more favorable inaugural statement on May 20. Also, to criticize me was a way for them to criticize the President-elect as well, so yesterday Chen Shui-bian urged all DPP colleagues to maintain solidarity. He did not find any fault with me. He said I was being attacked on behalf of him, and that nothing could spoil the relationship between him and me. There are many internal problems in mainland China. Before they enter the World Trade Organization, so many state enterprises have to be privatized. Therefore many people will become jobless. As a result, there have been riots and internal disturbance. So in order to cover up their problems, China is trying to play up nationalism, and certainly to crack down on so-called Taiwan independence is a good excuse for them to take some irrational action. Furthermore, [Beijing] by announcing that they would be watching what the President-elect says and does before May 20 will only cause world leaders to waste some valuable time waiting for his speech. The President-elect has already cautioned that people shouldn't have too high an expectation about the speech; one speech certainly can't resolve such a long and complicated conflict. Putting everything on hold between March 18 and May 20 may just give the PLA time to prepare for something. I believe that no matter what kind of statement President Chen makes, it won't be satisfactory to China unless we surrender. Once the statement is made and the Chinese leaders express their disappointment--and use it as an excuse to take some irrational action--it will be too late. So I urge those who are concerned about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to please apply whatever preventive diplomacy is possible, such as expressing concern over the issue to Chinese leaders as soon as possible. I urge them not to underestimate the seriousness of the matter.
[Taiwan] [DPP] [Annette Lu] [CNN][2008 Presidential Election]
7 comments:
I'm no fan of Lu, but that's ridiculous. Can you imagine the BBC relying on Al Qaeda talking points to describe an American candidate?
Nice blog, btw. I enjoyed our discussion at Dailykos. It's funny how two people who both want the best for Taiwan can see things differently, it's important to remember that we have more in common than not.
Cheers-
zb
"CNN's error illustrates once again how the US media thoughtlessly replicates Beijing's discourse on Taiwan."
yep, perhaps its because they want to rectify their name to CNN = China National News.
You have got it all wrong:
this quote is wrong: "The Presidential Office expressed concern yesterday over a story run by the Associated Press (AP) that described Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) as "the scum of the nation."
With the headline "Taiwan's `scum of the nation' runs for president," the story said Lu was an outspoken vice president that "China has called `insane' and the `scum of the nation.'"
Why is it wrong?
1. First of all, if you will calmly read the Assoc Press news article again, the AP never said Lu was insane or the scum of the nation, it quoted some stupid Chinese official as saying that. Big difference. That's what quotes are for, and the AP used them correctly. Read it again. AP story was not inaccurate, the CNN story was just a reprint of the AP story on its CNN website. Read it again. Why is everybody forgetting to read? Shout and then read? No read, and then shout later if there is something to shout about.
" a story run by the Associated Press (AP) that described Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) as "the scum of the nation."
THE AP did not describe her that, it showed how the commies decsribe her. Big difference.
With the headline "Taiwan's `scum of the nation' runs for president," the story said Lu was an outspoken vice president that "China has called `insane' and the `scum of the nation.'
2. the correct quote should have been INSANE SPLITTIST, that is what the original quote from commie man said, he never said she was insane, in 2002 remarks, he said she was INSANE SPLITTIST. this has different meaning. it does not mean she is INSANE. it means she is a crazy SPLITTIST. that is correct.
Again , sir blogger, this was an AP article, not a CNN article. Can't you read? CNN just put the AP article on its website. There's a big difference.
Yet you wrote: "What are Annette's chances? The ***CNN article*** cites a political analyst at [National] Taipei University: NO IT DOES NOT. THAT WAS THE AP DOING THE CITING....at LEAST GET THE FACTS RIGHT....
Political analyst Chiang Min-chin of Taipei University said Lu would likely lose her ruling Democratic Progressive Party's primary. Most party members dislike her because she isn't a team player.
"Lu has good vision and a blueprint for ruling the country," Chiang said. "But many people have misunderstood her because of her uncompromising character. As a highly conceited person, she has never bothered to clarify her stance."
It is interesting that Lu can have "a good...blueprint" but be a person without a clear stance. I hope next time ***CNN*** ...THAT WAS NOT CNN THAT WAS AP.... quotes an analyst who is able to put things in more distanced terms "but many feel she is conceited" or "there is a widespread perception that Lu has a problem with arrogance."
Dear Anonymous,
You spent much time writing your comment, but unfortunately you argued the wrong point. The main point of this article is bias in journalistic reporting. In many countries, you will not see objective reporting and the reporter's thinking will influence the reader's thinking. This is considered bad. Well-known international news companies, CNN and AP, are successful because they have a reputation for objective newsreporting. People trust CNN and AP's articles so many people were upset to discover a bias in this article about Lu.
Hopefully by explaining this issue to you using clear and simple English, you now know the main point.
Miss Anonymous
Dear Ms Anonymous,
You are wrong again. There was no bias in the AP story, that was solid news reporting. They do same to Blair, Bush, Clinton, Howard, Abe, all pols get same treatment from AP or UPI or Reuters. You are a fool.
Second, the CNN story was not a CNN story, it was a reprint of the AP story, can't you read English? But yes, the CNN headline, the first one, which was later taken down, was like a copy editor on steroids. I am sure he or she got sacked for that ill considered hedline. But remember, it was NOT a CNN story, it was a AP story, and well reported at that.
Lu is a loser from day one. Get over it.
You don't like the way I wrote English? So I am not a native English speaker, what's wrong with that?
Dear Mr. Anonymous,
>>Second, the CNN story was not a CNN story, it was a reprint of the AP story, can't you read English?
I never said it was a CNN story. Perhaps you should ask yourself ,"Can't you read English?" :)
>>You don't like the way I wrote English? So I am not a native English speaker, what's wrong with that?
I never said I didn't like your English. :) I can tell immediately that you are not a native English speaker, but I think your English is very good actually! I know it is very hard for foreigners to decipher context in English, so I wrote it as clearly as possible so I could communicate with you better. And even then there was a misunderstanding (see above). :)
In professional newsreporting, articles clearly labeled "Opinion" or "Editorial" can say anything they like because readers will clearly know it is an opinion. But newspieces would never say "Dick Cheney, redneck and trailer trash, decides to run for 2008 Presidency". It makes me laugh reading it because it is truly unusual and absurd!
Because you see these articles all the time from AP and Reuters as you mentioned, please comment and send me the links right away and prove me wrong. :)
Miss Anonymous
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