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January 31, 2012
Just like I said in the previous post. In the aftermath of the election the DPP is way more interesting than the KMT. Check out this article about a bunch of DPP members who are publicly saying “Okay, maybe we need to change our stance regarding the 1992 Consensus, which we made the key issue of the election (and fought tooth and nail to dispel), but in the end it came back to bite us in the ass. MUST DO SOMETHING… ANYTHING” OOPSIES Like I said, the most recent election was a decision by the people of Taiwan as to how they want to move forward in the midst of global economic insecurity, that was pretty clear and we don’t need a referendum to make it official. That’s why the core issue of the election wasn’t Ma Ying Jeou’s old suits or his mended swim trunks (not very good long term political strategy trying to invoke Chiang Ching Kuo). No, it was about the “1992 Consensus” and how we want to deal with the rich, crazy, powerful neighbor living next door.So the people have spoken. Regardless of the history or legitimacy of it’s conception, the people are okay (and notice I said just okay) with the 1992 Consensus as a platform for engaging you-know-who (not Voldemort). So what to do, now that the DPP made the election about the 1992 Consensus, and the public says “We’re cool, thx for asking.” Well like I mentioned in the previous post, I was hoping the DPP would “grow up.” I did suspect/hope they would begin to change, evolve, or whatever you want to call it, but I didn’t think it would begin with this. This is why I thought Tsai didn’t have much of a chance. While the KMT was quietly running a campaign to solidify their base of people over 50 (do you think it’s an accident the KMT’s campaign looked so… old?), Tsai had a very “youthful” and “forward looking” campaign (Taiwan Next!), which I suppose is her way of trying to distance herself from Chen Shui Bian & Co. Unfortunately this cost her the “old guard” that she left behind. Maybe THAT’S why she didn’t gain as many votes in Southern and Central Taiwan, where the DPP thought they could count on bigger wins? Will she/they admit they took them for granted?Instead, if you paid attention to what was going on without being distracted by all the other junk the campaigns were putting out (1992 Consensus! Taiwan Consensus! Farmhouses! etc!), you would have noticed that a lot of DPP members were quite pissed that Tsai was only consulting with her tightly knit group of insiders and not allowing others to “contribute” to the campaign. While I do respect her for doing this thing on her own terms, it was easy to see that there would be a clear and significant cost. Did she think everyone she turned away would not be upset, hurt, and/or insulted? Well it looks like those folks are back to twist the knife. Those were the stakes and that’s how she chose to play the hand she was dealt. The answer however, is NOT to give up something you clearly believe in whole heartedly. Stick to your guns. Fight the good fight. Isn’t that what the DPP stands for? … or something? Integrity? Persistence? That’s what I think the DPP is missing. Patience and maturity. Your time will come. Don’t throw it all away because of a setback. Have faith.

Just like I said in the previous post. In the aftermath of the election the DPP is way more interesting than the KMT.

Check out this article about a bunch of DPP members who are publicly saying “Okay, maybe we need to change our stance regarding the 1992 Consensus, which we made the key issue of the election (and fought tooth and nail to dispel), but in the end it came back to bite us in the ass. MUST DO SOMETHING… ANYTHING”

OOPSIES

Like I said, the most recent election was a decision by the people of Taiwan as to how they want to move forward in the midst of global economic insecurity, that was pretty clear and we don’t need a referendum to make it official. That’s why the core issue of the election wasn’t Ma Ying Jeou’s old suits or his mended swim trunks (not very good long term political strategy trying to invoke Chiang Ching Kuo). No, it was about the “1992 Consensus” and how we want to deal with the rich, crazy, powerful neighbor living next door.

So the people have spoken. Regardless of the history or legitimacy of it’s conception, the people are okay (and notice I said just okay) with the 1992 Consensus as a platform for engaging you-know-who (not Voldemort). So what to do, now that the DPP made the election about the 1992 Consensus, and the public says “We’re cool, thx for asking.”

Well like I mentioned in the previous post, I was hoping the DPP would “grow up.” I did suspect/hope they would begin to change, evolve, or whatever you want to call it, but I didn’t think it would begin with this.

This is why I thought Tsai didn’t have much of a chance. While the KMT was quietly running a campaign to solidify their base of people over 50 (do you think it’s an accident the KMT’s campaign looked so… old?), Tsai had a very “youthful” and “forward looking” campaign (Taiwan Next!), which I suppose is her way of trying to distance herself from Chen Shui Bian & Co. Unfortunately this cost her the “old guard” that she left behind. Maybe THAT’S why she didn’t gain as many votes in Southern and Central Taiwan, where the DPP thought they could count on bigger wins? Will she/they admit they took them for granted?

Instead, if you paid attention to what was going on without being distracted by all the other junk the campaigns were putting out (1992 Consensus! Taiwan Consensus! Farmhouses! etc!), you would have noticed that a lot of DPP members were quite pissed that Tsai was only consulting with her tightly knit group of insiders and not allowing others to “contribute” to the campaign. While I do respect her for doing this thing on her own terms, it was easy to see that there would be a clear and significant cost. Did she think everyone she turned away would not be upset, hurt, and/or insulted?

Well it looks like those folks are back to twist the knife. Those were the stakes and that’s how she chose to play the hand she was dealt.

The answer however, is NOT to give up something you clearly believe in whole heartedly. Stick to your guns. Fight the good fight. Isn’t that what the DPP stands for? … or something? Integrity? Persistence? That’s what I think the DPP is missing. Patience and maturity.

Your time will come. Don’t throw it all away because of a setback. Have faith.

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January 19, 2012

Post Election Thoughts

It’s been awhile. Sorry about that (for some, it’s “You’re welcome” I’m guessing).  I think one of the primary motivators of my starting this Tumblr was to point out a lot of ridiculousness during the months preceding Taiwan’s 2012 Presidential Elections. I felt (and still feel) that I am unbiased while admittedly I do have a preference. That’s possible right? I have done posts on stupid things the KMT has done. But yes there are definitely more posts that are unflattering to the DPP and the outlets that support them.

Now with the elections over and with a clear winner I suppose I should write something. I can’t help but want to continue along the vein of how woefully skewed a lot of the “opinions” presented by pro-DPP outlets and supporters are.

I’m not even going to bother linking and citing sources to every little thing because the people who are really going to care about it are the ones that know it’s true deep down in their hearts. So here are a few of my thoughts:

1          It was incredibly fascinating to watch all the blogs and news outlets that supported Tsai go on a rollercoaster of emotions. From being completely dejected and already assuming defeat (some directly saying it, “I know we won’t win, but but… KMT evil shenanigans!) to cautious optimism when the polling started showing Tsai gaining and even in the margin of error (“It’s close! We can win! Even more KMT evil!), to outright belief that it would be possible. But of course none of those bloggers and writers will admit it. I truly hope they’ll look back at their posts and see the ride they took their readers on. 

Alas, it wasn’t close.

2          And so as an observer you look at how both sides react. The KMT side was obviously uninteresting as it’s just a matter of exhaling and going about your business (and furiously trying to figure out what you’re going to do in 2016).  As usual, the DPP side was/is infinitely more interesting.

The Pan green camp goes back into its conspiracy theorist and watchdog mode. I personally really like this mode. It keeps the KMT honest (at least tries to) and it’s a far better show to watch. They do everything they can to fight Occam’s Razor, that the simplest explanation is preferable and more plausible than the more complex. For believing in the most likely and simple answer they like to tell you that you are being duped and manipulated by the machine (while often times it’s the reverse).

Case in point, general feelings toward China. Let’s for a second, pretend that Tsai won. Do you think they would still be saying “Hold your horses everyone. This win doesn’t necessarily reflect on how the Taiwanese people feel and what they want.”? Had Tsai won, that would have been the talking point of every single blog and news outlet and pushing for a referendum on independence tomorrow. Wasn’t that a campaign promise of Tsai’s, a good ol fashioned referendum? But then that would have been a disaster for them wouldn’t it? Because then they would actually have to **gasp** do it! But what happens if they actually did do it (which they never would) and **gasp** they lost again?! Do they pack it up and call it a day and dissolve the DPP because the general public has voted and stated they do not want to declare independence? Prooooobably not. It would probably be something along the lines of a mass KMT conspiracy to prevent a referendum vote.

I believe that like many elections in a two party system, it was a choice between the lesser of two evils. I will be the first to tell you Ma is a pretty ineffectual leader. He’s a robot. The 2008 election that Ma won by a large margin was clearly about trust, honesty, and anti-corruption (that sound you just heard was a few million DPP supporters scoffing at the idea of Ma having those qualities). Like it or not, the result clearly reflected which party the public thought was less likely to pull a Chen Shui Bian. This last election was clearly about how Taiwan wants to go forward in the midst of global economic uncertainty. The people voted. They spoke. Please accept it, stop using more hateful rhetoric and spin, and move on in a positive way. Don’t be like THIS GUY. This is the reason you are not making progress. The DPP needs to expel idiots like this that constantly embarrass themselves and their party. I may be mistaken, but when Interbrand and every news outlet refers to HTC as a company from Taiwan that should be good enough, no? Not for that guy apparently. It doesn’t help that he was formerly the DPP Spokesperson during the campaign. Apparently he doesn’t speak for them anymore. smh.

3          Fear. Oh how fashionable it is to bring up the politics of fear. It’s so easy to call whatever your opponent does as inciting fear to win. It’s the nature of the game, friends. If you want to paint with that brush that’s fine, but make sure you use it consistently and fairly. Here’s an editorial cartoon from the Taipei Times.

The KMT is going to shoot you dead.

It’s one of about roughly… nevermind, every single one basically aims to incite fear. 


China's going to stick it's fingers up inside you!

I love when blogs that rail against using the politics of fear post these and giggle (“It’s funny because it’s true! Hee hee!”).

Say hello to your new Chinese overlords!

I’ll admit it was kind of fun posting all those ridiculous fear mongering cartoons, but at the end of the day if you truly are “anti-fear”, don’t degrade yourself by reposting these cartoons. I enjoy seeing them because it confirms my belief about how unfairly biased they are, but then I’m saddened because I know most people won’t make the connection. How come it’s not fear mongering when the DPP implies that a vote for Ma/KMT means a vote for communism and the death of democracy? Don’t be a hypocrite. Your mother should have taught you that.

4          The DPP’s time is coming, but it needs to grow up. The population over 40 well exceeds the 18-40 block. It’s safe to assume this is in the KMT’s favor right now. But it is also safe to assume that the group supporting neither the KMT nor the DPP is getting larger and will eventually tilt in the DPP’s favor. The KMT will have to solve this problem in the coming decade.

5          I really liked this article. All the points by Lee are fair and I agree with them for the most part, especially the part about China’s bubble. But the people have voted and that’s what they decided to bet on. That’s how democracy works.

That’s it for now. I’ll update as I think of more things. Or as I’m sure, more instances of ridiculousness are brought to my attention.

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October 28, 2011
So China’s State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television has decided to curb “shows that are vulgar or ‘overly entertaining.’” There are a bunch of crazy zany ways they have implemented to crack down on this, but it’s still funny. Kind of like when they decided back in April of this year that all media that featured TIME TRAVEL is to be frowned upon (banned). It singles out programs dealing with marital troubles and matchmaking, talent shows, game shows, variety shows, talk shows and reality programming. Good. Why would you want your citizens to laugh at other’s misfortunes, giggle their troubles away from a long day of back breaking work for peanuts, let people relax, or get swept up by inspiring stories? What has smiling ever done to push the human race forward? Seriously though, banning “overly entertaining programming” and time travel fantasies? It feels like a massive joke right? like the world is being Punk’d and one day China’s just going to hold a press conference and say “JUST KIDDING haha you thought we were crazy like North Korea? we just wanted to see what we could make a billion people do. LOL.”

So China’s State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television has decided to curb “shows that are vulgar or ‘overly entertaining.’” There are a bunch of crazy zany ways they have implemented to crack down on this, but it’s still funny. Kind of like when they decided back in April of this year that all media that featured TIME TRAVEL is to be frowned upon (banned).

It singles out programs dealing with marital troubles and matchmaking, talent shows, game shows, variety shows, talk shows and reality programming.

Good. Why would you want your citizens to laugh at other’s misfortunes, giggle their troubles away from a long day of back breaking work for peanuts, let people relax, or get swept up by inspiring stories? What has smiling ever done to push the human race forward?

Seriously though, banning “overly entertaining programming” and time travel fantasies? It feels like a massive joke right? like the world is being Punk’d and one day China’s just going to hold a press conference and say “JUST KIDDING haha you thought we were crazy like North Korea? we just wanted to see what we could make a billion people do. LOL.”

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October 25, 2011
Another word has been added to the banned search terms in China. “Occupy” is now on the list. Good.is senior editor Cord Jefferson wrote on the significance of the ban: “A good rule of thumb for life is that if the Chinese government is against it, you’re probably doing something right.” Haven’t really heard much about Occupy Taiwan/Taipei though? Taiwan needs it BAD.

Another word has been added to the banned search terms in China. “Occupy” is now on the list.

Good.is senior editor Cord Jefferson wrote on the significance of the ban: “A good rule of thumb for life is that if the Chinese government is against it, you’re probably doing something right.”

Haven’t really heard much about Occupy Taiwan/Taipei though? Taiwan needs it BAD.

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October 16, 2011
So Taiwan’s Military Intelligence Bureau (and yes it is actually referred to as MIB) gave NT$ 1 Million to one of its spies to take courses at Le Cordon Bleu in France. The genius spy/chef then “lent” his certificate to someone for a “fee”. Brilliant. … MIB’s agents in France have seldom produced good performance from their intelligence collecting. OH REALLY. I wonder why. Could it be because instead of doing their jobs they’re busy with other more exciting, educational, life fulfilling, adventures that people only dream of having? If we gave THAT guy NT$1 Million to learn to cook in France, I wonder how much we’re spending on spies elsewhere? Flamenco lessons in Spain? Koala breeding in Australia? Chocolatier-ing in Belgium? Baking pizzas in Italy? Carpentry in Sweden? Forging Kitana blades in Japan? Studying hieroglyphics in Egypt? MAYBE we can just combine the MIB and the Make-A-Wish Foundation and start sending folks around the world to live out their dreams! Perhaps it’s time Taiwan re-examined it’s “clandestine human intelligence information collection techniques”? Oh and in case you’re wondering that actually is an image of a graduation ceremony at Le Cordon Bleu, so it is in fact possible that there really is a Taiwanese MIB spy in that picture.

So Taiwan’s Military Intelligence Bureau (and yes it is actually referred to as MIB) gave NT$ 1 Million to one of its spies to take courses at Le Cordon Bleu in France. The genius spy/chef then “lent” his certificate to someone for a “fee”. Brilliant.

… MIB’s agents in France have seldom produced good performance from their intelligence collecting.

OH REALLY. I wonder why. Could it be because instead of doing their jobs they’re busy with other more exciting, educational, life fulfilling, adventures that people only dream of having?

If we gave THAT guy NT$1 Million to learn to cook in France, I wonder how much we’re spending on spies elsewhere? Flamenco lessons in Spain? Koala breeding in Australia? Chocolatier-ing in Belgium? Baking pizzas in Italy? Carpentry in Sweden? Forging Kitana blades in Japan? Studying hieroglyphics in Egypt? MAYBE we can just combine the MIB and the Make-A-Wish Foundation and start sending folks around the world to live out their dreams!

Perhaps it’s time Taiwan re-examined it’s “clandestine human intelligence information collection techniques”?

Oh and in case you’re wondering that actually is an image of a graduation ceremony at Le Cordon Bleu, so it is in fact possible that there really is a Taiwanese MIB spy in that picture.

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October 05, 2011
I’m sorry, but I saw this article 2 days ago and actually laughed out loud. At first it was an article saying that a Pentagon report supports President Obama’s decision not to sell Taiwan F-16 C/Ds. Okay, that wasn’t a surprise. But it was their RECOMMENDATION that blew me away. The reasoning that the Pentagon gave for not needing F-16 C/Ds is because they would be rendered completely useless after the initial attacked destroyed all the runways. That’s fair. But The Pentagon was good enough to also make a recommendation: The report — delivered nearly 20 months late — is said to recommend that Taiwan buy short takeoff and vertical landing fighters, such as the British-made Harrier jump-jet or the Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The Harrier is no longer in production, and the F-35 is… well it’s (supposed to be) the most badass/advanced jet fighter on the planet. HAHA if you thought China would be pissed if Taiwan got F-16 C/Ds, imagine the epic meltdown of skipping over F-18s and F-22s straight to F-35s … That’s like if you went to the store to buy a six pack of bud light and they told you you shouldn’t buy it because it wouldn’t be good for you, but instead next time you should try and ask for Johnny Walker Blue Label.

I’m sorry, but I saw this article 2 days ago and actually laughed out loud. At first it was an article saying that a Pentagon report supports President Obama’s decision not to sell Taiwan F-16 C/Ds. Okay, that wasn’t a surprise. But it was their RECOMMENDATION that blew me away.

The reasoning that the Pentagon gave for not needing F-16 C/Ds is because they would be rendered completely useless after the initial attacked destroyed all the runways. That’s fair. But The Pentagon was good enough to also make a recommendation:

The report — delivered nearly 20 months late — is said to recommend that Taiwan buy short takeoff and vertical landing fighters, such as the British-made Harrier jump-jet or the Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

YOU RECOMMEND WHAT?!

The Harrier is no longer in production, and the F-35 is… well it’s (supposed to be) the most badass/advanced jet fighter on the planet.

HAHA if you thought China would be pissed if Taiwan got F-16 C/Ds, imagine the epic meltdown of skipping over F-18s and F-22s straight to F-35s …

That’s like if you went to the store to buy a six pack of bud light and they told you you shouldn’t buy it because it wouldn’t be good for you, but instead next time you should try and ask for Johnny Walker Blue Label.

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October 01, 2011

Lonely Planet, those Chinese cultural colonialists

ugh, cmon Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet, “the largest travel guidebook and digital media publisher in the world”, published an article on their website urging travelers to put Taiwan on their “bucket lists”. For those that don’t know, a bucket list is a list of things to do and see before you “kick the bucket” (die).

***** Warning: Sarcasm ahead. Sarcasm.

How DARE THEY?! Just look at that cover! Those people are dressed in dynastic CHINA period dress? What the hell?! What are they saying about Taiwan? That there is culture from CHINA in TAIWAN? They must be out of their minds?! Two out of the five reasons for going to Taiwan are Temples and Museums showing CHINESE culture?! BLASPHEMY! Just look at what these Chinese cultural colonialists at Lonely Planet entreat you to see:

Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian temples abound throughout Taiwan, not merely as static tourist attractions, but as active centres of culture and worship. Must-see temples in Taipei include Longhsan and Guandu temples

Lonely Planet you sicken me. Don’t you know that those things are from CHINA and not from TAIWAN? The mere mention of it shows your obvious pro unification bias. Ugh. and look at the filth they wrote about Taiwan’s museums:

Taiwan offers no shortage of activities for the erudite, and the capital’s vibrant museum scene is yet another of its understated attractions. The most famous of these is the National Palace Museum in Taipei, which houses a sizable chunk of China’s artistic heritage

WHAT?! You want people to go see a museum full of artifacts from CHINA? Disgusting. Why can’t you sell people on going to Taiwan without spewing your nauseating Pro China slop?

***** End Sarcasm.

Well that was fun. But on a more serious note, I’m glad Lonely Planet highlighted the wealth of Chinese culture that exists in Taiwan. It’s not because it’s superior to aboriginal culture in any way, but because it is simply reality. It’s our heritage. I tell people I’m Taiwanese and Chinese. I’m glad the Lonely Planet article highlights the fact that the cuisine (and culture) is a style unto it’s own, inspired by a Chinese heritage. That’s what Taiwan is. It’s like the United States. Everyone’s an American, but there are Texans, Californians, New Yorkers, Nebraskans, Montanans (?). There are also Irish Americans, German Americans, African Americans etc.

It’s sad because a lot of younger kids today think saying “I’m Taiwanese, not Chinese” (or joining Facebook groups to that effect, or buying t-shirts) is something “cool” to say. Perhaps it’s to distance themselves from embarrassing “Chinese” things like melamine milk scandals, lead paint in toys, Tiananmen Square, or Confucius Peace Prizes. I hate to break it to you, but chances are… you are Chinese. Those embarrassing things are products of the current government in China. You may cringe at the sight of those socially awkward, communist, people that talk funny, but you share a common heritage and culture. I’ll be the first to tell you that living in Taiwan is definitely better than living in China. But I can also tell you that there are a lot of people who think living in China is better than living in Taiwan. And I accept that.

At the end of the day we share a bond that transcends geographic boundaries, bodies of water, and political ideology. Supporting it, promoting it, or celebrating it does NOT equate to cultural colonialism/imperialism. You can bash the KMT for a LOT of things it has done, but not for celebrating Chinese culture. Isn’t that what a campaign is? To appeal to the broadest set of people/voters? Why does celebrating our heritage and ancestry equate to unification? Is it possible to say I am Taiwanese but also NOT support unification?

The answer to that question for me is an emphatic yes.