From the Taipei Times.
"He became famous for his willingness to physically attack fellow lawmakers with his fists or other handy items." The article.
Fists are pretty darn handy, have to give 'em that.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Taiwan's DPP legislators tell the Yankees how to run the club. Funny.
The legislators encouraged Taiwan's baseball fans to write Yankee management to insist, after pitcher Wang Chien-ming's performance against the Detroit Tigers last week, that Wang be kept on the Yankee roster. The Yankees were not amused. The link.
It's not true.
Feiren points out that unlike Japan, South Korea and China, Taiwan's conviction rate sits at 85 percent instead of 99 in 2004. Here is the MOJ link.
Feiren points out that unlike Japan, South Korea and China, Taiwan's conviction rate sits at 85 percent instead of 99 in 2004. Here is the MOJ link.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Taiwan's godfather "mosquito brother" laid to rest.
Over 10,000 people showed up to pay their respects to one of the most notorious organized crime figures in Taiwan's history. Gang members from Hong Kong and Japan came to pay their respects as well. More here.
Over 10,000 people showed up to pay their respects to one of the most notorious organized crime figures in Taiwan's history. Gang members from Hong Kong and Japan came to pay their respects as well. More here.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
I wonder if this is true in Taiwan.
On the FEER blog, there is an entry about how if you get accused of a crime in Japan, South Korea or China, all three would probably convict you as they all have a 99 percent conviction rate because of the power of prosecutors. Check it out.
On the FEER blog, there is an entry about how if you get accused of a crime in Japan, South Korea or China, all three would probably convict you as they all have a 99 percent conviction rate because of the power of prosecutors. Check it out.
International waters ... pppphhhhttt!
Taiwan's Coast Guard forces Chinese research vessel out. This was the second time in seven days that the vessel had entered Taiwan's territory. More from the Taipei Times.
Taiwan's Coast Guard forces Chinese research vessel out. This was the second time in seven days that the vessel had entered Taiwan's territory. More from the Taipei Times.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
An uplifting find ...
What could buoy the heart more on a Saturday afternoon than the discovery of new fish off the coast of Taiwan? More here.
Friday, May 27, 2005
US Congressmen put pressure on KMT Chairman Lien Chan
Thirty-three congressmen signed a letter asking KMT Chairman Lien Chan to support the defense appropriations bill. Somehow, I don't think Lien will be moved. The KMT has invested what little political capital they have in opposing this bill. It probably wouldn't do them much good among their constituents to flip-flop after years of flogging the appropriations as an pricey US swindle. Here's the link.
Thirty-three congressmen signed a letter asking KMT Chairman Lien Chan to support the defense appropriations bill. Somehow, I don't think Lien will be moved. The KMT has invested what little political capital they have in opposing this bill. It probably wouldn't do them much good among their constituents to flip-flop after years of flogging the appropriations as an pricey US swindle. Here's the link.
Typhoons are good for shell games.
New York State's firebrand Attorney General Eliot Spitzer talks about the state's case against US insurance giant AIG. The company allegedly covered up losses by "linking" damages from a typhoon to its Taiwan-based subsidary to losses in a Brazilian-based subsidary.
These charges, however, are peripheral compared with the allegations that the company has been inflating its worth to ward off regulators and please investors. More here.
New York State's firebrand Attorney General Eliot Spitzer talks about the state's case against US insurance giant AIG. The company allegedly covered up losses by "linking" damages from a typhoon to its Taiwan-based subsidary to losses in a Brazilian-based subsidary.
These charges, however, are peripheral compared with the allegations that the company has been inflating its worth to ward off regulators and please investors. More here.
That's just silly ...
When was the last time you heard of a statesman giving out an award for an abstract moral achievement? The chastity medal, the order of noncovetousness, the five-point star for humility and rectitude? President Chen Shui-bian hands out awards for filial piety. More here.
(Editor's note: The picture above is the Order of the Chrysanthemum, a Japanese miltary medal, obviously not the awards that Chen handed out to school kids. Rank does not endorse or condone Japanese military expansionism during World War II. Picture is of historical interest only.)
Thursday, May 26, 2005
On Bird Flu ...
One of my early Rank entries points out how unequipped and underfunded developing nations are when it come to tackling the avian flu virus. What's more astounding is the cavalier attitude among wealthier nations when it comes to protecting their own populace from something that, were it to get out of control, would be far more problematic than any of the real or imagined threats we hear so much about. More in The Guardian.
One of my early Rank entries points out how unequipped and underfunded developing nations are when it come to tackling the avian flu virus. What's more astounding is the cavalier attitude among wealthier nations when it comes to protecting their own populace from something that, were it to get out of control, would be far more problematic than any of the real or imagined threats we hear so much about. More in The Guardian.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
More reasons for that defense budget ...
Wendell Minnick from Jane's Defense Weekly has a piece in today's Taipei Times. Most interesting is the comment from the US official.
Wendell Minnick from Jane's Defense Weekly has a piece in today's Taipei Times. Most interesting is the comment from the US official.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Cockamamy Reasoning
One of the most bizarre political arguments I've seen in Taiwan since I've been here is the KMT's assertion that Taiwan doesn't need to increase its military spending because eventually, China will outspend Taiwan, so its futile to even consider raising the budget.
What gives? Here is something in the Taipei Times that puzzled me:
That argument is akin to a homeowner saying that they won't make repairs to their home because the next door neighbor has so much money, he'll eventually buy the property off the homeowner, but we all know the real result of such behavior. A drop in property values.
Is that what Taiwan wants?
One of the most bizarre political arguments I've seen in Taiwan since I've been here is the KMT's assertion that Taiwan doesn't need to increase its military spending because eventually, China will outspend Taiwan, so its futile to even consider raising the budget.
What gives? Here is something in the Taipei Times that puzzled me:
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ting Shou-chung said China's miltary spending accounts for 2.8 percent of GDP, and that its military budget has been growing at a double-digit rate for over a decade. Noting that China's military budget would be 20 timesTaiwan's within 15 to 20 years, Ting askedLee, "will the military be able to safeguard the country if the gap of military spending between Taiwan continues to grow?"China's military budget will continue to grow, and will eventually exceed Taiwan's. Is Ting (whose father is aROC general) a maverick suggesting that the KMT should get the military budget passed, or is he part of the tiring chorus that says spending the money is silly because China will eventually be victorious.
That argument is akin to a homeowner saying that they won't make repairs to their home because the next door neighbor has so much money, he'll eventually buy the property off the homeowner, but we all know the real result of such behavior. A drop in property values.
Is that what Taiwan wants?
Thursday, May 19, 2005
James Soong is either out of his tree ...
... or mutiny is spreading within his party. On Monday the PFP said they would no longer cooperate with the DPP, effectively sinking the agreement made between James Soong and President Chen Shui-bian at their February meeting. And on Tuesday, the PFP vowed to stop any legislation proposed by the DPP as I noted yesterday.
Today we find out through the Taipei Times that PFP Legislator Lee Chin-hua (the brother of the PFP's infamous harridan Diane Lee) is leaving the party. Lee says he cannot see how the PFP can cooperate with both the ruling party and KMT. This doesn't come as a shock as Lee, Chou-yi and several other PFP legislators held a press conference on Monday criticizing Soong.
I didn't know anything about that press conference until this afternoon, so at first I thought that one of two things must be brewing. Either Soong had diabolically engineered this week's kerfuffle for political advantage, or he was losing control of the party. Soong must have put the kibosh on the uproar, thus leading to Lee's resignation.
In any case, Soong should get his house in order and consider merging with the KMT. Once the National Assembly ratifies the constitutional reforms, and the legislative elections are held, the PFP will wither and blow away as Taiwan moves toward a two-party system.
... or mutiny is spreading within his party. On Monday the PFP said they would no longer cooperate with the DPP, effectively sinking the agreement made between James Soong and President Chen Shui-bian at their February meeting. And on Tuesday, the PFP vowed to stop any legislation proposed by the DPP as I noted yesterday.
Today we find out through the Taipei Times that PFP Legislator Lee Chin-hua (the brother of the PFP's infamous harridan Diane Lee) is leaving the party. Lee says he cannot see how the PFP can cooperate with both the ruling party and KMT. This doesn't come as a shock as Lee, Chou-yi and several other PFP legislators held a press conference on Monday criticizing Soong.
I didn't know anything about that press conference until this afternoon, so at first I thought that one of two things must be brewing. Either Soong had diabolically engineered this week's kerfuffle for political advantage, or he was losing control of the party. Soong must have put the kibosh on the uproar, thus leading to Lee's resignation.
In any case, Soong should get his house in order and consider merging with the KMT. Once the National Assembly ratifies the constitutional reforms, and the legislative elections are held, the PFP will wither and blow away as Taiwan moves toward a two-party system.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
They're at it again.
Earlier, I wrote up several paragraphs on the recent shenadigans of the PFP. They have broken their promise to President Chen Shui-bian and vowed to block any legislation until Chen gets down on his hands and knees and praises all the good work PFP leader James Soong has done by travelling to China.
Unfortunately, the original post fell into the blackhole of the Firefox browser, so I'm only going to point to this link, the first entry on Rank. While some of the invective is dated, much is still relevant as the KMT and the PFP once again seek to block the arms appropriations bill.
Earlier, I wrote up several paragraphs on the recent shenadigans of the PFP. They have broken their promise to President Chen Shui-bian and vowed to block any legislation until Chen gets down on his hands and knees and praises all the good work PFP leader James Soong has done by travelling to China.
Unfortunately, the original post fell into the blackhole of the Firefox browser, so I'm only going to point to this link, the first entry on Rank. While some of the invective is dated, much is still relevant as the KMT and the PFP once again seek to block the arms appropriations bill.
Monday, May 16, 2005
The PFP are a bunch of crybabies.
On the front page of the Taipei Times today we find out that the James Soong sycophant party is unhappy once again. They thought because Soong had a heart-to-heart talk with China's Hu Jintao, the people of Taiwan would wake up and see the nimbus floating around the demagogue's head. Well, it didn't happen as the weekend vote for the National Assembly proved. And to add insult to injury, Taiwan's own circus clown party, the TSU, ran over Soong and his minions like so many overstuffed Volkswagens.
Now Soong's stooges want a constitutional interpretation from the Council of Grand Justices on the legitimacy of the elections. Why is it exactly that these people can never be bothered to challenge the legitimacy of an election BEFORE they lose?
On the front page of the Taipei Times today we find out that the James Soong sycophant party is unhappy once again. They thought because Soong had a heart-to-heart talk with China's Hu Jintao, the people of Taiwan would wake up and see the nimbus floating around the demagogue's head. Well, it didn't happen as the weekend vote for the National Assembly proved. And to add insult to injury, Taiwan's own circus clown party, the TSU, ran over Soong and his minions like so many overstuffed Volkswagens.
Now Soong's stooges want a constitutional interpretation from the Council of Grand Justices on the legitimacy of the elections. Why is it exactly that these people can never be bothered to challenge the legitimacy of an election BEFORE they lose?
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Off the beaten path ...
I know that one of the weaknesses of this blog early on was my fanatical inability to focus on a single issue. Having logged entries on Caravaggio and Eminem videos, it would be a understatement to say that the content was "all over the place." So, with the help of DogOfTheSouth, Rank has for the most part focused its attention on Taiwan.
Yet occasionally there are things of such importance that they seem to transcend the need for focus, and this piece is one of them. An American journalist writes about how, by attempting to be more than a stenographer for the US military in Iraq, she can no longer rely on the support of her own government, and what's more she's viewed with suspicion by insurgents, ordinary Iraqis and US officials. It's a compelling piece.
I cadged the link off Eschaton, but thought for those of you who don't look at that site, this shouldn't be missed. If anything, it's refreshing to see that there are still journalists who understand the importance of telling both sides of the story, who strive for balance and who are willing to put themselves at risk in order to broaden our understanding of the serried conflicts of the world.
I know that one of the weaknesses of this blog early on was my fanatical inability to focus on a single issue. Having logged entries on Caravaggio and Eminem videos, it would be a understatement to say that the content was "all over the place." So, with the help of DogOfTheSouth, Rank has for the most part focused its attention on Taiwan.
Yet occasionally there are things of such importance that they seem to transcend the need for focus, and this piece is one of them. An American journalist writes about how, by attempting to be more than a stenographer for the US military in Iraq, she can no longer rely on the support of her own government, and what's more she's viewed with suspicion by insurgents, ordinary Iraqis and US officials. It's a compelling piece.
I cadged the link off Eschaton, but thought for those of you who don't look at that site, this shouldn't be missed. If anything, it's refreshing to see that there are still journalists who understand the importance of telling both sides of the story, who strive for balance and who are willing to put themselves at risk in order to broaden our understanding of the serried conflicts of the world.
New Link ...
Feiren tipped me off about the Far Eastern Economic Review's blog. I gave it a cursory glance, and it looks like it's worth checking on the coffee break. Here's the link for the post. In the future you can find it on the blogroll.
Feiren tipped me off about the Far Eastern Economic Review's blog. I gave it a cursory glance, and it looks like it's worth checking on the coffee break. Here's the link for the post. In the future you can find it on the blogroll.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Here we go ... (rubs hands)
DogOfTheSouth was laid up in bed sweatin, his bones was aching too. Something nasty has been running around. I just spent the last hour trying to get the damn battery cover off my camera with no success (which also means no light meter.) This is especially depressing because I figured this problem out on a photoshoot tonight.
Anybody out there got damn strong thumbs?
On other fronts, I saw Premier Frank Hsieh yesterday at a special press conference for the foreign press. On the whole it was, as most press conferences are, unenlightening. Yet when a French journalist asked him about whether Taiwan had a reciprocal gesture in mind for the incoming pandas, the premier inexplicably started talking about France's moves to lift the arms embargo. Granted, questions were asked in English, translated to Hsieh in Chinese, then he gave his answer in Chinese, which was translated back into English, so perhaps we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
DogOfTheSouth was laid up in bed sweatin, his bones was aching too. Something nasty has been running around. I just spent the last hour trying to get the damn battery cover off my camera with no success (which also means no light meter.) This is especially depressing because I figured this problem out on a photoshoot tonight.
Anybody out there got damn strong thumbs?
On other fronts, I saw Premier Frank Hsieh yesterday at a special press conference for the foreign press. On the whole it was, as most press conferences are, unenlightening. Yet when a French journalist asked him about whether Taiwan had a reciprocal gesture in mind for the incoming pandas, the premier inexplicably started talking about France's moves to lift the arms embargo. Granted, questions were asked in English, translated to Hsieh in Chinese, then he gave his answer in Chinese, which was translated back into English, so perhaps we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
For Great Britain on election day ...
Since the returns are coming in tomorrow morning, here are three faux commercials, which might have been run if the parties said what they really wanted to. (Be sure to use the arrows!)
Since the returns are coming in tomorrow morning, here are three faux commercials, which might have been run if the parties said what they really wanted to. (Be sure to use the arrows!)
A note on the Splittist Panda...
Hey there. First off, I have to give credit to William Meldrum for asking the question: what if the two pandas arrive in Taiwan and one of them thinks after awhile that it is Taiwanese and refuses to go back to China?
For those of you who are wondering what the hell I am talking about, China offered two pandas to its "Taiwanese compatriots" as a goodwill gesture during KMT Chairman Lien Chan's trip to China.
But the story doesn't stop there. Xinhua is claiming that the pandas are on their way to Taiwan despite the fact that the ruling DPP government has yet to make up its mind. For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two are obviously Trojan pandas and the ministry wants nothing to do with them. KMT Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, would be more than happy to accept the pandas in his city zoo, and according to Xinhua has already started training zoo keepers how to keep and train the pandas.
And according to the Taiwan News: "Council of Agriculture Chairman Lee Ching-lung said Tuesday that his council will act according to the law and professionally assess, without regard for political considerations, whether Taiwan can adequately care for the pandas." even though the government has yet to decide whether it will take the pandas or not. Got it? Good!
Now, we can only hope that whatever the result of the panda issue, the Taiwanese don't give up their freedom and democracy for a pair of bamboo-eating bores.
Here are some panda facts if you need them. Pandas sing about biscuits here.
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