The tragedy of Pachang Creek (八掌溪) provided a field day for many in the public, politics and the media to attack the bureaucracy and Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) new government. Nevertheless, the aftermath of the incident and the response from the new government have set an unprecedented example and raised the bar of political accountability in Taiwan's fledgling democracy.
Never in the KMT's more than 50-year rule of Taiwan, did punishments ever come so swift and severe for government officials faulted for incompetence and negligence.
Vice Premier Yu Shi-kun's resignation is controversial and unfair. He did not yet have the chance to do his job and unfortunately had to take the blame for the bureaucratic system inherited from the previous administration.
No sensible person would expect the bureaucratic system in Taiwan to disappear overnight after the KMT was relieved its governing control.
There should be some kind of grace period before one can lay any blame on a new government for an existing structural fault. However, Yu set a good example for a responsible government.
Maybe one good thing that will come from this tragedy is that it will speed up the weeding out of incompetent bureaucrats in Taiwan. The good old days for these officials are gone. You either perform or retire. Yang Ji-charng
Columbus, Ohio
In her letter to the editor, Linda Su (Letters, July 30, Page 8) asked how much longer the new government's transition period should be? Two months, half a year, one year? Did the people discuss the question whether two months is enough or not before blindly criticizing the new government? Not all people agree two months is enough.
When did Su started criticizing the president's activities? Before the Panchang Creek incident or after? Would she have criticized Chen's predecessors if they had acted as Chen has done? If one of Chen's predecessors had always stayed in his office, would Su and others have criticized him for not caring about the people's sorrow and anger?
Su said "this is not what people who had elected him expected." I am so angry about this comment and absolutely disagree with it. Did Su vote for the DPP? In my family six people voted the DPP -- so how does Su know that this is not what people who had elected him expected? How does she know what nearly five million voters expected?
What does Su mean by saying the Taipei Times doesn't like James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九)? Just because a person criticizes someone doesn't mean they don't like them. When did the paper ever say "we don't like Soong and Ma?"
If your standing is biased, anything is an injustice. Different media try look at issues from different angles. Su can have her own stand against the new government, but she can't represent all the people who support it. At least I don't agree with her. Bryan Huang
Changhua
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