Nantou County Commissioner Peng Pai-hsien (彭百顯) must be one of the highest officials ever to be detained in Taiwan's modern history. It seems that two pieces of paper located among his records have become sufficient grounds for his lock-up.
Unlike legislators, who enjoy immunity from prosecution, or political heavyweights like a former governor who can flaunt unexplained personal wealth without legal consequence, Peng has neither been allowed to neither contact his family nor fully consult with a lawyer. He can be advised as to the "progress" of his case, but while held incommunicado for "security" reasons, he is barred from making any public comments in his own defense. This restriction is hardly in keeping with democratic principles.
Peng was arrested by several dozen officers who searched county offices for evidence to support a prosecution. The forced entry was impossible to monitor and could easily have involved planting the articles that are now claimed to be the basis of Peng's detention. One would hope that such draconian measures would be a thing of the past now, especially under a president who has himself been the victim of appalling injustice.
This has not been a good time for Nantou. Recovery from earthquake devastation still demands an incredible amount of human effort and funding. Accounts of hoarded relief goods have been disheartening, but why would a man elected for distancing himself from the usual corruption of Taiwan politics venture so carelessly into the realm of the condemned. Could it be that Peng's fatal mistake was making enemies by quitting the ranks of the DPP and trying to serve outside the party system?
Douglas F. Miller
Puli
Eliminating strays
Pet stores in the US produce "baby" animals to be sold for profit. There is a big difference between dealing with a pet store and a "breeding" owner. The latter do not necessarily sell their animals to just any-one. In some cases they check the buyer's background before selling their animals. Pet stores in Taiwan might want to consider keeping in mind the welfare of the animals they sell.
Owners-to-be must be educated to realistically consider their ability to care for their pet as long as possible and through-out the pet's life. If for any reason they believe it may be a problem (because of house size, finances, time) they should refrain from even buying pets and just admire them from a distance.
Taipei City or Taiwan could add the following onto what they have already suggested:
One, educate the pet stores or current owners into educating would-be owners. Prevent pets from being abandoned for any reason in the future.
Two, involve veterinarian societies in educating their clients about the well-being of their pets and encouraging neutering or spaying.
Three, offer advice on pet training. Sometimes pets are given up due to problematic behavior (urinating in the wrong place, tearing up furniture). Pets, like children, are to be taught to behave and they do learn a lot faster than children if taught correctly.
Four, avoid telling owners what the consequences are for their pets if they abandon them. Fear does not teach; it has the opposite effect. Teach owners to be responsible for what they own. If the government says your animal will be killed if you abandon it, then for some owners who DO want to get rid of their pets, they will just do so.
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