The old Chinese saying, "Fools ask for troubles when peace reigns over the world" might best describe the current disputes, trig-gered by the controversial Japanese comic book On Taiwan
When two former comfort women, 80-year-old A-tao (
If we examine the history of prostitution, some girls and women were abducted and forced into prostitution while others were sold by their parents or even became prostitutes voluntarily. Since the reason for becoming a prostitutes varies from one prostitute to another, the reasons for those who became comfort women also vary. The situation is similar to the old Hindu fable, "The blind men and the elephant"
While the uproar over the book and its claims continues to resound, shouldn't we all be calmly asking the question: Who will benefit from these conflicts?
First, the case was revealed and was further stirred up by some opposition legislators, who gain political benefit when the people of Taiwan's "anti-Lee" (
Second, if a general "anti-Japan" activity can be launched through this case, Taiwan-Japan relations will be damaged and the island will be further isolated, which is helpful for those oppotion legislators to achieve their goal of re-unification between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Third, the case will also lead to a contradiction among different ethnic groups in Taiwan -- and splits between the people of Taiwan have always been expected by the pro-unification groups.
Fourth, the case has become a hot potato for Chen, as he could be criticized both for dealing with it and for not dealing with it. The DPP government has been badly battered by the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
The political trickery behind the case can be clarified easily. I do not blame the people of Taiwan for echoing the opposition legislators' words. It is, however, ridiculous that even some DPP legislators are now dancing with the opposition camp. Where has their political IQ gone?
Moreover, the media has gone out of its way to sing off key this time, giving a really bad example of journalism. When the people of Taiwan were stealing and burning the comic books, not only did the media not condemn such lawless acts, it even tried to rationalize the actions. Some opposition legislators, who have no sense of realism, went further and demanded the government to ban the book. In fact, since Taiwan's Publishing Law (出版法) was revoked, the Government Information Office (新聞局) lacks the authority for such a move, not to mention that it is a violation of the freedom of the press. The media, moreover, has devoted a lot of space to discuss the case. When we turn on the TV, the evening call-in shows are all focusing on the issue with a prejudgment, and some DPP politicians' performances of pretending to look serious on these call-in shows have been absolutely absurd.
The "Chinese legislators"
Politicians' words and actions should be tested. We Taiwanese people must stay calm when facing politicians. It is unnecessary for us to dance to the beat of the evil drums.
Cheng Tzu-leong is a professor of the department of advertising at National Chengchi University.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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