Ma a hero or villain?
On Monday, your editorial offered a rather insightful perspective on Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (
You pointed out the political hazards for Ma, no matter the final result, stating that even if the Ma-KMT version passes, "Ma will still have to carry the cross for stirring up political turmoil ... " You argued that the KMT has committed a strategic blunder by having "prematurely exposed Ma to the risks of partisan wrangling."
So far, so clear. But readers can be excused for surprise at seeing an article the next day entitled "After the funding fracas, Mayor Ma looking good" (Feb. 19, page 3), especially upon reading its subhead: "Whatever the outcome ... political analysts say the mayor has well-positioned [sic] himself to lead the pan-blue camp." The article specifically characterized Ma' behavior as another example of his successful tactics. So is he brilliant, or reckless?
Furthermore, an accompanying article parrots Ma's claims that his proposal is necessary for local governments ("Ma claims Cabinet changes to funding would cripple local government reform").
But a previous editorial called it "an attempt to turn the long-standing dispute between the central and local governments into a partisan vendetta" ("Fiscal responsibility, not politics," Feb. 8, page 8).
Just what is the stance of the Taipei Times on this crucial matter?
In fact, what a responsible newspaper should be providing is not simply "he said, she said" coverage, but facts and figures and concrete analysis. Where is the money going? How would the budget actually be affected? Who is right?
You could do worse than Monday's edition of your sister paper, the Liberty Times, which made a brave effort to sort out the competing plans into a pair of tables (although unfortunately they were not exactly comparable). The headlined conclusion: "Ma's version is just a numbers game."
Bo Tedards
Taipei
Welcome mat not inviting
Hsiao Bi-khim's article ("Tai-wan's welcome mat needs an overhaul," Feb. 6, page 8) has relevance to me.
Motivated by the desire to do something for Taiwanese students, I arrived on Oct. 10 and since then have been unable to get a work permit.
I am in a category that does not yet exist. The Foreign Affairs Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the education authority (Kaohsiung) all courteously inform me that "the law is the law."
There is no place for free-lancers. I am told to go around and find a cram school that will employ me. This is not the pathway my skills and expertise suggest I take.
In the first place, I am several decades on from the age group that plays games with youngsters. Advanced high-school public-speaking trainer, history writer, schooling consultant are my background experiences on top of "teacher."
Australia has many teachers of my ilk who, at the retiring age of 55, may like to put a year or two into assisting Taiwanese students academically.
When I am asked what I think of Taiwan, I reply that my impression for some years has been "a strong little tiger." But why is the tiger sitting on the mat growling?
Valmai Kerr
Kaohsiung
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