Editorial: Why champion cheaters?

Taiwan is a society in which everything is politicized and democracy is abused. Political interference and media hype invariably blur the boundary between right and wrong on many issues. Five students from the Chinese Military Academy were recently expelled from the school after they were caught cheating on tests. The students and their parents turned to legislators, both from the ruling and opposition parties, to make their appeals heard. They have even gone on TV talk shows to complain about the injustice they suffered. This is a typical case of debased moral values.

If a similar incident occurred at the US Military Academy at West Point, no one would have doubted the school's handling of the matter. Even the political powers that be would not have so flagrantly interfered in the school's measures or they would be looked down upon by the public.

Students expelled for cheating should be admitting to their wrongdoing. They should be worrying that talking about it so loudly might invite more public attention and contempt, which in turn might make it even more difficult for them to seek education or jobs.

Cheating on exams is not uncommon anywhere in the world. When someone is found out cheating, schools will normally handle the matter in accordance with their regulations. Even if the students or parents in question disagree, they can only accept the measures. What attracts attention about this incident has been that it happened at a military academy, which normally emphasizes strict discipline.

Next, military personnel should hold honor as dearly as they hold their own lives. When a case of cheating occurs during an exam, it is reasonable for the school to set high standards and handle the matter accordingly. Instead, there was a collective petition. If the future military officers of this country will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, then aren't they simply throwing away the values of responsibility and honor? Who can guarantee that such officers will not betray their country in wartime?

A military academy is a community with strict discipline. If the people involved and their families believe they did nothing wrong, then they can appeal through proper channels. If the students did cheat, the school may still have some room for leniency, but such room will be rather limited. When the students and their parents do not hesitate to run around crying foul, their actions will be difficult to justify even if they are emotionally understandable.

Parents who pamper their children like this are setting an improper example. They are confusing the boundaries between right and wrong, not only damaging the image of military personnel but also making their problems worse. As for the interference of legislators, perhaps they are providing their services to their constituents, but political interference or lobbying without any distinction between right and wrong will seriously harm the legislator's moral views and judgment.

The incident shows that this nation still has a long way to go in establishing the rule of law and professional ethics. These values often come under pressure from politicians and the media. The proper priority order for handling such incidents -- law, reason, emotion -- is often reversed to become "emotion, reason, law." The harm done to the individual is even greater than that to collective interests. If everyone competes over who has more muscle instead of more reason, then where is social justice to be found?

Can the armed forces still fight if they aren't even clear about what is right and what is wrong, about honor and discipline?