I feel sorry for Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Ma, although an intelligent executive with impeccable integrity, is acting muddleheaded and has lost his ability to deal with his conflict of interest. One sympathizes with his position as a "sandwiched man," yet one would also expect him to make the wise choice, pledging loyalty first to his city and second to his party.
This means that he should have quickly dispersed the crowds in front of the Presidential Office and let the judiciary handle the dispute over the election. Had he done this, Ma would have been able to demonstrate to the Taiwanese people that he was no longer a political suckling and had weaned himself from the KMT's poisonous paps, which in the past secreted tyranny and corruption, and continues to ooze a most acrid bile of seditious intent.
He could have then fostered trust in his character and ensured his political career remained healthy. He could have been a sure thing for the presidential race in 2008. I would have voted for him.
Yang Chun-hui
Salt Lake City, Utah
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