"'Tis the season to be jolly!" cheerful legislators sang last Friday night.
Politicians known for their usual bickering with one another shared a rare moment of harmony and smiles.
They dressed up as angels at a Christmas concert organized by the Christian legislators. Across party lines and standing side by side, they sang Christmas carols.
It was a heart-warming sight. If only they could show their alleged Christmas spirit a little more often.
Earlier that same day, first lady Wu Shu-jen (
Although doctors from National Taiwan University Hospital confirmed that Wu was suffering from a slow heartbeat, some legislators from the pan-blue camp wasted no time in claiming that Wu had faked the episode.
Even Lien Sheng-wen (
"I think shopping must be tiresome, too ... [She] didn't faint when shopping, but fainted in court. She might [faint] under high pressure," he said.
Those who gloat over others' ill health should be ashamed.
It doesn't matter that Wu's husband, President Chen Shui-bian (
Any physically feeble person who needs medical treament should be shown compassion instead of being insulted.
The public witnessed the warmth that politicians were capable of late last month when news emerged that Taichung Mayor Jason Hu's (
Politicians from across party lines communicated genuine concern and sent good-will wishes to the pair.
How disturbing it is to see that this sincere concern doesn't apply to Wu as well.
Do the pan-blues loathe Wu -- or more likely Chen -- so deeply?
The pan-blues may dislike Wu for her alleged involvement in the Sogo voucher scandal and "state affairs fund" scandal. But given her position as the country's first lady -- or rather, given that she is a fellow human being -- she should not have to suffer this mistreatment.
'Tis the season! It should be a time of reflection for those politicians whose hearts seem to have hardened so completely.
If Wu is not able to appear at the second hearing tomorrow, what new insults will she receive from the pan-blues?
A real Christmas miracle would be to see a little human compassion instead of ugly politicking.
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