Mon, Jun 04, 2007 page8

• Letters

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  Tiananmen is still frightening

  Remembering the bloodshed at Tiananmen Square on that dark night of June 4, 1989, still sends shivers down my spine. At this crucial time before the 2008 Olympics, the Tiananmen Massacre reverberates with kindred spirits throughout the free world. Since then the tyrannical Chinese Communist Party hasn't loosened its grip. Its war against freedom is relentless.

  This is the land where assaults on dissident voices have multiplied at the dawn of the Olympics, where young and old are tortured and organ harvesting is a synonym for genocide.

  On June 4 I will light a candle for the kind souls who lost their lives in the name of freedom. China must be liberated.

  Marie Beaulieu

  Victoria, Canada

  The media's old tricks

  It is with interest that I note recent coverage of US military "maneuvers" in a Taiwanese hotel room.

  However, I think that someone might let the responsible reporters know that, just in case they have not been spending much time on planet Earth recently, that this is -- for better or worse -- what men do when they go out to bars.

  The media might have kept us better informed as to the nature of the establishment where the cadet and the young "college student" made their acquaintance. I might be wrong, but I suspect it was not the sort of place where young coeds go to have a drink with friends while relaxing after preparing for their exams.

  But now the military know that if they don't keep their noses clean they may get their behinds kicked; one also hopes the young woman now has a little more capital to go toward her college tuition.

  The media have also neglected to inform us of what the woman is majoring in at college. If it is not media studies, then she might do well to consider switching to that department -- she has already learned that often one cannot just report the news. It must be made.

  Tim Baker

  Hualien

  The news we watch every day, which is supposed to provide accurate and balanced information, is no longer neutral. Because of freedom of the press as protected by the Constitution, the Taiwanese media are able to report what they want. Having the freest press in Asia should be a good thing, yet the media take it for granted.

  I believe local media are politically biased and function to strengthen their favorite party. This is to be expected, but when the media fabricate news, it is another story.

  The desire for high ratings also makes the media untrustworthy. The press must give audiences what they want in order to attract them.

  People love watching scandals and gossip, so their prevalence has become a trend. The more scandalous the news, the better the ratings. Gradually, press freedom suffers.

  Maintaining balanced and significant news is a challenge. I would like to see more of it.

  Nicole Juan

  Kaohsiung

  Bending to survive

  Do we have the freedom of speech to express the idea of Taiwanese independence?

  A statement on Taiwanese independence by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has again upset US officials. Again they worry about whether the statement will influence the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

  Another familiar reaction is that of Beijing, which asserted its anti-secession stance. So, this sort of news is not really "news" to most people in Taiwan; we can all predict what will happen next.

  In fact, the idea of independence seems to have become "taboo" in Taiwanese society. Except for some independence advocates, most of us avoid mentioning and expressing any comment related to the issue.

  In response to many cases and incidents, we perceive we are being threatened by China and pressured by Washington. We therefore don't have the freedom to express the idea of independence, but have more than enough to express the idea of unification or maintaining the "status quo."

  In addition, we realize and acknowledge the fact that Taiwan cannot match China. By degrees, the atmosphere of being threatened and feeling helpless oppresses many Taiwanese and saps their will to express themselves freely on the issue of independence.

  Activists bravely propose independence, but they are treated as troublemakers and not respected as people who are exercising freedom of speech.

  If we are deprived of free speech, including on the idea of independence, I doubt that we could determine Taiwan's future according to our will. The reality of survival is such that we are being forced to bend or contain orientations of the nation's future.

  Wendy Chen

  Kaohsiung

  The meaning of abused pets

  I am visiting Taiwan for the first time. I have always had dogs, and I am greatly dismayed at seeing all the homeless dogs roaming the streets. One dog had recently given birth; another one had a broken leg and obviously needed care. It made me cry. I prayed for someone to take care of them.

  Dogs and cats in particular depend on humans for care. How is it we are so proud to call ourselves a higher species of animal and yet show no compassion for other animals on this planet?

  Dogs and cats that are domesticated need to be treated with the same love and caring as babies and young children -- all their lives. Is there any hope for humans on this planet to live with one another when we cannot respect the other animals that share the planet with us? That we ignore a sick or injured dog on the street shows us why we can't learn to live with one another in this world.

  Carl Rath

  Norman, Oklahoma
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