Print

Mail

wiki links

Johnny Neihu's Mailbag

Insulters beware

Dear Johnny,

I recently read that a local English professor from the US was sued for saying “Up yours” to a colleague (“Courts listen to debates in defamation lawsuits,” Sept. 26, page 2), and that this situation has occurred at least four other times since 2004.

The least offensive of the group was sued for saying “You’re mentally sick,” while the worst was two people who uttered the acronym for “found under carnal knowledge.”

Wow! Although I don’t condone public cursing, are we allowed to do so in Mandarin or Taiwanese? If so, would you please provide some examples so that we can express ourselves legally?

LEE MACRAE

PS: Canadians will know what former prime minister Pierre Trudeau meant when he said “fuddle duddle” to a group of demonstrators.


Johnny replies: Are you asking me to put my name to a list of acceptable insults? Fat chance, Lee. I’d rather end up in court for giving advice on something a little more spectacular, thank you very much.

In the meantime, take the opportunity to cultivate courtesy. And assume that insulting people is against the law, at least in Nantou County, unless it is a reference to classical Chinese literature that no one understands.

For example: “Thy jade stalk droopeth like the willows astride the West Lake” or something like that.



Smart spacemen

Dear Johnny,

The world is missing out on a tremendous opportunity for scientific discovery from the Chinese astronauts who recently launched into space.

I believe the world could greatly benefit if we ask them to search for intelligent life when they land!

CRAIG


Johnny replies: Not so fast, Craig. I’m of a mind that this space program is a ruse. That’s right, Capricorn One — with Chinese characteristics. Is that not proof enough of intelligent life in China? The only question that remains is what will happen to the “astronauts” and their pals when their tricky scheme is exposed.



Delegating distress

Dear Johnny,

I was watching the typhoon coverage, but I never saw President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) make a public appearance offering his condolences and government assistance to those who suffered damage.

Is he on holiday in Italy trying to drum up tourism, or was my timing off? I thought he would have learned something from his failure in July to visit Pingtung County’s farmers and the complaints that followed.

MICHAEL


Johnny replies: The Ma camp has argued that expressions of sympathy and compassion are constitutionally the territory of the Cabinet.

What, Michael, a hug from a premier ain’t enough?


This story has been viewed 1851 times.