Mon, Oct 05, 2009 page8

• [LETTERS]

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  Don’t appease China

  If China would leave Taiwan alone, the Taiwanese would never choose to go to war with China.

  The problem is, for Taiwan today, there is no choice between peace and war. Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice.

  China taking over Taiwan would rob it of peace, democracy and human rights. China taking Taiwan would be an injustice that begets more injustice.

  So the choice is between slavery or fighting for freedom — today through non-military means, but perhaps one day with weapons of war.

  Unfortunately, many in Taiwan have deluded themselves into thinking that being annexed by China would be better than fighting for freedom. People from many other countries share the same delusion about China and Taiwan.

  The late British prime minister Neville Chamberlain had similar delusions about Nazi Germany.

  Allowing China to annex Taiwan would lead to more war in the future, with China’s aggressive expansionism, militant nationalism and Leninist imperialism felt by other neighboring countries — and not just ones on the border.

  Furthermore, other brutish authoritarian regimes would be emboldened by the lack of consequences over China’s actions. Many other wars would be started by these regimes.

  NAME WITHHELD

  Animals have rights, too

  Nestled in hills of lush greenery and surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane fields, the rustic college campus where I work offers a wonderful learning environment. Before the semester began, while strolling down the pink brick road, I saw a three-legged yellow dog — whom I called “Charlie” — skinny as a rail and looking hungry. I fed him my red bean pastry.

  Another day, as I rode my bicycle to school, Suzuki, another stray dog, followed me all the way to my office in hopes of a bit of food. He was hungry enough to follow me about 1km. As I walked to my office, Fluffy, a white and orange cat, was scrounging through trash for leftovers.

  The campus is bustling now with students and the Student Activity Center is packed with freshmen. The start of the school year affects the welfare of these stray dogs and cats.

  One day I came across Charlie, wobbling along the road. He looked well-fed and content. Obviously he is in the good hands of some young students. Later, I saw one young woman brushing the hair of another stray and playing with him.

  Suzuki no longer follows me — there is enough food from kind-hearted students. He even turned down my offer of a doughnut the other day.

  Fluffy no longer whines from hunger and is rarely seen at garbage bins.

  Education, at least at this campus, may play a role in making the younger generation more conscientious about the welfare of animals.

  Such empathy on the part of the students speaks volumes about the success of civic education.

  Of course, there is still much to be done to improve the treatment of animals in Taiwan when compared with the excellent treatment of pets in the US and other developed countries: better access to veterinarians, requirements for shots and the promotion of neutering and spaying to control the pet population.

  There is no denying that more must be done to control the population of stray dogs and cats in Taiwan.

  However, the fate of these animals is much worse in other Asian counties. We must object strongly to the eating of cats and dogs in some countries.

  From a humanitarian point of view, we must respect the right to life for humans and animals alike. I tip my hat to the students on this campus who care about animal suffering and actually do something about it.

  YANG CHIN-WEI

  Chiayi

  Stop focusing on China alone

  With a tsunami in Samoa, an earthquake in Indonesia and typhoons and flooding in the Philippines, Taiwan’s government and humanitarian organizations should help out.

  Taiwan is the Austronesian homeland of Hawaiiki and could be a leader in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Taiwan has the resources and ability. Taiwan should stop focusing on China alone and look out toward the world.

  JOEL LINTON

  Taipei
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