‘Peace disaster prevention’?
Dear Johnny,
A short while ago I was riding my scooter down Chongqing S Road and saw a street sign telling me that the “2/28 peace disaster prevention park” (二二 八防災公園) (sic) lay ahead. I guess the 228 Peace Park now commemorates all those who lost their lives in preventable peacetime disasters — such as Typhoon Morakot before Mr Ma re-educated them about the importance of obeying evacuation orders before a disaster hits (regardless of how such orders are delivered, one presumes).
Or have I got it wrong? Have massacres actually been re-termed peace disasters here in Taiwan? I suppose that’s more intellectually honest than calling them incidents.
One might think I am niggling, but far more foreign visitors read that sign than venture inside the park itself. We must consider which phrase visitors are more likely to inquire about: “memorial” or “peacetime disaster prevention.” One is clear in meaning, the other appears to be Chinglish, and innocuous when decoded.
I think this matters. I assume the park hasn’t actually been renamed. Johnny, please send out a fact checker. And tell a DPP city councilwoman or something.
PETER IN XINDIAN
Johnny replies: You’ve got eagle eyes, Peter, and it’s no mistake. The Taipei City Government uses this alternate name on some Web pages.
But its use is not at all suspicious. The rather uncomfortable English translation really ought to say something like “evacuation park” — it’s the designated mobilization location for Zhongzheng District (中正) in case of emergency (earthquakes, fires, terror attacks, Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) shopping excursions, and so on). Ergo, no conspiracy.
Actions matter
Dear Johnny,
I read with interest the letter “Reasons don’t/do matter” (Johnny Neihu’s Mailbag, Oct. 24, page 8) and your response. It is easy to sit back and claim that one sympathizes with the plight of our Taiwanese friends, and I am sure many send letters to publications like the BBC.
Just for the record, there are many of us who do take our friendship with Taiwan and our Taiwanese friends very seriously and work hard on their behalf. I am currently vice chairman of BOHAUSA, a group of US veterans with Taiwan connections who lobby congressmen and senators on an annual basis.
Our goals include ensuring that the Taiwan Relations Act stays in force and that arms sales to Taiwan continue, and we work closely with Taiwanese organizations, both here in America and in Taiwan, to take these concerns to our congressmen and senators on behalf of Taiwan’s international status — such as gaining acceptance in the WTO, and now hopefully at least observer status in the WHO. We have also lobbied hard for Taiwan’s entrance to the UN as well.
We do not get paid for these activities, but the work is unending. We recently sent over 3,000 letters of support for Taiwan’s entrance to the WHO. We work hard to lobby for fair trade and cultural exchanges between our countries.
I just want people to understand that there are Americans who really care for Taiwan, and who do more than just pay lip service. Hang in there and keep up the good work, Johnny.
SAM SMALL, PHD
Johnny replies: It’s often hard to keep up with the thankless efforts of Taiwan’s friends overseas. If no one else will, allow me say thank you to the vets, if that means anything.
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