Why close the bars?
I am surprised that I haven’t read any article, and even more so, any editorial on the current events shaking Taichung: the closing of all the bars in the city.
As a foreigner in Taichung, I can unfortunately only speak from my perspective: All the bars and restaurants we have come to frequent, appreciate and, most importantly, consider our homes away from home, are now being closed, one after the other.
What is going on? Why are our favorite places in town being forced to close?
After the tragic fire at Ala, safety checks were carried out, which were perfectly normal and were most likely needed. Our bars, following the guidelines, cut down trees, removed curtains, checked fire escapes, etc. This makes perfect sense: We all want to be safe.
And then, for some reason, curfews were imposed. Curfews? In Taiwan? The country where you can eat in the middle of the night and pay your bills at 4am? I fail to understand.
However, the curfews were not enough. One after another, bars are now being ordered to close down. Again, I’m giving you my perspective as a foreigner who is not allowed anymore to mingle with her friends. Think about all the bar owners, Taiwanese or foreigners, who are losing their livelihood, forced to close places in which they have invested money and time. For some, 10 years of work disappear, just like that. It seems that Greater Taichung is following the example of the long-gone US prohibition days.
So what are we supposed to do now? Hang out in KTVs with the mafia? Move to another city? Another country? Because, seriously, if I wanted to live in a repressive place, I could have chosen China.
DOMINIQUE LUTHRINGER
Taichung
What has become of Taiwan?
It is understandable that former president Lee Teng-hui has incurred the wrath of the mainlander element of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) because of his realistic appraisal and support for an independent Taiwanese nation, no matter the moniker.
However, for his former colleagues to so publicly “indict” him at such an politically opportune moment is not only treacherous, but also downright disgusting — what on earth are they playing at?
Do they really think the Taiwanese public, who, for the most part, acknowledge and revere Lee as their “Father of Democracy,” are so gullible as to fall for this kind of crass lunacy? Obviously they do.
One can only hope and pray that the Taiwanese people recognize this nonsense for what it actually is — further evidence that they are in grave danger of losing forever their hard-won freedoms. We can only hope and pray that in the next elections, the Taiwanese people come to their senses and vote into power a truly presidential president and legislative representatives who actually represent their constituents (not just their own interests and egos).
The world will see the real Taiwan and the real Taiwanese once and for all. Now is the only time for true Taiwanese to stand up and be counted.
Stand with pride and dignity, Taiwan.
DAVID KAY
Taipei
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