Spying no surprise
Why was I not really surprised to learn of another suspected case of spying for China (“Taiwan hit by another espionage case,” March 1, page 1)?
Taiwan currently has one former military officer serving a life sentence for spying and another general making remarks that contradict good order and discipline by sympathizing with the enemy.
When the current administration gets its act together and makes its doctrine clear, then maybe the “confusion” in the ranks will abate. You cannot play nicey nice with an avowed enemy and expect the military to translate the mixed messages.
That being said, spying is still spying, and treason is still treason. Investigate, prosecute and punish harshly if found guilty. Selling out ones country is one of the most dishonorable of crimes under any circumstances.
Tom Kuleck
Greater Taichung
Pictures capture pollution
I want to share my pictures of a sad event I saw on 228: Pollution in the historical and touristic park of Anping that killed thousands of fish.
I believe if we bring this instance of pollution to the public’s attention, it might not happen again. Also, people throughout Taiwan eat fish and oysters, the birds eat fish and the children in Greater Tainan row and sometimes swim in the canal.
My pictures can be seen at: picasaweb.google.com/110953305069104278332
Author from Greater Tainan
To beef or not to beef?
I am an American who has lived in Taiwan for the past five years. I love the US and I love my second home, Taiwan. It saddens me to see the how the ractopamine issue is damaging the relationship between the two.
There are so much scientific data available on the issue, yet most are ignored in the press.One so-called “expert” even said ractopamine could cause 3 million cases of heart disease. Is there any scientific proof backing his claim? Do the reporters do any fact checking before this questionable claim is printed in large bold type as if it is true?
The fact is, like many things we eat every day, too much consumption could be bad for you. Does anyone worry about their consumption of monosodium glutamate (MSG)? Well, they should. It has been proven that it is bad for you if you eat too much of it. Yet, it is a part of everyday life in Taiwan. The minimal presence of ractopamine should be treated in the same way.
This issue has seriously damaged US-Taiwan trade relations. It has, and will continue to, put Taiwan in a disadvantageous position as the US concludes trade agreements elsewhere. Taiwan will lose some of its US exports to countries such as South Korea and Singapore. Even worse, a reduction of trade with a major partner like the US might cause Taiwan to become more dependent on trade with China. Some might feel that is good for Taiwan. I do not think dependence on China is good for Taiwan’s national security.
It is amazing how this issue is being used for self-promotion by some people. They project themselves as the protectors of public health. Well, if that is the case, they should study the international standards on ractopamine based on scientific studies. Publish the findings and let people decide.
Other opponents of US beef are mainly protectionists who do not want competition for the local meat industry. That is very short sighted. Protectionism could backfire because Taiwan has more to lose.
Taiwanese consumers are smart. Just like we all have a choice whether to add MSG to our food, let consumers decide whether to buy US beef. Let people have a choice.
If these “protectors of public health” are really interested in health issues, instead of banning US beef, ban cigarettes. Unlike ractopanime, there are indisputable facts that cigarettes are bad for our health. Unlike the questionable claim mentioned earlier by a certain doctor, there just might be proof that cigarettes caused 3 million cases of lung disease. Or have these “protectors of public health” decided that people have a choice whether to smoke?
Tony Hu
Taipei
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