After the March 20 presidential election, many of the nation's political commentators suddenly discovered that growing "Taiwan consciousness" -- first promoted by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) when he came to power in 1988 -- has finally become a strong mainstream opinion. It even helped President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who comes from a poor farming family, defeat the alliance of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who represent a "greater China consciousness."

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By the Liberty Times editorial
The nation's democratic development over the last decade or two is enough to make us proud. But reforming the government does not stop with establishing a democratic system and putting in place measures to maintain public order and social welfare. It must also include improving administrative efficiency. Put another way, a modern democratic government must encompass three aspects: democracy, social justice and administrative efficiency.

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By Liu Kuan-teh 劉冠德
Let's face it. For the past four years, Taiwan's politics have been driven by domestic considerations. The direct result has been a difficult diplomatic environment for the nation that stems largely from China's rise. China is growing both economically and militarily. But more importantly, in recent years China has reached out to the world and exerted increasing influence in global affairs. Under the doctrine of "great power diplomacy," Beijing has launched a series of diplomatic initiatives to improve its international status.

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We must abandon the scapegoat ethos, which is becoming a habit at home and abroad, discourages self-criticism and allows us to project many of our own failings on to others
By Karen Armstrong
Yom Kippur in ancient Jerusalem, two goats were selected and brought to the front of the Temple. One, chosen by lot, was consecrated to God and sacrificed. The other was dedicated to a mysterious figure, Azazel. The high priest laid his hands on the head of this second goat, confessed the sins of Israel, and drove it out into the desert, the haunt of demons. The community was purified by symbolically projecting its misdeeds on to a substitute, which was then expelled from the city to the "other side."

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By William Safire
"The committee concluded that the intelligence community was suffering from what we call a collective groupthink," said Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Intelligence committee. "This groupthink also extended to our allies and to the United Nations."

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By Ted Chang
It is interesting that Eugene Liu pointed out that some western European nations are modeled on the the welfare state (Letters, Aug. 3, page 8), yet failed to mention that these same states also have democratic systems. Social groups advocating that the government should tell you where and how to live? When to see a doctor? How to work and what to learn?

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By Yung Ching-lin
As a Taiwanese person, it's truly amazing to witness how divided the US is over the Bush administration in this election year -- especially after reading articles, three days in a row, responding to Joel Linton (Letters, July 18, page 8) and then others fiercely denouncing the first respondents.

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