Things are not looking good for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) these days in the run-up to next month's local government elections. In the past, the party was known for its ability to generate debate topics and formulate and execute well-planned campaign strategies. However, in the campaign for mayoral and county commissioner seats, the DPP seems to be completely on the defensive. Even its offense seems weak and missing the point. With less than a month left until election day, DPP has little time to turn things around.

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By the Liberty Times editorial
National security is the highest responsibility demanded of a government by the people of a country. It is not a matter that can be trifled with. National security comprises security on many levels, involving the economy, national defense, politics and society. The actions of the government in recent years, regardless of which of these security levels are looked at, has been extremely disappointing. Even Taiwan's foreign friends are becoming anxious and beginning to question the nation's commitment to its own security.

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By Chan Chang-chuan 詹長權
National Taiwan University recently decided to establish a biomedical science park, with six specialized research centers, in Hsinchu. This project is directed at developing commercially viable treatments for chronic diseases. In a world of international commerce and the global spread of infectious diseases, this project seems out of touch with the reality of both the commercial and health situation at the present time.

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The world's oceans are being plundered and nobody seems to be willing or able to stop the slaughter
By Max Hastings
Most of us like eating fish, but nobody wants to cuddle them. The consequence is that, while otters, seals, elephants, rhinos and even foxes have powerful political constituencies to fight for them, mankind is doing disastrous things at sea without anybody seeming to care much.

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In writing about people who are homosexual, the word gay no longer covers both men and women, but the word guy now does apply to both sexes
By William Safire
In an article about a referendum coming to a vote in Maine this week, the Associated Press reports that opponents of broadened civil rights protections for homosexual men and women claim that such legislation, already signed into law by the governor, would "grant a new status to gay men and lesbians that could open the door to same-sex marriage."

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By Joy Lawn
Each year, 4 million babies die in their first four weeks of life -- over 10,000 deaths a day. Most of these neonatal deaths go unrecorded and remain invisible to all but their families. Virtually all (99 percent) occur in low and middle-income countries, but most research and funding focus on high-tech care for the 1 percent of deaths occurring in rich countries.

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By Chang Jiho
I've been following the news about TVBS news and Taiwan's recent media situation. Although some opinions are highly questionable, given the nature of Taiwan's (and perhaps most liberal democracies) poor journalistic performance in terms of indiscriminate reporting and oversimplified analyses, I wish to bring attention to several points.

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