Chang Kuang-tai (張光台), 42, security guard
"I don't think Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) should step down for the Pachang Creek Incident. I doubt he is sincere about taking responsibility if he insists on a meaningless resignation. Officials only have to quit when a dispute has to do with overall policy-making."
Hsieh Cheng-yuan (謝承原), 20, college student
"Is it right when you make a mistake to run away and avoid facing the mess? As for the Pachang Creek tragedy, Tang doesn't have to shoulder all the responsibility himself. It is the air force that deserves harsh condemnation. They were amazingly rigid, regardless of the fact that life is supposed to be valued above all else.
Moreover, the past KMT regime was to blame as well because they built up the bureaucracy. At any rate, I haven't lost my faith in the new government."
Tai Hsiu-ling (戴秀玲), 33, street vendor
"Personally I think accidents are unavoidable. It is only Tang's bad luck that the Pachang Creek incident occurred during his tenure. Since this misfortune has already happened, I don't see how Tang can make up for it by stepping down.
I think Tang's priority now -- in terms of fulfilling his responsibility -- is to strengthen communication with his staff to tackle any emergency immediately instead of abruptly resigning.
Most of all, I think the former KMT government cannot be spared from blame because they never had the insight to set up local emergency task forces in advance, for efficient mobilization in time of need. The 921 earthquake is case in point.
Also, I don't understand why two air force helicopters should be designated for exclusive use by the president when they could be carrying out rescue missions."
Yang Ming-chou (楊明洲), 26, salesman
"The crucial question is who will assume responsibility instead of who is to step down.
Based on my observation, lawmakers lashed out against Tang Fei primarily in an attempt to attack the DPP government. I believe opposition legislators have planned to replace the premier handpicked by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) with someone else that they are more partial to. The thoughtless selfishness of politicians really disgusts me.
There is no doubt that Tang is responsible for the Pachang Creek accident. The KMT, however, should also take much of the blame. I don't understand why the former ruling party never established proper mechanisms to deal with emergencies like the ont the four workers encountered. Many other foreign governments have designed such programs.
The KMT never had the determination to put their hollow promises into practice. In a similar vein, there is the problem of mudflows that kill so many on the island as a result of the KMT's uncertain policies about the growing of betel nut trees.
I'm convinced Tang's resignation will only sour the political environment."
Chang Chiung-yu (張瓊予), 20, street vendor
"Personally I don't find Tang's resignation necessary or even urgent. To me it is plainly an evasion of responsibility by officials to avoid solving problems they created.
I suppose that the best way for Tang to be accountable to the victims' families, as well as the public, is to lay out better policies to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.
I think the air force should be condemned for its delay in handling the emergency with their helicopter. Isn't it more important to save one more life than inflexibly sticking to the rules?"
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