Clean and green
Distributing potassium iodide pills to people living near nuclear power plants ("Potassium iodide pills part of nuclear safety campaign," June 1, page 2) does little to improve the safety of the power plants.
It is in fact an acknowledgment of the inherent dangers of nuclear power.
It is astounding that the Taiwanese government continues to expose its citizens and environment to the risks associated with generating nuclear power.
Taiwan has major problems with managing its current stockpiles of nuclear waste. Why then, it must be asked, does it continue to maintain and build nuclear power plants when it can't properly manage the waste that already exists?
Taiwan should take action to close its nuclear power plants as a matter of urgency. Greater investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources would ensure Taiwan's energy needs could still be met.
Taiwan needs a clean, green energy future -- not a nuclear nightmare.
David Reid Taradale
Victoria, Australia
Pan-blues are right
Following the presidential inauguration, I was returning to my hotel room to get out of my rain-soaked clothes.
On the way, I happened to glance toward the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters and it dawned on me that I agreed with the words on the pan-blue banner hanging there: "No truth, no president."
The truth is that in a democracy, presidents are not appointed by a few men meeting behind closed doors, with the public having no choice but to accept pre-arranged decisions; instead, people in democracies choose their leaders in an open, transparent and fair process.
The truth is that those dissatisfied with the election process may resort to the legal system to address their complaints, but they must accept the final judgments made under the rule of law. Those dissatisfied with election results must accept the decision of the people.
KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
If you want to win the presidency, accept the truth.
Kenneth Choy
Hong Kong
Don't blame it on Mike
Your recent article on Nike's apology ("Nike's apologizes for Jordan visit fiasco," May 29, page 1) has proven to be a great relief to many of my friends and me after the weeklong controversy about Michael Jordan's recent one-day visit to Taiwan.
Over the past week, I have been appealing to all parties for efficient and reasonable communication to eliminate the squabbles between the public and Nike Taiwan so as to safeguard the reputation of Jordan, who has become the scapegoat in this unfortunate incident.
It's evident that the unprecedented controversy that erupted among Jordan's fans over his brief public appearance was sparked by negligent communication between Nike Taiwan and Jordan's agent. Moreover, proper crisis management was not undertaken.
As a matter of fact, when a boycott was brewing, Nike Taiwan had every reason to voluntarily and sincerely clarify the situation to its demanding customers. I am glad that measures were eventually taken for an acceptable reconciliation, even with the Consumers' Foundation. This is indeed an important lesson for us to learn.
To better understand the legacy of Jordan, it is advisable that all Jordan fans read the Feb. 29, 1999 issue of Newsweek about the compassion and personality that he demonstrated to all, young and old, Americans and others.
In his retirement speech, "he exhibited the character and class that made him the greatest player who ever lived." And in responding to an inner-city fifth-grade teacher in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jordan stated that "his proudest moments in life were not winning an NBA championship, but every time he crossed a stage to receive a diploma."
In 1996, when I was invited to visit the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, former chancellor Michael Hooker proudly told me how much the prestigious university appreciated this great alumnus for his service to his alma mater and for helping the university basketball team every year.
It is imperative that Nike Taiwan and all Jordan fans better understand his character.
People in Taiwan should learn to solve problems through communication. I do not think that Michael Jordan intended to disappoint his fans.
Li Chen-ching
Taipei
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In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
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