In 2004, I saw the same leader defeated a second time in a presidential election, and then refuse to step down or even have the party decide his fate.
In 2004, I saw a man who held the country hostage for weeks holding violent protests and uttering "democracy is dead."
In 2004, I saw a man who will not allow himself be shot in the stomach by a marksman (from several feet away) using a home-made gun (or even a precision gun) to prove that the presidential assassination may have been a stunt.
In 2004, I saw a referendum which allowed a man and his party to see who was voting and who was not -- based on this man's "recommendations."
In 2004, I saw a man who assigned an "observer" to verify that his own party members had voted in favor of a piece of legislation which violates the Constitution and which completely disregards civil liberties and the democratic process.
In 2004, I am about to see a non-partisan criminal justice system politically breached -- by proportional representation!
I hope the Taiwanese people saw what I saw in 2004. And during the legislative elections, I hope they vote accordingly.
John Napiorkowski
Taipei
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