Wed, Apr 13, 2005 page8

• Fighting for freedom

  • By Keith Justik
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  To all the freedom fighters who stepped out to the March 26 rally, I wish to congratulate you. You did what you had to do! Yes, whether you are pan-green, purple or yellow (unless of course you are pan-blue) you figured it out and recognized that freedom is the common denominator. It was the battlefield of your choice and you stepped onto it with brave, heavy and determined hearts. Your statement was made; but it was not as loud as it could have been and this is regrettable. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) claims Taiwan is free and sovereign yet its actions say otherwise. It was a no-show.

  An overwhelming statement would have lessened the likelihood that Taiwan will have to fight, shed blood or lose children just to keep this country the way it has been built. At least the statement was recorded and must be taken into consideration amongst high-powered friends and nations with any sort of consciousness or self-worth. When the question of whether to "intervene" or not arises, perhaps nations will remember and help Taiwan sooner rather than later.

  The stage was set on March 26. The chance to say the "status quo" is unsatisfactory and that freedom will be Taiwan's only path came and went. Where was KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰)? I thought this was his country, too.

  Imagine if 10 million people had emerged onto the streets, in every city, town or village on March 26. It's a shame it didn't happen and wasn't organized. It would have been a signal not even CNN could have ignored it or been confused! With a little luck, CNN might even have led the story with a truthful reminder of the mob that threatened ethnic division last year at the request of the pan-blue leaders.

  If I recall, Chinese leaders reveled in the mayhem and said that intervention was an option. Intervention? Yes, well, thanks for the help, Beijing, but our building is taller than yours and you may find the beaches unfriendly!

  Instead of Lien standing in front of a sign stating "Democracy is Dead" and looking bitter and confused last year after losing millions of votes on a double ticket with People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), he should have stepped down as leader. This would have brought stability to a country, which he claimed needed it. He would have joined the march if even a fraction of what he said was true. Now, the KMT is in China making side deals with Chinese officials, getting noticed and preparing for the "merger."

  The pan-blues cry "We are a Nation, why should a Chinese law effect us?" But US laws affect Canada. Do Chinese laws not affect Hong Kong in a "de facto" manner? Such a simplistic understanding and excuse is unforgivable! China's new law has no inhibitions about its intent or imagined outcome. Taiwan will be, sooner or later, a part of China's regime.

  Surely there is little to argue about when it comes to the "Pact of Aggression" that China has signed into law. "Pact" in the sense that the Chinese Communist Party is rife with military cronies and political opportunists armed with ideological hubris. They are tyrants intoxicated by their own ignorance. They bully countries to sustain their fictitious, aggressive and clearly erroneous power and position over Taiwan. But most of all; they remain rulers without a mandate.

  If a KMT politician or supporter can look you in the eye and tell you that they are not fundamentally opposed to such a law, then they cannot be argued with. Leave them. They hope Beijing prevails upon its course of "tough love," which in the end amounts to communism.

  "China's Taiwan Governor," how would that sound for a title? Would he be here to serve the "Protectorate of Taiwan," and without an army, how so? Let's stop pretending Taiwan is free and sovereign and finally say the following: Without democracy there can be no deal and that means war! US policy argues no one should make moves to alter the status quo unless those moves involve peaceful resolution. Well, no democratic nation has ever attacked another democratic nation, and that's a fact.

  Forget about "A-bian." Don't mistake this phenomenon with his personal cause. Decide if it is your own! Decide if you accept a foreign government to serve as your own. Decide if you want your children to face the future with uncertainty. Think about whether or not you accept being forced to make a decision with a gun to your head!

  Taiwan will lose an arms race. Unlike Russia, Taiwan will not fragment and splinter, she will be swallowed. Each day counts towards Taiwan's last or ironically, first day of the future. The battlefield conditions change with each passing year and to find favor on the field, Taiwan must choose the time and place, not China.

  The situation has never looked so ripe for a statement that would never have been forgotten. Peace and the freedom to choose were and are universally desired in this country. People and politicians may be divided on many issues, but for your children, freedom should not be one of them.

  Keith Justik
  

  Taipei
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