(With apologies to Mohammed & Omar of ITM.)
Kudos to President Bush for his kind words about Taiwan being a model for democracy. I don’t know if Americans realize how much the Taiwanese value their encouragement. Recall the reaction to the words of another great American president:
"One day, my Soviet jailers gave me the privilege of reading the latest copy of Pravda. Splashed across the front pages was a condemnation of President Reagan for having the temerity to call the Soviet Union an "evil empire." Tapping on walls and talking through toilets, word of Reagan’s "provocation" quickly spread throughout the prison. The dissidents were ecstatic. Finally, the leader of the free world had spoken the truth – a truth that burned inside the heart of each and every one of us."
– Scharansky, Natan. The Case for Democracy. p 138
The pro-unification China Post wasn’t cheering when they heard Mr. Bush’s words, though. Taiwan? A Model? Democracy? Humbug!
"Is Taiwan’s "model" so wonderful as President Bush has depicted? Let’s not get too giddy. The fact is, Taiwan has not "delivered prosperity to its people" for almost a decade, thanks to the political implosion brought about by "embracing freedom at all levels."… Taiwan may not be a convincing example for the mainland to emulate, at least as far as economic prosperity is concerned. Apparently, President Bush had a political axe to grind."
They sure don’t sound too happy about Taiwan "embracing freedom at all levels" now, do they? In fact, they sound downright resentful. Because Taiwan isn’t their model – Beijing is.
I think it’s more than reasonable to say that a paralyzed political system, declining economy and bitter divisions exacerbated by the so-called ‘democratic’ party may not be the best example, just the most convenient. No need to call anyone a traitor.
Anyone is entitled to think that keeping their country from arming to face a hostile foreign power is patriotism.
However, others are equally entitled to disagree.