[the invisib1e hand]

President Bush says he opposes any action by Taiwan's leaders to declare their independence from China

can't say I know all the reasons for this, but on the face of it I'm disappointed.

[steveegg]

Dumb muve in the Far East ping.

[Gunslingr3]

WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Or not.

[tallhappy]

Title is what the title is.

Some people want to whitewash the significance of this.

I support Bush, have greatly appreciated his adminsitration and believe in the principles he's expounded.

This is why this mistake is very important and must be talked about.

he undercuts our core reason for fighting the war on terror which is that we all deserve freedom and democracy.

We cannot say:

America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them.

and then add --- except for Taiwan -- they are exempt. And China. They don;t count either.

No amount of spin or misinformation can change the fact that Bush has done exaclty what Clinton did in Shanghai back in those dark days of Clinton rule.

This is the saddest post I have ever posted here and it pains me and makes me literally a bit naseous to see this happen and to point it out.

[Egregious Philbin]

It appears we have sold our national soul to China in exchange for cheap goods. I thought we were trying to spread democracy?

[RWR8189]

So much for:

America will lead by defending liberty and justice, because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. George W. Bush

[meenie]

Where's all this freedom, democracy, self-determination that is the cornerstone of the Bush Policy? If you are going to talk the talk, you better be strong enough to walk the walk.

[heleny]

"We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo. And the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally that change the status quo which we oppose," he said.

Is this at all different from what we said before -- that we don't support Taiwan's independence? Does this have anything to do with the recent disagreement over "do not support" and "oppose?" I get confused with diplomatic-speak.

President Bush's statement about opposing changes to the status quo doesn't necessarily mean the same as not supporting independence, does it? After all, the status quo in Taiwan is de facto independence.

[k2blader]

"And the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally that change the status quo which we oppose."

Why doesn't President Bush just say this in Texan, i.e. a plain, straightforward manner?

[SGCOS]

Talk about a rock and a hard place......

[Southack]

Your entire re-posted article was already debunked here.

Nice going by reposting the same sort of propaganda again here, and to Breaking News, at that!

No doubt some gullible ones will fall for it hook, line, and sinker.

[drypowder]

This is in exact contrast to what Bush said just after he took office about defending Taiwan's freedom from China. It certainly confirms the possiblity that China already rules the world. As for the US taking a back seat to China's military might, thanks to Bubba it can/will only get worse. I submit the US military is currently superior to that of China but the differense is that China will use theirs not as a defense but to impose their rule. That probably will haunt us one of these days.

[Michael81Dus]

One can say many things about you, American FReepers, but one cannot say that you´re not fighting for the cause of freedom - everywhere. Be proud that you criticize the attitude of President Bush! Be proud to stand tall, even when it hurts, when others fall on their knees. It´s a shame that the leaders of the free world alltogether have forgotten that China´s state colour is RED.

I hope the best for Taiwan, and I´m convinced that Taiwan must be free.

God bless you and God bless all those who speak out loud for Freedom - everywhere!!

[Tai_Chung]

"We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo.

The status quo has changed and there is no turning back.

• China has hundreds of missiles pointed at Taiwan and continues to add more.
• Taiwan has matured into a democracy which fostered the first peaceful transfer of power in a Chinese country.
• China threatened war to an attempt to stop free elections in Taiwan.
• Taiwan has lost most of their diplomatic allies and will likely lose more.
• The US policy toward "independence" for Taiwan has been "we do not support" rather than "we oppose". We were trying to take a neutral middle-ground. Taiwan does not believe they can win a military conflict against China. US statements against Taiwan has always shaken Taiwan's confidence.

  I understand the need to play politics on the international stage, but I do not support any policy that discourages elections/referendums in a free society.

[ought-six]

Oooops, Bush just gave the ChiComs the green light to smack around Taiwan.

[tet68]

. "The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the attempts of Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian are only using democracy as an excuse and an attempt to resort to a defensive referendum to split Taiwan away from China. Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate," he said.

Translation;

Separatism = Democracy = What the Chinese side can absolutely not accept and tolerate

[Pro Consul]

I'm sorry, but this is one retarded policy. "One China, two systems." The status quo is just delaying the inevitable. It has to be dealt with at some point. To believe that we are telling the people of an Asian republic to continue this charade is a disgrace.