An analogy to make my skin crawl...
Posted on 02/23/2006 9:23:29 PM PST by pganini
President Chen Shui-bian (’Â…G) yesterday used the Oscar nominated movie Brokeback Mountain as an analogy to describe relations between the US and Taiwan, stressing the importance of both sides seeking ways to reconcile and cooperate with one another to reach the common pursuit of a "great new world." "Although challenges abound on this road ahead, as long as we believe in the value of this common mission and in ourselves, there is no obstacle too great or mountain too high," said Chen, who made the remarks last night at a banquet held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (AmCham).
The banquet was attended by around 550 people, including Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (”n‰p‹ã) and American Institute in Taipei deputy director David Keegan.
Although Brokeback Mountain revolved around the issue of same-sex relationships, its most profound lesson transcends the love affairs in the movie, Chen said.
"It motivates us to understand that all of us are bound to make a difficult decision in life; yet we must strive to dispel prejudice, create trust, uphold mutual respect, and seek ways to reconcile and cooperate with one another, because only by so doing can we together reach the frontier of a `great new world,'" he said.
During the speech, Chen also reiterated the importance of the government's new cross-strait economic policy of "active management, effective opening."
Pressed to comment on Chen's analogy, Ma said last night that for US-Taiwan relations to be like the characters in Brokeback Mountain, both parties needed to trust each other.
The two main characters in the movie knew what the other was thinking and doing at all times, and did not spring "surprises" on each other, Ma said.
When questioned about the president's ongoing plan to disband the National Unification Council (NUC), AmCham president Tom Johnson said that although national security is a basic need which Taiwan is entitled to pursue, a strong economy will also add to the nation's overall security.
Johnson said that the foreign business community's confidence in the nation's investment environment remains strong and unaffected by the government's plan to abolish the NUC.
"I think it's very positive to invest in Taiwan ... You can see a lot of companies putting [money] into their infrastructure to support these. I do think you'll continue to see investments. These are very exciting areas," Johnson said.
Johnson said that Chen's Brokeback Mountain analogy demonstrates the value of cooperation.
U.S. to China: "I wish we could quit you."
Yep, it sucks to be him! :-)
Cheers!
Who gets to be "Daddy"?
Actually it would end the threat.
Your ideas are strange and cowardly if you truly believe them.
It is nice you say you support Taiwan but nothing you have ever posted is consistent with that.
If you actually support taiwan you support freedom and democracy and never side with the communists over Taiwan no matter who is elected President in Taiwan.
If you were an actual conservative or believer in freedom and the rights of man and the ideals of the USA you would know all this.
An analogy to make my skin crawl...
Declaring independence will create conflict and US will have to sacrifice men and equipment (if it does) for Taiwan needlessly. I'd support Taiwan if China attacks it unprovoked, but if Taiwan declares independence, then all bets are off. There is no need for Taiwan to declare independence - heck, even Bush agrees with me ("maintain the status quo").
If Ma gets elected in 2008, it WILL reduce tensions, but if another DPP gets their silly ass up there, then I weep for the future of Taiwan. You may think it's cute and support freedom and democracy but it's not going to be YOUR people dying on the ground when the sh*t hits the fan.
That's the real question isn't it? :) i dunno about you, but i don't want to be either the giver or the receiver :)
Taiwan simply stating the fact of their independnece is not a provocation and for you to say it would be Taiwan provoking an attack is like the liberals and lefties who say we provoked the 911 attacks and are provoking terrorism.
It's an upside down view and is cowardly not in terms of fear of war but of fear of standing up for principles of freedom and democracy.
You are on the communist side when supporting them over any democratically elected party in Taiwan.
No, I am pro-Taiwanese PEOPLE, as they will be the one dying if war breaks out and not you and your family!! It's easy to play the high moral grounds -- why don't you go to Iraq and fight the insurgents, if you believe in what you believe in? Eh? Much easier to play quarterbacking when you're safe in the states.
As far as the communists killing them over independence, that won't happen. Taiwan has consistently declared independence over and over and the communists have not attacked.
My opinion has always been if one is for unification of Taiwan and China then one's focus needs to be on getting rid of the communists not villifying and demonizing people exercising their freedom and democratic rights in Taiwan.
That's the litmus test for supporting both Taiwan and China (unified or separate) as either one or two free nations however that plays out.
Right now Taiwan is free, China is not so the onus is on China to change if there is any hope for a merger.
But you don't seem to be for that.
Taiwan has been defacto independent for 50 years, but it has NOT declare FORMAL independence, which is a different thing altogether.
I'm pro-Taiwanese because i don't want them to die because of an idiot in charge like Chen.
Like I said, if you're so die hard on your own beliefs, go fight in Iraq. It's for freedom, no?
Gosh, I'd had enough of this Taiwan crap, That they finish with this. Man, The president of Taiwan in my opinion is a b1tch. What if the KMT won the Civil War and pushed The Commies into Taiwan, Both claimed to rule Both China's as one. the KMT Mainland China would be ahead of what China is today, But without the heavy leverage. It be another Japan. But they would have invaded Taiwan Anyway. So it makes no difference that Taiwan is under Communist Rule. They would have done the very same thing. Dont people ever realize this. Just because China is Communist it doesnt mean they dont think alike others. If China was Nationalist, They be the ones making threats. It make no difference except the fact that everyone would be "I hope those commies rot" instead of "Lets arm Taiwan with Nukes" It will not happen. I have nothing against freedom, But still Taiwan was a military dictatorship, Leave China transide from Communism to perhaps an Oriental style Democracy "Dont expect China to embrace Western Politics". And finally I hope that Abian little F. Gets what he deserves, He looks like one of those guys I want to kick its butt. While he goes around crying, He should realize, What would he have done if the KMT won the Civil war? Doing the same thing as the Kommies are doing now. Althrough many would like that, I dont find it right that millions should die for a few insane maniacs. And I'll laugh my butt off when Abian gets tried for High Treason, Warlordism, Crimes against Humanity and Mass Murder. Obviously tried under Chinese courts.
>>Ma isn't going to be the ChiCom puppet you hope he will be.
Then what is Ma's position here? Are you sure he is pro-independence?
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