Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Elections need to be less about good looks

Chang Shyue-yih 張學逸

The distinction between politics and entertainment in Taiwan is becoming increasingly blurred, with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) being the most typical example.

As everyone knows, Ma has always relied on his good looks to win more women’s votes than his rivals. He often attends public events wearing super-short shorts and makes sure that the media get a good view. He also made up a titillating story about having been handed a towel by a farmer’s daughter while showering during a “long stay” in southern Taiwan and so on.

Ko’s Taipei parade draws thousands

Taipei Times

Crowds gather in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall during a campaign rally for independent Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Wang Min-wei, Taipei Times

More than 200,000 people, according to organizetrs’ estimates, took to the streets yesterday to join independent Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in a carnival-themed campaign parade, voicing their support for Ko’s “campaign for a change.”

Organ smears are a disservice to all

Taipei Times Editorial

Mudslinging is part and parcel of politics, but so much muck has been slung around in the Taipei mayoral race that it is hard to see the mountains surrounding the city. Unfortunately, some of the splatter has ended up on bystanders and may cause lasting damage.

National Taiwan University Hospital was dragged into the fray several months ago because independent Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has worked there for many years and held key positions. Hospital administrators have had to defend their institution, both in the media and at the Legislative Yuan, against allegations made by a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker over the financing of a research fund associated with Ko.

Taiwan must assert itself in poll

Jerome Keating

With the Nov. 29 nine-in-one elections around the corner, Taiwanese have much to think about, as they tend to be cautious and discriminating in their choices. Those elected will influence internal affairs in the nation’s major cities for the next four years, and care needs be taken to select competent people who can both relate to and understand the needs of their electorate.

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