Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Motion to release Chen Shui-bian passed in Taichung

Taipei Times

The Greater Taichung Council on Friday passed a motion calling for the release of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) for medical treatment as soon as possible.

Chen, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year prison term for corruption, was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome in early March and granted temporary release from Taipei Prison to receive treatment.

Ma’s blatant lies about fuel prices

Lin Cho-shui 林濁水

Lately, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has been criticized if fuel prices go up, and if they go down. As Ma explains it, he was right when he decided to hike the prices and he was also right to subsequently cut them, so he feels he really does not deserve the criticism.

People who want to stand up for Ma say the price changes were necessary because of fluctuations in international oil prices. They say that while Ma may be a bit more stupid and a bit more incompetent than other leaders, he is honest, and so should not be criticized too harshly.

Angina causes Lee to miss court date

Taipei Times

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) missed a court date for a corruption case yesterday due to an angina attack, but he was said to be in stable condition after treatment.

The 89-year-old was to attend preliminary proceedings at 9:30am at Taipei District Court for a case in which he is accused of embezzling US$7.8 million from secret diplomatic funds. However, he suffered chest pains at 5am and canceled his appearance.

ECFA, US beef: More empty words?

Tung Chen-yuan 童振源

Discussing the opposition parties’ recent protest over government policies, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said the national economy had no future unless the government eased the ban on US beef imports containing ractopamine residues.

The government criticized the opposition for its objection to easing the ban by saying Taiwan’s economic future was at stake. This was a case of choosing the lesser of two evils and the nation had no choice but to compromise for the greater good.

More Articles...