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Originally Posted by hx37
Hi Underspin. I've just read about this guy a few days ago, and prior to that, I had no idea of his existence. He sounds like a fervent activist, but I have to ask: how effective was he in the mainland?? While the banning of books is a sure sign that an activist is making an impact, the fact that his books were banned in mainland China severely detracts from their impact. And I have to say that from a cursory look of all the (忠臣) in Chinese history, they generally didn't accomplish much and died a bad end.
Also, on the now-President Ma, the people who introduced me to his existence are somewhat pissed at one of his appointments. I have no idea why, can you explain it?
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If folks from China never heard about Bo Yang, I guess he wasn’t influential there. According to the Wiki page, “The Ugly Chinese” was banned in China in 1987 and allowed again in 2004. Hopefully someone in China will read his books, get inspired and provide thought leadership for mainland Chinese. Bo Yang’s life story showed that Taiwan’s democracy was not a smooth transition driven by KMT, but a painful and confrontational process with KMT, led by intellectuals like Bo Yang.
It’s a sad reality that most of the great officials (忠臣) in Chinese history were abused by emperors, did not accomplish much more than setting the moral standard for future intellectuals. I hope the lesson is not for intellectuals to put up and shut up. Chinese have a sad modern history because intellectuals were generally in ineffective positions. With the transition to democracy, intellectuals, like Ma, are in very effective positions in Taiwan now.
Ma is not the President yet. He has been announcing his cabinet members recently for May 20th inaugurations. His announcement of Ms. Lai Xing-yuan for mainland policy and relationship has created a firestorm. Ms. Lai is a member of an opposition party that embraces Taiwan independence as its political ideology. Although Lai has publically pledged her support to Ma’s one China policy, many people are uncomfortable with her. I can see why some Chinese were pissed. If this appointment works out, Ma will establish another legend of his ability to use people in the opposition party to play a key role in his team. If not, his presidency will suffer and he’ll have to make some adjustments.
Personally I believe in Ma’s judgment. He has no reason to take the risk unless he fully believes it will work out. His party not only won the presidential election, but also 70% of congressional seats. No politician will do something like that when his party is so dominant. Ma is not a typical politician. He wants something truly extraordinary. Let's hope he is right!