UnderSpin

Bo Yang (柏杨) was a heroic figure in Taiwan’s democracy. His books and newspaper commentaries had provided powerful thought leadership to the evolution of Taiwan’s politics, culture and mindset. His sharp criticisms often bordered insults, yet his love for Chinese and his passion for better Chinese culture were unmistakable. His style resembled traditional Chinese court officials (忠臣) who would risk their lives to press emperors to do right things. It’s a humbling experience to buy and read his books only to be criticized. In retrospect, that humility and introspection was probably essential for Taiwan’s democracy to take root.

News of his passing away was greeted with commentaries along the line of:
“Now Chinese are still ugly, but who is going to tell us?”
“Taiwan, we lost our conscience and our Father!”

For Chinese readers, here is the link to the Wiki page on Bo Yang: �� - Wikipedia

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?

UnderSpin

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!

luffaman

coming through!!! report to the firefighting duty called upon by my minority brothers.

uncle ray, seems to me, quoting poems becomes a fashion recently, i just realize, you, too, a gourmet for poems. so i took the liberty to write one, and it will be my pleasure for you to have a look and make some comments.

" i adopt you from the street
I give you food when you are hungry
I get you a vet when you are sick
I taught you how to bark at strangers
to jump through a hoola ring
to get me a coke from the fridge
but you want more,
you want to cook to win my husband's stomach
to access internet to pay e-bills to steal my show
even... to hump my daughter's leg.
when i say no to you evil attempts
you start to bark back
to bite the hand that feeds you
I loved you but
you betrayed my love
my trust
my expectation

I am such a victim of my pet, tears, tears, tears
let there be another hoover dam. "

as you can see here, victimhood does confer powers, but it is not patented by minority only, every group can use the strategy.

fair game.

Ray

I use poems to keep up with the Hu's and Mu's and Chou's and Mao's, who use homilies and pious platitude and similar blige!

As far as your poem is concerned, I recommend it for Hu's Dung (Horse pukey to quote the Colonel) prize and let it be flung into the air for the world to see!!

It is pleasure to find you not wailing about your poor English and all that.

Nice to know you are in the US and enjoying the US and rooting for where your heart is - China - Red as with the colour of Blood!!

__________________


"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

HAKUNA MATATA

luffaman

ray, for heaven's sake, you've got to stop somewhere.
where did you get the idea that i live on leftovers.

the patents based on our research (a partially contribution from me) belongs to USA. jobs and revenues created on them.

is there any law saying "to love US, you have to hate china."

you confused me.

Ray

If you stop [purveying bilgewater and tripe, I can have rest.

Ever thought of it?

Kansas Bear

Brig,

Not pulling any punches today, are we sir?

Ray

Kansas,

All in the a day's work!!

UnderSpin

We talked about the problem of losig face in the East Asian culture, and how we developed our value system from culture influence.

Here is a news article about suicide in Japan.

Suicide in Japan | Death be not proud | Economist.com

I feel sorry for Japanese who perpetuate this suicide culture and the culture of lifetime shame without second chance. I wonder why no one challenges that culture so future generations do not have to keep suffering.