Comments on: Protesting the KMT referendum boycott http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/ commentary on all things Taiwanese -- Taichung, Taiwan Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:46:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: 2008 Taiwan Presidential election result - David on Formosa http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/comment-page-1/#comment-83855 2008 Taiwan Presidential election result - David on Formosa Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:17:34 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/#comment-83855 [...] Zogby poll showed 85% of Taiwanese were in favour of petitioning for UN membership. However, the KMT's boycott of the DPP referendum meant many voters refused to take the referendum ballots. Voters that took the ballots voted [...] [...] Zogby poll showed 85% of Taiwanese were in favour of petitioning for UN membership. However, the KMT's boycott of the DPP referendum meant many voters refused to take the referendum ballots. Voters that took the ballots voted [...]

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/comment-page-1/#comment-83795 David Reid Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:01:02 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/#comment-83795 Poagao, I agree that the DPP has poorly chosen the questions to be put to a referendum. However, the KMT's response has shown its total disregard for the democratic process. The KMT could have simply campaigned for a no vote and it is unlikely any of the proposed DPP referendums would have passed. Instead they have put forward their own referendums and then asked voters to boycott the referendums. It is completely beyond the pale. Poagao, I agree that the DPP has poorly chosen the questions to be put to a referendum. However, the KMT’s response has shown its total disregard for the democratic process. The KMT could have simply campaigned for a no vote and it is unlikely any of the proposed DPP referendums would have passed. Instead they have put forward their own referendums and then asked voters to boycott the referendums. It is completely beyond the pale.

]]> By: Poagao http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/comment-page-1/#comment-83792 Poagao Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:43:29 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/#comment-83792 It is unfortunate that the referendums have been made into political tools, but I think the DPP could have avoided this if it had chosen different, more realistic topics and not tied them to elections. I don't think the KMT should bear all of the blame in this case. It is unfortunate that the referendums have been made into political tools, but I think the DPP could have avoided this if it had chosen different, more realistic topics and not tied them to elections. I don’t think the KMT should bear all of the blame in this case.

]]> By: David Reid http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/comment-page-1/#comment-83785 David Reid Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:24:21 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/#comment-83785 Mark, the problem stems from how the failure of the referendum would be perceived internationally, not what would happen in Taiwan. Also please read the section you quoted a little more carefully. I never actually said that Taiwan would be able to join the UN, but to increase its participation in international organisations. The Taipei Times and other newspapers in Taiwan certainly have their biases, but that doesn't mean you should disregard everything that is written in them. Mark, the problem stems from how the failure of the referendum would be perceived internationally, not what would happen in Taiwan. Also please read the section you quoted a little more carefully. I never actually said that Taiwan would be able to join the UN, but to increase its participation in international organisations.

The Taipei Times and other newspapers in Taiwan certainly have their biases, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard everything that is written in them.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/comment-page-1/#comment-83784 Mark Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:11:50 +0000 http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2008/03/protest-kmt-referendum-boycott/#comment-83784 <blockquote>The failure of both referendums would be a major setback to Taiwan's efforts to increase its participation in international organisations like the UN and WHO. </blockquote> How so? The DPP will almost certainly continue to petition the UN for admission, regardless of the results of the referendum. Beyond that, the odds that the UN will admit Taiwan as long as China has a veto and cross-straight relations are this antagonistic. Due to the clear political slant of the Taipei Times, their editorials have to be taken with a big grain of salt. The same goes for most of their competition (with the possible exception of the Apple Daily).

The failure of both referendums would be a major setback to Taiwan’s efforts to increase its participation in international organisations like the UN and WHO.

How so? The DPP will almost certainly continue to petition the UN for admission, regardless of the results of the referendum. Beyond that, the odds that the UN will admit Taiwan as long as China has a veto and cross-straight relations are this antagonistic.

Due to the clear political slant of the Taipei Times, their editorials have to be taken with a big grain of salt. The same goes for most of their competition (with the possible exception of the Apple Daily).

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