http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_malaysia

Excerpt from Wikipedia: The first flag of independent Federation of Malaya was based on the Stars and Stripes of the United States, combined with Islamic symbolism.

Also, I just read about “pingbacks.” 原來它跟 trackbacks 很類似。(^_^)

Best regards,
Robert

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Well, you are absolutely right that the US is not quite the bastion of democracy that it advertises itself to be. However, despite America’s many failings, peoples and governments still tend to look to her for their aspirations (e.g., note the flag of Malaysia). This is part of the mentality carried on from the Allied victory of WWII (of which the US was a dominant force in the Pacific Basin), and into the latter part of the 20th century.

Anyway, I’m not saying that we should all style ourselves like Americans. What I’m trying to say is, the US has been a major catalyst for these free and democratic aspirations that peoples and governments harbor within themselves. This is still true in many cases nowadays.

In a good many parts of the world, peoples and governments will always look to (or rather, be overwhelmed by) larger, stronger countries to emulate themselves upon and follow. I know this sounds pathetic, but there you have it. With the vacuum steadily being created by the US as it leaves the arena, spectators will soon turn their heads toward any new incoming force that will fill the void.

Isn’t it a sad fact, David, that we are always fighting for democracy? There are always forces that undermine it. This is true everywhere in the world, hinting at the temporal nature of democracy, human rights and personal freedom that we currently “enjoy.” I know it shouldn’t be that way; but I say this again: there you have it.

The “self-inflicted demise” link doesn’t seem to work. There must be something wrong with my html tag. Anyway, here is the original link:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/REVIEWS/329/1023

Note Mr. Ebert’s last paragraph in this movie review of “I.O.U.S.A.”

“She expressed the hope that the Taiwanese people would not lose their freedom like the Tibetans had lost theirs.”

The truth is, a large number of people here (not all) do not care who “sits on the throne” as long as they can secure three meals a day. Radicality to them is something from an another planet, troublesome, impractical, and even detrimental to society. Their retort regarding the matter is, “Who needs freedom when your first priority should be economic survival?「自由」能吃嗎?”

So how does one counter a question such as that?

Aside from this impassivity of some of my fellow Taiwanese, I think we are now also confronting a new and troubling truth: that the political and economic landscapes of the world are now undergoing a change. The US, which was once the bastion of freedom and democracy, always looked upon on those matters, is now a sinking ship. Like a limp chicken ready for the gallows, the US is held tightly by the neck, unable to free itself from its self-inflicted demise. The tables are turned, and they no longer call the shots. China is now the one flexing the muscles (and money), and is likely to even overtake the US in the space race, despite this fiasco.

It may not be far off when China succeeds the US as the world’s paradigm. I fear the day when various governments will use the excuse that China made its success with authoritarianism, and so why shouldn’t they, too.

This brings me to Q’s post and that picture of President Ma. Wasn’t the Dalai Lama also prohibited from visiting us because of “inappropriate timing”? So when would be an appropriate time? When China opens up? I say this is another wishful thinking.

It is now very clear that our president’s hands are tied as well.

Happy weekend, David.

Good to meet you as well.

I suggest you contact one of the sponsoring organisations for the concert (links in the post) regarding Lhadon’s schedule in Taiwan.

Do you happen to know where I could find information about Lhadon’s next few stops, if she has not left already? The article mentions that she will still hit a few universities and I was wondering if there was anything in my neighborhood.

Thanks for the help.

It was nice to meet you the other day at the regional perspectives on cross-strait relations talk. I hope we bump into each other again someday.

Best regards.

Dale

Unfortunately, I think Ma would have this to say about the concert.