tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post6776302079398042268..comments2023-04-11T05:13:17.028-05:00Comments on Quasi-Philosophical Ruminations of the Wayward Mind: RealitiesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-35635706148557352652007-07-11T09:50:00.000-05:002007-07-11T09:50:00.000-05:00Yeah, I think Taiwan has its own entry in the Olym...Yeah, I think Taiwan has its own entry in the Olympics. Interesting... hadn't thought about how they'll be represented in Beijing.<BR/><BR/>This is what I wrote in response to my student's question:<BR/><BR/><I>Taiwan... Well, that's a very hard thing to talk about, Johnson. The history of Taiwan is very sad. First it was a Dutch land, then Han Chinese had it for 200 years. Then the Japanese took it over, then the Japanese gave it back to China 60 years ago when they lost in World War 2. But right now... well... Taiwan has democratic elections, and their own president. Taiwan, I think, is officially a part of China, but it isn't really a part of China since they have their own elections and president. It's like Hong Kong: if you go to Hong Kong, you have to cross a border, so it's like two different countries. Taiwan isn't like Tibet, because Tibet is ruled by China. I don't know how Taiwan is ruled. The president now is from Taiwan, not China. People in Taiwan are a bit angry at China because China did not treat them very well 50 years ago. It's a difficult situation.<BR/><BR/>I guess most Canadians think that Taiwan is separate from China. We think it isn't Chinese, but not many people understand the history or know what is happening. The United Nations sees Taiwan as a part of China.</I><BR/><BR/>His reply to that: <I>I'm not going to continue the topic on Taiwan,'cause it's the job of politicians! I just wanted to know how you think about it.</I><BR/><BR/>Good answer, I think.<BR/><BR/>Andy: Can't wait for AoC, man!!Wayward Mindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12748177842702713403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-53621205987056879662007-07-10T14:57:00.000-05:002007-07-10T14:57:00.000-05:00Oh, and back to the previous subject:Unless I'm mi...Oh, and back to the previous subject:<BR/><BR/>Unless I'm mistaken, Taiwan usually has its own entry into the Olympics under the name of "Chinese Taipei". Something tells me they might not be in the Olympics at Beijing.<BR/><BR/>AndyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09432318947698916796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-90403550761258807342007-07-10T14:54:00.000-05:002007-07-10T14:54:00.000-05:00On a completely different subject: The latest tra...On a completely different subject: The latest trailer for Conan is out on GameSpot. Man, that looks sweet.<BR/><BR/>AndyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09432318947698916796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-19919335102468062062007-07-08T21:27:00.000-05:002007-07-08T21:27:00.000-05:00OK. First I'm going to slag you for not knowing a ...OK. First I'm going to slag you for not knowing a little about Taiwan. How can you go to China without having spent a little time looking in to the history and understanding a few of the sensitivities. Just wait till one of your students asks you about Japan or Kampuchea! Ok - all in jest of course.<BR/><BR/>It's fascinating that you're getting emails from students - that is so cool. I think you have established a bond with these kids and you should tell them the truth - based on facts - but sensitive to what is the "art of the possible" for them. There are always different opinions based on your loyalties. Do we have a 200 mile (sorry, I'm old) fishing limit or does the US have the right to fish in our waters? Do we have sovereignty over the North or can the US rightfully transverse it. It's all a question of perspective. So in my opinion, it's explaining the perspective that's important to a kid living in China.<BR/><BR/>That's my humble thought on a Sunday evening. But very cool that you're keeping in touch.K. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06925936482449150546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-36304012879299940602007-07-08T11:10:00.000-05:002007-07-08T11:10:00.000-05:00Not sure I understood Andy's explanation... ;-pI a...Not sure I understood Andy's explanation... ;-p<BR/><BR/>I agree it's a tough one. You can give your Western view of this. But really, us (the West) telling Taiwan that yes, they can unilaterally separate from China is like France telling Quebec that, yes, they can unilaterally separate from Canada. What would Canada say: mind your own business.<BR/><BR/>The difference is that, outside Western civilization, these responses are made not only on the diplomatic level, but also on the military and economical level. China feels very strongly about this - since they kicked the UK out of Taiwan, they feel the province is theirs again, and they don't want foreign influence. I think there are many levels to this issue: China wants to assert their position as a major power, and as such, don't want to lose face. On another level, they probably don't want to lose a gib pot of gold. Finally, they likely do not want Taiwan to fall under the influence of Western powers.<BR/><BR/>Other countries are very sensitive about the way the US tries to influence their internal affairs. We have decided that democracy is the way to go. But I can tell you that democracy can be scary. Let's not forget that it's democracy here in the states that decreed that homosexuality was illegal - and sodomy IS still illegal in certain states, which, essentially, means that homosexual males in those states must either opt for celibacy or be criminals at large... Uhm.... This is also a country where they still believe in capital punishment -- and we're so sorry if the legal system made a mistake and we killed one or two innocent people in the process.<BR/><BR/>There is a lot of bad stuff happening in China, for sure. And it's unfortunate that they impose censure on Western views. At the same time, I can't balme Islamic countries and ceratin eastern countries for blocking some western content. We could all do with less exteremist evangelists and pornographic material broadcasted to the world. Freedom of expression has its drawbacks too...<BR/><BR/>But back to your question: I would probably tell him that people in the West are so used to deal with Taiwan as an economic partner with a distinct identity, and buying products "made in Taiwan", some people have then thought of Taiwan as its own country. What individuals think should not be confused as what the political leaders think, and what the country;s official position is, and what some countries think should be VS what currently is. Let's not forget that China is litterally at the other end of the world, and Average Joe doesn't always have the full picture.<BR/><BR/>Mainly, I would avoid any "line in the sand", and responses such as: "your government is SO misinforming you. The rest of the world thinks that...". There are definitely different perspectives out there. It would be nice if China let its citizens see both sides of the coin. I think the Internet is giving them that opportunity to a certain degree. But as they get exposed to more information from outside, I hope they don't just see the our white picket fences and green lawns, but also the brown spots on our grass, our back alleys and our landfills... America isn't all pretty.<BR/><BR/>PGPGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16512128697965734548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-77163760554570120572007-07-04T13:36:00.000-05:002007-07-04T13:36:00.000-05:00Bush scares me as much as this Hamas news (and mos...Bush scares me as much as this Hamas news (and most things they do). All this shit with Libby? America is in the hands of a dictator but I suppose they're too apathetic to give a damn.Wayward Mindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12748177842702713403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13903638.post-59590299223759202712007-07-04T08:51:00.000-05:002007-07-04T08:51:00.000-05:00Dude, that's a tough one. You could go for all th...Dude, that's a tough one. You could go for all the truthiness, or just explain it how I would; Taiwan has been spun off from greater China in an effort to maximize shareholder ROI by concentrating their clothing manufacturing business in one geographical spot. Much like Canada is threatening to do with Quebec's maple syrup industry.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure that will clear it up.<BR/><BR/>As for Hamas TV ... that shiite is starting to scare me as much as Nazi germany making a resurgence would. Control the media and you control the next generation and where they point their guns.<BR/><BR/>AndyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09432318947698916796noreply@blogger.com