The Rage Against Abian

[technobabel]

I am not here to defend Abian. I haven't paid any close attention to the inner working details of Taiwan's politic anyway. But, how did anti-Abian sentiment snowballed into what it is today? The link between Taiwan's hardship and Abian's corruption is a stretch at best. Again, from an English learner's perspective, every opportunity is a good opportunity to learn a few concepts or words. And this is "festive" occasion is no exception.

1. Demonize
2. Grass-root effort
3. Strange bed-fellow
4. Checks-and Balance
5. Popular demand
6. Scapegoat
7. National pastime
8. Mandate
9. Cronyism
10. Smokescreen
11. Galvanize
12. Red Herring
13. Counter demonstration
14. swaying public sentiment
15. opportunistic/part-time political activism
16. Impeach, depose and dethrone
17. Political clown
18. Media darling
19. Abian bashing
20. Up the ante
21. Status Quo

[technobabel]

Part 2

What is wrong with 倒扁 movement?

Bad president gets elected all the time even in a mature democratic system. Taiwan's political elites must formulate a better system for getting rid of bad president and bad politicians.

There are few factors to consider.

1. The current 倒扁 movement is too de-stabilizing, too costly and sets a bad precedent.

2. The successful outcome of the 倒扁 movement depends too much on "human factor" and human factors are unpredictable and unreliable.

3. Politic does require certain level of expertise, it is counter-productive for ordinary citizens in how ever large numbers to drown out or dilute professional/expert opinions.

4. Prolonged open-ended massive demostration is a recipe for a major disaster.

5. Un-regulated opinions and unfair accusations against the accused makes the whole 倒扁 event feel like a witch hunt.

6. What have we learned from Tiananmen Square? Massive demostration gets press coverage, some sympathy and may be a page in the history.

7. At this point Abian has no incentive to step down and nothing more to lose. If he feel like it, he can drag this on and on till the cows come home.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/unt ... +come+home

[technobabel]

No Pain, No Campaign

More confrontational than an ordinary game of chess
This 倒扁 campaign is causing everybody lots of stress
It will soon be over when 阿扁 gets on his knees and confess
You see, message is loud and clear with tacky red dress
Meanwhile, Pan Blue's wound gets some licks and caress
Respect towards democracy becomes less and less
May God continue to bless this phenomenal sociopolitical mess

[technobabel]

Isn't it heart-warming to see how people care about corruption like Smokey The Bear cares about forest fire?

http://www.smokeybear.com/

Corruption has a long and "glorious" history in Chinese society. Is this the beginning of the end for corruption? Will this anti-corruption movement spread like wild fire in China? In the near or distant future, the attempt to unify a corruption-free Taiwan may be the biggest challenge for China. It is easy to discredit or make fun of imperfect democratic election, but how can anybody say no to anti-corruption? Without cautious optimism, I sure would like to say, See you in utopia my friend! See you in utopia!

[technobabel]

By now, many of you are probably wondering...
Is there a song about red garment besides "Lady in Red"?
Lady in Red is a nice song, but who haven't heard it at least a million times?


Here comes something that is way more refreshing. Time to hit the iron while it is still red hot. There is no telling when will the color red go out of style.



Red Hooded Sweatshirt Lyrics
by Adam Sandler

My mom bought you when I was just 13,
the brightest red sweatshirt I ever seen.
She got an extra large so I wouldn't grow out,
"That's too big for you!" the other kids would shout.
But we stuck together, we didn't quit,
and now the children say, "What a perfect fit."

I love you sweeeeatshirt
red hooded
sweeeeatshirt
dip dip dip
sweeeeatshirt
shama lama ding dong
sweeeeatshirt.

I like to rest my hands in your kangaroo pouch,
it makes them feel comfy like a big soft couch.
And I don't care if the weather's no good,
I say "See you later rain" as I pull up my hood.
Remember that long bus trip when I needed a nap?,
I used you as a pillow on that Spanish lady's lap.
I love you sweeeeatshirt red hooded
sweeeeatshirt
dip dip dip sweeeeatshirt
shama lama ding dong
sweeeeatshirt.

Oh what is it about you that makes me so jolly?,
Is it your fifty cotton or your fifty poly?

I don't knoooooooww
ohh ohh hoo hoo hoo.

Oh red hooded sweatshirt we been through a lot together
like that time I played in that shirts
and skins basketball game and I had to take you off
and throw you in the corner of the gym.
I was midway through the game and then I saw you looking at me.
You were staring as if to say
"Adam, you suck at basketball, you dribble like a damn woman.
" I was so mad I challenged you to a game of one on one
and you know sweatshirt, even though I beat you 11 to 9,
deep in my soul I know you missed those lay-ups on purpose.
You let me win and that why I'll forever feel this way.

I love you sweeeeatshirt
red hooded
sweeeeatshirt
dip dip dip
sweeeeatshirt
shama lama ding dong
sweeeeatshirt.

Come on audience members, help me out here.

I love you sweeeeatshirt
red hooded
sweeeeatshirt
dip dip dip
sweeeeatshirt
shama lama ling dong
sweeeeatshirt.

I love you sooooooooooo.

[technobabel]

It's highly doubtful that Abian will ever capitulate.
Say what you will of the red-shirts...
Even though the whole situation looks grim,
I have to admit that I do admire their determination.
Like, to depose the un-deposable president, so to speak.

Is there a song to go with that sentiment?
You bet, and here we go again.



the impossible dream

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

http://www.reelclassics.com/Audio_Video ... edream.mp3

[Roger]

These are very good expressions for we English learners to know how the issue is described.