I Love Taiwan／H. S. Chen
Dear Dr. Shen Like many people in Taiwan I'm very disappointed in your recent public pronouncement that the Taiwanese people should refrain themselves from saying "I Love Taiwan". Do you truly believe that keeping silence would reduce and help heal the deteriorating ethnic divisions in Taiwan. You must be kidding yourselves or otherwise think you could fool the majority of Taiwanese people. What went wrong with you, Doc? Politics indeed can and will corrupt a person if one remains far too long in the political arena. Even a respected physician could become so intoxicated and lose the conscience due to power hunger and ambition, just look at PFP𠏋 Dr. Chang Chao-hsiung, for example. More than thirty of your medical school classmates and their spouses returned to Taiwan from the States together last month to support their candidates in the 320 Election. Many of them were outraged by what you said in your news conference last week and wondered what have become of you. They are deeply concerned whether you will become the next one after Hsu Hsin-liang, Chu Kao-cheng and Sisi Chen. I hope not. "Love Taiwan" is not a crime. It's a basic human instinct for a person to fall deeply in love with his or her native country. You had studied and lived in America for many years. You are not likely to forget that in America the first thing the school children learn and do at school is to make a daily pledge of allegiance. This is what the American school children pledge in school, "I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." No wonder that the vast majority of Americans are extremely patriotic in time of national tragedies or when the country faces external threats. Pan-blue𠏋 non-sensible and irresponsible post-election protests and riots have severely tarnished Taiwan images in the world and set back Taiwan𠏋 democratization for many years. Apparently the civics class education in Taiwan has not lived up to its intended purpose and will need thorough reviews by educators and policy makers. As a distinguished and ranking Legislator why can't you and your fellow DPP and TSU colleagues propose and sponsor a bill to permit the elementary school children in Taiwan to make a daily pledge of allegiance to Taiwan national identity? A month ago I was returning from a trip to Danayi Valley of Chiayi County and made a stop to pay a visit to a well-known temple, which I had visited many years ago. Back then it was called Wu Feng Temple in the then "Wu Feng Hsiang". It became public knowledge several years ago that the Wu Feng story was fabricated during Japanese occupation. Now the township was renamed "Alishan Hsiang" and the temple is called "Alishan Chungwang Temple" (Attachment). Describing yourself as Humangod Wu Feng is not only dishonest to Taiwan history but also an insult to the native Taiwanese people. Dr. Shen, I suggest that you take some time off from your busy schedule and get away from Taipei as far as you can. You will find the countryside of Taiwan is still very beautiful and the village people are very kind and lovely. I love Taiwan. I really do. Best wishes to you and May God Continue to Bless Taiwan. H. S. Chen
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