Hsu, be like Mencius
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin’s (徐巧芯) family has been accused of running a scam, obliging her to hold a news conference to clarify the situation.
In a law-based society, adults should take responsibility for their behavior. What Hsu should have done was illustrate the whole deal clearly, but instead she kept using profanities at the news conference, saying “it was not my ‘damn’ business,” but using stronger language.
If she were not a public servant, it would not be my damn business, either.
Nowadays, with the ubiquity of the Internet and online information, many of those aged 16 or younger love imitating the behavior and pet phrases of influencers.
If Hsu were an Internet influencer whose income relied on the support of netizens, then the public would have no reason to criticize her.
However, she is a legislator, paid by the state and taxpayers, so she should mind her words and accept public criticism.
Hsu has chosen not to have children. Nevertheless, as a civil servant, she should stand in the shoes of every parent and stop using obscene language such as “not my damn business” and “idiot,” which might mislead children into thinking that such behavior is appropriate.
Parents fear that children might come back at us with foul language and say “not your damn business” and “idiot” when we ask about their day, or parry admonitions with questions such as: “How is it that a legislator can use swear words, but I cannot?”
Many might be familiar with the story of Chinese philosopher Mencius (孟軻), who lived from 327 BC to 289 BC, and his mother, who changed her residence three times to avoid bad influences on her son, who liked to imitate everything around him.
His mother set a good example for him, making him study hard.
Eventually he became a respected academic.
To be a good example for children, I hope Hsu can mind her words and behavior instead of being a bad influence on the public and affecting the character of children.
Yeh Yu-chin
Taipei
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