Mistake of ‘little grasses’
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) was a mysterious and esteemed guest at a recent gathering held by the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), leaving the public wondering whether Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) supports corruption.
Under the presumption of innocence, we cannot determine that TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is guilty; on the other hand, we also cannot prove that he is completely innocent, especially considering that we need to hold political leaders to a higher standard. However, the TPP has continuously claimed that Ko is absolutely innocent and that the judicial system is unjust. Is this not a presumption of the judiciary’s guilt? Given that a trial has yet to be held, we should allow prosecutors the space to handle the case instead of being so misguided and chaotic.
For that same reason, Ko was detained. This was a decision made by an unbiased judge, and clearly for good reason. However, Hsiao used his title as the director of the foundation to publicly and fervently express support for Ko: Does this mean Ma also supports Ko despite the allegations of corruption? Ko’s followers — the “little grasses” — and Ma should not hold up a “the judicial system is unfair” picket sign.
If one asserts that Ko being suspected of crimes does not definitively prove his guilt, then should not the same logic be applied to former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦)? Cheng was detained in the same fashion, but the “little grasses” and Ma did not respond accordingly. They support Ko, but not Cheng. Frankly speaking, supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party are more rational. At the very least, they did not take to the streets in chaotic demonstrations of blind support or attempt to meddle with the judicial process.
I was born and raised in Taoyuan. When Cheng served as the mayor of Taoyuan, he was adored by its residents, as reflected by his high approval ratings in opinion polls. However, following suspicions of corruption, he was investigated and detained — all was carried out according to the law. This is the fundamental value in a society ruled by law. So, to all of the “little grasses” who have taken to the streets pretending to be political experts: The chaotic source sabotaging our judicial system is actually you.
Liao Kuan-hu
Taoyuan
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