Legislative Madness: They started it!!

Another year, another proud moment in the Legislative Yuan that will soon appear on "Most Funniest Videos" shows everywhere. I just want to point out - THEY started it!

Based purely on the three English-language reports, particularly the DPP mouthpiece Taipei Times, it appears that was not the filibustering KMT opposition that started the flying fists, but the DPP:

First:
"DPP Legislator Wang Shu-hui (王淑慧) started shoving Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Kuo Su-chun (郭素春) after Kuo tore up Hsieh's report, strewing the pieces about."

Okay, ripping up someone's report is not nice, but democracy requires self-control. You even have to let the crazies have their say too. You'll need a thicker skin than that.

Then:
"DPP Legislator Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) engaged in a physical clash with KMT legislators Huang Chao-shun (黃昭順) and Chu Feng-chih (朱鳳芝)"

Okay, so the KMT left a mean sign on the DPP premier's desk. Not nice, but physical violence?

It's not clear from the article who started two later incidents, one of which ended with a KMT legislator on the ground. It also amuses me to note that this has been blamed on the whole legislature rather than the DPP that lost its cool. Note the headlines:

Taiwan News: Boycott brings Legislature to halt
Taipei Times: Legislative session opens with mayhem
China Post: Legislative session opens with mayhem

Judging by these reports, it sounds to me like the DPP lost patience and resorted to physical violence. I can find nothing that justifies physical violence of any kind. Their actions reflect terribly on the public face of Taiwan and show exactly how much free speech and dissent they are willing to tolerate. Doctor DPP, heal thyself.

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