下來

The girl's headscarf says "tan" or "corruption".

Obviously, the big thing that is happening in Taiwan right now are the protests and calls for Chen Shui Bian to step down. What is lesser known is that the protests that are shaking the country right now are also extremely catchy dance parties. In a brief synopsis of what has happened until now, various members of Chen Shui Bian's family and contacts have been found guilty of corruption charges, either by siphoning off money or accepting bribes or the like. Chen was only elected last term by a slim margin, that, many think, only swung his way because he (allegedly) faked an assasination attempt. Nobody knows if it was real or not, and more and more people seem to think that it wasn't, but it got him into office and he has presided over a stagnant economy. Now, after the Guo Ming Dang's sweep of local elections when I was living in Yilan, people are beginning to call for his resignation, discussing impeachment, and, according to my cousin, being "jealous of Thailand". In the south people are wearing green in support of Chen and up here people are wearing red and dancing. The biggest thing is the corruption allegations, though, which are seeping into every corner of Taiwanese politics--the (KMT) mayor of Keelong was just arrested, even handsome, charismatic KMT leader Ma Yin Jiu is alleged to have taken government money to adopt a dog (and pay for its vet bills?). I will try to do more research in the future to present a more informed viewpoint.

But anyway, the protests. Were fun! Today is the 17th day, and people draped in red, fanning themselves with fans reading "depose" illustrated with angry thumbs pointing downward, were roused suddenly when a giant speaker system began playing a catchy, danceble tune with a chorus saying "Xia Lai" or, "come down." As in, "impeach". It was fascinating to see the whole crowd rise to their feet and begin dancing to this song, making thumbs down symbols as a kind of protest dance move.


The "thumbs down" dance move.


Happy protesters who saw my camera and had to have their pictures taken.