TAIWAN EX-PRESIDENT CHEN GIVEN LIFE TERM FOR GRAFT

FORMER TAIWANESE PRESIDENT CHEN
AND WIFE GET LIFE IN PRISON FOR CORRUPTION

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan’s former President Chen Shui-bian, who clashed with China over his efforts to assert the island’s independence, was sentenced to life in prison for corruption, fraud and money-laundering. Chen’s wife, Wu Shu-chen, also received a life sentence. Chen has denied the charges, saying they were politically motivated. The yearlong trial of Chen and his family has polarized opinion in the country of 23 million between pro-independence “greens” and the pro-China “blues” of President Ma Ying- jeou. Ma has led a rapprochement with mainland China in the 18 months since taking over from Chen, whose eight-year term was marked by confrontation with communist rulers in Beijing.

While most people believe Chen is guilty of at least some of the charges against him, many believe the way his case has been handled reflects Taiwanese politics, rather than justice at work. A cordon of police in riot gear guarded the Taipei district courthouse while Chen's supporters chanted "Justice is unfair" and "Judicial pandemic." About 200 protesters gathered outside the court carrying placards demanding the release of Chen, popularly known as Ah Bian, while police barricaded the detention center where he is being held. Chen's supporters, including long-time Taiwanese who do not identify with the KMT which came from China at the end of the civil war in 1949, believe the case is simply political revenge.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

In the modern setup of the democratic states, the people themselves are fallen to the qualities of the śūdras or less, and the government is run by their representative, who is ignorant of the scriptural mode of administrative education. Thus the whole atmosphere is surcharged with śūdra qualities, manifested by lust and avarice. Such administrators quarrel every day among themselves. ... How can such low-grade men do good to the people? The result is corruption, intrigue and hypocrisy. They should learn from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam how ideal the administrators must be before they can be given charge of different posts.

Srila A.C. BV Swami Prabhupada:
"El Srimad Bhagavatam - Comentario en Canto 1 - Cap. 12 - Verso 18"