(From several readers) “Since Ross Munro is basically

just saying what Derb said on Tuesday , he might at least

have offered an acknowledgment.” Hey, I’ll take the compliment; but Munro

speaks with more authority, having actual credentials in the field, while

I’m only an amateur.

He and I share the same important perception, though: that given the

continuing peril of Taiwan’s situation, the gravity of what might happen

across the Taiwan Strait, and the possible consequences for America–the

ultimate guarantor of Taiwan’s independence–Taiwan politics is not as

serious as it ought to be. It is no “insult” to Taiwan to say that, much

less a “betrayal” of Taiwan. It needs saying, and they need to hear it,

friend to friend. The more people say it, the better, far as I’m concerned.