@Hauptmann: Good schools. They can't be compared to U.S. or U.K. schools, but most new generation Taiwanese have an okay understanding of English. On a side note, I don't recommend spreading your view about China and Taiwan around.

@Mosquitero: Good point.

Taiwan is part of China.

Period.

Taiwan does not consider itself under China's rule or control.

Taiwan does not consider itself part of China. Most of the world accepts this and so does China. But officially Taiwan is still part of China and even better as no peace treaty was signed between the 2 Chinese forces from back in the civil war, the 2 sides are still officially at war.

are you sure, skunk?
i know the 2 koreas are still officially at war... but china and taiwan too?

I was just commenting on the military build up on the mainland of China near the point where Taiwan and China are closest. Also the naval build up. Also the fact that China claims hegemony over Taiwan and the East China Sea. Also the fact that if it came to an invasion half the population of Taiwan would flee to America (an* English speaking country) which is perhaps the reason they're so serious about learning English, so they can fit in once they get there.

I was just making an ironic joke, sorry it got blown out of proportion. *(It was a joke, though there may be some truth in it)

To note what Skunk said, that's not entirely true, the ROC declared the conflict over in 1991, but the PRC didn't say anything to that and there has been fighting since that date over the Taiwanese Straight. #TheMoreYouKnow

Edited 10/7/2013 16:05:42

@Hauptmann: If it comes to attack, a vast majority of us would likely be dead. The PRC has around an estimated 1600 missiles aimed at our island.

^What Sunrise said is true :/

But, lets not get into more political topics here :D Lots of people are sensitive about these kinds of things.

@Pulsey, .......... -_____-""""" .........

Edited 10/8/2013 15:30:59

@Sunrise: missiles that were produced and manufactured in China, they'll be lucky* if half of them leave the launchpad - let alone make it across the straight. Let's be happy that the US has a massive fleet in the area and that Chinese and Taiwanese relations have improved of late. <- Feeble attempt to lighten the mood that your observation set ^^

...and with that I'll take Sirius' advice and move on to other topics. Conscription, right? Someone give an answer/rebuttal so we have something to talk about :D

Edited 10/8/2013 16:37:02

I both disagree and agree with you answer. Quoting you,

Conscription is important in any modern society. Traditionally, fathers have passed down to sons the necessary skills to defend their villages (towns, etc). In a modern society, fathers are often gone working and children are now raised more and more by their teachers and peers. Skills in self-defense are often neglected.

People, in their ignorance, believe that we live in a "safe" and "peaceful" world. Anyone who actually pays attention will notice that safety and peace never goes long without being threatened by some mishap or another. Rather than becoming frightened rabbits, asking the government to take away their rights in return for more "security" it is important to train men and (it is my belief) women in the task of self-defense. Conscription of men and women into the armed forces for a period of time will give them the confidence AND ability to do this and provide discipline as well, which is ever lacking in our modern societies.

But what about freedom? Shouldn't we have the freedom to choose? If the government trains us in self defense, why not open a self-defense class? And if everyone has the same level of fighting skill, wouldn't it render your army training useless?

Bump.

Edited 10/19/2013 14:24:26

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Sorry it took so long to reply. If it's a post I have to sit down and think about, I usually need a quiet space and time to contemplate, so I push it off until such a time arrives.

But what about freedom? Shouldn't we have the freedom to choose?

What is freedom? Neitzsche's definition is probably the closest to ideal freedom (from a modern standpoint), but far from practical. Freedom is, in a sense, the absence of responsibility and dependence towards anyone, except yourself. You are born and raised until you've come of an age where you are self-sufficient. Then what? That's 16-22 years where you've been living off your parents and tax payers. Nothing comes free, don't be fooled into thinking otherwise. You are dependent on the community - as much as it's dependent on you. When there's a threat to the community, you should know how to defend it, that's the limitation to anyone individual's freedom, be it democracy or dictatorship.

If the government trains us in self defense, why not open a self-defense class?

Self-defense in the military is 1. Specialized, 2. Professional and 3. Not "just a Hobby" Going to kick-boxing class 2 times a week may teach you how to fight and keep you fit, but actual training takes complete focus and rigor. That means putting everything else on hold - family, career, your dreams - to focus on this one thing. That's why conscripts get sent to barracks, separated from civilians.

And if everyone has the same level of fighting skill, wouldn't it render your army training useless?

Going to the military isn't all about learning how to fight. It's about learning how to function as a unit. Take orders, respond to emergency situations and react under pressure. Conscripts that go into the workforce are some of the most professional men and women out there. Of course you hear stories about military dad's who are alcoholics and abusive, but there are those who never stepped foot on a base and are like that or worse. In fact, being a drunk women-beater in the US military can get you a court martial - that's military court, not a jury of civilian peers.

Just because everyone can fight, doesn't mean their training is useless, because learning how to fight changes you from the inside as well. Confidence, responsibility, resourcefulness, goal-orientation - these are all skills conscripts learn and use for the rest of their lives.

OK, you've completely defeated my arguments... :-)
I'd like you to set the next topic.

Bump.

Ok, I'll come up with something over the next day or so, to bring some life back to this thread :]

Sorry for taking so long to post a new question, but I hope this one is interesting enough to make up for the delay! :]

Kanzlerin Merkel erklärt Multikulti für gescheitert in 2011

Chancellor Merkel declared Multiculturalism as an "absolute failure" in 2011


For many intellectuals, politicians and other leading figures throughout history, the concept of multiculturalism is more a romantic concept, than a practical one. These figures emphasize the need for a nation to preserve its laws, language and culture and that immigrants should learn and respect them if they wish to live there. This is not an emphasis on nationalism, they argue, but the need to protect the culture, order and stability of countries that absorb large numbers of immigrants.

Discuss the relativity of this point and whether or not you believe it's true.

Consider it from your perspective (for those living outside the European Union), how would you, your family and your country respond to an increasing number of foreigners? Would it be possible to maintain a metropolis of cultures while upholding law and order and preserving your own nation's identity?

Edited 11/10/2013 00:40:22

A country could maintain its identity but, it would be changed ever so slightly by the large amounts of immigrants/expats, and a country would need to find some way to help them, so no, a country cannot remain completely unchanged.

Immigration from the EU is a big problem where I am (England) and it is clear to see that large parts of the country and losing its 'identity' when the population of British is lower then the population of Immigrants. A good example of this is parts of Birmingham.

But back to the point in hand, cultural identity can be withheld with small levels of immigration, but when it comes on a large scale the 2 cultures get mixed and turned in to something new but often not better.

It is also good to note that this 'mixing' is not often peaceful

Edited 11/17/2013 10:10:36

'Daily(or Bi-Daily)' is getting stretched a little thin here ;)