(Posted by John.)
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Some 20,000 Taiwanese demonstrated in the capital Saturday, demanding the president resign over allegations some of his relatives engaged in insider trading.
The protest was part of an opposition campaign for a referendum to oust President Chen Shui-bian, whose term ends in 2008....
Although Chen has not been personally implicated in any wrongdoing,opposition leaders say he has lost the dignity to function aspresident. They have called on him to resign to spare the island moreunrest.
"If a president isn't fit to rule, you can recall him. Hedoesn't have to commit a criminal act," said Ma Ying-Jeou, leader ofthe main opposition Nationalist Party.
Imagine that. Chen even has Bush-like approval ratings, with only 34% of Taiwanese saying he should complete his term. Another poll says Chen has an approval rating of just 28%, meaning there's at least one leader in the world who envies Bush's popularity. Almost enough to make me believe in Intelligent Design. There are more important issues in the Taiwan straits, of course.