Daily Archives: August 4, 2021

International students should have freedom of speech, too – The Dallas Morning News

Posted: August 4, 2021 at 2:07 pm

This op-ed is part of an occasional series published by The Dallas Morning News Opinion section on human rights and human freedom. Find the full series here.

Lets suppose that a subset of American college students say, Blacks or Hispanics reported they were scared to speak in class. There would be a national outcry about inequity and systemic racism, followed by demands for an investigation. Then university officials and politicians would rightfully vow to protect and value all American students, regardless of race or ethnicity.

But if students from another country are afraid to speak up, nobody seems to care.

Witness last Mondays pledge by the Departments of State and Education to increase international student exchanges, which plummeted amid the pandemic and the restrictive policies of the Trump administration. As the departments joint statement correctly noted, students who come here from other nations contribute immensely to innovation, economic development and cross-cultural understanding.

Yet international students have also faced threats to their free speech at American universities, which went unmentioned in the statement and in most news accounts of it. Im glad were going to bring more students from other countries to the United States. But they wont be able to learn as much or teach the rest of us if they have to bite their tongues when they get here.

Thats what has been happening in recent years, especially among students from China. Their government has made it clear that it will monitor them in the United States and punish speech that strays from the party line. So Chinese students have to watch what they say, if they know whats good for them.

In 2019, a 20-year-old University of Minnesota student was arrested upon his return to his hometown in China and sentenced to six months in jail. His crime? Posting 40 tweets while studying in Minnesota that mocked President Xi Jinping. The tweets featured images of Winnie the Pooh, a censored character in China, because of satirical memes comparing him to Xi, as well as pictures of a cartoon villain resembling the president.

His imprisonment drew rebukes from several members of the Senate, including Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Ben Sasse, R-Neb. But the Biden administration has been mostly silent about the students fate and about threats to other Chinese nationals studying in the United States.

Ditto for leaders in higher education, who would be the first to speak out if an American racial minority were blocked from full participation in our classrooms. But I havent heard a single major university president decry the muzzling of international students here. Well happily take their tuition dollars, but we wont defend their free speech.

In a series of interviews early last year with Voice of America, Chinese students reported self-censoring in class during discussions of Tibet, Hong Kong and anything else deemed sensitive by their government. They feared that other Chinese students would report what they said to authorities back home, limiting their job opportunities as well as subjecting them to criminal penalties.

Meanwhile, American professors who teach China-related courses suspected that Chinese intelligence agents were monitoring their classes. Significantly, almost all of the Chinese students and American faculty interviewed by Voice of America asked to remain unnamed. The students feared harassment at home, while the professors worried that China might deny them visas to perform research there.

Threats to Chinese students have likely stepped up since China imposed a new national security law upon Hong Kong last summer. Barring sedition and colluding with foreign forces, the law allows China to pursue violators no matter where they live.

In response, some professors of China-focused courses in America have added warning labels about politically sensitive topics covered in their classes. At Princeton, students in a Chinese politics course placed codes instead of names on their work to protect their identities.

And Harvard Business School said it might excuse Chinese students from class participation requirements when China-related topics arose. There is no way I can say to my students, You can say whatever you want [and] you are totally safe here, HBS professor Meg Rithmire told The Wall Street Journal.

In the era of Black Lives Matter and campaigns to dismantle racism, we should insist that international students enjoy the same rights as anyone else in our classrooms. Whether you can speak your mind at an American university shouldnt depend on the color of your passport, any more than on the color of your skin.

Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the co-author (with Signe Wilkinson) of Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn, which was published in April by City of Light Press. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

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The ACLU Is No Longer Free Speech’s Champion, but Other Groups Are Filling the Gap – Foundation for Economic Education

Posted: at 2:07 pm

For over a century, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been one of the staunchest defenders of the First Amendment and has routinely come to the aid of those whose rights have been trampled on by the government.

But over the past few years, the organization has shied away from its unbridled support of free speech, leaving a void in the movement to defend First Amendment protections.

In the wake of the Charlottesville protests in 2017, the ACLU implemented policy changes regarding its approach to First Amendment cases. In 2018, an internal memo from the organization described its new policy, which included a test to assess the impact of the proposed speech and the impact of its suppression before they would even consider taking a First Amendment case.

In 1969, the ACLU defended the seemingly undefendable when they fought for the Ku Klux Klans right to free speech in Brandenburg v. Ohio.

It now also considers whether defending free speech could have detrimental effects on marginalized communities or could jeopardize the organizations credibility.

This is a far cry from where the ACLU started. Indeed, their legacy has largely revolved around a principled commitment to freedom of speech, and they have actively defended free speech rights for even the most hated groups. Ironically, they make a brilliant case for this position on their own website.

The ACLU has often been at the center of controversy for defending the free speech rights of groups that spew hate, such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis. But if only popular ideas were protected, we wouldn't need a First Amendment. History teaches that the first target of government repression is never the last. If we do not come to the defense of the free speech rights of the most unpopular among us, even if their views are antithetical to the very freedom the First Amendment stands for, then no one's liberty will be secure. In that sense, all First Amendment rights are indivisible.

Though the modern incarnation of the ACLU is falling short of these ideals, things were much different in the beginning. The ACLUs inception stems from the passage of the Espionage Act of 1917. During that time, the Russian Revolution was inciting fear in the U.S. over communisms spread, and resistance to the draft was also causing government concern.

The Espionage Act outlawed certain forms of speech, including comments deemed disloyal to the United States government.

Eugene Debs, for example, was sentenced to 10 years in prison under the Espionage Act after he spoke at a rally for peaceful workers telling them they were fit for something better than slavery and cannon fodder.

Likewise, in 1919, Schenck v. U.S., the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a Socialist Party member after he sent anti-war leaflets to men across the country.

While the faces of the free speech movement may have changed over time, the significance of defending free speech has remained unchanged.

These events inspired the newly formed ACLU to intervene. The organization began defending activists who were being punished for expressing their views and were successful in getting several hundred people released from incarceration for violating the new laws.

This laid the foundation that earned the ACLU the reputation as a relentless supporter of free speech, even when the organization did not agree with what was being said.

In 1969, the ACLU defended the seemingly undefendable when they fought for the Ku Klux Klans right to free speech in Brandenburg v. Ohio.

When Ku Klux Klan member Clarence Brandenburg addressed a rally held in Ohio, he made mention of the possibility of revenge against Jewish and Black individuals. This resulted in his conviction for violating the states Criminal Syndicalism law, which prohibited speech that sought to advocatethe duty, necessity, or propriety of crime, sabotage, or unlawful methods of terrorism as a means of accomplishing industrial or political reform.

This conviction earned Brandenburg a 10-year prison sentence.

With the ACLU by his side, he challenged the Ohio law at the Supreme Court, which resulted in a reversal of his conviction. The Supreme Court ruled that he could be punished only in an instance where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.

In the late 1970s, when neo-Nazis wanted to march through Skokie, Illinois, where many Holocaust survivors resided, the ACLU defended the groups First Amendment rights, despite agreeing with most everyone that their beliefs were deplorable.

Former ACLU employees are concerned about the contemporary drift in the organizations activities.

In fact, David Goldberger, the Jewish attorney who defended the free speech rights of Nazis on behalf of the ACLU, fears that Liberals are leaving the First Amendment behind.

This is an interesting twist to the history of free speech in the United States.

Protecting free speech of all individuals is no less important today than it was in the past. But while modern events, like the Charlottesville protests, have caused progressives to call for limits to speech deemed hateful or hurtful to certain groups, there was a time not so long ago when it was conservatives trying to rein in First Amendment protections.

During the 1950s McCarthy Era, named for Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy, some Republicans and right-leaning groups poured their efforts into curbing the spread of communism in the United States. This resulted in a witch hunt where anyone with ties to Marxism or communism was exposed and reprimanded. There were also laws passed making it illegal to publicly promote these viewsa clear violation of freedom of expression and association.

At several points in history, conservatives have also called for laws banning the burning of the American flag. But in 1989, the United States Supreme Court ruled that flag burning was protected under the First Amendment in the controversial case, Texas v. Johnson.

Even with this landmark ruling, there have been other attempts by some conservatives to ban flag burning in the years since.

Guarding the First Amendment means doing so even when it is unpopular. It means standing on principle and recognizing that even heinous speech deserves protection, no matter what your politics may be.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) focuses specifically on protecting free speech on college campuses.

While some progressives might be directing attention and resources elsewhere, many libertarian and conservative organizations are continuing the fight for free speech.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) focuses specifically on protecting free speech on college campuses. Its mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of students and faculty members at Americas colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty, and sanctity of consciencethe essential qualities of liberty.

FIRE has helped students fight back against a variety of free speech violations by campus administrators. When Wichita State refused to recognize a libertarian student group because of its emphasis on free speech, FIRE came to its defense.

FIRE has also fought back against campuses that have implemented designated free speech zones and has defended students who were reprimanded for handing out pocket constitutions on campus.

The Institute for Free Speech (IFS) has also helped fill the void left by the ACLU. When William Thomas, an owner of several roadside signs in Tennessee, had his signs torn down by government officials who disagreed with its content, IFS came to his aid.

Likewise, the organization helped defend Kells Hetherington, who was fined hundreds of dollars for stating his political affiliation while running for his county school board, which is a crime under Florida law.

But in addition to political speech, commercial speech is also in need of protectors.

The Institute for Justice (IJ) is another public interest law firm that litigates to protect commercial, occupational and political speech. The organization seeks to defend the free flow of informationinformation that is indispensable to our democratic form of government and to our free enterprise economy.

In one of its cases, IJ came to the aid of a retired engineer from North Carolina, who was told he could not offer engineering advice or give his expertise on the topic unless he first obtained a license from the state. Oddly enough, before he retired, he was never required to obtain a license.

In another instance, IJ defended two North Dakota men who had painted a mural on the outside of their bar, Lonesome Dove. The pair did not know that city rules stated that no mural may be placed on the front of the building and no mural shall convey a commercial message. The city demanded they take the mural down or face a $1,000 fine.

To ensure that this constitutional protection remains intact, supporters of free speech need to put politics aside and vigilantly fight for the First Amendment rights of all individuals.

The Pacific Legal Foundation is doing its part, defending speech from government censorship based on its content, expanding legal protections for professional and commercial speech, and preserving the right not to be spoken for.

In one of their cases, Peggy Fontenot, an Indian artist who belongs to a tribe that the State of Oklahoma doesnt recognize, was told she could not market her artwork as American Indian Made because she did not qualify as a real Native American.

In another case, they defended Debbie Pulley when the Georgia Board of Nursing worried that if she honestly explained her decades of experience as a midwife, people might jump to the conclusion that she was a practicing registered nurseso they tried to deny her the right to use the word midwife to describe herself.

They also defended two California men who tried to end their union membership after the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME allowed them to do so. The union tried to deny them this right, ignoring the First Amendments guarantee that public sector workers have the right to choose whether to financially support a union.

While the faces of the free speech movement may have changed over time, the significance of defending free speech has remained unchanged. In fact, it may be more critical now than ever.

To ensure that this constitutional protection remains intact, supporters of free speech need to put politics aside and vigilantly fight for the First Amendment rights of all individuals.

A version of this article was published at the Pacific Legal Foundation.

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Tucker Carlson’s Visit to Hungary: Lobbying, Free Speech and Far-Right Conspiracy Byline Times – Byline Times

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Fox News Conservative commentator met Hungarys authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn, two years after a firm where his father is a director received thousands from the Hungarian Government to help with media and PR,

Tucker Carlson, the right-wing, Trump-supporting, Conservative commentator for Fox News, is broadcasting his show from Hungary all this week, in advance of attending a far-right conference in Budapest.

Carlson met Prime Minister Viktor Orbn during his trip, two years after the Hungarian Government paid $265,000 to Policy Impact Strategic Communications Inc (sometimes known as Policy Impact Communications or Policy Impact) to provide outreach to the U.S. Government and media on behalf of the Embassy of Hungary in support of its ongoing objectives to improve US-Hungarian relations, by coordinating, facilitating, and managing Government affairs, activities and media management.

The deal included co-ordinating an interview with Peter Szijjrt, Hungarys Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the Tucker Carlson show.

Carlsons father, former US Ambassador to the Seychelles Richard Carlson, is a Director of the Washington D.C-based lobbying firm. Senior advisor William Cowen also has links to Fox News.

Alongside meeting the Prime Minister, Carlson is in Budapest to attend MCC Feszt, a three-day series of talks and entertainment that celebrates Hungarian talent. Other speakers include Hungarian politicians and US conservative thinkers, as well as a representative from the anti-abortion, anti-LGBTIQ Ordo Iuris organisation in Poland.

This is not the first time Carlson has shown his support toOrbn and his Fidesz Party.

In 2019 the same year the deal was struck between his fathers business and the Hungarian Embassy Carlson delivered a monologue on his Fox News show praising Orbans family protection programme.

The programme seeks to incentivise women to have more ethnic Hungarian children, awarding women a loan on marriage that is written off should she have three children or more with her husband.

In his monologue, Carlson explained that Hungary had lost half a million of its population due to low birth rates and that the neoliberals who run the European Union believed the country could fix that problem by importing a replacement population from the third world.

This is the George Soros solution, Carlson added, referencing the left-wing Jewish billionaire who has been subject to aggressive and anti-Semitic campaigning fromOrbns Government.

The phrase replacement population references a far-right conspiracy theory known as the Great Replacement. The theory posits that rising migration from the Global South is replacing the white, Christian population in the West, be that Europe or the US. This replacement is aided by feminists who, the theory claims, are repressing the birth rate via safe, legal abortion, and pro-migration policies from EU members. It is orchestrated by Jewish elites such as Soros.

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In referencing the Great Replacement, Carlson was echoingOrbns own explanations of the family protection programme.

A year earlier,Orbn had given a speech where he accused the European Union of wanting to replace the population with others, saying Hungarian people think differently. We do not need numbers. We need Hungarian children.

In 2019, three months after Carlsons video,Orbn spoke at a demographics summit in Budapest where he explained that if in the future Europe is to be populated by people other than Europeans then we will effectively be consenting to population replacement: to a process in which the European population is replaced.

Carlson was joined in praising the family protection programme by influential UK Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie, who in 2019 tweeted thatOrbns policy was worthy of close study. In the US, assistant to President Trump and director of the Domestic Policy Council Joe Grogan called the policy inspired.

Other European far-right parties and leaders have also leaned on the Great Replacement conspiracy theory to win support.

In Italy, the leader of Italys far-right Lega Party, Matteo Salvini, has claimed that the country faces a demographic winter and a crisis of empty cribs. An anti-immigration poster produced by Germanys far-right Alternative fr Deutschland Party stated New Germans? We make our own.

Carlson has previously said freedom of speech is a hill Ill happily die on and has complained against online fascists who will try to get you fired and make your life miserable for publicly airing certain views.

The fascists he is referring to are liberals and the wider left.

Theres a contradiction then, in Carlsons support for Hungarys increasingly authoritarian Government that has spent recent years clamping down on free speech in the country including freedom of the press.

The Hungarian media is now overwhelmingly in the hands of the Government or those who have close ties to Fidesz. Independent newspapers and outlets have been shut down, while others, such as Klubradio, have lost their license to operate. Any media that is critical of the Government faces increasing pressure.

Further, a recent law banning LGBTIQ content in media for children has also been condemned by human rights and free speech campaigners. The law has led to books being banned, with a Government minister even ripping up a book live on TV.

With particular resonance to Carlsons defence of freedom of speech, prominent Hungarian sports stars and commentators who have expressed solidarity with the LGBTIQ community have lost their jobs.

All of this raises the question as to who Carlson and his right-wing followers believe freedom of speech is for. It may be the hill he claims he is willing to die on. But as his visit to Budapest shows, its not a hill he will die on for those bravely opposing the Government, or for the LGBTIQ community.

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With Tunisia’s Democracy At Risk, The International Community Must Take Action – The Organization for World Peace

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Ten years after the Arab Spring uprisings and the dissolution of its dictatorship, Tunisias relatively young democracy is facing a reckoning. Popular dissatisfaction and protests against the political elite resulted in the election of President Kais Saied in 2019 and most recently culminated in his emergency suspension of parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and other top ministers. Around the world, many influential countries are treading lightly on the subject of President Saieds power grab, which his opponents in parliament are calling a coup.

Saied was elected in 2019 and was perceived to be a populist and political outsider who would take Tunisia in a different direction than the incumbent political elite. His biggest antagonist has been the Ennahda Party, the leading party in parliament that has faced criticism from the public for its Islamist leanings and its failure to correct economic conditions in the past. Saieds July 25th announcement was preceded by large rallies and riots that expressed anti-Islamist sentiments and anger towards Ennahda. Saied then invoked Article 80 of the Tunisian constitution to use emergency powers as president, freezing parliament for 30 days, firing top ministers, and removing legislators parliamentary immunity, which would enable their arrest. Many Tunisians celebrated, hoping for a more effective state to improve their living conditions, even if it put democracy at risk.

In many ways, little has improved in the lives of Tunisians since the 2011 revolution that unseated the dictator president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, and established free elections. That is, aside from improved protections for freedom of speech, which has allowed citizens to make their grievances against the government known. The economy has been stagnant, unemployment rates have remained high, and reports of corruption have continued. In a country dependent on its tourism industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing economic challenges, causing unemployment and inflation to soar.

The democratically elected government has not succeeded in easing this crisis, as the worst surge of the coronavirus thus far hits Tunisia, the economy continues to decline due to mismanagement and political gridlock. The people of Tunisia are growing weary of a democratic system that hasnt fulfilled its promises of security, opportunity, and public services. Voter participation has decreased, while strikes and protests frequently erupt against the government.

One disadvantageous and often inevitable feature of democracy is gridlock between representatives of divergent political views. A system that requires cooperation and agreement even between polarized political parties is bound to be slow-moving and at risk of complete deadlock, a problematic outcome when immediate and decisive action is needed in times of crisis. President Saieds actions to override parliament do not necessarily signal the collapse of Tunisias democracy yet, and could be seen as constitutionally permitted measures to respond to a crisis when the usual form of government has become dysfunctional. International actors should note that even the United States respected democratic system includes executive emergency powers that supersede legislative powers, especially where U.S. military engagements and foreign affairs are concerned.

If Saied demonstrates a commitment to Tunisias democracy and produces a concrete plan to return to it after making his attempt at solving the countrys issues, a regression to Tunisias prior authoritarian system would appear less likely. However, the president hasnt taken these reassuring steps as of yet.

In a statement, President Saied reported that he would issue a decree regulating these exceptional measures that the circumstances have dictated, that will be lifted when those circumstances change. So far, there has been no such decree. The U.S., Europe, and international donors, which all provide assistance that is desperately needed in Tunisia, especially now with the consequences of the pandemic, have the leverage to ensure Tunisia maintains its democracy and institutes economic and political reforms.

Lauded as the single most successful democracy to arise in the Arab world after the Arab Spring movement, Tunisia has been a location of focus for the Western world. Europe and the United States have contributed significant amounts of aid and financial assistance to maintain Tunisias achievement and have shown concern over Saieds potential disruption to democratic systems. If Tunisia destabilizes, Europe will experience a wave of migration from its neighbour, which has historically served as a partner in controlling immigration into Europe from the rest of Africa, and now increasingly produces its own migrants seeking stability in Europe. For the United States, a relationship with democratic Tunisia is a key strategy for combating extremism in Africa and the Middle East.

U.S. President Bidens administration has publicized its commitment to protecting and promoting democracy across the world, yet the U.S. has not taken a tougher line on this issue. In a recent Washington Post opinion article, Biden stated that as the U.S. emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, we will be stronger and more capable when we are flanked by nations that share our values and our vision for the future by other democracies. As of now, the U.S. response to Tunisias political crisis has been mild, as the White House urges all sides to maintain calm and look for solutions that respect democracy and freedom of speech. Many international analysts and figures in Tunisia have questioned why the U.S. is not taking a stronger stance when the Biden administration has been clear about its goal of promoting democracy so recently. Tunisias fragile democracy is an important indicator of how democracy could potentially function in the rest of the Arab world, thus becoming more involved in its current political situation would clearly be in alignment with the United States goals.

Important international actors can uphold their commitments to democracy by strongly asserting their expectations of Saied: that he will immediately, publicly, specify his plans during the period of his emergency measures and delineate the duration of the period. They should also incentivize and support economic and pandemic recovery efforts to be navigated via national dialogue rather than through power consolidated in one mans hands.

A strong autocratic ruler vested with powers unimpeded by the checks and balances of democracy has become an appealing idea to some Tunisians who want to see immediate changes in their economic realities. It is hard to blame them for supporting Saieds power grab when the existing government has proven to be a dysfunctional democracy, but in the longer term, national dialogue and efforts towards cooperation will aid progress while maintaining a governmental system that prioritizes safeguarding citizens rights.

Saied has contributed to the gridlock that has prevented progress, for instance, by blocking nominations to form a constitutional court as planned in 2014, which could adjudicate on disputes over the constitution, such as the debate over the constitutionality of his recent actions. This is only one instance where cooperation would have helped Tunisian democracy function properly, allowing for checks on presidential power and resolutions of disputes between parties. Working to untangle the conflicts that lead to gridlock is a better option for those frustrated with inaction, as an alternative to taking control away from democratically elected representatives.

The international community also can not overlook freedom of speech protections in Tunisia. Free speech has been a key area of progress in Tunisia since democracy was established, and it has allowed Tunisians to advocate for their rights and wellbeing in response to government mismanagement. If people can continue to speak and protest safely, they are empowered to deter their government from the path to authoritarianism. Close monitoring of any freedom of speech violations will be necessary to ensure Tunisians continue to have a hand in the governance of their country.

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Lakshmi Manchu: My naysayers advised me to stay home – The Hindu

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Currently expanding her vistas on multiple digital platforms, actor and talk show host Lakshmi Manchu takes stock of her multi-faceted journey and going against patriarchal conventions

Actor, producer and talk show host Lakshmi Manchu launched her YouTube channel on Sunday, through which she intends to explore topics she hasnt covered on other mediums, television or cinema. She is also hosting the culinary show Aha Bhojanambu for the Telugu streaming platform Aha: I am comfortable wearing specific hats for each platform, she says, talking about her multifaceted journey.

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In the introduction video to her YouTube channel, she invites viewers to share ideas for content. Responding to comments requesting home tour videos, she shrugs, I dont know why so many people want house tours. She plans to keep the first few episodes personal, offering insights into her space and her career, before she dives into other topics.

Pandemic conversations

Meanwhile, season one of Aha Bhojanambu is underway, with a new episode streaming every Friday. The first two episodes featured actor-director Vishwak Sen and actor Rakul Preet Singh. The easy, fun banter is the highlight of the show that tries to unravel the lesser known side of a celebrity: The show isnt about just sharing recipes, but finding the guests connection with food. Food is always personal. At home, she loves to treat friends to good food: I can make dosas simultaneously on two pans at home.

The first time she was a host was in 2008, for the Lakshmi Talk Show on television. Prematho Mee Lakshmi and Memusaitham are among the other shows she has hosted since then.

She has tweaked her approach for OTT and reckons that she can be herself in the digital space: On television if I said something [politically incorrect], I would be requested to re-word it. Here people can see that I have a potty mouth and I dont bother to be correct all the time.

The confidence to be herself also stems from having proved herself over the years: People used to ask why I bother to act or produce when I have a legendary father [actor-producer Mohan Babu]. My naysayers advised me to stay home. A decade later they tell me that I inspire women to be strong and that I have made my father proud.

Has success changed the way she is perceived? It has, but I dont measure success in terms of money. That will come. I dont earn 20 crore for a film, but I live my life to the fullest. For me, success is about waking up each day with excitement about what I am doing as an artiste. We live in a patriarchal society where women are judged by when they get married, how many children they have and when they have. I am married and have a daughter, yes, but I live life on my terms.

In February 2021, Lakshmi was one of the talking points when she essayed Swarnakka, a shrewd Telangana politician, in director Tharun Bhasckers Ramula story for the Netflix Telugu anthology Pitta Kathalu: I still get asked why I portrayed what is perceived to be a negative character. I didnt look at it that way. Swarna was upfront about her intentions from the beginning.

She remembers when Tharun narrated the story to her: He was nervous. When he finished narrating, I asked when do we begin work; he asked madam, nachinda (did you like the character?). If I cannot put myself into a story and character that a brilliant director has for me, then whats the point?

Post Pitta Kathalu, Lakshmi was confident of getting interesting characters that she could take up for cinema and the digital space. However, she admits that well written characters for women are hard to come by: I hate to sound elitist, but I am desperate for good scripts. I need to feel motivated to take up a project.

On the work front, unpredictability has become the norm. There are good days when she gets work done on set, there are bad days when shoots get cancelled if someone on set tests positive for COVID-19: We all adapt. The sooner we understand that we may not have the pre-pandemic freedom to do things the way we wanted to, life will get easier.

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‘Formula E could be on course for victory in its battle with F1’ – AutoExpress

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Ifyoure based in Britain or enjoy easy access to it you dont know how lucky you were in July 2021. Credit where its due; when in the right mood, Blighty knows how to put on a show, and over three epic July weekends the UK staged three of the greatest shows on earth. These were the glorious Goodwood Festival of Speed, the born-again British Grand Prix, and the lively London E-Prix. Think of them as quintessentially British, world-class occasions for petrol-heads, hybrid-heads, and electric-heads. In that order.

But can this trio continue to perform annually on the world stage thats watched by untold millions? In the short to medium term, yes. But predicting further ahead, I fear one member of the threesome may be in danger of disappearing up its own you-know-what.

At first glance, the most likely to fall offstage is Goodwood; it has a politically incorrect and huge appetite for old-fashioned petrol, diesel and oil. Wrongly, these old-school products are almost being dumped in the same league of shame thats rightly occupied by true evils such as illegal drugs. But all the while the 11th Duke of Richmond and his family are committed custodians of Goodwood and its Festival, the event is secure. Its unique. And its more about old petrol cars than the new petrol versions soon be banned from our showrooms. Thats why FoS is safe.

Formula E and its future E-Prix meetings I also have confidence in. Theyre coming from a comparatively low starting point, and have much room to grow as EVs eventually become the norm. Within a decade FE will have carved out an important niche as being to the growing army of pure-EV owners what Formula 1 is today to the shrinking, retreating platoons of bruised and bloodied drivers of petrol models. Why are they so brutally bludgeoned and beaten? Because theyve lost the good fight. From 2030, theyll be robbed of their right to buy new cars running on unleaded.

So where will that leave the annual British GP and other F1 events? Not quite up the creek without a paddle, but the F1 industry is traditionally petroleum (more lately petrol-electric hybrid) based and is therefore in uncertain waters. The leading teams and suppliers such as Mercedes, Honda, McLaren, Ferrari and Renault/Alpine have their long-term futures in road cars that are 100 per cent electric, so surely its almost inevitable that their F1 cars will eventually have to be fuelled solely by electricity?

Guess theyll need to turn F1 into F1E, or something equally contentious. The FE boys wont be happy, because they got in first with pure-electric race cars from the likes of Audi and Jaguar, who happen to make more and more pure-electric road cars. So the logic and consistency are there. At this early stage it looks as though F1 hasnt won, while FE could be on course for victory. FE has already established itself at the right and proper time as the worlds No.1 electric-car racing series. Therefore F1/F1E could become superfluous, and fade away into a shadow of its former self. Just like the once colossal World Rally Championship did. Sadly, if WRC can go backwards in such a dramatic fashion, so might F1.

What do you think to the future of Formula E and Formula One? Let us know in the comments...

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Duncan Garner: Should we change the name of New Zealand to Aotearoa? No – and here’s why – Newshub

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Do I have a problem with changing the official name to Aotearoa, New Zealand? No. Go ahead.

It ticks all the boxes. It's inclusive, and it recognises the Treaty partnership that kicked this country off.

But it would be a giant fraud to suggest that Aotearoa as a stand-alone name was somehow the Mori-created name for all of New Zealand.

It never was. And only in modern times have Mori adopted it as the Mori name for the country.

My approach will be poo-pooed as politically incorrect by the treaty rent-a-crowd gate-crashers.

But I'm at this party too, along with every other New Zealander.

So here are some facts to dampen their breathless activist rants.

The word Aotearoa was selected and popularised as the Mori name for New Zealand by - wait for this - Pakeha writers William Pember Reeves and Stephenson Percy Smith.

Next, it was used in the Education Department's school journal.

It flourished from there.

Aotearoa was never used by early Mori to describe New Zealand...

Mori were a collection of tribes and did not have a need for or concept of 'nation'.

It wasn't a country with a name, it was a collection of tribes across islands.

If anything, later on, there are claims that Aotearoa was used by Mori as a name for the North Island, which is still currently disputed.

Mori traditionally adopted the name Niu Tireni, a transliteration of New Zealand, which came from the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand in 1831.

I'm sorry to spoil the party for the activists who somehow think Aotearoa is the answer to a problem that quite frankly doesn't even exist.

Call us New Zealand, yes. Call us Aotearoa, New Zealand, yes. Call us just Aotearoa? No.

It's total bollocks to suggest this meant anything to pre-European Mori.

We have perpetuated this myth that Aotearoa goes way back. It doesn't. It's largely European in its roots. How could the activists accept that?

Duncan Garner is the host of The AM Show.

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These 13: Meet the ordinary people tasked with drawing Michigans political maps – MLive.com

Posted: at 2:07 pm

Before last summer, the 13 Michigan residents randomly picked to serve on the states first independent, citizen-led redistricting commission were leading ordinary lives.

Now, the decisions they make about how to divvy up Michigans congressional and legislative districts will have implications for decades to come.

The commission is made up of six men and seven women. Two are Black, one is Middle Eastern and the rest are white. Their ages range between 28 and 74 only one is under 30.

Related: Students, retirees and a shop rat are drawing Michigans next political maps

A majority of the commission seven members live in Southeast Michigan. Two live in the northern Lower Peninsula, two live in or near Lansing, one lives in Battle Creek and one lives in Saginaw.

They were chosen randomly in 2020 from roughly 10,000 applicants as part of a system enacted via ballot initiative to put the public in charge of redistricting instead of politicians and party officials with a stake in the outcome.

In their applications and in interviews, all of the commissioners expressed a common theme they see their work as a civic duty that, if done correctly, could help change the states redistricting process for the better.

Commissioner Douglas Clark stands for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Doug Clark, Jr. - Republican

Rochester Hills resident Doug Clark, 74, is one of four Republicans serving on the commission. He is a retired operations and development manager and also served as a captain in the U.S. Army.

Clark said he applied to serve because hes long been interested in getting involved in the civic process, calling the commission the perfect opportunity to do so.

From an expectations standpoint, Clark said learning the ropes and preparing to draw the lines has been a lot more work than I thought it was going to be, but expressed confidence in the vendors and legal experts retained by the commission to assist in the process, as well as the commissions ability to reach bipartisan consensus on drawing the lines.

Theres nothing political that Ive seen yet about this group, he said. Theres no discussion of, Republicans this way, Democrats this way none of that. Were all working toward a common goal of what the people want and not what the parties want.

So I think it will work. At least with this group, I think its going to work.

Juanita Curry takes notes before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Juanita Curry - Democrat

Juanita Curry, a 73-year-old Detroit resident, serves as one of the commissions four Democrats.

Curry is now retired, but worked as a specialized foster care worker. She described herself as a people person whos always worked to help inform her community on matters of import, so she felt applying to the commission made sense.

My main goal is to at least give people some contentment that weve done better, weve brought them to a better situation, she said. That would make me feel really like that I achieved something...We cant please everybody, but pleasing most everyone, or pleasing a majority of people.

Curry said getting up to speed on the intricacies of redistricting has been a learning curve, and the prospect of divvying up districts is daunting. But she stressed that she and other commissioners are committed to keeping things as fair and transparent and honest as we can.

This is a very extraordinary experience, Curry said. Its really changing the world were changing things, and its a good thing.

Anthony Eid speaks during a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Anthony Eid - Independent

Anthony Eid, of Orchard Lake, is a medical student and is one of the five independents serving on the commission. At 28, Eid is the youngest member serving on the panel.

Eid previously served as Wayne State Universitys student body president during his undergraduate studies. He voted for the commissions creation in 2018 and applied himself because he wanted to ensure there was a diversity of age, ideas and cultures represented.

Once the commission begins drawing maps, Eid said he plans on drawing from his science background to evaluate Census data and other evidence available to assist with his decision-making. But he believes the amount and variety of input received from other Michigan residents will be a key factor in how the maps turn out.

Getting more of a diversity of ideas is going to end up with the commission making a better product thats more representative of all of those different ideas, Eid said.

Eid said he considers the independent commission a form of public advocacy, a way to look out for people who arent politically involved or may not understand the intricacies of the redistricting process.

This whole process is about community, its about having maps reflect community values, he said. So we really need the community to come out and let us know their boundaries because different communities have different values, different expectations and different lifestyles.

Commissioner Rhonda Lange (photo courtesy Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission)

Rhonda Lange - Republican

Reed City resident Rhonda Lange, 48, is a real estate agent and serves as one of the commissions four Republicans.

Lange applied for the commission because it would be a way to serve her community and the state, according to her initial application.

During commission meetings, Lange has been a vocal advocate for ensuring small, rural communities get a voice in the redistricting process.

Lange is one of two commissioners who have been attending meetings and public hearings remotely.

Steven Lett stands for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Steven T. Lett - Independent

74-year-old Interlochen resident Steven T. Lett, a semi-retired attorney, serves as one of the commissions five independent members.

Hes also the one who lives the furthest north none of the randomly selected commissioners hail from Michigans Upper Peninsula, so hes taken on a de facto liaison role for much of northern Michigan.

Lett said that while he and other commissioners havent agreed on everything, we have maintained our unanimity on drawing fair lines.

Listening to people and what everybody wants their district to be is a wide variety of things that we have to try to resolve in the end, he said.

Commissioner Brittni Kellom speaks during the first independent redistricting commission public hearing on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 in Jackson. Nicole Hester/ MLive.com

Brittni Kellom - Democrat

Detroit resident Brittni Kellom, 34, serves as the commissions chair and is one of four Democrats serving on the panel. She is an entrepreneur and trauma practitioner and is one of two Black women on the commission.

According to her biography, Kellom applied to the commission to affect change by giving agency to everyday citizens, value the voices and perspectives of people in underserved communities and doing her part to shift the experience of voting to a place of empowerment, education, and justice for every human being.

I believe in the power of everyday citizens to effect change in the places in which they live, Kellom wrote in her initial application. I believe in the type of innovation that comes from both collaboration and holding space for others.

Cynthia Orton stands for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Cynthia Orton - Republican

Battle Creek resident Cynthia Orton serves as one of the commissions four Republicans.

Orton, 55, was a stay-at-home mom while her kids were growing up. When they left for college, she decided to go back to school, too. She said some of the classes shes taken recently, such as communications and business courses, have helped her with the commissions work but she thinks the most important skill a commissioner can bring to the process is common sense.

I think a lot of us on the commission just have common sense, and were here to do our job, she said.

Orton said she was motivated to apply because she thought it would be a good way to be civically involved and help the state move forward in a positive direction. Despite the many unprecedented hurdles the commission has faced already, she said shes encouraged by how well the commission has been working together and believes they can come to a compromise.

When we all applied for this or voted for this, even, we could not have seen what it would be like now we werent expecting this, but here we are, she said. It has never happened before in Michigan, so we dont know what that will look like. So that is our next purpose.

Commissioner M.C. Rothhorn stands on stage for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

MC Rothhorn - Democrat

MC Rothhorn, 49, is a financial cooperator from Lansing who serves as one of the commissions four Democrats.

Rothhorn said he applied in part because he feels the democratic process is fragile, noting its important for citizens to engage in it and protect it. He said his experience living in a cooperative an environment that necessitates facilitation, group consensus and listening to others makes him a good fit for the commission.

In many ways, this is the best jury duty ever, Rothhorn said. I like being part of this democracy...jury duty was, at one point, the only way that I felt like I could actually do that. And I was never called, and now Ive been called to the best case ever.

Rothhorn said being on the commission has exceeded his expectations so far, and said hes appreciated the openness and honest discussion the public hearings have inspired.

Theyre being vulnerable theyre giving us what they think we should be taking into consideration as we draw the maps...and why that really matters to them, he said. Im humbled, right, that people would share that.

Commissioner Rebecca Szetela listens during public comment at the first independent redistricting commission public hearing on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 in Jackson. Nicole Hester/ MLive.com

Rebecca Szetela - Independent

Canton resident Rebecca Szetela, 48, was a later addition to the commission she was randomly picked to replace another commissioner who resigned in October. She now serves as the commissions vice-chair.

A business attorney, Szetela said she believes her experience with negotiating contracts and other disputes will help her as the commission begins piecing together draft maps. She sees the task before the commission as a good challenge and is confident the commission will be able to come to a nonpartisan consensus on final drafts.

I feel like Ive had good success as an attorney in helping people bridge those divides and come together, and I feel like we can do that here, she said. I feel like it is possible to maybe not satisfy everybody, but to satisfy most people and have most people walk away and say, OK, this process was fair and that they did their best.

Szetela said she appreciates the camaraderie the commission has been able to build over the last several months and hopes that by being as transparent as possible, they can alleviate any concerns or trepidations in the new process.

People are afraid that this process is going to disadvantage them and that theyre not going to be treated fairly, and Im hoping that we can satisfy everybody that that feeling is incorrect, she said. We are listening to them...Our goal is to come up with fair maps.

Janice Vallette speaks during a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Janice Vallette - Independent

Highland Township resident Janice Vallette, 69, is a retired banker and is one of the commissions five Independent members.

She said she voted for the commissions creation in 2018 and decided to apply when she received an application in the mail from the Secretary of State. Vallette said she felt she had the time needed to commit to drawing the maps and thought it was important to get involved.

I just thought it was a way for me to give back, she said. And I do think its really important that as a citizen, a voting person, you get to pick the people that you vote for not them manipulating the district so that they have an advantage.

Vallette has appreciated the input from Michigan residents throughout the public hearing process and encouraged people to continue uploading comments and map suggestions to the website. Of all the people shes spoken with throughout the state, she said the vast majority of them are supportive of the commissions work.

They just really love their communities, she said.

Commissioner Erin Wagner. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission)

Erin Wagner - Republican

Charlotte resident Erin Wagner, 55, is one of the commissions four Republican members.

Wagner is a mom to six and applied to the commission in part because she wanted to ensure gerrymandering wasnt a part of her childrens future, according to her commission biography.

In her initial application, Wagner wrote that she opted to apply because she believes in the process and would like to make sure that the districts are drawn in such a way as to be representative of those who live in those districts.

Wagner is one of two commissioners who have been attending meetings and public hearings remotely.

Richard Weiss stands for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Richard Weiss - Independent

Saginaw resident Richard Weiss, 74, is one of the commissions five Independent members.

A retired autoworker, Weiss said he filled out an application for the same reasons he served on a jury several years ago, even though he could have gotten an exemption.

I dont have to do it, but I figure Im old enough, I have some ideas, I have some experience, he said. I thought, Hey, Im able, Im willing, still havent forgot who I am yet go make a difference.

Theres more to the redistricting process than Weiss initially expected. He quipped that initially he thought, give me a map, a ruler and a pen, Ill have it done in five minutes, but he quickly realized it wouldnt be quite that easy.

Weiss said the diversity of opinions and backgrounds on the commission will help the group reach a consensus that wont necessarily make everyone happy, but will meet the Constitutional requirements.

Dustin Witjes stands for a portrait before a commissioner meeting on Thursday July 1, 2021 in Grand Rapids. Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com

Dustin Witjes - Democrat

Dustin Witjes, 32, hails from Ypsilanti and is one of the four Democrats serving on the commission.

Witjes was working as a payroll specialist prior to his current role but quit to focus on the commission full-time. He said ultimately plans to return to school to get a masters degree in mathematics.

Witjes enjoys analyzing data and said hes wanted to support the commission ever since he voted for it. He takes the role of laying a solid groundwork for future redistricting commissions seriously, whether they ultimately choose to follow what the current commission does this year to the letter or strike out their own path.

We took bits and pieces from states that have been doing this for a while to get our processes down, and I would imagine that (future commissions) would do the same thing, he said.

Although he wishes more people would participate in public comment, Witjes said he believes the independent redistricting process is currently going as well as it could be, considering the circumstances.

I just want everybody to know that we are going to be putting weight into what everyone has been saying and doing something that I hope all of Michigan will be proud of, Witjes said.

Learn more about the commissions work:

How to weigh in:

The commission took public input during 16 hearings over the last several weeks and will continue to consider public comments submitted to an online portal where residents can upload comments and their own suggested district maps.

After the commission comes up with a set of draft maps, members will tour the state once more to hear from citizens about their specific proposals before voting on a final product.

For more information, Michiganders are encouraged to check out the commissions website or call 833-968-3729, although formal comments on the redistricting process cannot be taken over the phone.

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Kevin McCarthy Repeats QAnon’s ‘Storm Is Coming’ Slogan – Second Nexus

Posted: at 2:07 pm

The QAnon conspiracy web hinges on the belief that former President Donald Trump was sent to expose a secret network of satanic cannibal pedophiles secretly controlling the United States government.

The seditious movement was born in 2017, when an anonymous user named "Q" on 4Chan's Politically Incorrect board, claiming to have Q level clearance, posted a message titled "Calm Before the Storm." There, the user claimed to have evidence of the pedophile ring and emphasized their devotion to Trump's mission to expose them.

The quixotic "storm" referred to by QAnon and its followers is the violent moment when Trump will supposedly provide irrefutable proof of lawmakers' evil deeds, resulting in mass arrests and freedom from the "cabal," when all of Trump's lies will be vindicated and when their Democratic enemies will face mass executions.

This fantasy congealed into one of the QAnon movement's most repeated slogans:

Though its beliefs are absurd to most, the mass delusion has expanded from obscure internet chatter to an unignorable faction of the GOP's voters.

These flames have been fanned by Republican elected officials. Infamous far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia expressed support for the belief ahead of her election. Her colleague, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, suggested there would be mass resignations of elected officials, citing an unnamed source at the Justice Department.

Even then-President Donald Trump, when asked, repeatedly refused to denounce the conspiracy theory, saying they were "people that love our country."

Now, people think House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy may be the latest to join their ranks, citing comments he made on Thursday while railing against the House's recently revived mask mandate.

Watch below.

If I was Kevin McCarthy I would simply not use QAnon dogwhistles during press conferences https://t.co/pnhopk4s7t

McCarthy said:

While some may think it's just a coincidences, QAnon's followers have been trained to see conspiracies in coincidences, scouring thousands of Q's post to see which could possibly align with Trump's recent comments or with day-to-day political developments.

Some thought McCarthy was deliberately baiting QAnon believers.

He wants those votes. https://t.co/zd4rOGQae0

Total Q dog whistle!! McCarthy whipping up the conspirators! This tool does not belong in government!! https://t.co/0nSOKqX9VZ

Is @GOPLeader worried that some members of Q won't vote Republican this cycle? https://t.co/Si9AGklX8P

Kevin McCarthy knows the only people who could possibly still believe in him are the same who would believe in some https://t.co/b0C04esfO2

The party of Q. https://t.co/rOSFCDVtIB

Last year, McCarthy warned that there was "no place for QAnon in the Republican Party." Months later, after he faced backlash from QAnoners and other Republicans for condemning Trump's role in the deadly failed insurrection against the United States Capitol, McCarthy claimed not to know what QAnon was.

What's more, people pointed out the holes in his logic regarding his dismissal of the virus that's killed over 600 thousand Americans.

That dog whistle aside, it's always been about hospital CAPACITY. It's not whether the vaccinated will be hospita https://t.co/ujTuBtHcPP

Kevin McCarthy deliberately forgets to mention that the vaccinated people that catch a mild dose of covid because t https://t.co/HENw49Ufxu

WOW!!!! I had no idea. Did 600,000 people die and were millions hospitalized from lighting strikes last year? https://t.co/FhUtnbRZxG

Q hasn't posted in months, but followers of the conspiracy theory are beginning to run for local offices and school boards around the country.

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Taiwan’s reality is dawning in US –

Posted: at 2:07 pm

The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 15 introduced the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act.

The act, if passed by the US Congress, would provide powerful support for Taiwan, including a requirement that the US secretary of state enter negotiations with the Taiwan Council for US Affairs to rename the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington to the Taiwan Representative Office.

The effort to rename Taiwans representative office in Washington has long been a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) US diplomats. Taiwanese based in the US, as well as Taiwanese lobbying groups, have expended a great deal of money and effort over the years, diligently working toward this goal.

With the relationship between Taiwan and the US riding high, this presents a golden opportunity for advocates in Washington and Taipei to seize the initiative and rename Taiwans representative office.

Washington breaking off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 marked Taiwans lowest point on the international stage. At the time, I had just taken the national civil service exam and entered MOFAs ranks as a fresh recruit with the Department for US Affairs. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the US Senate in April that year, established the American Institute in Taiwan.

The Executive Yuan reciprocated by establishing the Coordination Council for North American Affairs to handle non-official relations with its estranged ally.

However, many Taiwanese were confused by its name and could not comprehend the role or function of this new organization.

In 1994, the administration of US president Bill Clinton carried out a review of policy regarding Taiwan. One of the requirements stemming from the review was that Taiwans representative office in Washington change its name to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, which is still in use to this day.

However, the Taipei headquarters continued to be called the Coordination Council for North American Affairs up until August 2019, when it was renamed the Taiwan Council for US Affairs. Following four decades of glacial progress, a few tentative steps were taken toward reflecting reality.

It is yet to be seen whether the EAGLE Act, the latest in a line of Taiwan-friendly legislation proposed by the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, becomes law, but it is undoubtedly a reflection of continued universal cross-party congressional support for Taiwan.

This precious support, which began with the administration of former US president Donald Trump and has continued under US President Joe Biden, is founded upon several facets: the US Indo-Pacific geopolitical strategy, core trust, economic cooperation and high-tech supply chains. Deepening trust and solidifying the rock solid relationship between the two countries requires consistency, continuity and predictability. Taiwan should take advantage of the warming relationship to push for the renaming of its representative offices.

Among high-level officials in the Biden administration responsible for setting the US Taiwan policy whether working for the White House, National Security Council, Department of State or other government departments there is no shortage of sober and rational people who, if not pro-Taiwan, then at least have an intimate understanding of Taiwan and its geostrategic importance.

While such people take the US national interest as a starting point, they are familiar with the Indo-Pacific region and the complex triangular relationship between Taiwan, China, and the US. For this reason, they do not engage in wishful thinking nor make emotional judgments.

Renaming Taiwans representative office in Washington would not only reflect reality and the current state of affairs, recognizing the significant relaxation of contact restrictions, it would also reflect the greater decisionmaking space in Washington and the increased appetite for resisting pressure from Beijing. Additionally, cross-party support in Congress bolsters the argument for renaming the representative office.

In 1995, I took over as director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Atlanta. We sent out invitations, written in English, for the traditional Double Ten National Day banquet with Taiwan appended to Republic of China (ROC). This caused a sensation back home. I received a severe dressing down from my superiors and was promptly transferred to another post. This was the only time I received disciplinary action during my four decades in Taiwans diplomatic corps. To this day, I have a clear conscience and bear no grudge.

At the time, I was criticized for causing a diplomatic incident, using verbal sophistry and twisted logic, and for being unrepentant.

A general order was issued to all of Taiwans representative offices around the world, which stated that if important dignitaries or other local individuals are uncertain about the distinction between the ROC and the Peoples Republic of China, and require the addition of Taiwan to clarify that this China is not the other China, the representative office need not have dealings with such ill-informed people or invite them to representative office functions in the future.

For the past quarter of a century, the argument has been made that the time is not right or that it would be politically incorrect to rename Taiwans representative office in Washington.

My intention regarding the Double Ten National Day banquets was merely to highlight Taiwans view. Today, all of Taiwans representative offices and civic organizations enthusiastically employ creative methods to promote Taiwan as a democratic partner, charitable nation and force for good around the world.

Taiwan is an independent and sovereign nation whose official name, according to the Constitution, is the Republic of China. As the nation navigates the international stage and strives to elevate its status among countries with whom Taiwan does not have a formal diplomatic relationship of which the US is the most important barometer the time is right, after more than 40 years, to respect the dignity of our distinct identity and rename our representative office in Washington the Taiwan Representative Office.

Stanley Kao was Taiwans representative to the US from 2016 to 2020.

Translated by Edward Jones

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

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