Shih Ming-teh - Controversy

Controversy

• Shih is often considered a "romantic revolutionary" in Taiwan media. He believes that he is rooted in his ability to "to pursue unlimited aspirations and ideals under restrictive conditions".

• The latest editions of Taiwan's High-School textbooks list Shih Ming-te as a political activist.

• Shih's former Legislative Yuan secretary, cartoonist and writer Yu-fu thinks Shih "is never quite sure of his own place in history"

• Shih is accused by his ex-wife Chen, Li Zhu, in her book, "The Innocent Song of a Taiwanese Woman," of using her as a sex toy, and failing his responsibility as a husband. Chen also claimed Shih been indifferent to his responsibility toward their daughter.

Shih Ming-te often says: "I have been locked up for 25 years, where were you then?".

• Another former secretary of Shih, Kuo Wen-pin, wrote about his opinion of Shih on Taiwan Daily (October 15, 2000):

Taking a look at 40 years of his struggle for Taiwan's democracy, he reveals himself as a visionary; he made several pioneering proposals ahead of his time.

20 years ago Shih already said the four evils of Taiwan's path towards democracy were the political monopoly by the Kuomintang, the press control in Taiwan, the martial law and the "ten thousand year" legislative session. Risking death penalty, Shih advocated for a "Republic of China, Taiwanese Independence Model", and added that "Taiwan is already an independent country, it has been so for over 30 years". For his opinions, Shih was considered seditious and the media, organizations, academia, everyone attacked him and humiliated him, only for the Democratic Progressive Party to adopt and implement his ideas; they even led the way to Lee Teng-hui's "Silent Revolution" political compromises. When the Kuomintang's 50 years in power ended, the Chen Shui-bian administration accepted some of his teachings.

• Arrests and repression are no longer the defensive measures of the regime when facing harsh criticism, but the abuse of public power, media by individuals to insult, humiliate, and swear at others is still common practice. DDP party has vowed to improve its image with more diplomatic means has yet remain to be seen.

• In the aftermath of Shih's "red-shirt" movement, he became a darling of PRC controlled media, including CCTV，Phoenix TV, and People's Daily. Shih's efforts in discrediting the DPP are widely praised and reported by various media outlets controlled or owned by the Chinese Government.

• On November 20, 2006, ifeng.com, web portal of pro-CCP television channel Phoenix TV, reported Shih planned a trip to Thailand to discuss his "red shirt" philosophy. In the same article, Shih also rebutted claims by representative of the American Institute in Taiwan that the red shirts instigated violence and caused social upheaval.

• On January 16, 2010, chinanews.com.cn, a PRC media outlet, reported the possibility of Shih running for presidency in 2012.

• On April 19, 2010, www.chinataiwan.org, a Chinese government sponsored site, reported Shih claimed numerous prominent DDP leaders, including Shui Bian Chen and Chang Ting Hsieh, were undercover agents for the Kuomingtang against political dissidents during the 1980s. According to Huaxia.com, yet another pro-CCP website, Shih's accusations have caused a general panic in the DDP. A former supporter and Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Wang, Jie Nan, wrote an opinion piece highlighting his disappointment with Shih, starting from Shih's "red shirt" movement and his subsequent efforts to undermine the DPP with outlandish accusations.

• On April 17, 2011, Shih courted controversy when he asked Tsai Ing-Wen to publicly disclose her sexual orientation before she participated in her presidential bid. Despite his own support for LGBT rights in Taiwan, Shih was roundly criticized by major women's groups including the Awakening Foundation, the Taiwan Women's Link and the Taiwan Gender Equity Education Association. Tsai herself characterized the request as "surprising" and refused to reply.