RP-reflection
Finally, this is the last weblog activity, though I don't update it often.One thing I feel very sorry is that so far I only finish second draft of my paper (It took me three days in total to write it), and this semester is going to be over.To be honest, I feel the research paper in junior year is really harder than the one in sophomore. It took me very long time to finish each draft. And the argument part is also a difficult one because it is really hard to find some controvercial issues not to mention I have to choose a side and persuade others.However, there indeed still the feeling of accomplishment after finishing it, though it may not be a good one. Here, I would like to say sorry to Doris!!!!! She's really a greatest and the best cc teacher I've never had before!!!!Doris, I LOVE you!!!!
RP-argumentation
No matter how perfect a masterpiece is, it would still be criticized and questioned by those who hold opposite opinions against it. Safety is the top problem that people doubt and attack to this new transportation. Many people think the license was permitted too fast and T.H.S.R. Corporation was too rushing for its operation because it had delayed the completing dates. Commoners have the myth that T.H.S.R. is a mixture of European and Japanese systems and question its safety and efficiency of integration. But, according to the interview with the leader of T.H.S.R.C., Nita Ing, from Common Wealth Magazine in 2007, when the mixture and safety problem were asked, her answer never changed. “Safety can never be compromised and there is not the so-called mixture system.” said by Nita with strong confidence. She then explained the reason that the company changed European system into Japanese system in 1999 was due to the consideration of adaptability— the frequent earthquakes in Taiwan are the major consideration (Wu 55). Initially, T.H.S.R.C. selected the European
Inter City Express (ICE) system from Germany to form the core system of THSR. Unfortunately, there happened a huge train disaster (
Eschede Train Disaster) to ICE in 1998, which caused more than one hundred people died and another hundred were severely injured. Having the consideration of the 921 Earthquake, 1999, T.H.S.R.C. decided to adopt Japan's
Shinkansen (新幹線) technology instead of ICE due to its Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System, an
earthquake detection system although this decision made the company have to pay NT$ 2.1 billion as the compensation of violating the contract later in 1999 (Taiwan, Wu 53). Thus, the core system of T.H.S.R. now, is adopting Japan’s Shinkansen technology, including 700T train (manufactured by a consortium of Japanese companies which is led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries), mechanic and electric systems are totally from Japan (Taiwan). Moreover, T.H.S.R.C. had signed a contract with Ministry of Transportation & Communication that T.H.S.R. needed to offer the contract of “Independent Verification and Validation” (IV&V) so that it could start operating by the supervision of the third organization. Then, T.H.S.R.C. signed a contract with the independent third supervisor, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping from England, and then passed the inspection and obtained the certification from them (Chang).
Works Cited List (Updated)
Works Cited
Chang, Chu Yi. “Duo-biao rong-yi, fong-sian nan-kang” <奪標容易，風險難扛> [Easy to Get the Tender but Hard to Get Rid of Risks]. Common Wealth 1 Oct. 1997: 78.
Chang, Huei Ming. “IV&V guo-le! Gao-tie nian-di tung-che lou shu-guang”
[IV&V Has Passed the Inspection! T.H.S.R. Gets the Chance to Operate in the End of This Year]. TVBS NEWS. 22 Nov. 2006. 8 June 2007 http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/061121/8/6v62.html.
Cheng, Chi Fong. “Li ting gao-tie，Chen tzung-tung da gao-tie wang-fan bei-gao” <力挺高鐵，陳總統搭高鐵往返北高> [President Chen Took T.H.S.R. from Taipei to Kaohsiung in Order to Support T.H.S.R.]. News Yam.Com 1 Jan. 2007. 8 June 2007 http://news.yam.com/cna/life/200701/20070101771345.html.
HSR Plan. Jan. 2007. Bureau of High Speed Rail. 22 May 2007 http://www.hsr.gov.tw/homepage.nsf/hsrplan?OpenFrameset.
Lee, Yao Yu. “The Effect on Macroeconomics in Taiwan by Building the High Speed Railway.” Electronic Theses and Dissertation System. 2000. 8 June 2007
Peng, Chiun Bi. “Ban-tsz tai shao, piao-jia tai guei, gao-tie yin you” <班次太少，票價太貴，高鐵隱憂> [Less Number of Runs with Too Expensive Ticket Price Becomes Invisible Problem for High Speed Rail]. News Yam.Com 19 Oct. 2006. 22 May 2007 < http://news.yam.com/bcc/life/200610/20061019460434.html>.
“Taiwan High Speed Rail.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 4 June 2007. 8 June 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_High_Speed_Rail#_note-6.
Wang, Shu Li. “Tai-wan gao-tie fu-zhi ri-ben xin-gan-xian” <台灣高鐵複製日本新幹線> [Taiwan High Speed Rail Copies Japan's Shinkansen]. TVBS NEWS. 2 Nov. 2002. 8 June 2007 <http://www.tvbs.com.tw/news/news_list.asp?no=emnyowen20021102102221>.
Wei, Shu. “HSR Provides the Most Job Opportunities in 2007.” Dajiyuan News. 30 Dec. 2006. 6 April 2007
RP Outline (Updated)
High Speed Rail Brings a Remarkable Contribution to Taiwan
Thesis: The construction of Taiwan High Speed Rail (T.H.S.R.) fulfills better integration of mass transportation system and simultaneously, the advantages of conserving energy and reducing air pollution are, too, significant considerations of building T.H.S.R. Most of all, it can relieve the traffic congestion and promote more balanced regional developments, which means it is going to carry out the blueprint of “One-day Living Circle”. For all the benefits T.H.S.R. brings, citizens should believe this remarkable construction is going to make huge economic benefits in Western Corridor and it will be operated much steadily by giving more time.
I. A memorial and remarkable transportation system was born this year, 2007.
A. Taiwan High Speed Rail system operated for the very first time on Jan. 5.
B. It took over ten years and cost 480 billion NT$ dollars to complete this great transportation.
C. In 1996, central government decided to cooperate with private businesses to construct T.H.S.R. because of its financial burden.
D. T.H.S.R. is going to make huge economic benefits in Western Corridor and it will be operated much steadily in the future.
II. Taiwan High Speed Rail was started through BOT mode.
A. Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) is a mode for governmental business transferring to private business as reinforce for public construction.
l It can help government reduces its financial burden and increases the efficiency of public construction and operation.
B. Since T.H.S.R. now starts operating, how to run it successfully would be its main focus.
III. Taiwan High Speed Rail brings booming economic benefits as following.
A. Mass transportation can be better integrated with the completion of T.H.S.R.
B. T.H.S.R. conserves energy by using less land area comparing with land area of freeways.
C. Taking T.H.S.R. reduces air pollution more than driving cars.
D. T.H.S.R. relieves traffic congestion and promotes more balanced regional developments; thus, it carries out the dream of “One-day Living Circle”.
1. The value of land near every station increases.
2. It brings more job opportunities during building and operating periods.
a. Workers are needed in constructing, operating and maintaining T.H.S.R.
b. People can find jobs without leaving their hometowns too far since it only takes 130 minutes from northern to southern Taiwan.
IV. The opposing voices and refutation of Taiwan High Speed Rail.
A. People doubt if it is safe enough.
1. T.H.S.R.C. replaced European ICE system with Japanese
Shinkansen system in 1999.
2. T.H.S.R. passed the inspection of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping as the independent supervisor.
B. Refutation from professional opinions—An interview with the professor of Economics
1. Is it necessary to build T.H.S.R since there are convenient freeway, railway and airplanes?
l It takes a lot of time by taking bus and train and airplane has capacity and safety problem.
l T.H.S.R. shortens the time of business trip and tourism; thus saves business costs.
2. Its ticket price may not fit the expectation of common people.
l It is possible to lower the price after operating more steadily.
3. Economist John M. Keynes’ theory as a support.
l T.H.S.R. will stimulate consumption and investment increase and cause GDP to increase.
V. We should judge the value of T.H.S.R. through a long-run vision rather than a short- run one.
1. It will carry out economic benefits and boost economy in Taiwan.
2. It is the first time of T.H.S.R and we should not being too harsh on it.
3. We should give encouragement and view it from long-term insight to expect its remarkable performances.
4. Time will prove the contributions it makes.
Works Cited List
Chang, Chu Yi. “奪標容易 風險難扛.” Common Wealth 1 Oct. 1997: 78.
Wu, Wan Ju. “高鐵十年，心不隨境轉.” Common Wealth 28 Mar. 2007: 50-55.
Wu, Chao Yi. “高鐵爭議的背後.” Common Wealth 1 April 2005: 168-174.
First hand data collection plan
About my first hand data collection plan, I intend to design questions and ask the professors who expressed opinions of high speed rail on Common Wealth Magazine about his views and also the teacher who teaches Economic in International Trade & Finance Dept.I may have an interview with the teacher in FJU, but I am not sure if I can interview the professors outside campus since I only have the e-mail and I don't think they have free time to give me. No matter what, I will still write e-mail to them and post my questions to them. It would also be fine if they only write me back.
RP Introduction
The High Speed Rail Brings a Remarkable Contribution in Taiwan
“The High Speed Rail will definitely bring influence to the rural and urban views in future hundred years in Taiwan” said by Hsia Chu-joe (夏鑄九), the director of Graduate Institute of building and Planning in NTU. It had taken ten years and cost about 480 billion and 600 million NT$ dollars (4806億元) as the total expense of this great construction. The former three years were for planning and finding appropriate systems as well as companies. Then, the latter seven years (started from year 2000) were the real time they spend on constructing the system. The company designed twelve stations which extended 345 kilometers from northern to southern Taiwan, starting from Nan gang, Taipei, Banciao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung. Finally, on the fifth day of 2007, the High Speed Rail (HSR) which combines Japanese high speed railway technology released its virgin ride to the people in Taiwan. Honorably, President Chen was the very first passenger early on the first day of 2007. Actually, the birth of HSR was first appeared in the six- year National Construction Plan in 1991. Then, in 1997, League of Taiwan High Speed Rail led by Nita Ing (殷琪) including Continental Engineering Corporation, Teco Electric & Machinery Corporation, Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Corporation, Eva Air and Taipei Fubon Bank beat League of China High Speed Rail which was led by Liou Tai-ying (劉泰英) and obtained the first BOT tender in Taiwan. Ever since the HSR had started its construction, the negative news keeps popping out. There are people doubting its necessity, quality and safety. However, having positive encouragements and confidence for this high-tech business would be more practical since it has begun running. This valuable railroad has experienced the economic depress, political conflicts and the rise and fall of business for ten years but still owned the progressing power of change. It is truth that the construction of HSR in Taiwan connects with the regional transportation system as well as shortens the traffic time between southern and northern Taiwan. Thus, it will bring great improvements and progress on the economic benefits in Taiwan, which indeed is a remarkable contribution.
Outline (Draft 2) --- The High Speed Railroad Brings a Remarkable Contribution in Taiwan
Thesis: The construction of the high speed railroad in Taiwan connects with the regional transportation system as well as shortens the traffic time between southern and northern Taiwan. Thus, it brings great improvements and promotions on the economic benefits in Taiwan, which indeed is a remarkable contribution.
I. A memorial and remarkable transportation system was born this year, 2007.
1. The high speed railroad system operated for the very first time on Jan. 5.
2. It took six and half years and cost 48 billion dollars to complete this great transportation.
3. Bureau of High Speed Railroad in Taiwan has taken Japanese National Railway (now already taken private by the civil business) as the model for the construction.
II. The economic benefits are brought by the high speed railroad in the following aspects:
A. High speed railroad would be more competing since the construction is administered by civil businesses (民間企業) rather than by government.
B. High speed railroad shortens the concrete distances as well as the living gaps between cities and countries.
1. It provides convenient linking transportation system near the airport.
2. Actualize the function of “One-day living community”(ㄧ日生活圈).
a. It only takes 90 minutes from northern to southern Taiwan.
C. Flourishing industry rises due to “One-day living community” in southern Taiwan.
1. The increasing real estates.
2. The increasing tourism.
3. The increasing numbers of students in schools.
4. Promotion of the regional linking transportation.
III. Comparison with JR in Japan.IV. The opposing voices of the high speed railroad.
A. Its ticket price may not fit the expectation of common people.
B. Regional traffic connecting system has not been ready to cooperate with high speed railroad system.
C. The substitute effect of high speed railroad:
1. According to Liou Tai Ying, the leader of Taiwan Research Institute, high speed railroad will directly replace airlift, but not promote the quantity of airlift.
a. It only influences regular numbers of customers to convey goods via the high speed railroad.
b. The economic benefits do not grow.
D. Since we already have so many highways and convenient railroad system, is it really necessary to build expensive high speed railroad system?
V. Opinions from questionnaires and interviews A. Design questionnaires to ask the adults and college students’ impression about high speed railroad and their expectation.
B. Interview with the staff in Bureau of high speed railroad:
1. What do they think the economic benefits can be brought by this high-tech transportation system?
2. What is their expectation?
VI. High speed railroad symbolizes the progress and the evaluation of a rising and flourishing society in Taiwan.
A. It will carry out the concept and the function of “One-day community”.
B. It will make the economic benefits grow.
C. Time will prove the contributions it makes.
Works Cited of the Article Review
Prohibition of Corporal Punishment on Campus --- A Better Way for Students' Education?
Works Cited
徐明珠. “零體罰入法的省思” 財團法人國家政策研究基金會. 30 Dec. 2005 3 Jan. 2007 <
http://www.npf.org.tw/PUBLICATION/EC/094/EC-B-094-039.htm>.
“到底多痛？只有小孩知道” 人本教育基金會2005年校園體罰問卷調查報告. 16 June 2005 人本教育基金會新聞稿. 3 Jan. 2007
黃碩斌. “台灣道德教育問題分析－以體罰做為分析指標” 東海大學社會系研究所，碩士論文，2006:92-94 3 Jan. 2007
A Third Thought
After the first outline of "A Hope But Also Hurt of High Speed Rail Road in Taiwan", I actually changed my topic in to discuss the corporal punishment in Taiwan and already had the first outline and did the article review on CP.
However, last Tuesday(9 Jan.) night, at the moment I started to revise my second outline on CP, I had a new thought suddenly which, again, was related to my first topic.
Since I found that it is in fact not really meaningful to argue whether the high speed railroad should be constructed or not, I think I can discuss the economic benefits it brings. And then, I started to work on it. And I hope I can really do this research well.
My Second Outline
Dear Doris,
Sould we also pose on the first outline of our RP?
My problem is I don't have my first outline now because I revise my first outline into
the second one. Sorry about that.....
My baby!! I love it!!!
Can this have a argument?
I drop the original idea at last because I think my friend is right. People can choose the amount of coffee or tea as they like. There is actually not argumentative enough. So, I drop it.
Then, it took me another long time to think a new one. My friend suggested me maybe write something about the High Speed Railroad. Although it already has been constructed for few years, however, it still exisits many problems. Such as the high ticket price in fact is not a common traffic fee for most people and also will the economy of the countryside near the railroad station really be prosperous? Besides, the date of completing the construction has been delayed twice and they still hasn't got the permission lisence. Can our government really do it well or the construction is just waisting our money?
However, I have no idea about who I can interview since I don't think if I write e-mail to the related institution and they would write me something useful because they're really busy.
RP idea
Last semester, I had a simple research about the history of tea in the speech class. And I am interested in this topic.
I want to write something about maybe the history, the advantages and disadvantages of tea. Or maybe the way of growing tea. However, as for how this topic can have a controversial issue....I am still thinking. I have heard that some people say that drinking tea can be good or bad. Maybe write something about this.
My New Blog!!!
Because of the junior cc class, I creat this blog.
I hope I can come here often in the future.
