No fewer than four candidates are vying for the second open Athens County Commissioner seat. Democratic incumbent Bill Theisen, a 12-year commissioner, is battling Republican Steven McVey and independent candidates Fred W. Weber II and Kenneth Willie. However, with none of the opponents making good enough arguments to build a case against Theisen, The Post sees no reason not to stay with the incumbent. Re-elect Bill Theisen for Athens County Commissioner.
Theisen's 12 years in the commissioner's office give him a vast knowledge not only of the inner working of his office but also of how to get the job done in Athens County. Theisen knows about the difficulties of fighting for funding and is not afraid to get his hands dirty in lean economic times. He exhibits a dogged advocacy for fair wages and deserves the support of the everyday worker. The Post does, however, regret the format of the commissioner's race. Fellow incumbent and Democrat Mark Sullivan, running against Post-endorsed Republican Fred Davis for the other seat, likely would be the second-best alternative of the six total candidates running for the two commissioners' spots. However, with the structure of the race, Theisen is the best choice for the second open commissioner's seat.
Mixed messages
In statements made earlier this week, Secretary of State Colin Powell made it clear that the current administration does not consider the self-ruled, democratic island of Taiwan as a sovereign nation. Powell said, There is only one China. Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation
and that remains our policy our firm policy. The administration's steadfast policy and these comments put the United States in an awkward and dangerous position between the two states. The current administration needs to clarify its political stance.
Through treaties with Taiwan, the United States is charged with defending the island nation from Chinese aggression. It is impossible for the United States to honor this agreement with Taiwan and still advocate the reunification of China because both positions are a clear contradiction of each other. Further, the nation cannot in good conscience honor its defense treaty with Taiwan and yet deny its claims as an independent state. The United States has made a potentially disastrous mistake in international relations with this controversy and has put itself in a disadvantageous position. The United States no longer can try to negotiate the political middle ground between Taiwan and China because the potential for conflict between these states is far too great.
Clearly there will be no easy solution to this controversy. The current administration has backed itself into a corner from which it will be hard to escape. The best course of action would be for the United States to withdraw itself from the forefront of these political relations and to let Taiwan and China attempt to come to a resolution. The United States should scale back its role in the entire proceedings and only intervene to honor its commitment to defend Taiwan military. Surely this action will be difficult, considering the recent statements and the potential political disaster that could ensue. Returning to its previous position of neutrality is the best action for the administration to pursue. Unless China threatens Taiwan militarily, the United States should assume the role of the silent observer or of the hesitant moderator. Any more direct role potentially could put the political influence of our nation in jeopardy, or worse, force it into a dangerous situation between these states.
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