She was thrown in prison in Tibet for two years for putting up a little tiny placard protesting the occupation of her country.

A protest is not a policy and a placard is not a program for government. But, if governments lack clear arguments with which to rebut protesters, they are in trouble.

In principle, the Taiwan issue need not lead to conflict. With increasing change in China and growing economic and social contacts across the strait, it should be possible to find a formula that allows the Taiwanese to maintain their market economy and democratic system without a placard at the UN.