Re: ''Stop your whining'' (PostBag, April 24).
During the worst of America's political turmoil resulting from the Vietnam War and ongoing civil rights movement, ultra right-wingers began displaying bumper stickers reading: ''America _ love it or leave it!''.
The meaning, of course, was clear. If you disliked racism or killing Commies, then get the hell out. Later, although in fewer numbers, another bumper sticker appeared: ''America _ love it and make it better yet''. There was something humane, thoughtful and decent about this sticker. It would apply well to Thailand.
My wife and I, both Americans, have been living in Thailand for almost 30 years. For many, many reasons, we love this country. We have no family remaining in America, and Thailand has long become our adopted homeland.
Every country _ indeed, every place _ has room for improvement, and we feel obligated to do whatever we can, however small, to help make Thailand better yet. Why would anyone who truly loves Thailand not feel this way?
Pointing out inequities such as two-tier pricing based on skin colour, corruption by police and bureaucrats and the absurdities of many regulations is at its purest an expression of caring and affection, a desire to make the good even better.
If those like David James Wong and George W Ross want to refer to this as ''whining'' (keeping in mind, of course, that they are whining about people whining), then so be it, but we wonder if they actually care for Thailand as much as the ''whiners'' do?
Perhaps they would prefer to live in North Korea, where whining in any form is pretty much non-existent. Maybe they would feel comfortably at home there.
BOBBY D
For better or worse
To add to, if not to end, the discussion started by David James Wong about ''whining'' expats: The country you are born in is like your family. You had no choice about being born there. The country you emigrate to is the one you choose, like a husband or wife.
Can Mr Wong show me a marriage where the partners don't criticise one another once in a while?
A COMPLAINING BUT LOVING PARTNER
My words are true
It is great to read all the constructive responses to my recent letter about expatriates in Thailand who spend their time whining about their conditions. It is also noteworthy to consider that these people do not seem to be critical of what they do not like in their respective home countries, with few exceptions.
I doubt how many expats who have voiced dissatisfaction with things back home have bothered to do anything about it except criticise.
How many were involved in active movements to bring about change there?
It still appears to me and other readers of the Bangkok Post outside of Thailand that expats do complain rather excessively. This is not an emotional response, incidentally. It is a legitimate and clear observation one gets from the black and white letters in print.
DAVID JAMES WONG
Biting the hand
Re: ''Rodgers slams FA over severity of Suarez's punishment'' (Sports, April 26).
Brendan Rodgers may be a top class manager, but he is wrong regarding Luis Suarez's 10-game ban.
Rodgers compared two other biting incidents, and says it's the severity of the ban that hurts the most. The truth is, Suarez has a history of bad behaviour, and this is not the first meal he has had on an opposing player, so it's about time he received severe punishment. Maybe it will make him stop and think in the future.
CHARLIE BROWN
Pattaya
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