Not an impossibility
Re: "Different visions", (PostBag, Nov 1).
Mr Dusit accuses me of selfless concern for the wellbeing of others, a desire to establish freedom, human rights and justice as if these were naive impossibilities in Thailand.
I insist that they are possible, although no doubt the struggle to achieve their influence will require great sacrifice and courage inspired by heroic leadership.
I sympathise with the fear Mr Dusit confessed. It is precisely why young leaders are required to change things at the root in this country. To acquiesce to a dictatorship and to relinquish all responsibility of one's citizenship to the generals in exchange for an illusory peace and economic development may temporarily relieve such fear for some. However, consider the fear those rappers must deal with in their artistic pursuits or the editors of this paper's opinion page must face on a daily basis.
The soul crushing impact of the abrogation of human rights and the loss of participatory responsibility in collective life destroys hope and purpose.
Some simply desire to feel comfortable in old age, but I dare say the vast majority value the happiness which is self-existent in freedom and purpose in life above all.
Altruism is not a fault, Mr Dusit. The Metta Sutta provides a most eloquent and compelling discourse on the subject, and it is my understanding that the Thai people cherish this aspect of the Buddha's teaching. Use it to take heart and it will not disappoint.
Michael Setter
Blurred identities
Re: "Megyn 'Blackface' Kelly crashes out at NBC", (BP, Oct 28).
I am really confused by identity politics these days.
How can it be "racially insensitive" for Megyn Kelly to state that "Santa Claus just is white"? Santa Claus is of course as white as the Black Panther is black (I am aware that both are fictional characters, although there was a Saint Nicholas who was a Greek from Asia Minor).
Wouldn't a Santa Claus of a non-white colour, say black, be cultural appropriation?
It is all the more amusing that there is an ongoing controversy in the Netherlands about "Swarte Piet" (Black Piet), an equally fictional companion of Santa Claus, depicted during carnivals by Dutch people wearing blackface.
This is supposed to be racist, although this tradition is anterior to the American blackface (which was clearly racist).
Fortunately, as mentioned on the same page, we learn that a Coptic Egyptian, Rami Malek, is playing the role of Freddy Mercury, a Parsee (descendants of Zoroastrian Persians who migrated to India to flee persecution under Islam) from Zanzibar, and this does not seem to generate any racial controversy.
Oh but wait, there is in fact a controversy on whether the Freddy Mercury in the biopic will be sufficiently gay or bisexual!
Baffled Reader
Misguided focus
Re: "Some tourist fees waived", (Opinion, Oct 24).
I could not agree more with the editor that instead of focusing on waiving visa fees, the government should do more to clean up the tourism industry if it wants to lure back foreign visitors.
Many fatal accidents have been caused by the operators' recklessness. Proactive measures and stringent law enforcement are required to decrease accidents in this sector.
Those who violate regulations and compromise the lives of others should face heavy punishments.
Chudanan Sinlapawattanawong
High time to forget
Re: "Marijuana could be legal by year's end", (BP, Oct 31).
Hopefully the readers of this newspaper can take enough time off from their drinking and chain smoking to read my warning about the evil and satanic drug marijuana, which (God forbid) may soon become legal here. Be warned that there are two terrible symptoms associated with smoking marijuana -- loss of memory and -- I forgot the other!
Eric Bahrt
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