Imagine if 1/10th of the diplomatic pressure that the US govt used when they wanted to get their hands on Viktor Bout was now brought to bear to free Joe Gordon?
The US State Department is now a very small subsidiary of the US War Department, and that fact can help us all to understand what is happening.
Diplomacy is the weak weapon of War.
The Thais allowed, among other things, the US CIA to torture ‘terrorists’ on Thai soil, part of the US’ “War on Terror” or “Reign of Terror”, depending upon who’s signing your paycheck, and in return the US allowed Thai Operatives to corner, intimidate, and interrogate a United States Citizen in the United States of America.
Citizenship means nothing to the Bush/Obama continuum during its Reign of Terror.
According to you, I claimed on another thread that I believe the Thai military, despite decades of massacre, coup and unmitigated fascism, are somehow a force for democracy in Thailand.
Really? Where exactly did I say that? Were you perhaps referring to my comment (Seh Fah #22) that made two separate and quite distinct points:
(1) The first Thai (sorry, Siamese) coup d’etat, back in 1932, was probably a good thing because at least it initiated the transition from absolute monarchy to democracy under a constitutional monarch.
(2) It’s a bit more difficult to say anything particularly positive about any of those that followed.
It’s a bit of a stretch to interpret that comment as evidence that I believe the Thai military, despite decades of massacre, coup and unmitigated fascism, are somehow a force for democracy in Thailand. What did you say about evidenceless blog comments?
Actually, the suggestion that facts and evidence be presented isn’t so illogical.
It’s fine to throw accusations about, and spend a lot of time in “the corporation had to have bought you” syndrome, but when you put it down on paper sometimes whats there does not stand the test of logic.
1. You mean this is a sort “gossip” of portal where unproven allegations and salacious and juicy if somewhat baseless accusations are published ? I am sorry, please forgive me. I was under the impression that this is a respected academic portal where issues are carefully researched and presented and vigorously debated.
2. I note that you had neatly sidestepped my question. My question was NOT why there is a high unemployment among bumi grads. That’s something I can accept. My question was how come you can conclude the problem was the local universities when you didn’t have any data to work on.
3. One thing I would agree is that the NEP also brought on negative side effects and one of those is to produce competitiveness among the bumi community. That’s a common feature of affirmative actions globally, along with rent seekers and abuse. This is one area where I would like to see changes to the NEP, though I still maintain the over arching objectives of the NEP are noble and by and large it has brought tremendous changes to the bumi (and not just Malay) community. However, the problem is not just the govt or the bumi community but also the private sector where the bumis have not been given the adequate opportunity.
Obviously you don’t read what’s going on during UMNO meetings or UM. Your knowledge is probably taken from the extracts by MKini and such propaganda sites where only negative and sensational news about the bumis or BN are reported.
Also you are wrong on the rise of Perkasa. This right wing organisation is getting stronger because they feel UMNO is weak in defending the Malay special positions and rights.
4. No you are completely wrong on saying UMNO blames the Chinese for unemployment of bumi grads. Please give me one single evidence to support this. While Perkasa or some minor leaders might say so, this never been the official or unofficial stance / view of BN or UMNO. This is an outright lie. That’s why I am highly skeptical on your credibility as an independent academic. This is an example where you do appear to be a spinner for Pakatan rather than a neutral, academic observer of Malaysian politics and economic scene.
The results of the NEP has been widely discussed and no one in their right mind would blame the government for it. I don’t think it has been successful but neither it has been a failure. I support the finetuning of the NEP. That’s why Najib is coming out with a new model and he has on numerous occasion has spoken about the need to finetune this policy and acknowledged the shortcomings of the NEP. That all these not even been mentioned in your article is hardly surprising as it would not jive with “Malaysia’s doomed – UMNO’s racist- Pakatan’s the saviour ” theme that you are trying so hard to peddle.
BTW, I agree the quality of all grads have fallen but that also includes foreign educated. In fact yourself makes an excellent example on how low the standards have fallen.
Great entry. Anuporn Kasemsan should respond! But how should we send this to him on Facebook? If any of us send it to him, we’ll only end up being interrogated…
Talking about Facebook, there has been an unconfirmed news that a man has been arrested for posting “lese majeste” content on FB. Unconfirmed source states that FB has been “co-operative to the Thai authorities and gave out this man’s IP address to them”. I wonder how true this is.
FYI, Facebook is one website where “lese majeste” operates at a massive scale (probably only second to youtube). The amount of users using fake usernames who go in to anonymously “vent out” things which they cannot really say have been incredible. The Thai Government has, in the past, attempted to get information of “thousands” of these users to prosecute, yet they have never been successful. I really wonder how they got an information of this user. Did FB give out his details, or they have their own way of getting their details?
Paranoid elites hunting their citizens who criticise them on the internet. What a sick country this is.
TC/Land Destoryer/Tony Cartalucci: You’ve been so quiet lately, I thought you had moved on, but no, here you are ranting against New Mandala & Andrew Walker now that you’ve become bored with ranting on Pracahtai. Such a powerful all-knowing man. I am finally convinced and ready to come over to your side………
Chris L #10 – “…private messages sent on Facebook are also recorded by your ISP …” do you men the actual wording of the message, or just the connexion between the 2 parties?
Let me repeat, what I was telling one year ago: This case against Chiranuch Premchaiporn was not intended to lead to a prison sentence, but the contrary. At the end it will be presented as an example that article 112 is not unfair, archaic and a political tool for suppressing dissidents and that the judges know how to handle the cases in a fair way. Until that time it was creating fear and intimidation and blogs were shut down (such as prachatai’s).
Imagine if 1/10th of the diplomatic pressure that the US govt used when they wanted to get their hands on Viktor Bout was now brought to bear to free Joe Gordon?
This entire, ridiculous notions that “diplomats” know best and that if we let them “quietly” do their (non-transparent, unaccountable) work all will be well vis a vis LM has to be completely debunked.
My view is that in reality, in at least the case of the USA, that govt is actually a significant part of the problem.
Their dubious strategy is straight out Ben Zawacki’s (rumours are flying that AI in London are getting seriously annoyed with the flak Zawacki and his mentor, Donna Guest, seem to draw) pro-elite play book.
Once again the imposter corporate-paid “academics” at ANU’s New Mandala give space to a paid lobbyist to air his latest PR campaign. Can’t wait for Andrew Walker to explain what this has to do with academia and how it is not part of some politically motivated agenda he is being paid to promote.
Once again Walker, you make all of us “little people” without PhD.’s realize we are not missing out on anything.
Oh look – there is something that the Australian Embassy can get riled up about – tourists being ripped-off!! So much for “quiet effective diplomacy”… I guess human rights are of less importance..
“British and Foreign diplomats in Thailand have asked the authorities on a Thai island to put an end to the extortion and ‘dog pack’ attack on tourists.
In a showdown with the governor of Phuket island diplomatic officials from Britain, Australia, Austria, and Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, have complained that tourists who complain about being extorted on taxi and tuk-tuk fares, are attacked by packs of up to twenty Thais and savagely beaten.”
Sorry Kevin, I know comparisons are odious, but I well recall that when Gough Whitlam became the PM of Oz all the political prisoners of the old regime i.e. draft resisters were out of jail in around 2 days. A just government here could do likewise and challenge the amazingly cruel slow judicial process which causes so much hardship. This has nothing to do with one’s attitude to the monarchy.
Financial experts estimated the illegal ouyflow of funds from Malaysia at US$200 to $300 billion!
PM Najib, Home Minister Hishamuddin, Sarawak’s Taib Mahmud are all experts in deception & twisting of facts, just like those leaders & ex-leaders of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, North Korea, Burma.
They cheated & rigged elections & when we have peaceful rally they say we want to cause chaos, and tarnish Malaysia’s image. Image was tarnished long ago by those politicians walking in Putrajaya and Kuching….
They spend all their time politicking, back-stabbing fabricating crimes blamed on the Opposition….They are not leading, progressing (like Singapore) and not doing Malaysia any good at all.
They excel in purchases & projects running in billions. The bigger the more kick-backs & thefts. Corruption is Crime.
The French military/submarine deal (which Malaysia needs the least) paid over RM300million in kick-backs resulting in the Mongolian Lady’s threat to expose & her subsequent blasted death. Likewise Ross Boyert, Taib’s former Aide in USA & murdered Swiss Activist Bruno Mansur
The undisclosed outflow of funds from Malaysia in 8 years was RM880 billion (not million).
Since the days of Taib’s Uncle Yakub, tens of millions of acres of forest/logging concessions have been awarded to families & cronies, without open transparent public tenders to return wealth to the poor people. Sarawak’s total value of logs & timber products hovered around RM6 to10 billion annually. Oil Palm is surpassing that mark now. It’s not just timber & oil palm in Sarawak, almost everything under the sun….too many to mention.. This is Hell of a plunder, and that’s just in one state among 13.
Their racial discrimination is TOTAL! In USA a minority race ascended the Obama Presidency. An Indian or Chinese deserves to be a Malaysian PM too. Petronas is 99% Malay. So are thousands of other national assets. Everyone is a citizen entitled to the Nation’s wealth.
Alan Newman
Ricky: I don’t believe the “call” is unjust. It is a call for attention to lese majeste and those who have suffered unjust treatment and those who will, if the two laws remain as they are.
I should add that the letter is not “my” letter. It has 112 signatories.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
The US State Department is now a very small subsidiary of the US War Department, and that fact can help us all to understand what is happening.
Diplomacy is the weak weapon of War.
The Thais allowed, among other things, the US CIA to torture ‘terrorists’ on Thai soil, part of the US’ “War on Terror” or “Reign of Terror”, depending upon who’s signing your paycheck, and in return the US allowed Thai Operatives to corner, intimidate, and interrogate a United States Citizen in the United States of America.
Citizenship means nothing to the Bush/Obama continuum during its Reign of Terror.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Andrew Spooner #108
According to you, I claimed on another thread that I believe the Thai military, despite decades of massacre, coup and unmitigated fascism, are somehow a force for democracy in Thailand.
Really? Where exactly did I say that? Were you perhaps referring to my comment (Seh Fah #22) that made two separate and quite distinct points:
(1) The first Thai (sorry, Siamese) coup d’etat, back in 1932, was probably a good thing because at least it initiated the transition from absolute monarchy to democracy under a constitutional monarch.
(2) It’s a bit more difficult to say anything particularly positive about any of those that followed.
It’s a bit of a stretch to interpret that comment as evidence that I believe the Thai military, despite decades of massacre, coup and unmitigated fascism, are somehow a force for democracy in Thailand. What did you say about evidenceless blog comments?
Amsterdam on Thailand’s dual state
Actually, the suggestion that facts and evidence be presented isn’t so illogical.
It’s fine to throw accusations about, and spend a lot of time in “the corporation had to have bought you” syndrome, but when you put it down on paper sometimes whats there does not stand the test of logic.
Bumiputera graduate unemployment and Malaysia’s world class education system – a recipe for disaster
Greg
1. You mean this is a sort “gossip” of portal where unproven allegations and salacious and juicy if somewhat baseless accusations are published ? I am sorry, please forgive me. I was under the impression that this is a respected academic portal where issues are carefully researched and presented and vigorously debated.
2. I note that you had neatly sidestepped my question. My question was NOT why there is a high unemployment among bumi grads. That’s something I can accept. My question was how come you can conclude the problem was the local universities when you didn’t have any data to work on.
3. One thing I would agree is that the NEP also brought on negative side effects and one of those is to produce competitiveness among the bumi community. That’s a common feature of affirmative actions globally, along with rent seekers and abuse. This is one area where I would like to see changes to the NEP, though I still maintain the over arching objectives of the NEP are noble and by and large it has brought tremendous changes to the bumi (and not just Malay) community. However, the problem is not just the govt or the bumi community but also the private sector where the bumis have not been given the adequate opportunity.
Obviously you don’t read what’s going on during UMNO meetings or UM. Your knowledge is probably taken from the extracts by MKini and such propaganda sites where only negative and sensational news about the bumis or BN are reported.
Also you are wrong on the rise of Perkasa. This right wing organisation is getting stronger because they feel UMNO is weak in defending the Malay special positions and rights.
4. No you are completely wrong on saying UMNO blames the Chinese for unemployment of bumi grads. Please give me one single evidence to support this. While Perkasa or some minor leaders might say so, this never been the official or unofficial stance / view of BN or UMNO. This is an outright lie. That’s why I am highly skeptical on your credibility as an independent academic. This is an example where you do appear to be a spinner for Pakatan rather than a neutral, academic observer of Malaysian politics and economic scene.
The results of the NEP has been widely discussed and no one in their right mind would blame the government for it. I don’t think it has been successful but neither it has been a failure. I support the finetuning of the NEP. That’s why Najib is coming out with a new model and he has on numerous occasion has spoken about the need to finetune this policy and acknowledged the shortcomings of the NEP. That all these not even been mentioned in your article is hardly surprising as it would not jive with “Malaysia’s doomed – UMNO’s racist- Pakatan’s the saviour ” theme that you are trying so hard to peddle.
BTW, I agree the quality of all grads have fallen but that also includes foreign educated. In fact yourself makes an excellent example on how low the standards have fallen.
Thai royal and the Magic Castle
Great entry. Anuporn Kasemsan should respond! But how should we send this to him on Facebook? If any of us send it to him, we’ll only end up being interrogated…
Amsterdam on Thailand’s dual state
Evidence Tony? Rants should be cut. TC is not pithy, not original and sounds like the Koch brothers.
Thai royal and the Magic Castle
Great post. Thanks. Add together with PPT’s post (http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/anthony-chais-case/) and the right-wing Christian connection, and it is clear that…. how shall we put it? Where may one buy good fruit cake in Bangkok?
Prachatai trial update
Talking about Facebook, there has been an unconfirmed news that a man has been arrested for posting “lese majeste” content on FB. Unconfirmed source states that FB has been “co-operative to the Thai authorities and gave out this man’s IP address to them”. I wonder how true this is.
FYI, Facebook is one website where “lese majeste” operates at a massive scale (probably only second to youtube). The amount of users using fake usernames who go in to anonymously “vent out” things which they cannot really say have been incredible. The Thai Government has, in the past, attempted to get information of “thousands” of these users to prosecute, yet they have never been successful. I really wonder how they got an information of this user. Did FB give out his details, or they have their own way of getting their details?
Paranoid elites hunting their citizens who criticise them on the internet. What a sick country this is.
Amsterdam on Thailand’s dual state
TC/Land Destoryer/Tony Cartalucci: You’ve been so quiet lately, I thought you had moved on, but no, here you are ranting against New Mandala & Andrew Walker now that you’ve become bored with ranting on Pracahtai. Such a powerful all-knowing man. I am finally convinced and ready to come over to your side………
Prachatai trial update
Chris L #10 – “…private messages sent on Facebook are also recorded by your ISP …” do you men the actual wording of the message, or just the connexion between the 2 parties?
Prachatai trial update
Let me repeat, what I was telling one year ago: This case against Chiranuch Premchaiporn was not intended to lead to a prison sentence, but the contrary. At the end it will be presented as an example that article 112 is not unfair, archaic and a political tool for suppressing dissidents and that the judges know how to handle the cases in a fair way. Until that time it was creating fear and intimidation and blogs were shut down (such as prachatai’s).
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
John Francis-Lee
Imagine if 1/10th of the diplomatic pressure that the US govt used when they wanted to get their hands on Viktor Bout was now brought to bear to free Joe Gordon?
This entire, ridiculous notions that “diplomats” know best and that if we let them “quietly” do their (non-transparent, unaccountable) work all will be well vis a vis LM has to be completely debunked.
My view is that in reality, in at least the case of the USA, that govt is actually a significant part of the problem.
Their dubious strategy is straight out Ben Zawacki’s (rumours are flying that AI in London are getting seriously annoyed with the flak Zawacki and his mentor, Donna Guest, seem to draw) pro-elite play book.
Amsterdam on Thailand’s dual state
Once again the imposter corporate-paid “academics” at ANU’s New Mandala give space to a paid lobbyist to air his latest PR campaign. Can’t wait for Andrew Walker to explain what this has to do with academia and how it is not part of some politically motivated agenda he is being paid to promote.
Once again Walker, you make all of us “little people” without PhD.’s realize we are not missing out on anything.
FACT’s plea for Joe Gordon
Oh look – there is something that the Australian Embassy can get riled up about – tourists being ripped-off!! So much for “quiet effective diplomacy”… I guess human rights are of less importance..
http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story.php?sid=434
“British and Foreign diplomats in Thailand have asked the authorities on a Thai island to put an end to the extortion and ‘dog pack’ attack on tourists.
In a showdown with the governor of Phuket island diplomatic officials from Britain, Australia, Austria, and Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, have complained that tourists who complain about being extorted on taxi and tuk-tuk fares, are attacked by packs of up to twenty Thais and savagely beaten.”
Open letter to Yingluck on lese majeste
Sorry Kevin, I know comparisons are odious, but I well recall that when Gough Whitlam became the PM of Oz all the political prisoners of the old regime i.e. draft resisters were out of jail in around 2 days. A just government here could do likewise and challenge the amazingly cruel slow judicial process which causes so much hardship. This has nothing to do with one’s attitude to the monarchy.
How corrupt can Malaysia get?
Financial experts estimated the illegal ouyflow of funds from Malaysia at US$200 to $300 billion!
PM Najib, Home Minister Hishamuddin, Sarawak’s Taib Mahmud are all experts in deception & twisting of facts, just like those leaders & ex-leaders of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, North Korea, Burma.
They cheated & rigged elections & when we have peaceful rally they say we want to cause chaos, and tarnish Malaysia’s image. Image was tarnished long ago by those politicians walking in Putrajaya and Kuching….
They spend all their time politicking, back-stabbing fabricating crimes blamed on the Opposition….They are not leading, progressing (like Singapore) and not doing Malaysia any good at all.
They excel in purchases & projects running in billions. The bigger the more kick-backs & thefts. Corruption is Crime.
The French military/submarine deal (which Malaysia needs the least) paid over RM300million in kick-backs resulting in the Mongolian Lady’s threat to expose & her subsequent blasted death. Likewise Ross Boyert, Taib’s former Aide in USA & murdered Swiss Activist Bruno Mansur
The undisclosed outflow of funds from Malaysia in 8 years was RM880 billion (not million).
Since the days of Taib’s Uncle Yakub, tens of millions of acres of forest/logging concessions have been awarded to families & cronies, without open transparent public tenders to return wealth to the poor people. Sarawak’s total value of logs & timber products hovered around RM6 to10 billion annually. Oil Palm is surpassing that mark now. It’s not just timber & oil palm in Sarawak, almost everything under the sun….too many to mention.. This is Hell of a plunder, and that’s just in one state among 13.
Their racial discrimination is TOTAL! In USA a minority race ascended the Obama Presidency. An Indian or Chinese deserves to be a Malaysian PM too. Petronas is 99% Malay. So are thousands of other national assets. Everyone is a citizen entitled to the Nation’s wealth.
Alan Newman
Prachatai trial update
How would the judge have judged if this case had been heard during Abhisit’s time in office? No different?
Prachatai trial update
Well I guess I’m just an illogical and peculiar guy, Mike.
Open letter to Yingluck on lese majeste
Ricky: I don’t believe the “call” is unjust. It is a call for attention to lese majeste and those who have suffered unjust treatment and those who will, if the two laws remain as they are.
I should add that the letter is not “my” letter. It has 112 signatories.
Prachatai trial update
I have added FACT’s latest report on the trial (2 September 2011).