Not following creationism and other such silly ideas of any denomination – i indeed think that evidence suggests that man created god, or any other such concept that attempts to explain what science cannot (yet?).
I do not confuse religion with its followers, i do believe that both are intrinsically linked to each other.
Buddhism in its “pure from” does not exist other than in books, and neither does any other religion. Religions are what its founders (who were humans as well) and followers made and continue to make out of them, both “good” and “bad”.
Even worse – i am rather modern in my view that i believe that god/religion/spirituality is something supposed to be entirely personal.
If i would though call myself a Buddhist/Muslim/Christian/Jew, or whatever else, i would have to take responsibility of what is done in the name of the religion and its community i have adopted. Which, in case of Buddhism, right now, would be the persecution of the Rohingya in Burma, who are killed in the name of Buddhism (and ethnic superiority/exclusion/etc.).
In the same sense – i do not support missioneering efforts by Christians and Buddhists (and now even by Muslims as well, as i was recently told by some Akha) in the hill tribe areas of SEA – all in the name of their gods or godheads.
Buddhism, as we can see when we look at history impartially, has, as any other religion, brought both the best and the worst out of people and society. What you may deem as “greed”, one may also look at efforts to overcome economic disparity, and by religion imposed frugality a tool of economic and social oppression – which Buddhism with its laws of Dhamma and Karma has more often than not been made a tool of.
Typical confusion between the religion and its followers. That was my point. Thought wouldn’t be necessary to quote Marx on the matter.
You can give countless examples till you go blue in the face. Might even support the case that man created God and not the other way round.
I remember quite clearly that well known Buddhist monks and abbots went on TV arguing that killing drug dealers during the 2003 war on drugs here in Thailand would not draw bad karma, and this way not just legitimizing the killings but also absolving killers from any “sin”.
The same occurred during the communist insurgency here in Thailand.
Both of these were systematical in nature, and at least to some part faith based.
The Tibetan system of oppression was religiously based, and not just secular, as the dalai lamas claimed not only spiritual but also secular leadership, supported by an intricate system of rule by both clergy and aristocracy.
Even though the basis of Christianity is the sermon on the mount and its peaceful and humble message, in the name of both major Christian denominations terrible atrocities have been committed.
I admit of not being very well versed in Islam, but nevertheless, i remember that there is a debate over especially the atrocities committed by the jihadist organizations, and that many clerics argue that the Salafist’s interpretation of the Koran is highly selective and therefore faulty.
In the history of Islam you have had both – terrible regimes, and periods of great tolerance and cultural advancements, such as in the Caliphate of Cordoba (judging in the context of the time).
Sufism – Islam’s mystic path – stands also in stark contrast to the atrocities committed by fundamentalist organizations.
Islam gave birth to much beauty and wisdom, and to much evil as well – like all religions, including Buddhism. In the larger context, you can view Buddhism as an offspring of Hinduism, which in most Buddhist societies (such as in Tibet, Nepal and Thailand) is still closely related to and in many cases overlapping. Hinduism is one (better: many) of the great human philosophies, but has also been root of one of the great human injustices – the cast system, and in more modern times – the Hindutva.
While it is quite easy to demonize Islam, reality is far more complex.
“Buddhists do not have a monopoly on the innate goodness of human nature but their religion brings out the best in man since it never condones nor justifies violence.”
That has been my point all along. When there
is violence committed by nominal Buddhists, like the Tatmadaw, it is for political reasons and not because of Buddhist belief.
The self-proclaimed Buddhist elite in Burma
is just that, self-proclaimed. When the Tatmadaw do bad things is it because they
are doing it in the name of the Buddha ? Hardly. As I mentioned before, I believe
temple and pagoda building by the Tatmadaw
is disingenuous and not out of devout belief.
The average Burmese, average Thai, average Tibetan, average Sinhalese, average Malaysian-Chinese, average Khmer, average Vietnamese, etc. does not attack mosques, churches or Muslims on a regular and systematic basis. Violence in Islamic nations is both regular, systematic and faith-based. Or do you think the bombings in Jakarta, Bali and Aceh committed by both Javanese and Malays was anomalous ? There isn’t a day that goes by when there isn’t a bombing in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Arab World (look at Assad’s slaughter of his own people).
Nick’s observations (above) of the Thai and the Japanese committing violence, whether today or in the past, are misplaced in terms of root cause.
That’s exactly where religion has made little progress over the millennia not least Buddhism which maintains that a world dominated by loba (greed), dosa (anger) and moha (ignorance), in other words the worst of human nature, cannot become a better place. There’s a reason for putting greed first, the prime mover.
So yes, we in Burma have had the misfortune to witness a self proclaimed Buddhist elite acting in a most horrible and unbelievable anti-Buddhist way in 2007, the ultimate state violence meted out to a nation’s most sacred institution.
The prevailing world order based on capitalist exploitation and competition, renamed the New World Order, is inimical to peaceful and fairer societies. Buddhists do not have a monopoly on the innate goodness of human nature but their religion brings out the best in man since it never condones nor justifies violence.
It is reported the Lao Issara flag was in the Lao Nhay (and Lao Chaleun) newspaper but I cannot find it. Can you look at the masthead to see if it is on one of them? Or inside the newspaper. Everyone reports the current Lao flag was this early flag but I have a black and white image of Lao Issara on the laps of several men and it is not the current design. I want to use the old flag in an exhibit of the Lao Issara paper money. Thank you for your time and possible assistance. I am also writing the catalog for Lao numismatic pieces from the 16th century to date.
1) Wealth distribution. Base tax levels on TOTAL LIQUID ASSSET as a %tage OF national average wage x 1000 (Retirement basis at 30 years of average annual wage to
make for 33 retirements) + TOTAL YEARLY EARNINGS then divided by 3. This means that those with wealth beyond 1000 times national average wage sequestered away,
will be taxed on their existing liquid wealth that is sequestered away. This is a form of ECONOMIC NATIONAL SERVICE.
Any citizen has a right to be rich but once beyond 33 retirements worth (thats 1000 divided by 30 years of average annual wage – in USA terms thats USD$40
million), that wealth is metrely being sequestered to no useful purpose and in effect harms the economy by sequstration effect ratherthan circulating in public.
This is a form of Capitalism with Socialist limits that ensure millionaires will exist but not 33 times more than the average citizen. Billionaires will no longer
exist.
2) Property tax or quit rent will not be imposed on 1st properties/’not in property they are using’ (this means only 2nd and subsequent properties will be taxed).
This way anyone or any family with 2nd or subsequent homes they keep for luxury purposes will have to pay quit rent and property taxes on those properties which
could also be doubled for every subsequent home beyond the 2nd (people who can buy so many homes will be wealthy enough to handle this ‘checks and balances’ type
of law.
3i) Caveat to prevent homelessness and lack of transport. A ‘Retired’ status or ‘Bankrupt’ status person can no longer be taxed IF they only own a single property
or single vehicle. This means that upward mobility in property at least, and no losses of homes can ever occur, while those retired or bankrupt will not be
affected potentially debilitating road tax which should be calculated not by CC but at a flat rate based on earnings, perhaps 1% of annual wage (which is very
heavy already considering that bank interest does not exceed 3% AND that is not even on top of inflation rate – meaning for saving money to be meaningful, bank
interest MUST be 1% ABOVE INFLATION RATE – how can roaD tax ignore these harsh facts with the colluding <P or COngressman refusing to amend laws to lower road
taxes or exempting the bankrupt and elderly).
4) Preventing homelessness. Children of property owners will be required to take over housing debt, at BUT only at principal with current yearly inflation rates
ONLY applicable as interest. This way, families will be required to pay up all debts but not be buried by COMPOUND interest (usury for those 'monotheistic finance
ethics applying' types). 2nd homes are exempt from such protections and can be foreclosed though the ethical banks that do not charge compound interest (which is
an effective killer of economies by creating homelessness and raising crime rates) should be announced as such.
5) Preventing starvation. If people cannot find work they will starve or cannot receive healthcare. To prevent this, ensure that the property of all is
sufficiently large enough (20,000 sq feet may be the minimum requirement by developers) to do subsistence farming for one or preferably a few families. This way
people can grow food and medicinal herbs on their own, even if jobless. That means taxpayers have no need to pay for food stamps or healthcare or even insurance.
6) Prventing injuries and removing need for insurance. A good set of padded steel armour (properly outfitted to allow/prevent airflow depending weather) will prevent broken bones, small bruises or serious head injuries or even radio waves that cause cancers, and if that person looks after their diet, they will be unlikely to fall ill or be injured. This is cheaper than paying monthly hundreds FOR DECADES or making a taxpayer paid for insurance system like national insurance necessary. Conversely, the government could distribute these suits at mass production prices.
Vote out term limitless nepotistic MPs or Congressnmen who do not implement the above, or run as candidates against them to implement the above described amendments!
“Buddhists are generally peaceful people, in Burma, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tibet, India and elsewhere.” … is one of these ridiculous platitudes i have heard far too often, and has no relationship with any reality i am aware of.
I have been living in Buddhist Thailand for more than 20 years, and other than photographing political violence, also in every day life Thailand is one of the more violent countries, which is also supported by the rather high murder statistics. One neighbor, for example, a Buddhist, spends now much time in our house recuperating from an attack during which his hand was hacked off (by fellow Buddhist Thais). Fortunately doctors were able to re-attach his hand.
I have spent years with the Por teck Tueng volonteers, and have seen and photographed many such acts of extreme violence.
Or i might might go into rather chilling tales of violence in my wife’s village…
Buddhist Tibet had in the past some of the most elaborate tortures humanity managed to invent, a large proportion of its population was in servitude, and vast areas of the land were marred by brigandry.
Or we could go into Japanese Buddhist sects that have actively supported Japan’s WW2 atrocities in China, especially in Manchuria (and lets not forget the Rape of Nanking…).
etc.
People are people, and violence is part of human nature. Buddhist are no better or worse than followers of other religions.
Malaysia nationalistic misguided attempt to uplift Malay to side line, the one with Chinese ancestry since the 60’s has obviously failed.
The factors that contributed to the failure among which are proximity to Singapore, resilient non Malay citizenry and now direct Chinese investment make Islam as defining Malay-ness even more dire.
China does remain corrupt and in fact corruption increases with foreign investment.
The CCP owns major industries and is inimical to judicial overview of corporate and banking practices. Hong Kong has improved somewhat
but not the Mainland itself.
As a Buddhist myself, I can say the difference is that the Buddha taught that violence hurts both the aggressor and the aggressed. To engage in war over the disrespect of a Buddha image, which is a cultural innovation from 3rd Century Greco-Buddhism and has nothing to do with the teachings of Shakyamuni, would be ludicrous from the Buddhist point of view.
On the other hand, religiously mandated warfare has a strong and well-documented tradition in Islamic hermeneutics (tafsir). Indeed, Islamic holy texts argue that there exists conditions when holy warfare is obligatory (fard), this includes perceived insult to Islam, which falls under the rubric of fitna.
How to measure a country’s political maturity? How about ‘political dynasties’? It appears ‘Thai political dynasties’ top the world! “… Surprisingly, the number of political dynasties in Thailand was even higher than in Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Argentina, and the USA …”
” … In Thailand’s most recent general election of July 3, 2011, 42% of MPs elected were replacing family members, compared with 40% in Mexico, 37% in the Philippines, 33% in Japan, 10% in Argentina, and 6% in USA…”
” … The ruling Pheu Thai Party has 19 families that have passed political power between their members, the highest of any party in parliament, he said. The Democrat Party has 17 such families, Bhumjaithai has …”
” … the example of the Shinawatra family, which has held on to political power since 1997. This is almost three decades after the first Shinawatra family member, Lert Shinawatra, the late father of ousted PM Thaksin …”
Now what was that about the Thai monarchy holding back ‘political development/maturity’ in Thailand?
You are right of course about protectionism v free trade in the history of all advanced developed economies. Protectionism in their early days and even now when it comes to the crunch. Free trade when they want to blast open the rest of us, gunboat diplomacy now being sparingly used, one of the 3Ms replaced by INGOs but the same old Great White Saviours meddling with things more than ever flying the humanitarian flag.
You have a rather romantic view of colonial adventurers who went native as it were but it hardly changed the bottom line.
Don’t blame you for supporting the Chinese model either, a shining example where development and progress after a fashion needs no democracy nor freedoms of any sort except to invest and exploit as they run a tight ship not least the economy. What does that say for the vast majority of hundreds of millions of ordinary Chinese folk? Singapore managed it better only because of its size and position.
This postmodern version of “economic determinism” has many advocates both inside and outside Burma as I said before. One sure way of joining the New World Order definitely, never mind the ‘electorate’. What does matter to them as in the case of the Lady is the embrace of the West. Happy days.
Nice comment Moe Aung, let me explain my previous speech.
I told Colonel Suzuki wanted, not the japanese army. Of course Japan wanted to build an empire, like every great power did at that time (even USA). But the co-prosperity sphere born from a diplomat’s dream of asian integration and was stolen by militarists. Colonel Suzuki in Burma was a kind of Lawrence of Arabia.
I believe Japan is not a free rider in Myanmar, Mitsubishi is not a liberal corporation, is a state-driven enterprise.
About national capitalists, I believe in economic nationalism (of course, protected by laws and government incentives). My country’s experience (and I know we’re not alone) says that developed countries are not reliable in the long term (now, more than ever).
I prefer periodic planning of economy, control of capital, long term stability, etc. The business community in Myanmar are already indisciplined, I said that before, but some of them play by the rules.
I totally agree when you say it’s a problem of legislation. This dependent/associate enterpreneur class must be cultivated by the state.
Otherwise, let’s play by others rules and depend on their will. I support the chinese model. A lot of people talk about China’s problems as if no country has ever done the same industrialization program. The only difference is that they are compressing 200 years of British capitalism in 40 years. I really wanted to see that in India but every indicator shows something else.
The Japanese are certainly keen to steal a march on the rest. That they “wanted to truly liberate” Burma however is a claim that doesn’t bear historical scrutiny. There would’ve been no need to drive the fascists out after the invasion and three years of military occupation that granted a faux independence.
According to a recent report by Maplecroft cited in The Irrawaddy “Although investors have welcomed the adoption of a new FDI law in November 2012 the continued discretionary powers of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) is a concern.
“The MIC is dominated by officials close to the military who, in many cases, are likely to favour businesses owned by the military. Reformists amongst the political elite are keen to demonstrate improved governance to create a more favourable foreign investment climate for western investors. However, a sudden influx of capital and donor-financing is likely to increase the scope for corrupt practices, which will require consistent monitoring and risk mitigation mechanisms.”
Yes, they will merely move from milking the cronies to the greener pastures of FDI that will spawn a new comprador bourgeoisie class with the military a major partner looking for growth after the Chinese model. It’s a tangled web we weave.
“These national companies capitalize to invest in Myanmar’s projects and keep their money in local banks.” Like that would happen unless enforced by legislation. Free trade and open markets mean even investment outflows are starting to happen.
Ne Win famously said seizing state power was like grabbing the tiger’s tail. And he was an autocrat and a tyrant. Steering the country from here on in would be a real challenge is an understatement.
The crux of the matter remains the political will – self centred as usual or people centred.
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Thai politics, 14 October and all that
part 1
Constitutional amendment and the guardians of Thai democracy
By Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices Oct 20
http://asiancorrespondent.com/113100/constitutiona-amendment-and-guardians-of-thai-democracy-part-1/
and
part 2
http://asiancorrespondent.com/113107/guardian-of-thai-democracy-part-2/
Far reaching implications….
Isn’t religion an obsolete and oxymoronic relic of our ancient evolutionary past?
Far reaching implications….
Not following creationism and other such silly ideas of any denomination – i indeed think that evidence suggests that man created god, or any other such concept that attempts to explain what science cannot (yet?).
I do not confuse religion with its followers, i do believe that both are intrinsically linked to each other.
Buddhism in its “pure from” does not exist other than in books, and neither does any other religion. Religions are what its founders (who were humans as well) and followers made and continue to make out of them, both “good” and “bad”.
Even worse – i am rather modern in my view that i believe that god/religion/spirituality is something supposed to be entirely personal.
If i would though call myself a Buddhist/Muslim/Christian/Jew, or whatever else, i would have to take responsibility of what is done in the name of the religion and its community i have adopted. Which, in case of Buddhism, right now, would be the persecution of the Rohingya in Burma, who are killed in the name of Buddhism (and ethnic superiority/exclusion/etc.).
In the same sense – i do not support missioneering efforts by Christians and Buddhists (and now even by Muslims as well, as i was recently told by some Akha) in the hill tribe areas of SEA – all in the name of their gods or godheads.
Buddhism, as we can see when we look at history impartially, has, as any other religion, brought both the best and the worst out of people and society. What you may deem as “greed”, one may also look at efforts to overcome economic disparity, and by religion imposed frugality a tool of economic and social oppression – which Buddhism with its laws of Dhamma and Karma has more often than not been made a tool of.
Far reaching implications….
Typical confusion between the religion and its followers. That was my point. Thought wouldn’t be necessary to quote Marx on the matter.
You can give countless examples till you go blue in the face. Might even support the case that man created God and not the other way round.
Far reaching implications….
It’s just semantics.
I remember quite clearly that well known Buddhist monks and abbots went on TV arguing that killing drug dealers during the 2003 war on drugs here in Thailand would not draw bad karma, and this way not just legitimizing the killings but also absolving killers from any “sin”.
The same occurred during the communist insurgency here in Thailand.
Both of these were systematical in nature, and at least to some part faith based.
The Tibetan system of oppression was religiously based, and not just secular, as the dalai lamas claimed not only spiritual but also secular leadership, supported by an intricate system of rule by both clergy and aristocracy.
Even though the basis of Christianity is the sermon on the mount and its peaceful and humble message, in the name of both major Christian denominations terrible atrocities have been committed.
I admit of not being very well versed in Islam, but nevertheless, i remember that there is a debate over especially the atrocities committed by the jihadist organizations, and that many clerics argue that the Salafist’s interpretation of the Koran is highly selective and therefore faulty.
In the history of Islam you have had both – terrible regimes, and periods of great tolerance and cultural advancements, such as in the Caliphate of Cordoba (judging in the context of the time).
Sufism – Islam’s mystic path – stands also in stark contrast to the atrocities committed by fundamentalist organizations.
Islam gave birth to much beauty and wisdom, and to much evil as well – like all religions, including Buddhism. In the larger context, you can view Buddhism as an offspring of Hinduism, which in most Buddhist societies (such as in Tibet, Nepal and Thailand) is still closely related to and in many cases overlapping. Hinduism is one (better: many) of the great human philosophies, but has also been root of one of the great human injustices – the cast system, and in more modern times – the Hindutva.
While it is quite easy to demonize Islam, reality is far more complex.
Far reaching implications….
“Buddhists do not have a monopoly on the innate goodness of human nature but their religion brings out the best in man since it never condones nor justifies violence.”
That has been my point all along. When there
is violence committed by nominal Buddhists, like the Tatmadaw, it is for political reasons and not because of Buddhist belief.
The self-proclaimed Buddhist elite in Burma
is just that, self-proclaimed. When the Tatmadaw do bad things is it because they
are doing it in the name of the Buddha ? Hardly. As I mentioned before, I believe
temple and pagoda building by the Tatmadaw
is disingenuous and not out of devout belief.
The average Burmese, average Thai, average Tibetan, average Sinhalese, average Malaysian-Chinese, average Khmer, average Vietnamese, etc. does not attack mosques, churches or Muslims on a regular and systematic basis. Violence in Islamic nations is both regular, systematic and faith-based. Or do you think the bombings in Jakarta, Bali and Aceh committed by both Javanese and Malays was anomalous ? There isn’t a day that goes by when there isn’t a bombing in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Arab World (look at Assad’s slaughter of his own people).
Nick’s observations (above) of the Thai and the Japanese committing violence, whether today or in the past, are misplaced in terms of root cause.
Far reaching implications….
That’s exactly where religion has made little progress over the millennia not least Buddhism which maintains that a world dominated by loba (greed), dosa (anger) and moha (ignorance), in other words the worst of human nature, cannot become a better place. There’s a reason for putting greed first, the prime mover.
So yes, we in Burma have had the misfortune to witness a self proclaimed Buddhist elite acting in a most horrible and unbelievable anti-Buddhist way in 2007, the ultimate state violence meted out to a nation’s most sacred institution.
The prevailing world order based on capitalist exploitation and competition, renamed the New World Order, is inimical to peaceful and fairer societies. Buddhists do not have a monopoly on the innate goodness of human nature but their religion brings out the best in man since it never condones nor justifies violence.
Lao Nhay
It is reported the Lao Issara flag was in the Lao Nhay (and Lao Chaleun) newspaper but I cannot find it. Can you look at the masthead to see if it is on one of them? Or inside the newspaper. Everyone reports the current Lao flag was this early flag but I have a black and white image of Lao Issara on the laps of several men and it is not the current design. I want to use the old flag in an exhibit of the Lao Issara paper money. Thank you for your time and possible assistance. I am also writing the catalog for Lao numismatic pieces from the 16th century to date.
Realistic Utopia and a reply to Angry Grey Man
Solution via Amended laws :
http://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/utopia-capitalism-with-socialist-caps-on-personal-wealth-us20-million-this-is-here-because-i-personally-feel-
fb-is-finished/
1) Wealth distribution. Base tax levels on TOTAL LIQUID ASSSET as a %tage OF national average wage x 1000 (Retirement basis at 30 years of average annual wage to
make for 33 retirements) + TOTAL YEARLY EARNINGS then divided by 3. This means that those with wealth beyond 1000 times national average wage sequestered away,
will be taxed on their existing liquid wealth that is sequestered away. This is a form of ECONOMIC NATIONAL SERVICE.
Any citizen has a right to be rich but once beyond 33 retirements worth (thats 1000 divided by 30 years of average annual wage – in USA terms thats USD$40
million), that wealth is metrely being sequestered to no useful purpose and in effect harms the economy by sequstration effect ratherthan circulating in public.
This is a form of Capitalism with Socialist limits that ensure millionaires will exist but not 33 times more than the average citizen. Billionaires will no longer
exist.
2) Property tax or quit rent will not be imposed on 1st properties/’not in property they are using’ (this means only 2nd and subsequent properties will be taxed).
This way anyone or any family with 2nd or subsequent homes they keep for luxury purposes will have to pay quit rent and property taxes on those properties which
could also be doubled for every subsequent home beyond the 2nd (people who can buy so many homes will be wealthy enough to handle this ‘checks and balances’ type
of law.
3i) Caveat to prevent homelessness and lack of transport. A ‘Retired’ status or ‘Bankrupt’ status person can no longer be taxed IF they only own a single property
or single vehicle. This means that upward mobility in property at least, and no losses of homes can ever occur, while those retired or bankrupt will not be
affected potentially debilitating road tax which should be calculated not by CC but at a flat rate based on earnings, perhaps 1% of annual wage (which is very
heavy already considering that bank interest does not exceed 3% AND that is not even on top of inflation rate – meaning for saving money to be meaningful, bank
interest MUST be 1% ABOVE INFLATION RATE – how can roaD tax ignore these harsh facts with the colluding <P or COngressman refusing to amend laws to lower road
taxes or exempting the bankrupt and elderly).
4) Preventing homelessness. Children of property owners will be required to take over housing debt, at BUT only at principal with current yearly inflation rates
ONLY applicable as interest. This way, families will be required to pay up all debts but not be buried by COMPOUND interest (usury for those 'monotheistic finance
ethics applying' types). 2nd homes are exempt from such protections and can be foreclosed though the ethical banks that do not charge compound interest (which is
an effective killer of economies by creating homelessness and raising crime rates) should be announced as such.
5) Preventing starvation. If people cannot find work they will starve or cannot receive healthcare. To prevent this, ensure that the property of all is
sufficiently large enough (20,000 sq feet may be the minimum requirement by developers) to do subsistence farming for one or preferably a few families. This way
people can grow food and medicinal herbs on their own, even if jobless. That means taxpayers have no need to pay for food stamps or healthcare or even insurance.
6) Prventing injuries and removing need for insurance. A good set of padded steel armour (properly outfitted to allow/prevent airflow depending weather) will prevent broken bones, small bruises or serious head injuries or even radio waves that cause cancers, and if that person looks after their diet, they will be unlikely to fall ill or be injured. This is cheaper than paying monthly hundreds FOR DECADES or making a taxpayer paid for insurance system like national insurance necessary. Conversely, the government could distribute these suits at mass production prices.
Vote out term limitless nepotistic MPs or Congressnmen who do not implement the above, or run as candidates against them to implement the above described amendments!
http://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/utopia-capitalism-with-socialist-caps-on-personal-wealth-us20-million-this-is-here-because-i-personally-feel-fb-is-finished/
Far reaching implications….
“Buddhists are generally peaceful people, in Burma, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tibet, India and elsewhere.” … is one of these ridiculous platitudes i have heard far too often, and has no relationship with any reality i am aware of.
I have been living in Buddhist Thailand for more than 20 years, and other than photographing political violence, also in every day life Thailand is one of the more violent countries, which is also supported by the rather high murder statistics. One neighbor, for example, a Buddhist, spends now much time in our house recuperating from an attack during which his hand was hacked off (by fellow Buddhist Thais). Fortunately doctors were able to re-attach his hand.
I have spent years with the Por teck Tueng volonteers, and have seen and photographed many such acts of extreme violence.
Or i might might go into rather chilling tales of violence in my wife’s village…
Buddhist Tibet had in the past some of the most elaborate tortures humanity managed to invent, a large proportion of its population was in servitude, and vast areas of the land were marred by brigandry.
Or we could go into Japanese Buddhist sects that have actively supported Japan’s WW2 atrocities in China, especially in Manchuria (and lets not forget the Rape of Nanking…).
etc.
People are people, and violence is part of human nature. Buddhist are no better or worse than followers of other religions.
Far reaching implications….
Islam is held to ridicule, but it is very risky because you may lose your life. I agree it is
a man-made problem.
Far reaching implications….
Malaysia nationalistic misguided attempt to uplift Malay to side line, the one with Chinese ancestry since the 60’s has obviously failed.
The factors that contributed to the failure among which are proximity to Singapore, resilient non Malay citizenry and now direct Chinese investment make Islam as defining Malay-ness even more dire.
Gentle reminder – thou shall not think
Yes, it was verified Sam.
ABC even ran a story on it.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3871544.htm
Far reaching implications….
The “Allah” decision has been ridiculed far and wide.
In fact, many of the commentators on the decision have been Muslims of stature!
Thankfully, at the moment, it’s only the judges of the Court of Appeal who have been derided.
Unfortunately, it will not be long before Islam itself is held to ridicule because people do not understand that this is a man-made problem.
Challenges for foreign investors in Myanmar
China does remain corrupt and in fact corruption increases with foreign investment.
The CCP owns major industries and is inimical to judicial overview of corporate and banking practices. Hong Kong has improved somewhat
but not the Mainland itself.
Far reaching implications….
As a Buddhist myself, I can say the difference is that the Buddha taught that violence hurts both the aggressor and the aggressed. To engage in war over the disrespect of a Buddha image, which is a cultural innovation from 3rd Century Greco-Buddhism and has nothing to do with the teachings of Shakyamuni, would be ludicrous from the Buddhist point of view.
On the other hand, religiously mandated warfare has a strong and well-documented tradition in Islamic hermeneutics (tafsir). Indeed, Islamic holy texts argue that there exists conditions when holy warfare is obligatory (fard), this includes perceived insult to Islam, which falls under the rubric of fitna.
Thai politics, 14 October and all that
How to measure a country’s political maturity? How about ‘political dynasties’? It appears ‘Thai political dynasties’ top the world! “… Surprisingly, the number of political dynasties in Thailand was even higher than in Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Argentina, and the USA …”
That’s political maturity, right? . . . or wrong?
Excerpts from that article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/374504/thai-political-dynasties-top-world
” … In Thailand’s most recent general election of July 3, 2011, 42% of MPs elected were replacing family members, compared with 40% in Mexico, 37% in the Philippines, 33% in Japan, 10% in Argentina, and 6% in USA…”
” … The ruling Pheu Thai Party has 19 families that have passed political power between their members, the highest of any party in parliament, he said. The Democrat Party has 17 such families, Bhumjaithai has …”
” … the example of the Shinawatra family, which has held on to political power since 1997. This is almost three decades after the first Shinawatra family member, Lert Shinawatra, the late father of ousted PM Thaksin …”
Now what was that about the Thai monarchy holding back ‘political development/maturity’ in Thailand?
Military can still be good state-builders for Myanmar
You are right of course about protectionism v free trade in the history of all advanced developed economies. Protectionism in their early days and even now when it comes to the crunch. Free trade when they want to blast open the rest of us, gunboat diplomacy now being sparingly used, one of the 3Ms replaced by INGOs but the same old Great White Saviours meddling with things more than ever flying the humanitarian flag.
You have a rather romantic view of colonial adventurers who went native as it were but it hardly changed the bottom line.
Don’t blame you for supporting the Chinese model either, a shining example where development and progress after a fashion needs no democracy nor freedoms of any sort except to invest and exploit as they run a tight ship not least the economy. What does that say for the vast majority of hundreds of millions of ordinary Chinese folk? Singapore managed it better only because of its size and position.
This postmodern version of “economic determinism” has many advocates both inside and outside Burma as I said before. One sure way of joining the New World Order definitely, never mind the ‘electorate’. What does matter to them as in the case of the Lady is the embrace of the West. Happy days.
Military can still be good state-builders for Myanmar
Nice comment Moe Aung, let me explain my previous speech.
I told Colonel Suzuki wanted, not the japanese army. Of course Japan wanted to build an empire, like every great power did at that time (even USA). But the co-prosperity sphere born from a diplomat’s dream of asian integration and was stolen by militarists. Colonel Suzuki in Burma was a kind of Lawrence of Arabia.
I believe Japan is not a free rider in Myanmar, Mitsubishi is not a liberal corporation, is a state-driven enterprise.
About national capitalists, I believe in economic nationalism (of course, protected by laws and government incentives). My country’s experience (and I know we’re not alone) says that developed countries are not reliable in the long term (now, more than ever).
I prefer periodic planning of economy, control of capital, long term stability, etc. The business community in Myanmar are already indisciplined, I said that before, but some of them play by the rules.
I totally agree when you say it’s a problem of legislation. This dependent/associate enterpreneur class must be cultivated by the state.
Otherwise, let’s play by others rules and depend on their will. I support the chinese model. A lot of people talk about China’s problems as if no country has ever done the same industrialization program. The only difference is that they are compressing 200 years of British capitalism in 40 years. I really wanted to see that in India but every indicator shows something else.
Military can still be good state-builders for Myanmar
The Japanese are certainly keen to steal a march on the rest. That they “wanted to truly liberate” Burma however is a claim that doesn’t bear historical scrutiny. There would’ve been no need to drive the fascists out after the invasion and three years of military occupation that granted a faux independence.
According to a recent report by Maplecroft cited in The Irrawaddy “Although investors have welcomed the adoption of a new FDI law in November 2012 the continued discretionary powers of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) is a concern.
“The MIC is dominated by officials close to the military who, in many cases, are likely to favour businesses owned by the military. Reformists amongst the political elite are keen to demonstrate improved governance to create a more favourable foreign investment climate for western investors. However, a sudden influx of capital and donor-financing is likely to increase the scope for corrupt practices, which will require consistent monitoring and risk mitigation mechanisms.”
Yes, they will merely move from milking the cronies to the greener pastures of FDI that will spawn a new comprador bourgeoisie class with the military a major partner looking for growth after the Chinese model. It’s a tangled web we weave.
“These national companies capitalize to invest in Myanmar’s projects and keep their money in local banks.” Like that would happen unless enforced by legislation. Free trade and open markets mean even investment outflows are starting to happen.
Ne Win famously said seizing state power was like grabbing the tiger’s tail. And he was an autocrat and a tyrant. Steering the country from here on in would be a real challenge is an understatement.
The crux of the matter remains the political will – self centred as usual or people centred.