If you’re going to quote Cod’s other ramblings (his position changes on a month by month basis anyway) what about his pretty strong sexist comments on Thai women here?
I could better have said: “Andrew MacGregor Marshallhas the motivation and the MEANS. As to the opportunity, I can only observe that these worthless pieces are being published, so I guess that’s self-confirming.
Yes, Cod, with his pro-royalist, reactionary views is completely “harmless” and any criticism of such views is “mindless butchering” designed only to make Cod’s critics “feel big”. Personally, I can’t actually discern any argument Cod is putting forward here and furthermore I’ve heard enough of similar royalist propaganda for several lifetimes. Maybe you haven’t.
And I am still waiting for Andrew Walker to justify publishing Cod. I don’t think he can and that’s why he won’t.
Reading the comments on here, I feel like that kid in the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes: this ‘Cod’ character must be a Trojan Horse – put in here to satirise the whole NM / royalist fairy tale stuff.
Consider: Even the name’s a hint: {Cod: British informal noun тАв 1a joke or hoax: “I suppose it could all be a cod” OED}.
Also witness: the appalling writing style (model: readers’ letters to a soft-porn magazine); the cod-Thanong vacuity of the arguments; the impossibility of working out exactly what the writer is trying to say (a satire on the King’s own birthday speeches, perhaps?); the in-advance refusal to respond to feedback.
My money’s on Andrew MacGregor Marshall. He has the motivation (those silly attacks you made on him a few moths back) and the opportunity (the lad can write, and it’s not easy to write in this deliberately-dreadful style).
At any rate, you’ve been had. I would put this in the fine tradition of deliberate academic hoaxes, set up to expose the intellectual vacuity of the field (Sokal, 1996 etc).
Indeed, Cod’s piece is flawed – but that’s okay. For you and Ajarn Somsak, Cod’s article should not be clever enough to be pretentious. Yet you have judged it to be so. Why? Perhaps it’s you and Ajarn Somsak who are pretentious? There is no need to resort to mindless butchering. Good luck with sinking your teeth into other harmless writers. Hope it makes you feel big.
Andrew, you published the article so of course you think it has some validity.
Maybe you should map out what you think its merits are for us?
Seeing as many of your readers think that publishing Cod’s work is damaging New Mandala’s credibility you probably need to defend your decision for publication.
I’ve read it and re-read it and can find nothing interesting, new or even provocative in this article.
A little off topic I know, but I’m just not so sure about this idea of Thai = non-critical thinking. I know what is being said, but I’ve talked to people across the spectrum in Thailand for some years now and have found that they have all manner of ways of analysing their situation, weighing up options, making informed choices, articulating themselves… I wonder if it’s not critical thinking that is so much the issue as it is that Thais are expert at judging audiences and knowing the culturally appropriate time and place to speak critically about matters….
[…] and yet no attempt was made to point out that President Thein Sein’s spokespersons – Major Zaw Htay – and Deputy Minister of Information Mr Ye Htut – are internationally known figures who […]
This is the Internet. Unless one is using a trusted third party verification system, everyone is anonymous.
Why do you insist on attacking the messenger instead of better spending your time refuting the message? I do find it interesting how so many feel so threatened by simple questions.
Joe, Why do you continue with the obfuscation? Your passport extension in your photograph on Facebook expired on 26 February 2010. You were arrested on May 2011 which is more than a year after the visa expired.
Did you re-enter the country or overstay your visa? Why is it so difficult to get a clear answer?
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Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
Nganadeeleg
If you’re going to quote Cod’s other ramblings (his position changes on a month by month basis anyway) what about his pretty strong sexist comments on Thai women here?
http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/life/cod-satrusayang-how-date-thai-woman-bangkok-775919
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
More ultra-royalist nonsense from Cod here:
http://codsbeenhere.com/main/?p=157
🙂
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
I could better have said: “Andrew MacGregor Marshallhas the motivation and the MEANS. As to the opportunity, I can only observe that these worthless pieces are being published, so I guess that’s self-confirming.
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
Hi Colum
Yes, Cod, with his pro-royalist, reactionary views is completely “harmless” and any criticism of such views is “mindless butchering” designed only to make Cod’s critics “feel big”. Personally, I can’t actually discern any argument Cod is putting forward here and furthermore I’ve heard enough of similar royalist propaganda for several lifetimes. Maybe you haven’t.
And I am still waiting for Andrew Walker to justify publishing Cod. I don’t think he can and that’s why he won’t.
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
Reading the comments on here, I feel like that kid in the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes: this ‘Cod’ character must be a Trojan Horse – put in here to satirise the whole NM / royalist fairy tale stuff.
Consider: Even the name’s a hint: {Cod: British informal noun тАв 1a joke or hoax: “I suppose it could all be a cod” OED}.
Also witness: the appalling writing style (model: readers’ letters to a soft-porn magazine); the cod-Thanong vacuity of the arguments; the impossibility of working out exactly what the writer is trying to say (a satire on the King’s own birthday speeches, perhaps?); the in-advance refusal to respond to feedback.
My money’s on Andrew MacGregor Marshall. He has the motivation (those silly attacks you made on him a few moths back) and the opportunity (the lad can write, and it’s not easy to write in this deliberately-dreadful style).
At any rate, you’ve been had. I would put this in the fine tradition of deliberate academic hoaxes, set up to expose the intellectual vacuity of the field (Sokal, 1996 etc).
Sombath Somphone’s disappearance
“Laos government silent on abduction of rural development campaigner”
Officials of one-party state almost certainly behind abduction even though Sombath Somphone took care to never challenge the government
By Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver Sun (Canada)
April 30, 2013
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Laos+government+silent+abduction+rural+development/8317622/story.html
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
Hi Bogus,
Indeed, Cod’s piece is flawed – but that’s okay. For you and Ajarn Somsak, Cod’s article should not be clever enough to be pretentious. Yet you have judged it to be so. Why? Perhaps it’s you and Ajarn Somsak who are pretentious? There is no need to resort to mindless butchering. Good luck with sinking your teeth into other harmless writers. Hope it makes you feel big.
Bagus!
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
Andrew, you published the article so of course you think it has some validity.
Maybe you should map out what you think its merits are for us?
Seeing as many of your readers think that publishing Cod’s work is damaging New Mandala’s credibility you probably need to defend your decision for publication.
I’ve read it and re-read it and can find nothing interesting, new or even provocative in this article.
It’s just awful
Singapore’s insatiable hunger for sand
[…] (Source) […]
What caused the Mae Surin fire?
A little off topic I know, but I’m just not so sure about this idea of Thai = non-critical thinking. I know what is being said, but I’ve talked to people across the spectrum in Thailand for some years now and have found that they have all manner of ways of analysing their situation, weighing up options, making informed choices, articulating themselves… I wonder if it’s not critical thinking that is so much the issue as it is that Thais are expert at judging audiences and knowing the culturally appropriate time and place to speak critically about matters….
Sombath Somphone’s disappearance
“Wife pleads for return of abducted Laos aid worker”
BBC News Asia Video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22349192
————-
“Fears grow for abducted Laos campaigner Sombath”
BBC News: 30 April 2013
By Jonah Fisher
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22338101
———-
Intolerance, Islam and the Internet in Burma
[…] and yet no attempt was made to point out that President Thein Sein’s spokespersons – Major Zaw Htay – and Deputy Minister of Information Mr Ye Htut – are internationally known figures who […]
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
“This is the Internet”.
Wow you’re sharp!
No one is threatened by your questions. In fact they are laughable nonsense.
You also carry no message. And as no-one knows who you are how can anyone “shoot you”? Maybe you feel a bit nervous about something?
As stated previously you have no facts, no evidence, nothing. You’re just an anonymous troll who has come here to harass a former political prisoner.
Which, on the face it, is a pretty peculiar thing to do.
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
Doubting Thomas – I thought Joe was charged with LM – not visa over-stay.
GE13 and hopes for a new Malaysia
[…] http://www.newmandala.org/2013/04/27/ge13-and-hopes-for-a-new-malaysia/ […]
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
This is the Internet. Unless one is using a trusted third party verification system, everyone is anonymous.
Why do you insist on attacking the messenger instead of better spending your time refuting the message? I do find it interesting how so many feel so threatened by simple questions.
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
Doubting Thomas
Why, when you are so shrill about your claims of obfuscation, do you hide behind anonymity?
What is your interest here?
Why should Joe answer any of your dubious questions?
Why are New Mandala letting you troll here?
It all seems very odd.
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
Joe, Why do you continue with the obfuscation? Your passport extension in your photograph on Facebook expired on 26 February 2010. You were arrested on May 2011 which is more than a year after the visa expired.
Did you re-enter the country or overstay your visa? Why is it so difficult to get a clear answer?
Interview with Joe Gordon: Lèse majesté and democracy
I would like to add to your comment but the law forbids.
Loyalty demands dissent, history demands scrutiny
I don’t find the article pretentious or reactionary. Why not engage with the argument it presents?