D. Armenta
PlagmanPay attention. This could be us.
In a chilling report straight out of George Orwell's worst nightmare,The Real News interviews professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn, who faces 15 years imprisonment in his native Thailand. Professor Ungpakorn's offense? "Lese Majeste", or insulting the king. Professor Ungpakorn wrote a bestselling book last year entitled "A Coup for the Rich", which was an academic analysis of the ongoing Thai political crisis from a pro-Democracy point of view.
Apparently it isn't cool to criticize the government in Thailand just now. Another prisoner accused of "Lese Majeste" is Australian writer Henry Nicolaides, whose self-published book "Verisimilitude" offended the king and his heir apparent by describing a fictional prince in Thailand with "turbulent marital relations" (AJC.com/Associated Press). According to Nicolaides and his family, the book has sold a grand total of 7 copies.
The Melbourne writer has been in detention for almost five months; he received his prison sentence of six years 2 days ago (19 Jan) in Bangkok, Thailand. Since Nicolaides pleaded guilty, his sentence was reduced to three years.
Those of us living in so-called "Democratic" nations would do well to listen to the two-part interview with professor Giles; some of the parallels between Thailand's road to its present state and the roads other "free" countries are presently traveling down are disturbingly similar. Click HERE to watch 2-part video interview
Apparently it isn't cool to criticize the government in Thailand just now. Another prisoner accused of "Lese Majeste" is Australian writer Henry Nicolaides, whose self-published book "Verisimilitude" offended the king and his heir apparent by describing a fictional prince in Thailand with "turbulent marital relations" (AJC.com/Associated Press). According to Nicolaides and his family, the book has sold a grand total of 7 copies.
Melbourne writer Henry Nicolaides (before imprisonment)
The Melbourne writer has been in detention for almost five months; he received his prison sentence of six years 2 days ago (19 Jan) in Bangkok, Thailand. Since Nicolaides pleaded guilty, his sentence was reduced to three years.
Australian writer Henry Nicolaides being returned to his cell after sentencing. Nicolaides told reporters of "unspeakable suffering
Those of us living in so-called "Democratic" nations would do well to listen to the two-part interview with professor Giles; some of the parallels between Thailand's road to its present state and the roads other "free" countries are presently traveling down are disturbingly similar. Click HERE to watch 2-part video interview
Surreal Short Stories
Nicolaides was given the minimum possible sentence under the law.
He only sold 10 copies of the book.
Who the hell read the book to find out what he wrote.
It makes Thailand look like a bunch of backward hicks to the rest of the world.
Unfortunaely if the press makes a bigger fuss the sentence may be increased.
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I hadn't heard about Professor Ungpakorn and his situation. If governments eventually get to control the internet and I am sure they will at some time maybe it could be us or at the very least, we will be prevented from saying anything against them.
Welcome back D!
Kalikapsychosis
Did you hear about the drug trial in the UK? Its a drug that supposedly prevents the intake of illegal drugs and alcohol. I wouldnt put governments above innoculating the populous with it. It makes me sick to think about it. Nice way to avoid problems and choice, which are the keys to our evolution.
They should never have made me read 1984. There are so many paralells now its scary.
Its so easy to get caught up in day to day life, and say, "oh, it'll never get that bad" but we are on the way. It is happening. The one thing I think that may save it is that people are too confident and agressive now - if we are pushed too far, surely anarchy will result, as Greece so recently proved.
I can only hope. Noise needs to be made. Great to see you back, Dear D.
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Mrs M