|
N.K.Kh.
บุคคลทั่วไป
|
|
ความคิดเห็นที่ 18 เมื่อ 04 ส.ค. 01, 17:12
|
|
Well, my apology too. I beg to differ.
I should have qualified my remarks that I have the quarrels with the US govt only and not the American people. But Khun Puangroi, if you have been working in my field, you will see as I see that the tendency of the US to defy world opinions and multilateral diplomacy has been there for many years. Yes, there are still liberals in the US and yes, the problem is made worse by the present conservative administration. But from my own experience, the US (or I should say - those who represent the USA in many forums) always tend to be a bit arrogant, realizing too well the fact that the US is a superpower. I repeat that this trend does not only start in the Bush Administration. It is there for a long long time before that regardless of who is in the White House, even in the time of Bill Clinton. Can I say this is a "bipartisan" thing?
Bush may be blunter and franker than Clinton, but I still remember many incidents in the so-called liberal admininistration of Clinton that reflects the same superior complex. US negotiators - perhaps with no relationship with the real American people, even though they are acting in their names, tend to be double-standarded in their negotiations, in many issues.
If I may say so, I firmly believe in our common destiny as humankind, and the US - sorry - the US Govt's - decision on Biological weapons is the last straw that breaks the donkey's back. I was furious that day I wrote the comment. Not less furious than some liberal American scientists themselves who also heavily criticised their own govt. decision. But the fact still stand that the govt represents the nation, and has acted on behalf of the American people. (Even more the reason to be responsible in their words and actions.)
Probably you understand that sometimes people use "codenames" /"shorthands" or conceptualizing terms to say something. When the White House does something, many will say "the US" does that. You mentioned Khun Chuan or Khun Thaksin. True, it is not very logical to assume that the PM is Thailand and Thailand is the PM, but in foreign policy, and I repeat, in foreign policy, not on his personal belief on the capacity of satellites or other technical matters, when the PM says something in foreign policy, I think it is fair enough to loosely describe it as "Thailand" is going to do so and so"...
I donot always deride the US. On that day I wrote that comment, I was very angry with - OK, OK, not the US but only the White House.
However, may I be permitted to ask you that why you are so concerned ("ued-ad jai maak leay kha") when somebody ridicule the US, rightly or wrongly??? My dear friend, when the target is so big like that (and, to the certain level, is also acting in a provocative way like that), there will always be somebody to ridicule that target, even though I might stop doing so. It's the "karma" of being the USA., the greatest superpower in earth. Accept it: "Tam jai" ter krab Khun Puangroi.
You are also a scientist and you do know many American scientists. If you are embarrassed and concerned that the USA as a whole is being ridiculed, then tell your liberal American friends to try harder to make their voice heard in the US national policymaking. Don't let the Consevatives hijack their efforts. Don't let them make the whole USA a fool in the world's eyes. In any case, it's the American internal affairs. If those who represent the American people in the White House do something stupid or dangerous, and outsiders like me say "the USA" is doing something stupid and dangerous to the whole world, don't blame us non-Americans for our criticizing remarks; don't waste your time preaching to me that there are others in America who do not agree with such policy. It's your internal mess. Just get the bums out of the decision making process!!
I do not want to lose you as a friend and I whole-heartedly agree that one should not treat the US as if it is a monolithic entity. No country is a monolithic entity, and thank you for telling me that the American society and political system are complicated... But I still say I use the term "USA" loosely, as a convenient term, to refer to an actor in the international stage.
I hope you enjoy your vacation. I don't know if you still have time to read this before you go. Please feel free to debate with me on this. I always enjoy friendly exchanges of ideas and I strongly believe we can see things differently and still be friends.
|
