> with support from someone who calls himself a King <
Please take my word for it:
Your ignorance of Thailand is not only appalling. It's downright embarassing. I say so most seriously, and certainly not in the spirit of a typical FR "flame."
So I ask that you take the following to heart:
If you should query any Thai on their opinion of the King, whether you're talking to the most devout Christian (my Thai wife being one), to a mountain-tribe animist, to a conventional Buddhist or to the most westernized intellectual, they'll express a universal respect and admiration for their King.
There is absolutely no ruler anywhere in the world who commands such true devotion from his countrymen. "Beloved" is a term that only begins to describe the King's standing among his people. And if you were to repeat your description above to any Thai friend, he or she would immediately become your ex-friend.
Sorry I busted your KING in the chops, but I don't appreciate KINGS!
Anyone who does, is a moron IMO.
This is really somewhat amazing to me that American conservative could possibly hold a KING in such high regard. Not only that, but they defend a coup!
We have sent people to the gallows for less.
Astounding!
Therein lies the problem...I'm tired of wading through all this emotional poppycock!
I don't care about of for Kings, Queens, dictatorships or coups for any reason.
In fact it is reason that I use to form my opinions about this mistake, in a long line of previous mistakes that Thailand has made, and will continue to make until they get it through their heads that Democracy is not a game. It's not a emotional crap shoot where you get to pick and choose based on how loud you complain, regardless of the best interests of the country in question.
This Thai nonsensical experience with democracy is becoming a joke. The country is in a constant churn that promulgates dangerous power grabs and without stability, anything and everything can happen and will.
This American fondness for this country is charming, but it does not and should not be the basis for supporting a coup that suspends the constitution for cryin out loud.
Get your emotions out of the way of your reason before I say something I might regret.
More to the point, he would be sitting in the emergency room of a hospital somewhere.