OPINION

Rank injustice

Re: "Six police get life term for killing drug suspect", (BP, June 9).

I am glad to see killers held accountable even if they are police and high-ranking as well. But as commanding officer of the other cops, Joe Ferrari's punishment should have been much heavier than theirs. For example, his sentence should not have been commuted.

Also, the National Anti-Corruption Commission should probe how he could afford a such a high-flying life on a policeman's income.

Lender takes all

Re: "Globalisation: a well-managed decline required", (Opinion, June 2).

Joseph Stiglitz is 100% on the spot that globalisation has benefited the US and Europe. Their vast appetite for cheap goods and services has helped China and many other Asian economies. Still, the whole continent of Africa and parts of Asia, especially the Asean region, saw few benefits or gains from globalisation.

Shockingly, American franchises are selling the same products here in Thailand at the same price or for more. Some items sold in Thailand are much more costly than what you see in Safeway or Walmart in America. In comparison, Thailand's raw materials and labour charges are 8-10 times lower than what we see in the US. It is rather strange that big companies are allowed to rob countries that allow them to operate.

Sadly, Prof Stiglitz failed to mention the abuse of sanctions. They are being used left and right by Western entities and interests to punish countries that are selling or buying an essential product or a service.

Yes, it is indeed the right time to scale down globalisation. Countries must develop their local self-sustaining economies and rely less on exports or imports. The crisis in Pacific Island nations, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and many other countries is symptomatic of how "borrow and spend" economies fail and fall. It is now clear that globalisation has only done wonders for lenders.

Uncosy confines

Re: "Power of protest", (PostBag, June 9).

Closets, of course, come in a variety of forms. The traditional gay closet was so called because it is so easy for gay men and lesbian women to publicly deny that major aspect of their lives, and by passing as heterosexual to reinforce the morally repugnant social constructs fuelling hate and fear of how nature creates about 5% of the human species.

Other socially constructed closets long confined women to overtly inferior status in society. And then there are the closets constructed to keep those of different skin tones segregated from each other. All such cramped and cramping closets deserve to be smashed.

Another hell-hole closet is that protected by Thai law that imprisons Thais who choose to honestly advocate for the basic human right to hold and peacefully express an opinion as an equal member of their society. Such pro-democracy patriots do not, as bigots falsely allege, "hate the nation".

Oligarchs away

Re: "Sanctions can work", (PostBag, May 30).

The Russian oligarchs were born out of the collapse of the Soviet Union, when huge state-run industries were privatised and sold to favoured individuals at knockdown prices. The oligarchs ultimately chose Putin to replace Yeltsin. Now they are scattering to the four corners of the globe as their luxury mega-yachts, houses, estates and bank accounts are being seized.

Speedily corrected

Re: "Record billion meth pills seized in East, SE Asia last year: UN", (BP, May 30).

Thailand ranks No.5 in the world for percent of inmates to population. In northern Thailand, around 93% of inmates are hilltribe members. It's not "genocide" by black-hearted Thai authorities, so perhaps we can coin a new word: "prisoncide".

Some of the incarcerated are doing decades behind bars for getting caught with as little as one pill. I met a 17-year-old fellow who was doing 17 years in prison for having a half pill in his pocket. Pedestrian speed use is a victimless crime. As for relative harm: how many rapes, bar brawls or car crashes can you cite that are caused by doing a speed pill? The number is or near zero.

Alternatively, nearly all violent crimes involve alcohol, yet beer, wine and booze are legal. Indeed, it's alcohol corporations who adamantly want all other drugs to be criminalised -- so they can sell more alcoholic junk.