OPINION

One size doesn’t fit all

Re: "US Summit for Democracy", (Opinion, April 10).

Fumiko Yamada has done a marvellous job of dissecting the shortcoming of the US version of democracy. The self-appointed guardian and torchbearers of "democracy" have turned to vote-bank politics, a prominent phenomenon in the Third World.

Yes, the time has come to realise that the American brand of democracy has become a commodity. Every four years, it goes on auction and is won by the highest bidders. Billions of dollars are spent on elections. The people's votes are bought by highly organised franchises of two parties -- the Republicans and Democrats. The American brand of democracy is beyond the reach of most countries.

Yet, it goes on a rampage, conducts wars, and uses threats, coercion, or bribes brokers to dictate its version of democracy in places ruled by despots, dictators, extremists, and authoritarian regimes. The American brand of democracy has not brought any change in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the old Soviet bloc countries in the EU, and many others in Africa, Asia, and South America. It is time to realise that a one-size-fits-all version of any ideology, be it democracy, socialism, or communism, will not work. The time has come for countries to customise their model of governance.

Past expiry date

Re: "Dalai Lama regrets 'kiss' with minor in viral clip", (BP, April 11).

I find it absolutely abhorrent that Dalai Lama has asked earlier this year, in Dharamsala, a little boy to not only kiss him on his lips but to suck his tongue.

Kudos to the little boy for not only refusing to do so, but the cheeky little man then stuck his own tongue back at the old man. Dalai Lama is well past his sell-by date. He, as well as the Pope in Rome should retire and disappear from public life, instead of pontificating and telling us how to live.

No surprises there

Re: "Try being humble", (PostBag, April 8) & "Sign of the times", (PostBag, April 11).

Songdei Praditsamanot's call for us to heed the words of Bertram Russell, "I would never die for my belief because I might be wrong", was one of the sanest letters PostBag has published for a long time. But of course, Eric Bahrt could not let it go: He had to respond in the "I am right" tone to which we have long become accustomed from him, and claimed that disagreement with his opinions was a sign of the times.

Time for a break

Re: "Where's Crutch?", (PostBag, April 11).

I guess, hope, that Roger Crutchley is now on well-deserved leave. Astutely judged to escape the blistering heat, seven dangerous days and hooliganism that are now associated with Songkran. Heaven knows what will erupt after three years of pent-up frustration due to Covid cancellation.