OPINION

Deportation risk

Re: "Govt urged not to deport 48 Uyghurs", (BP, Jan 23).

Thai government urged not to deport 48 Uyghurs to China. Please, please, please, Thailand, don't do it! Forcing Uyghurs to return to China would be like forcing your little daughters to stay at your paedo uncle's house for summer vacation. Even if Chinese officials say they won't toss the refugees in prison, you simply cannot believe them.

Apology falls short

Re: "Indian man 'kills delivery man'", (BP, Jan 23).

Reading the report of the arrogant and cowardly activities of this suspect person who killed the motorcycle delivery driver, I felt physically sick. Admittedly, he apologised to the poor widow and her now fatherless children, but I wondered about reintroducing the pillory or the stocks for similar cases in the future. I'm sure it would be very popular. It might even work.

Dialogue for all

Re: "Thaksin, Prawit in new war of words", (BP, Jan 21).

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra may not be very likeable, certainly not a shining moral example, but sometimes even Thaksin speaks telling truths. In this case, that famous former convict (not inmate) who should be in prison not for the dubious coup-maker's political charges but for his murderous drug war killings is right that "the havoc in politics can be traced back to the general's door", except that it should be the plurals: "generals' doors."

Meanwhile, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon can whine as much as he wants. His right to do so must be respected. It is unfortunate that he and the entire current government, including the party of Thaksin, deny their fellow citizens that same right to peacefully speak honest opinions in the open dialogue that is not only required by democracy but is a necessary condition for informed opinion of worth on any topic.

Wars of words are not inherently bad things. Such fruits of open dialogue are natural and healthy if there is to be any informed opinion of worth on a topic, and democracy does require that opposing views be allowed a voice. All Thais deserve both voice and informed opinion, not only the whining Prawits and Thaksins.

More than Trump

Re: "Roosevelt revisited" & "Cult of Trump", (PostBag, Jan 23) & "Trump weeding out critics", (World, Jan 23).

The US election results were not merely a political victory for Donald Trump but a profoundly moral one. Just so the executive order ending US participation in the World Health Organization was not simply a public health statement but a refutation of the corrupt and deadly policy schemes put in place by the United Nations.

From the numbers, it would seem that most contributors to PostBag do not like Donald Trump. But it does not matter whether his persona qualifies for anointment as a virtuous priest or pop star, opinions the letters often reflect. It is moral governance, just policies, and fidelity to the electorate's wishes as constrained by the constitution that are of utmost importance.

The voters have spoken. May their voice become a beacon of light in these dark times.

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