Should Aphisit speak at Oxford?

The Nation today highlighted an open letter from Lee Jones to a colleague at Oxford Uni regarding the forthcoming appearence of Khun Aphisit. Lee has a website with some insightful articles on teaching and a blog. As I felt his letter was slightly unfair, I sent him the following as a comment. What do you think? Who was right?

EDIT: Lee has since made a post explaining that actually it was not an open letter but a private email which was leaked. As such, it was slightly harsh for PT to use it in a press conference but can anyone be surprised at politicians exploiting others for personal gain?

Mr Jones,

I am pleased to have found your blog and website, I'm only surprised I didn't discover it sooner, though I am familiar with your work on the esteemed New Mandala blog.

You touch on many issues on which we are in agreement, but because I am located in Thailand it would be unwise for me to comment on all of them. However, please allow me to express my profound disagreement with you on the tone of your letter to Sir Michael.

You strongly imply that there is a link between the rise to power of the Democrats and the PAD street protests. This in itself is a fallacy; the PPP were removed from power because of the outcome of judicial procedures that began well before the street protests were underway. Whilst there may be talk of a 'judicial coup' , it should be noted that the verdict of the courts was aired publicly over several hours, and there is no evidence to suggest that the Democrat Party had any sway over the verdicts. Therefore, I think it is highly unjust to imply a direct link between Aphisit's promotion and the court verdict.

With regards to your comments on the PAD wanting: 'an end to universal suffrage and an unelected PM', this is a wildly embellished paraphrase. I attended a press conference with Kasit - the politician you describe as 'a PAD leader and now foreign minister' - and the policies of the PAD were discussed. At no time was an unelected PM suggested or even implied and the only nod towards 'universal suffrage' was a suggestion - and it was strictly highlighted as a suggestion only - that a person's voting power could be affected by how much tax they pay. Kasit was also careful to distinguish between his role as a Democrat and a PAD supporter. Indeed, he was only a supporter and not one of the seven PAD leaders as you suggest.


As a minor aside, Chidchob Newin is in fact Newin Chidchob.


I stress I do not wish to defend the actions of the PAD, but I do want to express my disagreement with your approach to Aphisit's speech at Oxford, as I sense you wish to encourage a cancellation. I feel your approach is similar to those who disagreed with the appearance of Nick Griffin and David Irving at Oxford Unions some time ago i.e. by utilising an undemocratic approach to counter a perceived anti-democrat. Rather than attempt to stop Aphisit speaking,why not confront him with your concerns?
Thanks again for your work, it is particularly enlightening to read thoughts from a fellow teacher of your calibre and I look forward to reading more.
Greg

*********************

My lack of bloggage has been mainly due to a bizarre and unpleasant complaint that hopefully has passed. It has bought me into contact with several people and places that I plan to blog about soon.

Manchester United 'v' Inter Milan 13th March 2009 Champions League Pictures

Jose Sings United's Praises And Backs Them For A Quintuple !

Jose Mourinho was gracious in defeat, and he has even said Manchester United will go on to retain their Champions League and complete a clean sweep of five trophies this season.

The Special One claimed United had enjoyed more than their fair share of lucky breaks as they beat his side2-0 to advance to the last eight but he was good enough to heap praise on Fergie's boys. He said United is basically the same side he knew when he was Chelsea but they have matured incredibly over the past two years.

They have basically the same team as when I was at Chelsea, there is only Berbatov who is new. But they have been together for four or five years. They are not young anymore - the age average is 26-27 if you forget Giggs and Scholes. They are in the right moment to be at the top of their careers. They reached the maximum level. They have experience, quality, great physical condition and intensity in their game. That is what the Champions League is about. So yes, I think they can do it (win five trophies).'

Admittedly, Milan did go close with two attempts hitting the woodwork from Ibrahimovic and Adriano.

You have to say that United deserved to win, they scored two goals over the course of the two games and we have to accept that, in football, the team that wins always deserves it but I don't think we should be negative about my team's display. We played a great match against a great team. We just lacked that little bit of luck you need to win, that little thing that makes difference between winning and not winning. We went one down after couple of minutes but we had three chances to score in first half, more than our opponents, and we hit the bar from three metres out. In the second half we lost another goal but we continued to play and we showed great character. Always when you talk about luck it seems as if you are trying to forget about the quality of the opponent. That's not true (for me). United are a quality team and they showed exactly why they are European champions. But not all defeats are the same. The players came here with no psychological barriers, they played a great game and I hope they have the same feeling. Tomorrow (Friday) we will be back in training. We have not been good enough to win the Champions League but we are good enough to win the Scudetto and I'm sure we will go on and win it.'

I actually quite like this guy, even though I give him a hard time. He speaks his mind and says what is in his heart and that's a good sign. When he manages a team not only does he take care of them on the pitch but he stands tall and defends them off the pitch too, he will be one of the all time greats I'm sure. Would I like to see him follow Fergie ? I really think he will, so yes, yes I would.....

Back To Home Page...

New Kit For Manchester United 'v' Inter Milan

Manchester United today get to wear the new kit that has been designed with the Club World Cup Winners badge on it. The badge sits in the middle of the shirt to recognise United's success in the tournament held earlier in the season.

Good old Sepp Blatter, Manchester United's best friend in the whole world will present United with the special 'Champions' badge at Old Trafford this evening. The white emblem features an image of the Club World Cup trophy and is inscribed with the words 'Manchester United Champions 2008.'

The new shirt will be worn during Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup games until there is a new holder of the Club World Cup. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was an enormous honour to become the first British club to win the Fifa Club World Cup and this is a badge we will wear with great pride.".....Back To Home Page...

Fernando Gets His Knickers In A Twist

Fernando Torres, who I think looks better in a dress personally, has warned Manchester United "You're Next" !!! It's good to see that he keeps a close eye on the fixture list and is aware of his next opponents.

The Liverpool ladyman scored the first goal as Rafa Benitez's side blasted into the quarter-finals of the Champions League last night. With confidence sky high at Anfield, Liverpool travel to Manchester United on Saturday where they will meet a team of a slightly higher calibre than that which I saw them play last night. In fact, Real Madrid were dreadful. Little wonder tehy have never managed to limp past the last 16 of the CL for the past 5 years..

Torres added: "We now have the belief for Saturday against United. That is a massive game. I hope to win that and have more chances in the league. We know it's very important to win there - if not they will be many points ahead. I am very proud. I am proud at the performance of the team and the performance of the fans. We knew the atmosphere would be amazing but it was even better than we thought. This was a big night for Liverpool and for English football as well. We showed Real Madrid that this is Anfield and that Liverpool can win against any team here. It was a fantastic performance. After the first goal they knew it would be difficult because they had to score two. The penalty finished the game."

"The plan before the game was to play with intensity and with a high-tempo. Spanish football has quality but it is slower, so we knew it would be difficult for them if we played with intensity. I think we prepared the game better than them. The boss was brilliant in explaining how to play against them."......Back To Home Page...

Lao football player in Thailand

Lam nao Singto, the Lao football player plays in PEA FC, Thailand

Lamnao ( right front No 20)

Rafa Beneathus Smells Blood......

Rafael Beneathus claimed that his side could have scored more than the four goals they got against Madrid tonight. and he is now keen to get on with the mundane task of Premier League football again, against Manchester United at high noon on Saturday. Fernando Torres, Andrea Dossena and a Steven Gerrard brace helped the Reds to a 5-0 aggregate win, which still left their manager calling for even more.

I would have thought The Fat Spanish Waster would have kept hush hush after his last attempts to say he was keen to have a go at United. He went ten games without a win after that effort. Bearing in mind after his Bindippers won in Madrid they came to back to mighty Middlesbrough and duly got beaten 2-0. Just exactly how does Rafa conjure up these bizarre results, it's a rare talent indeed.

Benitez was mostly satisfied with his side's display, and was keen to talk up morale in the Liverpool camp in the wake of the win. He insisted that the Saturday lunchtime clash presents his side with a realistic chance to close the gap on Sir Alex Ferguson's side at the top of the Premier League.

He told a press conference at Anfield, "We played really well, and I am happy for the players and fans. The team was very good. We tried to put them under pressure from the start, and today is another good day for us. If you play so well against a team like Real Madrid it is good, but we could have scored more goals and we have to improve. We have a few days to prepare for the Manchester United game and hopefully we can reduce the gap. Manchester United are a good team, but we will approach the game with confidence."

Manchester United are a damn sight better than these wasters from Spain you played tonight Mr Benitez !! .....Back To Home Page...