Elliot Golan / Roundup
Dear Thai Troopers,
Every now and again, world governments need to be reminded of whom they represent.
Since March 12, the streets of Bangkok, Thailand have been under siege by protesters who support the former leader of the country, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006. The dissenters group, known as the “Red Shirts,” has demanded the dissolving of the country’s parliamentary body and for new elections. They have also asked for the expulsion of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Regardless of whether these objectors are correct or incorrect is irrelevant. If enough people within a country disagree with the direction that nation is taking, it is there duty to stand up against it.
The Red Shirts should be applauded for their resolve. Most of the group is comprised of what many would dub “have not’s:” poor people from rural areas.
Yet, despite their obvious weaknesses, these people have decided that the military and so-called elite of the country will not dictate the future of the whole.
This stand has come with great cost. Estimations are that the death toll is over 25 and the number of people injured is nearly 1,000.
Protesters have been occupying city streets and setting up roadblocks to make their plea heard. And after all this time, toil and tears, a breakthrough may finally be on the way.
On Monday, Vejjajiva seemed to reach out to the Red Shirts by saying that new elections could take place on Nov. 14.
Though this will not put an end to the protesting and the violence, it is a huge step in the right philosophical direction.
“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” — Thomas Jefferson.
These words are often forgotten in the wake of the fear and apathy most people seem to posses.
Americans can stand to learn a lot from these people.
Bullets and bloodshed have not stopped the citizens of a country from fighting for what they think is right. Yet, it seems sheer laziness halts U.S. citizens from making a difference in things that affect them.
The political system of most countries, including ours, bank on the indifference of its people.
It is examples like these that bring the obligations of free people back into the limelight.
Do not sleep on rights and responsibilities. They are the most powerful weapons people can wield.
Respectfully,
Concerned Citizen of the World
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egolan.roundupnews@gmail.com
