Interview with US Ambassador to Thailand: 'We don't choose sides, we choose principles'

[h90]

yes the principles of the liberal Democracy of Saudi Arabia for example. They are good friends

[LannaGuy]

"Principles?" Hypocrisy more like. Coup against democratic government in Egypt, more US aid for the Egyptian army; coup in Thailand, nasty comments from ambassadors.

Democracy with the US is like Henry Ford and the colors of the Model T car.

You can have any color car as long as it is black

correct and it will be any colour here as long as it's yellow and THIS is what they are working so hard to achieve before the inevitable happens

[starchild5]

There we go again...Messiah for Peace & Democracy ...

[Eric Loh]

Any democracy even as broken as USA or soft repressive like Singapore is better than a coup junta government.

A bold statement care to give your reason for making it. Where in the world is there a working democracy? The US though calling itself a republic, is, like Russia, an Ogliarchy, most of Europe are either socialist or Monarchies.

Don't think I have been bold. Just need to ask the questions whether the American government is governing well and wisely or is the Singapore government leveling the political playing field for all participants. In America, the public trust in government has been free falling for decades and public approval of congress is laughably low - just look at the polls since Eisenhower to Obama. And in Singapore, ask the question why the People Action Party continue to hold 90% of seats since 1959 and why formidable constraints imposed on authentic opposition figures. Democracy may have its flaw and idiosyncrasies but the rest are worst and have more problems.

[glaswegian]

Davies said the US government does not take sides in Thailand's politics. "We do not choose sides but we choose principles," so whit principles are those you choose ?

[GAZZPA]

It seems with this 'christian' nation, "thou shall not steal" has gone the same way as "thou shall not kill".

The US is abandoning Christianity by the day so don't worry. The result of which being that "the land of the free and home of the brave" will soon be an Islamic state as it becomes the religion most practiced in the US, so don't worry.

[NickJ]

Every vote in Thailand should be equal!!!

They should all cost the same.

[GAZZPA]

Lot of USA bashing on here. Don't think its all sensible though.

Everyone has to admit that the USA like every country in the World is not perfect. The USA has its fair share of critics and I suppose being the number 1 global economy for over 50 years this is inevitable.

But for me I think a lot of criticism is unfair. The USA is caught between 2 camps, 1 it has a duty to do whats right for its own people above and beyond all else but 2 it has a global responsibility to behave appropriately in International matters being the number 1 economy. Thats more then a difficult line to tread and yes I suspect the US has been guilty of making decisions or forming alliances in the interests of its own country where it cold be considered abandoning its principles.

But, if I were an American citizen I think I would want my country to behave this way and look after American interests first despite its role as economic world leader.

Eventually America will not be the leading economy, everyone knows that and the world is chaining rapidly,, I would not be so quick to criticise knowing about the future uncertainty, but you may have a different view.

[kennw]

Lot of USA bashing on here. Don't think its all sensible though.

Everyone has to admit that the USA like every country in the World is not perfect. The USA has its fair share of critics and I suppose being the number 1 global economy for over 50 years this is inevitable.

But for me I think a lot of criticism is unfair. The USA is caught between 2 camps, 1 it has a duty to do whats right for its own people above and beyond all else but 2 it has a global responsibility to behave appropriately in International matters being the number 1 economy. Thats more then a difficult line to tread and yes I suspect the US has been guilty of making decisions or forming alliances in the interests of its own country where it cold be considered abandoning its principles.

But, if I were an American citizen I think I would want my country to behave this way and look after American interests first despite its role as economic world leader.

Eventually America will not be the leading economy, everyone knows that and the world is chaining rapidly,, I would not be so quick to criticise knowing about the future uncertainty, but you may have a different view.

But Sir It was the American Ambassador who chose to answer a question with the "principle" statement, the posts simply suggest it was a rather poor choice.

[Eric Loh]

Lot of USA bashing on here. Don't think its all sensible though.

Everyone has to admit that the USA like every country in the World is not perfect. The USA has its fair share of critics and I suppose being the number 1 global economy for over 50 years this is inevitable.

But for me I think a lot of criticism is unfair. The USA is caught between 2 camps, 1 it has a duty to do whats right for its own people above and beyond all else but 2 it has a global responsibility to behave appropriately in International matters being the number 1 economy. Thats more then a difficult line to tread and yes I suspect the US has been guilty of making decisions or forming alliances in the interests of its own country where it cold be considered abandoning its principles.

But, if I were an American citizen I think I would want my country to behave this way and look after American interests first despite its role as economic world leader.

Eventually America will not be the leading economy, everyone knows that and the world is chaining rapidly,, I would not be so quick to criticise knowing about the future uncertainty, but you may have a different view.

I will always be grateful to America for sacrificing so many of their young men and women to free us from the Japanese occupation in WW2 and spread of communism post war.

[Rancid]

He said that with a straight face?

[Srikcir]

I hope to see Davie's support for the principle of peaceful freedom of speech this Sunday when supporters of the PTP turn out in RED shirts in protest to the junta government.

[SaamBaht]

Any democracy even as broken as USA or soft repressive like Singapore is better than a coup junta government.

A bold statement care to give your reason for making it. Where in the world is there a working democracy? The US though calling itself a republic, is, like Russia, an Ogliarchy, most of Europe are either socialist or Monarchies.

Don't think I have been bold. Just need to ask the questions whether the American government is governing well and wisely or is the Singapore government leveling the political playing field for all participants. In America, the public trust in government has been free falling for decades and public approval of congress is laughably low - just look at the polls since Eisenhower to Obama. And in Singapore, ask the question why the People Action Party continue to hold 90% of seats since 1959 and why formidable constraints imposed on authentic opposition figures. Democracy may have its flaw and idiosyncrasies but the rest are worst and have more problems.

Democracy is a messy business, as is having freedom of speech, the right of assembly, the list goes on. I'd rather take an inefficient democracy for a well oiled dictatorship any day. It's great to have places where you can still protest and speak out against injustice.

[trogers]

Lot of USA bashing on here. Don't think its all sensible though.

Everyone has to admit that the USA like every country in the World is not perfect. The USA has its fair share of critics and I suppose being the number 1 global economy for over 50 years this is inevitable.

But for me I think a lot of criticism is unfair. The USA is caught between 2 camps, 1 it has a duty to do whats right for its own people above and beyond all else but 2 it has a global responsibility to behave appropriately in International matters being the number 1 economy. Thats more then a difficult line to tread and yes I suspect the US has been guilty of making decisions or forming alliances in the interests of its own country where it cold be considered abandoning its principles.

But, if I were an American citizen I think I would want my country to behave this way and look after American interests first despite its role as economic world leader.

Eventually America will not be the leading economy, everyone knows that and the world is chaining rapidly,, I would not be so quick to criticise knowing about the future uncertainty, but you may have a different view.

I will always be grateful to America for sacrificing so many of their young men and women to free us from the Japanese occupation in WW2 and spread of communism post war.

The present grandchildren of those who fought in WW2, and who are now in power, have lost all those precious principles of their grandparents.

[Ulic]

Nobody really believes this do they.

[TomJoad]

One simple history question:

Who do YOU honestly think has been more dangerous for the rest of the world?

[a] Thailand George W. Bush

Edited October 29, 2015 by TomJoad

[farangmick]

At least the US has sent a career diplomat as Ambassador and not the faded movie star, big donor to the the governing party, or Presidents golfing buddy.

[khunken]

As Groucho Marx said 'Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.'

[jobsworth]

ngo's are just a front for the american cia and fbi. they should not be involved with Thai politics. Cambodia is introducing laws to curtail the power of ngo's. maybe Thailand should do the same. Thailand is for Thai people. It should not become another american colony.

[arunsakda]

What heroes of democracy. Did they not send a firm letter of censure in 2003 regarding a crackdown on drug dealers?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Muirton]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Democracy is just a cover for what? Please be specific or stop flapping lip.

[Muirton]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Democracy is just a cover for what? Please be specific or stop flapping lip.

[Muirton]

" Principle" Mr. Ambassador - your stand on Saudi ? A convicted criminal refusing to stand trial?

What are you babbling about? What you've written has no meaning, no subtance, no sense. Do try again, tho'.

[Muirton]

One simple history question:

Who do YOU honestly think has been more dangerous for the rest of the world?

[a] Thailand George W. Bush

What's your point? Why not ask an intelligent question, if you can?

[trogers]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Democracy is just a cover for what? Please be specific or stop flapping lip.

You need to read between lines...

We choose the principles that benefit us the most...irregardless of the character of the people in power nor how they bought themselves into power, nor should the election be rigged.

As long as there is an election and the adopted principles are to our benefit, you have our full support.

But should your principles have negative impact on us, there could be suspicion that you are developing WMDs, elections or no elections...