We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.
Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Quality of a True Politician
P. M. Yingluck Shinawatra
An AP article (here) marking Yingluck Shinawatra's completion of her first year as Thailand's prime minister, notes that it is a surprise to many that she survived a year in Thailand's fractured, volatile political climate. Although there have been some rough patches, PM Yingluck, displays a number of political skills that have made her a reasonably effective national leader and a good politician. Most important among those skills? One leader of the Red Shirt popular faction, Korkaew Pikulthong, is quoted as saying that she has matured as a leader and that, "She is very responsive to problems of the people and is very keen to solve them, and that's the quality of a true politician."
In an interview with ABC before the election last year , below, Khun Yingluck spoke of her goals for the nation and articulated a political philosophy that is built on reconciliation and governing for the whole nation. It is worth remembering that she has no prior political experience and has widely been seen as her exiled brother's "cat's paw". If you have six minutes, the clip is worth listening to, especially in our own supercharged political environment in the U.S.
