We are all Francis now

Since I last wrote for here, Pope Francis has spent three momentous days in the Holy Land.  His visit was announced as being for purely spiritual purposes but still, as one would expect, this did not mean that Francis would not be leaving his imprint.  He left his imprint indeed with many memorable moments, pictures and messages being shared around the world. 

I came across one article reflecting on his three days that attratced me because of its intriguing title.  It was from Huffington Post and entitled "We are all Francis now".  Its thesis was that Francis went to a divided land with only one response - peace.  He did not get caught up in their issues nor their fight.  Wherever he went, he simply shared that one message with whomever he met - Christian, Jew, Muslim - and it worked. 

The picture here shows Francis with his two friends, also religious leaders, who joined him from Argentina on this visit.  They are embracing each other in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  "These three representing the different faith traditions that inhabit the Holy Land offer to all of us a symbol of hope in a land that is desperate for peace."  This is not just a picture but a powerful image for peace, symbolising what can happen in a world so driven by other themes that pull us apart and destroy and that are driven by forces focused on their own narrow self-interest. 

The message imparted by this image is a message apt for so many parts of our world and for any and every relationship of which we are a part.  Let's focus our energies on what builds peace and justice and have that focus alone. 

PS

After writing and posting the last piece yesterday, I watched a coup take place right in front of me.  What more can I say? 

It was never about democracy

At the weekend, I talked about my work issue of last week with a trusted and good friend who knows here very well.  He put a take on the whole scene that makes sense in this culture.  Ultimately, he says, the big boss is looking for a way out and so passes the buck.  He does want the staff member to go but he can't do it himself.  Why?  This person may be connected, being taken on under the boss' patronage.  So he can't just get rid of him as he would lose face. 

So we had the vote on what action - go or stay - but I have heard nothing since about the result or anything else.  That is not unusual about here.  Things go on and on and you never get a resolution.  So matters escalate and just go on and on.   

Once again, this is reflected at the national level.  This week saw martial law declared by the military at 3am Tuesday.  Under the Constitution, the military have this power.  The Army Chief clearly stated that this was not a coup and that the Constitution and interim government remain intact. 
 

Nationally, matters were getting out of control.  The mobs seemed to be ruling the show with anarchy rather than any good governance ruling the order of the day.  One could easily assume that this was allowed to develop by some very powerful players to suit their own purposes.  Then something had to happen but what happened does not necessarily and finally face or resolve the issues.  Rather they just keep going on and on but in different ways. 

If a picture tells the story, then this picture says it all.  Fashion and presentation above anything else. 

Democracy, Thai style

Well, we all read about democracy in Thailand and how it is failing the country.  That is true.  My take is that it fails because it is blatantly run by vested interests using the front of their being about the good of the people. 

If I ever wonder why democracy fails at the national level here, I don't have to look any further than my everyday experience of my workplace where I see how issues are managed at the micro level.

The present issue facing management is the question of whether a staff member acted dishonestly.  As a manger, I talked with the staff member in question and made a judgement that what was needed was an audit of the particular office's books and management.  We would then act on what would be found in any audit. 

Then in comes Thai management in the office and the decision is that all staff invloved in this issue will vote on whether the named staff member will be sacked or not.  My advice is that this is the decision of the employer and to put such an issue to an open ballot is unfair and unjust.  Rather what is needed is good and due process.  My voice is not heard and the vote goes on.  I decide to vote so as to make sure my voice is heard on this issue where there is justice at play for the employee. 

As I reflect on what has happened, I can put the two levels of Thailand together.  As they fail to act at the macro level, so they fail to act at the micro level.  One level reflects the other and helps me understand even further why there are ingrained dysfunctions in the workings of the system here.  I see a lack of a due process that acts for the good of all.  Rather the process in place favours one part over another of the whole population or put in another way - it does not give a voice to all who are part of the whole.  And we all deserve a voice. 

Resolving Issues Thai style

This week has been another big week in Thailand's ongoing political saga.  On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court handed down a decision that demanded that Yingluck stand down as Prime Minister.  The very next day, the Anti-Graft Commission named that Yingluck had a case to answer and impeachment procedures would begin against her.  The Constitutional Court and other tools of the Constitution are seen to be biassed against the government, having acted before against this side of politics, favoring the elite.  What ones talk about here is having a 'judicial coup', where courts decide on government instead of the people.  Such action causes the political tensions to go up another notch. 

I could say that there is fault on both sides of politics and neither side is willing to compromise.  So this political dispute just keeps on escalating.  It is like watching naughty children fighting with no one willing to give in.  Like elsewhere in the world, there is a lack of good leadership for the sake of the common and greater good.  It is all about my side, and my side is right and must win all. 

Then on the very day, that the decision against Yingluck was handed down, I was here at Caritas overseeing a meeting of Thai staff as they tried to deal with an internal issue.  I sat and watched in amazement as they presented acting ruthlessly in pursuit of their issues at play.  It seemed that they were behaving personally more than professionally and I judged that the temperatures were rising as they discussed energetically and passionately.  Once again, it was like watching naughty children fighting in the playground.  I was there ready to act as adjuducator and come in if needed to act against any too strong a response being made as they pursued their side of events. 

My experience that day and following of Thai society at both levels - national and workplace - told me that the same dynamics were at play.  It all makes one wonder about how issues are handled and conflict resolved here.  The issues just go on and on.  There is not a great desire for compromise and shared understanding.  Rather it is a ruthless and relentless pursuit of one's position at all cost.  This is part of the other side of the beautiful, smiling, dignified Thai.  Maybe, in our shared humanity, we are all the same.  We just have different ways of presenting.  This may also explain why conflict is avoided here and elsewhere as you just can't deal with it productively and people end up getting hurt. 

Save face despite all - a local conundrum.

It all looks so peaceful, cute and serene in this world of Thai Buddhism.  I receive this photo on the same day that an article is referred to me on the very state of Thai Buddhism.  The article from the Bangkok Post speaks of woes and turmoil even in the monkhood in Thailand.  It names naughty monks, describing the mounting escapades among their ranks involving corruption and sexual misconduct. 

Once again, you see that it is yet another issue in this part of the world not dealt with, and a main reason for this given in the article is the need to save face. 

The present round of political strife has been going on for six months and seems destined to just go on and on, with no resolution in sight.  Like any issue here, there are many factors at play and one in this particular strife is the inability of the various players to compromise.  One side publicly says that it won't even speak with the government.  I heard a commentator on an Asian news channel say that what you have is big egos at the top and you need to find a way to let them down gently. 

Saving face is the one factor I see as universal in this part of the world.  You can never let anyone lose face.  However, if you are always worried about not having anyone lose face, how do you deal with issues that need to be faced for the sake of the greater good or just for the sake of making your day or any situation workable?   Maybe more to the point, how do you ever venture to take risks in life to try and find better ways for moving forward? 

One way they know in their culture is to follow orders given from those above them in the hierarchical ladder.  Another way is to follow their patrons who look after them.  Both are fraught with possible dangers and do not allow for personal initiative or thought.  From here, you enter into a local conundrum on how to act in and on life.