A couple of things

One thing my early morning FAC buddy, Mike Cateneo '61, and I always agree on is that the day is not properly started without a thorough reading of the newspapers (we also pray for a better daily in Baltimore but that is another story).  I especially enjoy reading the morning paper when I am travelling outside of the US.  It is fascinating to get a non-US perspective on global events.  It was one of things I valued during my year in Australia.  Bangkok is fortunate to have a very good English daily, The Bangkok Post, and I have learned a great deal about Thailand and Asia over my (not really very healthy) breakfast.  One of the things that is getting a great deal of attention in the press is the situation in Myanmar.  The Buddhist monks there are leading massive protests against the military dictatorship.  The monks are being warned to stop the protests but they continue in full force.  Violence looms on the horizon.  Are we hearing about this in the USA?  I can't tell here because even CNN has an Asian version.  I suppose I could check The New York Times on line but I am too busy blogging!

The moral authority of the monks in Rangoon and in Thailand has been a frequent topic of conversation during our time here.  In Thailand, the monks like the members of the Royal Family, are officially non-political (in fact most Thais shy away from questions of politics.  The only course offered on Thai politics at Assumption University is taught by an American, our own Father Nash).  Nonetheless, the Thai monks seem to have enormous potential to influence political life here.  I doubt any leader in this country would like to be on the wrong side of the monks.

One of my e-mail correspondents asked me if the Loyola community was going to do anything to support the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar.  The quick answer is I don't know but I would encourage my correspondent to use this blog to get something going.  Other e-mail correspondents (I won't publish e-mails as I consider them private communications and, besides, I am not sure how to transfer e-mail to the blog) have sent some helpful websites on Southeast Asia or asked interesting questions that I don't know the answers to (and like a good teacher I reply "look it up.")  I hope they will share there questions (and any answers they discover) and insights with our loyal readers.

I will try to post a photo or two to reward you for my sermonizing at your bedtime.  I'll try to avoid sideways shots (which I actually thing is pretty funny when you consider that it was Dr. Snyder who was sideways and he is an expert on wines....remember the movie?)/

I think that this is Kaitlyn (it was a long day and I am getting older; I pray she will forgive me if I have her name wrong).  She is one of the Loyola students studying at Assumption and we ran into her during our tour of the shopping mall at the base of the Cathedral of Learning.  Notice that Kaitlyn is wearing her school uniform (you must wear your uniform for quizes and exams).  You can also make out the pin she is wearing on her blouse which honors--you guessed it--the King's 80th birthday (years from now, when I turn 40, I think I will ask my assistant, Vicki, to work on a special badge for the students to wear).  Kaitlyn was a little shy about being photographed in her school uniform (word of this blog has reached Thailand) but I begged her to take a photo with the presidents of the her two universities.  I am old enough to know that someday she will be happy that she did.

Off to the temples and palaces.  Have a great day!

Comments

[Vicki Weller]

Father and Tim:

I'm really enjoying following along with your visit on the blog. It's like I have had an opportunity to visit Thailand without enduring a 17 hour plane ride. (And don't forget, it's 17 hours coming back too!)

The photos of Suvarnibhum Campus are stunning -- it's hard to imagine such a place exists.

I want to assure you, Father, that although we have PLENTY of time, I am already working on the design for the pin which students will wear in honor of your "40th" birthday.

Be well,

Vicki