POSTBAG

Freedom of expression

Akbar Khodaei of the Iranian embassy (Postbag, April 5) claims the movie 300 is "insulting" and "is part of a comprehensive Western psychological war aimed at Iranian culture through Hollywood and other media".

I am no great scholar of history so I will assume that Mr Khodaei is correct that this movie, like most movies produced by Hollywood, is not historically accurate and insults certain people.

What Mr Khodaei fails to understand is that in the West and other countries like the Kingdom of Thailand, the people (including movie producers) enjoy freedom of speech and expression.

Another Hollywood example that illustrates this point was the movie produced by Michael Moore called Fahrenheit 9/11, in which President Bush and his administration are greatly criticised for their actions after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

What would happen if a film producer in Iran made a movie highly critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? We know that the movie would not make it to the cinemas, as your government does not place the same value on freedom of expression as other countries.

In summary, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran should not use this movie to accuse the West of "psychological war". Perhaps instead you should use it to educate the leaders of your government about freedom of speech and expression, which all people, including the people of Iran, should be able to enjoy.

SCOTT MOORE

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Plain hypocrisy

Hypocrisy, thy name is Iran. I find the Iranian attache's complaint about a movie depicting events over 2,000 years ago, highly amusing. The film 300 contains many historical accuracies down to some of the quotes by the King of Sparta.

Yes, there are some Hollywood adaptations like the fact that Xerxes was never near the actual fighting, there were more Greeks supporting the Spartans, and some other changes.

Persia was at the time working on taking over the known world and, like the more historically recent actions at Vienna, the battle was a turning point in this expansion.

The attache represents a country where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has never been adopted and is violated on a minute-by-minute basis. Movies, music and alternative views are banned there, but he has no right to suggest that they be done so here.

CHRISTIAN LLOYD

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What tripe!

Re: "Captive Britons" (Postbag, April 3). Akbar Khodaei has written absolute nonsense! The first data issued by the Iranian government on positions obtained from the GPS put the Royal Navy personnel in Iraqi waters. This was quickly changed by the Iranian government. They wouldn't know the truth if it hit them in the face!

The Royal Navy is operating under a UN mandate. It was obvious from the TV footage that the naval personnel were under duress. The Iranian government has broken international law and the Geneva Convention. A country that hangs 15-year-old girls should put its own house in order before criticising other countries.

BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT

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Plaudits for Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi has sparked evocative dialogue while dousing the provocative burning Bush's petulant diatribes. Her progressive decision to follow the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group and end regressive US versus everybody else isolationism is commendable. Minds, like parachutes, function most effectively when open.

DR CHARLES FREDERICKSON

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There's much to miss

After 18 months in Bangkok I have to return to my own country and I know I will miss a lot about this place.

The crazy, narrow pavements with obstacles designed to maim the unwary pedestrian, where you have to be careful not to trip and land in a wok of hot oil or a pan of boiling liquid...

A metropolitan council that allows hundreds of old buses on the road, belching black smoke and which decides to decorate bus stops...

Taking a taxi with a driver who may or may not know your desired destination...

Thousands of people on the BTS (extra carriages needed), but when will Thais understand that one has to let the passengers off the skytrain before one gets on, and standing in the way does not help?

Bangkok, a real shopping haven where the customer is always wrong and where it's impossible to buy wonderful shoes in farang sizes...

I will miss reading the Bangkok Post every day and the feeling that I am living in the pages of George Orwell's 1984 as the paper reports the government's comments.

The government has so many councils, associations, committees, deputies, acting officers and so many meetings - but nothing happens.

Do something, Thai people! Take an interest in what's happening in the country and do something about corruption. It is not going to happen from the top so start at the bottom - refuse to be part of it.

Don't let Rome burn because I know I will miss everything here and I would like to come back and see it all again!

BANGKOK TRAVELLER

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Shocking stereotype

I am happy to learn that the Thai authorities do not share the shocking stereotype of Muslims described in the letter ("Ignorant approach", Postbag, April 4). I am sure one could find a Muslim who would treat a woman as a whore if she wears lipstick, smiles and is unveiled; but I am not aware that this bizarre mentality applies to Muslims in general. I have not encountered this brand of insanity in my travels through southern Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East and North Africa.

CHA-AM JAMAL

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In a swirl up North

Greetings from the dustbowl! Yesterday I could see a vague outline of Doi Suthep. Today, it is lost entirely from view. No one could fathom there is a mountain there, unless previously alerted.

Where I'm staying, construction of a huge apartment complex and an even bigger, new shopping mall raises swirls of dust.

Since yesterday, the large open field next door is being scraped bare by a bulldozer. I look forward to the not unimaginable probability that the stacked-up shrubs will be set alight.

Thailand may still be the country of smiles, albeit more and more of a grimace judging from my neighbour's attempt. Alas, I'm too busy working through my sneezing and coughing fits to reciprocate. And no, I'm not holding a cigarette while writing this (cf Martin Gregory, Postbag, April 2), although it would probably not be a bad idea. At least I would be sucking in what passes for air through a filter.

SNEEZING JOHNNY

Bangkok Post

Friday April 06, 2007