Guest kjun12 Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 I have for some time suspected that the United States Ambassador to Thailand is little more than a dodo but recent news confirms for me that she is, at the very least not a good Ambassador. She spends much of her time tweeting innocuous, trivial and, often, silly bullshit but recently she took a break from that long enough to defend a Mr. Fanelli who killed a Thai woman in Phuket and put her body in a suitcase to dispose of it. He got only 10 years. She sent a letter of defense to Thai authorities saying that he had been a soldier in Afghanistan where he had killed many people and this had probably caused some of his mental problems. A closer check by someone showed that this man was stationed on a submarine and had not entered into any battle in Afghanistan. So, it appears that her defense was composed of half baked lies and bullshit. Still, it is remarkable that a US Ambassador would offer such a defense. She proposes that he should be dealt with leniently because he was a US killing machine. And, this is offered by her to defend a murderer but she could not do anything to help poor Joe Gordon, a US Citizen, who was charged with lese-majesty and sentenced to prison in Thailand for something he did in the US. What the hell did we ex-pats do to deserve having this winch transferred from the Philippines to Thailand. Why not send her to Lower Slobovia. Quote
Bob Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 She sent a letter of defense to Thai authorities... Out of curiosity, was it the Ambassador herself or the embassy that sent the letter? Presuming it was the embassy (there are personnel who's job it is to assist American citizens involved in foreign criminal proceedings), do you have any information whether the Ambassador knew about the letter? As to the contents of the letter (which I believe was given as information to the court for sentencing purposes after the guy pleaded guilty to the murder), can you advise of why you indicate there was any factual errors in it? Quote
Rogie Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 What the hell did we ex-pats do to deserve having this winch . . . Witch, wench, winch? take your pick. . . I'm not American but I can sympathise. The current ambassador is the latest in a line of less-than-sparkling individuals. I have to tread carefully here so I am not making any quotes, members'll have to check out the links themselves (assuming it is of interest to you that is). Both links concern themselves with Kenney's predecessor, Boyce. In the first one, it can be seen we are 'lucky' that this man's modus operandi has been exposed by certain Wikileaks cables. Can the behaviour of the current incumbent be traced back to an earlier case in 2007? The second link concerns Boyce's involvement in certain unsavoury dealings. Make your own minds up! http://asiancorrespo...-to-stay-quiet/ http://bsltaocnke.tripod.com/ Quote
TotallyOz Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Does the total lack of civility or intelligence of US officials surprise anyone? Recently, the leader of 2 of the "world superpowers" seem to make fun of the leader of Israel. Sure, they thought the mics were off. But, so what. That just tells you what kind of fools the people from their country are for voting for them. Yes, yes, I know I voted for Obama. He is better than McCain. But, can we all have a do over? I'd like to put Hillary back on the ticket a few years ago. Can you imagine the diplomacy if Cain or Perry are elected? LOL Quote
Rogie Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Does the total lack of civility or intelligence of US officials surprise anyone? As a Brit, I'll diplomatically refrain from answering that. What concerns me is when those few at the top of the pyramid behave in less-than-exemplary fashion. It doesn't go unnoticed, especially nowadays in any country with a vigilant media. Folks down at the bottom of said pyramid think to themselves "Hot diggity dawg, if that guy can get away with ........." ( fill in the gap, you can choose from embezzlement, sexual impropriety, fraud, incompetence, stupidity, arrogance, belligerence, or add you own). We've seen it in Thailand, people are commenting that the behaviour of the common people is deteriorating, in particular their attitude towards money. Greece is another good example. Some European countries come across, to me at any rate, as being no better than gigantic Ponzi schemes Can you imagine the diplomacy if Cain or Perry are elected? I am sorry to say, and I do not wish to offend any Americans, from what little I know of these two gentlemen, they appear to me as distinctly second or even third-rate. Quote
TotallyOz Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 I am sorry to say, and I do not wish to offend any Americans, from what little I know of these two gentlemen, they appear to me as distinctly second or even third-rate. You are being far too generous IMHO. Quote
Guest Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Does the total lack of civility or intelligence of US officials surprise anyone? Recently, the leader of 2 of the "world superpowers" seem to make fun of the leader of Israel. I would like to distinguish between the two incidents. If the Israeli leader is indeed a liar, I wish more politicians would come out and state the truth. We could do with more dishonest politicians outed. As for the other case, well lobbying to get a reduction in punishment to 10 years for murder would be very unreasonable behaviour (if that's what has happened). Would I be right in thinking certain parts of the US might apply a death sentence in such cases? Quote
Guest kjun12 Posted November 13, 2011 Posted November 13, 2011 Would I be right in thinking certain parts of the US might apply a death sentence in such cases? You are correct. At least in the states that have the death penalty. Considering the facts in this situation, it is certain that this man would have been sentenced to more than 10 years. More likely, life imprisonment. Quote
