OPINION

Unpacking faith

Re: "Why faith is indispensable to global development", (Opinion, June 4).

In this opinion piece, Dr Alaa Murabit tells us that faith is necessary for human development. As the author was of Muslim faith, I beg a question: the Quran literally means "submission". No questions are allowed! All answers are given.

Indeed, the insufficient women's rights in some parts of the Muslim world raise questions about development. The isolation of the Muslim world indeed is not conducive to the idea of development. I want to assert that religious faith might produce the opposite effect from what the author wrote.

Testing the limits

Re: "Deployment in LA 'unlawful'", (World, June 10).

People should be under no illusions about what is going on in Los Angeles. Deployment of National Guard troops and active-duty Marine soldiers to the streets of America's second-largest city has little or nothing to do with maintaining peace and order in this instance.

Rather, the provocative actions by President Donald Trump -- in direct violation of the principles of states' rights -- should be seen for what they are: a thinly veiled "practice run" for future declaration of martial law and suspension of the constitution.

The current deployment of troops in Los Angeles gives Mr Trump a golden opportunity to gauge reactions as he pushes the envelope in consolidating power and further restricting the liberties of the American people.

If the response from Congress, the courts, and the people at large is muted, Mr Trump will undoubtedly be emboldened to take ever-harsher measures in the future. The more the general population becomes inured to such repressive measures, the easier it will be for an unconstitutional authoritarian regime to be installed.

PostBag echoes

Re: "Image Problem", (PostBag, June 12) & "Covid spike a cause for concern, says Chula professor", & "Economic push a priority, PM tells envoys", (BP, June 10).

Now that PostBag is seemingly a forum for Michael Setter and Jason A Jellison virtually every day, given the vacuous and/or repetitious content of their offerings, I would like to steal some content from Mr Jellison. "I'd say fully reviving [PostBag in the Bangkok Post in terms of its quality, variety, and interest], it is evident that this is going to require some very heavy lifting."

Mr Jellison did say in one of his previous letters, and again in his letter today, that people should move on with regard to Covid, then perhaps he should set the example. "Move on," Mr Jellison!

If people are greeting foreign visitors as they step off their plane wearing a face mask, it is presumptuous to assume that this is solely motivated by a fear of catching Covid per se, as there are other airborne diseases they may wish to avoid, and it is sensible that they may choose to do so. It does not bother me in the slightest, so don't let it bother you -- it really is nothing to get worked up about.

A suggestion -- every day, the Bangkok Post should print "Ditto" and put the names of Messrs Jason A Jellison and Michael Setter below, as they obviously like to see their name in print.

I regret writing this letter, as it will give them reason to write again, but perhaps it might be about something less predictable, or something stimulating or funny even (intentionally funny, that is).