Chatty Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 I have read his speech from Bangkok post today... I'm curious, just curious about the begining of his speech... so I copied that part not the whole speech cuz it's too long. If you wanna read, please click the link here. http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=129378 Bush policy speech In his last major speech in Asia as president. George W. Bush on Thursday plans to discuss four US goals: reinforcing alliances, forming new democratic partnerships, deepening economic ties, and cooperating on shared challenges. He will cite major problems as well: terrorism, tyranny in Burma and North Korean nuclear ambitions. Laura and I are delighted to be back in Bangkok. We appreciate the gracious welcome extended by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. Above all, I bring America's warmest wishes to our oldest allies in Asia, the people of Thailand. Our friendship began 175 years ago this spring, when President Andrew Jackson dispatched an envoy to Siam. Negotiators soon concluded a treaty of peace and commerce and sealed it with a lotus flower on one side and an eagle and stars on the other. Generations of close friendship followed. At one point, the Thai King offered to send elephants to America. President Abraham Lincoln had to politely decline. The values of freedom and openness that gave birth to our alliance have sustained it through the centuries. American troops and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have stood united from Korea and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq. Our free market economies have surged forward on a rising tide of trade and investment. Tourism has boomed, as more people discover this beautiful and ancient land. And some 200,000 Thai Americans now enrich my nation with their enterprise, culture, and faith. hmmm from the red mark I didn't know if he tried to make joke or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GM Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 He probably couldn't even pick out Thailand on a map! The man is a complete moron and thank god he is almost gone! I just hope his plane goes down and they both die a painful bloody death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loburt Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 No, it's true. That was King Mongkut, Rama IV. He actually made the offer in a letter to President James Buchanan, but in the time it took for the letter to arrive, Lincoln had already become president. He did send a sword in a gold sheath and a photo of himself as gifts. Lincoln politely refused the offer, saying the climate wasn't appropriate for elephants and they weren't useful for transport in the US. Also, believe it or not, one Thai traveled to the United States to enlist and fight in the Union Army during the Civil War. He fought in four of its most important battles and survived. Eventually he became an American citizen, but later returned to Thailand and died in 1900. This can all be found, along with King Mongkut's letter, in the book The Eagle and the Elephant, Thai-American Relations since 1833. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Obama McCain Paris Hilton Such a choice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJack Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Generations of close friendship followed. At one point, the Thai King offered to send elephants to America. President Abraham Lincoln had to politely decline. hmmm from the red mark I didn't know if he tried to make joke or something? you are right bcool, that is his sense of humor. did you like the joke? or does it sound like he is looking down on his Thai friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niranahm Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 you are right bcool, that is his sense of humor. did you like the joke? No, that's not his sense of humor -- that's his speechwriter's sense of humor. Do you really think Bush had any input into that opening part, or knows anything about Thai history? or does it sound like he is looking down on his Thai friends I'm sure I like Bush even less than you do, but I sense that's really looking for insults where none exist. It's a bit of a stretch to interpret those remarks as "looking down". First of all, they are facts, but also -- even though it might sound funny to modern ears, that was a normal friendship offering in those days. I doubt if the American president of the time was any more clued up on what gifts would be practical in Thailand. There's enough reasons to dislike Bush without reading negativity into *everything* he says... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Sorry p'Jomama I think from the post right here, p'Jack is the one who understand what I'm trying to say... Hope it wasn't a sarcastic. I think it was the truth that he say I have no doubt. Cuz that was the nature of Thai people, we always offer to help. Don't know why, but we are like this. I'm not good at history, but I think it was happened. Sorry to say from my point of view... when I offer to help the others such as farang friends, they always laugh, if they think it's not intrend nor useless. and I feel sad.. sometimes feel like I lose my face. I don't need you to understand but just know about it. BAD HABIT!! (I mean myself) I didn't know how was the King felt about it, but mention about it again as a joke isn't good way. And p'Jomama I didn't talk about politics, business, USA people at all... I'm not that smart like you to talk about it. I focus on his speech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loburt Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Excuse me, bcool, but I don't think PJack was the only person who understood what you are trying to say. And if you read Niranahm's response, you'll see his answer is off base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotne1 Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 It may not have been the best statement, true or not I understand what your saying BCool, no im 100% sure his intentions were not to offend anyone but to try and say something lighthearted and hopefully get a laugh. As mentioned before he usualy doesnt write his own speaches, so they are not his words, nor the words of America, just the words of a speach writer, and whoever profreads them. Wether or not Bush looks down on Thailand who cares, he doesnt even like Canada and we follow them into most idiotic things they want us to do and are good neighbors. I personaly doubt Bush looks up to anyone. Keep in mind that Bush is not a King, he is just doing an 8 year job as are all his speech writers and advisors etc. You can not put him into the same light as a Royal Family of any country, which are raised into thier standing with decades of grooming, by families that may have beed doing the Royal educations for centuries. Royalty usualy has the sole purpose of making thier country the best they can, whereas Bush has been often accused of just trying to make himself even more incredably wealthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loburt Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 There is no way this speech wasn't vetted by the US Embassy in Bangkok and checked for "sensitivities." The Embassy has several Thais on its communications staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 This is George W we are talking about - he would have difficulty writing his a,b, c never mind a speech. When told by his White House Staff he was visiting Thailand, Dubya replied; "hee hee, is that where all the ties come from..." groan...sorry :twisted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 ObamaMcCain Paris Hilton Such a choice... Yea..i'll vote for Paris Hilton (if i can haha) I wanna see White house in pink will looks ELEGANT! haha I listened to this news this morning... Pink is my favorite color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiamHotel Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 re. Bangkok Post: do you pay or you read it 4 free? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 re. Bangkok Post: do you pay or you read it 4 free? I paid for internet at home. but I read Bangkok Post from my office... and company paid for the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiamHotel Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 ... but I read Bangkok Post from my office... and company paid for the internet. sia jai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 ... but I read Bangkok Post from my office... and company paid for the internet. sia jai tammai? you work for bangkok post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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