Thai-born American citizen Joe Gordon remains in a Thai prison. He was found guilty of lese-majeste, or insulting King Bhumipol, the aged and ill king of Thailand.
And what is the insult: While living in Colorado, Gordon uploaded excerpts of Paul Handley's excellent biography, The King Never Smiles. The excerpts were translated into Thai. Handley's book has never been published in Thailand. The King and his minions prefer fictionalized accounts of the king's life.
Gordon's blog was on an American server, just as mine is. He was arrested after he traveled to Thailand for medical treatments. The "crime" occured in the United States, not Thailand.
Thailand government officials prefer hagiographies to facts when it concerns biographies of their not-so-benevolent king.
My view: the King of Thailand is not fit to be called a king. He does not deserve respect. He is not worthy of the role.
It is time for the U.S. government, including Gordon's congressman, to speak up and speak out against the tyranny in Thailand, and remind them that Gordon is an American citizen, who posted the translations in the United States, and did not violate any US law.
Lese-majeste indeed. More likely Lousy Majesty!
Free Joe Gordon now!
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