A coup d'etat in Thailand against the Thaksin government happened just around the time I was finishing up The Authority's Coup D'etat TPB. I've been monitoring the events in Thailand through http://19sep.blogspot.com/. Luckily, unlike the coup that The Authority staged against the U.S. government in the comic book, the Thai coup has been free of violence so far. According to the blog, there have been no guns fired or blood shed -- and the bloggers are convinced that it will remain that way. I hope it does.

The funny thing is last night, when I was reading the comic book, I was convinced for a while there that armed (or superhuman) groups taking over a corrupt government (which the Thaksin government has proven to be) is justifiable. When democracies (or what pretends to be democracies) do nothing but produce power-hungry and greedy leaders who have only corporate-crony interests in mind, then yeah, why shouldn't superhero groups like The Authority take over? When citizens continue to vote for scumbag politicians who not only fail to do their jobs but make decisions that further fuck up their countries, then perhaps superhuman groups do know better and should take over to save us from ourselves.

It's a matter of perspective, I suppose. Where you are in any given situation.

For Jack Hawksmoor and the rest of The Authority, their intentions justified their actions. They intended to save the world so they took over the U.S. goverment (now be honest and ask yourself, if you had superhuman strength, wouldn't you want to take over the most powerful country in the world in order to minimise and correct the damage that government has been doing to the rest of the world? Yes, I fantasise about that sometimes, especially whenever new trade agreements are signed and bombs are launched against countries in the Middle East).

For those thinking in the short-term, those who simply want their problems solved, then yeah, bring on the superhumans and let them save us from the bastards!

For those who put their stake in democratic processes, those who think (or can afford to think) in the long-term, no matter how noble The Authority's intentions were, it would not justify them taking over a country through the use of their superhuman powers. And that any group that takes control through non-democratic means is just as bad as the corrupt, incumbent government. Let citizens get the governments they deserve -- so long as its their choice, right?

So easy to fool around with thoughts like these when you're thinking about it terms of a comic book universe...

But back on Earth. Back to Thailand.

The same debating points apply and exist, of course. According the the blog, the reaction from the Thai citizens are varied, reflecting where different groups stand in relation to the just-toppled government. It has been reported that anti-Thaksin groups have been seen giving flowers to the military troops. Anti-coup groups are doing online protests.

But unlike comic books, what happened in Thailand yesterday will have real consequences that can't be plotted and crafted into a happy, peaceful, logical conclusion. The Authority eventually gives up their hold on the U.S. government after a member was given a vision of what the future would be like if The Authority continues to be in government. We can't predict or plot the same for the Thai military. Who's to say that they will ease their hold on the country? Who's to say that this is a temporary solution and situation? Who's to say that the situation will remain non-violent? Who's to say that the Thai military won't continue to clamp down on freedoms in order to remain in control? They've already shut down tv and radio stations, who knows what's next.

Personally, I don't trust any military. Their systems and processes are too heirarchical and patriarchal for my tastes. And their methods are too attached to the use of their primary resource -- guns, ammo and things that are made to blow things and people up. And to be honest, I do find them a bit brut-ish. And I can't sleep at night when brutes occupy governments. Try sleeping when there's a pea-sized nuclear bomb under your mattress, and you'll understand why valium is my friend.

I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed that the situation in Thailand will improve. It's too beautiful a place, and its people too fucking awesome, to be in this shit for too long.

Tags: activist stuff, geekery, pop culture
state of mind: hopeful
background noise: a perfect circle -- emotive