Evils of individual freedom

A German friend of mine was 15 years old when World War II ended: too young to have participated, but old enough to remember and understand. He believes that America and its allies rescued Germany from a brutal regime. A French friend, much younger, recently told me that he feels the same way towards Americans: they saved France from the cruel and ruthless Nazis. My Japanese friends speak more circumspectly. When coaxed, however, they do admit that their military took over their country and drove it to ruin.

Now Burma has been taken over by a villainous group who deal harshly with their political opponents. Who will save Burma? Lee Kwan Yew's Singapore? Sorry, the opposition leader is just not capable of running the country. Mahathir's Malaysia? No, constructive engagement is more productive (not to mention lucrative). Thailand? At least they denounce the criminals, but no invasion from there either. How about Brunei? The Philippines? Indonesia? Vietnam?

It is as if a gang invaded a shop, tied up the owner and took over the business, but the neighbors won't even boycott the store. They continue business as usual, muttering about Asian values and denouncing western ways.

It's become tiring to listen to those who hold all the power give scholarly discourses on the evils of individual freedom.

GARY GENTRY

Jakarta