(Update)The Ausralian author was sentenced today;link supplied [last post].)I think at least some of you know I’m an American expat living in S.E. Asia. I’ve written 2 books, one of which is at the printers, here. A preface to my story has been requested. Okay, no problem; but there is a problem; the problem is one word; patronage, here-to-fore referred to as “the word”. In trying to give a brief explanation of the culture in which I live I needed to identify the two major influences on said culture, “The word” and patriarchy; patriarchy is not a problem, but “the word” definitely is. My wonderful wife adamantly said I can’t use it even though I don’t use any qualifiers either positive or negative.
Perhaps it would help to know some context. There is an idiom here describing a good marriage as like an Elephant: The front legs are the husband and the rear legs are the wife. I, in my waggish way, saw a degree of absurdity in a herd of Elephants when the legs decided to rebel their respective positions. Thus the importance of a cultural context.
It seems a high government official used “The word” to describe his government; he is now on trial for lese’ majeste’(sp)a very serious charge here. 15 years in prison.
I’m buggered (screwed) if I do and buggered if I don’t. It’s definitely a blindsided smack. I don’t mind saying; I’m really pissed about this, but the choice for me is unfortunately clear; I will acquiesce for my wife’s and my sake. “They” would just kick me out and then what would my wife do?
I’m not looking for advice on this; but I thought this would be illuminating on some level if I communicated this conundrum of being an Expat publishing a book in an Asian country. We in the west would never give this a second thought. We should never take our freedoms for granted; now I know first hand.
using a pseudonym?
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…suggestion. As the publisher, author, and distributor of my book, I am well identified and the preface, even under a pseudonym would still be in my book. I would be still held accountable. There is an Australian author (well known) here in jail awaiting trial; charged with the aforementioned offense. I appreciate your suggestion; if I were single I would probably charge forward, the torpedoes be damned; but alas, I’m not. My wife is very nervous even with me posting here regarding this issue. I have tried to assure her this is a safe place outside of the purview of our host country. This is so weird, never in a million years did I envision a situation like this.
Lèse majesté. I googled it and found the French spelling, which is fine if you’re catering to French readers. Found the explanation in Wikipedia.
“French expression, from the Latin Laesa maiestas or Laesae maiestatis (crimen), (crime of) injury to the Majesty; in English, also lese majesty or leze majesty) is the crime of violating majesty, an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state.”
So I guess you could have simply said “lese majesty” and dropped all the fun diacriticals, which can be a little hard to find.
I America lese majesty became a defacto crime under the Bush administration when protesters wearing t-shirts at a Republican event were jailed, and when protesters carrying signs critical of the Bush regime did so outside the barbed wire “free speech zones” typically constructed a half mile from a political event.
It remains a mystery whether incoming president Barack Obama will recognize that the entire country of America is supposed to be a free-speech zone. We shall see.
.
Good times for Smiley!
…we shall see. I remain hopeful, but skeptical.
is a consequence of top down control mechanisms perpetuating themselves, since individuals are mortal. “The king is dead, long live the king.”
So why not say something completely neutral, like “tradition based political structures?”
Patronage is sort of a dirty word in US politics and the civil service administration was instituted to “eradicate” the motto, “To the victor belongs the spoils.”
“Patronage” is a word that is seldom heard anymore in the US. However, political patronage is alive and well in the US as the Bush administration shows. Patronage is the flip side of loyalty. It is bound up in cronyism and the revolving door, too.
The line between patronage and corruption can be fine, and the Bush administration was expert in obscuring and concealing it, or pretending it didn’t exist. It will be years before this mess created by the Rethugs under Bush can be extirpated from the system, and the damage will be difficult to repair. Moreover, the vast sums that went to cronies will never be recovered.
“By Royal Appointment of Her Majesty the Queen”
http://www.royalwarrant.org/
It’s open in the UK, and the “By Appointment” tag is used to increase the value of a service or product.
As are the other forms of patronage.
“Select by Trade Category” -> “Clleaning Supplies”
We are not amused. Dommes are nowhere listed.
“The Playboy reader invites a female acquaintance in for a quiet discussion of Picasso, Nietzsche, jazz, sex.†– Hugh Hefner
…phrase into my sentence; “tradition based political structures”: If I may? May I? That one had me buggered.
…Australian writer Harry Nicolaides has been sentenced to three years in jail for insulting the monarchy. This just happened today.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7836854.stm
sorry I didn’t realize you were the publisher and distributor.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…and I’m not sure any fit??!!LOL.
I bet your wife wishes you were a milliner!
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
..wants me to get real about where we live and play by the rules, LOL. She’s growing me up little, by little. When in Rome…:-D
By the way, what happened to this Blog; it’s using a cloaking device now?
its early and I am easily confused lol
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…I have to go to my acc. because it is no longer visible on the home page. I edited it to update the Australian authors sentencing today and then it disappeared.. Anyway just wondering.
(quiet peanut gallery), the Agonist disappeared? I am truly lost
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…this blog, my blog, about free speech. “An author face to face with freedom of speech; one word”. It’s no longer on the front page. This happened after I edited it for an update. Tina, don’t stress over this; I’m just curious why it went missing, not The Agonist, my blog on the Agonist.
I feel much better now LOL and proudly I’m on nothing…at the moment, however watch out for the end of the week! I’m working fulltime at two jobs during this tax season. I usually take off time for tax season from the resort but economics demand sacrifice(sanity in this case)
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…fun. No worries. So what happened; did I goof it up? Oh, and if you want to delete this back and forth go right ahead: You be the one with da power!
gremlins. No need to delete, we don’t do that..no matter how badly I embarrass myself…
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…everywhere. And, if it’s gremlins; no fault to you.
use tinyurl and you can put your sites in your sig
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
…I have no idea of what you’re talking about.
60 days ago I had no blog, no website, no nothing web…except an e-mail address. I’m learning little by little; can you tell me how to do this? It sounds great as I’m getting nowhere fast trying to market my books. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
By the way, I really like your attitude, thanks so much for your positive outlook. Good luck on your multi jobs, take time to smell the roses. Oh, and don’t forget to breathe. 
)
Hard to be absolutist when nature is relativistic. Especially when it comes to relatives.
shortens addresses, which works great when you have a limited character field.
I will survive, but breathing will become a luxury at times(especially around roses, I’m allergic). and thanks
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
when a diarist edits their diary and it is already on the fp when they hit submit the fp permission disappears. I don’t know why, it could be the food, water or reaction to light but I did put it back on the fp.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
fix?
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
the word you’re not allowed to use with “cronyism?” There have to be synonyms that are acceptable. Perhaps you’ll have to water down your adjectives, but that just makes what you write more readable. It’s tiresome to read work by activists. Using adjectives that are less explosive introduces moderation that makes writing more readable because of its lowered tone. Don’t be afraid to use adjectives that aren’t perfect…Google is a friend for finding synonyms that you find less than perfect, but meets the requirement your wife needs in order to live in a atmosphere where speech is restricted.
There may come a day when you’re able to use adjectives more to your liking. In the meantime, think of imposed restrictions as being good practice at being diplomatic. Betcha, there are millions of diplomats around the world that cringe at not being able to say want they’d like. I would add that living in a different culture poses new dilemmas that you hadn’t considered. What was fine in your previous environment may no longer hold true in the one you’re presently living. Find enjoyment in being flexible and adapt your writing to what’s allowed (doesn’t mean your ‘real’ opinion won’t be found between the lines by observant readers,) but not blatant enough for you to be arrested! Don’t discount the intelligence of your readers. Axiom regarding creative writing, “Show don’t tell!”
…and yes, adapting can at times be difficult. We (westerners) have a propensity to define everything by our culture as though we’re the masters of the universe. Bad habit many can’t break. It definitely will make me work a little harder and stretch my brain a bit. Good stuff.
…so much Tina. So little time, so much to do.
Gee, the more we post/reply the skinnier we get, hmmmm.