Sat, Mar 1, 2008Op-Ed by Chanda Chhay
In its latest attempt to curb social vices, the Cambodian government has recently moved to ban songs it deemed immoral and enticing adulterous behaviors. The move reminded me of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea, when it took a similar action in the 1980’s to ban two songs entitled:
Let me remind you, if I may, Mr. and Mrs. Cambodian leaders, that love is an affair of the heart which is driven by biology and governed by the law of nature. You don’t have to be a genius in biology to understand what the law of nature is regarding the issue of adulterous behaviors. All you need to do is ask yourselves: Have you ever had the urges to commit sins? It is a no-brainer that the answer to this question is YES, no matter who you are. Only liars would answer NO!
Adulterous behaviors have been living in human minds since the day we were conceived on the face of this earth. They will not disappear no matter what we try to do. We can move to ban all the “immoral” songs and closed down all the karaoke bars and brothels in Cambodia. The problems with adultery will never go away, period! In order to successfully deal with the problems of vices, it is wise to remember that virtue does not come from the suppression of vice; it comes from the human will to overcome the temptation of vice. In this case, banning those “immoral” songs is not only constitutionally wrong but also a waste of time and resources. What the government should do is to educate the public that the songs were just the expressions of human feelings and creativities—nothing wrong with them. But adultery is wrong! As a matter of fact, the Cambodian government has already recognized that adultery is wrong. It even passed laws to prosecute people who committed it.
So, stop barking up the wrong tree! And for liberty’s sake, please use the law, not censorship!!
Chanda Chhay
Washington, D.C.
- My Clay Water Jar was Broken “Baek KaOm Oun Heuy”
- Cleaning the Ear Canal “Tbar Tro-cheak”
Let me remind you, if I may, Mr. and Mrs. Cambodian leaders, that love is an affair of the heart which is driven by biology and governed by the law of nature. You don’t have to be a genius in biology to understand what the law of nature is regarding the issue of adulterous behaviors. All you need to do is ask yourselves: Have you ever had the urges to commit sins? It is a no-brainer that the answer to this question is YES, no matter who you are. Only liars would answer NO!
Adulterous behaviors have been living in human minds since the day we were conceived on the face of this earth. They will not disappear no matter what we try to do. We can move to ban all the “immoral” songs and closed down all the karaoke bars and brothels in Cambodia. The problems with adultery will never go away, period! In order to successfully deal with the problems of vices, it is wise to remember that virtue does not come from the suppression of vice; it comes from the human will to overcome the temptation of vice. In this case, banning those “immoral” songs is not only constitutionally wrong but also a waste of time and resources. What the government should do is to educate the public that the songs were just the expressions of human feelings and creativities—nothing wrong with them. But adultery is wrong! As a matter of fact, the Cambodian government has already recognized that adultery is wrong. It even passed laws to prosecute people who committed it.
So, stop barking up the wrong tree! And for liberty’s sake, please use the law, not censorship!!
Chanda Chhay
Washington, D.C.
19 comments:
You are right. Adultery is wrong. But in Cambodia with low education level, people do not seem to understand. That 's why we need that kind of law and to ban any songs that promote that bad behaviour.
It the same for Singapore. they had to ban bad attitude like throwing rubish on the streets, otherwise people will do.
Right of speech or freedom is the best way for democracy, but there is limits also otherwise it would be anarchy. So thanks to the government to stop anarchy developing...
Using law to regulate human behavior? Ahahhahhahahha
Human behavior is too complex to be regulated by any law because it deals with human state of mind!
Any kind law of can be overturned by economic interest! For example, I were the music record company and I see this music has potential to make million and million of dollars and some stupid law ban from it from the consumer and I will fight this stupid law!
I don't mind if this fucken law ban the music from teenagers or little children who can't even think for themselves but for adult who can think and take responsibility for themselves and they have every right to listen to it anywhere whether in public or private!
Another example is the pornography industry which makes billion and billion of dollar every years and no law can stop it! If consumers want it and they will have it no matter what! All I can say that it is the economic interest will win at the end because of the money issue!
More money more power! Paid the politician to change any stupid law! Hahahhahhahhah
The Chum Teav Ortt Krett just ban and seems to point the fingers to the ordinary people , but she did not look at the men's sides. What did they do to those ladies. Those Okha and Ek Udom are to blame more cos they use money as hookers.
This government is very very stupid.
They think that a song can create adultery.
Look at European countries, they don't listen to those khmer songs but they love sex, adultery.
Maybe they can think that if we read many books of the killing fiels, we can be a dangerous criminal.
lol.
First of all, this is not a real ban. You can listen to anything you like in your own private space. This is a ban to respect the right of others who don't want to hear this craps. So what is wrong with that?
Stupid Government.
Moron!
Adulterous way is the monarchy way except Sihamoni seems not to care either way.
Who's adulterer?
Usually men or women of power.
Ask Thab or Sokha or Sen or Raingsy for guidance?
Hey, men with multiple wives (polygamist) are not aldultorist. Furthermore, Polygamy is a lot more normal than gay or lesbian. Only gorilla would think otherwise.
Dear Chanda;
So, stop barking up the wrong tree! And for liberty’s sake, please use the law, not censorship!!
Would like to stress on your phrase "Use the law, not censorship".
It is politically incorrect and wrongly said in this context.
Strongly believed that USA do have Censorship Law unless self censorship imposed by yourself to yourself for whatsoever reason.
For instance, the US made movies, video music or games Etc.. to comply with USA law or law in any country where their movies, music or games are sold; and it is imperative that the movie makers or video music or games alike shall abide by the censorship and classification required and that is why we see the classifications on the cover of each individual movies and games or videos: X rate = strictly for people over the age 18 [contain hardcore porn], R rate = strictly for people over the age of 18 [contain soft porn, violence and harsh language], PG rate = parental guidance, M rate = strictly for people age 15 Etc..
please don't tell me that US doesn't have such censorship law.
If you do mean to say that USA doesn't have censorship law then how would you explain about internet filtering [every citizenship of USA who authorities think are concerned or suspected to carry out any illegal activities].
Great point, and thanks for bringing it up, Mate!
since when warning labels = monitoring = banning (censor)???
And when did "give a piece of your heart..." = child pornography.
more stupid than a gorilla?
6:36AM
more stupid than a gorilla?
It takes one to know the other
Thank you
To 5:53AM
First, thank you for your comment. I'd like to point out that you are totally missing the point by comparing an orange with an apple. Censorship and regulation are two different things. What you are describing are regulations. What I am talking about in the article is censorship. There is a fine line between the two, which you seemed to misunderstood.
Chanda
Dear Chanda
Thank you for your explanation.
Don't think that I missed the point by comparing an orange with an apple.
Understood that the particular songs are banned from broadcasting on air wave or TV or any public gathering but people are still able listening the songs to their heart content at home or places but not in public places.
Please correct me if it is wrong.
5:53 AM,
The contents rating requirements in the US does not mean "banning" the singer or song writer from doing their creative work.
That woman (in leadership?) did not specicifically or reasonably justify why such songs would weaken Khmer tradidion and culture. She is the one barking up the wrong tree - she should point out to the man (men?) who used his power to attract young female singers and movie stars.
Not once we heard she has condenmed acid attacks or the shooting/killing of young female artists and coerced girls. That fact shows that she is a self-absorbed, righteous, selfish, cold-hearted person.
Before she came out like that she should have a well-studied research to show the link between these songs and the decline in the Khmer values and culture (if such things can be measured). Ask any expert, in any culture, how could that song tear down a culture? I bet many would agree that that banning it would irrationally calm the mind of a shallow, paranoid and jealous woman.
Are Cambodian men all perverts and not seeing the danger of these songs? How many more of other Cambodian women feel this way? In a society in excess of sycophants like Cambodia, there should be a tremendous outcry supporting of the leader when she came out to ban these songs. Maybe even the sycophants think their "emperor did have on any cloth?"
Logically, you cannot have "bong kbott aun haeuy" without "bong" already "gave a piece or a whole" of his heart to someone else. So, are you going to ban those kinds of songs, too?
For a leader of women's cause and a protector of a culture, it would be nice to see concrete measures created to attack child exploitation and violence against women, not trivial attack on song lyrics.
Dear 7:16 AM
The contents rating requirements in the US does not mean "banning" the singer or song writer from doing their creative work.
1] there is no rating requirements in Cambodia
2] There is no current banning or restriction imposed on the singer and song writer from doing their creative work but the songs themselves. However, the songs are banned from broadcasting on Radio, TV and public gathering places [my understanding] and people are still be able listening to their heart content at home and places where is not public places.
Thank you
7:36 AM,
1. There should be contents rating requirements if the leader is serious about protecting certain population from being exposed to harmful material - but what does that have to do with those songs? Isn't it harsh to ban those song from being broadcast? And what is the effectiveness of the ban if, like you stated, people can still listen to it?
2. What then creativity is for if it is restricted? What would a statue of David or Apsara be without public scrutiny and admiration? Or, a book that cannot be for sale at bookstores?
It is not a total ban but a public band because many people don't want to hear the stuff. However, yes, you can still listen to it in your own home. This is no difference from banning cigarette smoking from public places. The smoker can still smoke in their home.
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