Sunday, January 03, 2010

Open Letter to Theary C. Seng

Re: What is Success? - "One, it was liberation (thank you) through invasion (not "volunteer humanitarianism")"

Happy New year, Theary!

Academically, you may have joined the rank of those thinkers such as Dr. Tith, Dr. Gaffar, Dr. Lao Mong Hay, Sihanouk protector/defender and protege's Keith Hangsa of Kambuja.org, freelancer such as Khemara15, an incognito of Khmerwitica, a humble man known as Kenneth So, a pro-Viet known as Virgule of LesjeunesKhmers.com, Seun nmott of Khmer-network.com, and a few more...

If you have a couple minutes to spare, may I impose on you to elaborate on what you meant by the reference above please?

Thanks a million in advance.

Very truly yours,

At Keo,
North Carolina, USA

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

"One, it was liberation (thank you) through invasion (not "volunteer humanitarianism")"

At Keo,
at first glance the above quote suggests that the author of this article did not separate the two. She can't have it both ways either. Some people say January 7th, 1979 was an invasion while a small number of others say otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Theary,"Rather, success is the realization of one's inherent value as drawn solely, completely in being made in the image of God."

May I also add: What's God? What is the image of God, please describe?

Anonymous said...

Theary,

Do you have a full time job now or are you unemployed? Do you try to get a job with CPP? Not a chance girl! They have already destroyed you as a smart Cambodian elite.

Anonymous said...

I don't see why one cannot understand the quote? Do any of you that do not know how to read a sentence and understand what it is need me to read it for you SLLOOWWLYY?

What Mrs. Lovely Theary Seng is saying; (1) as in number one, that the Vietnamese stopped the vicious killing machines. Now for those who actually suffered during that time can attest to that. Not those of you who did not witness the tragic event. So try to feel the relief people felt as they were freed from Prisons, slavery, and torture.

(2) as in number two, It became an opportunity for Vietnam to turn it into an occupation. Now for those of you who are in the political arena, you would definitely see it that way. Why you may ask??? Because of self interests.

But for the millions of regular people who just want the suffering to end in any kind of way will see it as liberation(relief). Only the stupid politicians who would like to use it as an interpretation as an invasion would call it that way. Use it for their own selfish grab for power.

Conclusion??? Mrs. Theary C. Seng is just saying it was a double edge sword. Take it anyway you want. Feel free to start bagging on me.

Anonymous said...

7:51 AM,

Are you in any position or shape or form to call anybody "Stupid politician"? ...Or in plain and simple English, just tell me what are you, please?

Anonymous said...

what you are*

Anonymous said...

For those living i America, there is a book written by William Shawcross title Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon & the Destruction of Cambodia (Simon&Schuster, New York, 1979)

This is an awarding winning documentary book of the expansion of the Vietnam War onto the Cambodian territory in 1970. The author loves the Cambodian people and understands the politic of Vietnam toward the Khmer people.

I highly recommend this book for those who have not learn the true history of Cambodia. By reading this book myself I was able to put names to faces. Yes, he had the question mark behind the Vietnamy supposely liberated Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge. I need to read this book again

Anonymous said...

Let us put an end to this revisionist history and get two things clear as follows:

One, it was liberation (thank you) through invasion (not "volunteer humanitarianism").... Thank you for the liberation, but regret for invasion and occupation...all in all.. No thank you and nothing to the Viets.
Two, the Khmer Rouge regime has ended, yes, but not the KR mentality of leadership. If so, then please, do not obstruct the work of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal to try the additional very reasonable 6 more suspects.

HL

Anonymous said...

8:00 AM

I did not know that I need to have a shape or form to call someone "Stupid Politicians". All I really had to do is think. That's all, if that is what you are asking.Who am I? I am 5ft 6in, wish I was a little taller, brown skin. Screw it, send me your email and I will submit a profile of myself for your approval to make a comment. And yes, I did call them stupid.

And Thank You 8:03 AM for the information. I need to dig through my closet and find that book again too.

Ohh by the way, Mrs. Theary C. Seng is an excellent writer. Definitely started a debate.

Anonymous said...

I'm neither a writer nor a theorist, I'm just a grade school educator, but I agree that it's really hard to comprehend Ms. Theary's writing. I think to better understand her message fully, one needs to understand the context of the Cambodian history or at least some knowledge about Cambodia. I believe some of the phrases are not hers, just some kinds of citings from theorits or philosophers.

Anonymous said...

"The Image of God"

Let me answer that question on behalf of Theary.

When Creator God took a clump of clay, he fashioned it to represent who he is in the visible form, man.
Since God is a spirit, he cannot be seen with a human eye. Man was made in God's image and possesses his attributes as well. Before sin entered into man, he only knew how to be good. But after sin enslaved mankind, man knows how to do both good and evil. Sin seperate God from man, because he is holy he cannot let sin abide with him. This explains why God is seem no where to be found with all the troubles in the world. But he is near those who trust in him. The Bible is his Word given to man to know what is acceptable to him and what is not acceptable. He did not leave us without hope. Finding him is finding "success" in one's life.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Man will depart from evil when he fears the LORD. Fear here mean to do what is pleasing to him and his fellow man.

When Hun Sen learn to the fear the LORD, I guarantee you he will have a change of heart. If he don't, God will judge him for all his crimes that he had committed against the Cambodian people.

Since God made man, he is the head of man. Man is responsible to him. All his deeds will be judge in this life and at the Last Judgment.
None will escape him, period. Every one will have to appear before his Judgment seat.

Anonymous said...

8:20 AM,

Regardless or what and who we are, we have as much right as the next person here on the internet to say anything we want, right? However, unless you are lawyer who is trying to play on technicalities, I'd say - let's just focus on what it is that At keo would like to hear and understand what Theary has to elaborate as asked without having to be an ass about it, okay? But please free to be a jerk anytime you want either here on KI-Media or anywhere else for that matter...It's your right/prerogatives and Happy new year to you!

Anonymous said...

When did I ever limit a person from saying what they want 8:41am? And my comment was focused on what the author ask. Did you feel intimidated by my comment which made you have the urge to write a response? Who was being an ass? A simple quote and you cannot understand it? A phrase that was pulled out of context? Read the whole story. I don't need you to inform me that I can be a jerk here or anywhere. Simply, I just elaborated for the author. If he wanted a straight answer from Mrs. Seng, he should have emailed her directly and not post a question for everyone to read and picked into pieces. Nuff said. If It Make you feel better I am sorry to everyone on here who I have offended. Big hugs :)

Anonymous said...

Above inquisitors, with your simple, legitimate questions on this rather hollow gibberish put a couple lackeys on a defensive already and they get nasty too. Do these persons have any idea of events and incidents that preceded and precipitated the Vietnamese to come into Cambodia? Obviously not a single clue. One thing for sure, it was not a liberation. It was an incursion and then invasion. So for intents and purposes, it was an invasion and then occupation.

Obviously these persons were not there. There is now a strong doubt on Theary Seng's credibility. Let's see, she tells the world that she was born in 1971. That puts her about 4 years old when the Khmer Republic capitulated in 1975 and about 7 or 8 years old when the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia (1978-1979). Did she actually know what was going on back then? Very unlikely. Or did she know from hearsay much much later on and many years later? More like the case.

It looks like she is now trying to moderate and align herself with a political party. You have the idea of which one. Hummmm!!!!! What does it say about this woman?

Anonymous said...

9:06 AM, I think Theary, being a lawyer and a good writer, read a lot of books on Cambodia. She doesn't have to be a grown up person to understand the KR history. A lot of foreign writers, like Shawcross, Ben Kiernan, Michael Vickery and David Chandler etc, did not live through the KR period and they wrote excellent books on Cambodia and KR history.

Anonymous said...

9:03AM,
Quite frankly and personally, you have offended no one. Enough Said. Big hugs :)

9:06AM,

No I don't, to be quite honest with you...Are you somewhat agreeing with HL at 8:18 AM? Tell me more if you don't mind please? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

9:06 am I'll take my hug back and no I am not being defensive just responding. You claim it is a invasion and yes that is right. But to outright calling it a invasion is not right. Ask any folks who suffered at the hands of Khmer rouge how they felt when it was put to a halt? They will see it as a liberation. It was a debatable eventand will always be. But for you to stand there and cry out it was an invasion is just ludacris. Like I said, I was a double edge sword for us.

And no not everyone know the whole truth on what went on during that time except for those who sat in the very same room with the Viet invaders.

Whatever you call her. She is trying to do good for the country by speaking out.

Anonymous said...

Well...no one knows of what is to come next for Ms. Theary Seng.At the moment she's arguably a Cambodian woman rising star. Whether she is entering politics,it's entirely another matter. Is she a political material?

Anonymous said...

Last 9:25 AM,

My grandfather, an ex Political-military (POL/MIL) employee of the U.S Embassy in Cambodia back then had been made known already that the Viet was going to invade Cambodia, regardless...But what can he do? Just so you know!

Anonymous said...

^^^^ Being a lawyer does not mean she or he knows everything or even possesses a good common sense. Many times than not, they are removed from reality. Talking about books and reading them, I have read those books that you have mentioned and more. Above all of that, I have gone through that hell that you only read through books, magazines, and TV documentaries. So please spare me, 9:20 am. You don't have a slightest authority on this. So just sit back and learn.

Anonymous said...

7:51AM, If it meant double edge sword, why did you said politician who see 7th of Januray '79 as invasion is stupid?

In reverse those politician can also way say you, think it as liberation is stupid. Yes, they can say that because you did said they are.

Anonymous said...

Enough with Ms. Seng. It's just her good thoughts in writing. In this current point, our country need action along with thoughts. Phylosophy alone will not free our nation from what it is today.

Not to con Ms. Seng good work but most great Phlosopher are only good in opinion.

Anonymous said...

9:41 AM, I didn't claim to have authority on anything. I just said you don't have to be a grown up kid during the KR regime to know about the KR history, like the foreign writers I just quoted.

I was young and had lived through the KR regime. I have gone through hell like you with many relatives, including father, brothers, uncles, cousins, grandmothers and grandfathers dead during the regime. I have some clear and some sketchy details of what happened, but when I read more books on the regime I was clear on what had happened.

We must not belittle Theary or discount her claims and memories of the regime. She was young, yes, but she surely could remember something and after reading many books on the regime, all the memories will come back to her mind. This is my point.

Theary never claimed she knew everything, it was the readers like you who gave her that credit.

Anonymous said...

9:57 am, it is a person like you who stroke her ego more than necessary. She has been given a benefit of a doubt and it appears that it is almost used up. By the way, have you read her book? Most of her recounts use I, me, myself as if they were first hand accounts. If she relied on second or third hands accounts, why didn't she say so?

Anonymous said...

Please post more of theary's writings, so we can debate over issues concerning Cambodia and its people. Her writing is obviously incredible.

Thanks Theary

Anonymous said...

9:42 am
do you even understood what I stated? I said they are stupid because they use it as a ploy for their political motive. Understand? I didn't even said that it was exactly a liberation. Wow! You really need to know how to read and take a moment to understand what I am writing. Plain and simple dude. I just said it swings both ways. But to call it one Way is just obsurb. Do you understand now buddy???

Anonymous said...

Hey do you know that Theary thinks that she looks like of them Viet girls? This is Theary's thinking: To her Vietnamese women are beautiful, therefore, Theary is saying that she is very lucky to have considered to be having a Vietnamese look alike because that will make MORE Beautiful than the Cambodian women. No wonder, Theary right away lecture the Cambodians not to use the "UGLY Khmer language" when referring to the Vietnamese because it is a direct attack on her Vietnamese look as well. If Theary thinks that Khmer language is ugly then she should stop speaking it, change her name and start adopting Viet language and culture and custom of black teeth dying. Also what is up with her mentioning of the term "GOD". The Khmer GOD does not create anything. The Christian GOD create. In fact, Christ does not even create anything, only Jehowa created. Khmer people do not understand the Christian GOD. Khmer believes in many gods. For example, Preah Chann, Preah A'tit, Preah this and preah that. In addition, it is very annoying to read Theary's writing because you feel like reading the original sources instead. Theary tried to synthesize information from various sources and discuss but when you read her writing it is already "according to this author...or according to that author..." It is endless annoyance because Theary comes across simply as a parrot who repeats and agree with others all the time. She seems to have pinned up anger as well. What is up with your throat veins popping up all the times? Theary needs to argue more with those authors she loves to quote rather than just being a parrot all the time.

Anonymous said...

9:39 am

Everyone during that era was preaching that. You know why? It was inevitable that we either be swallowed by Thai's or Viet. So I already know that. That's a whole different story so stay on track with the topic. Like I was saying, it was both liberation and invasion. I don't see it as one way or another.

Anonymous said...

11:00 AM,

Can you read between the lines? if not forget about it!

Anonymous said...

10:57 AM
go take a sniff ... you are talking out of jealousy .

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Theary, for your writings.

Anonymous said...

What Theary says, I think, is both clear and simple.
1) She is giving recognition and thanks for the "liberation" from Khmer Rouge regime (i.e for the KR's removal from power)
2) She is saying the reason for the liberation was NOT that of a voluntary spirit of "humanitarianism" (of seeing the destruction, pain and plight of the Cambodian people, of feeling compassion, and then acting on this, by entering Cambodia to try to change this situation to one of peace and a possibility of health, happiness and prosperity) but that the reason was that of "invasion".

And in her next sentence she explains why she thinks it was invasion and not humanitarian: i.e. "the K5 plan" that was only in the end stopped/slowed by the collapse of the Soviet Union. She paints the "K5 plan" in a less than 'humanitarian" light, and one that was only dimmed/extinguished through external factors and not from any feeling of "humanitarianism" on the part of the "liberators".

You might not agree with her; but is seems quite clear and unambiguous what she is saying.

The VN strategy may not have been a long-term plan to occupy & rule, and not necessarily to acquire land and (unlike Iraq) not initially to acquire or control Cambodian resources - but to bring about regime change and install an administration not hostile to VN and aligned with VN and its regional & world view. Especially as regards China: there are a number who believe that one of the key triggers to the "liberation/invasion" to happen when it did was VN fears that China was positioning itself to be able threaten VN from both the north and from Cambodia. The construction of the massive aircraft runway in Kampong Chhnang in 1978, under direction of Chinese advisors, giving the VN great concern about imminent threat to their own country from the Chinese.

It is possible to make comparisons with the US invasion of Iraq, but without the K5 plan and with more incompetence, and with fairly clear initial intentions on Iraqi resources. “Liberators” or “invaders”?

Anonymous said...

For those morons who don't study History (history of Kampuchea Krom for example) but nonetheless talk out of their asses, remember one historical fact: the Yuon state is and in all probability will continue to be (in the light of history)the enemy of the Khmer Nation.

Anonymous said...

It is very wrong and despicable for one to use word game to gain personal notoriety. It is a manipulation and con game that she is engaging. Forget about the lackeys who are trying in vein to protect the mouthpiece. Obviously, the individual does not know Khmer history or chooses to sweep it under the rug.

Invasion is an invasion. There is no if or but about it.

Anonymous said...

To 8:41AM,
Are you sure GOD created men?
If it was true according to your learning, Pol Pot,Hun Sen,Ho Chi Minh must be the creatures of GOD image,right?

Also you said men made sin/ good/ bad/evil,then the question is who made men?Thus the creator is responsible categorically for men actions,right?

Bible is merely 2000 year in age not the word of GOD.It's merely a collection of legends and riddles wrote by men.Remember you said men enslaved sins and also men were made in GOD image. To draw on your saying, Karl Marx or Mao theories are done in GOD behalf too,right?This is a double talk and be liable in men court of laws.

Kung Chu or Lao Tse or Buddha words were several hundreds of year older than Bible. But these thinkers never claimed their words are GOD's.

All in all GOD is the origin of human tragedies like Cambodia killing,Germany slaughtering,China burning and killing educated people...

Thanks for trying,by the way,have you heard of Darwinism or evolution law?

Darwin said men evolved from apes- starting from Africa continent before Bible was incorporated.

Anonymous said...

At Keo,
go to school,
you seem a litle bit idiot.

In 1979, Khmers were liberated by Viets but liberation is not the goal of Vietnameses. BAD will but GOOD result for Khmers. Easy no ?
Khmers owe Viet nothing.

Sihanouk loves Cambodia, loves Khmers but he is a mediocre polititian but he is not guilty about Cambodia actual situation.
He is a looser and that's all.

1965-1975, Sihanouk wants or not, Khmers want or not, Vietkongs came in Cambodia with or without Cambodian authorization. Vietcons impose Khmers by forces to fight against Americans.

Americans did exactelt the same. They imposed Khmers to fight with them against Vietcong.

These events are the facts not an opinion.

Anonymous said...

some people here are jealous of theary seng's brain

Anonymous said...

Brain! What brain? Snake oil saleswoman, yes.

Texan said...

In the past, most of Theary's writings are the thoughts and words of her interns at CSD. Her letter is pretty cliche.

Needless to say, I hope Theary will stay in Cambodia and continue to be an advocate for human rights. I would like to see her in the frontline with the poor, much like Mu Sochua.
Simply sitting in front of a computer screen with a vision is not enough. Cambodia does not need more office chair advocates like Khemara15 of Khmerwitica. Now that is one person who incites hate, whether or not he sees it as hate.
Khemara15 is not incognito, CPP, is well aware of who he is.

Anonymous said...

at keo is such a jealous man, i have seen many khmer like him who can't stand other khmer who are intellectuals, but themselves.

Anonymous said...

Is it a crime to openly ask the author to elaborate on something she writes? These people are really really funny!!! ROFLMAO!!!

Anonymous said...

At Keo himself wants to show he is intellectually smart, not just dr tith, theary, ....

So by asking such sneering questions un-diplomatically, it has the reverse effect of showing his show-off academic attitude.

Anonymous said...

I have travelled to many states in America. North Carolina is a place where khmer people go catch craps and race chickens for a living. I think Mr keo is living among those people. this is a show off. same like ms theary. she was trying to write a sophisticated english. Come on, make ordinary people understand your writing.