Long Live the King

Reverence for the King is virtually universal in Thailand. Unlike the public icons favored by despots everywhere, the nearly ubiquitous private display of official photographs of Bhumibol Adulyadej suggest a rare level of genuine popular respect. The world's longest reigning monarch, the King's attitude toward any settlement of today's troubles will be a key element of success. With all due respect and wishes of good health and long life, one has to wonder what the future holds for a society where wealth is so deeply divided and corruption so deep. Can royal leadership, now or in the future, play a role?

Myths and Realities: The Democratization of Thai Politics (Kyoto Area Studies on Asia)
Long to Reign?: The Survival of Monarchies in the Modern World

Look out Blagojevich, Tymoshenko coming

First post to this new blog. So let's start with the absurd. Rod Blagojevich may have a challenger for worst hair among current or former political leaders. Check out Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko. What's going on here? Perhaps the longest braids off the stage of the Metropolitan Opera and hair color seemingly heading ever blonder? A grab for the nationalist coiffure vote? Perhaps she should die it orange? Not sure what the color of choice is nowadays, but those traditional Slavs did like the blonde hair and blue eyes. If I can figure out how this thing works I'll post a picture and link.

Seriously, though, let's give a nod to one of the world's toughest, smartest, and most persistent female polticians. Battles fought in Ukraine are without quarter, and she's consistently been at or near the top.

The Orange Chronicles
The Governor

All Good Souls

Ever read Bulgakov? Try the interrogation scenes in Master and Margarita. Pontius Pilate and Ieshua. That's where I start thinking about politics and people nowadays.

This blog covers political leaders around the world. Purpose? Yeah, I can hear you now. I'm a skeptic too. But there's lots of grist for this mill and huge demand. Get everything here from the quotidian to the absurd. No pretense of objectivity. Goals? Learn a bit, share a bit, and sharpen my writing.

The Master and Margarita (Penguin Classics)
Transforming Leadership