Let’s say ‘blah, blah, blah’ when there are no exact words

Let's say 'blah, blah, blah' when there are no exact words

Published on Monday, 29 April 2013 22:33

Written by Than Htut Aung

(1)

Those writing long used to ask what genre of writing the most difficult one. All unanimously responded and agreed that it is the satire. Satirical writing is a work of literature or other art form that blends criticism with humor in order to bring attention to a certain fault, problem, or shortcoming.

Satirist uses humor to highlight these problems with the hope that they will be improved upon. Well-written satire will not only entertain, it will also reason the audience to consider problems. There are many different forms of satire, but they all have this specific concept in common. It is the most difficult to write a soothing, savoring and superior satire.

Since I started writing, the most I wanted to compose has been the satire. I keep on writing of the satirical way. But, as I cannot write this genre skillfully, my pieces of writing become in the form of attacking or odd letters. When the people read them, they feel whether to smile or weep. When I asked them whether these were good or otherwise, they just simply nod as if they like them because they are my close supporters. From that time onwards, I have already realized this oddity.

(2)

Recently, lobbying has been increasingly popular on Facebook and website pages. Who should be a president! Who is the pitiful person! The ability of a good leader is this and that. One competes against another. The real persons involved knew nothing about it. A series of wars of words are full on the Facebook and website pages. "There is no need to compare with our mother, blah, blah, blah," one side said. (Mother is commonly referred NLD chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar politics).

Another side said, "What did your mother do well for the country, blah, blah, blah." "Myanmar's debts are written off due to the efforts of our father, blah, blah, blah." (Nothing is said and explained about the debt of the country and they seemed to be ignorant on the subject). Facebook and webpages are too much flattering the two main figures on their benevolence and maturity.

(Note: People say blah, blah, blah, when they do not want to give the exact words that somebody has said or written).

(3)

The saying of my uncle Bagyi Thet who passed away recently rushed into my mind. Bagyi Thet was the eldest of my father and he was a follower of Thakhin Soe, one of Myanmar tough communist leaders. He was bestowed with a Star of Valor (second-class) of red flag of communist and he went underground to be a fighter. I first saw Bagyi Thet by the time he visited my father in Gangaw after returning to the legal fold. At that time I was 10 years old. After he returned to the legal fold, he visited Yangon once a year. There lies Lema village in Pale Township, which was a heaven of "Nitni" (communists' stronghold of the Red Flag). He came to Yangon alone even when he turned 88 years old.

It was not easy to come to Yangon without enough money. With very poor eyesight, he usually came to Yangon after packing about two sets of clothes. He climbed up whatever car he came across in town and enjoyed meals someone else provided. When in Yangon, he came to my office first. But he seemed to be disheartened during the last visit to Yangon.

My father told him before his death, "My Dear Brother, this may be the last time that we have met. When I die, please don't come to Yangon anymore."

My uncle talked about strange topic during his last visit. He said he wanted to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to say something.

When all the family members were laughing at him, he said with his cranky and weird face that he would write to her.

(I forget to say that he loved General Aung San, national hero of independence struggle. He used to serve in the Burmese Defense Army under General Aung San's command during the Japanese occupation. He also seemed to love and admire Daw Suu.)

Asked why he wanted to meet her, my uncle said: "Aung San Suu Kyi is talking about presidential aspirations. She is as hard-headed (determined) as her father. When she becomes president, the journals in Myanmar like your journals will write too far on all aspects. There will also be more protests. I don't want to see such chaos and upheavals. I have a warning for her. I will say when I meet her."

Uncle Thet now rested in peace at his favorite place, Ponetaung Ponenyar, a tranquil place in upper Myanmar. I am curious to know what warnings he would have continued to give.

(4)

In fact, it is not easy to serve as a president in the democracy era, especially in this country, but it was much easier to control and command as a dictator during the dictatorial regime. The people once loved in the past will hate the president. Those who do not love in the past will hug the president and shared and enveloped with pretending affection. Friends will become enemies. Enemies will make-believe to be friends.

The president has to keep reciting 'the public' over and over again from both his mouth and mind. From the Sakkar King (Celestial King) at the very top of the heavenly abode to the ants from the earthly mound, they will send complaints to the president. They will use the president. The president will have to smile subtly at the journalists. The president will have to pretend to have read complaint letters, anonymous letters, and advice letters without actually reading them. The president will have to pretend not to be acquainted with the cronies even though the president is intimate with them. The president will have to appoint advisors to shut the mouths of the impudent people although the situation does not need any advice. The president will have to go to Facebook and tell those people in comfort to keep on flattering and supporting without getting anything to praise.

But, if it is for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to come to the presidential pathway, the comical, colossal and classical constitution (2008), which was approved with 92 per cent of votes and took 15 long years to draft, needs to be changed. Even though 25 per cent of military representatives are already in the Parliament without being elected, the Proportional Representation (PR) system will come into the parliament by gathering lesser votes at the elections. It will be worse if a PR system is introduced and practiced when the 25 percent military representatives are still in the parliament. Analysts say a public voting system will have no effect and value at all when the PR system is enforced in this way beefing up the existing 25 percent undemocratic portion up to 50 percent more.

Whether it is termed 'strong democracy' or 'direct democracy', the genuine democracy for people is a system in which the president is elected by public votes. Now, two presidential candidates are chosen from 75 percent public representatives in parliament, and one presidential candidate from 25 percent military representatives. Among the three candidates, one is to be elected as president. (What a complicated constitution!)

Well, let us make more complicated by enlisting public involvement. Let us have five presidential candidates – two from the Upper House, two from the Lower House and one from the military. And let them compete for public votes. Select three among the five with the vote counts. Then, make one with largest number of votes as the president and the remaining two as vice-presidents. Isn't it more complicated? More complications mean more interesting for the people! I'd like to say those who advocate PR system, isn't it better to start the system only after the 25 percent of military representatives marched out of the parliament? If not, our fledgling democracy will fade away. If you will make military representatives 25 percent and PR 25 percent, then it is useless to hold elections anymore!

Would it be great to go this confusing and messy way to become a president? I am not sure if this becomes a satire or weird article. What people like a 'direct democracy'? Whoever becomes the president, the journalists will sing a song "Right here waiting…"

Well, all are blah, blah, blah.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/04/30/lets-say-blah-blah-blah-when-there-are-no-exact-words/