Solomon's Private File #371
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 32 in this story, in the Summer of 2058.
Solomon's Private File #371 "Roast In Thailand"
START Page
The President of Myanmar objected to my interference in his country.
I said to the president of CNN in his office, "You aren't supposed to
grin like that, until AFTER I ask you invite him to do a show with us."
He said, "I don't care. This is too big." I said, "For his convenience,
we could do it in the Bangkok studio my father used. I can port your
people and do the connections. Or Tibet. Both Buddhist countries. Might
forget to tell them Kam will be there. Better hope your face doesn't
freeze like that. No, we won't do it in Burma. Don't want our news team
in an unfamiliar and possibly hostile studio. That's the public
reason." He said, "And the real reason?" I said, "Kam's a Head of
State, and part of that action. Would cause some diplomatic
complications there. And in Thailand, I might be able to get the King
to attend. He and Kam are the highest ranking Buddhists in the world,
being heads of their denominations and countries." He said, "Wow!
Situation Manager in action!" I said, "We hope."
Thailand was chosen, causing a lot of Guardian grins. I asked to see
the King and PM in private. After very nice greetings, I said, "You're
aware of my recent action to the West of you." The King said, "We are.
Bad situation there. We have our own problems with the Muslims from
that country, and from the South, but we don't stand by and let them be
murdered! And CHILDREN!" I said, "Their President objected to my er,
interference." He said, "You're planning something." I said like I was
hurt, "You couldn't just play along?" He laughed. I said, "I asked CNN
to ask him to do a show with me about it. We offered to do it in a
studio that was more convenient to him, that we are familiar with."
They both grinned widely. King said, "Here?" I said, "Yes, or Tibet.
Both with Heads of State and Buddhism in their countries." More grins.
He said, "Which did they choose?" I said, "Here. If you allow." He said
to the PM, "Your advice?" PM said, "Complicated. More, if you want to
to be personally involved. But if we say we didn't ask for this, and
I looked a question at him, and the PM sighed. I said, "Dalai Lama
plans to attend, unannounced." More grins. King looked at the PM, who
sighed, and said to him, "I see where this is going. We will work with
whatever you decide to do. PLEASE be careful!" We chuckled. We
discussed some positions, tactics, and strategies. They were impressed,
and a little excited to be involved with it.
I said in the office of the manager of the TV station Dad worked
with, "CNN talked with you?" He said with a grin, "They did. We're
ready. Big event!" I said, "Might get bigger. I'll tell you more, but
in the absolute strictest confidence." He said, "Torture accepted."
Smiles. I said, "Going to be some unannounced guests. Dalai Lama, is
one. Another one, well, you're not going to faint, are you?" He
whispered, "The King?" I said, "Yes, but louder." He said, "Wow!" I
said, "PM is VERY nervous, and will get with you about the protocol.
Basically, he is to be treated in this situation, as mostly the Head of
State of the country hosting this meeting. That's for you, and
officially." He said, "I understand. For your purposes he's also the
Highest in Buddhism here. The public is going to want to know if you
ordered him to do this, and told him what to say." I said, "I didn't
even ask. I just asked permission to have the meeting here. You should
have seen his face splitting grin, and the PM's fear." He had to laugh.
I said, "There may be other guests. I have yet to ask them. There
will be no Thai reporters. You know they would become er, unusable in
this situation." He grinned, and said, "Thank you!" I said, "The
moderator will be Catholic. That's as impartial as we could get." He
nodded. I said, "I will arrive first. Then the President, and maybe one
other from his group. After that, we will all rise and bow to the first
new guests, the representatives of Buddhism from China, Japan, and
America, if I can get them. Then the Dalai Lama, and then the King. I
expect to be using my Chi to keep the president from fainting, and then
running away." He laughed. He said, "You will win before you say
anything!" I said, "Possibly. I'm not doing this for me, or for Burma."
He said, "Oh! You're doing this for Buddhism!" I said, "Yes. I've done
good things for the other religions. Time for Buddhism to show the
world its greatness." He cried in my arms.
I shifted to the White Horse Temple in China, in front of the main
pagoda. A Monk ran out to greet me. I said, "I request to speak with
the Abbot." He said, "Please follow me, Master!" I did, and he was
waiting in the meeting hall, with only one aid. We did polite things.
Then I said, "You are aware of my recent action in Burma?" He said, "I
am. And that the leader there dislikes it." I said, "He and I are
having a meeting about it in Thailand. He doesn't know about the extra
guests I plan to bring with me." He grinned, and said, "Your sister is
one." I said, "Yes, and the King. And?" He said, "Are you asking me?" I
said, "I'm looking for representatives of different denominations. At
the moment, one for China. Will that be you?" He said, "I would be
honored!" I said, "This will work, if it isn't known before the event.
And it will be on TV live, and recorded." He said through his grin, "I
understand and support this!" I returned his grin, and said, "I knew
that." We hugged with love.
I asked Ichi to choose a rep from Japan. I said to Roger, the Abbot
of the Temple in DC, "I'm doing a show on CNN. Here's a crystal about
it, and the prep so far." He read it, and said, "Please port me when
it's the right time." I said with a smile, "I knew I wouldn't have to
ask." Grins and a hug. I prepped Mario on the expected guests, and what
might happen, and then some possible things he could do and say. He
thanked me a lot for that, and said, "This is because of the porn
fiasco?" I said, "Because of possible diplomatic and religious
problems. Thais could become violent at any hint of insult to the King.
Last show you pretty much insulted the heads of religions, including
your own. I'd like to minimize that."
said, "Can't get more Catholic than you, and that's not Buddhist.
Nonpartisan referee. And you can use a professional recovery boost." He
was filled with humility and gratitude, in our hug. I said, "Here's a
crystal for reference. Includes a lot of background info on countries,
cultures, religious things, and of the guests I've invited." He thanked
me a lot. I made sure my invited guests were fluent in English, and
knew their assigned colors that would correspond to the dots on the
chairs they were to use.
We set up the studio so that the religious leaders would be sitting
higher than the others in the room. PM liked that a lot. Then he said,
"But where will you be sitting?" I said, "Here, by myself, but closer
to my victim. Better camera angles, and so all involved can see my
face." He said, "But you will not be higher as you should be!" I said,
"I don't need that, and it would look bad for me to sit in a tall chair
by myself. I should be face to face with my victim and the reporter,
for better communication and camerawork." He said, "I understand." I
said, "But you don't like it. We know that's just a small part of what
you don't like about this. Live with it." He returned my smile with his
own, with a sigh. We hugged.
Mario began the show by introducing the President of Myanmar, and his
aid. Then I walked in, and we all bowed to each other the Buddhist way,
including Mario. Then I said, "I've invited some other guests to join
us." I introduced them as they walked in, and we all bowed each time.
Second to last was Kam, and I said she was Head of State, too. Then the
same for the King. We all sat at the same time. I said to the very
uncomfortable President, "You have objected to my action in your
country, as is your right as the leader of that country. Let us discuss
your your reason for that position. So, why did you announce that?" I
was using my Ki to keep him from embarrassing himself, and to encourage
him to speak, and truthfully.
He said, "You violated our sovereignty." I said, "I think that only
applies between nations. I'm a private citizen, but probably not as
private as you would like." Some tried to not show their feelings of
mirth. I said, "What was it that you didn't like of what I did?" He
felt some relief in not having to counter my previous statement, and
said, "You acted without our permission." I said, "I did. Are you
indicating that I should have asked you first, before doing anything?"
He said, "Yes, you should have." I said, "And would you have agreed
with all that I did?" He said, "Er, not all." I said, "What do you wish
I hadn't done?" He said, "The imposed consequences! You shouldn't have
done that to our citizens." I said, "Does that include the people who
murdered the Monk, that started that trouble?" He said, obviously
evading the issue, "You should have let the police handle it." I said,
"They would not have discovered who did it. How could they handle it
then? How could those have received justice?" He was silent. I said,
"Please answer my question. Be aware that your people are watching
this."
Daren said in my mind, "Roast him!" He said, "They should receive
justice. Only you could know who they were, but that wouldn't be
evidence. I have to agree to your consequence. But not for the others."
The Abbot from China said, "May I speak?" Mario and I indicated yes. He
said, "We are all aware of what happened, and what happened like this
in the past. We saw that your police did nothing to stop the
destruction and killing, even though they were there and witnessed it.
Can you explain why that was so?" He said, "They were small in number,
and would have had to kill people to stop that, and would be killed in
return." The Abbot from Japan stirred, and China nodded to him, who
said, "But they saw what happened, and some had cameras, including in
the past times it happened. They know who some of the murderers were,
but did not arrest them after it stopped. Can you explain why that is
so?"
President squirmed, and said, "Some of those people were relatives of
the police." I said, "And why is that significant?" He said, "They
couldn't arrest their own people!" I said, "Why?" He was confused. I
said, "Did they take an oath to enforce the law?" He said, "They did."
I said, "Did that oath exempt relatives from that?" He said, "Er, no it
didn't. But you don't expect them to arrest their own people!" I said,
"Yes I do! Criminals should be prosecuted, no matter who they are.
Favoritism causes injustice and lack of respect. They will keep killing
people, BECAUSE they believe you approve of that, BECAUSE they aren't
arrested."
Kam said, "And this is what the world knows of you. That you like and
encourage your people to kill each other." Roger said, "Tell us, if the
same number of Muslims killed Buddhists like what was done there, would
you have told the army to kill them all?" President clearly didn't want
to say anything to that. I said, "Please answer that as if I asked it.
You know what that means." My guests nodded. President was practically
drenched in sweat. He said, "Yes, I would have." I said, "So, what this
means is you approve of Buddhists killing Muslims, and not Muslims
killing Buddhists. And this is because you are a Buddhist, and you feel
only Buddhists are your people, not ALL the citizens of your country.
Is this correct?" VERY reluctantly, he said, "I have to say it, yes,
it's correct."
King said, "I see a another inequality. You approved of Solomon's
consequence for the murderers of the Monk, because they wouldn't have
received justice in any other way. You have said that the murderers of
the Muslims, including CHILDREN, would also not receive justice from
your country. This then would support them having the consequence they
did, just as the murderers of the Monk did, and for the same reason.
Yet you said it shouldn't have happened. Please explain this
difference." He said, "They are my people!" King said, "Because they
are Buddhists?" He said, "Yes!"
I said, "If a Muslim becomes a Buddhist, then he will be one of your
people?" He looked confused. I said, "This has happened. Please
answer." He said, "I don't know. I never thought of that." I said, "Do
it now." He looked more confused. I said, "You DO want your people, who
are watching, to know you can think, don't you?" Kam almost laughed,
and some noticed that. I said, "Here's some more to think about. A
Buddhist becomes a Muslim. It's happened. Not one of your people then?"
He said, "I don't know!" I said, "One more. A Buddhist and a Muslim
marry, and have children. This has happened. Are those children your
people?" He shouted, "I don't know! I can't think!" Kam said, "THAT, we
knew." They agreed with her.
I said, "Let me show you some things. This person who is killing a
child is a police officer, but not in uniform. This man is in the army.
There were others. Tell us, have you ordered the police and the army to
not do this?" He slumped down in defeat, and said, "No I have not. Nor
has any previous administration. We didn't think it was necessary."
Japan said, "You allowed them to break their oaths to not oppose it.
You should not be surprised they would take that as permission and
approval to participate in it. That is supremely obvious to any
reasoning person. Who here doesn't think you knew this?" China said,
"The International Court should hear this. You not only condoned the
slaughter of thousands many times, you encouraged it!"
Kam said, "And worse, you wanted Buddhists to do this horrible thing!
You should have arrested those Monks who encouraged it, as your laws
allow. Yes I say this, who is the leader of millions of Buddhists, and
many thousands of Monks!" King said, "I agree, who is the leader of
Buddhists in Thailand." China said, "I speak for the Buddhist Monks of
my country, with agreement in this. WE DO NOT KILL! We do not tell
others to kill!" Japan said, "And NEVER children, for any reason by any
person of any religion!" Roger said, "You have here the leaders and
representatives of almost all the Buddhists in the world. We condemn
the actions of those Monks who supported and encouraged violence. I
will include in that, the government that supports and encourages it.
To my mind, YOU are a criminal, greater than them all! You do not care
about justice!"
I said to the President, "You didn't lead your country, you allowed
murderers to lead YOU. And you LIKED that! I say this as a person who
is of all religions, past and present. Religions are not people! A
person can change to have a different religion, which I have shown you,
but a person cannot choose to not be a person, in law, and in biology.
A leader of a country is the leader of ALL in it, all citizens, and all
people who are not citizens, no matter what religion they choose to
belong to. They all have the same God! They all have the same human
right to live and have true justice. If you do not act in full
awareness of this, responsibly, you are not a true leader. If you
support and encourage violence, you are not a Buddhist. Those murderers
are not Buddhists, and you caused that to happen! Do you understand me,
that you are making your people into NOT being Buddhists? Do they
really deserve that?"
Silence. I said, "I asked you a question. Please answer it." More
silence. I said in command voice, "You have supported grave injustices,
and have refused to answer a question about it. By that, you give me
this power over you, with these commands. You will never lie. You will
answer the questions of those of any religious or government authority,
including the international, fully, and without delay. You will not
harm another person, or ask another to do that, beyond what the law
requires. You will not kill yourself. You will not ask or require any
person to violate any law you know of, nor will you violate any laws.
So you have heard, so you will obey!" I said in normal voice, "I
suggest you use the remaining time you have as the President of your
country, to work to right the wrongs you have caused. That may help
make less the suffering you will experience for this, in your future
lives. You may now leave us!" His aid had to drag him out. I said,
"Let's take a break."
Off air, I said, "Next, we respond to viewer questions, er, if you
will. Er, please." Kam laughed. King grinned, and said, "I understand."
Roger said, "Like switching gears. Need good transmission fluid." Japan
said, "Ah! Good one." They bowed to each other. I said to Mario, "Doing
alright?" He said, "Thank you, Solomon, yes. There are some interesting
things on my screen." I said, "Warn us when it starts to smoke." He
grinned, and said, "I will." Back on air, he recapped the show. Then I
said, "We'll be taking viewer questions now. I'll provide translations
into English, and replies into the questioner's language." Mario said,
"Oh! Thank you." I said, "You're welcome."
He said, "I'm not going to name the people. Some of the email
addresses are er, unusual. If a country is indicated, I'll name it. Our
web site will have all the source information, for those who are
interested in it. Questions that aren't answered here, that are not
duplicates, Solomon will answer on our web page." I said, "I will, now
that I know I'm supposed to." Kam and Roger had to laugh. I said, "They
know I didn't know about this in advance." Mario said, "One asks, 'Why
didn't you give him a real consequence? I think he deserved it.'" I
said, "He didn't actually tell anybody to kill innocent people, or
order the police to not stop it. I can't give serious consequences to
all the selfish fools in the world, or we would all have to wear
justice isn't as we wish, but he WILL suffer for what he's caused."
King said, "The disgrace of world condemnation, will do it, just to
start." I nodded, and said, "Yes."
Mario said, "This is to Solomon, 'Did you order the people to be
there with you?'" I said, "I don't do that, ever, for leaders of
religions! I wish people would stop asking that. I only order criminals
and abusers of psionics, and people who don't answer my just questions,
or lie to them. I do NOT like that the public likes to think so little
of my past, current, and new friends, that they would need to be
ordered to do what is just and right for their own people and the
world. I didn't ask if they would want to participate in this, I just
told them about this meeting. THEY asked ME to allow them to
participate in it, because they wanted to. Is that clear enough?" Mario
said, "Very clear. I'll not present more questions like that. Your
answer should apply to all of them, and for all in the future." I said,
"Good. Thanks. Next?" He said, "Hmm, some want to know what my own
religion is. I am a Catholic Christian. Yes, Solomon requested me, of
the available people for this at CNN, knowing that. Well, what doesn't
he know?" Chuckles.
He said, "This is for Her Eminence, the Dalai Lama. Did Solomon ask
you to do the action with him, and show about it, and this show, too?
How did you feel about that?" She grinned, and said, "I felt very
honored to be in an action with him. Who wouldn't? But I also felt very
sad that it had to happen. I felt it was my duty to Buddhism and the
world to be a part of it. He didn't invite me, only told me about the
action and this show, knowing I would want to be involved in them. I
think we all here would want to join him in any action or show, at the
slightest hint of the possibility of it, knowing that it would be for
the improvement of the world." They said they would. Mario said, "I
have to say I feel the same. All of us at CNN feel it's an honor to
work with Solomon and his people, because that helps the world." I
said, "Even when you ask me questions you think I won't like?" He said,
"Yes, we sometimes ask the tough questions our viewers want to know
about, because that's our function in this exercise of the free press,
which you support." I said, "I do. I hope the public can understand the
courage and professionalism it takes for you do that to me, and so
carefully, knowing very well what could happen." He said, "Absolutely!"
I said, "And the skill it takes for you not to show on camera how
nervous that can make you feel." He said, "Like right now? Another
absolutely! Can we go to another question, PLEASE?" Chuckles. I nodded.
He said, "This is to His Majesty the King, and from Thailand. You are
not seated above the others. Isn't this wrong?" King said, "The people
here are my peers, my equals in various degrees, in Buddhism, in actual
fact, or as representatives, and as the ruler of a country. In fact,
the Dalai Lama rules Buddhists in many countries. It is right that we
sit as equals, in honor, respect, and love. Except for Solomon. He sits
where he wants." We all chuckled. Mario said, "Still to Your Majesty,
from Libya. You have Muslims in your country that are oppressed. Will
you stop that?" King said, "They feel oppressed because we won't let
them form their own country from part of this country. That causes them
to sometimes try to use violence to achieve this. In these times, it
seems that every little group wants to have their own country. We
disagree. We feel that togetherness is better for a country than
separatism. They are valued and respected citizens of Thailand when
they are not being violent, and still citizens when they are violent,
and will receive justice for any crime, as fair as possible." I said,
"Within the limits of what a well meaning and intentionally responsible
government can accomplish, that is what is happening."
China said, "I think you would not have had this meeting here, if
that were not so, with how thoroughly you prepare for these things." I
said, "That's true. I would not want to cause a host country problems
with what I do in these situations." Japan said, "As you did in
Mongolia." I said, "Very carefully chosen, that one." Grins. Mario
said, "Many are asking who has the highest rank here." They all said,
I said, "You knew that was one of the questions I wouldn't like." He
said, "Yes, I did know that. Did I do wrong?" I sighed, and said, "No,
you did right. But I don't have to fake liking it!" Chuckles. He said,
"Some request you to show the auras of the other people here." I said,
"No, and no explanation, beyond that it's a privacy issue."
He nodded, and said, "Will you do the same consequences if it happens
again?" I said, "I will do what I should. I can't say exactly what in
advance, because what I would do it for could be different, but there
is something like the repeat offender concept to consider." He said,
"Oh, you actually did that. A greater consequence than the first time
you acted there. So you might be even more harsh the next time." I
said, "That's quite possible. People who might want to do things that
can cause that, should think very carefully about that possibility,
before they act." The guests said, "Yes!" He said, "That's all the
questions we have time for here. When we come back, we will have final
comments from our guests." Off air, I said to Mario, "Good job!" He
said, "Er, thank you. It's not easy!" Grins. I said, "As host, the King
of Thailand should comment last, to have the last word." King said,
"Good. I agree. Oh, I see the questions in some of my friends here.
Yes, I would agree to anything Solomon says, and so would you."
Laughter. Kam said, "Not out of fear, but because it would be right,
just, and beneficial." They agreed. I said, "And more, if they could
embarrass me." Chuckles.
Back from break, Mario announced them in turn. Japan said, "It was an
honor for Japan to be represented here, and an education for me
personally. I value the new friends I have found here. I would like to
stay in Thailand and explore it and its culture, before I return to
Japan. What was done here was right and just. We should all learn from
it." I said, "If you will agree, I will ask a friend, a former student
of my father, of Thailand, to accompany you here." He said, "I would
love that! Oh, yes, thank you." Grins. China said, "May I join you in
that?" Japan said, "Brother, I would welcome your company, gladly."
China said, "Thank you! I would say what my brother from Japan has
said, but with a different accent." Chuckles. He said, "I had thought I
was, at my age, beyond being surprised, but when Solomon asked to speak
with me, I discovered I was very much mistaken! I fully agree with what
was done here, and I am honored beyond words to have been a part of
it."
Roger said, "They have said it all for me. I am the newest Abbot
here. I never thought I could have such an honor, to help my most
recent teacher, Solomon, in his just actions. Thank you!" We bowed to
each other. Kam said, "I'm not going to say they said what I would say,
than any other person of Earth, but I'm still learning about him, and
from him. That's not a bad thing at all. Nobody deserved what happened
in Myanmar, that caused us to be here today. Buddhism didn't deserve
it. I say here and now, we will do our best to show to the word that
real Buddhism does NOT support violence, and that any leader of
Buddhism, any Monk who does, should be cast out!" The others said,
"YES!" The King said, "The Kingdom Thailand is supremely privileged and
honored to be able to host this show for the world. I asked personally
to be a part of it for that honor, and in support of the freedom of the
press, and in support of religious and international cooperation. Well
done all. Please accept my highest gratitude. I will now formally close
this program." Mario said, "We are off the air."
I said, "I'll ask my friend if I can port him here. Yes, I suspected
what would happen, and he was informed of the possibility, and
volunteered for this." Grins and nods. Srinoy showed up, with a big
grin on his face. I introduced him. He greeted the King, and said to
the Monks, "Please be my guests, for all of Thailand." I said, "Still
one thing left to do." King said with a grin, "Hugs!" I hugged him
first, and he left with his waiting escort. Then Kam, and she ported
out. Then I hugged the monks, and then Srinoy. He led them out. Alone
with Mario, and the tear down crew, and the manager of the station, I
said, "So, how did we do?" Manager said, "Wow!" Mario said, "What he
said." Chuckles. He said, "I think you were right about what you said
before the show, regarding me. All I can say, is thank you." I said,
"You managed a show with two Heads of State and religion, and the
unpredictable me, in the just roasting of another Head of State, with
absolutely no errors or gotchas. Got to count for something for your
career. I'll see your boss knows this." He was speechless. We hugged. I
helped him to sit. I said, "When you and the crew are ready, say my
name, and desire, and I'll port you back." He nodded.
I went with the manager into his office. He said, "I agree he did
very well. You coached him, didn't you." I said, "Oh, I'm SO exposed!"
Chuckles. I said, "Had to. He insulted leaders of religions, last time.
Learned his lesson." He grinned, and said, "Yes. I saw that. Thank you
for involving us. What an honor!" I said, "You're welcome. If we ever
said, "Well done!" Galya said with pride, "Of course!" Chuckles, mixed
with love.
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