The following is a guest opinion article from Doc Martyn. His opinions and advice are entirely his own and may not necessarily be those of The Pattaya News Company Limited. His contact information can be found at the end of the article.
1. In deference to the fairer gender, in the title I use the non-standard spelling of Dude, namely Dood, because Bonza Dudes and Dudettes sounds a little clumsy. Bonza is Australian slang for awesome. Generally, as a nation, Australians are kind, friendly and supportive to all, they are Bonza Doods. During the 2010/2011 floods in Brisbane, Queensland, see photo 1, I was trapped by the flooding into my riverfront home. For those of us who remained in their homes, ordinary Australians would deliver coffee, tea, sandwiches and confectionery daily, all provided free of charge. Aussies look after Aussies, it’s the Aussie way. Yet during this disaster period, the non-Australian Indian folk who ran the local Kenmore grocery store doubled the price of essential goods, e.g. milk and bread. Following the floods, the shop in question was boycotted and their business failed, a bonza result.
2. During the recent catastrophe in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, my Sawang team requested my assistance as a medic. Ostensibly, Thai doctors are reluctant to provide complimentary medical care to those in need of disaster care. During the trip I was contacted by a delightful man, Ed, who at the time was providing assistance for the Akha Christians Hill Tribe People in the Chiang Rai region. Ed is the field representative for a special fund controlled by the US Special Forces Association and the Thai Airborne Association, see pictures 2 and 3.
3. Ed had been following my work in remote Thailand communities. He messaged me: ‘I am impressed and grateful to you for what you do to help those in need….I hope that we can do some good together soon’. Via the Associations, Ed provided substantial assistance with my clinic in Chaiyaphum, including, but not limited to; a water pump and water heater for the toilet, there was no running water, and replacement furniture for my office, see photos 4, 5, 6 before and 7, 8, 9 after. I have met Ed and his family. His children are highly intelligent with significant facility. He is a justifiably proud father. He is a fine example of the type of selfless personalities who assist the vulnerable and less fortunate and, despite his American heritage, he ranks as a Bonza Dood.
4. There were many other examples of selfless people who assisted with the resolution of the catastrophe, whilst placing themselves at risk. These people included the Saswang Teams who rescued the debilitated by wading through the filthy, toxic, sewage-laden torrents of water. Other examples include a Dutch International Disaster Rescue Officer who coordinated much of the rescue program and the German expat who cleaned houses after the floods had subsided. You may have seen his video on Facebook which showed him shovelling waist-high toxic filth from a house. Apparently this is an annual service he provides free of charge. The common characteristic of these people is their selfless determination to assist others.
5. Selflessness is a tremendous personal attribute which should be respected and admired. Selflessness is the antithesis of Evil,. whilst selfishness is the root of all evil. According to Biblical mythology, Adam and Eve {symbolically representing the human race} denied the will of God by eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In doing so they lost their fellowship with God and fell from God’s grace. This was the original sin of mankind. Evil (selfishness) followed.
6. The genesis of evil becomes clear when the nomenclature associated with Lucifer is understood. Lucifer, originally the Guardian Angel of the Throne of God, was created a ‘free spirit’, as was mankind. He therefore had volition, as did Adam and Eve. In addition, Lucifer was perfect in every way and in him was the ‘fullness of wisdom’ and the ‘perfection of beauty’. It was his beauty (a feature of the mundane) that caused his selfish pride, which corrupted his wisdom and resulted in his downfall. I am not fond of biblical quotes but this is relevant; ‘Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beautie, and thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground’ Ezekiel 28:17. Lucifer committed the first sin by his act of treason, when he challenged God’s authority. In doing so he placed his own will in direct opposition to the will of God. In taking this contrary stance he became Satan, which means adversary. To defend his own view and to self-justify, he accused God, and became the Devil, which means accuser. Thus, selfishness is the root of all evil.
7. For those who maintain that money is the root of all evil: Evil commenced when Adam and Eve committed the original sin by eating the forbidden fruit. At that time money did not exist. The only thing they had to barter with was fig leaves! Nevertheless, thus began the conflict between the selflessness of pure love and fellowship, God’s will, and the selfishness of own will and self.
Addendum: Over the past 6 years, as a retired medic living in Buriram I offered second opinions on any medical issue. I recently moved to Pattaya. As in this case, if you reside outside of Pattaya, telephone consultations are provided. For assistance; please contact me, Doc Martyn, on Facebook or call Dao on 095 414 8145.
