PEOPLE WITH CHARACTER...

The world is very short of people with character and two people who showed us all that character in indeed alive and well in some of us are Vanessa Hudgens and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Hudgens, was in the spotlight many months ago because nude photos of hers surfaced. She meant the photos for her boyfriend Zac Efron and it was unfortunately leaked onto the Internet.

Asked recently if she was embarrassed about it and if she would have changed anything if she could, this brave young actress said she would not change a single thing!

As the success of High School Musical 3 shows -- the audience don't really care about the nude photos.

As for Taro Aso, he is from a very rich Japanese family. Recently, he was criticized for going to expensive restaurants to eat and drink at night. The man bravely stood up and said it was his own money and he could eat where he wanted to.
Naturally. He can eat any place where he damn well pleases.

The only thing people should be criticizing him, if there was any basis, is if he was not doing a good job as a country's leader. In Aso's case, the financial crisis was not his doing. He is obviously doing his best to deal with the crisis with his fellow Japanese politicians.

It is good to see people having a bit of spine in dealing with the overly moralistic public and media. Sometimes, honestly, you have to look people in the eyes and ask, "Who the hell do you think you are -- taking the moral high road with me?!?"

(Photo of Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron)

A WAVE OF CHANGE AROUND THE WORLD...

There's an unstoppable wave of change that is sweeping over global politics -- politicians in power are being replaced, thanks to either strong judicial arms or people power.

All around the world, East and West -- be it Thailand, South Africa, Japan, Zimbabwe (even the weak British Prime Minister is being shown the exit door!) -- people are showing their displeasure at politicians who are ineffective or are more interested in protecting vested interests rather than working in the people's interests.

But, having said that, I must say that I have great misgivings about the name of the Japanese Prime Minister-to-be Taro Aso.
He is surely going to be the butt of jokes should either or both the Japanese economy or politics misfire!

And, politically, Thailand is simply tragic: from Shinawatra Thaksin's crony Samak to Somchai Wongsawat (latter who is Thaksin's brother -in-law) -- Thailand's politics is an epic tragedy in the making. Expect the tanks to roll out again soon, folks. Buy flowers next time you plan a visit to Thailand -- to give as offerings to soldiers and also for decorating tanks that roll around Bangkok.


Photos of:

1. Taro Aso from http://www.topnews.in/japans-governing-ldp-elects-taro-aso-new-leader-269698

2. Robert Mugabe photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1988/gallery/mugabe.shtml

3. Gordon Brown photo from http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/columnists/carolemalone/article26031.ece

4. Samak Sundaravej photo from http://www.thainewsland.com/?l=en&a=280968

5. Somchai Wongsawat photo from http://voanews.com/english/2008-09-16-voa16.cfm