Funny business that democracy stuff. If George Bush wins after all the dust has

settled, will pundits say the Americans lifted a page from Cambodian history and

copied it?

In 1998, Rainsy stood apart from the two established political machines, pointing

the finger at both, and ended up acting as spoiler, with his arch enemy the CPP taking

the brass ring.

In 2000, Ralph Nader stood apart from the two established political machines, pointing

the finger at both, and ended up acting as spoiler, with George Double-U-Dot maybe,

just maybe set to take his seat in the White House saddle.

At least Rainsy won some seats in the National Assembly with the right to act as

"official opposition".

 

But what did Nader win? Anonymous, highly placed, insider sources hinted that

the Bush is considering sending Nader a mint condition Pinto as a gift of thanks

for his contribution to his campaign.

Hang on to your chapeaux. There is trouble brewing in River City. This month we

may see white boys go on strike at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.

Sources say that foreign staff at the ITC are ticked off that their salaries have

not been adjusted to reflect the drop in the value of the French franc against the

greenback. They say they have lost 20 percent in the last 10 months.

The French Embassy is said to have given the profs an abrupt tant pis mes amis -

like what you get or lump it (while their own salaries get adjusted every three months).

But now a line in the sand has been drawn: the ITC folks have told the embassy "Let

us know by November 15 how much the adjustment will be and when we get it or we walk!"

This could be fun. Maybe they'll do the burning tires thing and all that!

A guy goes to Bangkok on business and checks into the Ambassador. After dinner

he goes back to the hotel and calls up the front desk: "Any messages for me?"

"No, no, not now," comes the reply.

The guy goes to bed and is woken up at 4am with the front desk barking, "Okay,

okay, where are you? Girl is waiting." The bleary-eyed patron barks back, "I

said 'message', not 'massage'. Good night."

Freudian slip by AFP. Their November 7 story on the upcoming visit to Cambodia

by Vietnamese President Tran Duc luong was datelined "PHNOM PENH, Vietnam".

Ouch!