Dear Editor:

Regarding the letter "Against Criticism", the author has obviously not

been reading my column carefully. If he had, he would have realized that not once

have I "Criticized" anyone, Khmer politicians or otherwise.

Perhaps he was confused by the message of the first saying; "When the water

is high, the fish eat ants, When the water goes down, the ants eat the fish",

which deal with the law of Karma and impermanence. The last line reads; "An

excellent admonition for Khmer politicians." I suggest the author open his English

dictionary to admonition, and take careful note of the definition; "To counsel

another against something to be avoided; to caution". To admonish is to advise,

not criticize. This was exactly my intention: to counsel politicians (and others)

against the belief that they will always have the upper hand, will always be "on

top", so to speak. There is nothing critical about this sentence whatsoever.

The column is intended to enlighten readers with pithy tidbits of Khmer wisdom, which

may be generally relevant to the current state of affairs in Cambodia. It is not

my intention to criticize or degrade anyone, although those without a thorough understanding

of English misinterpret the finer points.

The author continues, in a pontificating tone and with confused logic, warning me

to "judge not lest ye be judged" and implying that I should "get out

of the kitchen" if I "can't stand the heat." Judge away then, my friend!

And if your sensitive ego takes offense at what I write, then there must be something

hitting home, no? To wit: "If the shoe fits, wear it."

-Jason Roberts