Sundaravej

In January, 2008, Samak Sundaravej became the 25th Prime Minister of the Southeast Asian Nation of Thailand.

The well-spoken, highly-regarded Sundaravej was not a career politician.  He also had no ties to others in the government as is sometimes the case in Indochina.  No, instead, he was a television personality...but not a commentator, newsman or anything of that ilk.  Sundaravej was the host of a cooking show.

He was as well-known for being engaging, witty and likable as he was for his signature dish -- Coca-Cola Braised Pork Leg.

However, in September of that same year -- a mere nine months after taking office -- Sundaravej was ousted from power, forced to resign by an edict from Thailand’s Constitutional Court.

He had not committed any grievous policy blunder.  He was not launching a subversive plot to alter the course of Thailand’s history.  His crime?

Hosting a cooking show.

The Constitutional Court determined Sundaravej’s continued cooking show was a “conflict of interest” and ordered him to resign immediately.

Strange, isn’t it?  The very thing which led him to being known well enough to win the office is the same thing which cost him his position.

Even more ironic, though, is the fact that people in Thailand seemed surprised that Sundaravej would continue cooking on camera.

It is what he does.  It is why he managed to get elected.  Is it really that shocking to think he may keep doing what he’s always done?  

The whole thing seems rather silly to me. 

But, then it occurred to me...this sort of thing happens all the time. 

People get into relationships with others who have known habits and flaws...and then act shocked when such traits continue.

We engage in behaviors which result in not-so-great of consequences...and then are taken aback when bad things happen.

We’ll eat something we know isn’t good for us...and then be mortified when our waist size increases.

We do things which we know are contrary to God...and then be frustrated when it seems we cannot connect with Him.

Some things are knowable...predictable...and avoidable.

Sundaravej, in my opinion wasn’t a criminal and did not deserve his fate.  He was simply being who he was and doing what he did.  The people of Thailand loved him for his cooking shows...they propelled him to popularity and prominence. They are the ones who should be held responsible or reprimanded.

In our lives the same is true.

We simply cannot invite things in which are known to be difficult, detrimental or dangerous only to act surprised when we suffer negative consequences.

Doing so is a recipe...for disaster.