No stampede investigation by the CPP-controlled NatAss

Cheam Yeap
01 Dec 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

The National Assembly (NatAss) rejected the request made by the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) to set up a special commission to investigate the deadly stampede accident that took place on 22 November at Pich Bridge. CPP Cheam Yeap said that the NatAss does not need to set up an additional investigation committee because the government already closed the investigation. Cheam Yeap’s rejection came after 4 SRP MPs asked Heng Xamrin, the NatAss president, to set up an independent commission to investigate the cause of the death and injuries on Pich Bridge.

Bon Phkar and Memorial Service for Koh Pich Victims at the Canley Vale Khmer Temple (Wat Dhamma Samaki), Syndey

On 28 November 2010, during his visit to Sydney, Australia, opposition leader Sam Rainsy attended a Bon Phkar (Flower ceremony), as well as a Memorial Service for the victims of the Koh Pich Stampede at Wat Dhamma Samaki (Canley Vale Khmer Temple).

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Posted by Socheata

Welcome Dinner for Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy's Visit to Australia

On 27 November 2010, 400 people attended a dinner to welcome the visit of opposition leader Sam Rainsy's visit to Sydney, Australia. Each of the guests paid $35 to attend this welcoming event.

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Posted by Socheata

Appeal from Mr. Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri [Pls. Help Preserve Khmer Culture and Khmer Heritage in S'rin]

Dear Supporters of the Khmer Surin,

On behalf of the Association, I am seeking for your kind consideration to support to the Kandrum Group to perform in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from December 11-17, 2010. The plan is to promote and reach out to organization partnership in Phnom Penh for future cooperation. As planned, the group shall be performed at Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), and at the residence of vice president of Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) at Kien Svay, Krong Ta Khmao, and the Seminar of Ken and Kandrum at Royal University of Fine Arts. We also plan to meet with performing arts group like Krom Khmer Amarita and Apsara to discuss about the cooperation for the future.

I see that to make the Khmer Surin Association strong, we need support from brothers and sisters in Cambodia and I am hopeful that through this way, we can stand on our own ground. I also plan to invite Khmer traditional arts to perform in Surin in the festival held annually. I am hopeful that we will be received attention and understanding regarding our striving to protect and to promote the Khmer culture right here in the last stronghold of the Khmer civilization in the Khorat Plateau. If we lose Surin, and half of Srisaket then we will be a history.

Please kindly take my sincere thanks to your support after all the year. I take all the hand that help in my head and in my mind.

If you understand that what I have constructed is right
Then it is your duty to protect it.
Because men of wisdom say,
"Creator and Protectors equally share of the merit."
-King Jayavaraman VII's words of wisdom,
found at a stolen stone inscription at Srok Prasat, Khet Surin.

Sincerely,

Disaster Demands Response Evaluation: Rights Advocate

(Photo: AP)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 30 November 2010

“I just want to ask you [authorities] whether you're at peace when this happens within your area of responsibility and your carelessness.”

A leading rights activist says last week's deadly bridge stampede and the authorities' response to it reflect a poor safety and security system that needs addressed for large events.

In order to avoid a future disaster, Cambodia must now focus on safety measures, including building structures, training of security teams and safety exits, said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

The Diamond Bridge stampede left 351 dead and 395 injured at last count, one of the worst disasters in decades, and authorities, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, have said no one will be held directly accountable.

Lack of Police 'Professionalism' Found in Bridge Disaster

A female victim of the deadly stampede, on Monday November 22, 2010, is carried onto a rescue truck, by Phnom Penh police. Hou Chanthy, 47, lost her daughter, said, "I'm thankful for the donations, but the donations will never compensate me.” (Photo: by Heng Reaksmey)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 30 November 2010

“The accident is our largest experience for the government and the authorities." [... but not when it comes to accountability!]

The government committee investigating last week's bridge disaster has said the police and military police must now be better trained for crowd management to avoid future incidents.

The investigating committee stopped short of placing direct responsibility on police, city or Water Festival authorities, after thousands of people stampeded on a crowded bridge, killing 351 and injuring 395 people Nov. 22.

Prum Sokha, secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior and head of the investigating committee, said the crowded situation on the bridge exceeded the “preparedness and capacity” of security forces. He recommended a “build-up of professionalism” for police and military police to better handle large crowds in the future.

US-Cambodians Observe Ceremonies for Bridge Deaths

The ceremony at Wat Buddhikarama, in Maryland, had raised $4,900 by Monday. (Photo: by Soeung Sophat)

Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Silver Spring, Maryland Tuesday, 30 November 2010

"Those who died or were injured in the stampede “will never be forgotten."

Cambodian-Americans marked seven-day ceremonies for those who died in the Diamond Bridge stampede last week, joining many in Cambodia who sought answers and prayed that the dead rest in peace.

Venerable monk Soeng Yoeung Ratana, a member of Wat Khemarak Rainsey temple in San Jose, Calif., said Cambodians from across the US had participated at the pagoda's ritual on Monday.

“There are people from New York City, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Stockton, Modesto and San Francisco, together with people in San Jose, observing the ceremony,” he said.

The seven-day ceremony is meant to put the souls of the dead at ease. In Cambodia, that meant rituals in many pagodas across the country and near the site where 351 people died when they panicked on an overcrowded bridge.

Apply skills to move forward in new year

A humorous view of new year resolution from Calvin and Hobbes

December 1, 2010
By A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
PACIFIC DAILY NEWS

The new year will be upon us in 30 days. Some will reflect on the past. Sometimes such reflection helps us understand our present circumstances and may clarify next steps.

Still, those who understand human behavior warn against being endlessly mired in questions of why we are the way we are. It's easy to get stuck and be unable to move forward. Engaging your own creativity is a positive action that keeps you forward-focused.

In the new year, we can't repeat what we've always done and expect different outcomes. We need to strike a new path, look at old problems through a new lens. M.J. Ryan advises in her book, "This Year I Will ... " that we switch from "why" thinking to "what could be possible" thinking. Indeed, we're the change we want to see.

For most of us, life is hard in today's nasty financial and economic situation. Yet, food is not lacking, materials remain abundant, technology continues to thrive and bring change -- you can choose to ride, or not, in a vehicle that practically drives itself! There are people who live well; there are many who can't make ends meet.

Hillary Clinton's Remarks to the Press on the Release of Confidential Documents

Banana Kingdoom: NO punishment for criminal negligence - So said the 800-lb Gorilla-Dictator

Leaflet distributed in Poi pet?

The Banana Kingdom: Where the Strongman learns from his 800-lb mentor

No Punishment for Diamond Bridge 'Accident': Hun Sen

Phnom Penh Monday, 29 November 2010
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer

“I would like to inform our countrymen that nobody must receive punishment in an accident.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday that no officials will be punished for the Diamond Bridge stampede, which the government now says killed 351 people last week.

“This was a joint mistake that nobody expected,” Hun Sen said in a public speech at the inauguration of a government building. “I would like to inform our countrymen that nobody must receive punishment in an accident.”

A government investigative committee issued it final decision on Monday, claiming the incident was caused by panic when festival-goers thought the swaying suspension bridge would collapse. No authorities have been singled out for the incident.

Who's responsible for the tragic death of this lady's daughter: No one according to Hun Xen!

The woman above carried her daughter's picture and cried out loud in grief for the loss of her 16-year-old daughter who died in the 22 Nov. stampeded. She visited the site of the tragedy to commemorate her daughter's spirit (Photo: Everyday.com.kh)

Memorial ceremony in solidarity with the grieving and loss of the victims of Koh Pich tragedy at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thursday, November 25, 2010 at Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple

Sunday, November 28, 2010 at Wat Khmer Suriyarangsey

Pursat Prosecutor Top Chansereivuth arrested

A reader, Mr. Sam L., sent over the above message where he indicated that his sister was also a victim of Pursat prosecutor Top Chansereivuth. The prosecutor, his wife, and several bodyguards were arrested on Monday 29 Nov. 2010 by the Anti-Corruption commission. Dap-news reported that Pursat residents cheered the arrest of the prosecutor because he is known of issuing arrest warrants without providing any reason.

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Posted by Heng Soy

Cambodian PM says no punishment for fatal stampede

Ethnic Vietnamese relatives pray for victims near the site where hundreds of people stampeded during a water festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Monday, November 29, 2010
By SOPHENG CHEANG
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's prime minister said Monday that no one will be punished for last week's stampede in which at least 351 revelers died after the swaying of a suspension bridge cause mass panic.

Hun Sen said many people share responsibility for not anticipating the problems that caused the Nov. 22 tragedy but that rescue efforts were adequate and, without them, the death toll would have been higher.

"No one will receive punishment for this incident," Hun Sen said at the opening of a new government building. "We have to learn a lesson from this for solving such problems in the future."

Preliminary findings by an official investigation committee found that the natural swaying of a suspension bridge ignited fears it would collapse among an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people on the structure. In frantic efforts to escape, the crowd pressed and heaved, crushing hundreds of people and leading some to dive off the span into the water.

Koh Pich Tragedy Overview by Ouch Leng

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Modle Griff & Abe

Randy Blue: Max London

Flexible legs

Just hot legs

The guy in the first picture is Christopher Fawcett, an American model. To see the previous pictures of him, click here (pic #2) and here (pic #1).

UK Naked Men: Mike Douglas & Dave Duke

Two by Two: Andrew Cooper

Yes, I know most of you would rather see him without a shirt, but hey, I gotta get those pesky 'shirted' pix out of the way before we can get to the good stuff.

Posted by Kenneth Johnson aka Sebastien Penn at

Wonderfully handsome William Levy Gutierrez

Sexy Model Toby Manning

Handsome Modle William Levy

WORKOUT INSPIRATION .NET updated on 28 Nov 2010:

Photos (c) Jon Malinowski

His gorgeous modeling photos delight his many fans. Top fitness model Jed Hill is well known for his brilliant look, his stunning physique. Now life dealt the 25-year-old athlete a fatal blow. Here Jed tells his story:

"On November 10th, I lost everything I owned (including my dog) in a house fire that was caused by an unknown heating problem. Before the fire, I moved to LA to pursue my modeling and acting career, not knowing anyone or having any family in LA, I was taking a leap of faith so that I can make my family proud. The night of the fire was one of the most devastating nights of my life thus far, it was the first chilly night so I turned on the heat went into the shower. When I came out of the bathroom, my bedroom was up in flames. Not knowing how to react I quickly began to try and put the fire out but it was too late. The heavy dark smoke was blinding and it made it hard to breathe. I was in such shock I couldn't react fast enough to grab my dog before he ran outside with no collar. The smoke finally got to me and I had to get out, watching everything I own and worked so hard for go up in flames in a matter of minutes. It is traumatizing. Having no home insurance I am at a loss for everything."