Sentimentality is a powerful force in our lives. When it takes control it’s very difficult to dial it back. It’s an emotional aphrodisiac, the raw oyster that turns us on like no other.
But who doesn’t want to bring back that loving feeling sometimes, right? Why fight it?
Indeed, the already warm and generally pretty fuzzy Cambodian political climate couldn’t resist sentimentality’s seductive charms when it turned back the clock to unveil Prince Norodom Ranariddh’s return to the leadership of the Funcinpec party, creating, what some might now interpret, as a rather complicated love triangle in the Kingdom.
The surprise comeback is fuelling all kinds of speculation at a time when it seemed like Sam Rainsy was just getting himself settled in to the neighbourhood as leader of the opposition – Prime Minster Lite, title and all.
When Star Wars decided that the franchise could rise again, the people responded with excitement and heightened expectations. Never let a good thing die, and while you’re at it, bring back Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia.
Well, we are in that sort of mood now and ready to forgive 1997 for being so hostile to Funcinpec, the Storm Troopers for being so aggressive with our old heroes. 1997 was a long time ago. It should be remembered for ABBAMAIL, the first ABBA fan club launched on the internet on January 13, 1997.
Politically neutral, or, as we freely admit, politically impotent, Rockefeller Without Borders appreciates when former competitors unite for the common good. Finally, an aphrodisiac for our impotency.
If there’s room in the love triangle, we want in – but merely as an enthusiastic voyeur, of course. We love to watch. In this case, it’s Funcinpec joining forces with CPP to “maintain the sustainable development of Cambodia.”
But what about Sam? Where does the CNRP fit into all of this?
Film and television fans know that sequels usually lose a character or two; sometimes stars are forced to take significantly smaller roles or merely appear in flashbacks or dream sequences just so the story doesn’t lose the plot completely. Even Obi-Wan Kenobi knows that. But yes, it’s early days, so maybe there is room for all on the mother ship to power Cambodia through to 2018, when new stars will appear to make the political franchise even stronger (all calls to Macaulay Culkin went unanswered and Chewbacca is still upset that he wasn’t in Episode 6).
Despite Funcinpec not having a single seat in the National Assembly, the party vows to give their full cooperation to CPP, a partnership which could, quote, “eliminate poverty” by reuniting royalists with the ruling party. As anyone who lives on less than $1 a day can tell you, poverty reduction is overrated. And besides, the escalators at Aeon Mall are free. So is the air-conditioning. Laps of the mall make everyone feel like they are participating in the new, more affluent Cambodia. Everyone is an equal at Aeon! (They can thank me for the new tagline with a lunch at Kenny Rogers.)
Those who love a good flashback need only drift back to 1993 when two beautiful things happened: Funcinpec and CPP ran a joint government – Prince Ranariddh and Hun Sen as copasetic co-prime ministers – and Sonny and Cher released a remake of their huge 1965 hit I Got You Babe.
Well, Cher is touring again and Prince Ranariddh is back in charge of his party, so it’s safe to break out our favourite 1993 redux fashions – especially those cowboy boots, overalls and shoulder pads – and relive happier times. Just like the Sesame Street song, we know which one of these parties is not like the other. But the fact that time did kindly rewind to make those former partners fall in love again is a beautiful thing. No honeymoon, thank you very much, we know each other so well already.
The message to the people of Cambodia is simple: May the force of lower political expectations be with you in 2015.