Politics

Shooting Monks In Burma

thefadd.

Posted to Politics on Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 02:19:44 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

When Burmese authorities cracked down on a protest movement in 1988 and killed 3,000 people, it took mainly after the fact reports for the world to understand what had already happened. As monks and civilians have protested together in the most recent upheaval, technology has allowed the world to watch nearly first hand from the beginning.

Protests began slowly at first and have since swelled to 10,000 more. After instituting a ban on gatherings of more than five people and a night time curfew, the military dictatorship moved forces into the city to back up police before confronting the masses. Since the confrontations began approximately ten people have died--including a Japanese journalist.


Japanese News Coverage of Journalist's Execution

Blogs, internet video, and even satellite imagery have given the world an up close look at the situation as it escalates. US President George Bush led the charge in calling for world condemnation of the Burmese establishment's handling of the protests, which have been organized by monks with civilian support. Other world leaders have since followed suit, although little action has occurred to this point--except that on the streets of Yangon.

Tags: edited by Port1080, written by thefadd, Burma, Myanmar, protests, monks (all tags)

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1

In An Update...

thefadd.

Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 02:55:34 PM EST

none

The government in Burma has cut internet and cell phone access.

It is easy to buy small plaster models of what you think life is like.

2

ive a theory about press

wetkarma.

Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 03:13:30 PM EST

none

[First an aside: How awesome is the embedded video in the story? MEGA-kudos, more of this definetly!]

So I've a theory that watching government crackdowns happen on video/pictures only serves to desensitize the viewer and doesn't really affect the stability of the underlying government. Its a question of expectations - you see video of the taleban executing people in soccer stadiums and you go "yea thats about what I expect from those jokers"...you DON'T go, we should invade them and drive them out of power.

What video is good for is when the people who watch it are also victims or potential victims. Then it can be used as a rallying call "this could be you". But in this case I'm wagering that the spin/evolution will be "look some dickhead government acts like like the dickhead government they are....hey is there a sale at Macys?".

Call me when we start talking about "acts of genocide" occuring in Burma..that'll be worth another five minutes of attention.

Please note despite my derision, I am NOT advocating that we attempt to take any active measures against Burma -- merely that we shouldn't pretend to care.

Memory is a strange bell, jubilee and knell.

5

^ 2

Genocide?

nmiguy.

Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 09:18:36 AM EST

4.00 (informative)

Acts of genocide?  Talk to Sylvester Stallone.  He is in the region finishing up work on his film John Rambo and has seen first hand atrocities that has convinced him that some of the world's most horrific events are unfolding in Myanmar.  

"This is a hellhole beyond your wildest dreams," Stallone said. "All the trails are mined. The only way into Burma is up the river."

"I called Soldier of Fortune magazine and they said Burma was the foremost area of human abuse on the planet," Stallone said.

6

^ 2

Re: ive a theory about press

thefadd.

Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 02:44:05 PM EST

none

I think that is a good point about pretending to care. There's another side to it as well. A lot of people screech about America becoming a fascist, militarized society. Here is a real one on public display. It is interesting to note how our leaders and leaders of the world react in such a case.

It is easy to buy small plaster models of what you think life is like.

3

Re: Shooting Monks In Burma

rEvolution inAction.

Mon Oct 01, 2007 at 02:23:01 AM EST

none

Burma won't get too violent, they can't. If it does get violent, international pressure will come through the UN to stop them and China has already said to the world that they won't veto. It's unlikely that the UN would authorize force... they never do... but if they do, my money's on China invading under UN auspices before anyone can even start planning the UN mission.

Tipping Sacred Cows

4

Re: Shooting Monks In Burma

nmiguy.

Mon Oct 01, 2007 at 02:00:48 PM EST

none

Tragic.  This is just a shame.  

But "Shooting Monks In Burma" sounds like an awesome name for an album.  

7

^ 4

Re: Shooting Monks In Burma

MC Nally.

Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 02:20:11 AM EST

3.00 (interesting)

But "Shooting Monks In Burma" sounds like an awesome name for an album.

Better snap it up quickly.  The Horrible Truth About Burma is already taken..

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