dang

Good morning Christy. It’s a sorry world out there sometimes.

Thank you Christy.

Lovely comment on Michael’s you tube.

I turned to your post right after reading this article posted at Reuters. (text)

So beautiful Christy. Thanks for reminding us that the struggle in Burma for justice is the same struggle going on for all oppressed peoples.

Will write again and make more phone calls.

I hope this effort goes better than the “Free Tibet” one did.

Linked this site quite a while back …it is a good one for clips on Burma and other very critical issues that do not get the coverage they deserve. They are a great organization to support with $$$$
http://www.witness.org/

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I’m with ya, I just don’t have a great feeling about Burma because the Chinese have their had on it.

raven at 10 — Well, me neither, frankly, considering how much of our debt China is holding at the moment, it doesn’t exactly give us a lot of leverage to push for change. Oh, and our record on human rights lately? Not so stellar either. Heckuva job, Bushie…

Iraqi corruption hearing up at C-span 3
http://www.c-span.org/

raven @ 10

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I’m with ya, I just don’t have a great feeling about Burma because the Chinese have their had on it.

hand

In a world being led to the brink of insanity in so many places by religious zealots willing to convince others to bear the pain of change, the willingness of the nuns and monks of Myanmar to bear the pain, or dukkha of change themselves speaks loudly and profoundly. The Dalai Lama is the only major religious figure who proclaims up front that he looks forward every day to learning how science and social science advances can change his religious outlook.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

Of course, if I didn’t agree with you I wouldn’t be here. . .but you knew that!

EPU’d from last thread- Oversight hearing on Iraq starting on CSPAN3 right now. My Rep. Waxman giving opening statement, citing an “epidemic of corruption in Iraq.”

Off to work. Read you all later.

It is heartbreaking, and I wish there was more we could do from over here.

ET — It is one of those truths of life that those who think about the consequences of their actions on others are often more careful with the actions they take. Case in point: George Bush. SIGH

I’ve been sitting here this morning, sifting through all the latest news from Burma, and watching the two bluejays who have decided the peanuts in the feeder are theirs drive off every other bird systematically as they want to eat…only to see every single smaller bird return and stand their ground over and over again. Sometimes, you see the courage you need to feel where you least expect it…

In this case the ruling junta aren’t zealots, they are just paranoid and xenophobic. For once the religious are on the side of good.

Burma(I refuse to use the new name) has oil and Chevron and others do business there. There might be purchase for leverage there, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Completely OT - but that video in the last post, does Paul Carrack (?) look like a young Tucker Carlson or what in the still frame or what? I clicked on it not thinking of the Squeeze tune, and that it was about Shield Laws with Carlson bloviating.

Nicely done, and no Tucker. Thanks!

Helpless at 20 — See the Lowell link above on Chevron…and Condi.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

“Chevron, an American company, owns the pipeline that was built by slave labor that provides the Burmese junta with their cash.”

James Boyce!

Christy Hardin Smith @ 11

raven at 10 — Well, me neither, frankly, considering how much of our debt China is holding at the moment, it doesn’t exactly give us a lot of leverage to push for change. Oh, and our record on human rights lately? Not so stellar either. Heckuva job, Bushie…

Yeah, but from what I hear, the Chinese are dumping our dollars as we speak. We are not that good of a financial risk anymore, with our money devalued compared to other currencies. We left any moral authority in the dust long ago, so I’m not sure we have that much standing in the world to talk about human rights abuses. Our military strength, being depleted pretty miserably, is not as serious a threat as it once was. About all we really have left is bravado. Hardly enough to keep you warm on a cold winter night.

Well if we were concern troll goopers
we would all wear saffron colored scarves while filling our SUV’s and giving lipservice to Shrub

But but but… if only they had bananas of mass destruction in Burma, Glorious Beloved Dear Leader would instantly deciderer to go to war (huh! what is it good for?) and set up Jeffersonian Democracy in the region complete with powdered wigs and lace collars.

Oh wait, no he wouldn’t. Silly me. They don’t have oil and don’t believe in the Jesus Child.

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

The Nobel Prize committee’s presentation speech, when they awarded Aung San Suu Kyi the 1991 Peace Prize is stunning, both for its description of her and its applicability to today — not just in Myanmar/Burma, but here in the US. A snippet:

For a doctrine of peace and reconciliation to be translated into practice, one absolute condition is fearlessness. Aung San Suu Kyi knows this. One of her essays opens with the statement that it is not power that corrupts, but fear. The comment was aimed at the totalitarian regime in her own country. They have allowed themselves to be corrupted because they fear the people they are supposed to lead. This has led them into a vicious circle. In her thinking, however, the demand for fearlessness is first and foremost a general demand, a demand on all of us.

They gave her the award in abstentia, and noted that this has happened before. The 1936 winner was ill in a German concentration camp and died before the end of WWII, while Andrei Sakharov and Lech Walesa both outlived their oppressive regimes. It remains to be seen which group Aung San Suu Kyi will fall into.

Thanks, Christy!

Christy Hardin Smith @ 28

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

Uh, I grew up in Buffalo, and, iirc, Can$ was worth more than US$ for most of my youth. You see, life is cyclical.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 28

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

My parents would remember it since it happened in 1976 last. I wasn’t even born at that point. *grins* But i remember the dollar still being fairly low during my childhood in the 80s. It wasn’t until recently it reached those crazy 90s highs and now this. Watching it slowly drop and then the Loonie reach parity? Has been amazing and scary at the same time. I’m used ot the exchange rate from a child growing up on the border of michigan and ontario. So this? i always keep an eye on. I’ll be watching it for some time too.

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

You know I realized one of my (many)issues is that I am currently reading “The Longest Winter”, David Halberstam’s last book. It’s about the Korean war and the level of stupidity and arrogance by the US. USSR, Chinese and Koreans is astounding. I’m reading nothing that I did not already know but it really calls into question whether we, as a species, have any chance of making progress. Arrrrggggh!

eCAHN at 300 — Interesting — growing up farther from the border, I’ve been to Canada several times, but intermittently and always when the US dollar was stronger. Mr. ReddHedd lived in Alaska for a chunk of his childhood, and has a broader perspective on it than I do, but he wasn’t coming up with any point he remembered when that was so, either.

Good to know. Thanks!

Christy Hardin Smith @ 18

ET — It is one of those truths of life that those who think about the consequences of their actions on others are often more careful with the actions they take. Case in point: George Bush. SIGH

Reading about Abraham Lincoln, one of our few presidents who was mindful of others almost constantly.

Speaking of birds flying by, you’re welcome to use this Trumpeter swan rising any Sunday morning. I caught the image yesterday evening. They’re passing through here now, getting more urgent every day.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 28

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

From time to time in the 70s
After we went off the gold standard US/Canada currencies fluctuated greatly.
In the early 80s I used to drive my Renault 5 from Detroit to Windsor to fill up the 8 gallon tank because the price differential and exchange rate more than offset the toll both ways (which was something under a dollar IIRC)

Christy — thanks so much for shining the strong spotlight of FDL on this story. It has been roiling for years despite the power of the Nobel Peace Prize awardee, Aung San Suu Kyi. She has been under house arrest for how many decades/years now?
Funny how petite, humble, honest and brilliant women can shake The Borg up without guns or money. Lessons all around.
Christy — you’re one of the best managing editors out there — thanks for all the great work.

raven @ 32

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

You know I realized one of my (many)issues is that I am currently reading “The Longest Winter”, David Halberstam’s last book. It’s about the Korean war and the level of stupidity and arrogance by the US. USSR, Chinese and Koreans is astounding. I’m reading nothing that I did not already know but it really calls into question whether we, as a species, have any chance of making progress. Arrrrggggh!

Saw that book at B and N on Tuesday. It was between that and _Don’t Think of an Elephant_. Halberstam lost this time, but I’m looking forward to reading his last book.

Awwww, thanks Nicole. Much appreciated. But Jane ought to get the management credit — I just ride the morning sidecar.

raven @ 32

One of the reasons I’ve enjoyed hard sci-fi over the years is the inherent and basic optimism that we would survive the idiocies on earth and progress as a people into the stars.

Anyone know a good link to a graph showing how much we are in hock, have borrowed each year since Clinton presidency to present) to China, etc? A nice, very simple graph to send to conservative friends who still think republicans are fiscal geniuses.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 19

I’ve been sitting here this morning, sifting through all the latest news from Burma, and watching the two bluejays who have decided the peanuts in the feeder are theirs drive off every other bird systematically as they want to eat…only to see every single smaller bird return and stand their ground over and over again. Sometimes, you see the courage you need to feel where you least expect it…

Christy - I…just…do…not…understand…this. At all. I just can’t wrap my head around a group of people who can decide one morning to order other people to take out metal pipes and beat people to death who they supposedly revere. If there were a case of pure, unadulterated evil, this has got to be it.
The only sin the monks and nuns of Burma have committed is their love for the Burmese people. And, as is the usual, the world bears witness to this horrific destruction and does…what? The military played with the UN envoy for several days, allowed him to see Aung San Suu Kyi(their golden bird in her golden cage - alive, but under constant threat), and have largely ignored him. There are times when I feel that the whole structure of the UN/World Court, etc. is just so incompetant to deal with the threats to humanity out there.
And then, I think about our situation here - very depressing thoughts this morning.

Living near the Canadian border, I remember many years when Canadians would swarm down to US to shop. That hasn’t been the case for awhile now.

Morning all - it is indeed a lovely morning here in Central Texas - our low was 65! Fall is on the way. I’ve been keeping our Burmese brothers and sisters in my heart these last few days. What pain!

And now something completely OT - I was at my parents’ yesterday and saw one of their neighbors drive to a stop at their mailbox. One their rear window was a Fred Thompson bumper sticker! OMG!

raven @ 32

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

You know I realized one of my (many)issues is that I am currently reading “The Longest Winter”, David Halberstam’s last book. It’s about the Korean war and the level of stupidity and arrogance by the US. USSR, Chinese and Koreans is astounding. I’m reading nothing that I did not already know but it really calls into question whether we, as a species, have any chance of making progress. Arrrrggggh!

“It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.”

Thomas Jefferson

Peterr @ 29

The Nobel Prize committee’s presentation speech, when they awarded Aung San Suu Kyi the 1991 Peace Prize is stunning, both for its description of her and its applicability to today — not just in Myanmar/Burma, but here in the US. A snippet:

For a doctrine of peace and reconciliation to be translated into practice, one absolute condition is fearlessness. Aung San Suu Kyi knows this. One of her essays opens with the statement that it is not power that corrupts, but fear. The comment was aimed at the totalitarian regime in her own country. They have allowed themselves to be corrupted because they fear the people they are supposed to lead. This has led them into a vicious circle. In her thinking, however, the demand for fearlessness is first and foremost a general demand, a demand on all of us.

That is a pretty good description of what is happening right here in our country.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 19

I’ve been sitting here this morning, sifting through all the latest news from Burma, and watching the two bluejays who have decided the peanuts in the feeder are theirs drive off every other bird systematically as they want to eat…only to see every single smaller bird return and stand their ground over and over again. Sometimes, you see the courage you need to feel where you least expect it…

I just saw this quote over at Jim Hightower’s place:

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

Having personally witnessed chihuahua determination, I can attest that they often win against some very big dogs.

*g*

Christy -

Your “flags” ie. (YouTube) and “reading the news” are much appreciated.

One of the joys AND trials of accumulating increasing years is seeing more and more actions and activities we don’t “ever remember being true in our lifetimes.” The trial part is that so many of the happenings are just plain horrible.

OT and just up and cuppa joe on the West Coast, but did you catch this folding chair by Leahy and Dems on AG MUKASEY??

Democrats Won’t Block Hearing for Gonzales Successor
By PHILIP SHENON

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 — Backing away from a fight with the White House, Senate Democrats are suggesting that they will not hold up confirmation of President Bush’s nominee for attorney general, Michael B. Mukasey, despite differences over Senate access to documents involving Justice Department actions.

In a letter to Mr. Mukasey made public Wednesday, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, said he would go forward with the confirmation hearings without the promise of the documents.

The committee had for months been pressing the White House for access to files and e-mail messages about last year’s firing of several federal prosecutors for what Democrats maintain were political reasons, and about legal justifications for the domestic eavesdropping program run by the National Security Agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10.....stice.html

Kathleen @ 23

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

Christy I want to thank you and Jane and all of the FDLers for being such great examples of honoring your inner voice.

Ann in AZ @ 25

Christy Hardin Smith @ 11

raven at 10 — Well, me neither, frankly, considering how much of our debt China is holding at the moment, it doesn’t exactly give us a lot of leverage to push for change. Oh, and our record on human rights lately? Not so stellar either. Heckuva job, Bushie…

Yeah, but from what I hear, the Chinese are dumping our dollars as we speak. We are not that good of a financial risk anymore, with our money devalued compared to other currencies. We left any moral authority in the dust long ago, so I’m not sure we have that much standing in the world to talk about human rights abuses. Our military strength, being depleted pretty miserably, is not as serious a threat as it once was. About all we really have left is bravado. Hardly enough to keep you warm on a cold winter night.

Read bondad on this very subject Ann.

http://bonddad.blogspot.com/index.html

Christy Hardin Smith @ 28

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

I saw that on the news just yesterday, I think, and I further think the ratio was like 1::1.41. That’s astounding, remarkable!

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

One of the best books on guerilla warfare is titled The War of the Flea. On that war, even a fierce chihuahua is in trouble.

mack @ 35

Christy Hardin Smith @ 28

Ann in AZ at 25 — Did you know that, as of last week, the American dollar is worth less than a Canadian dollar? Cannot remember when that has ever been so in my lifetime, to be honest. Mr. ReddHedd and I were talking about that yesterday and neither of us could ever remember that being true in our lifetimes…until now.

From time to time in the 70s
After we went off the gold standard US/Canada currencies fluctuated greatly.
In the early 80s I used to drive my Renault 5 from Detroit to Windsor to fill up the 8 gallon tank because the price differential and exchange rate more than offset the toll both ways (which was something under a dollar IIRC)

1976 was the last time the Canadian$ was valued higher than the Greenback. It went below parity because our ‘beloved’ Trudeau decided that we should spend billions more than the Gov’t takes in, to make the country more accessible to U.S. Corporations.
Our deficit went up to around 650 Billion and we became a branch office of U.S. Corp.
I still love living here (well, until my book gets published and I become famous *g*) … Vancouver ranks as the ‘Best City in the World’ to live and my beloved Toronto is #2.

… G’ morning everyone ! …

Saw that book at B and N on Tuesday. It was between that and _Don’t Think of an Elephant_. Halberstam lost this time, but I’m looking forward to reading his last book.

I read the review in the NYT and I thought of John Prine’s “Hello in There”

We lost Davy in the Korean war,
And I still don’t know what for, don’t matter anymore.

Sure enough Halberstam quotes it in the first 5 pages. Watching “The War” they point out how “Dugout Doug” froze after Pearl and allowed his air assets to be destroyed on the ground. Same thing in Korea except that he repeatedly cooked the intel to show what he wanted. Sound familiar? And he got the Medal of Honor for deserting his troops.

I saw that on the news just yesterday, I think, and I further think the ratio was like 1::1.41. That’s astounding, remarkable!

Thank 1.41 is euro, not Can$.

Audrey @ 46

Christy Hardin Smith @ 19

I’ve been sitting here this morning, sifting through all the latest news from Burma, and watching the two bluejays who have decided the peanuts in the feeder are theirs drive off every other bird systematically as they want to eat…only to see every single smaller bird return and stand their ground over and over again. Sometimes, you see the courage you need to feel where you least expect it…

I just saw this quote over at Jim Hightower’s place:

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

Having personally witnessed chihuahua determination, I can attest that they often win against some very big dogs.

*g*

Think NVA and VC.

leahy office

202-224-4242.
I called and told his office:
require the documents from the WH to get to the bottom of the politicization of Justice,
and
Extract the same guarantee from Mukasey that Elliot Richardson agreed to during Watergate, a pledge to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate AG-Gate.

Petrocelli @ 53

mack @ 35

From time to time in the 70s
After we went off the gold standard US/Canada currencies fluctuated greatly.
In the early 80s I used to drive my Renault 5 from Detroit to Windsor to fill up the 8 gallon tank because the price differential and exchange rate more than offset the toll both ways (which was something under a dollar IIRC)

1976 was the last time the Canadian$ was valued higher than the Greenback. It went below parity because our ‘beloved’ Trudeau decided that we should spend billions more than the Gov’t takes in, to make the country more accessible to U.S. Corporations.
Our deficit went up to around 650 Billion and we became a branch office of U.S. Corp.
I still love living here (well, until my book gets published and I become famous *g*) … Vancouver ranks as the ‘Best City in the World’ to live and my beloved Toronto is #2.

… G’ morning everyone ! …

Petro
I will mtn bike in Vancouver before I die….I’ve made my mind up about that!

raven @ 10

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I’m with ya, I just don’t have a great feeling about Burma because the Chinese have their had on it.

Raven, I think we need to analyze the China factor here. Chimp may be playing up China’s real honest to goodness relationship with BUrma. Really there’s only so much M. China can do if pushed (and they don’t like to be pushed.) I feel that China will (Olympics or not) hop on the bandwagon with prominent Americans and such, but I’m willing to bet that M. China is too “careful”–with their “great relationship” and all to the ruling generals— to go it alone and tell Burma’s generals to stop the violence. To risk a slap in the face is horrifying to the Mainland. Smacks of Vietnam among other things. And to give up “influence” to horrors of all things India. . . Well that’s my humble opinion.

China, as opposed to India, faces considerably more pressure from the international community to use its influence in countries such as Myanmar and Sudan. China’s permanent seat on the UN Security Council, an expanding global economic footprint, and its comparable success over India in the energy-security “race” exposes it to greater censure. While Indian officials are questioned about their ties to Myanmar, which include military aid to the junta, India’s democratic government and comparably better human-rights record shield it to some extent (though India’s own human-rights record is far from spotless).

And Raven, you probably know how China has felt about the Vietnamese.

Quoting the Bondad article above.

“
Let’s tie all of these ideas together.

1.) The US is increasingly dependent on foreign financing.

2.) At the time the US is more dependent on foreign financing, the dollar is at or near it’s lowest point in more than 30 years.

3.) The Federal Reserve just lowered interest rates, making US assets less attractive to foreign investors.

4.) Number three leads to a decrease in value of all the US assets held abroad.

5.) Investors don’t like holding assets that are dropping in value.” Bondad 10/04/2007

raven @ 54

Saw that book at B and N on Tuesday. It was between that and _Don’t Think of an Elephant_. Halberstam lost this time, but I’m looking forward to reading his last book.

I read the review in the NYT and I thought of John Prine’s “Hello in There”

We lost Davy in the Korean war,
And I still don’t know what for, don’t matter anymore.

Sure enough Halberstam quotes it in the first 5 pages. Watching “The War” they point out how “Dugout Doug” froze after Pearl and allowed his air assets to be destroyed on the ground. Same thing in Korea except that he repeatedly cooked the intel to show what he wanted. Sound familiar? And he got the Medal of Honor for deserting his troops.

I had a Military History class where the prof thought that was THE most ludicrous MoH ever awarded. He had zero respect for Doug. Lee was prol’ly the greatest US general for brains and he worshipped Alexander and Napoleon as military leaders. While recognizing the affects of Waterloo.

Toby Wollin @ 41

Christy - I…just…do…not…understand…this. At all. I just can’t wrap my head around a group of people who can decide one morning to order other people to take out metal pipes and beat people to death who they supposedly revere. If there were a case of pure, unadulterated evil, this has got to be it.
The only sin the monks and nuns of Burma have committed is their love for the Burmese people. And, as is the usual, the world bears witness to this horrific destruction and does…what? The military played with the UN envoy for several days, allowed him to see Aung San Suu Kyi(their golden bird in her golden cage - alive, but under constant threat), and have largely ignored him. There are times when I feel that the whole structure of the UN/World Court, etc. is just so incompetant to deal with the threats to humanity out there.
And then, I think about our situation here - very depressing thoughts this morning.

Unfortunately, the people running the show over there could give a rat’s ass for the value of human life.The troops they use are kept isolated far from civilians as not to corrupt them with any thoughts the leaders might not approve of.

kdh22 @ 58

Petrocelli @ 53

1976 was the last time the Canadian$ was valued higher than the Greenback. It went below parity because our ‘beloved’ Trudeau decided that we should spend billions more than the Gov’t takes in, to make the country more accessible to U.S. Corporations.
Our deficit went up to around 650 Billion and we became a branch office of U.S. Corp.
I still love living here (well, until my book gets published and I become famous *g*) … Vancouver ranks as the ‘Best City in the World’ to live and my beloved Toronto is #2.

… G’ morning everyone ! …

Petro
I will mtn bike in Vancouver before I die….I’ve made my mind up about that!

Vancouver is beautiful, Whistler is nearby for great skiing. My favorite part of B.C. is the Okanagan valley, where the best Canadian wines are made. They even make Pear Cider !
Toronto is called a ‘World in a City’ because of our diverse ethnicity and ethnic festivals from May thru August.

raven @ 56

Audrey @ 46

I just saw this quote over at Jim Hightower’s place:

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

Having personally witnessed chihuahua determination, I can attest that they often win against some very big dogs.

*g*

Think NVA and VC.

And a little farther back, there was this ragtag outfit called the Continental Army . . .

I had a Military History class where the prof thought that was THE most ludicrous MoH ever awarded. He had zero respect for Doug. Lee was prol’ly the greatest US general for brains and he worshipped Alexander and Napoleon as military leaders. While recognizing the affects of Waterloo.

Right up there with LBJ’s Silver Star!

Burma or Birmingham? BusChen or Stalin? Hard to tell when the tortured dreams of the spirit shudder and wake to the awful realities of their sadistic pain masters.

Down with the violators. Down with tyranny.

Huff, puff, blow those houses of evil down.

What I didn’t understand about Burma is why the appropriate countries (U.S. in the lead, if we had any leaders), didn’t play the 08 Olympics card. As I understand it, the Chinese are very worried about losing face in this important global event in their country. So why didn’t we lead an effort to boycott it in protest to Chinese role in Burma? Normally, I don’t favor boycotts, as they are usually ineffective, but in this case it might have worked.

Christy,
Burma reminds us that the line between civility and savagery is a thin one. Adherence to the rule of law is essential for maintaining this thin line.
Thank you for the work you have done in trying to fortify this line. This is particularly so in connection with your work on fully restoring our writ habeas corpus rights.

FBI will not be protected by Blackwater in Iraq:

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/....._1004.html

Waxman C-Span 3 Oil and Militias in Iraq!!!
Neighborhood Burmese Juntas?

eCAHNomics @ 52

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

One of the best books on guerilla warfare is titled The War of the Flea. On that war, even a fierce chihuahua is in trouble.

In guerilla warfare, size matters. ;)

That’s the one lesson imperialists never seem to learn. A small loosely organized group can and does defeat major armies with regularity.

Raven @ 56

Exactly. Perfect case in point.

eCAHNomics @ 67

What I didn’t understand about Burma is why the appropriate countries (U.S. in the lead, if we had any leaders), didn’t play the 08 Olympics card. As I understand it, the Chinese are very worried about losing face in this important global event in their country. So why didn’t we lead an effort to boycott it in protest to Chinese role in Burma? Normally, I don’t favor boycotts, as they are usually ineffective, but in this case it might have worked.

I say again. The Chinese role has to be analyzed. How much influence to they really have with Burma. Again India also does trade with Burma. Somewhere in intra-Asia politics there is an answer, I am willing to bet. Chimpy could nix the nuke deal with India, if ChimpCo was serious.

neokneme @ 66

Burma or Birmingham? BusChen or Stalin? Hard to tell when the tortured dreams of the spirit shudder and wake to the awful realities of their sadistic pain masters.

Down with the violators. Down with tyranny.

Huff, puff, blow those houses of evil down.

Well said !

mui @ 72

eCAHNomics @ 67

What I didn’t understand about Burma is why the appropriate countries (U.S. in the lead, if we had any leaders), didn’t play the 08 Olympics card. As I understand it, the Chinese are very worried about losing face in this important global event in their country. So why didn’t we lead an effort to boycott it in protest to Chinese role in Burma? Normally, I don’t favor boycotts, as they are usually ineffective, but in this case it might have worked.

I say again. The Chinese role has to be analyzed. How much influence to they really have with Burma. Again India also does trade with Burma. Somewhere in intra-Asia politics there is an answer, I am willing to bet. Chimpy could nix the nuke deal with India, if ChimpCo was serious.

Yep. There has to be a lot of pressure points that could have been used if anyone cares abouot freedom or democracy.

However, there are undoubtedly limits to China’s willingness and ability to be a “responsible stakeholder” in the case of Myanmar. While China enjoys good relations with the ruling Myanmar junta, guanxi (networking) alone is unlikely to cause political reforms to take place. Myanmar is not wholly dependent on China for trade and international political protection and can afford to say “no”.

Again I post this article for consideratoin. I want the violence in Burma to stop as well. But this is part of my deconstructing M. China project. We just beat our heads into a wall, if we don’t analyze.

Kathleen @ 23

Christy Hardin Smith @ 9

raven at 7 — And aren’t you a cheery ray of sunshine this morning? *g* Sometimes, I think the point of life is that you continue to struggle…the end result is just the icing if it goes well.

I have heard the Dali Lama ,Ram Dass Martin Luther King and others often say very similar things. We may or may not witness the results of our efforts to level the playing field, commitment to truth, justice and peace in the U.S. and throughout the world. That what is important is that you listen to that internal (voice/being/god) inside each of us that desires justice and peace. By honoring that voice you are honoring your conscience and via true compassion and empathy we are all closer to true freedom.

Generally just lurk at FDL. Thank you for these words Christy and Kathleen.

ironranger @ 42

Living near the Canadian border, I remember many years when Canadians would swarm down to US to shop. That hasn’t been the case for awhile now.

About this time every year I start to plan my annual spring golf trip to Hilton Head Island (17th year in last 19). Sitting here with a big smile as I don’t have to do any fancy math converting US$ to CDN$.

Current exchange is $1CDN = $1.002US. Still shudder remembering all those times I went to HHI at a $1CDN = $0.65US exchange.

I just read Glenn’s morning missive.

Shades of 1933.

I repeat what I posted in the last thread. A quote that opens Scot Horton’s piece from a year ago on “When Lawyers Become War Criminals”

“In France, innumerable summary executions occur, even as I sit here writing. Each day certainly more than a thousand people are killed, and thousands of German men experience murder as a matter of routine. And yet all of that is child’s play compared to what’s going on in Poland and Russia. Can I learn about this and just sit at the table in my heated apartment and drink tea? Don’t I establish my complicity simply by doing nothing? What will I say in the future, when someone asks me: and what did you do during this time?”

- Helmuth von Moltke, in a letter to his wife, Oct. 19, 1941

Can I learn about any of this and just sit in front of my laptop and do nothing?

No I can’t.

The question is . . . what to do?

eCAHNomics @ 67

What I didn’t understand about Burma is why the appropriate countries (U.S. in the lead, if we had any leaders), didn’t play the 08 Olympics card. As I understand it, the Chinese are very worried about losing face in this important global event in their country. So why didn’t we lead an effort to boycott it in protest to Chinese role in Burma? Normally, I don’t favor boycotts, as they are usually ineffective, but in this case it might have worked.

Because American pressure on China will hurt U.S. Corporations operating in China and cost them Billion$.

Why won’t America stand up to China ? In a word, … Greed !

Petrocelli @ 79

eCAHNomics @ 67

What I didn’t understand about Burma is why the appropriate countries (U.S. in the lead, if we had any leaders), didn’t play the 08 Olympics card. As I understand it, the Chinese are very worried about losing face in this important global event in their country. So why didn’t we lead an effort to boycott it in protest to Chinese role in Burma? Normally, I don’t favor boycotts, as they are usually ineffective, but in this case it might have worked.

Because American pressure on China will hurt U.S. Corporations operating in China and cost them Billion$.

Why won’t America stand up to China ? In a word, … Greed !

Or India which does business too. There is a nuke deal HoJoe spent his summer vacation trying to seal.

mui @ 75

However, there are undoubtedly limits to China’s willingness and ability to be a “responsible stakeholder” in the case of Myanmar. While China enjoys good relations with the ruling Myanmar junta, guanxi (networking) alone is unlikely to cause political reforms to take place. Myanmar is not wholly dependent on China for trade and international political protection and can afford to say “no”.

Again I post this article for consideratoin. I want the violence in Burma to stop as well. But this is part of my deconstructing M. China project. We just beat our heads into a wall, if we don’t analyze.

I respectfully submit that analysis may not prevent the beating of one’s head against the wall. Now beating other people’s heads against the wall. . .

raven @ 81

mui @ 75

Again I post this article for consideratoin. I want the violence in Burma to stop as well. But this is part of my deconstructing M. China project. We just beat our heads into a wall, if we don’t analyze.

I respectfully submit that analysis may not prevent the beating of one’s head against the wall. Now beating other people’s heads against the wall. . .

I respectfully submit that one is better than the other.

mui @ 82

raven @ 81

I respectfully submit that analysis may not prevent the beating of one’s head against the wall. Now beating other people’s heads against the wall. . .

I respectfully submit that one is better than the other.

touche

mui @ 75

However, there are undoubtedly limits to China’s willingness and ability to be a “responsible stakeholder” in the case of Myanmar. While China enjoys good relations with the ruling Myanmar junta, guanxi (networking) alone is unlikely to cause political reforms to take place. Myanmar is not wholly dependent on China for trade and international political protection and can afford to say “no”.

Again I post this article for consideratoin. I want the violence in Burma to stop as well. But this is part of my deconstructing M. China project. We just beat our heads into a wall, if we don’t analyze.

Thank you so much for posting this.

mui @ 82

raven @ 81

I respectfully submit that analysis may not prevent the beating of one’s head against the wall. Now beating other people’s heads against the wall. . .

I respectfully submit that one is better than the other.

Um … so which one are you … a sadist or masochist ?!! *g*

Have a great day, y’all !

Petrocelli @ 63

kdh22 @ 58

Petro
I will mtn bike in Vancouver before I die….I’ve made my mind up about that!

Vancouver is beautiful, Whistler is nearby for great skiing. My favorite part of B.C. is the Okanagan valley, where the best Canadian wines are made. They even make Pear Cider !
Toronto is called a ‘World in a City’ because of our diverse ethnicity and ethnic festivals from May thru August.

Thanks for the info. All reasons why I really want to visit there. Maybe I’ll stay. *g*

Make the robes into jumpsuits, and you get to advocate for tying them up in stress positions, beating them, and sending them off to blacksites instead of freeing them.

Who knew clothes made THAT big a difference to American policy?

kdh22 @ 86

Petrocelli @ 63

Vancouver is beautiful, Whistler is nearby for great skiing. My favorite part of B.C. is the Okanagan valley, where the best Canadian wines are made. They even make Pear Cider !
Toronto is called a ‘World in a City’ because of our diverse ethnicity and ethnic festivals from May thru August.

Thanks for the info. All reasons why I really want to visit there. Maybe I’ll stay. *g*

If you ever visit Vancouver, you’ll know why Kirk Murphy always talks about moving there.

OT-
In about 10 min, some wingnut will be on wnyc.org (webcast), Brian Lehrer show (he’s a very goodinterviewer) talking about running a 3rd party candidate if Rudy gets the R nomination. I just luv it when the Rs eat their own.