I could not find a translation of this song by Myo Gyi, a banned Burmese artist but one commenter on YouTube, DMO1880, supplied an idea of what he is singing:
The lyrics are basically saying, "Gov appears everywhere (including all medias) in Burma. They can't stop giving orders, ORDERS! And Burmese are already sick of those orders! So, dramatically, he is telling GOV to slow down ."
While folks at the UN engage in a debate over whether the rulers of Burma are making progress on human rights, the junta itself provides the clearest answer with their continued brutal repression of the Burmese people:
Three Burmese dissidents, including civil rights champion Su Su Nway, were arrested in Rangoon on Tuesday morning, according to reliable sources. Two activist monks who took part in the September demonstrations were also arrested by authorities earlier this month.
The two monks included U Gambira, leader of the Alliance of All Burma Buddhist Monks, which played a significant role in the September demonstrations. He had been in hiding since the demonstrations were violently suppressed by the authorities. Members of his family were then arrested for maintaining contact with him.
The second monk was identified as U Kaythara.
[Sources note that] the two arrested monks were being held in a special section of Insein jail called the “separated prison,” reserved for political prisoners.
Su Su Nway had been in hiding since the protests against the junta’s increased fuel prices in August, although she managed to continue pro-democracy activities clandestinely.
The 36-year-old labor activist has been arrested twice before. She was first arrested in 2004 when she tried to sue village authorities over forced labor.
In 2006, Su Su Nway received the Humphrey Freedom Award from the Canada-based Rights and Democracy group for her human rights work in Burma.
The three were arrested as the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, began his mission to inquire into the September demonstrations and the plight of detainees.
U Gambira is the author of an editorial in the Washington Post earlier this month – written in hiding - and there is concern that publication led to his arrest.
Then we have this report:
The Burmese military regime continues to imprison members of the National League for Democracy, despite its public moves towards engagement with the opposition.
According to an NLD spokesperson, Nay Win, a member of Kachin state NLD, and Bhamo township NLD member Ba Myint were both jailed for two years on 9 November after being tried secretly in prison courts in Myitkyina and Bhamo prisons respectively, where they are now being held.
They were sentenced under section 505 (b) of the penal code, which covers causing public alarm and inciting offences against public tranquility.
Family members of the NLD members were not informed that they were due to be tried, and the two men were not allowed to hire lawyers.
And this report of nine Burmese muslims arrested, beaten and charged – for giving water bottles to the protesting monks:
Myot Thant, Nyi Nyi Zaw, Myo Win, Naing Min, Htun Htun Naing, Kyaw Kyaw Satt, Htun Myint Aung, Han Zaw Min Aung and Thaung Htut are Muslims from the Rangoon townships of Pebedan, Tamwe, Mingalar Taung Nyunt and Bahan.
They were arrested by the Burmese authorities a few days after they handed bottles of drinking water to protesting monks during the demonstrations at the end of September.
"They have bruises all over their bodies and said they were beaten up nearly every day during interrogation. They could not even eat properly," said the family member, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"The Pabedan police chief told us they were beaten up, not by police officers from the station, but by the military security department officers who are conducting their daily interrogations."
In his Washington Post editorial, U Gambira wrote:
Burma's Saffron Revolution is just beginning. The regime's use of mass arrests, murder, torture and imprisonment has failed to extinguish our desire for the freedom that was stolen from us so many years ago. We have taken their best punch.
Now it is the generals who must fear the consequences of their actions. We adhere to nonviolence, but our spine is made of steel. There is no turning back. It matters little if my life or the lives of colleagues should be sacrificed on this journey. Others will fill our sandals, and more will join and follow.
Let’s make sure these Burmese heroes are not forgotten – you can show your support by uploading a photo here and joining the Burma Campaign’s Facebook group (which already has 400,000 members worldwide) here and helping Avaaz reach a million signatures on their petition here - they already have 825,492 from folks all over the world.
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Zed?
Hello, Siun.
Hello.
Someone turned on the lights!
Woo-Hoo, it’s been awhile… 8-)
Siun, thank you.
Evening all … sorry for the timing mixup, I was busy working on some breaking news we’ll have for you all at 9PM ET.
But the situation in Burma really needs our attention - we can’t let this fade away!
I think you’ve cited this spot before, Siun, but for folks who don’t know about it, here is an interesting site for news re: Burma:
irrawaddy.
Burma is one of those human rights disasters that are allowed to continue because countries that could make a difference like China but also Thailand prefer an autocratic Burma. It is profitable for them to do and in China’s case they have no problem with anti-democratic neighbors (think North Korea). To road to change in Burma passes through China but until the Chinese connection is addressed nothing is likely to happen. And since everyone has more important issues with China (think money) the net result is that nothing much is likely to happen there.
Hugh @ 9
Let’s not forget China’s brutal suppression of Tibet, too… 8-(
Siun,
I’m diggin this post!
Sorry for the typos in my last comment. Do you notice how fast Burma has fallen off the world’s screens? Call it Darfurication. The situation has not improved but out of sight out of mind. It’s an easy out for countries that didn’t really want to do anything about it anyway.
“Now it is the generals who must fear the consequences of their actions. We adhere to nonviolence, but our spine is made of steel.”
Well, ok. I feel sorry for those folks. But until they decide to set aside all that kum-ba-ya Ghandi nonsense, and get their hands on some rifles and ammo…those Generals will just keep kicking their ass. And that’s too bad, and most unfortunate.
Ghostman
Ghostman - I think you’re wrong there. The armed resistance has not had much success … but the Monks have certainly reminded us of the repression in Burma with their nonviolent protests.
Rather I wish we had more “Spines of Steel” here too!
The short, front page edition of this post says “Comments off.”
Perhaps that is why there have been no comments for the past several minutes.
Ghandi won- because he understood the game and the rules and how the score was kept.
There was also a report of a Burmese soldier who has been charged and is on the run .. his crime: also giving bottles of water to the monks!
Army officer flees under threat of arrest
Nov 8, 2007 (DVB)–A Burmese military officer who provided water to monks involved in protests in late September in Mandalay has fled his battalion after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Captain Win Htun Aung from light infantry battalion 3 in Mandalay handed bottles of water to protesting monks on 26 and 27 September.
By the end of October, the military command headquarters had issued an order for his arrest, and so he ran away to avoid detention, according to military sources on the China-Burma border.
Win Htun Aung’s current whereabouts could not be disclosed.
By Htet Aung Kyaw
Siunshine! I set up digg for you.. Wonderful post. You always give us a way to DO something.
Ghostman @ 13
Ghostman, I am sorry to say that your comment is ill-informed, and also deeply rude and condescending to the people of Burma.
Have you ever been to Burma? I have. Have you ever talked to any of the Burmese people? I have.
Your comment, I’m sorry to say, reflects a nasty knee-jerk reaction about a situation which, I would guess, you know very very little about.
Gremlins Neuro … thanks!
I thought it was a joke a while back that Rudy might make it to the nomination- it’s becoming less funny. I still think the polls are over-rating his chances- but it’s incredible that he’s still in the lead while advocating abortion, gun restrictions, tolerance of gays, and sex with furry creatures ( I just made that up)
What are the real odds of Rudy winning the nomination?
rwcole @ 16
True, he shocked the conscience of the British occupiers, whereas, the Junta in Burma is home-grown, vis-a-vis, the Khmer Rouge and their killing fields, two differing scenarios, hence, Ghandi would have simply disappeared… 8-(
rwcole @ 16
Yeah…but I’d also add that he won because he performed in front of a “friendly” foe. The Brits were never going to engage in large-scale atrocities such as seems to be happening in Burma.
Peaceful means are always the preferred course. But sometimes, your foe just won’t pay attention to anything else but a shot fired in anger. Our own forefathers learned this. Peaceful petitions didn’t chase away the Redcoats. But the musket ball did.
I hope those Burma folks can prevail via nonviolence. But I won’t bet any money on it.
Ghostman
CTuttle @ 22
I disagree. Ghandi knew what he was doing, what the risks were and how to frame it (eg, salt was certainly not anywhere near the major problem - he used it because he knew it would get international sympathy).
Isn’t Laura Bush in charge of Burma policy now
OT- Gordon- emailed you. Hope you got that email. No rush to respond, just wanted to make sure my email went through.
GordonM @ 24
Where’s the disagreement? My point, is that the playing field, Ghandi, had, is significantly different than the Burmese Monks, international exposure of the Khmer Rouge did little to curb their excesses, similarly, China’s repressive rule over the Tibetans… Ironically, they’re all neighbors…
HEROforBURMA
Ghostman @ 23
Snort. Our forefathers took a calculated risk against an incompetent, arrogant *sshole (named George) who lived across an ocean (a month or more away). They ended up having to call in French and Germans to help win. There’s a tremendous amount to admire in what they did, but there is zero resemblance between the two stories.
Ghost..
Well I’m not all MORAL about it- but I think Ghandi had a strategy that was carefully tuned to the situation he faced- assuming a careful and objective power analysis.
Winners have to know exactly how much power they have and how much the opposition has- and plan on that basis.
To undersell your power is to be a perpetual loser- to over value your power is to be George Bush.
rwcole @ 30
Nice… 8-)
GordonM- snort indeed. see also a comment I made earlier to ghostman.
CTuttle @ 27
The disagreement? Ghandi probably would’ve stayed in Africa (or out of the country), and worked against them from there.
Valley Girl @ 26
Yup. You have mail ;-).
Don’t miss Eureka’s link at #28 … astonishing!!!
George Bush has always figured that if he bet the farm on two trays his daddy would bail him out- and we’re payin the price for having the world’s worst p*k*r player in the White House.
I’ve always worked within nonviolent movements - and in fact used to be a nonviolence trainer - but I also know that some situation call for other means.
That said, I would never diss a movement such as the Burmese people’s nonviolent struggle. They are there and know what they are doing … it’s arrogance to act as if they cannot and should not chose the means.
Since I’ve already gone OT…
rwcole @ 21
Low. He’ll get the authoritarians, but no one else. None of these guys can get both their base and enough independents to count, so none of them have much of a chance.
Eureka Springs @ 28
Wow, that is truly impressive. Thanks.
I made a post that seems to have gotten lost- so I’ll try it again..
Bush is the kind of poker player who will bet the farm on two treys. I LOVE to play against guys like that- unfortunately- he’s playin with our chips.
World’s worst poker player runnin the US of A. Scary as hell.
That the citizens of Burma may find it expedient to take up arms against the aggressors, is a point worthy of consideration. I agree with Ghostman’s point that we shall see continued oppression for the foreseeable future in spite of the determination of the good monks and other freedom-loving Burmese people. Perhaps a Ghandi-like leader will come forth. Even so, the circumstances are different. The Oppressors are not hesitant to stifle any and all dissent. What will work best to change that dynamic?
This could slow down the BusChen mark-to-Burma-model a bit…
The Next Shoe to Drop in the Credit Meltdown: Commercial Real Estate and Its Massive Forthcoming Losses
Credit ratings to pancake. Syrup not served.
rwcole @ 30
1. I actually have no quibble at all with the above analysis.
Ghostman
Siun @ 37
when would you chose other means?
Thanks for this, Siun!
Dan Abrams leads off with the Judy Regan/Giuliani/Kerik story. Abrams is batting 1000 so far.
hackworth @ 39
The real problem is that, even when done for a good cause, the tactic of “taking up arms” soon becomes the default response for any preceived injustice. You know, like the “holocaust” of abortion.
We’re an aggressive species. There are now more than 6 billion of us. We better figure it out.
Selise - good question - and one I believe the people suffering oppression are the ones to answer.
rwcole @ 40
Venues that promote gambling like to send lots of spam. Strategic use of the asterisk may help in the future.
selise @ 43
There’s the case of the Civil War. The Southern plantationers (and their financial buddies in the UK, which supported the South even though most Britons were anti-slavery) weren’t going to stay in the Union and give up slavery unless coerced. (Of course, some folk have suggested that Lincoln should have let them go and be left behind in their feudal status while the North moved on without them. How the slaves would have felt about being left in slavery doesn’t get brought up.)
hackworth @ 40
that the monks, with the support of the people, will challenge members of the military to end the oppression - and if they are successful it will be members of the military that come to their aide.
that is but one theoretical possibility. i do know enough about burma to even guess what the strategy is. but it does appear there is a strategy.
RBG
Oh- didn’t think about that- makes sense. Maybe I can find a different word- Craps?
Siun @ 47
The really awful thing about World War One was that the lingering stench of its memory nearly kept the US out of World War Two. And the Axis would have won.
Phoenix Woman @ 48
The South could quite possibly have gotten away with that, if they hadn’t attacked Ft. Sumter.
Siun is upstairs! Blue America.
Siun @ 37
And God Speed, for them… Civil Disobedience is a powerful tool, yet, when the Junta has no qualms in bashing the monks’ skulls against brick walls, one has to reconsider other means too… 8-(
In the Nam the Buddhists won by setting themselves on fire….strange- but different strategies win in different conflicts.
FYI, new post upstairs
Siun @ 47
amen! - that’s why i asked what you would do - and not what you think the burmese should do.
GordonM @ 54
I should add that a certain relation of W’s had a great deal to do with it getting to that point (Franklin Pierce, Bab’s great… uncle, I believe).
Maybe the other question is what would we do if a similar situation were to become reality here in the USA? Whenever I look at this situation in Burma, I wonder, who are our leaders? Is there someone in particular? Would we fight or stay in our homes and let the dust settle?
I have utmost respect for the monks, the photographers, and the Burmese people who are fighting. Would we have the strength to do the same?
Phoenix Woman @ 53
it may also be that it was world war 1 (especially how it ended - treaty of versailles, etc) that made world war 2 possible.
Loo
I have no doubt that the leaders are here- they may be currently drunk on a bar room floor. Such people are not for peacetime- they only come alive when the chips are down and the card is about to be turned. We have the people to save us- but once the fight is over- they’re out of here!
GordonM @ 54
i wonder if we studied and thought hard about it, we couldn’t come up with a way of ending slavery without a war. that’s one i haven’t given any thought to (although i expect others have).
Selise
I think that WW1 never stopped- we just had a long halftime.
selise @ 62
That it did, the Allies repressive war indemnification on the Germans, gave rise to Hitler…
Loo Hoo. @ 61
several layers of leaders have already been taken or killed. depending on a few organizational leaders is, imo, a recipe for defeat.
Selise
Yeah- it was just a matter of waiting 50 years until economic and moral forces forced slavery out of existance- but when historic moral forces get a hard on- it’s pretty hard to postpone the ceremony.
rwcole @ 65
what a depressing thought!
selise @ 64
It’s a difficult question. England did it without a war - but much of the Carribean was no better off for it. Some of them still aren’t. OTOH, we went to war for it, but Delay & friends were promoting it in the Marianas.
rwcole @ 68
lol.
…..
but i wasn’t suggesting waiting - that’s not a nonviolent response. i was wondering if an active nonviolent campaign could be imagined.
The Civil War was forced partly by the Northern mainstream churches who were anti- slavery. It was the “liberal” issue of the time. Interesting how the churches relate to wars.
Slavery was a function of cotton. It wasn’t viable in most other crops- even other plantation crops. Slavery made sense with cotton all the way to the end.
Music!!! The godamn Universal that we can ALL understand and respond to.
I love this shit, truly.
It’s why they want to take our Internets away, you know. To strip us of our communion, our community.
rwcole @ 73
True, and that’s why England abolished it with no blood shed, they already had serfs(Irish, Welsh, and Scots) to tend to the fields… ;-)
selise @ 67
Dunno, hope we would have this kind of courage. Some of us will, I have no doubt. The flame will not be shut down.
Sarah Deere, Not Complacent @ 74
So glad you connected with the music … I loved it too … and your communion, community phrasing is beautiful!
GordonM @ 54
Some say that the economic system was inviable and that they would have moved to a share-cropper system (althougn with many slaves still in place in other roles). There’s also the possibility that there would be increasing “John Brown” raids by abolitionists. That would likely have led to counter-attacks, and then responses to that by the Union. Ultimately, I suspect, there would have been a war…perhaps even more bloody than the one that occurred…as both nations would have moved into the eras of Gatling Guns, multiple-shot and more accurate rifles, bigger artilley and fully ironclad battleships.
CTuttle @ 56
Uhmmm! You don’t know about the history of how the regime dealt with the armed Karen and Shan peoples?? Well, that’s because they have gotten no sympathy or support because they were “violent” and “deserved what they got”. That’s pretty much the response from ASEAN states like Thailand and Malaysia.
The Karen and Shan were at least able to smuggle some weapons across the border…and they had a warlike tradition.
I doubt very much that the mainstream Democracy movement could ever obtain arms in large enough numbers to actually succeed against the well-armed and highly trained military. Unless a major branch of the Army split off, provided weapons and support to the “rebels” then they’d simply be hunted down like dogs.
http://www.spiegel.de/internat.....86,00.html