Bits and Pieces: Ongoing, Reversal and a Reunion

I’ll try to keep this short. But I always start off with that goal.

The Myanmar (Burmese) dilemma is escalating into a violent confrontation. From New York Times reports, several deaths are being reported. As one quote suggests:

A government announcement said security forces in Yangon, the country’s main city, fired at demonstrators who failed to disperse, killing one man. Foreign news agencies and exile groups reported death tolls ranging from two to eight people.

It doesn’t seem the ruling military junta, the Chinese/Thailand diplomatic efforts or the meager words of George W. Bush has much of a chance to change the course of this military-ruled society. Which isn’t a shock considering that much of the “inside information” is coming to us via the Democratic Voice of Burma, located in Oslo, Norway. As people use cell phones, illegal internet uplinks to broadcast the brutality of the ruling party, this voice has to be responded to by those who actually support the idea of democratic Burma.

Second story from NYT: Seems according to NY Times reports, that a “9/11 survivor” wasn’t quite that or the embellishments to that tragedy leave one wondering exactly where she was, who did she work for and know, and what was she actually about before and after this event. Tania Head has “lawyered up,” meaning that she knows the inconsistencies to her tale will eventually all come about as this quote suggests from the Times:

She has retained a lawyer, Stephanie Furgang Adwar, to represent her. Also
on Tuesday, in response to a question about the accuracy of Ms. Head’s account,
Ms. Adwar said in an e-mail message, “With regard to the veracity of my client’s
story, neither my client, nor I, have any comment.”

No one has suggested that Ms. Head did anything to profit financially
from her position as an officer with the Survivors’ Network, the nonprofit group
for which she helped to raise money. But the organizations with which she has
been affiliated have also questioned her account after learning of the inquiries
from The Times.

Third One from the NYT: Genesis, a band I grew up with and learned the history of quite a bit, is on tour. “Turn it on Again” does sound like a phrase a 50-something musician(s) would say in response to their musicial chops and vision of world rock domination, but I suppose for Genesis, whose lineup and stylistic direction has move with money, fame and longevity, the answer lies in just playing again.

Seeing them in concert isn’t as, many reviewers suggest, about them bringing some new vision to the stage. They rehearsh their old bits, play the favorites of pop and hodgepodges of 1970’s art rock with state of the art equipment. They are like a ’57 Thunderbird with dents – a classic that needs work – but loveable with the character-building dents.

As this quote reflects:

the progressive-rock band of the 1970s, playing suitelike songs filled with
odd meters, elaborate scenarios and speedy filigree, and the pop hit-makers of
the 1980s, with shorter, hook-laden songs about personal matters like
love.

For a real tribute to them, I hope an Invisible Touch will Follow You, Follow Me as I Can’t Dance because No Son of Mine will be Home By The Sea searching for his Mama or The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. A Firth of Fifth comes before Seconds Out, yet an Illegal Alien will be caught beyond the Silver Rainbow. Inside the Congo, it is impossible to be Driving the Last Spike.

And That’s All.

Apologizes to Burma: You too could be a victim of America

This situation has been going on for at least two decades (the last time Burmese people held an uprising) and yet, very little is mentioned in the United States about the plight of the people looking to throw off the shackles of military rule.

I plead some ignorance on this topic. Only recently (in the past month) has it made it way on my radar via the broadcasting of the BBC. They report nightly (4AM) on the struggles of the monks & general population to present the case for a democratic rule.

Today, the considerable intellect that is George ‘Dubba You’ Bush remarked on the Burma-brewing conflict at the United Nations. Interesting tact by him to suddenly became ‘aware’ of that long-standing conflict, since we know so well how his “interest” in other problems and situations are usually carried out. Its not enough that he is only interested where the money (oil) is, but he has not been a outspoken leader on anything remotely related to civil rights and democracy. (Since his administration has done plenty of damage to that U.S. Constitution.)

Burmese people are led in spirit (and opposition to the military junta) by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest most of the last 18 years. Even now, she is headed back to prison, which can not be a pleasant place to be. She defeated the military regime in an election which suddenly wasn’t an election, as the military took over and arrested her.

In a country of 43 million people, located just to the south of China, another wonderful establishment of peace, equal rights and prosperity for all, it is little wonder this “secret regime” has continue on with little ado. And the United States interest in ‘spreading democracy’ has fallen by the wayside – since winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of 89% of the population that is Buddhist is considered a weighty task.

Plus, the country is not in the arms race. So no real threat is posed by this backward country or its backward leadership.

With our bitter failures and defeats in the SE Asia war of Vietnam, with Laos and Cambodia representing equally distressing areas of failure, Burma is just another country we would rather avoid, instead of taking up the mantle of freedom and placing it firmly on the country. Since the U.S. has a ongoing, capitalistic relationship with superpower China, which holds billions of dollars in debt and obviously produces tons of consumer goods for us, the actions we take are only punitive to a point.

Economic Sanctions. Rhetoric. And backdoor politics headed by China and India. These tend to hurt the people they are trying to help more than any real pain to the junta. Even today the Chinese quietly urge the people of Burma (Myanmar) to quell protests and avoid violence. All in support of their Capitalistic desires for energy supplies and stability in the region. Not to actually change policy to a freer or democratic nation.

Sadly, this situation will escalate if the people of Burma realize it has to finally put the military to the test. And many thousands will likely die for their cause.

The struggle to gain acceptable governance is never easy. Burmese people I wish you well in your struggle – because it has only just begun.