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Beej
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Eungam Loop
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 Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: Burma Hypothetical |
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What would you think if the USA went in and just took out the military dictators in Burma? Imperialist or savior?
If they did do it now, China might have to bite its lip with the Olympics so close. |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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While this is a tantalizing question, I think we both know it's already moot. On the heels of the invasion of Iraq, any direct American intervention anywhere in the world will be received in the international community with abhorrence and disdain.
China would do nothing and could do very little, militarily regardless. It would make them a bit jittery, given its proximity to their border.
That said, the Security Council should intervene but it won't because the Russians and Chinese don't care about democracy and the people's will. How could we expect them to care given that they don't provide freedom for their own people?
This situation saddens me deeply. The Burmese are such long-suffering and lovely people. I really feel for them.
Actually, I am most disappointed in the lukewarm reaction from the Thais, another Buddhist country. |
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The Perfect Cup of Coffee
Joined: 17 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| stevemcgarrett wrote: |
Actually, I am most disappointed in the lukewarm reaction from the Thais, another Buddhist country. |
Too true Steve-O, I guess military rulers have to stick together. Now if one of the generals sees an opening, perhaps he'll take the initiative and pull a coupl and install a care-taker government. Doubtful, but I think it'd be the most likely option other than what's going on now. Sadly though, not much is going to change. |
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Treefarmer
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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thailand isn't going to help, they don't want to give the impression that brutal regimes are going out of fashion over there.....
i bet the US is making a few 'bucks' from the junta as well. it isn't in the west's interests to have democracy somewhere like that since dictatorships tend to be easier to control |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:20 am Post subject: |
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Treefarmer:
Actually, the U.S. has done more to divest itself from Burma over the past several years than Western Europe.
The big problem in terms of economic clout is China, as usual, which fears that the street protests in Burma could inspire similar uprisings in their own country reminiscent of 1988-89.
Burma has gone from a viable regional economic power to being one of the poorest in Asia thanks to the short-sighted, greedy junta. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:49 am Post subject: |
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The US? Britain? France?
Profit, influence & impact?
Western imperial interests in the region clearly go back to at least the era of the Opium Wars 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars
| Treefarmer wrote: |
| thailand isn't going to help, they don't want to give the impression that brutal regimes are going out of fashion over there..... |
Thai monks pray outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 28, 2007.
(Sukree Sukplang/Reuters) |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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Opium Wars, Guitar Guy?
Let's get up to speed, shall we?
Today, NOW, you have the Thai government sitting on its hands and the Chinese government doing next to nothing. You have the Indian government looking the other way. And why? Investments in Burma abound.
Think it over when you're not busy trashing the West at every opportunity and singing Kumbaya. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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Yo Scuba Steve ...
ftr - i totally concord with what you offer re: India & China; we can easily ad Russia to this list of the not-so-innocent.
Deluded greed-heads.
Many themselves fascist juntas wanna-bees.
Shame on them. Their just rewards shall be met 
As for anyone's feigned downplaying or denial of the West & its imperial influence in the region up into the PRESENT DAY & AGE, for God's sakes man, pull yur swollen head out of yer arse!
Extended EGO - Nature of the Beast. |
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Treefarmer
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| igotthisguitar wrote: |
Thai monks pray outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 28, 2007.
(Sukree Sukplang/Reuters) |
like i said, thailand isn't going to do anything. i bet lots of idiots in america went and prayed for them, doesn't mean anyone is doing shit |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Treefarmer wrote: |
| igotthisguitar wrote: |
Thai monks pray outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 28, 2007.
(Sukree Sukplang/Reuters) |
like i said, thailand isn't going to do anything. i bet lots of idiots in america went and prayed for them, doesn't mean anyone is doing *beep* |
While Thai, French, Chinese, Indian govt's et al. are one thing, it only took 10 days for 100,000 people to recently join a FREE BURMA facebook group.
So anyways, who's profiting from the Junta? How? Bottom line.
Presumably the world can pretty much expect the same continued policies of hypocrisy & inaction from corrupt state powers.
However, 100,000 people, determined & capable? It nearly constitutes a small army
Last edited by igotthisguitar on Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Treefarmer
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| igotthisguitar wrote: |
| Treefarmer wrote: |
| igotthisguitar wrote: |
Thai monks pray outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok September 28, 2007.
(Sukree Sukplang/Reuters) |
like i said, thailand isn't going to do anything. i bet lots of idiots in america went and prayed for them, doesn't mean anyone is doing *beep* |
fyi - 100,000 people joined FREE BURMA facebook group in 10 days.
Who's profiting from the Junta? How?
Presumably the world can pretty much expect the same hypocrisy from corrupt state powers.
However, 100,000 people, determined & capable? It nearly constitutes a small army |
burma/myranamar has a lot of oil, it's also one of the biggest producers of heroin, that is a lot more important than any moral high ground as far as the powers that be are concerned, this story will be forgotten about by most people in a couple of weeks, the interests of the elites won't
even if 10 million people showed their solidarity on facebook it wouldn't stop the junta crushing the pro-democracy protests. the myranmar junta probably doesn't even have a facebook!!!!
if you are prepared to go to rangoon and stand in the street and risk your life for democracy then that makes an army, joining a facebook group doesn't mean shit |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Treefarmer wrote: |
| if you are prepared to go to rangoon and stand in the street and risk your life for democracy then that makes an army, joining a facebook group doesn't mean *beep* |
Connect the dots.
Hit em' where it hurts, boycotting & consumer awareness campaign.
ADOPT A MONK!  |
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jeffusensei
Joined: 27 Jan 2004
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Joining a facebook group doesn't solve the problem but it does spread awareness and keep the situation topical. I think the power of social networking sites like facebook is underrated, or perhaps misused. Going to stand in the streets of Rangoon on the other hand would ironically be very counter productive since foreigners visiting Myanmar have to buy official tourist currency and stay in official tourist hotels, profits from which all go to supporting the military regime.
Does anyone know if there are any vigils/demos planned for Seoul? I saw on Korean news a group of Burmese expatriates outside their embassy in Hannam but I've stopped by a few times and haven't seen anyone demonstrating.
Peace. |
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Treefarmer
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| jeffusensei wrote: |
| J. I think the power of social networking sites like facebook is underrated, or perhaps missused |
if sites like myspace or facebook had any real political power they would pull the plug. they are owned by corporate interests, same as burma, they will let you have your facebook protest or whatever, but you try standing up to them they will shut you down, no meaningful change will come through something like that, i guarantee it
re; going to burma, you may be giving some money to the junta by visiting there, but if you go and protest, then you are doing quite a lot, to look at it ianother way, that japanese guy who the army shot made a big impact in japan, if a british guy or an american guy was shot or imprisoned for joining the protests it would cause even more shit for them. but noone is going to sacrifice themselves like that
so go on with facebook, that'll topple the regime for sure  |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Vigils etc are crucial Jeff.
Had a friend who told me she was going to do a little TARA-PUJA last night.
While i'm not entirely sure what that is, it certainly has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Never under-estimate the power of prayer
Backpacker Turns Myanmar Activist Via Facebook
By David Fox
Sat Sep 29, 3:26 AM ET
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A chance encounter in a Myanmar coffee shop turned teenage backpacker Alex Bookbinder into a political activist at the forefront of an Internet campaign that has attracted tens of thousands of supporters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/canada_myanmar_facebook_col (etc)
Last edited by igotthisguitar on Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:21 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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