Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Military Avoids Factionalism

Regarding “Tibetan Exiles’ Meeting Produces Comparisons with Burma” [The Irrawaddy online; November 25, 2008; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14686]:

Burmese political parties have always been factionalized and characterized by infighting. In the 1950s, there were several different Communist parties that did not get along with each other. This factionalism is a key reason why democracy in Burma broke down, leading to the military takeovers in 1958 and 1960. The Burmese exiles are following in this same time honored and self-defeating tradition. The military remains in power because it is the one group in Burma that has managed to avoid factionalism and remain united.

Don

Old Myoma Boys’ Association

Regarding “Burma’s National Day Fading from Memory” [The Irrawaddy online; November 21, 2008; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14675]:

I was born in the first National School in Myoma at the site of the old Jubilee Hall (now the Defense Services Museum ). My father, who was one of the founders of the school, died at the present site of the Myoma National School 40 years ago. His statue still stands there today. I studied from kindergarten to the 11th standard in the same school. National Day was a large and important annual event which we very much looked forward to in the pre-war days. Our "Green Army, " formed by teachers and students and styled like Germany's Hitler Youth, dressed in military uniforms and paraded on this special day led by our own students’ military brass band, marching to the west side of the Shwedagon Pagoda to show our defiance of the British government and to imbue us with nationalist spirit. Years later when we formed the Old Myoma Boys’ Association, we celebrated the National Day annually with a gathering of old Myoma students to commemorate this very special day.

KT Lwin

Occupy Burmese Embassies

Regarding “Zarganar, Ashin Gambira Get Long Prison Terms”[The Irrawaddy online; November 21, 2008; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14677]:

Enough! Enough! Enough! If nothing else will do, then activists around the world should begin occupations of Burmese embassies and tourism promotion offices.

David Jardine

A Society in Decline

Regarding “Seniors on the Streets” [The Irrawaddy online; November 21, 2008; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14674]:

It is not only happening in Burma, it is happening internationally. Here in the U.S, no one cares about anyone except himself/herself, and the elders are treated very shabbily. People should be ashamed, but all that matters to them is money and greed, power and materialism. It is the sign of a society in decline.

Jmuhj

Junta Not Listening

Regarding “Burma Falls Off UN Agenda” [The Irrawaddy online; November 20, 2008; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14663]:

This is exactly why the junta is not listening. They know their role in world politics is minute and the UN and governments are busy with their own interest.

Kundala

Friday, November 21, 2008

Time for International Criminal Court

Regarding “Hip-Hop Performer among Latest Victims of Court Crackdown” [The Irrawaddy online; URL: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14670]:

Let the Dhamma serve its purpose. Those who are sentencing dissidents and other peaceful citizens are earning bad karma. The regime is notorious for its contempt for human rights. It’s ironic that those who are really breaking the law are the ones who are handing down the sentences. There is nothing worse than unfair rulings. The military regime is really worse than terrorists. It rules the country according to its wishes. It will continue until the junta is referred to the International Criminal Court. It’s past time to bring the regime to the International Criminal Court.