The Internet and Information, Democracy and Human Rights

The internet and information; democracy: America and Burma (imagining a global democracy without borders does not make it so; acting as though it were possible might )

Thanks to radio, TV, and especially the internet we know that George W. Bush did *one* ("1," "4 - 3 =1", etc.) good thing during the 8 years he and his cronies tyrannized much of the world: Bush lunched with Burmese dissidents on his way to the 08 Olympics. Bo Kyi, a joint-founder of the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners-Burma, said that " Bush understands Burma and Asia. He also talked about his concern for political prisoners in Burma" (Moe, 2008).

And we know that Philippines President Gloria Arroyo attempted to launch a movement to free Aung San Suu Kyi by "women power" (Dacanay, 2007): The world's women leaders attending a meeting--chaired by then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice--agreed that the woman whose moral stature equals if not surpasses that of Nelson Mandela should be freed.

And we also know that, since then, little to no progress has been made. Than Shwe has continued forcing children into his army and arresting political prisoners; Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest.

Since then, Barrack Obama has become President of the US and Hillary Rodham Clinton, its Secretary of State. There is little news about unindicted war criminal Than Shwe's continued human rights abuses in the US media. And Burma doesn't appear on the event horizon of either Obama or Clinton.

Obama and Clinton are busy, having inherited what George Bush left. Obama focuses on the global economic meltdown caused by the use of the hedge fund premiums calculated by serially greedy bankers on their Bloomberg L.P.'s computer terminals (Lieber, 2008). Clinton recently stated unequivocably that, steel in her words, she would hold accused but not yet arrested war criminal Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir personally responsible for each death attributed to his kicking all relief workers out of Sudan.

Why doesn't she call Than Shwe a war criminal and a terrorist? Perhaps because too few other people are calling him for what he is (compare the number of results you get from searching on "than Shwe" burma vs. "omar bashir" sudan). Perhaps, if enough did so, someone would realize that the US, being the world's biggest military super-power, could--it seems relatively easy--do something useful like encircle Naypyidaw (lay siege to the new town Than Shwe conveniently created to house all his military and his bureaucracy). Or perhaps the UN could be persuaded to send in peacekeeping troops. Or perhaps the US Army could encircle Naypyidaw with one of its newest weaspons of war, a headless moose that sounds like a lawn mower. However it's done--whether it's done-- I appreciate the poetic justice of placing Than Shwe under house arrest. And it would be great public relations for the US: mission accomplished, it would leave promptly and leave behind only as many troops as the Burmese thought were needed to help them keep Than Shwe in Naypyidaw. No need for Halliburton reconstruction contracts, because the Burmese would want to, are able to, and--without unindicted war criminal parasite Than Shwe sucking off their natural resources-- can afford to finally create the free Burma for which they have fought so hard and so long. And I'm confident that, once they'd righted their own country, they'd be glad to help guide the rest of us.

--
Moe, W. Bush Warm, Knowledgeable on Burma, Say Activists, The Irrawaddy, 7 Aug 2008 [http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=13774/].

Dacanay, B. M. Powerful women 'must pressure' Myanmar leaders, GulfNews, 9 Sept 2007 [http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/09/30/10156934.html].

Lieber, J. What Cooked the World's Economy? It wasn't your overdue mortgage, Village Voice, 27 Jan 2009 [http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-01-28/news/what-cooked-the-world-s-economy/1]. Watson, L., AMERICA has called out its new weapon to send into battle in Afghanistan - a terrifying pack of robotic "BigDogs", The Sun, 23 March 2009 [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2336443.ece].

But, several Today is December 4th, 2008: it has been one month since we won this year's U.S. Presidential election.

Senator Barrack Obama won by the highest margin in modern Presidential election history (52 percent of the popular vote compared to Senator McCain's 46 percent). And in the Electoral College,* 368 votes compared to McCain's 174. --
* There are many kinds of democracies. The U.S. Constitution established America as a "democratic republic," one whose presidents are elected via what's called the "Electoral College:" Assuming an honest election, citizens within each state vote for the presidential candidate they think best (or least bad); each state also nominates delegates to represent it in the Electoral College; the number of electors each state is allocated is based on how many Representatives it has--which is a function of its population--plus its two Senators; there are also "super" delegates like living past presidents. It is the votes the electoral delegates cast that determines who becomes president.
There are many other kinds of democracies and constitutions. Burma is not listed as a country with a constitution, but China is: Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy makes the point that having a constitution does not a democracy make--a country 'with freedom and justice for all.'

I say "we" although it was President-elect Obama who won. I say "we," because of all of the hours that turned into days that turned into weeks, that turned into months, time spent doing the yeoman's work of getting out the vote, time spent editorializing and posting in online conversations--and creating political satire . . . we won, but the battle has just begun. And, although passionate citizens will continue to express their views to their newly elected leaders, the battles must be fought and won by those leaders themselves: President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton, and other cabinet members and appointees . . . the United States of America is is *not,* as George W. Bush asserts, a "capitalist democracy" . . . but enough people with enough power have acted like it was for long enough that its economy is now imploding and taking the rest of the world down with it: Certainly, not all the world's ills can be attributed to the US of A's brand of unregulated "free market" capitalism, but many can.

Al Gore said the 2008 presidential election marked a turning point both in how politicians use the internet and--more importantly IMHO--how citizens can use it to organize for social change. Gore, when asked if he thought the "Web-powered social involvement among citizens will lose steam ... said: 'No, I'm not. It's very much in its infancy, barely beginning .... The social activism that's made possible by these new tools is just beginning to take off'" (Perez, J. C., Gore sees transformative power of Web in politics, ComputerWorld, 7 Nov. 08). The candidates, of course, used, more and less effectively, all media available to promote their views (and solicit campaign contributions).

And U.S. citizens were not quiescent. Our Constitution gives us the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly. We used the web to organize events like calling other citizens throuhgout the country, encouraging them to vote, canvassing our own neighborhoods--going from door to door--to promote the same goal locally, as well as flooding the inboxes of our elected officials to advocate what we thought right.
Additionally, real-time videos showing people being forcefully removed from some candidates' events and peaceful demonstrators being tasered and arrested spread rapidly over the net.
As did pointed political satire. For example: Should U.S. presidential campaigns be better regarded as bullshit or dance-offs or musicals? Another video showed faux journalists debating whether the press should repeat a word one candidate actually used to describe his wife (the link here is to the censored version; you can find the uncensored one easily enough) . And another added new words to a popular tune to ask the unimaginable: is there anyone worse than Cheney?

Another parody examined the wardrobe the Republic National Committee spent on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's wardrobe from a break-even point (cost per vote) (Sarah Palin Wardrobe Break-Even Analysis, Shmula.com, 28 Oct. 08); one fashion magazine added her husband's new clothing expenses, including $348 for silk boxer shorts (Sarah Palin's $150,000 Shopping Spree, Vanity Fair, 17 Nov. 08): Although Palin said she had returned all the clothes, "aides to John McCain disclosed ... that a Republican Party lawyer would be dispatched to Alaska to inventory and retrieve the clothes still in her possession" (Reston, M. and Mehta, S., Tensions between McCain and Palin camps come to light, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 08).

*On January 20th 2009, President-elect Obama will become the 44th President of the United States of America

... some of us, the corporate-owned major media reported, went into a sort of post-election withdrawal, wandering around aimlessly, wondering what to do with ourselves. That may or may not be true. But I didn't feel that way. With a piles of paperwork to catch up on, I felt behind. And looked forward to persuing some long neglected other interests.

I don't mean to suggest that now--especially now--is a time for complacency. I do though wonder about the value of sending mass mailings to our President-elect, reminding him of what he said he'd do and, even before assuming office, shows every sign of doing (e.g., he said he'd base policy on science--and appointed a Nobel Laureate for Energy Secretary of Energy). I do not want to see our collective mass petition signing being reduced to "progressive spam," a din to be blocked blocked by software filters. Certainly "leaders" like George W. Bush don't get the message, even when delivered by thrown shoes. Granted, the situation is dire: But what value is there in telling the U.S. President-elect what he already indicates he already knows ... sure, if he doesn't act, when sworn into office, then hold his feet to the fire.

Besides, there do seem imho to be some more pressing issues: a) block Bush's last minute political appointees, his last minute signing statements, his last minute pardons, b) insist on impeaching Bush and Cheney and holding them and their war criminal buddies accountable, and c) people with money left at the end of the month should consider contributing it to a foodbank rather than donating to any political action committee.

Although the global economy is in chaos, I no longer feel shamed by the sight of a Burmese and an American flag on the "Gen88" myspace page: until the beginning of the current millennium, I had not thought it possible to have a worse president than Andrew Jackson (although Jackson was actually elected).

1/09/09. I begin a new paragraph, to underscore that I think I've been wrong. True enough a Congress whose only goal is to get reelected is a grotesque problem (elected in 06 to stop the war, they gave the war criminals everything they wanted and more). There are exceptions within this Congress, like those who insist on impeaching the President, Vice President, et al.

The question here is about our President-elect. Unlike the proponents of the gargantuan Wall Street don't-ask-what-we-do-with-the-money-and-we-won't-tell--*HAHA, suckers*--I do not think the President-elect is bullshitting the American people that the American economy is dire and getting worse by the day. In this context, not immediately revoking the bush tax cuts makes no sense: food banks need the money; charities need the money; homeless shelters need the money--far more than anyone needs botox shots to keep the wrinkles away. Additionally, our President-elect is silent on Gaza and Burma. We've stood nearly 8 years of George Bush; can we *really* stand another 12 days?

Tottering on the edge of hope "Hope" was a major theme in President-elect Obama's campaign. Hope is a theme that has recurred throughout American history:
“The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or sect a party or a class it is the cause of human kind, the very birthright of humanity” (Anna Julia Cooper, 1892)
"America is all about ... the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest sleeping in the unplowed ground. Is our world gone? We say 'Farewell.' Is a new world coming? We welcome it--and we will bend it to the hopes of man" (Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1965).

Democracy and America: a brief history

*In 1773, colonists living in what is now the United States of America, signaled their outrage at taxes imposed by one of the world's first multinationals--the British East India Company--by dumping tea into Boston Harbor. *In 1775, the first battle of the American Revolutionary War began.

One colonist, Paul Revere, forewarned his fellow rebels of the advancing British troops using lantern signals and word-of-mouth. Of this event poet Ralph Waldo Emerson later wrote:
"One if by land, two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex, village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm."
Of the battle that followed, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow later wrote:
"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard 'round the world."

*In 1776, the colonists sent a handwritten draft of their Declaration of Independence to a printer for distribution throughout the colonies. Said document begins:

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume .... We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Although independence had been declared, some think it likely the revolution would have collapsed during the first winter after it began--were it not for the the words of Thomas Paine, who thought the issues so important that he published and distributed his pamphlets for free. He wrote, in part: "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet …. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to tax) but "to bind us in all cases whatsoever," and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. (The Crisis Papers, No. 1)

*In 1787, the United States Constitution was drafted and printed for distribution. Some of the initial 13 states ratified it immediately; others, distrustful of of a strong central government, balked.

*By 1791, after its first 10 amendments, called the Bill of Rights--which outline our civil liberties--had been added, the Constitution was ratified.

It is important to note that, although not widely mentioned in American history books, the Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law of Peace established the first democracy in North America and influenced the framing of the U.S. Constitution.

Democracy and the Internet?

Emerson, the first poet quoted in the second paragraph above spoke literally, warning the colonists of the direction from which the British were invading by word-of-mouth and a lantern signal--"one if by land and two if by sea"--because there were no telegraphs, telephones, no internet. Longfellow, the second poet, spoke figuratively about the revolutionary power of democracy: there was nothing to record "the shot heard 'round the world."

Totally absent from democracy taking root on the North American Continent was any modern technology: the original draft of the Declaration of Independence was hand-written (no word processors) and then typeset (no photocopiers) for distribution; Paine published his Crisis Papers on his own printing press (and someone, probably on horseback, delivered them to Washington and his troops during the first winter of the American Revolutionary War); the Constitution was also written by hand and then typeset for distribution to the states.

Although the process of democratization would have been greatly facilitated by modern technology--especially the internet--it wasn't essential: It is human values and ingenuity, not a medium like the internet, that keeps information bubbling up out of the oblivion of silence.

Democracy and Burma: 2008

As of April 2nd 2008, the Burmese junta had not made the text of the constitution if developed available to the Burmese electorate (Burmese Electorate Still Waits to See Constitution Text, The Irrawaddy, 2 April 08).

On April 9th, a week later, the text of this constitution was released: it reserved 25 percents of the parliamentary seats for the military, put the Ministry of Home Affairs totally under military control, with the authority to take over the country if it thought there was a 'national emergency.' This constitution also prohibited Aung San Suu Kyi from running for office. A referendum on this constitution was scheduled for May 10.
Although finally allowed to read the text of the constitution on which they were expected to vote, the people were not allowed the freedoms of expression and assembly; most political prisoners remained in prison; anyone caught daring to protest was imprisoned; there was no free press; there was no monitoring of the referendum . . .
As early as April 26th, two-and-a-half weeks after the text of the military-authored constitution had been made public--and two weeks before the scheduled plebiscite--the Indian Meteorological Department began warning the Burmese military of an approaching cyclone . . .
On the night of May 2nd/3rd, Nargis slammed into the Irrawaddy Delta: no preparations were made, because the Burmese junta had not forewarned the unsuspecting citizenry. Prime Minister Gordon Brown later told the BBC that "Cyclone Nargis had been turned into a 'man-made catastrophe' from a natural disaster because of the negligence of the ruling generals" (Sai Soe Win Latt, Cyclone Nargis Has Never Been ‘Natural’, The irrawaddy, 21 May 08). The UN later estimated the death toll at around 100,000, with about a million more displaced. The junta stalled world-wide relief efforts, slowing access to those in need, skimming relief supplies off the top . . .
On May 10th, the plebiscite occurred as scheduled (voting in the two districts hit hardest by Nargis was postponed until May 24th) . . .
On May 15th, the junta announced that their constitution had been ratified, stating that it that been approved by 92.4 percent of the electorate, with voter turnout at over 99 percent (Associated Press, 15 May 08): those voting were, no surprise, intimidated by the likes of having to place their inked thumbprints on their ballots.

In 2010, the Burmese junta has scheduled multi-party election . . . In 1990, twenty years earlier--two years before Than Shwe officially became Burma's "decider"-- there was a real election: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won over 80 percent of the vote. The ruling generals ignored the election . . . Were it not for Burma's aspirations for democracy being repeatedly crushed and the horrendous human toll, the preceding is pure pure farce: no comedian could have written one better.

The only role modern technology--especially the internet--has played in this ear's mal-events is to make the horror of what is happening in Burma 'world-read.' The public availability of this news has led to some changes: increased pressure on companies to stop doing business with the junta--but not enough.

Burma's shot heard 'round the world: Saffron Revolution

When many people think of the net--and especially the web--they think of graphics (and they are right: if you can forgive an old cliché, pictures are worth thousands of words). Compare, for example, the following footage from Burma: one, a segment posted online on September 29th, 2007 on niknayman.blogspot.com and the other posted online on November 3rd, 2006. One needn't understand the words being spoken to understand the profound differences between the two (the former, from the largest popular uprising since 1988 and the latter, from Burmese Dictator General Than Shwe's daughter's wedding in 2005). One image from each of the videos is shown below:

Burma:bloodied sandal of Than Shwe's victim Bloodied sandal, image from video cited above (http://www.youtube.com/v/QKmEM94fUuY), in September 29th entry on niknayman.blogspot.com. Burma:bejeweled hands of Than Shwe's daughter Bejeweled hands, image from video cited above (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJxREGhmAJc), Than Shwe's daughter's wedding.

Even without the words--understood or not--the images communicate meaning, especially when juxtaposed.

One can also think of the power of the net in language, the opportunity for one human to speak to others: to the extent that we co-create reality through dialog--and digital conversations are as valid as face-to-face ones--the possibilities of a truly global civilization--and what Havel called a "civic society"--are enormous. At the very least, the net amplifies our individual voices: take the long-standing tradition of writing letters to newspaper editors: in earlier times, those letters readers were primarily readers of the newspaper they were submitted to. This is no longer so. Take the point made by Mr. John Fitzgerald on October 5th 2007: boycott the Beijing Olympics!

This seems an appropriate response, given both that China is one of the Burmese junta's major supporters--and what the Olympic games theoretically stand for: Although in the beginning limited to Greek male citizens, all those free were eligible to participate, a beijing2008.cn site notes that
" Orsippos, a general from Megara; Polymnistor, a shepherd; Diagoras, member of a royal family from Rhodes; Alexander I, son of Amyndas and King of Macedonia; and Democritus, a philosopher, were all participants in the Games." In 2008, in contrast, China's Olympic [were] in Burma's chains (created and posted by niknayman, 9 Dec. 07).

Chinese deciders decided--by means of unspecified criteria--that the eighth hour of the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year into the new millennium would be an auspicious day on which to let the games begin (8/8/8, 08:08 am to 08:08 pm). The day the games begin also marks the 20th anniversary of when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party swept the 1988 Burmese election with over 80% of the vote, a democratic victory that was followed by a bloody coup. The games are now international: China did not think that it could greatly enhance its global image by freeing the Burmese people from their odious military dictatorship.

China did not see the opportunities inherent in freeing Burma: boycotting the games seemed an internationally rational response, for those placing value on human rights and social justice. Alas, "The bland answer of Wang Guangya, China's ambassador to the United Nations, was that "the situation in Myanmar is calming down recently" and that it "does not pose any threat to international or regional peace and security" that would call for Security Council action", a view echoed by Russia (Don't let Burma Down Again, The Charleston Post and Courier, 9 Oct. 07).
The Chinese ambassador's "bland response" is hardly in keeping with the ethos of the Olympic games: A 10 October 2007 entry at niknayman.blogspot.com could be interpreted as a proposal for a new Beijing Olympic sport. Others are easily imaginable for a country that does not think basic human rights fundamental to peace and security.
Beijing Olympics = Blood Sport

Some used satire to

propose new sports for the Beijing Olympics:

(this one posted on niknayman.blogspot.com, 10/10/07). Here's another example, an obvious title for which is "Beijing 2008: Aiming for the Gold Medal[ist]:"
(posted, along with several other excellent examples on on www.ko-htike.blogspot.com/, 10/16/07 [image from 1000words.com]).
create online games: "Brutal Burmese Dictators believe contact with women's underwear will sap their powers. Hope they're right"! Now, South African women will also be sending panties to Myanmar's embassies (Peters, M., SA mag joins panty plan to oust Myanmar junta, www.iol.co.za, 12 Jan. 08).

depict the status of democracy in Burma:

The accuracy of this depiction of life in Burma--posted on www.ko-htike.blogspot.com/ (16 Nov. 07)--can only chill the hearts of humankind:

Would that those with blood flowing through their veins lived in a democracy without borders. Would that Than Shwe and the world's many other despots lived in--I'll donate the U.S. State of Texas (it's already partially fenced in). Here are some English language satires (Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoon Index, MYANMAR MASSACRE).

Others worked to slow down ticket sales to Beijing 2008 (posted on ko-htike.blogspot.com, 10/11/07) by emailing ticketsupport@beijing2008.cn (do it on the hour; do it every time you check your email--just do it!). The ko-htike web site says "If everybody we know emails a request (not for tickets, but for China's action for Burma) to ticketsupport@beijing2008.cn, it will significantly slow down Olympics ticket sales and call China's attention to the matter. China may ignore protests, hunger strikes, petitions, wearing-red shirts, etc. But China cannot ignore these emails, which get in the way of processing Olympics ticket requests".

My first one said: Some say the Beijing Olympics should not be boycotted. How though can China allow the Burmese generals to describe this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UqQaizM15Q) and that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV06u6Eq7v4) as dealing with the September peaceful protests with the "utmost restraint" (and how is this in keeping with the international spirit of the games)? Others asked what happened to the monks and students.

Also employed were the time-honored traditions of honoring others' sacrifices--Song Dedicated To Burmese Monks in Protest--and continuing to fight back: After having received the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, in 2000, U.S. President Clinton awarded Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2002, she received the Al Neuharth Free Spirit of the Year Award "for her free-spirited, non-violent struggle for human rights and democracy." In 2004, 20 other Nobel laureates--including Mikhail Gorbachev, Kim Dae Jung, and Lech Valesa--demanded that Burma's generals release her. On 17 Dec., the U.S. House of Representatives voted "to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian honor, on Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Supporters of the legislation, which passed 400-0, made clear the award was meant to send a message to the military leaders in Myanmar, or Burma, who have suppressed political freedoms in that Asian country the past two decades" (Associated Press, House Honors Suu Kyi, 19 Dec. 07).

Others exhorted Asean members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). The following letter was posted on niknayman.blogspot.com on November 20th, 07:

"Dear Excellencies,

With regards to the 13th Asean Summit opening today in Singapore and the proposed adoption of the Asean Charter, we, the remaining leaders of the ‘88 Generation Students Group, once again address you as state leaders of the region, following an earlier letter dated September 17, with the urge for ASEAN to take action against the ongoing grave human rights abuses in Burma/Myanmar and to increase pressure on the country’s military regime to engage in genuine dialogue for national reconciliation."

Asean's response was less than heartening: Asean students protesting outside of Burma also fear reprisals (Paung, S., Burmese Student Protesters in Thailand Fear Reprisals, The Irrawaddy, 14 Nov. 07). And voting against the UN's non-binding resolution slamming the junta for its crackdown on the peaceful protestors were, in addition to China and Russia, "India, Bangladesh, Cuba, Venezuela and some of Myanmar's partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean): Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam. Other Asean members: Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei abstained, while Cambodia did not take part in the vote. Several member states, notably Singapore, expressed concern the resolution would jeopardize efforts by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari and UN human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro during recent visits to Myanmar to improve the human rights and political situation" (AFP, UN panel slams Myanmar crackdown on protests, 20 Nov. 07). Later, Cambodia said the UN should leave Burma alone (Munthit, K., Cambodian Leader Says UN Should Leave Burma Alone, American Buddhist Net, 12 Dec. 07).

Many signed petitions: Avaaz.org's petition is titled No fuel for Burmese Junta (and focuses on Total and Chevron having been "grandfathered" out of recently imposed sanctions). Another online petition--"sponsored by the executive members of the Mobilization Forces of International Mass Campaigns for Burma, together with the freedom – fighting masses of the Burmese people"--is addressed specifically to the U.S. President and The First Lady and requests an immediate deployment of U.S. peacekeeping Forces to Burma. Another online petition--sponsored by the Australia Burma Network--calls for the "End the misuse of Australian taxpayers' money". Other online petitions addressed to the UN Security Council are titled "Urgent UN Troops to Burma(Myanmar)" and "Lawsuit against General Than Shwe, SPDC and all his government officials to an International Criminal Court for crimes committed during military regime." Another petition--sponsored by Reporters without Borders--has a goal of freeing "Win Tin, one of the political mentors of ... Aung San Suu Kyi, [who] continues to serve his 20-year prison sentence. He is regularly offered freedom in exchange for a signed promise to give up all political activity. But 'Saya' (Teacher), as his friends call him, has always refused to cut such a deal and break his ties with the National League for Democracy."

Tottering on the edge of despair

Perhaps hearts and minds were changed, but life for Burmese citizens has only become more difficult. The least we can do is to learn about the history of the pro-democracy movement in Burma (including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 1991 Nobel Prize). Follow developments since the September 2007 peaceful protests and judge the sincerity of junta yourself: In 2007,

"Harrowing accounts smuggled out of Burma reveal how a systematic campaign of physical punishment and psychological terror is being waged by the Burmese security forces as they take revenge on those suspected of involvement in last month's pro-democracy uprising.
The first-hand accounts describe a campaign hidden from view, but even more sinister and terrifying than the open crackdown in which the regime's soldiers turned their bullets and batons on unarmed demonstrators in the streets of Rangoon, killing at least 13. At least then, the world was watching.
The hidden crackdown is as methodical as it is brutal. First the monks were targeted, then the thousands of ordinary Burmese who joined the demonstrations, those who even applauded or watched, or those merely suspected of anti-government sympathies .... Win Shwe, 42, a member of the National League for Democracy, the party of the detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has died under interrogation, the Thai-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said, adding that the information came from authorities in Kyaukpandawn township. 'However, his body was not sent to his family and the interrogators indicated that they had cremated it instead.' .... Burmese intelligence agents are scrutinising photographs and video footage to identify demonstrators and bystanders .... The scale of the crackdown remains undocumented" (Russell, R. Only Now, the Full Horror of Burmese Junta's Repression of Monks Emerges, The Independent UK, 11 Oct. 07).
"In official media, Burma called the UN statement 'regrettable,' but vowed to cooperate with the world body while pressing ahead with its so-called 'road map' to democracy" (Thousands take part in pro-govt Burma rally, email posted on abc.net.au, 13 Oct. 07).
Child prostitution is feathering the junta's pockets and facilitating the spread of HIV (Doyle, K., "Child prostitutes available at $100 a night: the human cost of junta's repression," The Guardian, 30 Oct. 07)
"Around 200 monks from several monasteries in Pakokku staged a walking protest at 8.30 this morning, according to a monk who participated in the march. The monk said that the protest was a continuation of last month’s demonstrations as he said the monks’ demands have still not been met. 'Our demands are for lower commodity prices, national reconciliation and the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners,' the monk explained. The monks came from monasteries around Pakokku, including the West and Central monasteries, and chanted metta as they marched three in a row, with monks in the first row holding Sasana flags. They started walking along Bogyoke road towards Thida road, then turned into Pauk road before ending the march at Shwe Ku pagoda. The monk said the group was not afraid of the response of the authorities. "We are not afraid of getting arrested or being tortured. We are doing this for Sasana," he said. The protest began about one hour after a pro-government rally in the same town ended, and authorities did not intervene to stop the monks’ march.
The monks reportedly notified the authorities in advance, telling them that if a pro-government demonstration was taking place then the monks should also be allowed to hold their protest. The monk said there would be more and larger demonstrations in the future. 'We did not have much time to organise the protest as we did not actually plan for it, so there weren't a lot of monks. But there will be bigger and more organized protests soon,' he said. The monk said that civilian bystanders supported the protest but were afraid to express this openly. 'We would like to urge people not to be afraid since we are doing this for good future of our country,' he said" (Reporting by Aye Nai, 31 Oct. 07).
On November 1st, the generals shut down the internet again (which they'd been using to show Burmese compelled to show their support for the junta).
On November 2nd, the generals cancelled the imminent visit of the UN Ambassador: "UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed Friday 'disappointment' that Myanmar's military junta has decided to expel the top UN representative in the country one day before his special envoy Ibrahim Gambari was to arrive there." Less than two weeks later, however, UN envoy Gambari was quoted as saying:

"'On balance, the positive outcomes of this latest mission show that the government of Myanmar, while stressing its sovereignty and independence, can be responsive to the concerns of the international community' .... Authorities in Burma arrested more dissidents this week, The Guardian reported. Those detained included a prominent female activist who tried to draw the attention of UN human rights envoy Paulo Pinheiro, whose five-day visit ended Thursday. Three young men distributing leaflets at a fruit market in the main city of Rangoon were seized as Paulo Sergio Pinheiro prepared to hold talks with the Burmese foreign and labour ministers in the remote jungle capital of Naypidaw. Their detention followed the arrest in Rangoon yesterday of a leading female activist, Su Su Nway, who had been on the run for a month, as she tried to post a protest leaflet near Mr Pinheiro's hotel. It also emerged that U Gambira, leader of the All-Burma Monks Alliance, had been seized. U Gambira, a Buddhist monk leader, had been on the run for a month, reports Agence France-Presse. During this time, Gambira - a pseudonym - managed to write a column that was published Nov. 4 in The Washington Post. '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,' the monk wrote. A Burmese Army general confirmed that arrests were continuing and asked for greater understanding from other countries" (Montlake, S., U.N. envoy sees progress in Burma, as China warns of potential chaos, axcessnews.com, 15 Nov. 07).
"At a Stage Show in MyaYaitNyo Hotel in Rangoon, Burmese singer by the name of G Tone was arrested after taking off his shirt while singing as he had a tatoo picture of 2 hands in show of respect for buddha and monks .... As the police arrested him, his fans, mainly comprising of teenagers, chanted his name and shouted for his release. Then, in a similar scenario to what happened to the peaceful protests, the police went into the crowd and started hitting the people with their batons. Other burmese singers, who tried to intervene, were also hit by batons and kicked. Many young teenagers, who were about to take their High school exams were also injured. Such extreme caution by SPDC side shows that they are very worried about the happening of another protest led by monks" (niknayman.blogspot.com, 18 Nov. 07).
"Corporal Aung Naing from Sit Tway-based battalion (828) has been sentenced to death after he pointed out at his battalion's-in-charge that it is not media such as BBC, DVB giving out false news but rather, they are informing the world about the true situation in Burma. Coporal Aung Naing was immediately arrested and sent to high martial court for execution. All his possessions have been confiscated and his family has been asked to return to their hometown" (niknayman.blogspot.com, 28 Nov. 07).
In another sign of their commitment to their citizens, the junta shut down the Maggin Monastery in Thingangyun Township in Rangoon, which houses HIV/AIDS patients who come to Rangoon for treatment (ko-htike.blogspot.com, 28 Nov. 07).
The junta labels the peaceful protestors as traitors (Evans, T., Burma: Junta Charges Monks' Leader With Treason, Scoop Independent News, 3 Dec. 07).
A "young woman from Narikan Village in Sittwe Township, was insulted by the Lieutenant Zaw Min while she was celebrating with her family and friends at home on the night of the last full moon. Lieutenant Zaw Min, along with a batsman from the Regional Control Command headquarters located near the village, entered Ma Than Than Myint's family compound during the party and propositioned her for sex. [She] replied angrily that she is not a prostitute .... [her elder brother] approached the lieutenant and asked him not to speak to his sister in such a manner.
Afterwards, Zaw Min assaulted and arrested [him], accusing him of disturbing him in his duty. Zaw Min also forced a USDA chairman in the village to sign as a witness that [the older brother] had disturbed his official duty, and later brought [him] to the nearby army headquarters.
Moreover, Lieutenant Zaw Min ordered the village chairman to sue Ma Than Than Myint's parents .... for impeding his military duty.
A village elder said [the older brother] is being detained at the army camp and tortured by army men" (Brother Arrested, Parents Charged After Student Insulted by Officer, Narinjara, 4 Dec. 07).
A new UN reports as "'very disturbing'" accounts of a large number of bodies, wrapped in plastic and rice bags, burned at a crematorium in Yangon, including the bodies of monks, on the nights of September 27-30 to hide the number killed .... Cells lacked ventilation or toilets. Detainees, mostly political prisoners, slept on thin mats on the concrete floor and were only allowed to bathe with cold water for five minutes once every three days, the report said.

One detainee described being forced to kneel bare-legged on broken bricks and to stand on tiptoes for long periods. Monks were disrobed and intentionally fed in the afternoon when they are religiously forbidden to eat, the report said.
Pinheiro's findings contrasted with U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's upbeat assessment on November 13 when he said the situation in Myanmar was improving (U.N. report raises death toll in Myanmar crackdown, Reuters 7 Dec. 07).
Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmar's U.N. ambassador in Geneva, stated that Burma was "Exercising its sovereign right to handle a violent situation" (Myanmar rejects U.N. human rights report, Reuters, 11 Dec. 07).
"88-generation prominent student leader, ko htay kywel's mother has passed away after suffering from complications that arised as a result of cancer. She was previously hospitalised and ko htay kywel was arrested when he tried to visit. Until her death, she was not told that her son has been arrested for fear that she might not be able to take it. She spent her remaining days of her life, waiting for her son's return. Ko Htway Kywel's family is appealing to the military junta to allow him to come for his mother's funeral. However, no permission has been granted yet" (niknayman.blogspot.com, 12 Dec. 07).
"88-Gen. student leader, Ko Htay Kywel was moved to an isolated cell in Inn Sein prison. The junta gave reason for move as wanting to question him in their investigations." (niknayman.blogspot.com, 12 Dec. 07).
The UN report also claims that "at least 4,000 people have been arrested, of which 1,000 are still being held in detention, while Human Rights Watch says that hundreds of protestors remain unaccounted for .... security personnel continuing to sweep the country in pursuit of those involved in the countrywide protests" (McCartan, B., Double vision over Myanmar crackdown , Asia Times, 13 Dec. 07).
"Thousands of civilians have emerged from weeks in prison following the protests with accounts of brutal torture aimed at extracting 'confessions' and terrorising a new generation of Burmese into acquiescing to military rule. From Rangoon to Mandalay and down the Irrawaddy river to the small town of Pakokku, the crucible of the monks’ protests, demonstrators and politicians were rounded up in the crackdown against what had been the greatest challenge to the 400,000-strong army’s hegemony in a generation .... But the military has not emerged unscathed from its confrontation with the monasteries.

There are divisions in the army over the brutal treatment of the monks, and accounts that ordinary soldiers are themselves fearful of the spiritual price they might pay .... one of the chief monks of the Old Ma Soe monastery in Mandalay [said] 'During the demonstrations they pulled the prisoners out of Mandalay jail and shaved their heads and put them among the monks to cause trouble' ....
Last week, the government called diplomats to the new capital, Naypyidaw, to lay out the results of all these interrogations. The military said it had uncovered a longstanding plot involving 'bogus monks', a little known exile group, the Forum for Democracy in Burma, and Open Society - a pro-democracy institute run by billionaire US financier George Soros - to bring down the regime .... Few outsiders penetrate this closed world where career officers and their families live mostly cut off from the reality of the rest of Burma .... But a senior monk who teaches at Pyin U Lwin’s military academy said there is disquiet among some soldiers over the assault on the monks. 'Soldiers are telling their relatives not to go into the army. Many soldiers are unhappy with what has happened. Some of them are my pupils. Even some of the colonels tell me they don’t agree with what has happened, they don’t like it .... 'We are educating the new generation about what is right and what is wrong. Evolution is better than revolution. We have no weapons. They have the weapons. All we have is loving kindness.' ....
Sitting atop a centuries old red brick pagoda nearby, Thet Pyin, a politician who has gone into hiding said many Burmese draw strength from the belief that the country’s military leaders will pay for their crimes in the next life. 'They will have an amazing surprise in their afterlife. By killing monks they will come back as dogs who eat shit with many diseases, not the ones that eat good food and look nice; ugly dogs,' he said ....
Atop the pagoda near Bagan, the political activist who is now in hiding said the military is wrong to believe it has cowed another generation. 'Nobody won in September because it’s not finished'", (Guardian Unlimited: Silent but Defiant, BurmaNet News, 14 Dec. 07).
"Dhamma sermons are usually attended almost exclusively by elderly people; however, since the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in September, more and more laypersons, especially youths, are turning up at monasteries to listen to Buddhist sermons. Attending dhamma sermons is now a way for Burmese people to vent their defiance against the military government" (Paung, S., Irrawaddy:The role of Buddhism in the wake of the crackdown, BurmaNet News, 14 Dec. 07).
UN rights council maintains pressure on Sudan and Myanmar (ABITSU [All Burma IT Students' Union], 15 Dec. 07).
"Human infection of bird flu has been under control in Myanmar's border area of Kengtung in eastern Shan state as a bird-flu-infected girl has been discharged from a local hospital after treatment, state media reported Saturdays" (Human bird flu infection under control in Myanmar border area, China View, 15 Dec. 07).
"A high-ranking Myanmar health official has stressed the urgent need for drawing plan and introducing fresh measures for effective prevention of human infection of bird flu in the country in the wake of first such infection being reported in the country recently, according to Sunday's state media" (Myanmar stresses effective prevention of human bird flu infection, China View, 16 Dec. 07).
"On the Human Rights Day, the junta ordered the students in Burma not to wear any black color clothing but only white color" (niknayman.blogspot.com, 16 Dec. 07).
"UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has said that the world body’s patience with Myanmar was 'running out fast' and urged 'Myanmar’s leadership to be more pro-active in realising democratisation while fully protecting human rights and allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to be engaged in a dialogue with the senior level in the leadership in Myanmar'" (UN wants second mission to Myanmar, Daily Times, 16 Dec. 07).
"The abbot of Zantila Rama monastery has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for defamation after complaining about the seizure of money from the monastery during a raid. Zantila Rama monastery in South Okkalapa township, Rangoon, was raided by government security forces in early October. Officials seized 4.2 million kyat that belonged to the monastery during the raid, according to a lay supporter of the abbot " (Aye, M., Democratic Voice of Burma: Abbot jailed for government defamation, BurmaNet News, 17 Dec. 07).
"Many anti-military government statements were spray painted on the streets of Taungup in southern Arakan State recently, said a teacher from the town .... The unknown spray painters had written statements in Burmese that translate as, "'All people are living in ready position because the battle against the military government will be restarted very soon,' and 'The power mad person Than Shwe must fall before 2008'" (Anti-Government Graffiti in Arakan State, Narinjara, 17 Dec. 07).
"'If there is no change in the Burmese regime's approach to political negotiations and basic political freedoms, we stand ready to review, amend and - if necessary - further reinforce restrictive measures against the Burmese Government,' said Brown, adding the Council also reaffirmed the important role of China, India and the Association of South-East Asian Nations in actively supporting the U.N. efforts to establish an inclusive political process leading to genuine national reconciliation" (Brown outlines EU future priorities, People's Daily Online, 18 Dec. 07).
"According to Irrawaddy News more and more Burmese women are selling their hairs, which considered traditional value of beauty, for the survival of their families .... First Chinese bought oil, gas, gems and timber from Burma.Now they are even buying the hairs. In the near future .... Burmese may be selling their Kidneys, Livers or any viable organ to be transplanted to the rich Chinese. Of Course for the survival of their loved ones !" (More Burmese ladies are selling their hairs for survival, Burmasitmone Weblog, 27 Dec. 07)

"Most people have lost hope for political change to be achieved with the help of the UN and the international community. They know now that nothing will change as long as Than Shwe remains in power." (Macan-Markar, M., UN snubbed again in Myanmar, Asia Times, 8 Dec. 07). Some advocate violent overthrow of Than Shwe: "On 28th Nov. 2007, U Tin Win, the president from one of the SPDC's follower groups for Burma border area of three pagodas, was shot at and he is still unconscious with serious injury. The gun-man came on a motorbike and shot twice at U Tin Win. He was in the office when it happened. It seemed to be an assassination attempt on him. He is famous for visiting sleeky karaoke bars and taking bribes" (niknayman.blogspot.com, 29 Nov. 07). Additionally, "A group of overseas Burmese have started a campaign offering a monetary reward for the assassination (or capture) of junta leader, Than Shwe" (Htike, K., Wanted Dead or Alive: Than Shwe, Flaming Peacocks, 7 Dec. 07).

Nevertheless, "political satire and humor are alive in military-ruled Burma. A popular VCD depicting a traditional anyein performance is now selling like hot cakes in Burma. An anyein is like a variety show with comedians, singing and dancing.

The performance took place at Myaw Zin Gyun near Rangoon’s lake Kan Daw Gyi on November 24. Well-known comedians including Godzilla, King Kong and Kyaw Htoo and four comedians known as 'Thee Lay Thee' performed live in spite of a warning from authorities. Before going on stage, Godzilla was asked to sign a document saying he would not make political jokes. The comedian troupe is known as 'Say Young Sone' (The Colorful). The comedians quickly ignored the authorities and began cracking jokes about the military and the September uprising, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience. The comedians targeted the September uprising, the regime’s municipal policy, the junta-backed Union Solidarity Development Association, religion and UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari. A VCD of the performance is now widely available in Rangoon despite a ban imposed by the government. One youth in Rangoon said that since last week the VCD has been on sale on the streets. He said he bought 10 copies to share with his friends. One of the most popular bits is when two comedians portray UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari and Minister of Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, who is dubbed as 'Comical Ali.' Kyaw Hsan begins touching the legs of Gambari—the duo then gradually begin to touch mouths, eyes, ears and heads.

Gambari finally says he knows what Kyaw Hsan’s up to. 'This man does not know about 'Myanmar!' [Burma],” says Kyaw Hsan. Finally, the two stand up and can not touch each other any more. 'Your dollars are falling out!' says Kyaw Hsan, pointing to the floor. Gambari quickly bends over and picks up a US dollar. Kyaw Hsan kicks Gambari in the rear, shouting 'This is Myanmar!' Recently, the UN special envoy’s budget of more than $800,000 was approved for 2008 to work toward national reconciliation. The Nigerian diplomat has a Burmese nickname, 'kyauk yu pyan,' which means 'one who takes gems and then leaves.' The performance also touched on Bagan Airline, which is owned by Burmese business tycoon Tay Za. Snr-Gen Than Shwe was satirized as a man who acted like a king and who treated his 'servants' (comedians) like slaves. The servants finally punished the king by beating him. The Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma began broadcasting the VCD performance on its satellite television network on Thursday." (Irrawaddy: VCD Political Comedy Draws Laughter in Rangoon, ko-htike.blogspot.com, 22 Dec. 07).

Not yet convinced that Than Shwe is a war criminal? Read on:

Who is to blame for killing monks? "Mr. Ant Maung (Former Director General of Religious Affairs ) is a State Adviser in Myanmar who first advised to SPDC to kill the Buddhist monks in last uprising" (Who Advised To Kill The Monks?, ahinmettacara.blogspot.com, 3 Jan. 08).
Does the junta still control Burma's resources? Despite sanctions, the junta still controls Burma's natural resources and so remains in power; the average citizen lives on less than a dollar a day, half of which is spent on transportation (Byrne, R. and Schlicting, W. Burma's Financial Crisis, Voice of America.com, 3 Jan. 08). Meanwhile, Myanmar reopens ancient palace to attract tourists, (www.chinaview.cn, 3 Jan. 08). However, three unidentified bodies were found in an area "restricted by the Burmese military government for exploration of gas by a Chinese company and Korea's Daewoo, which are currently drilling gas" (Three Unidentified Bodies Found Near Gas Drilling of Arakan Coast, Narinjara, 3 Jan. 08).
What about sanctions? "I think the sanctions have little impact because even if the west bans import and export, the junta will always be able to sell it to China," retired economist Dr. Khin Maung Kyi said, noting that, although the junta's proceeds from its most recent gem sale are not known, one last November netted U.S. $150 million (Htike Oo, T., Western sanctions on Burmese gems and jades ineffective: expert, Mizzima News, 21 Jan. 08). Additionally, oil and gas fuel the junta (Reuters, Myanmar Upstream Oil and Gas Fiscal Regime Profile Available Now, 6 Dec. 07). However, while good enough to fuel the junta, "Burma’s economy is in shambles and the future is bleak, according to a report by the US Armed Forces’ Pacific Command .... [and] the Burmese people are caught in a quagmire between the idealistic zeal of Western governments and the military junta’s subjugation .... the military regime is not really affected by western sanctions .... the country’s export revenue remains buoyant because of the oil and gas sectors" (Moe, W., US Pacific Command Issues Damning Report on Burma, The Irrawaddy, 22 Jan. 08).
Is the junta moving towards democracy? "The Free Burma Rangers, a private aid group, report from inside the country that at least 10 divisions, up to 15,000 troops, are positioned in northern Karen State and southern Karenni State — up from nine divisions at the height of operations over the past year. Large numbers of troops are deployed across other areas of eastern Myanmar" (Gray, D., Myanmar Cracks Down on Ethnic Minorities, Associated Press, 3 Jan. 08); after being forced to relocate their village, 40 villagers were tortured for trying to salvage the wood from their houses (Forty villagers tortured for their possessions, www.monnews.com, 3 Jan. 08) ... Last year, satellite images showed charred villages, as well as an increased military presence, and large groups displaced people (Nickerson, C., Satellite images show Burma's plight: Technology aids cause of human rights, Boston Globe, 29 Sept. 07).
Do the arrests continue? Diamond Wedding Video 'Criminals' [those arrested for watching the public video of Than Shwe's daughters wedding] Release Hopes (2 Jan. 08); Six More NLD Members Arrested (3 Jan. 08); 'Authorities' Try To Stop Independence Day Celebrations (3 Jan. 08); Burma: No Freedom On Independence Day Or Any Other Day (4 Jan. 08) Eight More Arrested, 4 Jan. 08): Who is Who in Burma. In keeping with its reputation for social justice, the IMF is mum about what it concluded and reported back to the junta about its "Article IV consultation with Myanmar on November 28, 2007" (IMF Press Release No. 08/03, 7 Jan. 08). And the arrests continue (Too, M., Junta continues to arrest activists, Democratic Voice of Burma, 7 Jan. 08). "Despite pledging to make 2008 a year of reconciliation, the junta evidently intend to carry on with their arresting spree. 'Altogether 102 members have been arrested, and are facing trial while being detained or imprisoned. The reason for the arrests is not known'" (Kyaw, H., Military Junta On Arresting Spree, Who Is Who In Burma, 10 Jan. 08). Another NLD member was held--for possessing a memory card and documents showing human rights abuse in Burma--was released on bail (facing 3 years imprisonment) ... while another--accused to disrespecting the government-- faced life imprisonment (Naing, S., NLD Member Released in Human Rights Case, The Irrawaddy, 11 Jan. 08). In some cases the reasons are known: A Shan youth was arrested for singing a Shan song at a Shan New Year's celebration (Youth arrested for singing political song, Shan Herald Agency for News, 11 Jan. 08). "According to military sources, a friendly fire occurred in Mongnawny Town, Shan State (South), resulting in the death of two privates and AWOL of one warrant officer II .... from Mongnawny-based No. 2 Military Operations Command" (Burma Update 279, posted on www.ko-htike.blogspot.com, 15 Jan. 08). Of the 13 arrested in August, 10 of the 88 Generation Students group were formally charged at Insein Prison: Amnesty International said that "1,850 political prisoners are currently detained in Burmese prisons while more than 80 persons remain unaccounted for since the September demonstrations" (Paung, S., Detained Activists Charged under Printing and Publishing Act, The Irrawaddy, 25 Jan. 08).
An Amnesty International report states that arrests have accelerated, with January's target being Burmese citizens attempting to smuggle information outside the country (Thwin, N. Junta continues to arrest activists despite counterclaims, Mizzima News, 25 Jan. 08).
Are other forms of harassment and intimidation being employed? hunger for one (Ramirez, L., Burma's Control of Transportation System Contributes to Hunger, Voice of America, 09 Jan. 08). That humanitarian organizations must get formal permission from authorities to deliver food contributes to the problem (Associated Press, UN food agency says tight government control hampers aid distribution in Myanmar, International Herald Tribune: Asia Pacific, 10 Jan. 08). After allocated funds were "misappropriated by three administers, including Pauktaw Township's chairman and two chairmen from Taungfu and Thawin," Chaung Villages villagers are forced to work without pay on a road construction project (Forced Labor on Road Construction, Narinjara, 10 Jan. 08). And, in Arakan State, where bamboo is used for everything from constructing houses to utensils, the people face shortages because of unofficial "taxes" imposed by local authorities (Bamboo Prices Increased by Illegal Tax, Narinjara, 10 Jan. 08). Harassment, of course, is a tried-and-true technique: as, for example, preventing NLD members from attending Independence Day celebrations (Khin, H., NLD member slams independence day disruptions, DVB, 13 Jan. 08). And severe food shortages also work: helpful are the junta's transportation regulations. Additionally, the Burmese opposition is severely underfunded: the increase in Burmese army units in Karen state is paralleled by an increase in human rights abuses about which little can be done (Richard, More of the same in Burma, Burma Dialog, 17 Jan. 08). The junta is also pressuring schools to fire teachers who are NLD members: as noted by "Dr Aung Moe Nyo. 'They wish to isolate us so to make us feel alone in society, so that we feel friendless and become depressed. It is a deliberate and systematic attack. They are trying desperately to destroy us; our party campaign, our self-respect.'" (DVB [trans. Nay Chi U], Jealous Junta's Dirty Campaign, Who is Who in Burma, 25 Jan. 08).
Who are Burma's friends? On the 60th anniversary of Burma's independence from Britain--negotiated by Aung San--the junta raises the flag and tells people to cooperate (Burma tells people: cooperate and sacrifice, The Daily Telegraph, 4 Jan. 08). Vietnamese leaders sent their compliments to the junta (Greetings to Myanmar leaders on Independence Day, Vietnam News Agency, 3 Jan. 08). So did Damascus (President Al-Assad Congratulates on Myanmar Independence Day, Syrian Arab News Agency, 3 Jan. 08). At least 75 Burmese refugees became homeless when a government-backed corps burned down their camp (Over 75 Burmese refugees left homeless in Malaysiam Mizzima News, 25 Jan. 08).
- Asean? Indonesia's Foreign Minister, however, called to the junta's progress towards democracy a "sham" (Indonesia urges Myanmar to do more on democracy, Reuters, 8 Jan. 08). And Singapore's first prime minister called the junta's actions "irrational", noting, however, that Aseann's policy of non-interference could only be changed by India and China, its other member countries capable of providing only "background muzak" (S'pore's Lee criticizes Myanmar military rulers, Reuters, 8 Jan. 08).
  And Thailand’s Surin Pitsuwan, who assumed leadership of Asean, noted that "In the integrated and globalized world, we can no longer separate or isolate internal matters from internal concerns" (Moe, W., Burma Presents Asean’s New Chief with a Challenge Irrawaddy, 7 Jan. 08) ... Nevertheless, during a recent summit, "Asean leaders signed a landmark charter to promote free trade and human rights, formally turning the 40-year-old organization—often derided as a toothless talk shop—into a rules-based legal entity if ratified by all 10 members. It also adopted a blueprint to transform the region into a European Union-style economic block", further stating that, since Burma wanted to work independently with the UN, Asean, being a consensus-based organization, could not intervene (Wong, G., Asean Won’t Let Burma Troubles Slow Regional Integration, The Irrawaddy, 21 Jan. 08). However, President Arroyo, in a strongly worded speech to the Asean session of the World Economic Forum, renewed her commitment and earlier demands for freeing Aung San Suu Kyi (Burgonio, T., Arroyo ups pressure to free Aung San Suu Kyi, Inquierer.net, 26 Jan. 08).
  - India? India, for its part, has ceased selling weapons to the junta (India Cuts Off Myanmar, Strategy Page, 7 Jan. 08) ... ... However, India's "Look East" policy suggests its economic ties with the junta preclude meaningful pressure for change (Moe, W., India’s Pro-junta Stand Unlikely to Change, Say Analysts, The Irrawaddy, 21 Jan. 08).
  - China? "China has been striving to make certain that Aug. 8, 2008, the start of this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, will be an auspicious date. The Communist authorities have even set the start of their gala for 8 p.m. on 8/8/08. On that same day ... the 88 Student Generation, were among the first to be arrested when Buddhist monks led popular protests against the junta last September, and they are among the 700 protesters still incarcerated. The numerological coincidence of China's Olympic gala and Burma's mournful memory will serve a positive purpose if it reminds the world of Burma's agony in the two decades since Aug. 8, 1988 .... Beijing has been the principal arms seller and commercial partner of the generals in Burma, and the threat of a Chinese veto in the UN Security Council shields the junta from an international arms embargo. Yet the other rising power in Asia, democratic India, has shown a decent respect for international opinion by halting arms sales and transfers to Burma's military dictators. As 8/8/08 approaches, the world must see to it that when it comes to propping up the Burmese junta, Beijing's number is up next" (Burma's Unlucky Number, www.ko-htike.blogspot.com, 14 Jan. 08).
    China is now though perhaps maybe--it is possible--bowing to international pressure, urging the return of UN envoy Gambari, whom the junta has said is not welcome (Mungpi, China hedges its position on Burma, Mizzima News, 25 Jan. 08). As put by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel, in a trip to Vietnam, "We talk about it mostly in terms of human rights and democracy and that's critically important to us, but it's beyond that ... The economy is going downhill, the education system is getting ruined. The health care system isn't functioning, ... you're getting more and more cases of resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria out of Burma. You've got refugee flows out of Burma. It's just a whole series of problems." (Myanmar going 'downhill on all fronts,' says US, Yahoo News, 21 Jan. 08). Of course, the US Assistant Secretary could just as easily have been talking about the US ....
- The Shetland Islands? The Burmese can though count on one neighbor: 7,000 of its 21,000 inhabitants signed a petition demanding that the proposed deportation of a Burmese woman and her two sons be revoked (Hughes, M., Shetlanders force climbdown on Burmese woman's deportation, The Independent on Sunday, 13 Jan. 08) ...
- The UN? One prominent underground figure--who has thus far escaped arrest--feared the talks with the UN as a trap designed to lull people into a false sense of security and progress (Jenkins, G., Burma dissident attacks UN-backed talks, telegraph.co.uk, 13 Jan. 08). Others ask: If the generals can only be forced out or bought out, does the U.N.'s goal to "change the behavior of the ruling generals and assist the country in achieving genuine national reconciliation, inclusive of all political stakeholders in Burma" make sense? (Myint, S., Can the U.N. change the mindset of the generals? Mizzima News, 22 Jan. 08).
The junta, of course, blames "Aung San Suu Kyi for the lack of progress on a dialogue and describ[es] the September demonstrations it suppressed as 'trivial'" (Burns, R., Decision Time in Burma, washingtonpost.com, 8 Jan. 08). And the junta, it is conjectured, is responsible for a series of bomb blasts (which it can conveniently blame on, of course, terrorists!) (Burmese government suspected in bomb blasts, SperoNews, 17 Jan. 08).
What is the response of the Burmese people? "Various groups such as All Burma Monks' Alliance, ethnic youths, ALL BURMA FEDERATION OF STUDENTS UNIONS, 88 Generation students, Muslim Organization, Generation Wave, Lawyers' Union, Poets' Union, New Generation Journalists' Union, People Action Committee (Mandalay & Rangon), Literary and artistic group), issued a combined statement, urging the military junta to unconditionally release detained monks, ethnic group leaders, students, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners from 4th Jan. to 12th Jan. " (niknayman.blogspot.com, 4 Jan. 08). "Buddhist monks living in Sri Lanka launched a protest march from Galle this morning against the military Junta in their country" (ko-htike.blogspot.com, 4 Jan. 08). That the fire burns on is also reflected by the mass burning and distribution of CDs of Dhamma assemblies and political humor (May, M., RELIGION-BURMA: Falling Back on Buddhism, The Story Underneath, 4 Jan. 08). Additionally, "Thousands of people signed the petition in Rakhine State, Western Burma, the first of the mass movements for 2008. About 7000 people signed in the petition for the release of U Khin Hla, secretary, NLD Party, Rakhine and Ko Min Aung, treasurer, which is to be sent to authorities, it is reported" (Nai, A., Petition Starts In Rakhine, whoiswhoinburma.blogspot.com, 5 Jan, 08).
While the crack-down continues. "guerilla-style, anti-government publicity campaigns are still going on, the most recent in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State .... No campaigners were arrested, he said. Myitkyina is one of the most active sites for pro-democracy activists" (Naing, S., Young Activists Wage Pro-democracy Poster Campaign in Myitkyina, The Irrawaddy, 10 Jan. 08). A spokesman for the Student Union noted that "that the activity was the first of its kind in 2008 and is a message to the junta that the people of Burma no longer want them. It is an initial activity aimed to push at the momentum of the people's movement" (Gyi, M., Student activists distribute anti-junta posters in Myit Kyi Na, Mizzima News, 10 Jan. 08).
In response to economic necessity, residents in Kachin State have taken to carrying teak wood on their motorcycles along a dangerous jungle route to the Chinese border where--assuming they survive the trail, as well as avoid the local police and military--they can obtain about 5,000 Kyats (4 dollars U.S.) per load (Struggle for survival make people risk lives in Bhamo, achinews.com, 21 Jan. 08).
In Sittwe, residents are being forced to fund a golf tournament scheduled next month (Residents to Pay for Western Command's Golf Tournament, Narinjara News, 21 Jan. 08).
Police "tortured to death the imam who led the prayer in the Monibill mosque of Buthidaung Township in northern Arakan, said a close relative of the victim" (Webmaster, Kaladan Press Network, 22 Jan. 08).
SPDC soldiers made their way from one town to another, accusing locals of contact with rebel forces, demanding food, and conscripting them as porters (Lake, K., Locals punished as porters on false charges, Shan Herald Agency for News, 22 Jan. 08).
A 3-day meeting at undisclosed location on the Thai-Burma border culminated in a majority vote to work with and respect the rights of non Shans in Shan State (Admin., Shan meet vows to protect non-Shan rights, Shan Herald Agency for News, 22 Jan. 08).
5 NLD members, walking peacefully were chased down a road in Arakan and told to disperse by a fully equipped 100-man militia unit: one of those told to disperse said "'We were told that, here in Taunggok, there is nothing we can do to make changes. They also told us that what we are trying to do is not going to make any difference .... The town has been invaded and seized by security forces. At the pagodas, teashops, on the roads, whereever you look, it is full of security forces. It is just a most unpleasant, repulsive and disgusting scene and is, as intended, highly intimidating. What the public feel deep down in their hearts and what they desire is something that no rulers, no government and no weapons can stop" (Nai, A., Taunggok : 5 Members Forced To Disperse, Who Is Who in Burma, 23 Jan. 08).

"Sergeant Soe Myint from the military recruitment centre in Danyin Gone, Rangoon, brought in 4 children, aged between 12 to 15, at dawn this morning, it is reported .... The only viable action for the poverty-stricken parents at the moment seems to be to cry. Sergeant Soe Myint was well-known for his many previous trips to buy children from poor backgrounds to be taken to Danyin Gone military recruitment center" (Naing, A., Security Staff Sell 4 Children To the Army, Who Is Who in Burma, 23 Jan. 08).
Attempting to organize a prayer session in June of last year, Than Lwin was beaten and subsequently arrested and detained in Mandalay, where his condition has deteriorated to the point of losing all vision in one eye (Htike Oo, T., Burmese opposition MP loses eyesight in prison, Mizzima News, 24 Jan. 08).
Nilar Thein is a "fugitive with a price on her head .... hiding in different locations in Rangoon since September .... Her husband Kyaw Min Yu ... is in the notorious Insein Prison .... Nilar Thein’s 9-month-old daughter, Nay Kyi Min Yu, has been living with her grandparents [and] is taken to the prison occasionally to visit her father .... Nilar Thein spent eight years in jail from 1996 to 2003 for her political activity. Her husband spent 16 years in prison after the 1988 pro-democracy uprising .... [and] is likely to receive another long prison sentence .... Can you imagine a beautiful end to this sad story? .... Can you imagine a true dialogue between the junta and the opposition? .... So, how can Nilar Thein, and the Burmese people be saved? You can imagine only one person who could save Nilar Thein—Rambo" (Moe, K., Who Can Rescue Nilar Thein?, The Irrawaddy, 22 Jan. 08).
Is the junta as much in control as it seems? That the junta feels less than totally in control is suggested, in a bitingly satirical letter, by its recent increasing satellite fees "166 fold" (Tjahjono, S., Satellite fees in Myanmar, Jakarta Post, 8 Jan. 08). And then, 2 days later, the junta at least temporarily suspended its proposed astronomical increase in satellite fees (Nai, A., Junta to reconsider satellite fee increase, DVB, 10 Jan. 08)--and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi--who is heretofore only been allowed a radio to listen to for information--has once again applied for installation of a satellite receiver (Detained Burmese opposition leader applies for Satellite receiver, Mizzima News, 10 Jan. 08). Mobile phones with SMS capability are once again available in Burma--and those using them are advised to be cautious (Mone, B., Burma Sitmone WebLog, 10 Jan. 08).
Before the Saffron Revolution, there were about 200 blogs in Burma, most focusing on personal interests: afterwards, their focus changed, with many becoming new voices for democracy. The SPDC tried numerous techniques to eviscerate their voices, e.g., slow or shut down the internet, require registration at internet cafes, impose enormous increases in fees for satellite dishes. They also hired their own pro-SPDC bloggers who, in addition to being against democratic reform, made misleading posts and did their best to hack the sites and gmail accounts of the pro-democracy bloggers, sometimes interjecting spam, sometimes redirecting to porn sites (niknayman, Attack on Burmese Blogs by SPDC (Military Regime in Burma), bbwob.blogspot.com, 19 Jan. 08).
In addition to censoring news and attacking the electronic media, the junta has begun publishing its own new print journals--including Pan Thitsar, the Shwe Mandalay, Upper Myanmar, Mandalay Times, Nan Myint, and Maan Taung--all of which praise the junta and condemn its critics (Dee, M., Junta-backed new publications flood market, Mizzima News, 21 Jan. 08).
They'll echo assertions like that of Minister of Industry-1 Aung Thaung, who recently asserted that "Burma is producing the best pharmaceuticals in all Southeast Asia" .... Reality-based journalists note though that "the regime devotes about 0.1 percent of its annual budget to health care. The country’s instances of such diseases as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are among the world’s highest" (Moe, W., Minister Hails Burmese Medicines ‘Best in Southeast Asia,’ (Moe, W., The Irrawaddy, 22 Jan. 08) ...
The Minister of Industry's assertion rings hollow in the context of facts like one of the two clinics in Rangoon--sponsored by the Dutch branch of Médecins sans Frontières--was forced to close its doors to new patients a year ago--and the other--run by the junta but supported by donations from NLD members and other citizens--has now stopped providing free medical care: "According to a World Health Organization report in November 2007, Burma has more than 339,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, one of the worst epidemics in Asia." (Paung, S., Government Hospital Stops Free Medical Services to HIV/AIDS Sufferers, The Irrawaddy, 23 Jan. 08). Additionally, at least 400 children under the age of 5 die daily from preventable diseases (Burma high up on UNICEF's child mortality rate list, Mizzima News, 24 Jan. 08).

The author of an essay detailing the freedom of information in Burma, notes that, while earlier dismissed as "dissident underground media," the Burmese media in exile have shown themselves as competent as those who previously dismissed them, and, in partnership with the "citizen journalists" inside Burma, are the world's most accurate source of what is now occurring inside the country (Zaw, A., Seeking the Truth, Informing the Public, The Irrawaddy, 23 Jan. 08). It would be nice if the major U.S. media held themselves to similar standards.
Recently, junta censors' attention was captured by a poem titled "February Fourteenth" in a weekly private paper called The Love Journal, because the first letter of each line reads "Senior General Than Shwe is power crazy" (Please Help Burma.blogspot.com, 24 Jan. 08).

Or maybe Than Shwe is just extremely wealthy and stupid?

"According to official statistics, Myanmar's foreign trade hit nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year 2006-07, according to figures of the Ministry of Commerce. The 7.92 billion dollars' foreign trade volume gained in 2006-07 registered a new record high in 18 years since 1989.
A latest statistics reveal that in the first five months of 2007-08, Myanmar's foreign trade attained 4.11 billion dollars, of which its export stood over 2.886 billion dollars, while its import over 1.224 billion" (Myanmar to allow opening Singapore dollar bank account, People's Daily Online, 17 Feb. 08).
"About 50 students in Sittwe staged a demonstration on 13 February after authorities doubled their school bus fare, reports a student from Sittwe.
He said, 'We went to the university by foot on that day to show our feelings about the increased bus fare, and about 50 students joined in the demonstration' ....
The news of the demonstration spread quickly in the state capital; high authorities came to the students on the street and requested they stop their demonstration. They promised the bus fare would be reduced promptly.
'We stopped our demonstration after the authority promised to reduce the bus fare within a short period of time,' the student said.
The school bus fare was reduced suddenly from 100 kyat back to 50 kyat soon after the student demonstration arose in the streets of Sittwe" (Sittwe Students Protest Bus Fair Increase, Narinjara, 18 Feb. 08).
"Myanmar's military government said Nagai's death was an accident and that he had not been deliberately targeted.
But commentaries in the state-controlled press implied that he was responsible for his own fate because he came into the country pretending to be a tourist and then put himself in a dangerous situation" (Japanese police team arrives in Myanmar for talks on journalist slain during protests, PR-Insider.com , 18 Feb. 08).
"Last week the Burmese state-controlled media announced that a national referendum on a new constitution would be held in May, and general elections in 2010. No-one I met had any faith in the promise. A young man in his 30s told me: 'We read that paper and we laugh'" (Burma sandwiched between 2 emerging Asian giants, Daily Times , 20 Feb. 08).
"Speaking to The Irrawaddy by phone on Wednesday, Thein Nyunt, a spokesperson for the NLD, said, 'The draft constitution is not legitimate--only one percent of the representatives elected in 1990 were involved in drafting the guidelines for the new constitution.'
In its statement, the NLD said the Burmese military junta would bear responsibility for the consequences of their decision ...
komoethee.blogspot.com , on 21 Feb. 08, posted a graphic entitled "People Need Real Democracy:"

There are doctors and reporters without borders; there are also truths without borders--and this is one of them, equally true for Burma and the United States (the current war machine that replaced what used to be America) ... Avaaz.org, in a January email, wrote that, for Burma, the bad news is that 90% of those who opposed the junta are either dead or imprisoned (the remaining 10% are, presumably, being hunted). Avaaz, in the same email, wrote that the good news was that there were some signs of disaffection within the military (some doubtless out of genuine conviction and some, doubtless, out of fear of themselves being targeted by those they hunt).

In other news, the monasteries remain empty, Than Shwe continues torturing political prisoners (Statement of the Canadian Friends of Burma regarding Burma's political prisoners, The Art of Patience FREE BURMA, 18 March 08). And further underscoring the family's honor, Than Shwe's daughter took furniture worth about 10,000 USD from a fair without even offering to pay (Than Shwe's daughter pleads for furniture at fair, Mizzima News, 17 March 08) ... Unfortunately, the junta has learned of the power of the internet and is taking lessons from the Russians on how to curtail that power (Ng, M., Bullets cannot kill freedom in the heart, Mizzima News, 17 March 08).

Aung San Suu Kyi's central insight is that the first step to a true democracy begins with universal respect for individual human rights. Consequently, such a government is grounded in the rule of law--and the only legitimate means of achieving such a government are non-violent. To bring about such a government, great personal and collective self-discipline is required .... Is this sufficient to bring democracy to Burma, to anywhere? No one knows, because it's never before been tried.

Summary

Today's technology--especially the internet--works both against and for those fighting for human rights and social justice. How are we to distinguish lies from truth? As Kant wrote:

"Reason ... must approach nature in order to be taught by it. It must not, however, do so in the character of a pupil who listens to everything that the teacher chooses to say, but of an appointed judge who compels the witnesses to answer questions which he has himself formulated ... (p. 20)."

Just so, we must approach all the information soup in which we swim CRITICALLY. It no longer is in our best interests---assuming it ever were--to accept fact on the basis of source or authority! Even the results from the search engines themselves--mighty aids to our information hunting and gathering that they are--must be similarly approached.

On the negative side, George W. Bush has illegally authorized warrantless wiretapping. George W. Bush is now using unmanned drones to bomb the locations of suspected terrorists on Pakistani soil (so much for innocents killed and Pakistan having been a staunch U.S. ally). The list of instances where the internet and modern technology have been used to tyranize and murder others is long, is long, both in the U.S. and other nations.

Further, internet censorship is on the rise throughout the world (Boyd, C., Internet Increasingly Censored: The first comprehensive global survey of Internet filtering shows that online repression is on the rise worldwide, Technology Review, 18 May 07). The trend continues (Anderson, N., 2008 shaping up to be "Year of Filters", ars technica, 15 Jan. 08). Just so, the one percent of Burmese citizens with censored internet access lost that when the junta literally pulled the plugs on the country's two ISPs (Talbot, C., Burma's Internet Crackdown Technology Review, 3 Oct. 07).
Other examples abound: Quoting from Josh Silver of FreePress.net, "You've probably heard that Verizon censored text messages sent by the pro-choice group NARAL. They claim it was a glitch. And they feel really, really bad about it.’ Are you convinced? Here's another example from Mr. Silver: "In August, AT&T censored a live webcast of a Pearl Jam concert just as lead singer Eddie Vedder criticized President Bush. AT&T said it was a glitch." Are you convinced? Here's another example of an official voice: "A state-run newspaper in Myanmar on Thursday accused the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of tax evasion for spending the money she won for the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and other foreign awards outside the country. The newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, said the government was “very considerate” to keep her under house arrest rather than to jail her for life for what it said were many offenses" (Mydans, S., New York Times, 19 Jan. 07).

On the positive side, the internet can function as a means of fulfill the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I recently came across the following quotation by Thomas Jefferson on a Burmese blogger site: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never shall be." It is the thesis of this page that the internet--a free internet--is the best tool for overcoming that ignorance and restoring respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The President-elect of the U.S. posts his speeches on youtube: allowing the American electorate direct access to his words, unfiltered through the pathetic mainstream media.

Silence is the friend of tyranny. Modern technology--especially the internet--is the enemy of tyranny (which is why one white paper stated that the military's basic goal was "total information dominance"). The internet offers the opportunity to express reality other than as articulated by the state: take, for example, the numbers of Iraqi civilian deaths since the U.S.' 2003 invasion: A study conducted between May 20 and July 10 of 2006 estimated the number of Iraqi civilian deaths as more than half a million (Burnham, G., Lafta, R., Doocy, S., and Roberts, L., Mortality after the 2003 invasion of Iraq: a cross-sectional cluster sample survey. The Lancet, V. 368, # 9545, pp. 1421-1428, Oct. 06). A more recent study, conducted more than a year later, in August 2007, estimated the number of civilian deaths to be more than one million (ORB [Opinion Research Business], More than 1,000,000 Iraqis murdered, Newsroom, Sept. 07). The studies differed somewhat in research design and sampling procedures--and, most significantly, in time since the U.S. invasion in 2003. The estimate published in The Lancet was over 20 times that given by U.S. President Bush last year.

Word of human rights abuses can spread across the planet in minutes.

The ludicrous attempts of abusers to cover their tracks can also spread equally rapidly. Take the recent human rights abuses, in Burma, by the oil multi Chevron-Texaco: to better defend itself from criminal prosecution--and hide the fact that it's netting the Burmese military a billion a year-- Chevron-Texaco purged its website of all references to Burma. This lame attempt at making itself appear blameless only underscores its guilt (and highlights the fact that its abuses are not mere accidents).

Further, other organizations strive to illuminate what is really happening in Burma (see the Total Out of Burma Campaign and the Campaign for Human Rights and Democracy in Burma for example). Such sites also expose the dealings of other companies doing business with the junta, like Lloyd's of London, whose pathetic justification for for doing business with the junta is that that constitutes only a small fraction of its total business.
One can also look at the internet is as a means of building a cooperative world, one that benefits or can benefit all: When we consider that the best decisions are reached collaboratively--as opposed to imposed from on high--then the net is an ideal tool for achieving that collaboration.