Monks Under Attack In Myanmar (Burma)

Possible genocide underway in Burma... the latest reports say that about 4000 Monks have been rounded up and that they are "to be sent away".

See additional reporting from Crooks and Liars.

Report from NPR.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is putting empty sanctions in place....such as additional travel restrictions on Burmese Junta officials who don't travel to this country anyway. That means very little in terms of creating a deterrent or trying to influence the situation in Myanmar.

Stand with the Burmese Protestors

Stand with the Burmese Protesters

After decades of military dictatorship, the people of Burma are rising – and they need our help. Marches begun by monks and nuns snowballed, bringing hundreds of thousands to the streets. Now the crackdown has begun, but the protests are spreading...

When the Burmese last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands. If the world stands up and supports their struggle, this time they could win. We're in a race against time-- targeting the dictatorship's main backer China in a global advertising campaign, delivering the petition to the UN secretary-general and sending the Burmese our support via radio--

Sign this petition HERE.

Update on Myanmar/Burma Protests and Mobile Phones

Here is an interesting article from MobileActive on mobile phones and Internet technology as instrumental in the Burmese political protests:

The Democratic Voice of Burma has emerged as a major newssource for mobile and video footage from Burma. Other content from inside of Burma is sent by citizens to the BBC where there are some moving pctures, many taken by mobile and emailed or MMSed to the BBC. More footage taken by people in Burma was on the BBC newscast tonight and is here as well (Real Player required). We have little information about the prevalence of mobiles in the country and ability to MMS footage out of the country, but it appears that the Internet is only inconsistently filtered, allowing both pictures and video taken by mobiles and cameras to be sent and published around the world.

Full article here.

Troops Open Fire On Protesters In Myanmar

Troops have opened fire on protesters in Myanmar, killing nearly a dozen and wounding several more. Several Monks have also been arrested in the largest crackdown in Myanmar in 20 years. A brutal crackdown in 1988 led to the deaths of thousands of civilians there.

Meanwhile, the Russians have made it clear that they don't stand on the side of Democracy in these kinds of conflicts. They have worked to block a joint statement of condemnation from the UN Security Council. China also supported blocking any condemnation, but that is to be expected from China. This is why it is so important for the people within Myanmar to fight for themselves and not depend on outsiders, including the United States. Although it is interesting that the U.S. received help during its freedom struggle, the Chinese received help from its Brutal repression at the hands of the Japanese, and the Russians beat back the Germans with the help of a Western front in WWII drawing precious German resources. But when another nation is battling for its freedom... they (China and Russia specifically) can't even agree to make a statement.

Perhaps China has forgotten about the Japanese occupation. Perhaps Russia has forgotten about the great battle of Stalingrad. Quite frankly, China is afraid of having another Democracy in its neighborhood, fearing that the protest sentiment could spread. And Russia wants to see governmental authority preserved at all costs... because it wants to feel comfortable knowing that it can continue with its own crackdown against Democratic elements there.

The Chinese throw a fit at the mere mention of Japans brutal repression in their Country... all they want to do is "condemn".

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Previous Post Regarding the Myanmar Protests

Thousands Protest Against Military Rule In Burma

Thousands of Burmese citizens took to the streets today, in defiance of warnings and threats by the military dictatorship there. The protests, led by Monks, are a part of a larger wave of anti-government demonstrations that have put pressure on the country's dictators.

The military government has now imposed (or will attempt) a curfew and a ban on public assembly.

The protesters are demanding an end to military rule and are calling for Democracy. This is a true example of how real Democracy is born....from the ground up.... not from the top down. It cannot be imposed.