If only the peoples of the West were this courageous...

Scott James · 09-25-2007, 07:39 PM

I have been following the events unfold with almost rabid intrest...
Burma: The world watches

LDahl · 09-26-2007, 12:46 AM

Aung San Suu Kyi, is quite the lady. I'm so sad to see that she has been taken back to prison again. If you can find a copy of the film "Beyond Rangoon" it would give you a taste of what life is like there without the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. Of course it is just a movie(a fairly good one)but it will make you more aware of how little we know about what goes on in different corners of the world.

N Hammer · 09-26-2007, 03:11 PM

I've been reading about this as well. You have to respect what people are doing.

Knuckles · 09-26-2007, 03:28 PM

Its sad that I first heard about this as a side bar when the Iranian president was in the US. The media only mentioned it as the speech Bush gave when the Iran president was here.

Screeny · 09-26-2007, 05:03 PM

This will be an interesting test to see whether the West (or UN) is genuinely concerned about ensuring that people don't suffer at the hands of military dictatorships without any ulterior motives and intervene with some positive action. A similar uprising happened in Burma in the 80s and a large number of pro-democracy Burmese were systematically executed in the streets by the junta - however, owing to the strict laws regarding foreign media reporting from Burma, very little information came out at the time and, whilst the rest of the world were well aware of what was going on, nothing was done.

We are all able to see the footage now thanks to the internet despite the Burmese government trying it's best to close down wireless & landline internet access. With 7 people reported dead today, the best that the UN has offered so far is 'We are monitoring the situation closely'.

FA · 09-26-2007, 07:25 PM

Well, it's a balancing act. There's a fine line between meddling in other people's shit and helping them out.

Scott James · 09-27-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screeny

This will be an interesting test to see whether the West (or UN) is genuinely concerned about ensuring that people don't suffer at the hands of military dictatorships without any ulterior motives and intervene with some positive action. A similar uprising happened in Burma in the 80s and a large number of pro-democracy Burmese were systematically executed in the streets by the junta - however, owing to the strict laws regarding foreign media reporting from Burma, very little information came out at the time and, whilst the rest of the world were well aware of what was going on, nothing was done.

We are all able to see the footage now thanks to the internet despite the Burmese government trying it's best to close down wireless & landline internet access. With 7 people reported dead today, the best that the UN has offered so far is 'We are monitoring the situation closely'.

Don't hold your breath - the situation has meritted intervention for decades yet the west chose to do nothing. And if they are not prepared to intervene in Chechnya, Darfur, Rwanda or Zimbabwe then I cannot imagine them giving a toss about Burma.

Screeny · 09-27-2007, 01:48 PM

That was pretty much the point I was making - I'm certainly not expecting any action over this or any other oppressive regime that does not afford the 'West' any potential monetary profit or strategic military/economic advantage. Selective intervention serves only to demonstrate the hypocrisy of the self appointed, holier than thou world police.

FA · 09-27-2007, 01:58 PM

You'd think, then, that'd we'd treat this as a reminder to get our own shit sorted by becoming more politically active in our own countries. Waiting until it's so very bad you can't ignore it anymore is not the only option.

AthenaRose · 09-27-2007, 02:26 PM

Political activity (even voting, for crying out loud) is impossible within the current atmosphere of general apathy in this country - I can't speak for other Western countries. People won't act because they believe their actions will have no effect.

FA · 09-27-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthenaRose

Political activity (even voting, for crying out loud) is impossible within the current atmosphere of general apathy in this country - I can't speak for other Western countries. People won't act because they believe their actions will have no effect.

Sure, but the thing is, the only person you have to be responsible for is yourself. You can't shake anyone else into doing the right thing (unless they're particularly close to you and you can nag them with such frequency that they get their act together for the sake of a quiet life

) but you can make sure that you personally do everything you can and that you do it vocally.

A lot of people are just waiting for someone else to go first, you know?

**Buckyrig** · 09-27-2007, 02:41 PM

It's an apathy at least partially born of abundance...enjoy dissecting that.

FA · 09-27-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckyrig

It's an apathy at least partially born of abundance...enjoy dissecting that.

Sure, sure.

What's the more productive line though - "hey man, you only have to answer for your actions - yeah! positive and calm shit! two thumbs fresh!" or "IT WILL ONLY BE SOLVED WHEN YOU IMPOVERISH YOURSELF OR SOCIETY BREAKS DOWN TO SUCH A POINT THAT WE WILL BE LIVING IN A HELLISH NETHERWORLD! MWAHAHAHAHA!"

**Buckyrig** · 09-27-2007, 02:51 PM

I believe the same "apathy-like" relationship applies to religion.

Continue...

Screeny · 09-27-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthenaRose

Political activity (even voting, for crying out loud) is impossible within the current atmosphere of general apathy in this country - I can't speak for other Western countries. People won't act because they believe their actions will have no effect.

I certainly agree that apathy is rife amongst the electorate, but it can also go beyond apathy and develop into a culture of helplessness. Any action, rebellion, uprising (call it what you will) requires the people to respond en masse in an organised & effective manner. Our apathetic attitude towards effecting change breeds big talkers and reluctant walkers - fear of repercussions keeps people at home - I liken this to a fancy dress party where everyone turns up dressed normally (or plays it safe & goes as one half of the Blues Brothers) just in case they are the only one who has made the effort.

Apathy develops into helplessness when people see the so-called democratic process being abused by the government to their advantage - a prime example is the proportional representation rule that kept the labour party in power during the last general election in the UK when they received fewer actual votes than the Conservatives. Couple that with the alleged vote rigging in Florida which gave Bush his second term and the 'closing ranks' that ensued and the 'keep them living in fear' policy adopted by goverments and you are left with a nation of cynical 'better the devil you know' merchants.

Burma has demonstrated that rebellion en masse is possible - but they have been politically 'pushed' a lot harder than us. We are constantly being reminded how much worse it would be if we lived in, say, an oppressive Islamic regime, that we concede that maybe things here aren't that bad after all - maintaining an on-going conflict in the Middle-East will invariably keep our rebellious feelings in check as we are constantly being reminded that it 'could be worse' when we should really be concerned with making things better.

09-25-2007, 07:39 PM	#1
Scott James That's So Raven! Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,397	If only the peoples of the West were this courageous... I have been following the events unfold with almost rabid intrest... Burma: The world watches

09-26-2007, 03:28 PM	#4
Knuckles FEAR ME! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 3,043	Its sad that I first heard about this as a side bar when the Iranian president was in the US. The media only mentioned it as the speech Bush gave when the Iran president was here. Last edited by Knuckles; 09-26-2007 at 06:57 PM.

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09-26-2007, 12:46 AM	#2
LDahl Henscratcher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: At the computer...duh! Posts: 124	Aung San Suu Kyi, is quite the lady. I'm so sad to see that she has been taken back to prison again. If you can find a copy of the film "Beyond Rangoon" it would give you a taste of what life is like there without the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. Of course it is just a movie(a fairly good one)but it will make you more aware of how little we know about what goes on in different corners of the world.

09-26-2007, 03:11 PM	#3
N Hammer Mr. Happy Weenie Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lebanon, Pa. Posts: 1,778	I've been reading about this as well. You have to respect what people are doing.

09-26-2007, 05:03 PM	#5
Screeny Quite! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Worchestestershire Posts: 1,018	This will be an interesting test to see whether the West (or UN) is genuinely concerned about ensuring that people don't suffer at the hands of military dictatorships without any ulterior motives and intervene with some positive action. A similar uprising happened in Burma in the 80s and a large number of pro-democracy Burmese were systematically executed in the streets by the junta - however, owing to the strict laws regarding foreign media reporting from Burma, very little information came out at the time and, whilst the rest of the world were well aware of what was going on, nothing was done. We are all able to see the footage now thanks to the internet despite the Burmese government trying it's best to close down wireless & landline internet access. With 7 people reported dead today, the best that the UN has offered so far is 'We are monitoring the situation closely'.

09-26-2007, 07:25 PM	#6
FA The New Red Scare Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: On the Cusp Posts: 2,152	Well, it's a balancing act. There's a fine line between meddling in other people's shit and helping them out.

09-27-2007, 01:48 PM	#8
Screeny Quite! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Worchestestershire Posts: 1,018	That was pretty much the point I was making - I'm certainly not expecting any action over this or any other oppressive regime that does not afford the 'West' any potential monetary profit or strategic military/economic advantage. Selective intervention serves only to demonstrate the hypocrisy of the self appointed, holier than thou world police.

09-27-2007, 01:58 PM	#9
FA The New Red Scare Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: On the Cusp Posts: 2,152	You'd think, then, that'd we'd treat this as a reminder to get our own shit sorted by becoming more politically active in our own countries. Waiting until it's so very bad you can't ignore it anymore is not the only option.

09-27-2007, 02:26 PM	#10
AthenaRose 12.9.12...? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: European Capital of Culture 2008 Posts: 8,764	Political activity (even voting, for crying out loud) is impossible within the current atmosphere of general apathy in this country - I can't speak for other Western countries. People won't act because they believe their actions will have no effect.

09-27-2007, 02:41 PM	#12
Buckyrig I Coulda Had a VH Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Steve Buscemi's Couch Posts: 11,452	It's an apathy at least partially born of abundance...enjoy dissecting that.

09-27-2007, 02:51 PM	#14
Buckyrig I Coulda Had a VH Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Steve Buscemi's Couch Posts: 11,452	I believe the same "apathy-like" relationship applies to religion. Continue...