Comments on: Burma Update

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:06:06 +0000

Eventually the extent of the crime will be known, Whig, but what will be the cost? The Hedgemony has destroyed the reputation of the US to the point that nothing it says is trusted or believed and talking about Burma helps the junta, giving it credibility in some parts of the world based on the now common assumption that the US always lies.

I feel certain that that is exactly what is happening, Jams. It is the normal pattern of repressive military regimes. There is certainly an ethnic element at play that makes it almost certain. I assume that we will find out that they are bringing groups of thugs from other ethnic groups to control the situation, just as the Soviets and Chinese brought in units from outlying provinces to avoid any connection between the oppressors and oppressed. Language barriers are a useful tool in oppression.

I can easily believe that the death toll is in the thousands, Fallenmonk, because the reports have been focusing on Rangoon, but there have been demonstrations in other areas where there are no foreigners to report what is happening, and no need to pretend any restraint.

By: fallenmonk

fallenmonk — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:49:29 +0000

Other reports are saying that thousands of protestors are dead as well as hundreds of monks. We are just going to have to wait for accurate information but it looks pretty bad.

By: jams o donnell

jams o donnell — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:43:50 +0000

THe BBC reported yesterday that the monks arested last week are to be sent to prisons in teh nrth of Burma. One thing that passed my mind was whether being “sent north” had a similar meaning as being “deported to the east” had under the Reich. It would not surprise me, sadly.

By: whig

whig — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:20:43 +0000

They cannot defeat the monks, if they killed every last one.

By: whig

whig — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:19:33 +0000

My point being, these criminals who are doing things will be identified and known.

By: whig

whig — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:18:54 +0000

It’s not like we’re going to be kept from seeing what they’ve done, when we get cameras in there eventually. It’s not like they won’t be visible for the whole world to see.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:09:30 +0000

The Beeb does a lot of texting and cell phone connections. Apparently the few journalists still in Burma now have “protection” because of the emergency.

They are getting reports from refugees coming across the Thai border, but are cautious about presenting what is said and treat reports from opposition groups the same way.

Pictures are the best evidence, and there are certainly a lot of cell phones with cameras these days.

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:35:07 +0000

The BBC has had the best reporting on this. Their website put out the call for people to upload pictures and videos and post their views and comments while it was still possible. Smart move on their part and a good use of the Internet — leveling the playing field does give others a chance to counter the official government line.