Support the Burmese
September 28th, 2007 at 5:16 pm by David FarrarThe military Government in Burma is truly one of the most nasty and repressive ones about. This week there have been awful reports of their supression of pro democracy forces.
If you are in Auckland then show your opposition to the regime:
When: Saturday, 29 September, 14:00
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland.
Hat Tip: The Standard
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September 28th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
From the Standard’s item-
“These people are standing unarmed against a vicious dictatorship that has a history of massacring its own people”
Had to smile. Only commies would have the damn conscienceless deceit to write something so outrageously hypocritical.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
It might also be time for people to start reminding the Government that it is a bad look to have the Brurmese kill people out in the streets at exactly the same time as New Zealand (and Australia) have been negotiating another round in an FTA negotiation that includes that very same Government! How Helen hasn’t put a stop to this I don’t know. Maybe, if all turns to custard, she will just dump on Phil Goff.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Heard Helen Clark on National radio a couple of days ago… demanding that the Burmese regime allow the monks their democratic right to protest.
Nice soundbite for the uninformed, but breathtakingly hypocritical
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Fuck me, Red. You’re sticking with the talking points even when it comes to something as dire and as tragic as a repellent regime’s appalling actions. You really are a sad bastard.
And Kiwi – yeah, the suffering of the Burmese people is exactly on par with the EFB. Goddamn you need some perspective.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
So where have you been the last 20 years?
Will you cease to do business with the companies who deal in Burma, or will it just be a feel good factor, with no self sacrifice?
Here’s a couple of lists to get you going-
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/dirty_list/dirty_list.html
http://www.global-unions.org/burma/default3.asp
Capitalism despises individual freedom, which is why so much manufacturing is now done in places like Burma and China. Remember when the capitalists hated Red China? That all ended when they found it was an endless source of cheap expendable labour that didn’t ask for safe working conditions, a living wage and time off to enjoy the fruits of their labours.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Sorry David, can’t align myself with Socialist Worker, or whichever socialist/commie group will be organizing this protest thingamijig. If the Burmese can barely get footage of whatever is going on there out, I doubt they’ll end up seeing hairy-legged sandal wearers marching down Q street in solidarity for them.
Vote:Besides, the Burmese military won’t listen to anyone, it may end in a massive bloodbath, think Tianamen Square!
September 28th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Dazza proves the vital difference between being open-minded and empty-headed.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Go save the world duckie
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Don’t you think it’d be more effective to protest in Burma itself? Unless someone has organised the Burmese government to be at Aotea Square as well. That’d be cool.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
DDD you’ll note that I made no such claim. What I do stand by though is that it is hypocritical for Helen Clark to promote the virtue of democracy with one hand while working actively to suppress it with the other.
Vote:September 28th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Heard Helen Clark on National radio a couple of days ago… demanding that the Burmese regime allow the monks their democratic right to protest.
And we may not be able to protest our democratic right in NZ soon?
Vote:All coming to a place near you …….
September 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
“Steve: Heard Helen Clark on National radio a couple of days ago… demanding that the Burmese regime allow the monks their democratic right to protest.”
Actually, you would have heard her referring to “Myanmar”. Very interesting article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7013943.stm about whether to call it Burma or Myanmar.
‘Mark Farmener, of Burma Campaign UK, says: “Often you can tell where someone’s sympathies lie if they use Burma or Myanmar. Myanmar is a kind of indicator of countries that are soft on the regime…”‘
It appears the UN uses Myanmar (and we know how much Helen doesn’t want to annoy them!).
Bush seems to call it Burma, so naturally our media does the opposite.
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 1:23 am
This reminds me all too much of the support for the Kurds and Shia to rise up against their oppressor back in the 1990′s. They died in a ditch.
If no one can effectively act to restrain the government of Burma from oppressing it’s own people (and note China also protects Sudan in the UN), it’s a bit appalling to encourage people to risk their lives on the streets of that country. If they feel motivated to do so, so be it – but if they do say imagining that we would take up their cause … they are likey to be disappointed.
The thing is if the EU and the USA were to mount sanctions outside of the UN, would Oz and Enzed even then join in – given our trade partners in Asia are not going to do so and we want to fit in (which means adopting the LCD standard of China).
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 5:34 am
My sympathies to those people who are so brave and so needy of freedom of expression and democratic principles in their lives, that they would lay down their lives for it.
Wish I could say I would have the balls to do the same, but I can’t.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – massive respect.
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Only India and China can act economically against Burma with any hope of success. The US, UK and EU have applied pretty tough sanctions to no effect due to limited trade. I wouldn’t hold my breath at the Chinese supporting a monks uprising against a dictatorship lest their brutal suppression of Tibet becomes an issue.
I sincerely hope the Burmese can and will continue to rise up but its not looking that hopeful at this juncture.
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 7:30 am
I’m a little more optimistic, usually in these cases eventually a bigger gap develops between the ruling elite and the average soldier than exists between that soldier and the general population, which is where his own roots are, this was dramatically shown in the revolution against the Shah, in Saddams Iraq it didn’t happen because of the sunni – shia division, and Saddam could always find an external enemy to unite the people.
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 7:31 am
That doesn’t mean that a new military junta that tipped out the old would be a great improvement.
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 8:27 am
If you are a fellow ex-pat Kiwi in London, show your opposition here:
When: Saturday, 29 September, 12pm-1pm
Where: Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
19 A CHARLES STREET
LONDON W1J 5DX
Nearest tube Green Park
Also everyday at 12pm-1pm
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Its 2pm and even though I am Napier, I am thinking of you all… I hop the protest goes well.
Vote: