Solidarity with the only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Winner
By bluegal Saturday Sep 22, 2007 7:02pm
Stepping out of her home in tears, Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi greeted Buddhist monks Saturday in a landmark moment for a swelling protest movement against the military junta. Armed guards usually block the road leading to the rambling lakeside house, but in an unprecedented move, they allowed about 1,000 monks and an equal number of their supporters to walk past the place where she has been detained for 12 of the past 18 years. As the rain poured down, Aung San Suu Kyi walked out with two other women and cried as she waved to the monks, witnesses said. They stopped outside her home for about 15 minutes and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "May we be completely free from all danger, may we be completely free from all grief, may we be completely free from poverty, may we have peace in heart and mind." Some of their supporters broke into tears as they joined in with their own refrain, chanting: "Long life and health for Aung San Suu Kyi, may she have freedom soon." There was no interruption from about 20 uniformed security police, who had opened the roadblock. After the monks left the road was again closed. Read more...
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Amen. Good information. Interesting story. I hope she is free soon as well. Thanks. Peace.
Imagine how inspiring it would be if a large group of American clergy came together in an outdoor rally against the occupation of Iraq. Police would be less likely (one hopes) to harass and intimidate demonstrators wearing clerical garb of all denominations. The leaders of our faith communities can follow the model of these monks and embrace peaceful activism. So could we all.
she should trade places w/ henry the k.
Doctor Rickles @ 2:
Pfft! http://spidel.net/blog/2007/09/10/rev-yearwood-attacked-and-beat-in-hall...
Aung San Suu Kyi has touched my soul for so many years now, brave spirit that she is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
http://www.counterpunch.org/mcculloch07072003.html
http://www.thestate.com/372/story/179875.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-22-myanmar_N.htm
Aung San Suu Kyi is just as large a problem to Burma/myanmar as any other of the members of the ruling structure. Focus on getting no where slowly.
Time to look to others in Myanmar for leadership of the country rather than the same family/caste/tribe that control both sides of the house. Control both sides of the press. Control both sides of the worlds assistance and have done so for over a century.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the current Military Rulers are the same deal. Burman rule. Kachin, Karen, Wa and the hundreds of other tribes are kept suppressed. One day the world will realize that the "bird of peace" has been playing a well crafted roll, ensuring the continued existance of those in power.
Kald @ 4:
It happened at Selma. Many clergy no longer have the training or intellectual discipline to separate themselves from the "order" that passes for Christianity in this country. But, there are many who are waking up. You might notice that a large association of American nuns just called for the impeachment of George. Many Eveangelicals have distanced themselves from the civil religion. Network television - and the cable news networks and newpapers ignore large demonstrations by clergy or peace activists - they are invisible now - made so by journalism bought and paid for by the military industrial complex. God is calling us to do more, but we do not yet have the methods in place to call this country to shame and repentance for its violence and arrogance. it will take immense numbers of absolutely non violent people to change this country. Watch "Gandhi"- it can happen.
Its wonderful to see this swelling of support amongst the people.
On a side note, this past week some people from Myanmar were guests where I worked, I admittedly didnt know much about Myanmar (I did know its capitol was Rangoon) but its not everyday you meet someone from there. And I also admit not knowing the story of
Aung San Suu Kyi and her persecuted past but I intend to find out what I've been missing on this story, and it sounds like alot.
To Thinker...
God is never the answer. In the US, just as in the muslim world, God is used to retard peoples reasoning, subdue their conciousness and keep them on the straight and narrow that benefits power. Happily, the world is step by step making it out of the dark ages and eliminating God out of the equation explaining Life, the Universe and Everything.
One of the reasons clergymen have traditionally been viewed as individuals that should be respected and listened to is that for a very long time, is that they were the only educated persons that had any interest in helping people through their ordinary lives. Now however, they are redundant and their education is harmlessly irrelevant, at best.
Peter Pter @ 6:
Pretty clever plotting away while under house arrest.
How will she maintain the power structure that is from her fortress.
P.S. It is a role that she would be playing.
Orangutan. @ 1:
Yeah Right! Now get that cold BUD and get back to the ballgame.
OR have you honestly thought about giving those 15 min. the monks asked for?
Doctor Rickles @ 2:
Solutions don't work that way. You go stand for 15 min. on the lawn for 3 days and arouse the curiosity of your neighbours, make them aware and get them involved. Now you have a whole street, the newspaper gets involved and other streets follow through.
LIKE FRIGGIN ALICE'S RESTAURANT!
sphinx @ 5:
To Kald@4: What the police did to Rev. Yearwood is sad, but if he had been accompanied by a dozen other ministers, priests and rabbis, they would not have been football tackled. Strength in numbers.
To Thinker@7: True, the antiwar demos are largely invisible to the corporate media. But large scale clergy gatherings might have more visibility. Do you happen to know how big the largest one has been to date? To find out whether this tactic has been adequately tried.
To Razant@12: But solutions DO work this way - it's happening right now in Burma! They also work the Alice's Restaurant way, too!
I teach in a suburban high school No one has heard of her so I do what I can in each of my classes each semester to be sure that thestudents are aware of the struggle going on there. I just wish there was some kind of comprehensive, sustained coverage oft the abuses that go on there.
For more information go to freeburmarangers.org
Aung San Suu Kyi is incredibly brave and strong. Words can't describe how great she is
Thanks BlueGal. We DO need more in the ministry to make similar efforts for justice. If they can't find any here, hey, at least it'll give our police plenty of Taser practice. Which they need, with 70% of this country opposed to Pandora Bush's lovely winning war.
Cross myself.
The military of the socialist proletariat of Myanmar is ultimately protecting Buddhism from Muslim domination and or Christian evangelicals. Their government is the protection of the Life, Folk, Spirit, and traditions of the population. Hail the proletarian! Jail those who petition the war-hungry west to impose their imperialist dominion.
Buddhism is such a sweet religion. It's a shame we don't have a better vocabulary to distinguish non-militaristic spiritual beliefs from the militaristic dogmas of Islam and the other mid-east religions. I didn't think Buddhism had angels, but she is one.
What a beautiful woman.
And, andhakari, Islam is not full of militaristic dogma, anymore than basic Christianity is. Some Christians are whacked out gun-toters; some are spiritual truth incarnate. Ditto Islam. Ditto Jain. Ditto Buddhists. Ditto Hindus. Ditto Zoroasterians. Ditto Ba'hai. Ditto Jews. Ditto Taoists. Ditto African tribes.
Will someone please call the country by its rightful name, and not this Myanmar crap that the scumbag junta uses? I know the MSM says Myanmar, but nobody else should.
The Dude Abides @ 22:
Dig
Explainer @ 10:
Aung San Suu Kyi is not the leader but a dutiful member of the inner faimily. Her "fortress" has servants, world socialite visitors, cocktail parties and plenty of nice PR oppertunities. She is Burman. As are the Military and every one else of power. The country name Burma represents one tribe. Myanmar is far more representative of all the tribes.
With over 135 different ethnic groups in the country it is a complex situation. The 100+ others want change where there is distributed power, wealth and control. The Burman want this stopped at all costs. Aung San Suu Kyi played the roll very well. Kept it from going nowhere.
The worlds NGO's and governments either give the military money or her. Keeps it all nice neatly in one tribe.
Peter Pter @ 24:
Speaking of family, I suppose you think it must have been very clever of her to be denied the right to see her husband while he died of prostate cancer, and her children for how many years now?
She has sacrificed for decades, given up contact with her family for the freedom of the people. She advocates nonviolence, which may be too slow for you, but her life is one of sacrifice.
GTK @ 25:
Careful. Check the facts. It wasn't that she couldn't leave but that they wouldn't let her back in, she says. I know not about her kids but I am sure that they have been back to see her. They are the grandkids of Aung San, the great burman leader, they are like royality as is she.
Freedom for her people??? Her people, the burman, are the jailers. It is the others who are not in her "Party". The people who live in 75% of the country. Christian, Catholic, Bhuddist, Hindu, Muslim, Anamists. The country is so diverse. Tribes are kingdoms with standing army's of 500-20,000 men.
She is a great writer and knows how to play the room. She is a princess in a court and very happy for it. Aung San Suu Kyi is no common woman. Life of entitlement, privilages and resources beyond that of the entire non burman population put together. Gandi was enlightened. He lived what he preached. Cared for the population not one caste or religion. That is noble. Mother Tresa lived in abject poverty. "The Lady" lives as a princess in a carefully managed puppet show.
I didn't expect this Daw Su Kyi thread at C&L but I'm glad it was posted. I'm originally from Burma who is still fluent in Burmese and witnessed 8.8.88 personally. But anyway, for the moron who's equating Daw Su as part of status quo, part of the problems, well you are simply what I just called -- a moron.
Did you say cocktail parties? Is this Karl Rove talking now?. As with most religious Buddhist Burmese, we do not drink alcohol. There are those who drinks for recreational purposes but most Burmese people, esp who are religious, I know do not drink alcohol as it is against the religion. Daw Su from what I understand is a religious Buddhist. She is not part of the problem but in fact the only problem solver, as her father was. I don’t think she has seen her two sons in probably 2 decades and if she were to leave to see them in all these years, Junta would not have let her back in that Burmese people’s hope for democracy would be long lost. On top of not being able to see her sons, she couldn’t even attend the funeral of her husband and couldn’t care for him while he suffered from illness; I believe it was cancer. So she paid a big price for Burma as his father did. And she still is paying price to earn Burmese people’s freedom. So it’s not like party going on every night at her house nor I doubt there is any. For what? Not being able to leave the house for decades? Non sense.
As far as tribes griping about having their own sovereign land, why wouldn’t they? Burmese military, just a puppet of General Than Shwe, has been raping tribes’ labor, properties and people for decades. If they weren’t suffering from these abuses, if they had human rights and can live under democracy and prosper, they wouldn’t be complaining one bit. Burmese military is indeed ruthless as they let thugs, morons and prisoners in who are just cunning.
By the way, I had been a monk before so I can feel what these monks are going through to protest. I saw pictures of barefooted monks protesting just this morning. To go out on the street with bare feet while rain is pouring down and you are soaking wet. It is tough to protest under such weather. And for what? Democracy… Even harder when you do not eat after 12pm (Monks follow this practice) and march across the city. So I don’t take democracy for granted like most Americans do but it’s sad seeing just that. Democracy is earned hard and you have to work just as hard to keep it. But I know neo cons who are in charge could careless and like to see that fade away, getting rid of habeas corpus, wiretapping illegally, invoking enemy combatant and keeping its own citizen in jail without any charge and so on. So observe Burmese people and take their story as a lesson and keep fighting the good fight for democracy even here in this country good ol’ US of A. Fight the neo cons.
I guess it's not appropriate to say this, given how she's a Nobel Peace Prize winner and all, but what a beauty.
Fight as in peaceful protest of course. Neo Con Sam might be watching.
odanny @ 8:
If you watch the movie Beyond Rangoon you will find it is a old problem that should have been fixed years ago, and it is one of the best movies you will ever see
smokemon @ 27:
So I am a moron. For 35 years on and off I have walked the country and heard the cries of the other morons so I know we are not alone. Those who have what it takes to lead and bring the country together are swept aside by this hero worship. Keep the status Quo.
I have been to her house/palace/fortress/jail over the past 15 years. I have seen with my own eyes the social gatherings. I have listened to the stirring speeches of determination and a desire for harmony. This is not Gandhi looking after the millions of indians. It is a socialite playing the opposition. I have seen members of the Military socializing in the same room. Politics in myanmar/burma at the top level are quite civilized. They are all related.
I know that she could have left to be with her husband they would not let her back in. I do not know if her kids have been to see her. I can see no reason for the Military to stop them. They are royalty of the state.
Here we are in agreement. The rape has gone on far too long. The people need and deserve a fair break. Break from the burman/yangon rule. Break from the one party play. The country needs a person like Ron Paul or Gandhi to change the system. Put power in all the peoples hands not the privileged and educated few.
It is a pleasure to walk on gods earth. Even as a white man I walk in the noon day sun and rain. Often as not barefoot. I worry not about their feet, their stomachs but the total desperation that leads to such an act. Their need for a leader who leads. I do worry that in a few days when all calms down they will be left with a utter sense of futility of it all.
Let them protest, keep it controled and calm, ensure that it gets a little press then fades. Now you have done a service in squashing the peoples and monks hope and will. Will they rise up again? Not for a while. Now if you are brutal and beat them senseless the will to fight is preserved burning embers to alight anew.
The country needs a leader for the people, of the people, who represents the all people. Not the educated princess and all her intellectual court with self interests and desires.
PS the currency of choice is Johnny Walker Black Label.
I am sorry to shatter your memories but alcohol is very much served in her house and all over the country. If they shut the supply of booze to yangon then you would have change. Over night!!!
At restaurant overlooking inya lake. Other diners were cleared and boys in green carried in the bar and the party started. Military and "The Opposition" a big family reunion.
In the 70's I had to take in my own supplies and guard them. Now I can buy a bottle of Dom for 35$ down town and they sell by the case.
That said I will say unlike the neighbour Thailand where they practice a form of bahtism rather than Buddhism the monks here are devout pretty much. Follow the practices of darma to the letter. It is the only place where I have seen a bunch of monks and catholic priests help the local mosque put up a new roof. Was so inspiring.
PPS She has left the house quite a few times. Officially and unofficially. Visitors can come and go.
It is true that alcohol is served all over the country. But it is still highly unlikely to me that there are free flows access without restriction to her house and there are cocktail parties being held on a regular basis. There maybe social gatherings going on to talk and discuss affairs but I can’t imagine a cocktail party atmosphere party when she’s a house prisoner. Since I don’t live there, it could have happened once or twice but I have to say it couldn’t be taking place regularly. People meeting her on regular basis is highly unlikely for several reasons:
1. Gen Than Shwe is one of the most paranoid people in the world who refuses to let go of the power. So much so that because of a fortune teller’s prediction, he moved the capital Rangoon to some small city. That’s a rumor but most rumors in Burma are the real news since military owns the newspaper and they make stuff up so that crap looks and smells nice, like Fox News. Imagine Bush moving U.S. capital from DC to a small city in North Dakota. That’s how ridiculous. Not only that, that dog Than Shwe had his wife do a pretend divorce and marry someone with a certain name, so that he can hang on to that power. All the for fortune predictions. Hard to believe he would let Daw Su meet anyone or let vistiors come and go.
2. Daw Su made complaints a while back that she wanted to see doctor but she was refused. And that she’s having a bit of health problem.
3. She was let out more than several years ago temporarily but military followed her around and didn’t like what she was doing, so eventually she was house arrested again.
4. Soldiers always guard her house and they don’t let people in without approval.
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