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The barefoot art of war
Thousands of Buddhist monks have hit the streets in Myanmar, deploying some shrewd political jujitsu against the corrupt, iron-fisted junta.
By Jürgen Kremb [2007-09-26]

  • BBC Coverage & Cary Tennis

    Here is another article at the BBC:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7015212.stm

    I admit I don't know much about this country, what used to be called Burma. But I very much hope the bravery of the monks and the people protesting brings change... and that the junta realizes it is facing a powerful public uprising.

    Maybe this time, in a country that has had several uprisings, this one will succeed through the added strength and impact of the monks.

    This in the BBC article is both beautiful and terrible:

    "Monks marching to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi reportedly urged civilians not to join them and not to resort to violence.

    But elsewhere witnesses said civilians were shielding the marching monks by forming a human chain around them."

    I think it's much easier to write a letter responding to Cary Tennis than it is to respond to a growing crisis "far away." What can we do here in the US? I don't mean to be fatalistic. I really want to know.

    There are so many times I've read of something horrible happening in the world and wanted to help, or stop violence, and wished I could be powerful enough to make a difference.

    I know, this sounds maudlin probably, but all of this information streaming at us from around the world is both a blessing and a curse. I am glad for the knowledge of how people can stand up and risk their lives for others... but how awful that they must.

    Maybe the best I can say is that reading news like this will inspire more courage and compassion as readers go about their daily lives.

    -- IndigoSwash
    [Read IndigoSwash's other letters]
    Wednesday, September 26, 2007 04:21 PM
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