boycotting the Olympics might start in getting their attention

boycotting the Olympics or threatening to do so unless pressure is put on the junta might start in getting their attention is what I meant to say

HT,

I don't agree with boycotting the Olympics and we should keep politics out of sport if possible.

And it seems to me we shouldn't punish China because of Burma's government. If we want to boycott the olympics it should be because of something China has done.

But I also agree that sports and art should be above politics.

I found myself thinking about this thread all afternoon. Several people have commented that the junta wouldn't shoot the protestors because of the adverse publicity it would generate. But I kept thinking about Tianaman Square, and how people predicted the Chinese wouldn't shoot the protestors there because of the media attention. And I remember vividly the chanting at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968 when the demonstrators chanted "The whole world is watching" but it didn't keep the Chicago police from beattng the bleep out of the demonstrators.

I hope this will be different.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...diwxJDRPSnIkyA


Send those petitions-- they matter!

Kathie-- you're right. Thugs don't care about world opinion. I was at the 68 convention so remember well what thugs can do. However, in both instances the people injured or even killed were heroes because change eventually happened and I firmly believe that those instances were a major reason. Better to die for the freedom of your own country than what we are asking our soldiers to die for -- one huge mistake.

Here, here, Kathie. Exactly what I was thinking as well.

I don't think the Myanmar junta particularly cares who is watching.

Especially when they have nothing to lose.

If they think that this protest movement has actual legs (which it now does) the only thing that ensures their self-presevation and restores "order" is silencing loud voices quickly.

Unfortunately, history has shown us time and time again.

The next few days will be very important since there's now a curfew and a ban on gatherings and meetings in Yangon. To enforce this they have sent in 2 more divisions from the surrounding area. The Royal Thai air force have C130s transport on standby to help evacuate in case there will be bloodshed.

Interesting AP piece on the relations between China and Myanmar: tinyurl.com/34y9b2 The Guardian is also saying that China and India are more likely than European countries to have influence with the junta.

I already said that I don't expect the junta to pay attention to Western demands, but I found Kathie's mention of Tiananmen Square an interesting analogy.

I'm watching this pretty closely too, seeing as I'm there in three weeks.

If push comes to shove and violence comes - I wonder if a devoutly Buddhist soldier could bring himself to shoot a Buddhist monk.

Maybe I'm naive. But if the Army buckled at the front line because of religious sensibilities then the regime would REALLY be in trouble.

Then I saw this:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bur...486379045.html

It seems that that after the beatings, "thousands" of monks and supporters resumed the protests and marched to the center.

The bravery of monks can never be underestimated, anymore than the brutal tactics of military police.

I am remembering films of Tibetan monks being beaten and killed by soldiers when the Chinese military swarmed over and destroyed many monasteries in 1959.

The Buddhist practice of sending loving kindness into the world under any circumstances is what we are watching. It is an unconditional practice at the heart of meditation.
As a Western Buddhist, I will keep them in my mind, it just breaks my heart to hear these stories.

This is a message from a youtube poster: "You can help. Phone the Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C. today to express your concern: (202) 332-3344. Be polite but firm -- let them know you are very worried at reports that their government may be planning to use violence against the monks and other demonstrators. Such calls, if firm but polite, may help protect the demonstrators by letting the Myanmar government know that the world is watching."

Very sad! They have started shooting and fatalities are being reported.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/ has frequent updates, photos and other news. Interesting site.

This is a very challenging time for Myanmar. My husband and I are traveling in Thailand and currently in our hotel we get about six international news programs. Channels ranging from BBC World, Fox News, Al Jazeera to RAI from Italy and DW-TV from Germany. All the news reports we are seeing are about the same. Tear gas is now being used on Buddhist monks and some beatings have also taken place. According to these news channels, about 20 monks have been arrested. I really hope change can take place without anyone else being hurt, but unfortunately I don't think that will happen. http://hobosinlovemedia.com

The irrawady link is not working for me, but there are posts from people saying they are in Myanmar here: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7011884.stm

I am so sad it has come to this.

This could be China's chance to shine in the world's eyes - a great tactical move for China before the Olympics. If played right, one good deed right now could eclipse all the sketchy dealings in places like North Korea and Sudan.

Jeff,

The site is not down - it's over loaded! Keep trying you'll get through eventually.