The irrawaddy site is not working, which I expect means it has been blocked or taken down by the junta. One of the ways the junta maintains control is by controlling information flow within the country. A number of years ago, you may remember that the junta released ASSK for several months. She and her entourage were traveling in the north when they were attacked by government troops. A number of people in her entourage were killed (various reports put the numbers between 8 and 80). Travelers in the country at that time knew nothing of it until they left Burma.

I want to thank everyone for the great links so we can stay current with the situation.

Let us all send loving compassion to the monks, as well as firm protests to the Myanmar government.

Kathie,

I just got througt a minute or so ago so it's not blocked.

I'll copy and paste some of the main news here:

"SEVEN MONKS WERE REPORTEDLY KILLED; TROOPS FIRE ON CROWDS"

"Mandalay, Central Burma; Afternoon
Military troops fired warning shots and used tear gas in an effort to disperse tens of thousands of monks who marched through Burma's second largest city.."

"Ahlone Township, Rangoon; Afternoon
Three monks were reportedly shot by military and riot forces on Wednesday afternoon in Ahlone Township,.."

"Rangoon, Downtown; Mid-afternoon
Two monks and one nun were reportedly shot by military forces near Sule Pagoda on Wednesday afternoon, according to a witness."

Thanks, Hanuman. I'm glad to hear it asn't been blocked. The fact that the site is overloaded is a good sign, too.

The news is very sad, indeed.

I also got through to the irawaddy site but it took a long time to download.

"This could be China's chance to shine..."

Don't hold your breath. They've had no problem going into other countries and imposing their will (hey, that sounds familiar!) so I don't expect they'll actually grow a conscience overnight. I think the only thing that would compel China to act is if they could set up shop in Myanmar and figure a way to make more money there.

This is so sad. I want to believe someone will care enough to do something--but most of my fellow Westerners seem to be more concerned with the new iPhone than with what's going on in Myanmar. I actually mentioned this to a co-worker yesterday and he asked me 'Is that near Hawaii?'

That kinda says it all.

where's Hawaii? :P

hawaii is next to egypt....

Bob,

So you're the one who coached miss teen South Carolina!

did you see this?

http://tinyurl.com/2uos3a

Yes. makes it even more important to do whatever we can to let china know our opinions. I'm going to a demonstration of Friday in Chicago in front of the Chinese Consulate. Send your petition. Do whatever you can to give these people hope.

Also see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/wo...yanmar.html?hp - dawn raids on at least two monasteries - beatings and arrests. Includes a picture of Shwedagon blanketed by tear gas.

I received the following e-mail this morning from the person at the agency I used to arrange my tour of Myanmar:

Dear all our friends in USA,
On behalf of all people in Myanmar, thank you so much indeed for your
concern on what happening in our country. We all know that US
Government and the people in US are our first and best friends, who
always want Myanmar People to get peace, to help us in every possible
way in establishing democracy and to educate how the human rights is
important to us. It is ashamed that the Myanmar dictators are brutally
defeating the innocent civilians who are peacefully claiming democracy
and equality, at the same time, when all the people around the world
are now globally trying to terminate the dictatorship and terrorism,
so that they totally be disappeared on our planet. We all know that US
Government and citizens are the most enthusiastic people to help all
of us in forming fairness in our country and all of us always welcome
to what the US Government and the people of US perform for the justice
of our nation. We have heard what the Mr. President and the First Lady
of US have expressed their concern on Myanmar People, which encouraged
us to speed up our demonstration. We shall never forget the kindness
of the people of US and their government and we thank all of the
leaders and people of other nations for their concerns on our home
affairs.
Gratefully yours,
Kyaw

At least someone still likes the USA...

an eyewitness account from the BBC... *shiver*

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7011884.stm

(At a monastery at midnight) The soldiers ran up to the first floor of the monastery and grabbed the head monk by the neck and dragged him downstairs. They beat up the other monks with batons and sticks. They kicked the sleeping novices to wake them up and ask them if any monks are hiding. The novices are shaking with fear. It is as if they are raiding a rebel camp. <i>Anonymous eyewitness, Rangoon</i>

My prayers for the safety of those who are still alive. To those brave ones who have been murdered, let's hope that their deaths will be the catalyst, bringing about those same freedoms that they stood up to promote.

I'm finding this live update gripping:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/200..._thursday.html

One can hope that the spirit of the Burmese people will overcome the repressive regime. The forces of change are strong and inevitable, but they can be diverted. As noted in prior posts, this will be an opportunity to see if the Chinese government will take the longer view of geopolitics or the easier shorter view. Hope springs eternal...

&quot;We have heard what the Mr. President and the First Lady of US have expressed their concern on Myanmar People, which encouraged us to speed up our demonstration.&quot; O dear....

The BBC is reporting &quot;several deaths&quot; including possibly a Japanese citizen. I do so hope this will work, and there will be a Saffron Revolution, but I'm not hopeful.

Thursdaysd - What do you mean by &quot;O dear...&quot;?

Thursdaysd, Ha! You definitely deserve the quote of the day award!

<i>&quot;I do so hope this will work, and there will be a Saffron Revolution, but I'm not hopeful.&quot;</i>

This paradox perfectly sums up the uncertainty of the situation, as well as all of our feelings about it.

baaj - thanks! (blush)

craig - &quot;What do you mean by &quot;O dear...&quot;?&quot; I mean that launching or intensifying a revolutionary action in Myanmar on the basis of a speech by a Bush, or even two Bushes, is not a very good idea. I don't think anything Bush is likely to do will have any impact on the junta, as I said above. I also have memories of the 1991 uprising in Iraq....