Now if only Laura Bush would speak out against Blackwater contractors shooting innocent Iraqi civilians, we'd really have something. It's easy to condemn other people, the Burmese, but she should judge her own people equally.

The War in Iraq has literally racked the world. Countries and it's citizens are so weary from this that their will,might and economies are drained and so is their ability to notice other things just as important.

Somehow we need to get our balance back, a beginning would be to start stregthen our own US citizens,families,military,infrastruc
ture,ask for a united effort to keep peace keeping borders in the Middleeast trouble spots,start to bring war troops home,replace them with a primarily peacekeeping and start to rebuild the country of Iraq,show pictures of the Iraqi children going to school,elderly,persons enjoying shopping etc.

This will show the world that part of America that is caring and through and thoughtful and this will cause a ripple effect.

Until some sort of balance is restored,until we get real thinking and empathetic people in charge of our Monetary,Foreign,Educational,Legal and Security Policies, I'm afraid we will continue to have these kinds of reactions to very serious world events.

I'm very optimistic though because of more people like the first Lady who put emphasis on Reading and who are caring.

I applaud you Mrs.Bush for taking such a public stand on this issue. Many American people feel the same way. Personally, I have wondered for years why nothing was being done and was pleasantly surprised when the last U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. actually put a spotlight on it, albeit briefly. Unfortunately, your husband will do no more than pontificate and seize the junta's money. He and his handlers are more in the habit of supporting military dictatorships and monarchies. And besides, Burma has no oil that I'm aware of.

On Burmese Monks being killed.in protests.....It's great that the world is "calling for" , "urging" the junta etc to show restraint...but the sub text is "OR ELSE WHAT?" The essence of power is making another do what it otherwise would not do. What "incentives" or "disincentives" are we giving General Thswe to desist from his violent repression? That country has been living under "sanctions" for years and have only impoverished the people more broadly. The solution is outside of the box and may not have been tested....MULTILEVEL GOVERNANCE...THE COMING TOGETHER OF STATE AND NON-STATE ACTORS...private and public, to put pressure on the junta..Examples: 1. Since Gen. Shswe seem to love adorning his daughter with "mitts" of diamonds...then we need to find out where his off shore bank accounts are and suggest that he and his family may not be able to "access" his accounts, which may be "frozen" or worse " garnished" due to his "crimes" against humanity, as a "violator" of human rights. If his ill gotten "deals" are in China, Japan, India....the US and EU have VAST trading alliances with these countries which can be tied into or "tied" up with what is going on in Burma. If world humanitarians Bill Gates, Bono, and others are serious about their ethical goals for the world....what about calling on them to take their money and deals away from "recalcitrant" supporters of repressive regimes. Some say...oh this will be violating sovereignty, private property issues etc...will it be less so if we find we have to spend billions in troop deployment...come on let's do some "preemptive peace" strategies instead of "preemptive war".....
Maria

Thank you First Lady for your thourough knowledge and full understanding of Burmese situation. Thanks again for your full support to Aung San Suu Kyiand Burmese people.Burma needs outside help especially from US and other civilized countries to get democracy. Burmese are fun loving, easy going, progressive people, but because of these military thug, the country becomes least developed county and sore spot in southeast asia.
I am equally disturbed by comments made by some readers. They think the whole world is rotated around Iraq. They should read more about Burma and see how bad this military goverment is. After that I believe they will make more comments related to Burma .

Mrs.Bush's words are so encouraging for Burmese people.We do not care about politics here because this is about human rights,violence and murders on innocent own people.I was almost killed in 1988 under brutal military regime.World has been silent as Mrs.Bush said.We Burmese people have been victims of brutal military regime and helpless for several years.We have been begging for help but no one could help us.Eventhough I am not the republican,Thank you Mrs.Bush for your words and efforts for Burmese People.

I want to add something for the people who are only interested about Iraq.Let me tell you something,Burmese desmonstrators are unarmed innocent people too.Let's also talk about and get interested into different parts of the world where is no oil or dollars to gain your interest.However,we burmese people are humans too.Why some people are trying to ignore us,where is UN? Innocent people are dying...Can you imagine what would be in your mind if you were one of Burmes people ?

Mrs. Bush, I applaud your efforts. May your karma multiply favorably. The dictatorship in Burma has not been one "appointed by the people", and the person appointed by the people has been languishing under house arrest for decades. In a short time, she will die, and the story of democracy will be just that - a tale with a sad ending. Please note that China is blocking all efforts which other nations are expending - and I for one, believe that this is to protect Chinese interests in Burma. America and other countries are obviously not about to but heads with the mighty Chinese juggernaut - and thus I fear, more people may die over the next few days. This is the story of Burma, sadly, and we as Burmese often say "it is karma". Your thoughts, prayers and actions are much appreciated, and it is these that are so much more important in the long run.

I too thank the first lady for high lighting the crises in Burma. She is doing everything she can. I am confident, given her close ties to the powerful in D.C., many others are helping as well. Please, it's not for oil or any other natural resource that we sent troops to foreign countries, consider Somalia and Vietnam. As a nation we are happy to buy whatever we need from a country especially when it has a government with which to do business. BTW, in case it isn't obvious, political parties take a beating anytime they go to war, therefore they would rather do business than war.

I'm with you Kyi Aung. I've spent a lot of time in S.E. Asia. My heart goes out to the Burmese people who are suffering because of a group of thugs. They will not give up power because they know the people will bring them to justice and they will lose their wealth, power and protected status. At heart they are greedy, cold-hearted cowards who will do anything and everything to hold on to their power.

Several battalions of U.S. Marines with heavy air support and carriers sitting off Burma's coast could probably free your people within a week. Of course the leftist, anti-war people would never accept that! They would rather hold to their anti-war activism while people continue to be brutalized.
Peace activists my arse! These people PREVENT viable solutions because they aren't feeling the pain personally. They will do anything to hold to their naive and selfish ideologies (You noted their mindless chatter about Iraq). I saw it in Cambodia, I saw it in Vietnam.

In Burma's case peaceful solutions and talking haven't worked. A serious threat of military intervention (Preferably by the U.N. but we know they are spineless, toothless and corrupt. NO one takes them seriously now.)--and a total commitment to proceed and complete the mission is the only thing that will shake these vile thugs out of rulership positions in Burma.

Consider: A few weeks of military operations or decades more of rape, beatings, torture, imprisonment and overall repression for the Burmese people. Liberals will naively and selfishly chose the latter because they aren't there and have NO idea what it's like.

Sometimes a strong military action is the quickest way to peace.

Thank you Mrs. Bush for doing everything you can to move world leaders to intervene. God help the Burmese people.

Both the brutal repression of the Burmese people and the brutal occupation of Iraq are terrible human rights crises.

Thanks The Great First Lady. Why did'nt ask your husband to send 2 Aircraft Carriages to Bengal Bay near Burma to show than U.S force.I bet you they will scare the hell when they see our force and the army junta force who kill innocent people will run away like the Mad Dog.They are "The World Most Wanted Terrorist Group".

Thank you so much for your sincere concern on behalf of our people in Burma. They have been suffered for such a very long years that they have to express their pain and sorrow in exchange of life and bloodshed. I pray that this event shall be their last effort as the door of the silent world has been knocked by heartful people like you and other world leaders.

I would like to say, that this is a very noble cause that the Bush admin is using to look like good guys. They have caused much suffering and repression of democracy in financially strategic places. Fortunately Burma is not one of those and now bush gets to look like a defender of democracy. China and India have financial gains in keeping status quo in Burma, and will have to be pressured to promote democracy in Burma. I give Bush no kudos for his true and noble words that rarely come out of his mouth.

At the bottom is a super-power wanna be named China that props up dictatorships around the world to get access to raw materials -- including Burma.

In Darfur, world pressure has caused the Chinese to belately do the right thing. Then there is their client state, North Kores, who starves their own people and the occupied horror of Tibet and the marginalization of non-ethnic chinese in the outer provinces.

Joining the first rank of nations requires more than cheaply produced electronics - China needs to recognize the value of individual human life before it is allowed to gain the respect it yearns.

i read one reason for the recent protests were because of the big price hike in fuel ( exxon mobil texas based can you connect the dots ? ) what caused that ? could it be turmoil in the middle east ? we have lost our moral authority we are seen as hypocrits around the world i will never vote republican again

Time will tell

I applaude Mrs Bush for speaking in behalf of Burmese people who have suffered enough under this military regime. It's about time that the U.S and the world have noticed what this military dictatorship is capable of, yes they are truely cowards hiding behind guns ang military thugs who intead of protecting their own people;are the first ones to violate their in-born rights to live free and without fear of being persecuted.

Rob wrote,
"...I read one reason for the recent protests were because of the big price hike in fuel ( exxon mobil texas based can you connect the dots ? ) what caused that ? could it be turmoil in the middle east ? we have lost our moral authority we are seen as hypocrits around the world i will never vote republican again"
------------------------------

How INCREDIBLY naive and uninformed some of these selfish, uneducated liberal posters are! When I read comments like these, i.e. It's GEORGE BUSH's fault, it's the Republicans, it's America's fault, blah, blah, blah ad nauseum" I am deeply troubled by their ignorance of this world we live in.

NOT A WORD of condemnation for the actual and literal evil-doers, the Burmese military thugs. No, if you listen to some of these air-heads you'd think that it's really President Bush's fault that Burma has been a hopeless prison for 45 years. No compassion for the Burmese people--no praise for what Mrs. Bush is TRYING TO DO!
Only another opportunity to spout hatred for the U.S. and the Republican party in particular. How bigoted. How prejudiced. How selfish and narrow-minded some people in my country (USA) are. THINK OF THE BURMESE PEOPLE instead of yourself and your own political and ideological biases!

Okay, let me figure this out... Bush sends 130,000 troops to "free" people that hate our guts, and dont want us there, but we can't help the people of Burma, who would actually want us there, and would actually take any chance they get at democracy? It would literally take about 10 Navy SEALs to turn their tanks into scrap metal. Well Bush, fine job, what a mighty waste of effort on your part. To the people of Burma, stay strong, I will pray for you every day (and I never pray). If I could, I'd come over there myself and help you fight these animals. After all, the monks will give your people the high ground, but you will need to bear arms before this is done. Look at our history, and see what we did to the British thugs in the 1700's.

Thanks so much for the first lady to address issue about Burma. The world had been neglacted Burma for long period of time. Based on the recent news on Burma, it's getting worse and worse as time passed. Burmese people are in great danger now. Monks and civilians are being killed by own soldiers, who were vowed to protect their country and civilians. Being killed by own soliders is the ugliest and the most unforgivable crime.
Burmese people has nothing in their hands to defense for themselves. I strongly encourage UN and countries around the world to please step in and offer help to those poor people. Please hear the cries of Burmese people. Please do not ignore Burma.

There r alot of ppl like me in all part of the world who were born & grew up in Myanmar(Burma) but had no future to stay & make a decent living there due to military regime. So we had no choice but to go oversea to get 'Proper' education & 'Decent' living. The country is in decline since 1962 until now.

US had imposed sanctions on military regime but in fact the real people who suffer most are the people like me, the general population. While the military officials r still laughing their way to the bank. Their leader Than Shwe will probably be sitting on his gold plated toilet bowl smoking cuban ciger & wondering what to buy next with his 100s of millions of dollars. While alot of people who totally rely on Daily earning will be having a sleepless night wondering how to get a meal next day since there is less business due to protests.

It is a good thing that more & more people around the world had recognized the suffering of our countrymen. One needs great deal of courage & frustrations & anger to stand up bare-handed against military with guns, bayonets & batons. Knowingly one point or another it might be you who is laying near the pavement with bulet-holes. Military regime admitted there were 3,000 civilian dead in 1988. That is what they said. (They also said there was One death in the first day of shooting now. In fact, there were 8 or 9 death according to witnesses & international news agencies)

I was too young to have participated in 1988 & 1996 protests. And i admit i do not have guts now to line up bare-handed infront of guns & bayonets so that they can slaughter me. And even if i get killed, at the end we will most likely be back to where before protests started. After 15 years of so-called international sanctions, the regime still continue crimes (killings, rapes & tortures) and violate human rights. And high ranking military officials' can still have shoppings & medications in Singapore with blood stained money sucked outta Burmese people. And clearly the military regime is waiting out for Aung San Su Kyi to grow old and die. So that they can have peaceful life since there is no popular enough figure to lead the next generation.

We had tried the peaceful protests with millions of protesters, but failed to change.
International community had tried imposing sanctions (15yrs?) & tried to alienate the government, but failed. You know, the smell of money is just too strong to resist for some neighbouring countries.

Why not we try other way ?
I sure will be willing to sacrifice & fight against them if i were as well trained & equipped as the soldiers there are
peaceful protests only work against educated & civilized government anyway
And i doubt S.Gen Than Shwe ever had secondary education

replying to this poster.......
"Posted by: Merrill Guice | Sep 27, 2007 4:32:01 PM

i read one reason for the recent protests were because of the big price hike in fuel ( exxon mobil texas based can you connect the dots ? ) what caused that ? could it be turmoil in the middle east ? we have lost our moral authority we are seen as hypocrits around the world i will never vote republican again "

the 'NEW' price there is considered to be okay for international standard..
BUT the problem is, it is around the 1/10 of the salary per 1 gallon for majority of the people.. it is not about the "price", it is about the economy of the country for majority of the people.. when the oil price increased, the bus fare increased, the price of rice increased, the cost of EVERYTHING increased. BUT not the economy. People can barely go to work. if they cant work, they got nothing to eat. So, for most people, they would rather die fighting for miracle

Dear Mrs. Bush, I commend you and the President highly for speaking out on behalf of the Burmese people. Some may feel that leaders are just speaking about it and not doing anything. However, the first step to solving a problem is to recognizing it. The 1988 uprisings did not get recognized by the world, so this is a major step indeed. By continuing to speak out, I hope that you will influence others to bring about change in Myanmar. General Than Shwe's wife is the most powerful person in Myanmar, although he ostensibly calls the shots. This couple answers only to China. The only way to influence the general is by influencing China, and now is a great time to do so, when China is planning for its debut with the olympics. Please use your influence to ask people not to support China, in any way they can. Maybe they can avoid going to the olympics, or avoid buying Chinese products. Please continue to ask those with economic and political influence in China to pressure China into presenting itself as the "good neighbor". I do not believe that the US or other countries need to expend force in Myanmar, if they can influence China, since China is Myanmar's achilles' heel. The Burmese people are gentle and peaceful people. As you can see, amongst the demonstrators, there is not one armed person. The placards do not even have angry words on them. They speak of love, peace, and freedom. The monks chant prayers and blessings during the demonstrations. The cruelty of those willing to order such people to be shot is evident. If there is no change this time, I cannot bear to think what the future of Burma will be like. The demonstrators, the monks, and the country, are very deserving of your support. I am deeply grateful.
Kelli

It sounds like "all talk" and no actions now a day.. since all the people in U.S are all over Iraq war and I am not sure how much they will "see" the S.E.A matter.. Once General Aung San said, in one of his book I read in past.., he would not be surprise if the WW III is between U.S and China.. Anyway.. As long as China is backing Myanmar (which they do..and in fact you can see it today...) I don't think it will be another Iraq in Myanmar..

I pray for all the peaceful people in Myanmar and it's sad to see that those armed guard beat the Buddhist monk w/o respect of religious..

I am very glad to hear that the First Lady, Laura Bush is speaking out against the ruthless military dictator. I hope the momentum continue to overthrow the junta.

I was there in 1962 when they sized the power. Burmese junta is 100 time worst than Sadam Hussein.

Burmese are peaceful and forgiving people please help them. Burmese military dictator is propped up by the China. Since China does not have human right they can not be persuaded to take part in condemnation of repressive regime. Up coming Olympic boycott by the western nations will bring the China inline with rest of the world view.

For last few days, I read the news about the Burmese problems everyday and every news touched my heart so sadly. Sometimes, I do not know how the Burmese generals feel when they treat their owned people that way. I am so afraid that another "killing field" will happen if we do nothing to prevent it. I will pray for Burmese people.

Right now,Burmese people are helpless.Today,the burmese army and police killed more people,there.
We are so sad that nobody can help the unarmed people.

From what I read one of the only hopes for the peopleof Burma is for the military to start breaking ranks within
itself.
As Mrs Bush said the militart needs to defy the orders to kill their own people. I might add that the military might need to turn their guns on the one issuing the orders.
It appeare that the military has had a tight grip on the people for a long time. And yet I'm sure it is the upper ranks that never fire a weapon that is the main problem and hence need to be illiminated one way or another.
Good luck Burma!!!!!!!

Thankyou very much to the First Lady who has addressed and taken up on the side of long suffering Burmese People.However; UN , US and the Western
powers will need to take solid action very quickly; the way things are going ; in the next few days; there won't be anybody left for demonstrations ( Monks, students ).This regime is ruthless; they shown this before in 1988; that is prior to Tianmin square massacre.The Chinese and Indians will not do anything; they are benefitting from this regime who is selling our national resources , for their personal benefit.Thanks again to the First Lady who siglehandedly initiate and fight for the oppressed; in fact it is the American Tradition and Idealism to fight for the oppressed, if we look at the history.

Isn't there anyone/country out there that is able to help these people? Why aren't we doing anything besides a wrist slap? It's 2007 can't we start getting along? How can that government attack innocent people? The government must be awfully afraid. By attacking these monks it just shows how really weak it is.

Please show the world about our strong support to incredibly brave burmese monks and civilian who have lost their lives during the protest on 26 and 27 by wearing red shirt on Friday 28.

May God be with Burma.

As everyone said China has been big issue and they have been making Burmese people to suffer.UN or US cannot take any action because China has been protecting over Burmese Military Government.God bless Burma!

I am very glad to see that the First Lady, Laura Bush is speaking out against the ruthless military dictator. I hope the momentum continue to overthrow the junta.
I was there in 1962 when they seized the power by throwing all the political leaders in the house arrest. Burmese junta is 100 times worst than Saddam.
Burmese are peaceful and forgiving people please help them. Burmese military dictator is propped up by the China. Since, China does not have human right they cannot be persuaded to take part in condemnation of repressive regime. Up coming Olympic boycott by the western nations will bring the China inline with rest of the worldview.

I am a liberal. Here is an opportunity for our military to free a people of its military dictatorship. Here is a reason for military intervention. Bring freedom to Burma. Realistically I don't think this will happen.

Thank you for YOUR KIND SUPPORT FOR POOR BURMESE PEOPLE LADY BUSH, USA.....
BY THE WAY...
I want to REQUEST CHINA LEADERS TO SUPPORT LADY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI TO RECLAIN HER POWER THAT SHE TRULY DESERVE SINCE FRON 1990.
DEAR CHINESE GOVERNMENT, YOU WANT YOUR COUNTRY TO BE RICE, YOU PROMOTE YOUR LANGUAGE TO BE LEARNED BY WHOLE WORLD AND YOU LOVE TO SHOW OF YOUR POWER TO THE WORLD WITH OLYMPIC,2008. YOU WANT YOUR CHINESE PEOPLE POPULARITY,PEACE AND RICH LIFE AND YOU ARE TRYING SO HARD FOR THEM TO BE EDUCATED. LOOK AT BURMA AND BURMESE PLE- NO SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, NO HELP FOR DAILY LIVING COSTING AND BUSINESS FOR PUBLIC EXCEPT FOR THEMSLEVES SO THIS IS TIME FOR REALITY AND YOU CAN HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING AND I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN NOW PLEASE.CHOOSE THE RIGHT LEADER FOR US AND TELL THIS BRUTAL
MILITARY GOV:TO STOP LILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE AND BUDDHIST MONKS IN BURMA.

HELLO LADY BUSH.. YOU ARE KIND AND RECONIZING BURMESE PEOPLE COURAGE AND SACRIFING THEIR LIFE FOR BUIRMA.
ACTUALLY BURMESE MONKS ARE VERY PEACEFUL PEOPLE AND HELPING OUR PEOPLE WITH HOW TO FIND PEACE AND HEAVEN , DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY WANT TO INVOLVE IN ANY KIND OF VOILANCE BUT LOOK AT IT HOW CRUEL THE MILITARY GOV: IS? THEY KNEW THAT THEY ARE GREEDY, BULLY, ABUSIVE AND CORRUPION AND THEY ARE DOING ALL WRONG FOR POWER. tHE MAIN THEY KNEW IS ABOUT KAMA, YOU HAVE TO PAY BACK WHEN YOU DID BAD THINGS TO INNOCENT PEOPLE , NOW THEY ARE EVEN KILLING BUDDHIST MONKS AND AGAINST BUDDHA TEACHING THAT HOW TO KEEP PEACE AND KINDNESS AND DOING RIGHT THING FOR THE OWN BURMESE PLOPLE. BECAUSE OF THAT THAY WILL SUFFERING SOON AND EARTH WILL DIVIDED FOR THAM AND WILL SUCK THAM INTO BETWEEN THERE SOON. THEIR REGRETION WILL BE TOO LATE. WE TRULY WORSHIP SALUTE OUR BUDDHA,DAMMA,THANGA,PARENTS AND TEACHERS.MAY BUDDHA WILL LOOK AFTER INNOCENT PEOPLE OF BURMA PLEASE!!!
LOTS OF LOVE AND PRAYERS!!!

I sincerely appreciate Mrs. Bush and all people around the world expressed your concerns toward Burma. After reading the news, one question came to my mind, "why this time, at this moment, again?" Can history really repeat itself? What is the fundamental cause of this violent toward peaceful protesters? Why did monks decide to protest at this time? Does it relate to world politics?

However, fundamentally it all comes down to recognizing human positive and negative nature and uphold/respect the dignity of one's life and other's life. If each person does not recognize and respect life, how can one respect other's life? We are all human being, so I think that this great evil event will be a turning point for great good to happen in Burma. And each of us should always reflect on what we do, act, think, and say. Let's us all ask these questions: "For what purpose do I do what I do? Would it benefit me and other around me? Would it create values?" Personally, I ask myself too whether I should boycott being a volunteer at the Olympic 2008. I will consider this deeply.

The world can be a secure place to live unless each single person is genuinely happy. For the sake of our happiness, let's join hand and one purpose to create a world at genuine peace and choose DIALOGUE to rid all misery in our heart and the world. A Japanese Buddhist monk, Nichiren Daishonin wrote (I paraphase it) when many people have the same mind, they can achieve anything. "Many in Body, One in Mind."

There are always reasons to everything. Speaking of Karma, it can be changed when we change the root cause of its effect. We know for sure that once we create bad karma, we will receive bad effect. If we do not want to see bad results, we should think about good causes to do. Like Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see."

I continue to pray for each of people in Burma and all life in the world to be happy, healthy, strong, courageous, compassionate, and wise.

Thank you very much!

LADY BUSH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR INNOCENT BURMESE PEOPLE OUR FORMA PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER AUNG SAN SUU KYI..SHE IS A HIGHLY ADMIRABLE LADY AND SHE SACRIFING FOR BURMESE PEOPLE SINCE 1990. SHE DESERVES TO LEAD TO OUR COUNTRY. WE BELIEVE HER KINDNESS AND ABILITY TO LEAD US.SHE WILL CHANGE THE BURMA WITH LOVE,PASSION AND FAIR DISPLINARY FOR US.

SINCE 1962,MILITARY GOV: HAVING EVERYTHING FOR THEM AND THEY ARE STILL GREEDY. IF CHINA HAVE ENOUGH KINDNESS TO THEIR NEIGHBOUR BURMESE PEOPLE THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING BEFORE TOO LATE.

I ADMIRE LADY BUSH !!! THANKS..
WE WANT PEACE, HAPPINESS, SAFE AND WANT TO LIVE IN NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
NO MATTER WHERE I AM I MISS MY OWN PEOPLE AND MY MOTHERLAND BURMA.....
BURMA HAS LOTS TO OFFER FOR WHOLE WORLD.
WE NEED OUR DIGNITY, LIVING STANDARD RECONIZATION LIKES ANY OTHER COUNTRY...
WORLD ARE BECOME SO SMALL AND I AMAZE BY HOW QUICKLY THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWING ABOUT BURMA AND BURMESE PEOPLE SUFFERING..NOT LIKE 1988!!

Sadly, peaceful demonstrations only work when the rulers are educated and have a solid moral foundation based on concern for one's neighbor.

When this is lacking in a brutal dictatorship ONLY superior force will bring about a change. FORTY FIVE years of suffering for the Burmese people has proven the point.

This is where the anti-war, never-use-violence, can't-we-all-be-friends crowd (In western nations) will turn their backs on the victims while proclaiming their "solidarity" and concern.

Burma, Rwanda, Cambodia, Vietnam, N. Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Dufar...etc., etc.

Look at history!

When were people and nations freed from oppression?

When were brutal dictators overthrown and peace restored?

Only through superior force based on fundamental concern for self and others combined with solid principles of right and wrong.

Mrs. Bush
Thanks for understading our country's situation. In the past, none of the first ladies ever paid attentions to us. I respect you and thank you from the bottom of my heart and from our helpless people. I know that on one can help us. I also know that Burmese will die under this military regime as long as they are in control. God and the whole world is ignoring us. Burma does not exit in this world. It is so painful to hear about my people and can't do anything for them. Why is this bad thing happening to good, happy and humble people? It must be a curse.

No one is mentioning it at the official levels because the list of countries with financial interests in supporting the junta reads like a U.N. Security Council seating chart. Bush and McCain want to make it sound like China's problem, but China doesn't have the ability to stop this by themselves.

It is no surprise to me that the Bush regime refuses to call a country by its current official name. It is consistent with his "ignore a problem and it will go away" line of thinking. YES, the Myanmar govmt. is a brutal dictatorship who wrongly stole the overall authority from its previous govmnt. BUT, that fact remains that whoever is in power of a seperate nation has the right to name whatever land it controls, what it wants to. Myanmar has a new governing body with laws and a plan for it's people, however wrong the laws and plans are. It is not OUR nation, it is theirs. There is other ways to help get rid of dictarships, and ignoring them untill they go away is not one of them! Certainly, no harm is done by referring to a country by its present name. No lives will be lost or people tortured by simply saying a name. HOWEVER, by refusing to acknowledge the current name, Bush jeopardizes any and all possibilities of getting visas for people who want to get in there. This means even spies working for us or the UN wont be able to get in to try and collect information for the mission of returning power to the rightful leaders. By ignoring someones name Bush cuts off any chance of working things out for the better. Such ignorance, such close-mindedness has huert other nations in the past, and has given any enemy of ours even more reasons to hate us. BUSH IS RUINING OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD. It is my understanding that Bush refused to provide any aid to Myanmar for the storm that hit, because the Myanmar govnmt. won't allow a "assesment" team in to asses FIRST. Why not just drop the supplies and let the gvnm.t hand them out? WHY does bush insist on NOT sending supplies, just because he wasn't given permission to LOOK FIRST? So If what i hear is right, because Bush isn't able to look first, he decides to not even bother giving relief. If it isn't dome HIS WAY, NOBODY WILL RECIEVE HELP. Great, dangle food and water over these poor starving people's heads, but not give it to them because they dont want to go through the proper procedures. Show it, then take it away, then blame it on someone else. I am embarrased by our President's ignorant and stubborn intolerance of other people and other nations. He is a diveder, an enemy maker all through NON-ACTION and REFUSAL TO TALK TO ANYONE WHO DOESN"T THINK LIKE HIM.