I want several things very very badly
February 20, 2008
1) That job
2) That person
3) That self
4) That trip
5) and a whopping dose of faith.
As the world turns…
February 12, 2008
Quick news flash -
The audience responded to Ban’s brief statement with scattered applause, and the secretary-general responded saying: “Thank you for your solidarity.”
Rebel soldiers shot and critically wounded Ramos-Horta and opened fire on Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who was not hurt, in a failed coup attempt early Monday in the tiny Pacific nation that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. A top rebel leader was killed during one of the attacks.
Ramos-Horta was injured in the stomach and chest and flown to a hospital in Australia under sedation where a medical official said doctors were hopeful he would make a “very good recovery.”
At the start of his speech, Ban said, “Allow me to begin by adding my voice to all who pray for the full and speedy recovery of East Timor’s President, Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta, after the brutal and unspeakable attack he suffered yesterday.”
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said in an earlier statement that Ban “calls on the Timorese people to remain calm and refrain from all violent acts.”
Montas said U.N. police in East Timor are “on a high state of alert” and are coordinating with the International Security Forces and Timorese authorities. U.N. envoy Atul Khare left the United States immediately after receiving news of the attack and is returning to East Timor, she said.
East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, gained independence in 2002 after voting to break free from more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation in a U.N.-sponsored ballot.
Hope
January 20, 2008
I’m carrying a glimmer of hope regarding my career. Currently, dog-paddling to keep afloat…
*woof-woof*
2008
January 1, 2008
2008 came and quietly sat itself next to me while i cajoled IXL to hurry over to the waypoint and scanned the faction list for other online members.
I’m perched on the edge of Hlin’s bed, tapping away on Clive with fingers reeking of coriander and garlic.
My beloved friends are taking turns with e Nintendo Wii’s tennis competition.
I watched as IXL spammed some of his 70 virtual firecrackers; the pixels of my screen gleefully marshaling themselves to form ‘Happy New Year’.
And we neglected the new year’s countdown.
My 2008 simply arrived.
To everyone, have a blessed 2008. May all good things come sprinting towards you. *mwah*
Why, where & how [ Burma - updates ]
October 8, 2007
Why ( should we give a *bleep* ? )
10 Reasons Why it is Right to be Involved in Burma -By a Relief Team Leader
1. For human dignity. The power of the oppressor is unrestrained: Girls being raped, children chased from their homes, parents murdered, restricted education, and people living in fear are wrong. Arbitrary arrests, and forced relocation are other tools of the regime. Human value crosses all political, religious, economic, and social lines and for this we need to stand with the people of Burma.
2. For the restoration of democracy. There was a democratically elected government that was forcefully displaced by a brutal dictatorship.
3. For the release of political prisoners. Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still under house arrest, is one of thousands of political prisoners.
4. For ethnic rights, honor and future peace. Ethnic minorities comprise over 40% of the population of Burma and thus should be equitable partners now and in Burma’s future. Without them there is no just or durable solution for a peaceful and democratic Burma. Burma’s brutal campaign against the ethnics has resulted in more than 1 million IDPs, over 1 million refugees, and gross human rights violations such as Burma’s large scale use of landmines to target civilian populations. Many of the ethnic peoples of Burma were allies for freedom in World War II. It is a matter of honor not to forget them.
5. For public health. There is a growing AIDS epidemic in Burma, and in overall health, Burma ranks as one of the worst in the world. Approximately one out of every 10 children in Burma die before their 5th birthday. The ratio is twice as high among the thousands of families forced to flee their homes by the military’s ongoing campaigns.
6. For an end to religious persecution. There is widespread religious persecution in Burma and this is a violation of a foundational and sacred human right.
7. For an end to forced labor and use of humans as minesweepers. The regime forces thousands of people each year to work on State projects and during military campaigns uses people to carry supplies and as human minesweepers.
8. For the protection of the environment. Unchecked and large scale clear cutting of some of the worlds last remaining natural teak and other tropical hardwood reserves, toxic mining practices, and the poorly planed building and proliferation of dams are among the many destructive practices that are damaging the country now and for future generations. The wanton and unchecked destruction of the environment in Burma is not only harmful to Burma, but to all of the surrounding countries.
9. For the control of narcotics. Burma is one of the main producers of amphetamines in the world, and is #1 in Southeast Asia. Burma, behind Afghanistan, is the #2 producer of Opium/Heroin in the world.
10. For regional security. Burma is building up its military with assistance from other area dictatorships and this along with its interest in a nuclear program makes it a regional security threat. Its immoral leadership and lack of accountability also make it a potential global threat.
We the global community have the opportunity to work with the people of Burma for change. Our goodwill can encompass more than just narrowly perceived national interest. Freedom everywhere is good for all people and we of every nation must be able to stand with others even if there is no perceived or immediate benefit for us. Each of us can live our lives for the highest things, to use the best of our heritage, values and prosperity to be part of positive change in the world. This takes courage, selflessness and finally a belief that all people count. May God give us all wisdom, love and humility as we move forward with the people of Burma.
God bless you,
A Relief Team Leader
Free Burma Rangers
Source: http://www.partnersworld.org/blogs.html
Where (can I get more info? )
Cho’s article on his personal trip to Burma
free burma… « beauty and depravity
and a non-exhaustive list of websites that you can visit for additional information.
- A compilation of international news articles on Burma updated on an hourly basis. http://www.burmanet.org/news/
- For accounts of the brutality committed to women and children in Burma http://www.partnersworld.org/
- International bloggers’ initiative http://free-burma.org/index.php
- http://www.khrg.org/
- http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
- http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/index.html
How ( can I react? )
The above links will give suggestions on what the individual can do. You will find concrete suggestions and solicitations for genuine work done.
Take 59 secs to add your common name to pledge your support. http://www.avaaz.org/en/
Talk about Burma during your tea / pee breaks.
Keep the sufferers in your thoughts.
scant consolation [Burma - updates]
October 7, 2007
A deceased Burmese monk
The progress of the past week regarding Burma has been of scant consolation.
The junta releases officials news of 13 people killed. A rather incredulous number given the nature of the militia. On the other hand, the eye witness accounts report of hundreds of people killed and thousands of people, both civilians and monks, missing.
Reports have spoken of how the junta used cunning and brute force to quash the protesters and ferret out the dissenters. Even though the streets are muted these mornings, it is said that the junta carries out its fanatical weeding of the protesters once night falls.
Even with the U.N. envoy Gambari’s influence, the only consolation hiccuped by the junta was that Than Shwe would meet Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi provided she met their imaginary conditions of not oppressing the Burmese people.
Google “singapore” “investments” “burma” [ Burma - updates ]
October 1, 2007
Drag out your google page and goog the above keywords.
Up pops some articles about how the above-mentioned are interlinked.
Gosh…
Are we unwittingly supporting the oppressors too?
Wear red [ Burma - updates ]
October 1, 2007
You know you look good in red. Wear it for these couple of days, yeah 
Burma / Myanmar
September 27, 2007
With the 500% increase on the fuel prices, the cost of living far exceed the meagre means of the Burmese. Underlying the issue of crippling poverty, the Burmese people have been living under an oppressive regime for almost half a century with their basic needs severely curtailed.
For the past weeks, civilians have protested against the price hikes but to no avail. Over the past few days, the highly revered Burmese monks have joined in the protest marches in the main cities of Burma, taking on the plight of their laypeople. In Yangon (aka Rangoon), the monks have taken to marching between the Shwedagon Pagoda, spiritual centre of Yangon to the Sule Pagoda, landmark of the 1988 massacre of student protestors.
These peaceful barefooted protestors who numbered to 100,000 proceeded without reprisals from the regime for several days. Yesterday, the bloodshed has started with the killings of monks and civilians and people being bundled away in military trucks.
But who cares? As long as Starbucks is serving caramal macchiatoes, our world still spins.
Like arse.
Please read the following articles that convey so much more than I can. And those who can, please pray. Those who can’t, please create awareness. Thanks.
http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/09/26/deutsche-presse-agentur-burma-army-starts-killing/
Visual creatures can stare at
