and in other news...
September 27, 2007 6:22 AM Subscribe
...On account of the unavoidable circumstances, the members of the security forces fired some shots employing the least force to disperse the mob.... Meet the New Light of Myanmar, official mouthpiece of the catchily-named SLORC
This makes me sick. And for once you have the US and UK actually saying the right things only to have China block any action.
I want to do something, but I can't figure out what. The US Campaign for Burma site isn't looking too lively. This is the time for them to jump. With this kind of international attention there needs to be action. Anyone have any ideas?
posted by crawfishpopsicle at 7:11 AM on September 27, 2007
I want to do something, but I can't figure out what. The US Campaign for Burma site isn't looking too lively. This is the time for them to jump. With this kind of international attention there needs to be action. Anyone have any ideas?
posted by crawfishpopsicle at 7:11 AM on September 27, 2007
only to have China block any action
Let's not forget the influence of the French oil company Total as well.
posted by mediareport at 7:15 AM on September 27, 2007
Let's not forget the influence of the French oil company Total as well.
posted by mediareport at 7:15 AM on September 27, 2007
Apparently they changed their name in 1997 specifically to avoid the ominous-sounding SLORC. Now it's the SPDC.
...which changes nothing. I just thought it was amusing. I wish more governments would change their names for public-relations reasons.
Because I, for one, welcome our new Fuzzy-Bunny Happytime Crew and would like to remind them that as a trusted figure I can be useful in rounding up slaves for their underground Happytime Playgrounds!
posted by aramaic at 7:36 AM on September 27, 2007
...which changes nothing. I just thought it was amusing. I wish more governments would change their names for public-relations reasons.
Because I, for one, welcome our new Fuzzy-Bunny Happytime Crew and would like to remind them that as a trusted figure I can be useful in rounding up slaves for their underground Happytime Playgrounds!
posted by aramaic at 7:36 AM on September 27, 2007
Good, but Fox News has the edge on Web page design.
posted by PlusDistance at 8:00 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by PlusDistance at 8:00 AM on September 27, 2007
I want to do something, but I can't figure out what
Pour shame on entities that support the SPDC in an effort to go after their money supply. China is mildly vulnerable due to the Olympics; I'm not sure about some of their other supporters.
Here's a list of organizations you may want to shame.
Note that many of the organizations on that list are tour operators and therefore not exactly large SPDC clients. CNOOC, Total, and the like, are the people you should really try to focus on rather than the small-potatoes dive operators.
Note also that many of their supporting companies come from nations that like to pride themselves on being morally superior (Canada, France, USA etc.). So hitting those groups may be especially effective since their governments may be more vulnerable to pressure than the companies themselves (eg: go after France as a whole, not just Total. Put "Warning: May Contain Blood" stickers on French wines, for example.)
posted by aramaic at 8:05 AM on September 27, 2007
Pour shame on entities that support the SPDC in an effort to go after their money supply. China is mildly vulnerable due to the Olympics; I'm not sure about some of their other supporters.
Here's a list of organizations you may want to shame.
Note that many of the organizations on that list are tour operators and therefore not exactly large SPDC clients. CNOOC, Total, and the like, are the people you should really try to focus on rather than the small-potatoes dive operators.
Note also that many of their supporting companies come from nations that like to pride themselves on being morally superior (Canada, France, USA etc.). So hitting those groups may be especially effective since their governments may be more vulnerable to pressure than the companies themselves (eg: go after France as a whole, not just Total. Put "Warning: May Contain Blood" stickers on French wines, for example.)
posted by aramaic at 8:05 AM on September 27, 2007
The New Light of Myanmar was always looking to hire editors from the Nation (Thailand) when I worked there in the late 90s. A few guys went to Rangoon for interviews and were offered positions. One guy actually accepted an offer but changed his mind when he came back to Bangkok.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:01 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:01 AM on September 27, 2007
And as aramaic pointed out, they haven't been known as SLORC for a long time now. They changed the name under the advice of a Washington, DC P.R. agency that worked closely with the junta, though I'm not sure which agency it was.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:03 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 9:03 AM on September 27, 2007
The British list of companies doing business in Burma (aka Myanmar) is valuable, but seems to be missing Halliburton. While former Halliburton president and current vice president Cheney denies wrong doing and using human labor to build a pipeline, his excuses are a little weak. Here's an SEC filing Halliburton made in regards to the charges.
The New York Times had an article a few months back on visiting Burma awhile back. The examined the implications of visiting a totalitarian regime and how you could do so and avoid, as much as it's possible, giving your money to the government.
posted by misterpatrick at 9:05 AM on September 27, 2007
The New York Times had an article a few months back on visiting Burma awhile back. The examined the implications of visiting a totalitarian regime and how you could do so and avoid, as much as it's possible, giving your money to the government.
posted by misterpatrick at 9:05 AM on September 27, 2007
Nine people have been killed amid a crackdown on anti-government protesters in Burma's main city of Rangoon, state television has reported.
posted by homunculus at 9:35 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by homunculus at 9:35 AM on September 27, 2007
Only Burma's neighbours can stop its dictators beating up the Buddha: There is frustratingly little Europe and the US can do to halt the unfolding tragedy. India and China must take the lead.
posted by homunculus at 10:10 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by homunculus at 10:10 AM on September 27, 2007
That is some ugly assed shit. "Troops use minimum amount of force" to dispel protesters, yeah right.
posted by fourcheesemac at 11:13 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by fourcheesemac at 11:13 AM on September 27, 2007
As the crackdown worsens, the government is trying to shut down phone lines and internet.
posted by salvia at 11:41 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by salvia at 11:41 AM on September 27, 2007
Rangoon, late evening—One western diplomat in Rangoon has speculated that army chief vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye may meet the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi soon in an attempt to ease increasing tension in Burma. The source added that Maung Aye calls the shots for the moment.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:46 AM on September 27, 2007
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:46 AM on September 27, 2007
Here's a picture of the Japanese journalist who was killed. He was still trying to take pictures after he'd been shot.
posted by homunculus at 12:54 PM on September 27, 2007
posted by homunculus at 12:54 PM on September 27, 2007
A few more photos (including the on homunculus posted) from Reuters.
posted by Sailormom at 12:58 PM on September 27, 2007
posted by Sailormom at 12:58 PM on September 27, 2007
Eyes in the Skies Document Human Rights Violations in Burma
posted by homunculus at 12:58 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by homunculus at 12:58 PM on September 28, 2007
Monks Sentenced to Six Years Imprisonment; Rangoon, Mandalay Locked Down by Troops
posted by homunculus at 9:54 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by homunculus at 9:54 AM on September 29, 2007
Firms Seek Access to Burma Oil Fields Despite Bloody Crackdown
posted by homunculus at 9:55 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by homunculus at 9:55 AM on September 29, 2007
Thousands dead in massacre of the monks dumped in the jungle
posted by homunculus at 10:03 AM on October 1, 2007
posted by homunculus at 10:03 AM on October 1, 2007
4,000 monks to be sent to prisons in the north
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:29 PM on October 1, 2007
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:29 PM on October 1, 2007
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posted by monocyte at 6:56 AM on September 27, 2007