littlerunningdeer
female - 24 years, United States
Blog 268
This will mainly be about information and links.
The second link part of the first entry:
This is a Native American Aboriginal Journal ; Honoring all Tribes, Bands, Ranches and Nations. The beautiful Art, Storytelling, News, Issues and maybe some humor sprinkled in for warm smiles and light hearts
-
Buffalohair: Defections on the Rise with deadly Results
Defections on the Rise with deadly Results
Posted in Asia with tags Bhamo, Burma, Burmese Military, Chemical Warfare, Child Rape, Child Soldiers, China, Defections, Kachin, Kokang, Loije, Than Shwe, Wa on October 6, 2009 by buffalohair
Shwe KIds
Defections have been plaguing the military junta of Burma in ever increasing numbers. From all quarters of the country, soldiers have been abandoning their posts and fleeing into the jungle. The riff between the generals and the soldiers has only widened as soldiers are forced to fend for themselves while the generals count their bounty. Injured soldiers are simply dropped from the ranks to live in abject poverty unable to work. And the chasm is increasing.
Though the military many have great numbers many soldiers are indentured for the most part. Soldiers have secretly reported to sources that they are in constant fear for their loved ones safety and are compelled to stay in the military. Others have been forced into the military with similar extortion techniques. Loyalty is not in abundance within the ranks of Than Shwe’s slave army.
Cyclone Nargis was a bountiful windfall for the military according to military sources since many children lost their parents and were orphaned. Recruiting starving children has become the norm and Uncle Than Shwe was more than willing to adopt them into military service. Many children have defected and became a wealth of information since many kids were used in the handling of biological and chemical weaponry. *Child soldiers have reported many kinds of abuse by their adult counterparts since rampant homosexual rapes have occurred within Gen. Than Shwe’s elite fighting forces. Kids who threatened to reveal the conditions have been tortured to death and buried but a few have survived to tell the truth of the atrocities being committed by the regimes cadre.
Than Shwe’s generals are more divided than ever but are also in constant fear for the safety of their loved ones. With Than Shwe ordering his hard core loyalists to spy and even bug the homes of all his generals it is clear he is worried about an internal coup. Ironically even within his most loyal core there is dissention within the ranks. Many generals are simply waiting for Than Shwe to die so they can rid themselves of Than’s loyalists who’ve flaunted their association with Than Shwe in their faces. There is no question when Than Shwe is finally dead there will be a “Night of the Long Knives” as revenge and the power struggle ensues.
His legacy will be ripped from the annals of Burma’s history and his family will no longer have the security blanket they once enjoyed. Architects of a “New Burma” are simply waiting to cease control. Other targets are the western industrialists who’ve been lavished with gifts from Than Shwe causing even more hatred to simmer. Western industrialists have few places to go whence the killing begins since they are equally hated by the people of this enslaved nation.
But nothing underscores the disparity between classes within the ranks as the recent defection of *6 soldiers in Kachin State. They were from the Sarhmaw-based Infantry Battalion (I
No. 105 at a military encampment near Loije, Bhamo district where the shooting occurred. A carefully placed shot in the head dispatched their superior officer then they fled. Dozens of troops have abandoned their posts in this region alone and with good reason; many were forced into military service and used as slaves by the elite class who used indentured military personal like cattle. Though these men were in the same army the elite class treated them like the enemy and used them along side villagers to clear out mine fields. Month’s earlier Arakan border cops abandoned their post after they were beaten and forced to work along side slaves in the construction of a border fence in Arakan State.
Small wonder the Wa, Kachin and Kokang nations don’t want any part of Than Shwe’s border cop proposal. Ethnic minorities are expendable in the junta’s eyes. “They are ideal for use as a buffer zone from potential enemy combatants from neighboring countries” mused his generals on more than one occasion. The Burmese military is stocking up on chemical weaponry along the Shan, Wa and Kachin borders. Child soldier’s as well indentured personal will be at the helm of the chemical assault that will ensue in the very near future. Than Shwe has decided to exterminate the rouge ceasefire groups and eliminate the problem once and for all if they don’t comply.
The wild card will be China since Than Shwe ignored their request not to harm the ethnic Chinese and allies in what many call Than Shwe’s last act of defiance. China will either show face or allow for sovereign Chinese soil to be forever contaminated as his troops hunt down the Kokang. Chinese citizens will undoubtedly be collateral casualties since the junta resents China’s demand for $41 million dollars. Than Shwe set the stage for a showdown but the conclusion may not be what his astrologers predicted. If more soldiers kill their commanders then abandon their posts Than Shwe might just have to fight the Kokang, Kachin and the Wa all alone. Ideally they would torch up the ammunition dumps and destroy the artillery, THEN whack the leadership before they stroll out of the compound.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
* http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16...
** http://www.kachinnews.com/index.php/news/1139-...
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: Moon Rejects New Solar System Order, NASA Attac
Moon Rejects New Solar System Order, NASA Attacks (Satire)
Posted in Satire with tags Cabeus A, Canada, Canadian Satire, NASA, The Moon on October 6, 2009 by buffalohair
Bomb the moon
NASA plans an assault on the citizens of *Cabeus A Crater for rejecting plans to colonize the Solar System.
An unnamed NASA official was quoted as saying;
“We’ve pretty much got the New Word Order sewn up. People of Earth have given up their sovereignties, civil liberties and were assigned to economic work zones now. The Moon is chock full of natural resources and water is one of them. The Moon’s strategic location and the possibility Cabeus A may be building weapons of mass destruction also contributed to the World Trade Organization and the United Nations decision to attack.”
“You guys can colonize the Earth all you want but keep the Moon out of it eh” said Cabeus A resident Lester McGraw.
Mr. McGraw and his family migrated to Cabeus A along with other deposed and impoverished Earthlings who’ve lost their homes and way of life. Attracted by the lack of criminally corrupt politicians in bed with international corporations and greed, the Moon was the only sensible option left. The balmy 107c temperature in the day time and the subtle –153c evening temperature also played into their decision to move to the Moon.
“We don’t get much company here except for a few space guys and they did not hurt anything. Just did not care much for that dang anal probe. But all in all, the Moon was a quiet and secure place where we could raise our kids. And no more Ottawa traffic to contend with. Since Zellers just opened up a new superstore in the next crater we had everything we needed, well except Canadian beer, but we’re building a new brewery. Tim Horton’s was going to open a cafe here until the United Nations Security Council decided we were building nuclear bombs. And that’s when life changed for us eh”, said former Saint Johns resident, Dennis Newman.
“We even have our own national anthem” quipped another former resident of Saint Johns as he began to sing, ‘The Man on the Moon is Newfi’, by **Stompin Tom Connor.
Life on the moon was bliss according to local residence of Cabeus A. They boasted of free satellite TV from all the space junk NASA and other space related organizations dumped on this once desolate stellar object. Living in extreme cold was not a major concern for these rugged Canadian pioneers but they missed the snow.
“I’ll bet they think our brewery is some kind of nuclear reactor and if they bomb that, then they will really have a war on their hands eh, blasted Earthies”, retorted Mr. Newman.
Will October 9th, the date of the pending assault, mark the end of a way of life for these innocent victims of greed and expansion? And most important of all, will NASA bomb their brewery? Only time will tell.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
* http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy...
** http://www.stompintomtribute.com/
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: Obama Passes on Dalai Lama Visit
Obama Passes on Dalai Lama Visit
Posted in Asia with tags Barack Obama, China, Dalai Lama, Tibet on October 5, 2009 by buffalohair
Lama Obama copy
President Barack Obama passes on a visit with the Dalai Lama outraging many human rights supporters around the world. Interestingly enough in the *Dalai Lama Camp they are not as miffed, in fact they welcome the warming of U.S. China relations. Top aid and negotiator for the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyari defended Obama’s “snub” and embraced this action noting that the Dali Lama was always supportive of U.S. engagement with China.
According to Gyari the Tibetan people took a “broader long-term perspective” on this turn of events. In a statement Gyari said;
“Our hope is that the cooperative US-Chinese relationship that President Obama’s administration seeks will create conditions that support the resolution of the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people,”
With all that said it would behoove others not to second guess the Dalai Lama since it is clear President Obama has his blessings. It would appear the Dalai Lama is looking at the bigger picture in establishing a qualitative and productive dialogue with China. Open discussing rather than pointed barbs does yield better results where showing face is an equal part of any negotiations in Asia. Does President Obama get a “pass” on this issue? No, on the contrary this places Obama under the microscope of worldwide public opinion since now there are billions of witnesses.
Outrage, disappointment and anger prevail throughout the globe by this “snub” and have placed the US president on the same level as pond scum with many ardent human rights activists and Dalai Lama supporters. The ramifications of this action have rippled throughout the diplomatic communities around the world as well, especially nations who’ve already engaged his holiness the Dalai Lama. More hinges on what transpires on Obama’s visit to China then he may realize for his credibility is at stake. And if Obama can pull off a positive Tibetan solution he will stop the downward spiral of his popularity. If this visit is all about money the downward plunge will continue with a vengeance as he alienates more of his core supporters.
Like they say, “the opera ain’t over till the fat lady sings”. Whether I agree with this latest presidential action or not is of no consequence since it is still the Dalai Lama’s call. His camp has embraced this engagement with China with promise and great hopes for the future. I look at this turn of events with great skepticism but I will follow the Dalai Lama’s lead and bite a hole in my tongue. I will not hold my breath though. And I pray that my gut feeling on this turn of events is nothing more than gas.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
* http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=25656#
http://www.buffalohair-jage.com/
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair:Burma’s Allies Side with U.S. and Free World
Burma’s Allies Side with U.S. and Free World
Posted in Asia with tags Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, China, India, Russia, SAnctions on October 5, 2009 by buffalohair
Shwe and Prisoners
The “Big Three” Russia, China and India joined ranks with the world in demanding Daw Aung Suu Kyi and political prisoners be released. At the same time the junta sent a liaison (Aung Kyi) to open discussions with Aung Suu Kyi as well. In a perfect world this would be wonderful news but since it’s not, I refrain from to much jubilation. Call me the eternal skeptic but over the years I’ve become very jaded by potentially promising events. There is no question having the Big Three onboard with the rest of the world has raised the stakes indeed.
Speculation abounds as to the direction Than Shwe may choose to go at this juncture. Ham strung by alliances with ethnic ceasefire groups China has grown distant causing alarm within the ranks of Burma’s generals. India, with growing investments in Burma and the UK, also finds themselves in a precarious position. Then there is Mother Russia’s involvement in the junta’s nuclear program and other technologies. Personally I don’t really think Putin and the boys care one way or the other. Russia does not have the Achilles Tendon of corporate interests like the other two nations. And they could give a flying crappola about what anyone thinks. But none the less they are onboard and that’s a good thing.
Will Than Shwe alienate himself from his staunches allies, only time will tell. But if he uses the chemical weaponry he is placing along the Chinese border at this time he might discover exactly how entrenched these ethnic groups are with China. Not so optimistic about the situation along her border, China has already begun to build refugee centers. They will need decontamination equipment as well. Growing U.S. investments within China’s borders have also skewed the works do to the growing dependence on western technology and consumers. Public opinion and the consumer dollar have become a concern. Allying themselves with a dictator who uses rape, torture and genocide has become an issue never before considered. This fact has also given rise for concerns of India’s investments and involvement in Burma.
The notion the 2010 Election was legitimate by any stretch of the word was ridicules from the onset. Using the new constitution as a back drop for the election only magnified the absurdity of this sham election as a whole. I still ask why the original election results of 1990 were not honored by the rest of the world in the first place. The John William Yettaw debacle and the continued internment of Daw Aung Suu Kyi only placed Burma under the microscope. The worldwide outrage was unprecedented and it was not just from diplomatic circles. A campaign by democracy groups renewed aware of Burma’s plight and bore fruit since Burma has become a household word throughout the globe. The general public has plied out her inner most secrets evolving more outrage and more questions like never before. Politicians find themselves walking on egg shells around their electorate as an educated public asks why. And to the dismay of the Big Three, it opened a Pandora’s Box in their back yards that will not be closed any time soon. If Than Shwe orchestrated the Yettaw incident he only shot himself in the foot and fostered what many believe is the beginning of the end.
Are we being duped by yet another elaborate scheme to stall until the election? Time is the task master at this juncture, there is no question. Only when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the political prisoners are released and open dialogue is established with Aung San Suu Kyi at the table will I be convinced real steps are being made. Anything else will be just another fraud for there is no compromise. Aung San Suu Kyi must be at all high level meetings for them to be valid by any stretch of the word. The final nail in Than Shwe’s coffin of credibility will be if he chooses to move the 2010 Election to December of 09. With a track record of not honoring election results, what’s the point anyway?
The ball is in Than Shwe’s court and he has a golden opportunity to change the course of Burma’s history in a good and prosperous way. He could show face and bring back honor to this beleaguered nation. But if he chooses to continue this game of deception and death his will plunge Burma into a financial black hole like they never seen before because it’s all about the money Paisan. Than Shwe and his government has become a liability for his allies in the grand scheme of things and that’s the long and the short of it. With death at Than Shwe’s door his reign will soon come to a close. No matter how many times he shuffles his generals around the next leadership will more than likely opt for a more progressive Burma anyway.
I sit at the news desk skeptical as ever though a little bit more hopeful. But I’m not about to break out the tea leaf salad as of yet. Actions speak louder than words and so far people are still being systematically arrested and murdered in advance of the election. Aung San Suu Kyi and her crew are still locked up. Than Shwe is going to visit the regions hit by Cyclone Nargis this week. Is this another photo op to make him look like a humanitarian? If he opens up the coffers, actually helps all the homeless people and my sources verify it, I’ll be impressed. Until then, I will sit in the sidelines and observe the festivities with a discerning eye. And sitting in the bleachers with me will be Russia, China and India.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: Without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, There are no Nego
Buffalohair: Without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, There are no Negotiat
Without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, There are no Negotiations
Posted in Asia with tags Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, Burma Sanctions, China, Daewoo, Korea, Senator Jim Webb, Tata Motors on September 28, 2009 by buffalohair
Jim Webb's Garage Sale
As the western press goes hog wild with “new” news about Burma it is clear this is all a façade. Making a mountain out of a mole hill or simply stretching the truth about Aung San Suu Kyi’s position on sanctions, Than Shwe should thank Senator Jim “Garage Sale” Webb for promoting lies and misinformation. We might as well thank the corporate world for their manipulation of the press as well.
At this juncture it must be stated that there are no negotiations about lifting sanctions without Daw Aung Suu Kyi present. How could anyone other than a moron even consider discussing Burma’s fate without the duly elected leader of that nation anyway? Since Jim Webb opened the flood gates of miss-information the media has gone wild with speculation and bold faced lies about Burma. Why hasn’t the media given equal coverage about the continued brutality, rape and murder that has increased since Jim Webb’s first lie?
Without Aung San Suu Kyi at the table these actions by senators, presidents and the spineless United Nations are meaningless at best. The only thing accomplished; another attempt to sugar coat the presents of a myriad of international corporations already invested in Burma. Sanctions? Give me a break; through the art of triangulation international corporations have managed to side step sanctions. *Lee Seung Woo, of The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), revealed that Korea already had approximately 30 textile factories operating in Burma. Further Woo boasted that labor was cheap, about $35 a month average wage and the KOFOTI had plans for more. Small wonder Ban Ki-moon has been so impotent in dealing with Burma. It would be a conflict of interest if Ban Ki-moon were invested in these firms or firms who are directly benefiting from Burma’s repression. So I wonder what Ban’s excuse would be why Korea does not have to comply with international sanctions. Dare we mention the totality of investments by Daewoo in Burma? Take a long hard look at the electronics section of your local store. Daewoo is lining the shelves across America.
The list goes on and on. **Tata Motors, the parent company of Land Rover and Jaguar, is investing throughout the UK making British subjects inadvertent violators of sanctions. Why? Don’t forget the truck building facility being built in Burma to build trucks for the junta under India’s “Look East Policy”. The frosting on the cake is U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s involvement in this game of charades. This sends chills down my spine since it was her husband Bill Clinton who sold America and the free world to China making her a favored nation. Clinton’s position on economics over humanity must not be forgotten for it will weigh heavily on the final “diplomatic” outcome in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi MUST be at the table of negotiations for any dialogue to be legitimate. Anything less is a sham and a fraud. Sadly the U.S. State Department has been in negotiations for months already proving there is more at stake than the needs of the Burmese people. Without Aung San Suu Kyi at these critical meetings they are meaningless at the very best.
Daw Aung Suu Kyi had always promoted “engagement” with the junta so this is not a news flash as inept politicians boast of this achievement. I only see greedy politicians backed by corporations who want to join China and other Asian nations in the grab for Burma’s natural resources. Sanctions were nothing more than a feel good word since they were never enforced as the corporate world lined the pockets of murderers and rapists. Money laundering has become an art form as billions in profits were hidden for both the junta’s sake and the international corporate world. Now the World is “concerned” about the fate of Burma only after China scored the mother load in the oil and gas fields of this impoverished land. Torture, rape and genocide have no place in this equation, just the corporate bottom line.
As for Burma’s 2010 Election, you have to be drop dead stupid to even consider that it was legitimate in the first place. Only those who want to white wash Burma’s corrupt regime would by into this line of malarkey. Maybe Senator Jim “I lie” Webb got a million dollar ruby and his pick of Burmese starlets like Ibrahim Gambari for a favorable opinion of Burma. The bottom line is the fact that it’s all about the money Paisan, it’s all about the money.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a letter to Than Shwe expressing her willingness to take part in the negotiations process to lift sanctions. If Than Shwe agrees to her request there is a glimmer of hope that true change will occur. If Than Shwe refuses to include her in the process the whole thing will be a sham and all the participants in this process will be nothing more than accomplices to a crime, plain and simple.
People Power is the only hope for Burma at this juncture. If “We the People of the World” unite and impose People Power Sanctions of our own we will alter the course of Burma’s destiny. If we don’t buy, corporations will die. It is time to arm ourselves with knowledge and seek out all corporate and government interests who are doing business with the junta either directly or indirectly. If it’s all about the money then we must fight fire with fire. We must make it known to all corporate and political interest that dealing with Than Shwe, or any other dictators, will not be tolerated by the “consumers” of the world. Money is the Achilles tendon of both the political and corporate world. Only after hitting them in the pocket book will true change evolve.
People Power!
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: The Two Faces of Burma and Globalization
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:05 am Post subject:
The Two Faces of Burma and Globalization
The release of over 7,000 prisoners within Burma’s Gulag system was welcome news. The release of over 200 political prisoners was also welcome news. If only Than Shwe would have released the rest of the political prisoners, if only he released Daw Aung Suu Kyi. Then this would have truly been a humanitarian gesture. But sadly his actions are just a façade or smoke screen as his regime continues to rape and murder their way into the hearts of millions. The fact a U.S. citizen has been severely tortured for weeks while in captivity is proof that it’s business as usual in Burma. In recent years the regime has released thousands of prisoners with great fanfare while covertly increasing the political prisoner population. But for the few families whose loved ones were released this was an unexpected joy.
While politicians make the case for lifting sanctions in Burma and the presses goes wild with speculation and feel good prospects, a 14-year-old girl Ngwa Ma-le was raped and murdered by the Burmese police. Other girls escaped with their lives as Than Shwe’s thugs raped and murdered this *Lisu tribal girl. According to family members she was summons by phone by police who then raped and killed her. In classic Burmese Junta style innocent men were arrested and tortured to the point of death in an apparent smoke screen. Their objective was to cover up the actions of SGT. U Thein Myint and 7 other officers of the Mongkoe territorial police, the culprits in this barbaric and senseless murder.
Though the U.S. State Department is tight lipped about the U.S. Citizen held captive for three weeks. It has already been confirmed Kyaw Zaw Lwin, (a card carrying American Citizen) had been severely beaten and tortured by the junta. Where is Senator Jim Webb or Bill Clinton now? It is obvious the corporate controlled media has been mum about Burma’s atrocitous realities. After all if we follow the money we would discover they are invested in Burma through their parent companies and some point.
There is no mention of the on going campaign of Burmanization and the ethnic wars that have broken out along Burma’s borders. China has failed to show face in dealing with the junta. Their words were just as hollow as the impotent threats from both the UN and the West. The siege of the Karen, Kokang, Kachin and a host of other ethnic minorities has gone unabated as world leaders scramble to find a lucrative solution.
The United Nations has proven to be nothing more than an extension of the international corporate agenda. Focusing on disarming and stripping the free world of industry and sovereignty, the UN has ignored environmental and human rights issues in Asia. The United Nations has become an extension of the World Trade Organization and they purport the cause of globalization. As we all should know by now, globalization is colonization on a grand scale. It’s the international take over of all nations by corporations and forming the “One World Order”. Like it or not, or believe it or not, the one world order has landed and Than Shwe’s regime of Burma is only a microcosm of what is in store for the rest of the globe when globalization has been completed. Soon tyranny will not only be “way over there in Asia”, it will be in Yonkers, Los Angeles and London and you will be asleep at the wheel.
It’s all about the money Paisan, it’s all about the money. With Hillary Clinton, “China’s Premier Ambassador”, making key economical decisions behind closed doors with the axiom of “Economics over Humanity”, Gulags and slave labor will be an excepted practice. Healthy political prisoners will be prized for hard labor and organ harvest like in the case of China where **Falun Gong and other free thinkers are used like cattle. Small wonder Wal-Mart and other U.S. based corporations have capitalized on China’s lack of labor and environmental mandates. Burma will be the next “acceptable” gulag system as the trend towards material and natural resource lusting continues. This trend will undoubtedly plunge Asia into a new era of global colonization and it is all for the corporate bottom line.
Its history repeating itself since this is not a new trend, just ask a Cheyenne or Sioux. Killing and conquest for monetary gain has been here for several millennia only proving one thing, mankind got it all wrong. The line was drawn in the sand, materialism on one side and humanity on the other. The line was then obscured by the use of religion, race and economical concerns. Fortunately, natural events will soon crush the cause of corporate greed, not only in Asia but around the fetid corporate world. And if humanity is plunged back into the Stone Age it will be a good thing since there is nothing “civil” about a society that placed corporate needs before humanity.
* http://www.kachinnews.com/index.php/news/1110-...
** http://www.faluninfo.net/article/834/?cid=84
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
____________
http://www.nativevue.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t...
____
Creativity is the byproduct of a fertile mind -
FBR REPORT: The Loss of a Ranger: Di Gay Htoo
Gay Htoo
FBR REPORT: The Loss of a Ranger: Di Gay Htoo
Posted in Asia with tags Burma, Free Burma Rangers, Karen, Karen National Liberation Army on September 20, 2009 by buffalohair
Di Gay HtooAs the world ponders what the next move should be with regard to Burma Di Gay Htoo gave his life in the cause of freedom, democracy and human rights. It should be known this is the price being paid for our ambivalence. I am reposting the memorial written by the Free Burma Rangers in honorarium of a fallen commrade.
Karen State, Burma, September 18, 2009
Dear friends,
A Ranger died last week and this is a great loss for us, the Karen people, and the people of Burma. Di Gay Htoo was a humble, brave, dedicated and selfless young Karen leader. He died of a sudden fever while on a mission with the Karen resistance. After serving as a Free Burma Ranger relief team leader, Di Gay Htoo was called by the pro-democracy resistance to serve as an officer in the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).
His honesty, rapport with villagers, compassion, and sense of duty made him the outstanding young officer of the KNLA. On his last mission he was safeguarding families in the line of a threatened Burma Army attack.
Di Gay Htoo was the first Free Burma Ranger team leader from the northern Karen State. He was the honor graduate of the first FBR training in 2001, and his team was the best team of that class. He set a standard of excellence both in training and on relief missions that has not been surpassed.
I first met Di Gay Htoo in 1996 at a leadership training for emergent leaders in central Karen State. I met him next in 1998 on a relief mission to the northern Karen State at the end of the 1997-1998 offensive. Arriving in the Karen State, a Karen soldier told me, “The way you will go tomorrow is very dangerous and the enemy is close.” Then a young Karen man approached me and said, “Hello, my name is Di Gay Htoo, you and your wife taught me in 1996 and now I am your guide and will be with you on this mission. Tomorrow is very dangerous and anything can happen in one minute. Maybe tomorrow we will be dead, but if so, we will die together- I will be with you.”
I was blessed to realize that this man with me was the grandson of the Di Gay who led the Karen resistance against Japan alongside a British officer named Hugh Seagrim (called ‘Grandfather Longlegs’ by the Karen). These two men organized the Karen who fought with the Allies and helped to defeat the Japanese in Burma. Di Gay and Grandfather Longlegs have always been heroes to me. To have Di Gay’s grandson as my guide was an honor and blessing. As we climbed the mountains between Burma Army lines the next day, he told me words I will never forget. “Thank you for coming here to help us and to tell our story. But when you tell the story of my people, please do not just talk about all the bad things that happen to us and our suffering by the Burma Army. Please tell the world about the good things about my people, their faith in God and their love. Of course we need help. We are too weak to make the change in Burma by ourselves. But do tell about what my people do, how they are strong, still free and working together to make our nation better.”
This week Di Gay Htoo died as he helped to prepare his people for the threat of renewed attacks. He died doing his duty and inspires all of us to do ours.
To Di Gay Htoo I say, “Thank you Di Gay Htoo, for your love, example, humility and singleness of purpose. The God you served loves you and we are sorry for ourselves for our loss but happy for you that you lived well and that you are now in a new life. We will join you one day. Until that day, we will cherish your memory, and love and comfort your family. We will be strong like you and tell the world about how wonderful your people are.”
Our family and all the FBR loves you, misses you and thanks God for you,
With love and gratitude,
The Free Burma Rangers -
Buffalohair: Burma’s New Sham Democratic Party
Burma’s New Sham Democratic Party
Posted in Asia with tags 2010 Elections, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, Burma's New Democratic Party, National League for Democracy,Than Shwe on September 15, 2009 by buffalohair
2010 VOTE copy
With Than Shwe’s bogus 2010 election just around the corner credibility has become a major issue. And with good reason since the junta did not like the outcome of the election of 1990 even though they sponsored it. You remember, that’s the election Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy won a landslide victory over Than Shwe’s regime. Sadly the voice of the people was not recognized by Gen. Than Shwe and the world was asleep at the wheel.
The proposed election of 2010 was designed to give Burma a white wash or sugar frosting and give Than Shwe’s criminal regime a semblance of legitimacy. The other benefit to the election was to give criminally negligent corporations who’ve ignored international sanctions some breathing room from public opinion. Credibility has not been in Than Shwe’s favor and the world knows the election is a sham. But in spite of this fact Than Shwe devised a newer scheme in an effort to give his bogus election the look and feel of a real election. It’s called the Democratic Party and they will place a candidate in the running for the 2010 election. Talk about a rigged election. Why even waste the money on ballots in the first place since Than Shwe has guaranteed his generals will win no matter who runs, except the true opposition. After all, true opposition is either in prison, dead or in hiding so they are effectively out of the running, so far.
Mya Than Than Nu, the daughter of U Nu; Nay Yee Ba Swe, the daughter of late Prime Minister Ba Swe; and Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, the daughter of late Deputy Prime Minister Kyaw Nyein are the spearheads of this new attempt to give the bogus election of 2010 a face lift. Did Than Shwe really think he was going to slip this one by the world audience or is he as stupid as many of his generals says he is? I will leave that open to debate. Anyway, these three gals are going to run a staged opposition under the banner of the new *Democratic Party.
With the children of his cronies running the opposition I truly doubt these gals will want to give up the opulent life they lead or do time for winning the election like Aung San Suu Kyi. The sins of their fathers will not be an issue regardless of their blood soaked histories. Ethnic cleansing as well as wholesale genocide will not be an issue either since the 2010 elections will also provide amnesty to generals for all their heinous acts of brutality. Yes, it will be an election to behold as Than Shwe pushes to legitimize his criminal regime. And there sits the UN’s Ban Ki-moon hiding under the sofa hoping it will all go away and pinheads like U.S. Senator Jim Webb who can’t see past their wallets.
The fix is already in since the junta forced a new and totally unacceptable Constitution onto the people of Burma in 2008. Through threats of death and starvation Than Shwe coerced people to vote yes as well as fix ballot boxes. Nothing like gun barrel politics to usher in more restrictive and totalitarian rules to keep a nation in bondage. With the Three Stoogettes (Mya, Nay and Cho) at the helm of the new Democratic Party the elections will be the mockery of the century but sadly the joke will be on the people of Burma.
* http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16...
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: The Sewage of Than Shwe
Buffalohair: The Sewage of Than Shwe
September 15, 2009
The Sewage of Than Shwe
on September 15, 2009 by buffalohair
than hell
Clearly Gen. Than Shwe of Burma has distorted and perverted the core teachings of true Buddhism. It does not take a Rhodes Scholar to realize that torture, rape and wholesale murder are not part of the Buddhist curriculum. But like other dictators who chose to enslave their own people through religion or race, Than Shwe simply found someone to reinterpret ancient sacred words of a noble faith. Do not think for one minute he did not physically threaten a monk into forging a new “Death” clause in the Buddhist faith. The fact is, Buddhist monks who subscribe to Than Shwe’s rendition of Buddhism follow out of blind fear according to exiled monks.
The death and destruction at three Pagodas are obvious indicators that Than Shwe is not a Buddhist at all. When I read Buddhist works I also failed to read anything about the justification of deception and barbarism either. Granted, I did not receive Than Shwe’s revised version of Buddhism that justifies lying, stealing, rape and murder. But what I did find was a wonderfully beautiful path or axiom designed to enrich ones life. Maybe the enrich part was taken out of context with Than Shwe for he has enriched himself and a select group of people at the expense of others.
Inside sources stated how Than Shwe and his generals enjoyed emulating the characters in the U.S. film “The Godfather”. The same sources reveled how several generals looked to the orphaned children from Cyclone Nargis as a wealth of new soldiers and servants. The reality of Than Shwe and his spirituality bankrupt government is that it’s an atheist government. The junta forged a religion of death and ethnic cleansing and labeled it Buddhism. There is no honor in murdering innocent people for their land or raping ethnic minorities for the sake of Burmanization. Burmanization is a military mandate where soldiers are required to leave their blood or seed in ethnic communities to purify them into Burman’s. In essence it’s a license to rape, “for the good of the nation”. Maybe someone should give Senator Jim Webb a heads up on the country he is sucking up to.
It comes as no surprise that there is barely a peek being mentioned about the October 2nd deadline for Than Shwe to render a formal apology to the monks for the arrest, torture and murder of monks during the Saffron Revolution. Clearly he does not plan to make any such statements since these monks don’t follow the new and improved Buddhism according to Than. But he is keenly aware of the situation. That is why all the monasteries and Buddhist enclaves are under heavy surveillance as he positions his troops for another possible uprising in October. Truth is a commodity rarely found in Than Shwe’s propaganda machine though. “The New Light of Myanmar” is more like the “New Lies of Myanmar” at the very least. Other junta condoned media outlets must follow strict guidelines where truth and honesty are strictly forbidden.
Than Shwe faces excommunication from the true Buddhist faith if he fails to meet the demands from holy people of a religion he stole the name of. And it is obvious he is trying to conceal this from the people of Burma for without Buddhism in his corner he is nothing. He can turn his back on them but he will not be able to turn his back from the rewards he has cast for himself and others who used a sacred path for monetary gain. I get comfort knowing what Than Shwe and his minions will face whence they cross over to the other side though. Eternity is a far cry from 70 or 80 years of life on Earth and Than Shwe’s reward will be retribution that will last forever whence he dies. Like they say, “what comes around, goes around”, and it could not have happened to a more deserving fellow.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/ -
Buffalohair: Than Shwe’s Ultimatum
Than Shwe’s Ultimatum
Posted in Asia with tags 2009, Buddhist Monks, Burma, Oct 2, Than Shwe on September 7, 2009 by buffalohair
Oct 2
October 2nd has become the iconic day of reckoning for General Than Shwe of Burma. According to sources within Burma Than Shwe has until 12 noon on October 2, 2009 to make a formal apology for the incarceration, beating and murder of Buddhist monks during a peaceful demonstration. If he refuses he will be excommunicated from the Buddhist faith. In essence Than Shwe will be stripped of his most powerful weapon in keeping a nation divided, religion. If he is no longer a Buddhist he can no longer purport the need to rape and murder Christians under the banner of Buddhism.
Without Buddhism to hide behind he will have to find a new excuse for his continued campaign of Burmanization and the wholesale slaughter of all ethnic minorities in Burma. It still astounds the imagination how he managed to justify torture, rape and murder then claim to be Buddhist in the first place. But with a woefully inept United Nations and the continued impotent response from the so called free world, Than Shwe continues his exercise in eugenics unabated. Many corporate controlled media groups have also turned a deaf ear on the plight of Burma for the most part as well.
The October 2nd deadline was proclaimed by the monks yet very little has been mentioned about it in the mainstream press. In the meantime the Burmese military has been beefing up its forces “just in case” of a new and more powerful uprising. Timing is everything since Than Shwe has opened up the battlement lines to the north and has declared war on ceasefire groups who refuse to be border cops. It’s ironic that Senator Jim “One World Order” Webb was making nice with Than Shwe while his goons advanced on Kokang and other ethnic groups. He should have taken a stroll in one of the many under supplied and over filled refugee centers along the border, provided they are not being shelled by the Burmese military.
With the help of the “liars press” bold faced lies about the meeting circulated around the world as Webb made libelous statements about Daw Aung Suu Kyi. John “the moron” Yettaw made grandiose and thinly veiled lies about his encounter with Aung Suu Kyi then made public his book writing aspirations. I can see the book store now, protesters all around with posters and chants. Then there is John making a hasty retreat out the back door. Daw Aung Suu Kyi has long since decried the false and lascivious statements the dumb duo made. As far as Burma’s democracy was concerned, Jim’s visit was a giant step backward. Yettaw’s visit was catastrophic but “with no regrets”, in his words.
With Daewoo investing billions in Burma as of this writing it is clear the worldwide corporate agenda quietly moved forward. Burma, locked in the throws of indentured servitude, continues to be raped by outsiders. Than Shwe betrayed Burma sold her to the corporate world, the ultimate money laundering scheme. Globalization is colonization on a planetary scale and Burma is to rich in natural resources to ignore. It is obvious the fate of Burma has been determined by others. Than Shwe is just a pawn and a scapegoat to the ones who bought him years ago. In all reality sanctions have not been honored from the corporate world. Merger after merger internationally has laced a web of unscrupulously divisive criminals who’ve also managed to bypass U.S. monopoly laws.
Of the top 100 economies of the world at least half are corporations. Imagine corporations with a GDP larger then 80% of the nations of the world. One day you will drive around in a cute Nano by Tata Motors of India. Just don’t forget that Tata Motors is building a facility in Burma for the sole purpose of building medium to heavy trucks for Burma’s Military. The cute little Nano would be soaked in human blood and the suffering of an enslaved nation. The corporate web is all encompassing though. Two English institutions, Land Rover and Jaguar, now share the tainted resume’ in epic human carnage for Tata Motors is their parent company. From Mrs. Beasley’s Cookies to that cool Daewoo big screen TV, corporations doing business with Than Shwe stock our shelves. So when people say sanctions have not worked it’s because they were not enforced in earnest in the first place. In our complacency we’ve become unwitting benefactors of tyranny not only in Burma, but around the world. Lusting for the cheapest price we forget the price that is paid in human suffering.
The world has done nothing to ease Burma’s pain. The cowardly United Nations has exercised selective justice and all but ignored Burma year after year. Feel good speeches, fruitless visits and spineless sanctions have bought the people of Burma nothing but more broken promises. Now the monks of Burma have made their position known as they take destiny into their own hands. Than Shwe must apologies to the Buddhist Monks for the cruel treatment and murder of holy people from a faith he proclaims to be. He has until October 2nd of 2009 at 12 noon Rangoon time. If he ignores this request he will be excommunicated from all of Buddhism. In turn the junta has increased surveillance and security around monasteries and Buddhist enclaves across the country. The fused has been lit as a nation under siege braces for the future. And the world is oblivious.
Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/
