No, this isn’t a protest from the greens of my liberal-as-hell alma mater. This is a shout from a conservative guy in the tradition of Rep. Christopher Smith, a strong crusader for human rights across the globe. It’s time to see Burma returned to the fold of democratic nations and out the grips of its current military dictatorship.
Over the next few weeks, you will hear a lot about the events in Burma. The media will call it Myanmar. That is the name that the brutal military junta has bestowed upon this ancient nation. The Bush administration has rebuked this renaming – refering to this proud nation by its traditional name – Burma.
Already, the junta has quashed protesters led by Buddhist monks who are calling for change. The protests where prompted by the government’s mandate that increased fuel prices by 300%. Regardless of the cause, the move stoked the flames of resentment against the Orwellian reign of the junta.
The reports from the government fail to capture the true extent of the military’s crack down on protesters.
The government claims 10 people have been killed since the violence began earlier this week, but diplomats say the toll is likely much higher. Dissident groups have put the number as high as 200.
The international community has risen up in outrage. Buddhist monks have been savaged. A curfew was implemented so that citizens of Burma would not be witness to the atrocities committed against the monks.
The Bush administration has instituted new sanctions against 14 leaders associated with the junta in Burma. It is my hope that other nations will follow suit. The people of Burma have lived for too long under the oppressive regime that inflicts the nation. The rightful government of the National League of Democracy Party should have control of the nation. Unfortunately, they were denied their victory in 1990 by the junta. It’s time for democracy to take place in Burma. It’s time for the military dictatorship to step aside and for their leaders to be tried in international courts for crimes against humanity.
Thank God that Bush and his administration have taken strong steps to support the people of Burma. I stand behind the protesters. I pray that their efforts will not be in vain. I pray that the deaths of the monks and citizens who are crying out for freedom will be avenged.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
