Watching Myanmar (Burma)

Filed in archive Modern World on October 4, 2007

I'm sure there are plenty of wannabe do-gooders who want to draw attention to what is happening in Myanmar (AKA Burma). The thing is, what is happening in Myanmar has been happening for quite a long time. Press has been censored, dissent has been gagged, and minority groups have been persecuted.

There are plenty of petitions circulating around the internet. I have put my name on a few, but expect no great things from them. The UN continues to prove its impotence by allowing its emissary to be led around in circles by the authorities. I half expect Ban Ki Moon to suggest that the members of the junta get counseling for their control issues. It's all a folly.

I am not familiar with the players in Myanmar's current government, but it seems that the only real chance for change will come if one member of the current ruling party wrests power from the others and initiates change.

In the mean time, I urge everyone to keep up with the situation in Myanmar. Burmese exiles run the best news portal at Irrawady.com. there are also several blogs (here, here, and here) by democracy activists. These are the information outlets I am familiar with. I'm sure that there are others. Let us know where else to look by posting a comment below. Thanks.