The Generals are possessed. Possessed by something evil. China and Russia feed the monster. The United Nations cowers, and its cowardice and corruption encourages the Beast.

My prayers (and anger as well) are with the Monks and People of Burma.


A friend,

David Batteau, Woodland Hills, California

The West have little leverage in Asia, especially with the situation in Burma. The neighboring countries are Burma's best help. Russia and China should stop blocking the UN's attempt to help. Such countries will not budge on their stance until they themselves start feeling it in their own backyard. Boycott next year Olympics!!!

Bruce , Duarte, USA

To Kevin Doyle:
By "the West" you have in mind primarily the US, since you are living there. You say that the west (i.e. the US, etc.) is doing nothing. What you fail to realize is that YOU are the west. Until you are able to acknowledge that the US is YOU, and not "THEM" (whoever they may be, in office, or elsewhere), then of course the west (i.e. YOU) will do nothing.

Mark Nameless, Chicago, Illinois

Thet-shay nyunt, you are basing your view of an entire people on one action 70 years ago. It's hardly representative of them today and your view is based on little more than prejudice.

Katherine, Shropshire, UK

Such indifference from the Western world and almost stony silence from the Buddhist countries, especially from those following the Theravada path ( same as Burma). Tom Boyle's refernce to Zimbabwe is apt. Africa to its Zimbabwe and let's hope that Myanmar does not become Asia's basket case!!

wyvill scharenguivel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Spread this information to all news agencies.
No journalist would have had big stories and pics without the risk of life of those internet freaks/ bloggers-helpers. No magazine would have had selling headlines and pics. Those bloggers are the real reporters without borders. They need your active help now. Forget words - ACTION!

Susan Miller, Perth, Australia

Welcome to the real world, the same is happening in Zimbawe but where are the western nations? As Kevin Doyle stated "No Oil no help!!!"
Burma is the big news now, but as happened with Zimbabwe it will all take a back seat when the next "big" story comes along.

Tom Boyle, Newton Abbot,

We picked your great article up and added it into our news blog: http://www.whydemocracy.net/house/news/node/94

Thanks a lot for acknowledging the brave resistance and documentation bloggers in or from Burma provide under these extraordinary restrictive and dangerous circumstances!

Amy, Cape Town, South Africa

What is driving me INSANE is that we actually have a group of people that WANT democracy and the West is doing NOTHING. I guess that Burma doesn't have the natural resources we want, eh? No oil? No help.

Our nations' (US and UK) hypocrisy is disgusting. I feel like taking a shower just thinking about this whole mess and how little we're doing.

Kevin Doyle, Fairfax, Virginia USA

Silliness, and trite sentiment. The Burmese underground during WWII, incidentally, along with Aung San led the Japanese Army into to surprise the British. They happily sabotaged British efforts and helped drive them out. The Japanese then pushed aside Aung San, much like China's poor Pui Yi. When the Japanese were on the run, the Burmese turned on them, in a terrible slaughter. The rest of what you know about the Burmese is fiction.

thet-shay nyunt, petersburg, USA ,VA

Pay attention George, Gordon: This is how you do it.
During my last visit to the US (for this lifetime) to witness the 2004 Presidential election, I said this retired University professor: "Which do you think will become a police state first: US or UK?"
"Keep your voice down, Man."

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

The Burmese might hopefully resort to faxing instead to keep the news flowing. Old school, less sexy in this digital age, but still effective under the circumstances.

Boh ZH, Singapore, Singapore

Strong feelings of both anger and sadness for the Burmese. However I do not agree with Oliver, China aren't "backing" the Burmese dictatorship, they just don't want international interference. I don't think this is China being 'cruel' or 'evil', like people want to believe.

If the US, say, invaded Burma in some war for freedom for the Burmese people - who are they fighting against? Burmese people. Think of all the armed officers beating and shooting Burmese people, they are Burmese as well. Unfortunately there is too great a proportion of Burma destroying itself and although it is a tragic situation there certainly isn't a clear cut solution. That being said I do not understand why China has not applied any sort of governmental pressure - not that I'm promoting an Olympics boycott (no bluffing).

Jack, Huddersfield, England

Amazing. People taking to the streets screaming for freedom! Power to them!

Farrukh, Woking, UK

Burma today is the US tomorrow. Best learn what true courage and strength looks like. God bless the Burmese fighting their hateful leaders!

SM Montaigne

Shawn Michel De Montaigne, Imperial Beach, USA/California

This is very noble, but it won't make much difference so long as the regime has backing from China. The only way the West can help is to threaten (no bluffing) to boycott Beijing 2008 unless the Chinese dispose of the junta.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

Gods Speed

K-Liger, Seattle, USA WA