Yes, there’s only one place that fits all of these criteria: Burma! Technically all I really had to type was the one about house arrest, as Burma is currently the only country in the world to have taken the bold move of imprisoning a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Still, it does feel good to have all of accomplishments of the Burmese government listed in one paragraph.
The last time we heard about Burma in the news was when the junta put an end to what some refer to as the Saffron Revolution. Those of us who have been raised in the decadent West have no idea what it must be like to live in a country with so many Buddhist monks running around, peacefully agitating for human rights and democracy- what unspeakable horror! Fortunately the junta was able to take a few cues from its friends in Beijing, and quickly restored law and order and harsh merciless oppression to the land.
I know that I’m personally pretty glad that the United States, United Nations, European Union, ASEAN, and pretty much every other potential force for good in the world were happy to sit that one out. One factor partially explaining why the U.S. didn’t do anything may be the efforts of one Doug Goodyear, who was until quite recently the coordinator for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Turns out his lobbying firm had accepted a contract from the junta, to try and improve relations between DC and the Burmese government!
With this deal exposed and Myanmar likely not getting its moneys worth, I’ve taken it upon myself to provide a few potential slogans for use on posters, flyers, t-shirts, and blinking flashing moving pop-up ads:
- Aung San Suu Kyi rocks the house! (with a picture of the house she’s been confined to for 18 or so years)
- Myanmar: More than just dead monks! (probably don’t want a picture for this one)
- Military Junta? More like FUN-ta! (attempt the impossible task of procuring a picture of any Burmese citizen having fun)
sick, sad situation out there. ah repression & strong arm tactics... what else can be said about them that hasn't been said about Hillary Clinton? everyone would be better off if they went away
ReplyDeleteby the way, i just deleted my first post becasue i left out some words
ReplyDeleteLobbying for these governments has to be the strangest job there is. Do you go to capitol hill and say, "Well, I know we've been killing those monks but..."
ReplyDeleteI really wish I could sit in on one of those meetings to see if anybody keeps a straight face.