Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Sioux Nation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SiouxPal who wrote (130737)	3/23/2008 10:49:59 PM
From: ThirdEye	Respond to of 362365

Genocide Games II: On August 8 of this year, instead of being transfixed by China’s grand Olympic coming out party, the people of Burma will be painfully marking the 20th anniversary of their own version of Tienanmen Square. On August 8, 1988, students in Rangoon took to the streets in massive protest against the military government of General Ne Win, escalating a series of demonstrations that had started in March of that year. They were met by soldiers and police firing indiscriminately. On that day alone, the death toll was in excess of 1000. It was at a rally following this massacre that Aung San Suu Kyi made her first political speech and assumed the role of leader of the opposition. Subsequent protests against the coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) were met by the same violence. The death toll rose by an additional 3000. Parliamentary elections called by the junta took place two years later, with Aung San Suu Kyi’s party winning over 70% of the seats—while she was under house arrest. The generals refused to honor the outcome and imprisoned many activists. The current prime minister of Burma, General Than Shwe, assumed power in 1992 and announced plans at that time to draft a new national constitution. Conditions for the average person in Burma and the degree of repression after 15 more years of iron-handed military rule since 1992 were highlighted last summer during what became known as the Saffron Revolution. Mass protests were again violently crushed. Since then, imprisonment, torture, kidnapping and assassination are only the most obvious measures taken by the government to silence opposition. Throughout the last twenty years, China has played a very significant role in supporting and facilitating the government of Burma in maintaining control. It is the primary arms supplier of the Burmese military. It has assisted in developing energy resources and, along with Thailand, is a primary energy customer supplying foreign currency to an otherwise cash-strapped regime. China is also a major trading partner for other goods and also provides technical and logistical expertise for infrastructure projects and mining. China has also exploited vast timber supplies and in the process completely disregarded environmental consequences. Now we are approaching the Opening date for the Beijing Olympics. Why is 080808 an auspicious date for China? For Chinese the number 8 is considered lucky just like the number 7 is considered lucky in the West. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Olympic Games in Beijing will start on 080808. The number 8 is considered lucky because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. Also, the pronunciation of the word “eight” in Mandarin sounds like the word for “prosperity.” So the number 8 represents prosperity, balance, stability and good luck. But as long as there are oppressed people, as long as human rights are denied to some, the world will remain out of balance. And while China uses the symbol of prosperity and stability to promote itself at the Olympic Games, proudly showing off its economic development, China’s prosperity comes at the expense of the entire nation of Burma. There is no long-term stability in that. China is the one supporting severe poverty and instability in the nation of Burma by sustaining the generals with guns and money. These issues promise to come to a head again. The government has finally produced that national constitution promised 15 years ago and scheduled a national referendum two months from now as well as national elections in 2010. However, they have barred Aung San Suu Kyi from running for elected office; they not even fully disclosed the contents of the new constitution; and sentiment is building for a complete boycott of the referendum. Join with the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (www.badasf.org), Burmese exiles everywhere and the people of Burma in reminding the world that August 8 is a date marking the destruction of human rights in Burma and shall not be celebrated with joy and fireworks.