The Lady by the Lake

Brilliantly written ! However, isn't it interesting that so much focus, notwithstanding financial resources and many more valuable assets are being mobilized and consumed to cover ASSK's story ? I am a strong believer in Human Rights, but also a great believer of priorities and results. What is the end result hoped for by her release ? Canonization ? A good general will readily sacrifice some of their gallant troops for a favorable end result. There are many more issues at hand that require our immediate attention. Such issues are likely to bear tangible fruit, immediately affecting peoples of the world. Our neglect of such issues will also have immediately tangible but detrimental results. I have nothing but respect for ASSK's stand. I will always believe in her. But right now, we've got more important things to do.

As a westerner who is currently living in Rangoon, I find this article full of misperceptions common to people who haven't spent much time in the country. It is typical of an international journalist who spends only a day or two here, gets a token meeting with an opposition activitist who supposely represents the population as a whole (probably in a meeting set up in advance by exile groups in Thailand), and drives around the city once or twice making superficial observations before leaving out on the evening Thai Air Flight. Those of us who live here know that the truth is much more nuanced. I am certainly no fan of the regime, but Burma is far from being North Korea as well. The elehant in the room that everyone should be talking about is why does the US have sanctions against Burma for non-democratic junta when we don't have sanctions against China, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt for the same reasons (and who are much more oppressive in some regards)? The reason is that we have no overriding national interest here, so it is very easy for US domestic politiicians to bang the drum of democracy and proclaim themselves champions of human rights. Burma is one of the most pro-US countries I have ever visited, even among some circles in the government. Many of the current crop of generals even attended training in the US before 1988. As much as I admire the personal charisma and sacrifice of Aung San Suu Kyi, it is time to take a hard look at engagement, as sanctions will remain ineffective and just push the junta further in the wrong direction. There is no easy solution to Burma, but at least we should look at all facets of the issue.

Man's inhumanity to man... Sigh.