The problem is not that there is or is not Buddhism. Or what the king did or did not do.
But that the average Burmese, now Bhddhists, are so proud that the imaginary legendary four “Lu Swan Gaung” (heroes) were so good at killing/ torturing the Mons and Khmers whose capital they destroyed and properties looted, just as much as in Siam /Araken/ Manipur later.
So one must ask now, are the Burmese public proud that their army is killing/ torturing/ displacing the Kachins to loot again at this critical juncture?
Or simply copying their trusted leaders where one is cowardly disclaiming any responsibility as a head of “government” and one has no view at all which amounts to collusion or silent encouragement.
@3 Hope doesn’t do much really. Choice is action or continuing happy blind faith, blissful ignorance.
If the poet U Min Aung were serious, he could at least start petitioning/ asking/ demanding for pulling back his old family – the army from the brink of a massive civilian mascare in store at Liaza right now.
It is unliklely that, if the Burmes army pull back to the lowands, the Kachins would follow to attack.
It irony of lord Buddha teaching and the application by the so-called followers.
Buddhism was unifying nidus for the establishing of a very 1st Burmese Dynasty in 1044 under Anawretha.
The acquisition of present Theravada rights from Thaton, was by an outright invasion that has made then prosperous Thaton Kingdom into an instant backwater town
The subsequent historical tragedies of the royalty of Thaton Kingdom can still be seem in the Mon state around Maulamyain.
Buddhism similar to Christianity is clearly intended for the betterment of each and every devout “Individual”.
History of civil war within Myanmar has clearly establish one common fact.
Involvement of self serving +/- ignorant outsiders always prolong the inevitable.
Being moved to tears often makes me feel uncomfortable, though not in the case of Min Aung’s piece, which filled me with hope– even in the face of cynicism from other Burmese.
@RN England
“‘Regina’ is Latin for ‘queen’, any queen, just as ‘rex’ is Latin for any King.”
Thanks for your clarification. Unbelievable. I always understood that Regina is somewhat the first name of Queen Elizabeth for ages (lucky I never told anyone about my misunderstanding or I would likely to have made a fool out of myself).
Hardly ever they know who they are trying to kill, much less why. They just got given some particularly compelling version: union disintegration whatever it means- not that all soldiers had studied the benefit of such union and were determined to keep it at loss of blood, or the enemy being communists, whatever “communists” is, bandits and rapists.
In Burma, war is waged for racial superiority complex, centralization of power and money- timber, jade, gems, DRUG, mines, black market tax, now gas pipes and dams.
By the government against its own citizens. Always own citizens. Biggest enemy of the Burmese army is the Burmese public and biggest enemy of the Burmese public is the Burmese army.
The escalation of the war today though is, at least partially, because of the total lack of show of due outrage by the majority Burmese public (discount the international crowd of drooling silent spectators) who simply are dancing to the choreograph of their trusted leaders who seem, at least publicly, to be not overly excited about (give blankets to the displaced) the largest war in Burmese history by the country against its own citizens in absolutely brutal and ruthless fashion.
Yes. it may yet be that weird Nobel Peace Prize but definately not noble.
CT (104). ‘Regina’ is Latin for ‘queen’, any queen, just as ‘rex’ is Latin for any King. I changed ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ into a Latin feminine form, which is only a lame joke and not really legitimate because ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ is the name of a species. A species, of course, includes both males and females.
Sure, there are plenty who have been awarded the Peace Prize who come in for critical attention. This list is a place to start. Henry Kissinger always get a mention, but so do a range of other names. My reading of the official Nobel Prize list is that, especially over recent decades, “redemption” is often a key element of the Laureate’s story.
@laoguy
“Sirikit has been equated with the dinosaur so often now it is in danger of passing into common usage.”
I disagree. She does not get called a ‘dinosaur’ that often. She is commonly referred to in Thailand as ‘E-Ouan’ (р╕нр╕╡р╕нр╣Йр╕зр╕Щ Fat B*tch), or ‘the Blue Whale’. Her chubbiness earns her the nickname ‘Whale’. I believe ‘Blue’ is the colour of the Royal. Every Thai in Thailand knows who you mean when you say the ‘Blue Whale’. I don’t think all the Thais would think about the Q if you refer to her as a dinosaur during the conversation.
@RN England
“Tyrannosaura Regina?”
Correct me if I am wrong, but ‘Regina’ is the first name of your Queen. So to say Tyrannosaura Regina means you think your Queen is a dinosaur. The name ‘Regina’ is exclusive to Elizabeth only. it does not extend to other Queens.
To answer your question, certainly not. Thein sein has committed murderous attacks against the people in the past. He now claims to be a person of change whilst his army still wages war against the Karen. He cries poverty for Burma whilst he and his cohorts are making so much money with corrupt practices. His new policies, which the capitalists like, is for vast investments into the country. Already Thailand and others are investing in Burma to make vast amounts of profits whilst the population is dispossessed of land. The Nobel peace prize has already been downgraded by the award been given to the war mongers of the USA, namely Obama. Any further degridation of the award would render it meaningless with the people of the world.
I should’ve asked someone there but I was in Nay Pyi Daw for another purpose. I’ll mail Nay Pyi Daw now and should they respond, I’ll post the results here.
This is a little late, but useful as Malaysia edges closer to the general elections.
Despite spending million of dollar trying to spruce up his administration’s image, and stating that he will have zero tolerance for corruption, Mr. Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia, could not sway the opinions of Malaysians and people who live, work and trade in and/or with Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score has worsened for the third year running, slipping to 4.3 this year from 4.4 in 2010, according to a Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) report.
I wonder what is required of Mr. Najib Razak to turn this perception around?
Now this can and will be spread around the whole country.
Those days, National Geographic wrote that in a short ten years the places where there was a worry about wild elephant attacks had changed to worry about being run over by the bulldozers.
Funny how the word peace is always associated with bulldozers. Who would have thought that, yet always true. GDP will go up alright along with an ancient civilization. Peace…..
In this world of infantilism, it is understandable Nobel Prize should be given equally to all just like every single girl in a kindergarten is special princess.
But fear not. There may yet be people in Burma who still hold onto principles. And may not catch that widespread highly infectious 180 bug.
CT #101 Thanks for that. I just thought it was interesting that so much energy was put into harassing people named in the mind map and then eventually conceeding that it was just all made up BS but never actually putting any effort into tracking down who referred to Sirikit as a dinosaur. It just seems LM is ok if its convenient for one side of politics. Sirikit has been equated with the dinosaur so often now it is in danger of passing into common usage.
@Sarawakians – You are entirely correct to point out the Sabah and Sarawak dimension. I’m normally much more circumspect about generalising Malayan issues into Malaysian ones. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across any resources that detail SB operations in East Malaysia. If you have any suggestions, please make them.
@Aung Moe – Thank you. That’s very interesting to know. There are Special Branches from all around the former British Empire. It would be interesting to see more comparisons from other countries.
On a slightly related anecdotal note. My (now ex) Thai GF of supposedly fairly good academic pedigree (Triam Udom Suska -> Chula Undergrad) once told me that the going rate for a ‘sure thing’ PhD magic carpet ride with a well-connected supervisor at AIT was THB1M/year.
She ought to have known, since her family was buying her one at the time. My only real doubt is the figure mentioned. Being Thai, she may have inflated it to gain more face 😀
Curious to know if anyone else has ever heard similar stories.
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Ending civil war in Burma
You are so right Plan B.
The problem is not that there is or is not Buddhism. Or what the king did or did not do.
But that the average Burmese, now Bhddhists, are so proud that the imaginary legendary four “Lu Swan Gaung” (heroes) were so good at killing/ torturing the Mons and Khmers whose capital they destroyed and properties looted, just as much as in Siam /Araken/ Manipur later.
So one must ask now, are the Burmese public proud that their army is killing/ torturing/ displacing the Kachins to loot again at this critical juncture?
Or simply copying their trusted leaders where one is cowardly disclaiming any responsibility as a head of “government” and one has no view at all which amounts to collusion or silent encouragement.
@3 Hope doesn’t do much really. Choice is action or continuing happy blind faith, blissful ignorance.
If the poet U Min Aung were serious, he could at least start petitioning/ asking/ demanding for pulling back his old family – the army from the brink of a massive civilian mascare in store at Liaza right now.
It is unliklely that, if the Burmes army pull back to the lowands, the Kachins would follow to attack.
Ending civil war in Burma
It irony of lord Buddha teaching and the application by the so-called followers.
Buddhism was unifying nidus for the establishing of a very 1st Burmese Dynasty in 1044 under Anawretha.
The acquisition of present Theravada rights from Thaton, was by an outright invasion that has made then prosperous Thaton Kingdom into an instant backwater town
The subsequent historical tragedies of the royalty of Thaton Kingdom can still be seem in the Mon state around Maulamyain.
Buddhism similar to Christianity is clearly intended for the betterment of each and every devout “Individual”.
History of civil war within Myanmar has clearly establish one common fact.
Involvement of self serving +/- ignorant outsiders always prolong the inevitable.
Ending civil war in Burma
Being moved to tears often makes me feel uncomfortable, though not in the case of Min Aung’s piece, which filled me with hope– even in the face of cynicism from other Burmese.
Ar Kong dead
@RN England
“‘Regina’ is Latin for ‘queen’, any queen, just as ‘rex’ is Latin for any King.”
Thanks for your clarification. Unbelievable. I always understood that Regina is somewhat the first name of Queen Elizabeth for ages (lucky I never told anyone about my misunderstanding or I would likely to have made a fool out of myself).
Ending civil war in Burma
Rank and file soldiers.
They are simply tools.
Hardly ever they know who they are trying to kill, much less why. They just got given some particularly compelling version: union disintegration whatever it means- not that all soldiers had studied the benefit of such union and were determined to keep it at loss of blood, or the enemy being communists, whatever “communists” is, bandits and rapists.
In Burma, war is waged for racial superiority complex, centralization of power and money- timber, jade, gems, DRUG, mines, black market tax, now gas pipes and dams.
By the government against its own citizens. Always own citizens. Biggest enemy of the Burmese army is the Burmese public and biggest enemy of the Burmese public is the Burmese army.
The escalation of the war today though is, at least partially, because of the total lack of show of due outrage by the majority Burmese public (discount the international crowd of drooling silent spectators) who simply are dancing to the choreograph of their trusted leaders who seem, at least publicly, to be not overly excited about (give blankets to the displaced) the largest war in Burmese history by the country against its own citizens in absolutely brutal and ruthless fashion.
Yes. it may yet be that weird Nobel Peace Prize but definately not noble.
Ar Kong dead
CT (104). ‘Regina’ is Latin for ‘queen’, any queen, just as ‘rex’ is Latin for any King. I changed ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ into a Latin feminine form, which is only a lame joke and not really legitimate because ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ is the name of a species. A species, of course, includes both males and females.
A Nobel Peace Prize for Thein Sein?
Thanks for these comments:
Sure, there are plenty who have been awarded the Peace Prize who come in for critical attention. This list is a place to start. Henry Kissinger always get a mention, but so do a range of other names. My reading of the official Nobel Prize list is that, especially over recent decades, “redemption” is often a key element of the Laureate’s story.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
A Nobel Peace Prize for Thein Sein?
Thank you #3 and #4.
Sometimes it is lonely among the sycophants.
Ending civil war in Burma
Excellent. I hope this sentiment spreads everywhere, though I wonder how it will be received in the Rakhine State.
A Nobel Peace Prize for Thein Sein?
Barack Obama … the predator drone, the Assassin in Chief, the world-wide aggressor … is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
If I were Thein Sein and the offer were made to join that company I would certainly decline.
The Nobel Peace Prize is a contrived bit of political Black Humor.
Obama’s victims – many of them children – in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Syria and Iran are certainly not laughing.
I guess you have to be Norwegian to get the joke.
Ar Kong dead
@laoguy
“Sirikit has been equated with the dinosaur so often now it is in danger of passing into common usage.”
I disagree. She does not get called a ‘dinosaur’ that often. She is commonly referred to in Thailand as ‘E-Ouan’ (р╕нр╕╡р╕нр╣Йр╕зр╕Щ Fat B*tch), or ‘the Blue Whale’. Her chubbiness earns her the nickname ‘Whale’. I believe ‘Blue’ is the colour of the Royal. Every Thai in Thailand knows who you mean when you say the ‘Blue Whale’. I don’t think all the Thais would think about the Q if you refer to her as a dinosaur during the conversation.
@RN England
“Tyrannosaura Regina?”
Correct me if I am wrong, but ‘Regina’ is the first name of your Queen. So to say Tyrannosaura Regina means you think your Queen is a dinosaur. The name ‘Regina’ is exclusive to Elizabeth only. it does not extend to other Queens.
A Nobel Peace Prize for Thein Sein?
To answer your question, certainly not. Thein sein has committed murderous attacks against the people in the past. He now claims to be a person of change whilst his army still wages war against the Karen. He cries poverty for Burma whilst he and his cohorts are making so much money with corrupt practices. His new policies, which the capitalists like, is for vast investments into the country. Already Thailand and others are investing in Burma to make vast amounts of profits whilst the population is dispossessed of land. The Nobel peace prize has already been downgraded by the award been given to the war mongers of the USA, namely Obama. Any further degridation of the award would render it meaningless with the people of the world.
A statue in Naypyidaw: Exploring motifs and meanings
I should’ve asked someone there but I was in Nay Pyi Daw for another purpose. I’ll mail Nay Pyi Daw now and should they respond, I’ll post the results here.
Ar Kong dead
Tyrannosaura Regina?
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
This is a little late, but useful as Malaysia edges closer to the general elections.
Despite spending million of dollar trying to spruce up his administration’s image, and stating that he will have zero tolerance for corruption, Mr. Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia, could not sway the opinions of Malaysians and people who live, work and trade in and/or with Malaysia.
I wonder what is required of Mr. Najib Razak to turn this perception around?
Malaysia after regime change – Hal Hill
At the risk of sounding supercilious, #1 is absolutely correct.
A Nobel Peace Prize for Thein Sein?
Last time Khin Nyunt makes peace , this thing happens.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/3568
Now this can and will be spread around the whole country.
Those days, National Geographic wrote that in a short ten years the places where there was a worry about wild elephant attacks had changed to worry about being run over by the bulldozers.
Funny how the word peace is always associated with bulldozers. Who would have thought that, yet always true. GDP will go up alright along with an ancient civilization. Peace…..
In this world of infantilism, it is understandable Nobel Prize should be given equally to all just like every single girl in a kindergarten is special princess.
But fear not. There may yet be people in Burma who still hold onto principles. And may not catch that widespread highly infectious 180 bug.
Ar Kong dead
CT #101 Thanks for that. I just thought it was interesting that so much energy was put into harassing people named in the mind map and then eventually conceeding that it was just all made up BS but never actually putting any effort into tracking down who referred to Sirikit as a dinosaur. It just seems LM is ok if its convenient for one side of politics. Sirikit has been equated with the dinosaur so often now it is in danger of passing into common usage.
Political policing: from Britain to Malaysia – Part 1
@Sarawakians – You are entirely correct to point out the Sabah and Sarawak dimension. I’m normally much more circumspect about generalising Malayan issues into Malaysian ones. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across any resources that detail SB operations in East Malaysia. If you have any suggestions, please make them.
@Aung Moe – Thank you. That’s very interesting to know. There are Special Branches from all around the former British Empire. It would be interesting to see more comparisons from other countries.
University rankings from Chula’s perspective
On a slightly related anecdotal note. My (now ex) Thai GF of supposedly fairly good academic pedigree (Triam Udom Suska -> Chula Undergrad) once told me that the going rate for a ‘sure thing’ PhD magic carpet ride with a well-connected supervisor at AIT was THB1M/year.
She ought to have known, since her family was buying her one at the time. My only real doubt is the figure mentioned. Being Thai, she may have inflated it to gain more face 😀
Curious to know if anyone else has ever heard similar stories.