Protesting Monks!

[Opsa]

Just caught this article here: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/myanmar.monks.ap/

Seems these Buddhist monks decided to use their respectful position as a sheild in order to protest the dictatorship in Myanmar. They sound pretty taddy to me.

[anthrobabe]

peaceful so far--- things really flared up in August from what I understand.

I hope they do some good- have some luck.
Evidently the junta government are bastards on crack who enjoy pain and suffering.

[Swatopluk]

Fortunately (?) that does not work against monks.
Somewhere in Asia monks ordinate trees to keep them from being logged (because killing a monk is very bad karma)

[Opsa]

Hmm... how can we make this work for us? 

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

In the west somebody's holy man is somebody else's incubus.

It really puts the term 'pluralism' into perpective, isn't it?

[Opsa]

True, but we do frown on nun-torture, even if we don't belong to whatever religion the nuns come from. Is it an intolerance for female abuse?

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I assure you that only a small minority enjoys watching* such thing here and there.

* and I'm sure some people frowns at showing it but don't object at someone else doing it.

[Opsa]

I don't know, I think the monks are pretty sharp. They know that people will rally for those they perceive as being somewhat helpless. It speaks to our nature to protect innocent things like babies and puppies.

[Darlica]

The peaceful demonstrations didn't last long.
Now the Junta is using tear gas, beating and shooting the monks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7013638.stm

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

That is an occupational hazard for a protestor  I'm affraid the price of change will include blood.   

[Opsa]

  I had a feeling it would come to this when I looked at the news last night. I also feel that this will not stop the protesting monks. Like soldiers, they expect to sacrifice for their beliefs. Unlike soldiers, they are not shooting back.

[anthrobabe]

I saw a photo earlier of a monk in tears--- just broke my heart

Freedom is not free- it costs blood  and tears and much more.


lets all be monks today--

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I also feel that this will not stop the protesting monks. Like soldiers, they expect to sacrifice for their beliefs.

I'm not so sure, if the soldiers refuse an order I wouldn't be surprised if the court martial includes execution.

Unlike soldiers, they are not shooting back.

Nor they should if they could. The power of peaceful resistance is the moral weight of beating, shooting or killing peaceful proterstors. How many Indians were shot by the British Empire before the moral guilt from the British society came? It is harsh but far less destructive than the alternative.

[Opsa]

Let's wear saffron and red tomorrow, in solidarity with the Burmese monks. Pass it on.

[anthrobabe]

Good idea!