Human Shields - Where are they when you need them?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Oct 8 2007, 08:44 AM) [snapback]522676[/snapback]</div>

Your analogy, as usual, is off point. When an indigenous rebellion occured against Saddam after Gulf war 1, our country stood by and did nothing while he massacred those who rebelled.

The "human sheild" protesters were trying to stop our later disastrous invasion--an invasion that occurred long after any hint of indigenous rebellion had quelled, when the local populace had learned to not trust us. They were correct in their mistrust, as we had no plan for the aftermath, mostly clearly demonstrated when we allowed their Musuem to be looted.

The analogy is also wrong in that there is no danger of us invading Burma at the moment. The country is not known for its vast oil reserves.

Protests against the Burmese regime have been loud in countries other than the us.
Protesters march in global protest against Myanmar junta, which detained hundreds of monks

Oh, and there are plenty of "hollywood" types trying to rally support against the regime.

If you are genuinely interested in Burma, you can read plenty of reporting on it off the Burma Newsladder.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Oct 8 2007, 10:27 AM) [snapback]522719[/snapback]</div>

Where in my post did I say that? All I said is that your analogy is nonsense.

 

I suppose if a hammer is the only tool in your toolbox, then that is what you need to use. I would hope that even our country (U.S.) could get beyond that some day.

There are also other examples in addition to Ghandi. The East Germans took to the streets with candles and their non-violent revolution was successful, and the Soviets were involved.

PA P

 

There is something mightily repugnant about someone who provides the impression he would not stand up with his body for anything/anyone else, but has the energy to speak derisively against people who DO. The attack-dog mentality of someone who hides behind the skirts of safety and comfort, while attacking people who are willing to stand and be counted, is what leads people to condemn all in his class as an utterly worthless waste of matter, not to be taken seriously, nay, to become the attacked.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Oct 8 2007, 12:31 PM) [snapback]522748[/snapback]</div>

If you were referring to me in your discourse, you may want to re-read my post. I was speaking commendably of Ghandi and of the East Germans who stood up bodily for something they strongly believed in. They certainly weren't hiding behind the skirts of safety and comfort!

PA P

 

PA Prius, I'm positive MarinJohn was referring to another poster whom it would be unnecessary, for most of us, to name.

MB

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airportkid @ Oct 8 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]522892[/snapback]</div>

Doh.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA Prius @ Oct 8 2007, 10:08 AM) [snapback]522771[/snapback]</div>

MarinJohn was referring to dbermanmd, who has a long history on PriusChat of inventing fables which he presents as if they were arguments. In the above example, dbermanmd implies that the British were somehow humane in their occupation of India, when in fact they were monstrously brutal. Fact has no meaning for him. Many of us just pretty much ignore him, or skim his posts and go on with our lives. But he has managed to irritate some with his nonsense, and they continue to reply to him as though there were some point to it.

Some folks have nicknamed him "doberman," which he finds offensive, though he always plays offensive games with the names of public figures he dislikes. Other folks have questioned whether he is actually who he claims to be, and suggest that the person posting under the name dbermanmd is not actually the medical doctor of that name. Personally, I feel I lack sufficient information to reach a conclusion on that point.

Regardless, MarinJohn was most definitely not refering to you, PA Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ Oct 8 2007, 09:25 AM) [snapback]522717[/snapback]</div>

Actually, Burma has quite a lot of natural resources, including oil and natural gas. The Chinese are building a pipeline so that they can import Burmese oil free of interference. They've also secured rights to Burmese natural gas production. Burma is a lot like Iran. It has loads of resources and wants nuclear weapons. It's a pretty miserable place by all accounts.

 

What the thread may be asking is:

Why are people willing to go and be human shields to stop the U.S. from doing something but why are those people not willing to try and stop OTHER governments from doing something?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Oct 9 2007, 01:55 PM) [snapback]523187[/snapback]</div>

who was it said, "give peace a chance"...guess he was a neo communist also. oh but then our so called enemies wouldnt fear us as you mention in another post...stop preaching hate and fear and get on board with love and peace. what kind of car do you drive, thought i'd ask since this is a car chat site, and why do you post all this negative crap?

 

The Burmese protesters are in fact acting as human sheilds. Responding non-violently to violent suppression. Protesting the actions of their own government.

Traveling to Burma only provides the regime with more money, which is part of the reason Aung San Suu Kyi has pleaded that Westerners boycott Burma as a travel spot.

The "Hollywood" set that y'all are decrying have been ahead of the curve on Burma. See
Stars urge U.N.'s Ban to help Myanmar's Suu Kyi or Jim Carrey call to action on Burma
or I'm not going to Burma Boycott

And as Tripp points out correctly above, change in Burma is going to come through pressure on China.
China Voices Opposition to UN Sanctions Against Burma

 

The Wikipedia article on human shields is interesting.
There are different uses of the term.One where governments use hostages to shield their forces .The other where peace activists protect others from aggression.
Its odd that Dr Berman would bring up the topic as it shows Israel in a very bad light .Regarding both using hostages as shields and killing western peace activists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_shields
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International...darity_Movement

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Oct 9 2007, 02:19 PM) [snapback]523230[/snapback]</div>

Dr. B, you are the sole voice anywhere calling for western peace activisits in Burma. The Burmese monks who are protesting are not calling for this. Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is not calling for this. Western travel to Burma puts western dollars in the hands of the military. And what westerner will have better peace credentials than a Buddhist monk? Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese rights organizations are calling for us to mount protests, to write letters, to pressure our governments to pressure Burma. They also encourage people to help at Burmese refugee camps in neighboring countries.

But as for human sheilds in Burma ... you've created a straw man, and you're beating it, and it's boring and nonsensical. One may as well call for Tickle-Me-Elmos in Burma. Why are there no Tickle-Me-Elmos in Burma!