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10,000 miles away
Author: TriSec
Date: 01/14/2012 12:56:07
Good Morning!
Fairly early on a Saturday, but there's no blood involved today. I'll soon be off to Horn Pond to lead a birdwatching hike for a certain Mr. Bean.
But before I do, I want to take us far on the other side of the world. Over the last few weeks, as we've been focused on the beginnings of our election cycle, something remarkable has happened in one of the most isolated and closed societies on Earth.
Alas, it isn't North Korea, but rather the nearby state of Myanmar (Burma). For 50 years now, Burma has been under the control of a Soviet-style military junta, with all the hardships and abuses that such a thing entails. The state was so secretive that a few years ago, they moved the Capitol from the traditional city of Rangoon to a manufactured city called 'Naypyidaw', purpose-built deep in the Burmese jungle far from prying eyes.
For reasons unknown, the government decided to hold an election in 2010; like most dictatorial elections, it was rife with fraud and not considered valid. The military government claimed victory with over 80% of the votes cast. But almost unimaginably, something remarkable happened.
Since the election, the new government has gone on a series of democratic reforms; reforms that did not go unnoticed. It was barely on the radar here, but in December of last year, Secretary of State Clinton visited the closed society in a move that granted the reform movement legitimacy.
Since then, the opposition party has been operating in the open; the media and newspapers are actually starting to do what they're supposed to do, and sanctions have been lifted. This past week was major, to those that follow the news...the government announced a cease-fire in a civil war that predates the military dictatorship, and perhaps most significant of all, released dozens of political prisoners.
It's all made for some fascinating listening (via the BBC, of course.) While I doubt that the US had much to do with any of the reforms, if we did anything at all to help, it could be a significant foreign-policy victory for the President in an election year.
If only the world knew about it.
Fairly early on a Saturday, but there's no blood involved today. I'll soon be off to Horn Pond to lead a birdwatching hike for a certain Mr. Bean.
But before I do, I want to take us far on the other side of the world. Over the last few weeks, as we've been focused on the beginnings of our election cycle, something remarkable has happened in one of the most isolated and closed societies on Earth.
Alas, it isn't North Korea, but rather the nearby state of Myanmar (Burma). For 50 years now, Burma has been under the control of a Soviet-style military junta, with all the hardships and abuses that such a thing entails. The state was so secretive that a few years ago, they moved the Capitol from the traditional city of Rangoon to a manufactured city called 'Naypyidaw', purpose-built deep in the Burmese jungle far from prying eyes.
For reasons unknown, the government decided to hold an election in 2010; like most dictatorial elections, it was rife with fraud and not considered valid. The military government claimed victory with over 80% of the votes cast. But almost unimaginably, something remarkable happened.
Since the election, the new government has gone on a series of democratic reforms; reforms that did not go unnoticed. It was barely on the radar here, but in December of last year, Secretary of State Clinton visited the closed society in a move that granted the reform movement legitimacy.
Since then, the opposition party has been operating in the open; the media and newspapers are actually starting to do what they're supposed to do, and sanctions have been lifted. This past week was major, to those that follow the news...the government announced a cease-fire in a civil war that predates the military dictatorship, and perhaps most significant of all, released dozens of political prisoners.
It's all made for some fascinating listening (via the BBC, of course.) While I doubt that the US had much to do with any of the reforms, if we did anything at all to help, it could be a significant foreign-policy victory for the President in an election year.
If only the world knew about it.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
BobR on 01/14/2012 13:07:02
BobR on 01/14/2012 13:07:02
As Dr. King once said: The arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice. I suspect at some point years in the future we will read about the few brave souls who became enlightened and began dismantling the shackles on the people of Burma.
Comment by 
Raine on 01/14/2012 13:41:55
Raine on 01/14/2012 13:41:55
Yesterday, it was reported that as a result, the USA is restoring Full diplomatic ties with Myanmar.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 01/14/2012 15:09:19
Mondobubba on 01/14/2012 15:09:19
I hate to say this again, but there have been American media outlets covering this, among them NPR. No need to go outside the US to get news about this.
Comment by Raine on 01/14/2012 16:36:30
Raine on 01/14/2012 16:36:30
I'd like to stand right in the middle of this one. (regarding the media aspect, Tri and Mondo)
As posted below, the NYT -- NPR and other outlets have spoken about this -- where the focus is NOT is in Television -- not just cable- media.
I don't mind international news sources -- they tend to give a different slant to a story such as this. That said -- I knew about this story -- and I got it by reading a newspaper.
There is something to be said about going outside the US media to get a story -- there is nothing wrong with that, considering so many papers have closed their international bureaus and are relying on outlets such as the AP. <--- that right there is a legitimate problem. I don't have many problems with the AP, mind you. They are filling a void left by newspapers all across the nation. That said: The concentration of who reports the news is not good.
Thus my statement about not minding the use of international news sources -- not just on this blog, but elsewhere. I believe that no news source is infallible. Not even NPR, to be quite honest.
The problem, in my view, is the lack of global coverage on television. And, the truth is this -- many Americans use TV as their goto source for news. THIS is where we have a big problem.
For example, it was reported that Secretary of State Clinton went to Burma 6 weeks ago-- This very weekend many elected representatives are headed over there -- among them John McCain. While I am sure outlets like the BBC have reported it, I know that the NYT and WaPo did as well. We have the Washington Post delivered to our door every day. We did the same when we were in Atlanta. I wish more people had a subscription to their local paper --
The BBC is not -- by any small means the only outlet reporting on this. The problem is -- for me -- people aren't seeking this news. I believe (as I said a few weeks ago) that many are oversaturated with information and lose the ability to see that news like this is actually reported in this country. They don;t have to seek the news when it is hand fed to us -- all of us, including myself, via social media and the internet.
The web is a powerful tool. There was a point when the only place we could listen to -- or see -- the BBC was on the radio or on Public television. Same goes for the likes of Al Jazeera & Haaretz.
I know for myself, 10 years ago -- I had access to these publications when I was in Penn Station at the news stand. Most people in this nation don't have that access. I could buy them.
Like I said -- the internet is a powerful thing. It should open us up. Not all America Media is evil. Not all American media is pure. With the access to information from around the world we should take responsibility.
I have often stated that I search for more than one or two sources when looking for the bottom line of a story. I may not always go to the BBC or NPR -- I guess it could be said that I play a game of averages. And I go to certain people who blog -- not because they are breaking a story, but because they have a good reputation and allow me to see why and where they make certain claims. That is trust -- and that trust is based upon creating a good reputation.
The same idea applies to media, be it printed or televised. I need a reputation and a culture of trying to report the right thing. I don't care if it is international reporting, but I know that it doesn't always have to be so.
Congratulations for Myanmar. I wish them the very best, and I hope it continues.
I hope this rant made sense.
As posted below, the NYT -- NPR and other outlets have spoken about this -- where the focus is NOT is in Television -- not just cable- media.
I don't mind international news sources -- they tend to give a different slant to a story such as this. That said -- I knew about this story -- and I got it by reading a newspaper.
There is something to be said about going outside the US media to get a story -- there is nothing wrong with that, considering so many papers have closed their international bureaus and are relying on outlets such as the AP. <--- that right there is a legitimate problem. I don't have many problems with the AP, mind you. They are filling a void left by newspapers all across the nation. That said: The concentration of who reports the news is not good.
Thus my statement about not minding the use of international news sources -- not just on this blog, but elsewhere. I believe that no news source is infallible. Not even NPR, to be quite honest.
The problem, in my view, is the lack of global coverage on television. And, the truth is this -- many Americans use TV as their goto source for news. THIS is where we have a big problem.
For example, it was reported that Secretary of State Clinton went to Burma 6 weeks ago-- This very weekend many elected representatives are headed over there -- among them John McCain. While I am sure outlets like the BBC have reported it, I know that the NYT and WaPo did as well. We have the Washington Post delivered to our door every day. We did the same when we were in Atlanta. I wish more people had a subscription to their local paper --
The BBC is not -- by any small means the only outlet reporting on this. The problem is -- for me -- people aren't seeking this news. I believe (as I said a few weeks ago) that many are oversaturated with information and lose the ability to see that news like this is actually reported in this country. They don;t have to seek the news when it is hand fed to us -- all of us, including myself, via social media and the internet.
The web is a powerful tool. There was a point when the only place we could listen to -- or see -- the BBC was on the radio or on Public television. Same goes for the likes of Al Jazeera & Haaretz.
I know for myself, 10 years ago -- I had access to these publications when I was in Penn Station at the news stand. Most people in this nation don't have that access. I could buy them.
Like I said -- the internet is a powerful thing. It should open us up. Not all America Media is evil. Not all American media is pure. With the access to information from around the world we should take responsibility.
I have often stated that I search for more than one or two sources when looking for the bottom line of a story. I may not always go to the BBC or NPR -- I guess it could be said that I play a game of averages. And I go to certain people who blog -- not because they are breaking a story, but because they have a good reputation and allow me to see why and where they make certain claims. That is trust -- and that trust is based upon creating a good reputation.
The same idea applies to media, be it printed or televised. I need a reputation and a culture of trying to report the right thing. I don't care if it is international reporting, but I know that it doesn't always have to be so.
Congratulations for Myanmar. I wish them the very best, and I hope it continues.
I hope this rant made sense.
Comment by 
livingonli on 01/14/2012 16:46:57
livingonli on 01/14/2012 16:46:57
I have We Act Radio on and they are playing music and no show from Lizz at least on the internet stream
Comment by Raine on 01/14/2012 17:13:15
I hear dthat earlier as well.
This station seems like it has a few hiccups.
Raine on 01/14/2012 17:13:15
Quote by livingonli:
I have We Act Radio on and they are playing music and no show from Lizz at least on the internet stream
This station seems like it has a few hiccups.
Comment by Raine on 01/14/2012 17:14:43
Raine on 01/14/2012 17:14:43
I just turned the stream on... It's streaming now for me. I think I am hearing David Schuster.
Comment by livingonli on 01/14/2012 17:18:00
I'm getting Schuster too so now I wonder what happened with Lizz's show.
livingonli on 01/14/2012 17:18:00
Quote by Raine:
I just turned the stream on... It's streaming now for me. I think I am hearing David Schuster.
I'm getting Schuster too so now I wonder what happened with Lizz's show.
Comment by Raine on 01/14/2012 17:51:01
I read somewhere that it might be a few weeks before it airs. You can check Cliff's FB page for somebetter detail
Raine on 01/14/2012 17:51:01
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:
I just turned the stream on... It's streaming now for me. I think I am hearing David Schuster.
I'm getting Schuster too so now I wonder what happened with Lizz's show.