A new chapter in an old book

Before I begin let me make this random statement:
I love when people attempt to insult my intelligence and in the process make themselves look like uneducated morons. Case in point:
Random online person in the game I was playing: Wow your so stupid. You played that sooooo wrong.
Me: You're not your.
ROP: Shut up idiot.
Me: hmmmm no
ROP: My country created the English language. I know what I am doing.
Me: Really? I would assume you would be able to write it in a more proficient manner then.
ROP: THAN NOT THEN (in caps)
Me: No, then was correct. Than is for comparisons.
ROP: WRONG... HAHAHAHAH STUPID AMERICAN
Me: O ok... you got me there..... it has been fun...adios

Moving on....

Due to current events, I have been reading a lot of material about Burma, the military dictatorship in place there and Aung San Suu Kyi. If you have the time to read about the situation, I would suggest that you do so. Aside from being a morbidly fascinating story, I would be surprised if it really didnt touch you in some profound way. In case you don't have the time, Ill give a bit of a short overview here. Bear with me here if you aren't politically inclined, I promise to get to the point fairly quickly.

When Burma (Myanmar) gained independence in 1947 many thought it would be one of the most successful nations in Asia as it had a relatively large population, abundant natural resources and a high literacy rate. However, after decades of poor military governance, the country is in shambles and is incredibly isolated from the international community.

In 1988, a revolt of sorts took place under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, a daughter of a general who helped Burma gain independence. The revolt was brutally suppressed by the military and Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest. In 1990 she won national elections (while under house arrest) but the government refused to accept the election results. She did not cower, however, she simply continued to resist in peaceful manner reminiscent of Gandhi.

For the past 20 years, this woman has risked everything for what some have labelled a hopeless cause. In the early 80s she Oxford educated and was happily married to a man in the UK. She could've remained in Britain and led a very comfortable life without anyone being the wiser but she refused to do so. Instead she boarded a plane to Burma in order to show her conviction and solidarity with the people of her homeland.

Years ago, her husband was lying on his death bed in the UK. The Burmese government offered her passage out of Burma with the implication that if she left, she could never return. She was absolutely torn. She hadn't seen her husband or sons in years but she knew that if she left, she would never be able to return and a symbol of hope and democracy for the Burmese people would be wiped off the face of the map. Therefore, in an amazingly selfless move she chose to stay under house arrest in Burma so she could remain with her people and continue to given them hope as they continued to be brutalized under a harsh dictatorship.

Although under house arrest, she does not complain. She continues to try and maintain at peace with herself with the hope that one day she will be able to exhibit this peace to the people of Burma. She once said, "It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it." Just reading about her story makes me reconsider what I stand for and what America as a country should stand for. It seems that we have managed to fight for the wrong and forget the right too many times. It would be easy to forget anything ever happened in Burma. It would be easy to forget the millions of people that have expressed their desire to live without the burden or persecution. It would be easy to work a 9-5 job and bank the money, all the while forgetting that there is another world out there. But how often is "what is easy" right?

I would like to end with a poem she wrote a while back:
In the Quiet Land, no one can tell
if there's someone who's listening
for secrets they can sell.
The informers are paid in the blood of the land
and no one dares speak what the tyrants won't stand.
In the quiet land of Burma,
no one laughs and no one thinks out loud.
In the quiet land of Burma,
you can hear it in the silence of the crowd
In the Quiet Land,
no one can say
when the soldiers are coming
to carry them away.
The Chinese want a road; the French want the oil;
the Thais take the timber; and SLORC takes the spoils...
In the Quiet Land....
In the Quiet Land, no one can hear
what is silenced by murder
and covered up with fear.
But, despite what is forced, freedom's a sound
that liars can't fake and no shouting can drown.

- Aung San Suu Kyi (In the Quiet Land)