[Karensmith]

When it comes to fighting for democracy how come we've heard nothing from George W on Burma, a country that has been under military dictatorship since it gained independence from Britain in 1962?

After the student uprising in 1988 the generals conceded a general election that was won by a landslide by the brave popular female politician Suu Kyi. What happened next, the generals got cold feet and promptly put her under house arrest and refused to acknowledge the election result!

That was 17 years ago and Suu Kyi is still under house arrest, unable to leave or participate in politics.

Meanwhile the French oil giant, Total, like other oil companies, has done a deal with the regime, providing the generals with a strong income stream which they use to conduct brutal wars against ethnic minorities on the country's borders.

So why the silence George W?

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/...cle2802619.ece

[ephennaCypota]

If President Bush actually "did something" about Burma, or about Sudan, the left would be up in arms over it, despite whatever good would come of the action(s). We may be the world's cop, but we can't pull over everybody for speeding...there's simply not enough resources. So we end up with the starvation gulag of North Korea, the destruction of Zimbabwe by its dictator Mugabe, and so forth.

[mikajuise]

If what you say is true Bob why then all the pious c**p about democracy? The US has great economic power that it can use if it chooses, e.g., why is it doing nothing about the international oil companies that have cut deals with the Burmese generals?

George W Bush speaking at the 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy - Washington DC, 6 November 2003
The United States made military and moral commitments in Europe and Asia, which protected free nations from aggression, and created the conditions in which new democracies could flourish. As we provided security for whole nations, we also provided inspiration for oppressed peoples. In prison camps, in banned union meetings, in clandestine churches, men and women knew that the whole world was not sharing their own nightmare. They knew of at least one place -- a bright and hopeful land -- where freedom was valued and secure. And they prayed that America would not forget them, or forget the mission to promote liberty around the world.

Our commitment to democracy is tested in countries like Cuba and Burma and North Korea and Zimbabwe -- outposts of oppression in our world. The people in these nations live in captivity, and fear and silence. Yet, these regimes cannot hold back freedom forever -- and, one day, from prison camps and prison cells, and from exile, the leaders of new democracies will arrive. (Applause.)

[SweetCaroline]

If President Bush actually "did something" about Burma, or about Sudan, the left would be up in arms over it, despite whatever good would come of the action(s). We may be the world's cop, but we can't pull over everybody for speeding...there's simply not enough resources. So we end up with the starvation gulag of North Korea, the destruction of Zimbabwe by its dictator Mugabe, and so forth.

Like Bob said, Burma isn't "sexy" enough for us to risk it all. Now, if Burma was sitting on a giant oil field...

[Obsententicab]

Like Bob said, Burma isn't "sexy" enough for us to risk it all. Now, if Burma was sitting on a giant oil field...

In one! Spot on OmegaNYC!