Obedience school for cats

( engraving by Gustave Dore)
Was it really almost two years ago that the Saffron Revolution occured ? Just as there are the two camps arguing over sanctions vs. no sanctions, engagement vs. isolation, carrots vs. radishes, and non-violence or partriotism; was the Saffron Revolution inspired by politics or poverty ? Why is it that the Burma-Myanmar discussion is always so black-and-white ? I think it is attractive to keep the topic black-and-white for many scholars because they can flex their brains. For business people, it's about supply and demand - the Benjamins. For policy gurus, it's about publishing and getting to the West Wing. But the issue for the Myanmar people is not black-and-white, nor is it grey; it is rather quite colorful. The Myanmar people, I say "Myanmar people" and not "Burmese" in order to include all the ethnicities, are free to do what they want to do to be free. Certainly, first, the effort will require physical strength and sustainance. In "8-8-88", protestors were successful due to the genoristy of those with the resources to feed protestors. This time around in 2007 there was mass protest in Yangon, but no resources to sustain the movement. Secondly, the Myanmar people must decide are they devoted to non-violence or freedom. Is it more important to restrain oneself from forceful assault and either perish or be imprisoned; or is it more important to defend oneself in order to further pursue ways to be free? Is it patriotic to be non-violent ? What is the value of death and detention vs. active operations to acquire desired freedoms ?

Miyamoto Musashi says, "It is difficult to realize the true Way... Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things." Each citizen of Myanmar should find his own Way. Be it by sword, or pen, or art, or trade, each citizen should act with insight. Another skillful sword weilder once said, "Good people, you who are reaping, if you do not tell the King that all this corn belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot." ( Meow... and Puss after that never chased after mice... but only for his own diversion ).
by Wilberforce

http://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33479.pdf