It's rare these days that I have hope for quick rises in democracy. In the 90's there was the sense that we were on the verge of a democratic world, but now, now I hold to the principle that if a government is smart enough, powerful enough (relatively_, and ruthless enough it can squash its democracy movements. And that makes me sad because I love freedom dearly, and I believe that liberty is not something given, not something earned, but a fundamental right of mankind, which you are
born with.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."That's why it makes me so happy to see
this, a chance for democratic change in Burma (Myanmar). My admiration and prayers go out to those brave monks and all those who join them in their fight (although as this protest march shows, fighting doesn't necessarily mean violence and is often more effective without it) for freedom as well as to Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have been fighting the good fight for years. I truly hope they can make it.
My principle still stands, but I think the military regime in Burma isn't ruthless enough towards the monks to stop them, nor perhaps, is it strong enough compared to the monks' spiritual authority among the people of Burma.
It is a hope, and for the proud people of Burma and their rich civilization, I will pray.
