I know it is easy to let events here at home focus our attention but I just wanted to mention what is happening in Burma these days.

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was the democratically elected leader in elections held in 1990. She has been under house arrest for 14 years and her party was never allowed to assume power. The military junta is supported mainly by China (and India?) and has been in control for decades.

After a new round of direct engagement by the United States as part of the policy to talk to everyone who will listen, the junta issued a statement a month or so ago that Ms. Suu Kyi would be released from her house arrest after her appeal was heard in court. They also agreed to hold elections later this year – the first in 20 years. Many people were hopeful that this marked the beginning of a new era.

Whatever oracles the junta consults have apparently pointed them in a different direction because over the last two weeks they have 1) cancelled her release 2) changed election laws so that she can no longer be the leader of her party, and 3) formally annulled her party’s 1990 election win.

This is an interview with Nobel Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu regarding the situation in Burma and the upcoming elections that he (and many others) consider to be a charade. Congratulations to the Archbishop for having the courage to come out in support of Ms. Suu Kyi and democracy in Burma.

If only our government had the courage to do the same.

Just thought you might like to know.