Word: burma
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2000-2009
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Consider Burma, a dictatorship for almost half a century now. Ordinary Burmese have long despised Thaksin as an enemy of democracy. He cozied up to the generals, and once famously described the detention of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as "reasonable enough." But ironically (tragically, really) ordinary Burmese who rejoice at Thaksin's departure will share a sentiment with their own oppressive rulers. Burma's generals will celebrate the Thai military's takeover, and the months of political deadlock that preceded it, because it proves what they've insisted all along: democracies don't work and civilians...
...That soldiers now run Thailand?and are powerful political players in Indonesia and the Philippines?doesn't prove (as Burma's generals might gloat) that democracy is dead, but that many Asian democracies are immature and fragile, with political systems incapable of guaranteeing smooth and legitimate transfers of power. Even if General Sonthi keeps his promise and returns power to civilian hands, the damage is done. Neither the dictatorial style of Thaksin's rule, nor the manner of his departure, are worth celebration. Sukma believes the Thai coup will embolden "antidemocratic forces" across the region. "They are all laughing...
...played.Word was that Yo La Tengo were pretty amazing, but I was asleep during their set (it had been a long day). Devendra Banhart, who’s usually incredible, was awful and boring. Man Man were a lot of fun, but, like their name, pretty redundant. Mission of Burma kicked all of our asses, and were a close fifth on my list of great acts. Danielson was predictably weird.The Futureheads and Spoon were fine, I guess. The Walkmen were totally irrelevant. Aesop Rock and Mr. Lif were in the wrong place at the wrong time, being rappers...
...award from a group chaired by McCain. In between, she's accompanying President George W. Bush to events in Manhattan as part of the 61st annual United Nations General Assembly, appeared at the New York Stock Exchange and is leading a roundtable discussion about the humanitarian crisis in Burma...
...daughter put a radio packed with plastic explosives and a whisky bottle full of liquid explosives in a bag in the overhead bin of a South Korean airliner. Then they got off on a layover. The subsequent explosion sent the plane spinning into the jungle near the Thailand-Burma border, killing all 115 people onboard...