KyiMayKaung

Burma, America, The World, Art, Literature, Political Economy through the eyes of a Permanent Exile. "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the oppressed. Sometimes we must interfere. . . There is so much injustice and suffering crying out for our attention . . . writers and poets, prisoners in so many lands governed by the left and by the right." Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Speech, 1986, Oslo. This entire site copyright Kyi May Kaung unless indicated otherwise.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

How to feed a dictator--

In his latest film, How to Feed a Dictator, which premieres at the Tribeca film festival this week, five private chefs recount their intimate experiences serving some of the world’s most feared dictators and the ever-present dangers that came with the job. Based on the 2020 book by the Polish journalist Witold Szabłowski, the 95-minute documentary probes the fraught terrain between morality and survival, asking viewers to consider the choices these chefs made – and the choices they never really had. Structurally, the film is something of a tasting menu, serving up sobering morsels of human atrocity within the trappings of a decadent cooking show. It makes for especially uneasy viewing on an empty stomach.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Man mauled by grizzly bear--still alive--you should not approach wild animals--

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/09/hiker-grizzly-bear-attack?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

ICC Chief suspended --link

https://apnews.com/article/international-criminal-court-khan-suspended-8d7b68e361a27ef08cfe515a131af230

Iran strike on Israel--from BBC. Partial copy and paste.

The Islamic Republic emerged from the war weakened in some respects but also with a stronger sense of its own resilience.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly72ryrd1jo?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Despite extensive Israeli and American military pressure, economic sanctions and a US naval blockade, the state survived. The government is still in power, its security apparatus remains intact, and no mass uprising materialised despite repeated predictions from its opponents.

That experience may have altered Tehran's calculations.

Monday, June 08, 2026

Sunday, June 07, 2026

Sri Lanka --set magnificent novel--Highly recommended

Nihal da Silva's Road to Elephant Pass.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Road-Elephant-Pass-Nihal-Silva-ebook/dp/B006RM676Q

Author was killed in a landmine blast in 2006--near the Wilpattu National Park where this story is set.

His profession was manufacturing mineral water, he started writing fiction after his retirement.

Winner of 2003 Gratiaen Prize set up by Michael Ondaatje--

Already translated into Sinhalese--

If you are interested in translation--I suggest you contact the publishers in Sri Lanka.

My copy is a print copy,seventh reprint 2008.

There is also an excellent film of the same name.

Kyi May Kaung 6-7-2026

Drop dead djt--1 m turn out to greet Pope Leo in Madrid--

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/pope-leo-xiv/1-million-flood-madrid-streets-see-pope-leo-rcna348854?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Bride wearing white--King Charles' nephew married nurse. Nice conservative dress.

https://apnews.com/article/uk-royal-wedding-peter-phillips-harriet-sperling-87d8b8fc84a32c6e4a65310fc137827d?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

First child and endometriosis--

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/barbara-palvin-dylan-sprouse-are-expecting-first-child-rcna345174?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Gov. vs Science & Truth--scientists/doctors ejected fr Diabetes Confce for distributing journal reprints.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/06/scientists-ejected-from-diabetes-conference-for-distributing-journal-reprints/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Just get on social media and distribute them that way--post in the mail.

Judge tosses case against musician who cancelled JFK Center concert--"It was political retribution."

https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/judge-tosses-kennedy-center-suit-musician-canceled-christmas-133652277?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Saturday, June 06, 2026

Screwworm border closure, beef, TX.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/screwworm-border-closure-fuels-beef-boom-mexico-gloom-texas-2026-06-06/

From Nicholas Thompson--CEO at The Atlantic. On 60 Minutes, Scott Pelley etc.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-love-tv-show-fired-me-nicholas-thompson-8e54e/

Fresh vs dried herbs

https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a71431767/dried-vs-fresh-herbs/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

It should be called--Black in a White World--

but it's 6 AM and I have been up since 11 PM--so--

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=movie+something+thelordmade&view=detail&mid=770E1C6A94DB0B0E4E77770E1C6A94DB0B0E4E77&churl=&ru=%2fsearch%3fpc%3dMOZI%26form%3dMOZLBR%26q%3dmovie%2bsomething%2bthelordmade&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=WRVORC

It shld be called Being Black in a White World.

Like To Kill a Mocking Bird and other movies.

Looks like late Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Dr. Blalok.

Mississipi Burning--another must see. https://tubitv.com/movies/358575/mississippi-burning ***

Something the Lord made--complete movie--

scenic US spots--I've been to a couple of them--

https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/16-u-landmarks-look-almost-170100417.html

Patch Adams--complete transcript.

https://subslikescript.com/movie/Patch_Adams-129290

Patch Adams--complete movie--with Robin Williams--

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Patch+Adams+mivie&mid=D72BB4D6FCA53EC927B2D72BB4D6FCA53EC927B2&churl=&FORM=VIRE

Rom Coms with orthopedic doctors and patients--Patch Adams also

was on stage as a clown, and I saw him once. Bing search results--below: medical challenges with heartfelt romance. Notable Films

A Taste of My Own Medicine

This film follows a surgeon who becomes a patient, leading him to rediscover empathy and form a romantic connection with a fellow patient. It is inspired by Dr. Edward Rosenbaum's book and stars William Hurt, Christine Lahti, and Elizabeth Perkins, highlighting personal growth and romance in a medical setting cinemaroo.comcinemaroo.com+1.

Patch Adams

Starring Robin Williams, this film tells the story of a medical student who becomes an orthopedic surgeon. His unconventional approach emphasizes emotional well-being and humor, and he develops a romantic relationship while caring for patients, blending comedy, romance, and medical drama cinemaroo.comcinemaroo.com+1.

Romantic Hospital Dramas

Other films in curated lists of romantic hospital dramas feature surgeons and patients forming connections under high-stakes medical circumstances. These movies often explore love, personal growth, and the emotional challenges of healthcare professionals cinepicker.comcinepicker.com.

Orthopedics for Beginners--

https://www.amazon.com/Orthopedics-Beginners-Breaking-Terminology-Vocabulary/dp/B0FGHSR4ZQ/ref=zg_bs_g_265776_d_sccl_31/132-3872966-1949251?psc=1

Muskoloskeletal coloring book--

https://www.amazon.com/Musculoskeletal-Anatomy-Coloring-Book-musculoskeletal/dp/B08NF335QR/ref=zg_bs_g_265776_d_sccl_11/132-3872966-1949251?psc=1

Gray's Anatomy--the famous book--

https://archive.org/details/grays-anatomy-16/page/n7/mode/2up

Medical documentary --London--warning--wrenching--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aghgaCk3-U4

Surgeons--Chinese medical drama--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YGP9EpBCCk&list=PLvf4fZgfbz54wYSv54DiM9ELJF1bC281u

C--drama medical--theme--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXbI5JNUuLk

7 Repubs who voted with Dems to block Trump ballroom--

https://time.com/article/2026/06/05/republicans-vote-to-block-trump-white-house-ballroom/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Seeds from critically endangered nerifolia--last tree.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/scientists-race-to-collect-the-last-seeds-from-a-critically-endangered-tree-before-it-goes-extinct?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Senate passes 70b immigration enforcement bill--

https://apnews.com/newsletter/morning-wire/june-5-2026?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Friday, June 05, 2026

Hegseth blocks promotion of one star Navy admirals while--

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/hegseth-blocks-promotion-of-several-navy-officers-to-1-star-rank/ar-AA24B7T6?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Thursday, June 04, 2026

Duck Soup original screenplay.

https://www.scripts.com/script.php?id=duck_soup_971

Duck Soup--political satire --1933 Marx Brothers--

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_Soup

I post this not because I want to show off--well only a little--but because I want all those struggling on the borders to take heart.

If I can do it, so can you. Below--fabric design Kyi Kaung on Spoonflower.

Tribute to me--written by my former MA student in Burma--Daw Khin Pwint Oo--

Posted with her permission.

Me at the Institute of Economics Convocation, Rangoon Univ, 1981--AI restoration also by KPO.

Tribute to my Mentor Dr. Kyi May Kaung

By Khin Pwint Oo

In one’s life, it is important to pay tribute to someone who provides fair unbiased guidance and helps identify one's strength.

The very first time I came to know of her (later as Dr. Kyi May Kaung) was in my high school days where I found a piece of her writing in our MEHS Annual School Magazine Swaying Palms. It inspired me to put pen to paper like her one day.

Later I was told that she is the elder daughter of Sithu U Kaung who was awarded the honorary title "Sithu" first instituted by the democratically-elected Prime Minister U Nu.

To give a short account of his life and profession, U Kaung served his country leaving his imprint in many capacities as a Director of Education; first Chairman of the Burma Historical Commission; writer; artist; tennis and golf aficionado; to name a few.

He was also well known for his signature on the Burmese currency notes printed by Delarue Company in the UK and issued in Burma. These were famous among the Burmese populace as "Maung Kaung notes".

At the time, U Kaung was sent by Bogyoke Aung San to be on the Burma Currency Board in London and to look after Burmese state scholars stranded in the UK during World War II.

These included Dr. Hla Myint, commonly known as H. Myint, who with Sir Arthur Lewis invented Development Economics, as well as Dr. Hla Pe, Burmese linguist.

Dr Hla Pe married Dr. Kaung's maternal aunt once removed and settled back in Moulmein, Burma, with the help of General Ne Win in the 1970s.

U Kaung should not be confused with his son U (Dr.) U Thaw Kaung who was chief librarian at the University of Rangoon, who also was granted the Sithu title and also became Chair of the renamed Myanmar Historical Commission.

Honestly, I admire her as herself and not because of her being a daughter of the well-known Sithu U Kaung.

I would like to acknowledge a little bit about her professionalism and some background on dedication and achievements in her own career and life.

During her Matriculation examinations, she placed 5th in the whole of Burma, the only woman among the top five--the others were all men, graduates of Saint Paul's High School and Science majors.

Her first two degrees, a Bachelor and a Masters, were in Economics from the University of Rangoon, Burma in the 1960s.

In 1982 she qualified for a Fulbright Scholarship in Transportation Economics as specified by the then Burmese Education Ministry and Head of Department of Economics Dr Than Nyun after apparently talks with Fulbright. Her Master’s thesis showed the need for a shadow interest rate in the Polish Economy and her thesis supervisor was Dr. Ronald E. Findlay who passed away in 2021 while serving as Ragnar Nurkse Professor of Economics at Columbia University in New York City. https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/trade-development-and-political-economy-life-and-work-ronald-findlay-1935-2021

Dr. Findlay, with Saya Aye Hlaing and her Penn professors and famous historian of Old Burma Prof. Gordon H. Luce https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Luce were her closest, earliest and most influential advisors.

She obtained an MA in City Planning and a doctorate in Political Economy (Theory)--the Study of Systems, from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, in the United States of America in 1994.

Not only is she brilliant in academics but as well in arts, winning awards from the Academy of American Poets in 1993 and a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Award for her play "Shaman'' in 1996. She also was a Pew finalist twice, amongst several other literary prizes.

Over the years she is somebody who finds her passion in painting and creative in needlework.

I continued knowing her when I became a student at the Institute of Economics, Rangoon where she taught Economic History to Masters Students.

I never thought she would become my Master’s Thesis supervisor and personally as my supervisor who stoutly helped me defend my capstone on two adjoining villages.

It made me grateful to have met her and come to know her my mentor because those years that I worked with her were extremely beneficial to me in building up my self-confidence.

Her reputation will forever be inscribed in my heart and I will consider her one of my guiding lights.

God bless you Ma Ma (Elder Sister) Kyi May.

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