Sunday, December 30, 2012
New peaks on this my KyiMayKaung Blog
12-29-2012
total page views in one day - 538 - previous highs in 300-400 range.
Hits on New Dehli gang rape victim dies - 101
Previous high (new Rangoon Silk Shop) - 92
Blog hits in USA - 1288 yesterday.
What these blog stats have told me is that my primary audience is outside Burma and mostly in N. America and that the number of blog hits from Burma is very low - 36 last week.
So much for the much asked Q in writing groups: Who is your primary audience?
BTW - being read by women is no mean joke - as any politician knows.
Kyi May Kaung
My comment ref. Matt Damon and fracking movie - on Kanlaon's blog
What a coincidence - I am still mulling over whether I want to see movie Les Miz - quite obvious even in trailer that AH cannot really sing up to Broadway standards - and what would be the point of a musical if the music fails?
Paul Simon talking about something else: "Beyond a certain point it isn't even musical."
BTW - there's an excellent interview of Matt Damon and the movie about fracking on NPR by Terry Gross.
ref. the point about how natural he is on screen, this interview included a quote from the movie and his accent and intonation were just the same as in the interview, only way you knew it was a movie clip was in the different quality of the overall sound.
No fancy theatrics for Matt Damon.
Kyi May Kaung
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Chinese poet Fang Xianghai - "aiming his cock"
http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/15379/Fang-Xianhai
I aim myself at the urinal/
holding my breath/
but my prostate suddenly refuses to function/
they stand there behind me sizing things up/
leaning against a dirty white wall puffing away/
and in the buzz of the nicotine/
they're probably getting to grips with all the ins and outs of a teacher's cock/
that done, they signal their common knowledge with furtive laughter/
Friday, December 28, 2012
New Dehli rape victim battling for her life in Singapore Hospital
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/28/world/asia/india-rape-victim/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Her vital signs are shutting down and there may be severe organ failure.
Rape is not a jeering or leering crime.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
All male ballet company Trocks tackles Russian ballet Laurencia
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/arts/dance/ballets-trockadero-de-monte-carlo-take-on-laurencia.html?ref=arts
It makes sense that men would dance ballet well because of their physical strength.
Conflicting reports about Burma plane crash
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/22142
RFA is also saying "emergency landing"
Two killed in Burma passenger jet crash
http://www.voanews.com/content/passenger-jet-crashes-in-burma/1571675.html
Not clear what air safety measures are in place in Burma, if any, or if anything is enforced.
Air Bagan is owned by military government crony Tay Za.
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - complete text-
http://www.stormfax.com/1dickens.htm
I've seen an Alley Theater production about 2002 and was watching the Disney version, when The Child said he'd drive me home - so looked on line, and here it is --
read it in the daytime - it is very atmospheric.
The Disney version tried to keep up with Dickens by emphasizing every line in the characters' faces and with the zooming perspectives and for as much as I saw (the first scene) was quite successful.
kmk
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Comment from Dr Maung Zarni on Ai Wei Wei - on Facebook -
"Here is a man beyond forms and boundaries.
He is about essence, the essence of human freedom and indomitable spirit.
He is an inspiring figure who gives, literally through his photographic work, one of the most feared imperial powers, a middle finger."
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Ai Wei Wei -- Chinese zodiac heads -
http://www.designboom.com/art/ai-weiwei-circle-of-animals-zodiac-heads-world-tour/
I saw them at the Hirshhorn Museum in DC, but these images show the fabulous detail better.
Ai Wei Wei - Rooster - photo copyright Kyi May Kaung
First post from the Dog Hair Nation - on Kalaon's book catalog and dog pee tip - -
Thanks for saying my comment motivated you - R.K. Narayan is a fave of mine too - do you know he was India's president and his wife Usha Narayan is originally from Mandalay, Burma and she has translated some major Burmese writers.
BTW, your list shows that in spite of our maybe similar tastes and preferences, the books on your shelves and mine have no duplication so far, which is great.
I get to hear of many new writers (i.e. new to me) and books here, so I am PRETTY pleased too to see your list.
Plus the newspaper tip for dog pee is likely to come in handy soon.
Any idea how to get dog hair off of sofas and blankets - not to mention one's own hair -:) without vacuuming (hate it and so does my dog) loads and loads of laundry and frequent showers.
Kyi
Readers - see Kanlaon's Blog.
Friday, December 21, 2012
On Kanlaon's catalog of her personal library --
Great job!
I would do this too, if I weren't away from my bookshelves right now, and didn't need also to catalog how many paintings, poems, radio pieces etc. I have produced.
Kyi
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Burma- Human Rights Development Project's U Myint Aye - recently released - says he considers himself "Obama's present"
http://www.rfa.org/burmese/
RFA TV - see links on RHS of their web page.
"Just like that, whenever there was a big event they were going to stage,such as the referendum or their 2010 election,they would arrest us as hostages --
now when US Presdt. Obama came and he was going to see Presdt. Thein Sein, as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we were released -
it was a present for Obama - I consider myself just that -- "Obama's present" -
but although on the surface things look like they have changed, in essence they have not - there are still human rights abuses."
Informal transcript and translation - kmk -
for formal,contact RFA directly.
Daughter of Kachin Independence Association general saved from Chinese traffickers -
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/21690
Unfortunately this happens frequently, linked to Chinese one child policy and infanticide of girl children (the Chinese preference for boys).
The article did not mention what kind of help and counseling the victims are receiving -
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Clearing the book shelf - comment left on Kanlaon blog
You sound like my policy of clearing the floor one square foot at a time - but what is "too much" -
I go this way -
1. books I will not part with till the day I die.
2. books to consult now and then -
3. Books I hate and would never touch - don't know why I am keeping them.
Start from 3 - ha ha -
as we say in Burmese "If it's no good, give it to the monastery"
Like chipped plates or mismatched China, like some of the things friends gave me when I came to the USA - But this particular friend, Scallion Shoot, also gave me TWO Coach Bags (new) - a full set of stoneware dishes, and an heirloom piece with bamboo hand-painted on 3 bowls, set in a bamboo container.
Kyi
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Comment left on Irrawaddy website ref - activist Hla Shwe 75, who spent a total of 24 years in Burmese jails since 1962
More than apologies are required. I agree with Hla Shwe that these so-called reforms are going nowhere.
Khin Ohmar recently said that some things are even worse, and she spoke with about 200 individuals on her trip inside Burma, she said on air with VOA.
A system based on injustice is doomed to fail, but who will or can compensate the Victims for their lost lives?
Kyi May Kaung
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Hot pink & photo of the week - from The Sartorialist
http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/on-the-scene-the-art-institute-chicaco/
The Sartorialist is all about freedom of the individual and the right not to conform.
kmk
Kachin delegate describes helicopter gunship attacks by junta and says responsibilty lies with Burmese government.
From VOA - about 27 minutes into the broadcast -
Kachin were attacked with helicopter gunships and rockets, despite Presdt. Thein Sein having said there should be a ceasefire.
If fighting continues a peace agreement is far off.
Unofficial summary and translation - kmk
Friday, December 14, 2012
My - "Are you listening Mrs Clinton" post hits weekly high of 95 hits per post
http://kyimaykaung.blogspot.com/2009/03/are-you-listening-mrs-clinton-sanctions.html
As you see it is Robert Karniol's article from the Straits Times and it must be because people are starting to question US-Burma policy.
Kyi May Kaung
Monks all over Burma and DKBA demonstrating to protest firebomb clampdown on copper mine demonstrators on Nov 29
http://www.rfa.org/burmese/
For official transcripts and English translations, write to
burmese@rfa.org
DKBA = Democratic Karen Buddhist Association.
Sandy Hook Connecticut elementary school shootings
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/14/shooting-reported-at-connecticut-elementary-school/?hpt=hp_t1
In USA please work for better gun control -
pl work with your school age child or college age offspring and their schools/colleges/universities for better security and teacher/students emergency training.
--
CNN review of The Hobbit - "sluggish"
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/showbiz/movies/the-hobbit-review-charity/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Sharp review - of course The Hobbit is the first story (for the film, back story)
in which Tolkien was building up his primary characters and setting the stage -
this review makes a lot of sense.
kmk
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Kyi May Kaung's five "Next Big Thing" nominations and the Q and A.
Burmese TV update - 12-12-12 - Ken Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest dramatized in Bucharest by prisoners
http://www.youtube.com/user/voaclips
Man with almost full body tattoo in real life killed his girl friend in a swimming pool.
He said during the time he is acting in the play and rehearsing, he gets to escape prison life.
Aung San Suu Kyi goes to her Kawhmu constituency and looks at bridges and roads, tells constutuents how to separate their trash
http://www.rfa.org/burmese/
Daw Suu in light mauve jacket with black buttons.
12/12/12 superstitions
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/11/living/12-12-12/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
Nothing can beat what happened in Burma on 8-8-1988.
Kyi May Kaung
Kyi May Kaung has been nominated The Next Big Thing in Writing - on Kanlaon's blog
http://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/meme-the-next-big-thing-courtesy-of-luisa-igloria-part-i/#respond
Sidewalk bookseller in Rangoon, Burma - frame grab.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Climate change denier, a British Lord, thrown out of Doha UN Conference for impersonating Burmese delegate
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/20936
Very funny - he dressed as an Arab to get in, then rose to speak when it was the Burmese delegate's turn.
Ha ha.
Monday, December 10, 2012
In Kyaukpadaung, Upper Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi says she is encouraged by young people's interest in politics
http://www.rfa.org/burmese/
12-10-2012 news cast TV.
She also stressed that naing gnan yay or politics, literally "the nation's business" concerns everyone and everything.
Kyaukpadaung is region where the recent copper mine workers' demonstrations were brutally quelled with fire bombs by the junta.
New York Times obit (1941) of James Joyce
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0202.html
excerpt -
Judge Woolsey's Decision/
"'Ulysses' is not an easy book to read or understand," Judge Woolsey wrote. "But there has been much written about it, and in order properly to approach the consideration of it it is advisable to read a number of other books which have now become its satellites. The study of "Ulysses" is therefore a heavy task./
"The reputation of 'Ulysses' in the literary world, however, warranted my taking such time as was necessary to enable me to satisfy myself as to the intent with which the book was written, for, of course, in any case where a book is claimed to be obscene it must first be determined whether the intent with which it was written was what is called, according to the usual phrase, pornographic, that is, written for the purpose of exploiting obscenity./
"If the conclusion is that the book is pornographic that is the end of the inquiry... But in 'Ulysses," in spite of its unusual frankness, I do not detect anywhere the leer of the sensualist. I hold, therefore, that it is not pornographic."/
A brief encounter with former Burma spy chief Khin Nyunt - by Aung Zaw, founder, editor of The Irrawaddy
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/20830
Reminds me of time in 70s when I met Sein Lwin and the then railways minister at 2 different soon kyways.
SL impossibly seemed afraid of me!
And the other man seemed on the verge of saying something, his lips moved as if he was nervous or preparing to say something - but his wife put her hand on his arm and stopped him.
I could not imagine how these powerful people would fear an ordinary university lecturer like me.
kmk
Chinese investers acquire 80% of AIG aircraft leasing firm
http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/09/news/china-aig-planes/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
They also recently bought a Canadian energy company a few days ago.
Sunday, December 09, 2012
IMF's Cristine Lagarde says US may have zerio economic growth if no deal reached on fiscal cliff
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/09/lagarde-zero-u-s-growth-without-a-deal/?hpt=hp_t1
She was being diplomatic - likely to be worse, with negative growth, rather than zero growth rate - i.e. Recession.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
From Al Jazeera - The Stream - The Plight of the Rohingya
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/08/201288114724103607.html
From a little while back, but still very cogent -
AJ Stream interview of Rohingya advocate Dr Wakar ud Din and John Swifton of Human Rights Watch.
They both agree that US sanctions were relaxed too soon and that the 1982 Burma Citizenship law is not right, and that the Rohingya deserve full citizenship.
12-8-2012 VOA - US Broadcasting Board of Governors reps. in Naypyitaw in Burma
http://www.youtube.com/user/voaclips
As VOA's David Ensor signs with Burmese Skye Net TV for cultural programming broadcasts within Burma,
RFA's Libby Lui's feet are profiled by the rival service.
Friday, December 07, 2012
Thursday, December 06, 2012
From Dr Maung Zarni - (Gen) Thein Sein "hell of a sincere liar"
This afternoon I saw President Thein Sein 2 feet away from me today./
A hell of a liar, I would say./
Remember how he lied with a perfectly straight face on BBC Hard Talk recorded in his hotel suite in New York in September about the Tatmadaw troops NOT committing any rape against ethnic minority women?/
I shared my conclusion, that Thein Sein is Naypyidaw's best-ever liar, with a close colleague who does negotiations with the generals. Here is what my friend wrote back:/
"I met a few generals, ex and current, quite up-close and personal. Listening to them make me sick in my stomach. But, I don't understand how others see them believable. Not only are they wicked, they are also so stupid (and this is understatement to describe their stupidity). They do not even pretend to change in front of us. I don't know where people see changes. They do what they have to do, all for themselves."/
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi judging Thein Sein to be the general she can do business with is a misjudgement of historic proportions./
That is not dissimilar to George W. looking into this KGB field agent Putin's eyes and proclaimed to have found a KGB's soul./
For the Lady's mis-judgement and miscalculation the people and the country will soon be paying a very heavy price. For the regime has incorporated her into their strategic game plan and calculations./
Here is Naypyidaw's division of labour:/
one group went to negotiate: ex-Major General Aung Min and crony Hla Maung Shwe/
another group was tasked to 'take care of the monks': Home Affairs/
yet another group was ordered to offer monks public apology - a performance/
then enter the Lady: she is being assigned to investigate the industrial dispute between the Chinese mining company and the local population./
President Thein Sein's job: to externalize any responsibility to anything that is bad - genocide, war against the Kachin, deliberately localized "police incompetence" "brutality" etc. and to normalize the regime's genocidal rule of Burma/
Posted with permission.
"Their Oil Smiles, Burmese People's Cries"
Photo courtesy of Dr Maung Zarni -
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Quote of the Day - from H. Masud Taj in International Gallerie
Song of the Besieged
by H. Masud Taj
What can the door exclude When it stands without walls? Hinged on a displaced Axis of rotation, How shall the door turn?
Thanksgiving cranberries waiting to be jammed. Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung.
Photo - a Rohingya genocide victim fleeing on a boat from Western Burma begs for mercy -
VOA interview in Burmese of former Ashin Gambira's - now in lay clothes for health reasons - brother --
http://www.youtube.com/user/voaclips
His brother told VOA's Thein Htike Oo that they don't know exactly where he is right now, he suffered many mental health problems due to 5 years of torture in prison, he is not guilty of any of the charges of breaking and entering to reside in the sealed Maggin Monastery -- /
the brother says it was very difficult to find doctors to treat his brother, and now the specialist says he needs 6 months more at least of treatment - in spite of that he was arrested, the family thinks it is because in the wake of the military regime's brutal crackdown on the Letpadaung Taung copper mine demonstrators, since so many monks were injured,the military government probably fears another monks uprising of the proportions of the 2007 Saffron Revolution, and have thus arrested his brother (who was one of the leaders in 2007) -/
Informal translation and summary,/
kmk
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Summary of translation on weapon used by security forces: Interview with an ex-major of Burmese Army
Burma: Fear of unconventional weapon used in latest raid/
Interview by Ko Nyo and Burma-Newselite (M)/
Security forces may have used incendiary in raiding protest's camps on 29th November, at 3 am local time in Monywa, said Sai Thein Win, a former major./
The crackdown was the largest since the civilian government of President Thein Sein came to power almost two years ago. Over one thousand combined of monks and villagers stayed on strike near the copper mine for 9 days, in order to give pressure the coppermine project to halt, a joint venture run by Chinese company and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, Military itself./
The raid came just hours before Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and leader of the NLD (National League for Democracy), an opposition in Parliament, was scheduled to visit the city of Monywa./
Over 100 monks and people were injured from burning. Government announced on state TV that it broke into the campsite of protesters using water cannon and tear gas, but injuries are caused by fire and chemical, witness said. Strangely enough, the official announcement by the government is taken out after a few hours, although alternative announcement was not made./
So far neither authorities nor civil group release official report on any finding on what causes the burning./
This is an interview with former major in the Burmese army, Sai Thein Win, now lives in Norway. He was the deputy commander of a military factory at Myaing which was built to support a regiment near Thabeikkyin. Maj Sai Thein Win is a mechanical engineer who worked on machining parts. (Interviewer: Ko Nyo, member of Burma-Newselite media group)/
**********************
Q: Government media announced it tried to disperse the protester with water cannon and teargas, but according to the witnesses there, people believe the security forces used fire grenade. As someone who used to work for military factory, and based on your experiences, how will you evaluate?/
A: Tear gas is kind of smoke bomb. It releases smoke and causes tear when contact with eyes. Tear gas doesn't produce fire./
Since there was fire coming out from bomb, this can't be smoke bomb. News we heard mention of white liquid splits out of the bomb causes fire on skin and got worse when it come into contact with water./
That does sound like fire bomb. We differentiate bomb as it works, so we call fire bomb when it produces fire. Smoke bomb if it produces smoke. In this case we have to call fire bomb exactly because fire comes out of the bomb./
Q: When does the military use this kind of bomb? Was there any incident that the military gives order to use it in protest?/
A: A kind of bomb with chemical content was used in Vietnam war by the US troop. It causes fire and burns until the liquid is burned out. Primarily to burn and clear the forest. But since the effect of the bomb found out to have horrible consequences, bombs like Flame Thrower that can shoot fire as far as 20 feet , are banned to be used on the ground, with the exception for the tunnel battle. Weapon prohibited in the battle is used to disperse the protester? This is absolutely crime. We can see the injuries caused by fire bomb, and these injuries can't be hidden./
Q: In what kind of situation does Burmese army use fire grenade?/
A: In our military factory we produced 200 lbs fire bomb. We also produced tear gas to use in case of riot. But we did so only when ordered. I remember one incident. When [the government] creaked down on student demonstration in 1996, our factory got order to produce tear gas just for that riot, but with special modification./
Like putting clear liquid into bullet, adding lead top under the rubber bullet, and when hit by that bullet, flesh cut off badly. It didn't kill though. That order came directly from General Maung Aye (formerly the deputy senior-general under Than Shwe’s military junta and No. 2 in the hierarchy of the ruling State Peace and Development Council)./
He said "Let them die. Produce with higher power." Modified version was tested, one who worked there told me. Some soldier got injured while shooting to test, I heard. I wasn't there yet when it happened./
Q: Is it possible that smoke grenade [tear gas] were modified with higher power than the usual one?/
A: Military factory produces smoke grenade regularly. But it is possible a high ranking officer orders to produces with higher power of smoke grenade. Or it is also possible the tear gas produced by the factory didn't meet the standard. Remember, during 2007 in Saffron revolution, I notice a video clip. Fire sprang out of a smoke grenade; it was near the entrance of Shwedagon Pagoda./
Q: There were accusations of using chemical weapons by the military in Wankha clash in Karen state before and now in Kachin state. Victims don't die but their skin got burned, blood came out of their ears, got dizzy, bodies become paralyze, and so on. Did military use chemical weapon with ethnic armies?/
A: Sometime. It was before my time there [at the military factory]. In our military engineering course, we had a subject on chemical weapon./
When many soldiers died in Wankha battle, the army produced Incendiary devices for a test. They also test Pressure Bomb to clear landmine. Both are not allowed by Geneva Convention. So if the military uses it, they made it secret./
For example, defense factory officers have to go the field to shoot if they use chemical weapons, and regular army officer are not informed, and no soldier allow being nearby./
Q: According to our experience, police forces give warning first to the protesters. Second, they block the protesters not to across the barrier line. Thirdly, they would use water cannon. Only if these don't work, tear gas will be used. Last option is beating and arresting of course./
These measures are used only when protesters become violent. If protesters are peaceful, police even have to guard for their safety and for their health. We have seen these steps in democratic countries./
But now the police forces were throwing grenade towards Buddhist monks who were just sitting in the camps peacefully and praying. How do you see this action as an ex-military officer?/
A: This is absolutely not in line with international standard. Even in the real battle, use of weapons that cause burning is limited internationally. What has done in Burma now is just too much./
Posted with permission.
Burmese monks demonstrate against violent clampdown on copper mine protestors -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4eWtlrrJJA&list=UUv-YbGueeYCp8_CdjgXQD3A&index=2&feature=plcp
Say they will escalate this to Saffron Revolution proportions.
*
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