WTF--the woman is dying! WRITE HER FULL NAME. VIRGINIA GIUFFRE.
Monday, March 31, 2025
Virginia Giuffre--major Epstein, Prince Andrew accuser--given 4 more days to live.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/31/virginia-giuffre-jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Giuffre
PLEASE--pay her the tribute of writing her full name--
She was abused by rich and powerful men, when she was still a teenager.
She managed to make a new life for herself.
She took them to court.
The rich pimp woman, Epstein's accomplice, went to prison.
Epstein committed suicide in prison.
Andrew has been disowned by Brit Royals.
Myanmar earthquake wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Myanmar_earthquake
_video ofcouple and male chaperone --rooftop pool--Bangkok
-RFA Burmese site still open--as of 3-28-2025.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Movie--The Reluctant Debutante--Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, Sandra Dee--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXUstcWLY9Q
1958 Burma (now"Myanmar") we were dealing with Ne Win's first coup.
Two beautiful movies--Barefoot and Dare to be Wild--free on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eZ7R6Sn3wE&list=PLoRABtYY-maK6GZytfhYy7ZAjMiMbk_tq&index=38
Lots of movies and books/novels too, are categorized as "rom com"--
But in my humble opinion,"romantic" is hard to define, and some are not funny either, in fact,the best are about death and dying--one unforgettable one on Amazon Prime--or maybe 2
or 3
involve--terminal cancer and the young doctor who falls in love with this woman, and "loves her through her death process."
A young man, rich, with a castle, who becomes quadroplegic, and his parents hire a goofy young woman to persuade him to live--but --
Barefoot is about a
dissolute young man--who is from a rich but uptight family. He is in debt, frequents bars with pole dancers and is often arrested. On probation, he's assigned to mop floors at a mental health facility--maybe like Ken Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest--but I only read the book, 2 times.
Some things are too horrible to see as movies. e.g.Silence of the Lambs.
Back to Barefoot--a bipolar woman, barefoot, runs after the handsome floor mopper--and he takes her to his brother's wedding.
Don't do spoilers here.
Dare to be Wild is about a wildflower garden designer,Mary Reynolds, the Chelsea Flower Show--her gold medal and Ethiopia--greening the desert.
Oddly enough, I'd never heard of her before,though I know Andy Godsworthy's stone work and ephemeral art.
I recommend both and Ken Kesey's novel highly.
Since I'm not well enough to go see the cherries in bloom, the Ubers would cost too much, and I'm too tired and forever running late--these 2 movies transported me cost free to beautiful things to restore my faith in humanity
and clear my head of earthquake, trump-quake and junta-quake.
Cheers
Don't abandon truth, hope and your own beliefs.
What else do we jolly well have to live for.
My best friend across the pond sent me good wishes, 4 shots of the partial eclipse and
I also sketched out the bride jumping out of a Bradford pear tree--That tree is blooming right now in front of the Italian restaurant slap next to my building--but I never eat/ate there except 2 times with a play going group--when they discussed Death and the King's Horseman, by Wole Soyinka.
Food and atnosphere there--minus 3--plus watery spaghetti sauce--can't eat too much carbs anyway.
Susan Tepper, thanks for poem about bride jumping out of wedding cake, which inspired my painting--I think I'll do the wedding cake (building) too--on 12 x 24"canvas.
Sorry,images later.
Have to eat dinner and do the dishes.
Always time to do the donuts.
Also, van Gogh's birthday--Aries too.
Kyi May Kaung
3-30-2025
Poetry reading long time ago--when Dennis Brutus died, Busboys and Poets.
Too sad to bring this to you--as foreign rescue teams arrive--junta continues to bomb Sagaing--UNBELIEVABLE.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/world/live-updates-death-toll-rises-foreign-rescue-teams-arrive-nug-announces-military-pause-and-more.html
Among at least 1644 dead so far--560 at least Muslims in Mandalay Mosques, several former army officers in NPT ministries, while at ministerial level meetings at noon.
A Karen/Kayin Christian said: The Gods are angry.
It's just the Sagaing Fault--the junta fault.
Many videos on Irrawaddy site.
Many injured will die who were either rescued or are still in rubble.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Hegseth brought his wife--formerly Fox News--to sensitive meetings with foreign military leaders.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/hegseth-brought-his-wife-to-sensitive-meetings-with-foreign-military-officials-c16db0ea?mod=trending_now_news_1
Great--Hegseth brings wife
VP brings wife.
Musk brings X.
Jim Acosta talks to Substack founder Chris Bess on Substack--where else?
https://jimacosta.substack.com/p/jim-acosta-and-substacks-chris-best
Amazing--but Acosta is an experienced journalist with a big rollodex.
Very happy for him.
Current construction at Tidal Basin.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Thitinan Pongsudhirak on New New World Order--
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/the-tyranny-of-anarchy-and-how-asean-states-should-respond.html
He may be right, with this 50 year cycle theory--but I am 80 already, and can't wait for the next 50 years.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Law enforcement officials and domestic extremism experts say they have found no evidence that a series of attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships are coordinated despite such claims from Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.6 days ago
No evidence of coordinated vandalism of Teslas despite Musk ...
NBC News
https://www.nbcnews.com › tech › elon-musk › tesla-va...
Historic loss--CNN--gang member escaped US justice by being deported to El Slavador--Trump deal
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/politics/ms-13-leader-deported-el-salvador-boasberg-order/index.html
Like drug kingpins living inRangoon/Yangon, running major businesses.
Al Jazeera English--The complete Signalgate transcript--much more than has come out in Hearings
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/27/full-transcript-of-trump-teams-yemen-attack-plan-that-was-shared-on-signal
I suggest you read this very carefully.
It starts earlier (March 13) and Vance and one other express their timing related reservation, while H says--in effect--"It will keep but--T. wants."
Knowing Trump's extreme vindictictiveness, he's sure to note these remarks and take action--fire--At the very least attack by Tweet or attack verbally--that's just what he does.
WH is very rattled and rattlesnakes don't trust each other.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Atlantic releases entire Signal chat.
https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-atlantic-war-plans-signal-yemen-houthis-c0addd08c627ab01a37ea63621cb695e
Can Trump be impeached again?
https://www.newsweek.com/can-donald-trump-impeached-again-third-time-2024089
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Smash hit opening for Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal--in Broadway version of Shakespeare's Othello.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/entertainment/denzel-washington-and-jake-gyllenhaal-othello/index.html
I have only seen 2 of Shakespeare's plays live.
The other was an amateur version of As you like it, in Rangoon, before 1962, staged by my brilliant Britsh Council lecturer, Raymond Adlam.
Though I was a big fan of Adlam, who also acted, and conducted orchestras, I am not so keen on light comedy. I veer towards the grand and tragic stories.
In the 1994 version directed by Mary Robinson, Iago is the most evil stage character ever invented--like you know who--he plants the handkerchief that will undo Othello--the veteran hero admiral, just because he can.
Written in the 16th century, Iago depicts Evil like no other.
He comes right up to the footlights of the stage, and tells the audience straight off, what he's going to do--this and this and this--and it is Chilling.
It's said Sigmund Freud studied Shakespeare's plays.
So should we, in these "interesting" and chilling times.
Kyi May Kaung
3-24-2025
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025
From 2024--Second American Revolution. AI Overview--
AI Overview
Learn more
While the idea of a "second American revolution" is a topic of increasing discussion, particularly in light of growing political polarization and extremism, a full-scale, violent revolution is highly unlikely in the current context.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Historical Context:
The American Revolution was fueled by a specific set of circumstances, including oppressive taxation, lack of representation, and a desire for self-governance, which differ significantly from the current political landscape.
Political Polarization:
While there's a significant amount of political division and animosity, it's not yet at a point where it's likely to erupt into a full-scale civil conflict.
Extremist Groups:
The presence of extremist groups on both the left and right is a cause for concern, but they represent a small minority of the population and are unlikely to gain enough traction to overthrow the government.
Public Opinion:
While there are pockets of people who are open to violence against the government, the majority of Americans still believe in the democratic process and do not support violence.
Military Strength:
The US military is a powerful force, and it's unlikely that any group could successfully challenge it in a full-scale conflict.
Economic Factors:
The US economy is strong, and it's unlikely that any group could successfully destabilize it.
International Relations:
The US has strong alliances with other countries, and it's unlikely that any country would support a revolution in the US.
Legal Framework:
The US has a strong legal framework, and it's unlikely that any group could successfully overthrow the government through legal means.
The Americans Prepping for a Second Civil War - The New Yorker
Nov 4, 2024 — Some recent research can be read optimistically, too: only three per cent of U.S. adults—around eight million people—ar...
The New Yorker
Is the US really heading for a second civil war? - The Guardian
Jan 9, 2022 — A slew of recent opinion polls shows a significant minority of Americans at ease with the idea of violence against the ...
The Guardian
What Would a Second American Civil War Look Like? - MIRA Safety
Nov 13, 2024 — Political factions, militia members, and extremist groups could be major players in a second civil war and may make th...
MIRA Safety
Show all
Generative AI is experimental.
The Americans Prepping for a Second Civil War
The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com › magazine › 2024/11/11
Top site for you
Nov 4, 2024 — Most experts think that another full-scale American civil war is highly unlikely in the near term. Ellis, the future-operations director, ...
Kaung--poem--Democracy is Hanging by a Thread.--also on Substack
Poem.
Democracy is hanging by a thread
Everywhere
As Trump Musk et al
Russia’s Putin Myanmar’s general Throw shit at the fan. Whereupon the shit Hits Everyone. Democracy is leaving the USA. Not coming through a hole in the wall As Leonard Cohen sang. KMK 3-22-2025 Kaung—yarn abstract.
In March 2023, George and Kellyanne announced that they were divorcing after 22 years of marriage.
George Conway - Wikipedia
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › George_Conway
From BangkokPost and Irrawaddy--Kavi Chongkittavorn --Burmese refugees in limbo--"Thailand must find a way to involve Burmese refugees in Thai society"
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/myanmar-refugees-in-limbo-thailand-in-denial.html
I've met Kavi on several occasions on the Burmese Democracy Circuit, most recently in Seoul. At that time c 2003 he was discouraged and saying he would not write in Thai anymore.
I'm glad he still writes. He is someone who honestly wants better Thai-Burmese/Myanmar relations.
From Fulcrum and Irrawaddy--Musk, Myanmar and Murky Future of Internet for Burmese Resistance.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/musk-myanmar-and-the-murky-future-of-internet-freedom.html
Further complicating matters is the fact that Starlink is owned and controlled by Elon Musk, whose personal decision-making has triggered unpredictability in global affairs. Musk’s control of the network raises concerns about whether access could be revoked, restricted, or manipulated based on shifting political or economic interests. Given his close ties to US President Donald Trump, concerns are mounting about the use of Starlink in Ukraine, which is critical for the country’s war with Russia.
The junta has sought ways to track and intercept satellite communications, potentially endangering those who rely on the service for safe and anonymous online activities.
In February, there was a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky over the terms of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire agreement. According to a Reuters report, US negotiators pressured Ukraine to get access to the country’s critical minerals by threatening to cut off the country’s connection to the satellite service (Musk said the report was “false”). In Cameroon, Musk disconnected Starlink access in April last year. A government regulator said the company was operating without a license and posed a threat to the country’s security. In South Africa, Musk has reportedly refused to meet a 30 percent local ownership requirement.
For Myanmar, the country’s scam industry, which is responsible for large-scale online fraud operations, has drawn scrutiny from international law enforcement. However, digital activists from Myanmar have often expressed concerns that in the cracking down on scam centers—some of which use Starlink—pro-democracy forces may also lose access. If Musk (or Trump) imposes broad restrictions on Starlink due to concerns about online scamming and illicit businesses, it could have unintended consequences—severing critical communication channels for activists and resistance groups while doing little to curb criminal enterprises, which often operate with state complicity and access to alternative digital infrastructures.
Friday, March 21, 2025
I wonder what Michael Wolff's politics are--in this--Fire and Fury--he seems to be looking at a bunch of people
who live in their own conservative bubble--essentially fools.
Decided not to buy, even a used book.
Like his terminology "suck up and "
Don't know how he could stand weeks around these people.
Consider Trump's previous record with lovers/wives, whores, "advisors", chiefs of staff in 1.00--
Michael Cohen, Pence, etc all know best.
Read --Bob Woodward's Rage.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
CBC--US soon to lose democracy status.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-democracy-report-1.7486317?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Some grim milestones were breached this year.
The number of autocracies (91) has just surpassed democracies (88) on this list for the first time in two decades, and nearly three-quarters of humans now live in an autocracy — where one person has unconstrained power — the highest rate in five decades.
The latest report still ranks the U.S. as a "Liberal Democracy," the highest of five tiers, one higher than Canada, which is classified as an "Electoral Democracy."
The report adds an important caveat: this year's version does not include events in 2025, meaning it does not cover the start of Donald Trump's latest presidential term.
But it refers to ongoing events in the U.S. as unprecedented, mentioning Trump pardoning 1,500 criminals who supported him; firing independent agency watchdogs without process; purging apolitical police and military brass; ignoring laws; and his unilaterally deleting federal programs, and even a whole organization, created by U.S. Congress.
Major Tesla invester sold 600 m in stock and why--
In the middle of last year he disclosed that he'd sold about $60 million of Tesla shares over concerns its vehicles were fading in popularity. Then, after Donald Trump's election victory, Gerber said in early December that Tesla would see minimal positive impact, if any, from Elon Musk's association with the president.
The warnings now seem prescient. After an initial postelection surge, Tesla shares are down 25% so far in 2025 and sit roughly 15% lower since Gerber's December comments. The latest leg down came on Tuesday, when Tesla dropped 8% after seeing a sharp decline in European car sales.
https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-stock-price-2025-outlook-crash-elon-musks-gerber-tsla-2025-2
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Monday, March 17, 2025
Former BBG--VOA etc parent agency cancels massive office lease on Pennsylvania Av--It's all done.
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2025/03/16/voice-of-america-lease-cancel-kari-lake.html
Kari Lake is also a Trump appointee.
To all those who unjustly fired me in and others from RFA--2001-2012, now you know how it feels, join the club.
Come on Substack too.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
NOVA will offer 1 m in scholarship aid to fired Federal workers --who live in Nn VA.
https://wtop.com/education/2025/03/nova-offers-1-million-in-scholarship-aid-to-unemployed-fed-workers/
MD's Chris van Hollen challenges trump plan to cancel FBI move to Greenbelt--another trump lie--
it's not "3 hours away"--it's only 23-25 mins away.
https://wtop.com/maryland/2025/03/maryland-pushes-back-on-trumps-plans-to-scrap-fbis-planned-move-to-greenbelt/
Trump has essentially shut down VOA--
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/16/trump-voa-voice-of-america/
Quite possibly the saddest movie I'ver ever seen--The Reader--with Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslet--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reader_(2008_film)
Based on the book by Bernhard Schlink.
I've been to two concentration camps--Majdanek and Auschwitz, both in Austria.
Looks like I'll get the book.
kmk
3-16-2025
Saturday, March 15, 2025
I went to the Awards Ceremony--Essays and Short Stories
That's how I missed the Sat. news dump.
But the ceremony itself was great.
20 awardees out of 400 entries. 5%.
I read my essay On Exile.
4-5 people came up to me and congratulated me after.
A number of women wore ethnic dress, including me.
My Uber was driving a Tesla!
But he looked to be from Ethiopia. It was a smaller Tesla.
I cld't tell where the other awardees were from--but all had beautiful names and were very accomplished. Everyone had a chance to read their entire 2 page winning entries.
1/2 were HS students.
Judges did a great job.
Food was lovely.
I cld not be happier that at least my neighborhood is liberal
We each got published version of our collected pieces.
This morning I had Internet problems but always fixed just as I get desperate and call in Fixer.
But then I resolved it on my own, sometimes I can't tell exactly how.
RFA where I worked 1997-2001 and was elbowed out by junta-inclined Burmese language boss, is among shuttered on Sat.
Lot of fence sitters there.
Well, my tell all book can be written now.
It was too painful to write earlier.
kmk
3-15-2025.
Trump visa ban
whoa--lot happening--Trump travel ban 41 countries incld Myanmar--+ VOA, RFA etc, + Houthis--READ THE NEWS
https://www.aol.com/news/trump-administration-weighs-travel-ban-004049058.html
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters.
The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups. The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension. In the second group, five countries -- Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan -- would face partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions. end excerpt.
Rare paintings by U Ba Kyi of Buddha's Life--from a book published in the 1950s.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060510165611/http://www.goldenlandpages.com/hotspots/buddhism/43.htm
I had or we had this beautiful book. Don't know what my mother did with it--probably gave it to my brother.
I didn't get a single book--maybe that's why I buy so many books now.
kmk
3-14-2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Rex Tillerson--from wiki--Trump 1.00 Secretary of State--eventually fired.--Read wiki article in detail.
In June 2017, Tillerson excluded Myanmar, Iraq, and Afghanistan from the list of countries that employ child soldiers in that year's Trafficking in Persons Report, rejecting the unanimous recommendations of staff.[101] Staff then circulated a memo in their Dissent Channel alleging that Tillerson's decision was in violation of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act.[102] In late November 2017, the topic garnered national attention when the Department of State defended Tillerson's actions in the wake of an anonymous complaint by an official to the department's inspector general and the distribution of supporting documents to the inspector general and to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.[102][10. .
.
In November 2017, Tillerson said that recent Rohingya persecution in Myanmar was ethnic cleansing.[118]
--
By the end of November 2017, just 10 of the top 44 political positions in the Department of State had been filled.[106] A large number of Senior Foreign Service officers had resigned under Tillerson, with the number of career ambassadors and ministers dropping more than 50%, from 39 to 19, and the number of minister-counselors dropping 18% to 369.[106]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Tillerson
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
US immigration detention maxed out at 47,600--seeking new funding--
https://www.aol.com/us-immigration-detention-maxed-47-154423663.html
So, how much money was saved?? Factor in the special flights.
If you have a friend and follower like Musk, what do you need an enemy for.
In 1.00 they said his daughter would bring T. down.
Now they say M.is "a gift to democrats."
Summing up for today--It means you and I can make a difference as ordinary citizens and consumers.
In the mid 1990s my beautiful friend said she'd given up (with respect to Burma/Myanmar)--doing it alone was not going to work.
I asked if she couldn't go teach in some community college or something.
She said,"It's been too long" since her PhD.
Rachel Maddow on the other hand, with a Cambridge Pol Sci Ph.D. says she has worked since she was a teenager.
In 2 days Jim Acosta's Substack increased about 44,000 --
I believe you do what you can every day --
You work with whomever you respect.
You stay away from people you can't stand.
A leading dissident once said, "I can go work as a gardener."
He has a beautiful garden.
Kyi May Kaung.
3-12-2025
Kyi May Kaung--Free to be Wild--my interview of artist Elsa Gebreyesus--published 2006.
Elsa Gebreyesus, artist and sometime freedom fighter, originally from Eritrea on the Horn of Africa, pushes up her black-rimmed, rectangular framed glasses with a long elegant forefinger, looks straight at me with soft brown eyes, and says abstractedly, as if as an afterthought -- “It’s a blend of my past, my abstract art.” (Pause) “Home is neither here nor there for me. It’s where I am.”
Originally from Burma myself, where abstract art is usually called “mad man shit all over the place art,” I nod vigorously.
I first met Elsa, a tall, broad-shouldered woman with close cropped hair and finely chiseled features, when she was talking about marketing art at the Torpedo Factory on the waterfront in Virginia, where artists work in studios during office hours and visitors can drop in and chat. Elsa and the panelists had been invited by Empowered Women International, which helps immigrant artists, men and women, with information and networking ideas.
Ilooked up Gebreyesus’ artwork using Google. Her big, moody acrylics look gritty with sand, textured with string -- one can feel the sun and the desert. They beg to be touched. I found Gebreyesus herself to be a very accessible person, open to talking about her art and her unusual background. Eritrea, where she is from, is on the north coast of Africa. Its thirty year struggle for Independence from Ethiopia ended in 1991. In 1993, after a referendum, it became an independent nation of 4.7m people, most of whom are desperately poor and mostly farmers. Eritrea got all of the coastline; Ethiopia became landlocked. During the prolonged struggle, Gebreyesus says, Ethiopia had an estimated population of 54m vs. the estimated 3m of them rebels. “The lack of international attention and respect forced Eritreans to rely on themselves. Self-reliance is the core principle. It enabled the EPLF (Eritrean People’s Liberation Front) to adapt creative and innovative strategies. It was a truly remarkable feat for Eritrea, a small nation with only a guerilla force, to defeat the Ethiopian army backed by the Soviets.” Gebreyesus told me the large Eritrean exile communities of the Diaspora, based in Europe and North America, supported the freedom fighters morally and financially. In the euphoric time after Independence, in search of her roots, she went to Eritrea and worked for the EPLF, as a project officer for a women’s organization. She stayed a total of five years, working for one and a half years in the private sector, before returning to the West. In a short article published in The New Internationalist in 1992, Gebreyesus writes, “The high-pitched ululation splits the quiet morning air at Asmara airport. The woman in front of me pauses to express her joy at returning home . . . after who knows how many years of exile. For me, it is my first time on native soil. Tears trickle down my face.” In that article, an elated Gebreyesus describes how women also worked side by side with men in the reconstruction effort, and evolved a whole new way of greeting other comrades in arms, literally rubbing shoulders with the men.
“What happened between then and now, to change your views?” I asked. Gebreyesus told me she left in 1997 because she saw that the regime was turning dictatorial, becoming a nation without laws. “There is a fairly decent constitution now, ratified in 1997, but it has yet to be implemented. Now people can enter your home without search warrants.” “Fairly decent constitution,” I smile. Elsa tells me the constitutional process in Eritrea took two years. In Burma, the military junta is still working on it. In my internet research before the interview, I had been shocked to learn that The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which had “regulated” the western nations’ scramble for Africa, was known as the Kongokonference in German. It made the Congo the private property of the Congo Society. Much like The East India Company carving up South and Southeast Asia at about the same time. Elsa told me that after 9/11, all the signatories of the Berlin Letter were jailed. They were all ministers in the Eritrean Government who were calling for better human rights. Three were outside the country at the time the letter was proclaimed, one had to retract. Elsa told me the story of Aster (pronounced Ast-Stair), wife of one of the Berlin Letter signatories, Petros Solomon. “Petros was already in jail, but Aster was in Arizona, studying for a degree. Her children were there, and she was talking to them by telephone.” (Elsa has two young children). “Then Aster got the idea that she should take a risk, and go back. She asked the Eritrean Embassy people, who were the wrong people to ask, many people said. The embassador here assured her she would be safe. She was imprisoned on landing. She disappeared between disembarking and the customs. She didn’t even see her family who were waiting outside. Now since September 18, 2001, all the ministers who signed the Berlin Letter, plus Aster – there is now a Free Aster Campaign led by Aster’s friends in Arizona – have been held incognito. No one knows where they are all being held, if they are dead or alive. There’s no Red Cross access either.” Elsa Gebreyesus’ impassioned testimony comes to an abrupt halt. She looks at her coffee cup, I look at mine. “It is worse than Burma,” I mumble. “And all this just because she was Petros’s wife and wanted to see her children. Now everyone is even worse off. “I am one of the lucky ones,” Elsa continued, “my family had the means to leave. We were in Canada, and then after I came back from Eritrea in 1997, I married and came to the USA to join my husband. I was able to leave Eritrea (when I realized things were turning totalitarian.)” Eritrea is still headed by President Afwerki. Elsa says as she does not involve herself with the official community, she has never been harassed in the United States, but there is a lot of harassment going on, sometimes by email. Embassy reps will take pictures of marches and vigils and are believed to keep a black list. Everyone tries to be discreet as a business license could be taken away in Eritrea or other bad things could happen. Gebreyesus says her art does not have many African role models, but is more rooted in Expressionism. She compares it to jazz and improvisation, where the process, rather than an end result, is the key. “In abstraction,” she says “you start with the beginning and find the end.” She says traditional African music is very ritualistic and much comfort is taken from the repetition of familiar patterns. Text, such as the text of the 1997 constitution, turned upside down, or text from banned newspapers, may be incorporated in Elsa Gebreyesus’ highly textured art. Elsa works with other artists from both Ethiopia and Eritrea to show their art together in shared spaces. At the end of our interview, she got up and said goodbye to the Ethiopians who own and run the café where we were sitting. She used a common native language – they reached across the counter filled with cakes and quiches, held hands and smiled at each other warmly. I will have to ask her what language it is later. But maybe the language does not matter after all. ---------------------
It takes a woman to retaliate against trump little hands. EU retaliates--compare her measure speech with trump's--
https://apnews.com/article/trump-eu-tariffs-countermeasures-806a3b9bcc9cd4e45817e672d95f0070
From the Guardian--partial copy and paste--dizzying Ukraine turnaround--I doubt Russia will back down.
Maybe he will fire Rubio as he did with Tllerson over flunked N-S Korea talks.
Read Bob Woodward's Rage.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/11/dizzying-turnaround-in-us-ukraine-relations-leaves-all-eyes-on-russia
Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had attacked with 337 drones, 91 of which were aimed at Moscow and the surrounding region. Three people were reported to have been killed, all four of the Russian capital’s airports had to be closed, and local air defences were not entirely effective in repelling the assault.
A handful of residential buildings were visibly damaged, though not too seriously. Moscow’s regional governor said that two people had been killed at a car park near a meat processing plant in Domodedovo, 5 miles from an airport. Fragments of a drone hit the ground, setting fire to cars shortly after 5am, Andrei Vorobyov wrote on his Telegram channel. Later, it was reported that a third man had died.
Striking at civilian targets is never attractive, though the images were not dissimilar to those of Ukrainian cities hit nightly by Russian bombing over the past three years. Russia has also been increasing the scale of its drone attacks recently – on Monday it launched 126 Shahed drones, as well as other, decoy drones, into Ukraine, alongside a ballistic missile.
Bertil Lintner--will Trump engage with Myanmar--
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/will-trump-seek-to-engage-with-the-myanmar-junta.html
I very much doubt it. T. only cares about T.
Now critics say he has turned WH South Lawn into Tesla show place.
Good luck, as they say.
April Ryan--lovely woman, very brave--wedding from 2023.
https://people.com/white-house-correspondent-april-ryan-married-in-maryland-wedding-exclusive-8351269
Some lives are well, like a love story.
Jim Acosta talks to April Ryan--just love them--"Musk got his hands slapped,--Now he's wearing a suit."
https://jimacosta.substack.com/p/white-house-correspondent-april-ryan
I so miss my family friend, Poet Zawgyi "Magician"U Thein Han--who taught me how to look.
"Look who's standing beside whom?"
There's a photo of my father standing beside Zawgyi U Thein Han.
Rest in Poetry, Rest in Truth.
Kyi May Kaung
3-12-2025
Kaung--Thai election--Bangkok--c 2008.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Don't know whether to laugh or cry--m a h tells Putin "a Buddhist story" the superstition is amazing--
never heard this story before.
What's the point of telling a communist a religious story?
https://www.irrawaddy.com/video/putin-min-aung-hlaing-and-the-prophecy.html
Info Wars reporter shot and killed in Austin--
https://www.aol.com/infowars-reporter-jamie-white-shot-170043440.html
Info wars founder denied Sandy Hook Massacre.
Maybe it's best people fired by trump/musk are in retirement already. They certainly need extra security.
This guy's imflamatory speech and actions rile people up.
I've read about 5 or 6 of her 24--I choose them depending on the opening chapter samples online.
I woould say they're the best of my rom com binge starting about a year ago when I seem to have exhausted Chinese fantasy movies--
and "came back to America" and Jan 20th when I had to return to "reading around trump."
https://slate.com/culture/2022/08/colleen-hoover-books-it-ends-with-us-verity.html
I read each Hoover book twice--other than a problem with prepositions and some common sentence constructions such as
No. Never. Ever.
which get to be mighty annoying, they are very readable--
I prefer the earlier ones--like Verity
and Maybe Someday, which is very intriguing, a (completely) deaf musician and the girl who saw him playing the guitar on his balcony.
These novels are more than raunchy, explicit love/sex scenes and the usual love triangle and are constructed around serious themes.
I am keeping all of them.
I know she's very successful, but I didn't know her sales numbers
KM Kaung
3-11-2025
Probably to control the stench--Burmese are supposed to place stone melons underneath the corpse.
People also ask
What is the flower burial hypothesis?
Solecki (1971: 249–250; Solecki, 1975, Solecki, 1977) suggested that the body of the Neanderthal was placed on a bed of these flowers, possibly for medical reasons, and/or as a mark of affection and/or respect. The hypothesis, although accepted quite widely and very influential, has been debated over many years.
Shanidar et ses fleurs? Reflections on the palynology of the Neanderthal ...
ScienceDirect.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii
From 2023--Famous flower burial theory debunked --
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/famous-neanderthal-flower-burial-debunked-because-pollen-was-left-by-burrowing-bees
Wildflowers bloom near Shanidar Cave--Live Science--
Times of Israel--Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals lived in harmony--This is a bit like Denisova Caves.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-cave-burials-show-sapiens-and-neanderthals-coexisted-in-prehistoric-israel/
It makes sense that they did not care about territory--when they were hunter/gatherers.
Among my fiction projects, FYI only, is an "evolution" novel--think Stephen Baxter meets Jean M Aul.
As regards the "flower burials" at Denisova--experts now say it's just pollen residue from the season--This scene is in a diorama at Natural History Museum in DC--
kmk
3-11-2025
hmm-- in my humble opinion, T "let" Russia launch a deadly assault and now puts onus on Ukraine--
dirty tricks--the conference is in Saudi Arabia--trumpland--
<blockquote>https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-us-saudi-arabia-ca9630cdccb0a8b904a77d6e134690b6
Below--copied and pasted excerpt--
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, and Kyiv signaled that it was open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement, American and Ukrainian officials said Tuesday following talks in Saudi Arabia.
The administration’s decision marked a sharp shift from only a week ago, when it imposed the measures to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter talks to end the war with invading Russian forces. The suspension of U.S. assistance came days after Zelenskyy and Trump argued about the war in a tense White House meeting.
“We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio told reporters after the meeting. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation to the talks in Jeddah, said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, which has thus far opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict without accepting any concessions.
ady to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio told reporters after the meeting. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”
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