Myanmar's junta holds referendum despite cyclone crisis

Source: AP

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's military rulers held a referendum Saturday aimed at solidifying their hold on power while brazenly turning cyclone relief efforts into a propaganda campaign. In some cases, generals' names were scribbled onto boxes of foreign aid before being distributed.

Human rights organizations and dissident groups have bitterly accused the junta of neglecting disaster victims in going ahead with the vote, which seeks public approval of a new constitution.

The referendum came just one week after Cyclone Nargis left more than 60,000 people dead or missing. The U.N. estimates that at least 1.5 million people have been severely affected.

Aye Aye Mar, a 36-year-old homemaker, looked frightened when asked if she thought anyone would vote against the referendum. "One vote of 'No' will not make a difference," she whispered, her eyes darting around to see if anyone was watching. Then she raised her voice to declare: "I'm saying 'Yes' to the constitution."

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iy-MfhLN9Q7MwtQ1VlrvexLjr2dAD90J03G80

This is a classic and overt example of the Shock Doctrine, as described by Naomi Klein.

voting out of fear while their morale is down.

Maybe I'm just cynical but this sounds a lot like the power grab the Republicans made after 9/11. Add to it the cronyism and the self-serving photo-ops of the leaders handing out aid to citizenry who have lost their homes and then think about how our government turned away help after Katrina only to end up on the news riding in like the calvary and handing out aid.

We keep seeing the same sick power plays around the world. The people wanting power end up getting it and keeping it through intimidation of the people they allegedly want to represent. They turn down help from other countries because to do so looks like a sign of weakness. Then when they finally accept aid they end up using it for their advantage to further their own agendas. None of these leaders care about anyone but themselves and the power they can get and keep.

on how to fuck people.

they are not like Americans. You are not in the situation they are in. I doubt they planned this vote so people would vote "out of fear while their morale is down". They always vote out of fear. This isn't a special occasion. These posts I see (not necessarily from you) comparing wounds with the Burmese people makes my head spin in disbelief. You are living in heaven compared to what the Burmese people go through on a daily basis. You had the opportunity to vote Bush out four years ago and sadly most of you decided not to. I'm guessing you felt secure enough to vote for someone else though. Judging by the article the Burmese people don't have that luxury.

I do agree with your last point though, even if it's all relative.


Something really needs to be done, fast. I sincerely hope it isn't left to become another situation we will bitterly regret not doing anything about.

The problem is national security...when you have acountry that's already living under military oppression.

Many of our so-called 'relief orgs' may come with hidden agendas and agents who might transport weapons.

(An example of this is the UN/NY International Rotary Club, International Service,
Giorgio H. Balestrieri...previously a big Gladio agent.)

"One vote of 'No' will not make a difference," she whispered, her eyes darting around to see if anyone was watching. Then she raised her voice to declare: "I'm saying 'Yes' to the constitution."

the dead can influence the vote