Slurkid says, get the fuck up!

Ok so, It's Saturday night, and usually at this time I'd be out hanging with my rock-star friends and having sex with super models - but alas, I've got work in the morning, so I'm here in front of the computer blogging. Booo.

Recently I heard about a hotel in Sri Lanka which offers the world's most expensive dessert, at just over a grand Stirling a pop. Now, the funny thing about this story, is that the only other bit of news coming out of the whole Bay of Bengal coastal area at the moment, is the little matter of a country with two names, one of which is Burma.

Actually, I'm going to stop trying to be funny, because this isn't a laughing matter. What started out as a protest against a five fold hike in fuel prices has quickly escalated into something much bigger. Initially, when I first heard about this, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time: that feeling that maybe, just maybe, by standing united, ordinary people could make a difference, and change the world for the better.

Then cynicism kicked in - this isn't the first time the Burmese have tried to over throw the junta, and none of the previous attempts have been pretty: in 1988 it's believed that at least 3000 people were killed by government troops. How was this allowed to happen? Well basically no one called the junta on their shit, they had enough control on the media at the time to prevent most of the world from finding out straight away, and they're buddies with China, who have sufficient funds/influence to take most of the sting out of any international sanctions.

Things are slightly different today; for one they have less control of communications, and more importantly, they have a lot less to offer China. They still have the oil and other natural resources, but their borders have become unstable, ans if there's one thing China can do without, it's a bunch of refugees.

China are keen to be seen as a nation on the up, and a key part of promoting this image is the Beijing Olympics. There's talk that they're willing to cut Burma loose to ensure the games go smoothly.

So there's only a slim chance that these protests can work, but they haven't got a hope unless the international community start applying pressure. If anyone is reading this I encourage you to get on to your local MP/TD and let them know you're not happy about the situation. Get on to Amnesty International, they have addresses for officials in the Junta you can write to; they won't listen, but do it anyway. Let China know that if they interfere with international sanctions, you're going to boycott the Olympics.

So far 9 people are confirmed dead, though the real figure is probably higher. This comparative show of restraint isn't due to any sense of compassion on the part of the junta - they're just worried about international opinion. Don't let them think for a second that no one's looking.