From the heart of ordinary blogger

Today, I felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness after I saw these pictures here. I simply could not find words to explicitly describe the brutal acts that the military regime has committed. When I met with fellow bloggers online, the atmosphere was thick with sorrow, frustration and helplessness. Here we are, sitting at a desk, in front of a computer, relaying all the news updates to the world and yet, we cannot do anything to cease those atrocities. News that we are posting on our blogs and message boards may appear as just news to the outside world. However, for us, those news are made up of heart-wrenching words.

My fellow Burmese people, who are dying, are just ordinary citizens who have absolutely no knowledge in weapons and warfare. So far, I have heard confirmed reports that they are gathering whatever they can get their hands on to defend themselves against the soldiers. But who can go against an army with fully loaded guns?

Some people say that the struggle must come from within, and sacrifices must be made for the greater good. I totally agree. However, I am still hopeful for a slim chance to avoid all these bloodshed. It also means that we, the people from outside, must do all we can to alleviate further sufferings of innocent people.

Recently, I have been following a few interviews with political academic. In particular, two interviews with someone stood out in my mind. I watched both of his interviews on Channel News Asia (Singapore TV station) and I was completely baffled by his views.

In his first interview, he seemed to indicate a special concern over seeing different ages of monks in current protests. What he failed to understand was that, in Burma, monks are highly revered regardless of how old the monks may be. Moreover, there is very little political agenda in the demands from the monks. Though the monks have made demands for the release of political prisoners, and a dialogue for national reconciliation, they have always emphasised on improving the well-beings of the people. And they have been asking for those through peaceful protests.

In his second interview, he mentioned that in Philippine, even after there was a change in government, there was not much improvement. My question to him will be: Does it mean we should never try to change? Is every movement that tries to change, destined for failure?

Of course, I must admit that I never studied political science. Neither do I have the authority in terms of qualifications to analyse from any political point of view. However, I feel pretty concerned to see that political analyst like him, seemed to be speaking without actually finding out the situation on the ground. In every field, we all know that the best analysis is made when you combine theory and reality together.

So, my sincere request to everyone who will be carrying out political analysis on Burma's situation is that, please talk to the people who have gone through it. Many a times, words fail to express the real scenarios in full picture.

As a blogger, having only words on my hand, I honestly feel rather useless at this moment. But I must never give up. Whatever I can give, I will give. I must continue for the sake of Burma's freedom.