By VOA News
"Heavily armed forces guarded the Shwedagon and Sule pagodas on an important Buddhist holiday Friday, when monks end a period of monastic retreat.

Also Friday, the party of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the government has released at least 70 more people detained in the military's violent crackdown on protesters."

It is encouraging that some talks are taking place between Aung San Suu Kyi, the UN and the Burmese military.
It is essential that we all keep our attention on this situation.

The appearance of peace in Burma is not a true reflection of the condition of the people but rather a result of having soldiers posted everywhere.

When I was there recently I was informed that any gathering for any reason larger than 5 people is technically illegal.

When was the last time you gathered with more than 5 people.
What if you had to be concerned that you were breaking the law just because of that.

I want us all to remember that this military used violent force against Burmese monks and laypeople that were engaged in Peaceful protests. We all saw the pictures of the military shooting into crowds of unarmed citizens.
Any governing body that will not allow people to speak out, that uses weapons and violence against the people, and that is run by greed for profit is essentially evil.

When I was there I personally met some high ranking military officers that had been educated in the west. I could see that they were essentially good people that I believe given the chance would do the right thing.
What these officers need is an opportunity to switch allegiance from the small group of corrupt generals to the people.

At this time the biggest fear that runs the rank and file military is reprisals against family members.

There must be some way to create a condition, a tipping point of the will, so that the military can set down their weapons.

Imagine what would be possible if on the same day, same hour, all soldiers simply put their weapons away and walked through the streets side by side with monks and laypeople demanding that a democratic election would be held.

Remember that there is no outside force that is threatening this country. The enemy, as far as the military is concerned, are the citizens who held a legal election twenty years ago only to have it overruled.

Well I can dream can't I?