MUST READ: PANTIES FOR PEACE...

SAFFRON REVOLUTION...
FR. TONY UPDATE...

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

PANTIES FOR PEACE

This is too good not to tell you about! Megan sent me a link to this fantastic little form of protest. What I'd like you ladies to consider is a simple form of protest.... and far cheaper then hopping a flight to Burma to speak your mind! You certainly must feel something for the women and children being so brutally abused and raped by the Military Junta in Burma?

What is "Panties for Peace" you may be asking?

Activists exasperated at the failure of diplomacy to apply pressure on Burma's military regime are resorting to a new means of protest against the regime's recent crackdown: sending female underwear to Burmese embassies.

Embassies in the UK, Thailand, Australia and Singapore have all been targeted by the "Panties for Peace" campaign, co-ordinated by an activist group based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The manoeuvre is a calculated insult to the junta and its leader, General Than Shwe. Superstitious junta members believe that any contact with female undergarments - clean or dirty - will zap them of their power, said Jackie Pollack, a member of the Lanna Action for Burma Committee." Not only are they brutal, but they are also very superstitious. They believe that touching a woman's pants or sarong will make them lose their strength," Ms Pollack told Guardian Unlimited.

So far, hundreds of pairs of pants have been posted, according to another campaigner, Liz Hilton. "One group sent 140 pairs to the Burmese embassy in Geneva," she said. "The campaign is a serious attempt to allow ordinary women to express their outrage at the regime's response to democracy demonstrations led by Buddhist monks ", Ms Pollack said.

"Condemnation by the United Nations and governments around the world have had no impact on the Burmese regime. This is a way of trying to reach them where they will feel it," she said. "The junta is famous for its abuse of women: it is well documented that they use rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities. This is a way for women around the world to express their outrage.

"The Burmese government has claimed that 10 people were killed and nearly 2,100 arrested, but dissident groups estimate that dozens or even hundreds died during the recent crackdown and its aftermath".

A message on the activists' website reads:

"This is your chance to use your Panty Power to take away the power from the SPDC. You can post, deliver or fling your panties at the closest Burmese Embassy any day from today. Send early, send often."

If you'd like to join the Panties for Peace effort, I've included a list of Burmese Embassies around the globe. Please, let's not be complacent about what's happening in Burma. All fun aside, the killing, rape, harassment and decimation of so many innocents needs to stop. Take the time to help make a difference! Dig out your undies and stuff 'em in an envelope.... Send a package once a week till they get the message. IMPORTANT: IF YOU SEND PANTIES... LET ME KNOW... I'll keep everyone posted! Maybe even create a map of the embassies and how many panties they've received! grin

Simply address your Package to "Ambassador"

1) United States of America:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008

2) Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations:
10 East 77th St.
New York, NY 10021

United Kingdom:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar 19 A Charles Street,
London W1J 5DX
UK

China:
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
No. 6, Dong’zhi Men Wai Street,
Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600
China

Canada:
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
Sandringham Building,
85 Range Road, Suite 902-903
Ottawa, Ontario Kin 8J6
Canada

Germany:
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
Thielallee 19
Berlin, 14195
Germany

France:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
No. 60, Rue de Courcelles
Paris, 75008
France

Italy:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
Viale Gioacchino Rosssini,
No. 18, Int2, 1st Floor, 00198 Rome
Italy

India:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
3/50 F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi, 110021
India

Japan:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
8-26, 4-CHOME, Kita-Shinagawa,
Shinagawa-Ku Tokyo 140-0001
Japan

Malaysia:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
12, Jalan Ru,
Off Jalan Ampang Hilir, 55000
Malaysia

Pakistan:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
No. 201, Street No. 10,
Sector E-7 Islamabad,
Pakistan

South Africa:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
319, Murray Street, Brooklyn,
Pretoria P.O. Box 12121,
Queenswood 0121
South Africa

Thailand:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
132, Sathorn Nua Road, Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Nepal:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
Chakupat, Patan Gate, Lalitpur,
P.O. Box 2437,
Kathmandu
Nepal

Laos:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
Ban Thong Kang, Sok Palaung,
P.O. Box No. 11 Vientiane,
Lao, P.D.R.
Laos

Philippines:
Embassy of Union of Myanmar
8th Floor, Xanland Centre, 152, Amorsolo Street,
Legaspi Village Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines

Vietnam:
A-3 (101-104),
Van Phuc Diplomatic Quarters Kim Ma Street,
Hanoi
Vietnam

Panty Protest
Sunday
October 21, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff

Some hockey players don't shave during the play-offs. Many hotels are missing a 13th floor. And some generals in Myanmar refuse to touch women's underwear, believing it reduces their power.

This superstition has led to a wide scale protest against the military government in Myanmar. Lanna Action for Burma encourages women to "post, deliver or fling!" their panties to Myanmar embassies. Thailand, Australia, Singapore, England and other European countries have already sent out their delicates in this "Panties for Peace" drive.

No word yet on the military response, though, or if the General himself wears boxers or briefs.

United States Campaign for Burma:
Don't Let the World Forget About the Saffron Revolution

This Wednesday, October 24th, is an important day for Burma.

It is:

1) United Nations Day,
2) The day when Aung San Suu Kyi will have been under house arrest for a total of 12 years, and
3) One month since the uprisings in Burma were at their peak.

USCB will be marking this day with a host of actions around the world.

* Several organizations are working together to organize in 12 cities around the world. At 12 noon, demonstrators dressed in white (as political prisoners are forced to wear inside Burma) will gather in front of Chinese embassies.

* A group of Burmese monks and exiles have been marching from Albany, NY to the United Nations in a peace walk. On Wednesday, please join with them as they continue their march from the Burmese regime's Mission in New York to the United Nations from 10-11 am. The Mission is located on 10E and 77th St. For more info, the cell phone for the peace walk is (518) 605-8506.

* For those of you who cannot participate in these actions we are asking you to ensure that the American public does not forget Burma. Please help reinvigorate public attention by writing an op-ed article for your local newspaper, write a post on your blog or facebook profile, host a teach-in for your friends and neighbors, or for more suggestions visit USCB website

The Burmese regime may be the jailer of Aung San Suu Kyi and thousands of other prisoners, but China holds the key to her release. The United Nations Security Council (of which China is a prominent member) must act urgently as more and more people are being hunted down, arrested and tortured. China must not continue blocking Security Council action. The United Nations Security Council needs to pass a global arms embargo now!

On a side note: Did you know?

95 per cent of all rubies that eventually make their way on to the counters of some of the world's most prestigious jewellers are mined in Burma. Trade of Burma's Rubies takes place through third-party countries, helping line the pockets of the junta's political elite and preserve it in power.

The people of Burma have shown by their brave protests that they want change.

Their demonstrations might have been quashed, but their plight has caught the attention of the international community and become a cry for help.

The pressure is now on world leaders to put their strong words of condemnation into action, and answer that call.

As people of a free society, we are called to pressure our leader to take action.

ART THERAPY

Over the past few weeks I've dug into my sinful stash of fabric, sliced up the sides of a sweatshirt, and have been working on a project. Below are images of the sweatshirt before the final re-assembly. Click on any image to see a larger version.

Back of Sweatshirt: Burma Countryside

Front of Sweatshirt

Sleeve One: Red armband w/ symbol for Saffron Revolution. Bars representing imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi w/ Burmese text of Aung's name.

Sleeve Two: Stripes represent the Buddhist flag. Each color represents: blue-Universal Compassion, yellow-The Middle Way, red-Blessings, White-Purity and Liberation, Orange-Wisdom. Hands of the people of Burma reaching out for help. Symbol-All Seeing Eyes of Buddha.

Tote/Purse: Side One

Tote/Purse: Side Two

FR TONY UPDATE:

Tony's been going full steam ahead for weeks now. We cannot thank our Dr. Craig enough for his wisdom and courage having brought Tony to the point of feeling better then he has in years! We continue to have great hope for the months and years ahead.

This past few weeks Tony's been on the road quite a bit, traveling to far eastern West Virginia for a clergy conference. He's still recovering from the lack of comfortable sleeping accommodations.

Last Saturday Tony attended a meeting in central WV on racism, then following Sunday services he drove to the southern end of the state for another conference, returning later today.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN:

Some may not know we arrived in WV for Tony to fulfill a call as interim rector at St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church. He was given the task of helping sort out issues the parish was struggling with, help reunite the parish, and help them grow. With those things accomplished the contract is drawing to an end and it's time to move on.

The parish is now preparing to begin their "search" for a permanent rector, while our Tony launches a search of his own. Considering his age and health, it could take considerable time to find a new position, so the search is on. But then again, one never knows how quickly or slowly the process will go. Last night the archdeacon attended the parish vestry meeting and explained how the search process will occur.

Bishop Mike has submitted Tony's name to a couple of parishes in WV for consideration, and at present a few other opportunities are being looked into. As much as we have thoroughly enjoyed living in Morgantown, the time has come to begin preparing for a new calling. The organizing, sorting, planning and packing will begin soon. With all that lies ahead, I've opted to take a break from school. The stress and responsibility of managing school, home, and impending move was too much to manage at this time. After many days of consideration and input from well respected others, the new goal is to get accepted into a 4 year BSN program. Obviously this will have to occur in our new location.

Please do keep us and the parishioners of St Thomas in your prayers. This time of transition is always a difficult one, emotionally. It's never easy moving on, saying goodbye, parting friendships, etc. Thanks to Tony's hard work and dedication, the parish is now in a MUCH better position, financially, emotionally and population wise, to take on a full time priest. The future looks so very bright for St Thomas, Morgantown.

My sincerest hope is that every Becket member attempts to focus on all the many positive changes that have occurred over the past few years. Armed with solid teaching, love and all the care that's been provided by their Priest in Charge, the potential for great things is very present. Sadly, most parishes simply return to their old way of doing things instead of using the tools they've been given. We have every hope that St. Thomas a Becket parish will be the exception.