I hope you have not yet had enough of the subject of Burma. Because here we go again. To no use.

 

It seems like people atleast now know where to place Burma on the map, and have a little better knowledge of the situation and history of the country. People care enough to wear red on a specific day, and it has become an everyday topic during the last couple of days. That is great, because the awful situation in Burma is finally given some international attention.

 

However I am upset with the lack of attention the issue is given. Or rather not upset with the lack of international support for the population, but rather upset with the lack of international intervention by the U.N. and EU. What is actually being done that matters? Sending a representative to see what the situation is like, and discuss with authoritarian rulers? Is that the way forward in a country who does not fear to kill their own holy monks? Who does not care about international pressure, or even domestic pressure? Is it really all we should be doing to send someone to pass on the word offically that we the libeal, democratic nations of the world are concerned with the current oppression of the population and the lack of humanity shown by the government who rule them?

 

There has been no sanctions, no humanitarian aid (perhaps not the way forward), no red cross, no withdrawl of officials, no nothing. It seems to me like the UN and all forms of international politics are paralysed, and is losing all credibility. I feel a bit sad to write that, as I am a student of politics and international relations. This is not written as an essay motivating and discussing theories, causes and policies. It is written more as a compassionate, opinionated human being, who is disappointed in the world I believe in and would like to one day represent. Because it seem to have fallen under to compromises with regimes like Russia and China, who can themselves be questioned for their dedication to democracy and human rights, and for authoritarian rulers. Concepts and values which is said to be considered essential and uncompromisable to every human being in the world, are not protected and not even cared for.

 

I know of course that we can not fight for everyone else in the world, and that it would be unfair even to help Burma but then not help another country suffering from opression. There is a question of definition of when a country should be in need for international intervention, and when a country's soverignity should be respected. There is also an economic side to it all, with intervention whether that is sanctions, troops, aid, -it all puts a burden on people. It has a price. Fair enough. No one wants to pay higher taxes, and no one wants the people of Burma to starve due to our concern for their well being. However the rulers daughter got married this July, which is thought to have had such a price that it may very well have been what made the price for gas be raised and in return the monks protest.

 

The reason nothing is being done, that the libeal democratic countries in the world are not demonstrating and articulating a concern of whats happening in Burma in a firm and decisive mannor is due to politics and international relations. China and partly Russia, oppose sanctions and international pressure. The influence and weight of China seems questionable to me when the Burmese soldiers are seen holding Chinese weapons, and when the authroitarian rulers spend enourmous amounts on the military to consolidate their power. Does China want a democratic country so close to its own boarders?

 

I am not saying the Burmese people want or immediately would form a democracy, because that takes time. I am just saying that reform when it comes suddenly without a former platform, often becomes an unstable earthquake, unstoppable, as when the Soviet collapsed. All the Burmese people want is to open up for a discussion with the government. They want to be able to express their opinions and for the government to listen. We all sympathize with them right now. But we are too busy, too far away, and too concerned with our own well being to get involved and actually do something. Tomorrow when the people have been silenced and will be punished hard and cruel for their disobedience, we will have another subject to talk about at lunch breaks. And it will be too late for the international community to intervene, becasue there will be no clear opposition, no people who we will see and feel motivated to support.

 

In order for Burmese situation to change the domestic turbulence and discontent must be supported by international pressure, simultaneously. That doesnt seem to happen, and it makes me extremly annoyed.

I am home in bed, the third day of headache, dissy spells, soar throat and fever. I have had to cancel all kinds of fun social events. A vip to a club in town, a trip up to see some old friends in an antique student city, a dinner cooked by a friend, a lunch with another, and shopping excursions as well as an art exhibition. Not to mention that I have not been able to write the 7000 words essay I was planning to get ready by today.

Anyway, point being my life for the last three days have not at all been as eventful as originally planned. I mean I am about to go back to the isolated, little bubble of Essex University, in the least cosmopolitan part of England ever. Hey not even the bartenders seem to know what cosmopolitan means, not that its the first cocktail I ask for. So bottom line I have been deprived of my social life.

Then suddenly it bounced at me. People I have not had contact with in five year, a booked weekend holiday during the term to see an old friend, and this guy who actually seem rather reasonable. Although that means this would freak him out, so lets hope he does not read it. I mean seriously, it made me wonder.

Normally on facebook, skype, msn, bebo, myspace I get stalked by guys I have nothing in common with and who I am not that interested in or find even the slightest attractive. Of course being attractive and intelligent, intellectuall or athletic, neither of those things should mean everything. But I have not got the time for small talk, and use the internet to keep up with my friends. However, once in a while, even if it does not work out, and never lead anywhere, you discover someone who gives you hope.

Since I started using facebook, bebo and now myspace, I have felt like I am obviously not challening myself in the correct way because everyone who tries to talk to me are people I have no interest in getting to know closer. Today that changed. That was the first time in years, that someone through the interent managed to do that.

Point being, when I started thinking I was picky and giving up on there being any guys out there who I would want to get to know better (especially in the UK), I was proven wrong. Thank you

Ok so no news perhaps to those who know me welll, but I personally think it is. You see I realised something today, after pathetically enough adding this application on facebook called "Y are you interested". Probelm is that of all the guys between 22-27 that I have looked at I have only clicked yes to less than a dussin.

 

This is of course just after looking at one picture of each person, and it should not all be about looks. Still I am pretty sure that I am not interested in most of the guys I have ignored. Why? They may be sweet, intelligent, funny, athletic and charming but I am not attracted to them, so as far as I can tell No I am not interested. Of course that does not mean that I do not from time to time meet someone who does not fit into my usual type of guy.

 

However that is just it, despite having been with guys who are very different I have a type. And I am picky. Not always of course, but in general, I want a certain type of guy. I suppose it comes with the phase of my life I am in as well, being so busy and all. When it comes down to some causual unserious fun, I am not as picky, then the guy does not have to be prefect as long as the sex is good and he is a nice person. However that happen when it happens, and is not something I would initiate myself with the first guy I meet, so I would still be looking for certain features.

 

I feel so shallow when I say this, but fact is we all look for people we find attractive. And we are not attracted to everyone out there. I mean I am not attracted to women, so all the wonderful, amazing, sexy, intelligent girls out there I just do not care about. Then we have my other criterias and I am careful not to mention them all, but some of the more obvious: not shorter than me in heels, not overweight, preferably not less mature than me or younger, charming and honest and open. defineatly have brains.

 

Bottom line ok so I am picky, but so are you, right?