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Bush signs sanctions against Myanmar into law
"President George W. Bush on Tuesday renewed a ban on imports from military-ruled Myanmar and also signed a new law that aims to keep Myanmar's gems from entering US markets via third-party countries.
In parallel the US treasury slapped financial sanctions on 10 companies owned or controlled by the Myanmar government or government officials, including companies involved in the gem trade.
"On the Burmese regime, our message is: the United States believes in democracy and freedom," Bush said during a White House ceremony in which he signed the two laws.
The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, referring to Myanmar's former name, renews a sanctions regime imposed since 2003 over the suppression of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's democracy movement.
Bush also signed a new sanctions regime aimed at stopping gems including jade and rubies from entering the United States via third nations such as Thailand, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
The so-called Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act will deprive its ruling junta of hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
The gems trade is one of the most lucrative sources of profit for the military rulers, accused of blatant human rights abuses and stifling democratic opposition. "President George W. Bush on Tuesday renewed a ban on imports from military-ruled Myanmar and also signed a new law that aims to ... more -
Buddhists and Korean Gov't Clash
"Conflict between Buddhists and the Lee Myung-bak government is escalating with Buddhists openly denouncing what they call a series of discriminative measures against the religion.
They claim they receive such ``disrespectful'' treatment because the President is a Christian.
The latest incident came Tuesday when police searched a Buddhist leaders' car.
Ven. Jigwan, executive chief of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, was on his way to a meeting when police officers stopped the car at the gate of Jogye Temple in central Seoul around 4 p.m. The temple has been under police surveillance since July 6, as six anti-U.S. beef candlelight rally organizers sought refuge there in order to avoid arrest.
``As Ven. Jigwan lowered the car window and showed his face to the officers to identify himself, an officer said `We need a more thorough inspection,' and searched the car, opening the trunk,'' Ven. Seungwon, the spokesman of the order said.
Some 70 staff members of the order visited Jongno Police Station in the evening to protest, and the station chief apologized. Soul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Suk-ki also tried to visit Ven. Jigwan to apologize, but he refused to meet the chief.
``According to the law, police can search criminals caught red-handed or those likely to commit crimes. This incident shows police regarded the executive chief, who represents 20 million Korean Buddhists, as a criminal or would-be-criminal,'' the spokesman said." "Conflict between Buddhists and the Lee Myung-bak government is escalating with Buddhists openly denouncing what they call a seri... more -
The Monk
A young Buddhist Monk cannot let go of his earthly desires and in his pursuit of harmony and love, leads his transient being into a Corolla.
Watch our other work on http://www.mavifilm.com/
Actor Credits:
The monk: George Chang
The Hindu girl: Oma Ramlakhan
Production Credits:
Written, produced and directed by: Bora Aytun
Original music: J. Scott Zeiter
3D modeling and animation: Murat Aytun
Editing and compositing: Bora Aytun
Many thanks to:
George Chang for being such a good sport and his sharp talent for comedy;
Chris Redfern for enduring freezing weather just to hold up the reflector;
David and Dan Levine for letting me use their office space for many Blue Screen evenings, and being so supportive.
MANY THANKS TO everyone who supported this little production; by way of encouragement, patience, offerings of help and time and of course, Green Lights! A young Buddhist Monk cannot let go of his earthly desires and in his pursuit of harmony and love, leads his transient being into a Co... more -
Huge Protests in Myanmar
The protests in Myanmar started about a month ago after the military government instituted drastic increases in the price of gas. At one of the protests, soldiers fired over the heads of a group of monks who were participating. Myanmar is devoutly Buddhist, so the action against the monks changed the focus of the protests to be against the government in general, although the monks were careful to keep the tone of events peaceful and religious rather than political.The demonstrations today were the biggest the country has seen in almost 20 years - since the military killed tons of people in a crackdown in 1988 (some say hundreds were killed, other reports indicate it could have been thousands). So far, there has not been a violent response from the government, but that is always a possibility. The protests in Myanmar started about a month ago after the military government instituted drastic increases in the price of gas. At ... more
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Monks and Widows
Adrian Baschuk visits with some of the victims of the Muslim insurgency that is taking place in southern Thailand.
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Buying freedom for animals is a no no in NJ
Buddhists facing fines of up to $1000 for freeing animals
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