Obama: "Something is stirring" in Burma
President Obama delivering speech at Yangon University in Burma Nov. 19, 2012 / AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Updated 6 a.m. ET
RANGOON, BURMA President Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the troubled Southeast Asian nation of Burma Monday, calling on the country's leaders to continue reforms that have, in less than a year, set it on a path toward respectability in the international community.
"Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation," Mr. Obama said in a speech at Yangon University in the capital, Rangoon. "The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished - they must become a shining North Star for all this nation's people."
Burma has until recently been regarded as one of the world's most oppressive dictatorships; outreach from the Obama administration over the last eighteen months seems to have resulted in improvement. Mr. Obama cited open elections, the release of political prisoners, and a ban on forced labor as examples of the improvement.
"Over the last several decades, our two countries became strangers," the president said. "But today, I can tell you that we always remained hopeful about you - the people of this country. You gave us hope. And we bore witness to your courage."
Before delivering his speech, Mr. Obama met with longtime opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent fifteen years under house arrest in Burma during the country's military dictatorship.
This year, Suu Kyi was elected to Burma's parliament. Despite that success, she expressed a note of caution with Mr. Obama.
"The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success is in sight," Suu Kyi said. "Then we have to be very careful that we are not lured by a mirage of success. And that we are working toward genuine success for our people and for the friendship between our two countries."
Mr. Obama's message to the Burmese President Thein Sein struck a similar tone.
"I recognize this is just the first steps on what will be a long journey," Obama said to reporters, with Thein Sein at his side. "But we think a process of democratic and economic reform here in Myanmar that has been begun by the president is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities."
Thein Sein complimented the president and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for reaching out to the Burmese government.
"We reached agreements on the development of democracy in Myanmar," Thein Sein said in Burmese.
The current leaders of the country, like the military junta that led it for 20 years, refer to it as Myanmar. The United States government calls the country by its original name, Burma. And Suu Kyi refers to it as Burma.
During his visit, Mr. Obama used both names. He referred to the country as Myanmar while standing with President Thein Sein. He referred to it as Burma when standing with Suu Kyi. An administration spokesman said the president used Myanmar as courtesy to the country's leader.
Mr. Obama's trip to Burma comes in the midst of a three day, two night trip to the region, his first foreign trip since securing re-election earlier this month.
Sunday, the president visited Bangkok, Thailand, the United States's oldest ally in the region, for meetings with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
Later Monday, he traveled to Cambodia to attend the East Asia Summit and participate in meetings with the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
At Yangon University, Mr. Obama was interrupted for applause only twice: when he argued for reconciliation between all of Burma's ethnic and religious groups, and when he said the most important job in a democracy is that of citizen.
He concluded his remarks optimistic about what he was seeing in Burma.
"I stand here with confidence that something is stirring in this country that cannot be reversed, and that the will of the people can lift up this nation and set an example for the world," the president said. "And you will have in the United States of America a partner on that long journey."
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You know, HILLZ, I wouldn't call someone stupid just to insult them. If I were to call someone in this forum stupid it would be in hopes that they would experience an epiphany and realize that they are embarrassing themselves by attempting to spar with those much more intelligent than themselves.
HILLZ... you're stupid!
______________________________________
If that were true IM4, then you would truly be the pot calling the kettle black, if your posts are any indication LOL
But let's see if you can prove the old adage is true that "Two heads are better than one" and maybe you can partner with your buddy Sign and come up with some substantive actions Obama has taken in his "outreach" to bring about change in Burma.
Unfortunately, I think both your heads will fail to add up on one intelligent human being, but try anyway.
That's kind of like saying Clinton's tax hikes resulted in prosperity - just a made up correlation without any base in fact.
If their "outreach" did something, what was the "outreach" and what "thing" did it do? Identifying those things is call "journalism".
The flip side to "journalism" is actually READING what is written.
You see, only the terminally stupid or completely mindless just drink the Koolaid they're fed by the Obama media machine. You are a great example.
I find it hard to believe that Obama reached out to them with what? An open letter? A phone call? Money? Maybe he put a message in a bottle.
How exactly did Obama get involved and turn things around there? This article talks about none of that. In the last 18 months, Obama has been campaigning for re-election. He did nothing to bring about change in Burma.
We don't have any more money to give you in your fight for democracy.
Due to budget cuts, we no longer have a military to support you if you are in need.
We do have nearly 2 million unemployed / underemployed that we can send you if you need addition forced labor.
Call if you need...partner!
[Congress hasn't declared war on anyone since 12/8/41.
You can look this up.]
2. Obamacare is unconstitutional. Forcing US citizens to get health insurance whether they want it or not.
[Not according to the SCOTUS. The Constitution doesn't require us to stop at stop signs either. Try telling that to the nice police officer who pulls you over]
3. Obama disrespects our Constitution calling it flawed and trying to change it even after taking this oath:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
[Name one way in which President Obama has tried to change the Constitution.]
4. Appointing agency "czars" without Senate approval.
[see, #2 above]
[5. You don't even know how to impeach someone, do you?]
When he does offer to help Americans it is usually for a photo op but there is no follow through and using our money doesn't make him a compassionate person. The real test is if he will use his own money and spend some real time in service to Americans. We haven't had that from this POTUS. VERY DISAPPOINTED.