this has such huge potential! i hope it works out for the best interest of the ethnic minorities in Burma (the Wa and the Karen and others).

That Nobel Price has got to be won !!!

It's all a matter of perspective, mind over matter. If you want to have faith in him then all you have to do is have faith in Obama.

Birgit u are astute... seems like so many want change in America that they are in denial of his actions since he took over... I hope he will do something good here but i fear for any country this man steps foot in judging from his actions since he took control of America on behalf of his banker buddies.... I hope only good will come of this....

What a bunch or naysayers! I'm sure Obama will do his best. I have no faith in the junta, if you ask me.

He has good intentions, for Pete's sake, Bush wouldn't have cared. I believe in him. I do not believe the junta will allow any change though. Their interest is in themselves, not the people who are suffering, the women being raped, the children being kidnapped and forced to be soldiers, the ethnic cleansing....They will not willingly stop what they... See More're doing as long as it suits them! There will only be change from the inside (doubtful after more than 40 years) or the international community must intervene.

I thought this was a peaceful site for Buddhist supporters, full of Buddhists. How sad that people come on here that are non believers and try to stir the pot to peaceful people. We now have a President who cares enough to try instead of rushing into a country with no excuse for a war and all people can do is be negative. Perhaps Chris and Birgit would like to support their right wing cause elsewhere?! I think there is a bible over there.

Buddhism is just another ism, another belief. If we do not give everyone the opportunity to speak their mind in any forum, then we are just being factionalist and creating divisions. I think it is perfectly acceptable for someone who is not Buddhist to comment here, and I would never deign to tell them otherwise. Buddhism is no better or worse than any other belief system.

That said, I am hopeful for Obama to formally meet with the military junta in Burma...perhaps it will put pressure upon them to expand freedoms for the people they currently rule, and perhaps the tantalizing carrot of economic integration will encourage rule of law and democratic ideals to take root with the support (or even the initiative) of the junta.

Buddhist or not...we can all have hope. Obama is doing more than any president since Carter to uphold the optimism that hope, replicated over and over by presidents and people and companies and yes, even juntas, have. We should speak in honor of that hope, and not let polarization and dissonance drive us into deeper factionalization instead of further unity.... See More

Freedom of speech, which we all have here, should be extended to all, even those we do not agree with.

Well said!
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." (MLK)

Deborah, looking at the posts above, your reference to the bible was unprovoked and was likely due to some hatred of your own.

Quote Deborah: "Perhaps Chris and Birgit would like to support their right wing cause elsewhere?! I think there is a bible over there."

Since when is this an all-buddhist group?

I believe that Deborah used the word 'bible' in which she refers to Christianity. Otherwise Im sure she would have known better and used Qu'ran, the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu scriptures), etc, etc, etc if she meant anything other.

Jim and Dana - thanks for your rational thoughts on the topic.

No. I referred to the Bible on purpose.

The reason I referred to the Bible is for the right wing agenda the two brought into this forum. It's all about taking care of oneself under the guise of the Bible. If you want to be hateful, go post on Conservative Christian values else where but in the meantime the important issue at hand is what is going on in Burma and the high hopes we have in... See More at least someone trying to fix it. I'm saddened that we have to make this into a middle America Conservative commentary about a President actually trying to do something.

All religion aside, wouldn't the fact that we're all in this group suggest that we all want freedom in Burma? Who cares what religion we follow if the end result is that we want the suffering of the Burmese people to end. Even though I am not a Christian, I still side with any and all people who want peace regardless of their faith.

i send love and light to this meeting, and have faith that blessings will come of it for all who suffer.

I pray for PEACE

Deborah for someone to state they don't expect much from Obama doesn't make them a hate-filled right wing neo-conservative bible thumper, I hope you realise

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How about some positive mental thinking regardless of any religious or political sway! I'm not sure any man or woman who gets behind that runaway hit&run vehicle of political office can simply slam the breaks on and it seems that none of the wonderful faiths are able to stop the pain and suffering so perhaps we should start by not squabbling on hear and respecting one another simply as fellow beings hey people... Don't loose the focus!

nothing will happen... too much oil and the potential to face off against the likes of china ...America dont want that.

yeah good luck, dude...

who the f.....is posting this....sh....on my wall?'
Im sick of this thing!i cant support f......monks in burma.....im in f....COLOMBIA!!!!.....

Isolating the junta for decades hasn't worked, in fact it has only entrenched their power. Gotta try something new and at least engagement may mean aid can now get thru to those who desperately need it. The slorc's indifference to the plight of it's own people after last year's cyclone was a crime against humanity... But the trick long-term here is not to be just played for suckers.

Kick his ass Barack!!

The hands coming together in prayer are the coming together of both sides in an embrace of sharing, of good will, and they rise toward a common understanding with good will and communication. Slowly, surely, effectively, offering time to grow...

Everyone should be able to do that little thing!

I pray for PEACE!

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This is a serius matter and nothing to be relax about. People are suffering and dying every day by the hands of butcher spdc thugs. I wonder any one will shoot their mouth like that if they have to carry the ammo and supplies like mules, and walk on the front and suround them on the side to protact the gun carrying soldiers as mine sweepers and ... See Morebullet buffers. On top of that the old folks, children and women are tortured, killed and raped.
Monks are the voice of the suffering people and not to be mocked at.

yong-jane tsuen, your'e wright, but continue to fight for yours ideas

excelllent news that anug san suu yui was able to meet the ambasador in person as she has been previously ill i wonder if this was part of the mission?

go money which makes the world go round.