SOMETHING TO ADD

The censorshiped video of Parthenon!

2009-08-02T15:11:00.003+03:00

When the Christian Church become a political power, the first thing they did was to destroy the ancient temples, to built churches on the top of ancient holy places, to kill or sent to exile "pagans" philosophers, scientists and Hierophants.

Now when history is told, the church dare once more to raise its voice against the truth.

A scene from an animated film shown to visitors at the new Acropolis Museum that depicts Christian priests destroying parts of the Parthenon has been deleted following protests by the Greek orthodox church. The creator of the segment, Greek-born French filmmaker Constantin Costa-Gavras, has demanded that his name be taken off the film credits in protest.

Suu Kyi trial

2009-05-20T00:02:00.004+03:00

An artist’s impression of Aung San Suu Kyi’s appearance before a secret court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison, based on descriptions of the scene by courtroom sources. (Illustration: Harn Lay/ The Irrawaddy)

By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbors expressed "grave concern" on Tuesday over the trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi but China said it would not interfere in the regime's affairs.

On the second day of the closed trial, five prosecution witnesses testified against Suu Kyi, who is accused of violating her house arrest after an American intruder swam to her lakeside home two weeks ago.

The charges, denied by the Nobel Peace laureate, have drawn international condemnation and calls for Asian governments to get tough with Myanmar's ruling generals.

Setting aside its usual line of non-interference, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) said the "honor and credibility" of its troublesome member was at stake.

It urged "humane treatment" for Suu Kyi and reminded the regime that it had ignored the 10-member group's previous calls for her release from detention.

Nevertheless, ASEAN chair Thailand said the group would not change its policy of engagement with the regime.

"Events over the last week have raised concern and we expressed our concern very clearly, but our policy is to engage and continue to engage constructively," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in Bangkok.

The 63-year-old National League for Democracy leader has been detained for more than 13 of the past 19 years. Her latest house arrest is officially due to end on May 27 after six years.

Critics say the charges, which carry a three- to five-year jail term, would silence the charismatic Suu Kyi during multi-party elections in 2010, derided by the West as a sham to entrench more than four decades of army rule.

The NLD won the last election by a landslide in 1990, only to be denied power by the military. Since then, the generals have ignored efforts to force or coax them into meaningful reforms.

SANCTIONS DEBATE

The European Union said on Monday it is considering tougher measures against Myanmar, four days after the United States renewed its sanctions.

The EU also wants Asian governments to exert their influence on the regime and planned to raise the issue at an Asia-Europe meeting in Hanoi next week.

But Beijing said on Tuesday it would not interfere in the affairs of its neighbor.

"Events in Myanmar should be decided by the people of Myanmar," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular news briefing.

"As a neighbor of Myanmar, we hope all parties can realize reconciliation, stability and development through dialogue."

India, which has not commented on the trial, and China are competing for influence in Myanmar with an eye on the country's timber, gas and mineral wealth.

Derek Tonkin, a former ambassador to Thailand, said EU sanctions have had little effect on the regime and new measures were likely to fail too.

"The only effect would be to drive Myanmar further into the Chinese sphere of influence and aid and abet its isolation from the West, which the regime would positively welcome," he said.

The media and public are barred from the trial held in Yangon's Insein prison, which was ringed by heavily armed police manning barbed wire barricades on Tuesday.

Nyan Win, a member of her defense team, said they were allowed to meet privately with Suu Kyi on Tuesday.

She again insisted on her innocence and told them: "Don't worry about me. I will face whatever happens."

The regime accuses Suu Kyi of breaking the terms of her house arrest by allowing U.S. citizen John Yettaw to stay at her home for 2 days after he swam there using homemade flippers on May 3.

Suu Kyi's lawyers argue no law was broken because she did not invite the 53-year-old Yettaw. She had told him to leave but he refused, claiming he was exhausted.

The United States has called the charges "baseless." French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described the junta's actions as a "scandalous provocation."

Yettaw is also on trial, charged with immigration violations and entering a restricted area. He is also accused of illegal swimming in Inya Lake.

source: Reuters

UN and ASEAN Action Needed to Free Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-05-14T19:19:00.002+03:00

14 May 2009

The Burma Campaign UK today called for an intense diplomatic effort to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, after she was detained in custody in Burma’s notorious Insein Jail.

Aung San Suu Kyi is being tried for breaking the terms of her house arrest, which forbids visitors, after an American man, John Yettaw, swam across Inya Lake and refused to leave her house. Her trial is due to begin on 18th May.

“The United Nations and ASEAN must dispatch envoys to Burma to demand the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all Burma’s political prisoners,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “Burma’s generals will use any excuse to keep Aung San Suu Kyi detained. If strong action isn’t taken, Aung San Suu Kyi could face the rest of her life in jail.”

The Burma Campaign UK is calling on the British government, EU and USA to use their influence to ensure the UN sends an envoy to Burma.

“Aung San Suu Kyi has committed no crime, she is the victim of crime,” said Zoya Phan. “There was an intruder in her house who refused to leave, but she is the one being imprisoned.”

Today Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent a total of 13 years and 202 days in detention. The United Nations has ruled that Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention is illegal under international law, and also under Burmese law. The United Nations Security Council has also told the dictatorship that they must release Aung San Suu Kyi.

For more information contact Zoya Phan on 0207 324 4710

http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/news/un-and-asean-action-needed-to-free-aung-san-suu-kyi

Suu Kyi's party expresses concern for her health

2009-05-14T17:56:00.000+03:00

The Associated Press , Yangon | Fri, 09/05/2008 5:18 PM | World
The political party of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged Myanmar's military government Friday to ensure her well-being as she continued to refuse food deliveries to protest her detention.

The National League for Democracy "expressed concern" that Suu Kyi has not accepted food delivered to her home for almost three weeks, the party said in a statement.

It did not say whether she was on a hunger strike, a question that has remained unanswered since the first mention of her refusal to accept food over a week ago.

The 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been held in detention by the ruling military junta for 13 of the past 19 years, mostly under house arrest, and relies on food delivered by her party for sustenance.

Friday's statement called Suu Kyi's action a protest, which had only been alluded to until now.

"She is refusing food supplies in protest against ... her unlawful detention under the security law," the party said.

Suu Kyi also wants greater freedom of movement for two female companions who live with her and help take care of the house, it said. They are currently not allowed to leave the compound.

She is also protesting that authorities have not allowed her to receive a monthly medical checkup by her physician as they earlier promised, it said. A doctor visited Suu Kyi on Aug. 17, but her previous checkup was in January, the party said.

"Her safety and well-being are the soul responsibility of the authorities who have unlawfully detained her," it said.

Suu Kyi's lawyer, Kyi Win, was allowed to meet with her for 30 minutes on Monday, and said she told him that "I am well but I have lost some weight."

Rumors of a possible hunger strike have circulated widely in Yangon, where Suu Kyi's isolation has only increased the mystique that surrounds her.

Similar hunger strike rumors spread in 2003 and in 1989, but proved untrue.

Supporters have speculated that Suu Kyi is frustrated over the United Nations' failure to bring about democratic reform in the country, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

Suu Kyi canceled meetings with U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari during his six-day visit to Myanmar last month, and he left without seeing her.

U.N. envoys and other senior officials have visited the country nearly 40 times since 1990, and the U.N. General Assembly has passed numerous resolutions calling for change.(and)

(Extracted from The Jakarta post)

Aung San Suu Kyi jailed, to be charged

2009-05-14T17:24:00.004+03:00

After 14 years under house arrest, with her release extended from 2008 to 2009, Aung San Suu Kyi is now jailed and her trial will be on Monday 18 of May. The dictators in Burma had to find an excuse not to release her, and now they have one.

Its absurd what the Burmese military regime is doing, and still more absurd is the pressure of the international authorities over the Burmese regime, which are highly questionable.

If more action is not taken by the International authorities, Aung San Suu Kyi, can be jailed up to 7 years. Freedom for the 62 years old, Burmese martyr, seems to become a dream that never will come true.

In the "Quiet Land "Poem by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-05-14T13:38:00.000+03:00

Burma Military cracked down Monks and People

2009-05-14T12:00:00.006+03:00

Images tell more than words.

Justice for the Burmese: The Burma Collection

2009-05-14T11:32:00.007+03:00

"This playlist is for Aung San Suu Kyi, a courageous freedom fighter in Burma. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Aung San Suu Kyi is known all over the world as a human rights advocate and the leader of the democractic movement in the country of Burma. She is the daughter of the leader of the Burmese Independence movement in the 1940's, General Aung San, the most revered man in Burma's history. Suu Kyi is considered internationally as the legitimate leader of Burma, with the position as Prime Minister-elect. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been in and out of house arrest since 1989 in Rangoon, Burma. In 1990, she and her party (The National League for Democracy) won more than 80% of the vote in the National Elections. The Burmese Junta (which is an illegitimate government) nullified the results and never transferred power to Suu Kyi. She has been awarded numerous international awards, like the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and in 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Daw Suu has been fighting for democracy In Burma since 1988, the year of the 8888 Uprising. The junta put her under house arrest because they said that she was "a disturbance to the peace of the state." But, the true reason is that, they know that she has the power to bring democracy, justice, and peace to the country with the power of the people. To this day, Aung San Suu Kyi, now 63 years old, is still under house arrest, still fighting for freedom, justice, peace, and the rights of the people of Burma. I, as a fellow Freedom-lover from a freedom-loving country, must try to help, even in the smallest of ways, the country of Burma get the freedom they deserve. Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese people must be freed from oppression, hatred and violence.... NOW. "Truth is a powerful weapon..." - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Free Burma!" text extracted from you tube.

Suu Kyi to remain more 5 years under house arrest or prison...

2009-05-14T11:06:00.006+03:00

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was charged Thursday with violating terms of her house arrest in a bizarre case involving an American man who swam across a lake to sneak into her home, her lawyer said.

Suu Kyi, whose latest detention period officially ends May 27, could face a prison term of up to five years if convicted, said lawyer Hla Myo Myint. The trial is scheduled to start Monday at a special court at Yangon's notorious Insein Prison, where she was arraigned Thursday.

The American man, who has been identified as 53-year-old John William Yettaw, was arrested last week for allegedly swimming across a lake to secretly enter Suu Kyi's home and staying there for two days. His motives remain unclear.

He was charged at Thursday's hearing with illegally entering a restricted zone, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and breaking immigration laws, which is punishable by up to one year behind bars, said the lawyer.

Human rights groups said they feared the trial would be used to justify another extension of Suu Kyi's yearslong detention despite international demands for her release.

In the past the junta — which regards the Nobel Peace laureate as the biggest threat to their rule — has found reasons to extend her periods of house arrest, which international jurors say is illegal even under Myanmar's own law.

Kyi Win, another lawyer for Suu Kyi, said the opposition leader did not invite the man to her home and quoted her as saying she told the man to leave. He said the incident was merely a breach of security in the lakeside area where authorities normally keep close watch over Suu Kyi and her household.

"Everyone is very angry with this wretched American. He is the cause of all these problems," Suu Kyi's lawyer Kyi Win told reporters. "He's a fool."

Myanmar authorities said they arrested Yettaw on May 6 after he swam back across the lake while returning from Suu Kyi's residence.

"He seemed to be in good spirits and in good health," said U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Mei, who was not present at the arraignment and said he did not immediately have additional details.

Earlier Thursday, armed police drove Suu Kyi and two women who live with her from their lakeside home to Insein Prison. The two women, who have lived with Suu Kyi since she was last detained in 2003, were also charged with the same offense, lawyers said.

"This is a non-bailable case but we will fight for bail," Hla Myo Myint told reporters outside the prison after Suu Kyi and Yettaw were charged.

Suu Kyi, 63, has already spent more than 13 of the last 19 years — including the past six — in detention without trial for her nonviolent promotion of democracy, despite international pressure for her release.

"This is the cunning plan of the regime to put Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in continuous detention beyond the six years allowed by the law they used to justify the detention of her," the U.S. Campaign for Burma, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group opposed to military rule in Myanmar, said in a statement. Daw is a term of respect used for older women.

Suu Kyi has recently been ill, suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure. Her condition improved this week after a visit from a doctor who administered an intravenous drip, said Nyan Win, the spokesman of her National League for Democracy Party who is part of a team of three lawyers hoping to represent her.

"Please tell them (reporters) I am well," Kyi Win quoted Suu Kyi as saying. But he added: "I am very concerned about Suu Kyi's health, even though she said she is well."

A U.S. diplomat was allowed to visit Yettaw on Wednesday. Myanmar state television showed a still photo of Yettaw meeting with consular chief Colin Furst. A U.S. diplomat said the meeting lasted 30 minutes and that Yettaw said he had been treated well.

Myanmar's state-run newspapers reported last week that Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Missouri, swam on the night of May 3 to Suu Kyi's lakeside home and departed by swimming a longer 1 1/4-mile (2-kilometer) route on the night of May 5, before being arrested the next morning.

The report said his motive was under investigation.

There are no known previous cases of anyone sneaking into Suu Kyi's home, though an account earlier this week on a pro-government Web site said Yettaw admitted to making a similar secret visit late last year.

Extracted from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_myanmar_opposition_leader

Easter

2009-04-19T13:41:00.013+03:00

Today we celebrate Easter here in Greece, so I am adding some quotes about the Easter Tradition. The quotes below are mostly extracted from the writings of H.P.B.

Ancient Greece

The 1st of March was feasted throughout all pagan Greece, as its neomenia (1) was sacred to Persephone. Christian nations celebrate their Easter, for the same reason, on the first Sunday that follows the full moon, at the Vernal Equinox. With the festivals of the Pagans, the canonicals of their priests and Hierophants were copied by Christendom.

Extracted from: The Roots of Ritualism and Church and Masonry by H.P.B.

Notes of the Editor:
(1) NeomeniaThe time of the new moon; the beginning of the month in the lunar calendar.

The Scandinavian Goddess of Spring

On the Theosophical Glossary we find the following definition for Easter:

The word evidently comes from Ostara, the Scandinavian goddess of spring. She was the symbol of the resurrection of all nature and was worshipped in early spring. It was a custom with the pagan Norsemen at that time to exchange coloured eggs called the eggs of Ostara. These have now become Easter-Eggs. As expressed in Asgard and the Gods: “Christianity put another meaning on the old custom, by connecting it with the feast of the Resurrection of the Saviour, who, like the hidden life in the egg, slept in the grave for three days before he awakened to new life”. This was the more natural since Christ was identified with that same Spring Sun which awakens in all his glory, after the dreary and long death of winter.

Easter Eggs

In the Secret Doctrine we find the following comment about the Easter eggs:

In the Scandinavian Cosmogony—placed by Professor Max Müller, in point of time, as “far anterior to the Vedas” in the poem of Voluspa (the song of the prophetess), the Mundane egg is again discovered in the phantom-germ of the Universe, which is represented as lying in the Ginnungagap—the cup of illusion (Maya) the boundless and void abyss. In this world’s matrix, formerly a region of night and desolation, Nebelheim (the mist-place, the nebular as it is called now, in the astral light) dropped a ray of cold light which overflowed this cup and froze in it. Then the Invisible blew a scorching wind which dissolved the frozen waters and cleared the mist. These waters (chaos), called the streams of Elivagar, distilling in vivifying drops, fell down and created the earth and the giant Ymir, who only had “the semblance of man” (the Heavenly man), and the cow, Audhumla (the “mother” or astral light, Cosmic Soul) from whose udder flowed four streams of milk (the four cardinal points: the four heads of the four rivers of Eden, etc., etc.) and which “four” allegorically are symbolized by the cube in all its various and mystical meanings.
The Christians—especially the Greek and Latin Churches—have fully adopted the symbol, and see in it a commemoration of life eternal, of salvation and of resurrection. This is found in and corroborated by the time-honoured custom of exchanging “Easter Eggs.” From the anguinum, the “Egg” of the “pagan” Druid, whose name alone made Rome tremble with fear, to the red Easter Egg of the Slavonian peasant, a cycle has passed. And yet, whether in civilized Europe, or among the abject savages of Central America, we find the same archaic, primitive thought; if we only search for it and do not disfigure—in the haughtiness of our fancied mental and physical superiority—the original idea of the symbol.

—————
* His triadic goddesses are Sati and Anouki.
† Phtah was originally the god of death, of destruction, like Siva. He is a solar god only by virtue of the sun’s fire killing as well as vivifying. He was the national god of Memphis, the radiant and “fair-faced God.” (See Saqquarah Bronzes, Saitic Epoch.)
‡ The Brahmanda Purâna contains the mystery about Brahmâ’s golden egg fully; and this is why, perhaps, it is inaccessible to the Orientalists, who say that this Purâna, like the Skanda, is “no longer procurable in a collective body,” but “is represented by a variety of Khandas and Mahatmyas professing to be derived from it.” The “Brahmanda Purâna” is described as “that which is declared in 12,200 verses, the magnificence of the egg of Brahmâ, and in which an account of the future Kalpas is contained as revealed by Brahmâ.” Quite so, and much more, perchance.

Bulgarians on the eve of Easter Sunday

The Bulgarians have a belief that every Saturday, and especially the eve of Easter Sunday, and until Trinity day (about seven weeks) the souls of the dead descend on earth, some to beg forgiveness from those living whom they had wronged; others to protect and commune with their loved ones. Faithfully following the traditional rites of their forefathers, the natives on each Saturday of these seven weeks keep either lamps or tapers lighted. In addition to that, on the seventh of May they drench the tombs with grape wine, and burn incense around them from sunset to sunrise. With the inhabitants of towns, the ceremony is limited to these simple observances. With some of the rustics though, the rite assumes the proportions of a theurgic evocation. On the eve of Ascension Day, Bulgarian women light a quantity of tapers and lamps; the pots are placed upon tripods, and incense perfumes the atmosphere for miles around; while thick white clouds of smoke envelope each tomb, as though a veil had separated it from the others. During the evening, and until a little before midnight, in memory of the deceased, acquaintances and a certain number of mendicants are fed and treated with wine and raki (grape-whiskey), and money is distributed among the poor according to the means of the surviving relatives. When the feast is ended, the guests approaching the tomb and addressing the defunct by name, thank him or her for the bounties received. When all but the nearest relatives are gone, a woman, usually the most aged, remains alone with the dead, and — some say — resorts to the ceremony of invocation.

After fervent prayers, repeated face downward on the grave-mound, more or less drops of blood are drawn from near the left bosom, and allowed to trickle upon the tomb. This gives strength to the invisible spirit which hovers around, to assume for a few instants a visible form, and whisper his instructions to the Christian theurgist — if he has any to offer, or simply to “bless the mourner” and then disappear again till the following year. So firmly rooted is this belief that we have heard, in a case of family difficulty, a Moldavian woman appeal to her sister to put off every decision till Ascension-night, when their dead father would be able to tell them of his will and pleasure in person; to which the sister consented as simply as though their parent were in the next room.
From Isis Unveiled Vol II Chapter IX

See also:

Blavatsky--roots of Ritualism in Church and Masonry Blavatsky--Roots of Ritualism in Church and Masonry

Publish at Scribd

Annie Besant - Esoteric Christianity Annie Besant - Esoteric Christianity - Inner Mysteries

Publish at Scribd

Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-04-14T16:23:00.007+03:00

In 2007 the military Junta in Burma said they would free Aung San Suu Kyi in 2008.

In 2008 they decided to extend for one more year her house arrest (she was put on house arrest on July 1989).

She is one of the greatest examples of struggle against opression. Unfortunatly she remains under house arrest, and with her all people of Burma - who dream with freedom - are also imprisoned by one of the most cruel regimes ever.

As the time passes we read in the midia less and less about what is happening in Burma. We cannot forget what our eyes saw in 2007, and what has been happening all these years there.

We must express our solidarity and help to the Burmese people. We all can help them, for we have the freedom they dont have. And a way to help is to raise our voice and let not people forget what is happening there.

When we talk about help Burma, one's first question might be how... what can I do? First get informed, learn what is going on there, read. Express your solidariety, have a look on this blog on the post ways to help Burma.... . One who is willing to contribute can do many things, it does not matter if they are small or big, if they will have great or little impact. AN ocean is made our of little frops, every effort to help is important, for small and simple as might seem to be.

ANd here I cant avoid expressing my doubts that in 2009 the militar-junta will free Aung San Suu Kyi, but can only hope, and while hoping join the burmese people in their struggle against the horrors perpetrated by the burmese military junta.

Ways to Help Burma

2009-04-14T16:09:00.004+03:00

Those interested to help the people of Burma should pay a visit to the Voices of Burma .

There you can find listed 10 easy ways to help. I am including some ways you can help below, some extracted from the site Voices of Burma, others I simply added. Just dont be indifferent.

1 - Lobby Politicians

2 - Write articles about Burma to your local newspaper.

3 - Tell anyone you know about Burma and what is happening.

4 - Ask around your local community for Burmese groups and join them.

5 - Volunteer with Burmese Groups

6 - Tell others about your experiences and views.

7 - Create Blogs about Burma.

8 - Write in your Blog about the situation in Burma

9 - Create and Sign up existent petitions

10 - Search for online groups supporting a democratic regime in Burma.

Support the people of Burma, in their struggle for freedom and democracy.

2009-04-14T15:25:00.005+03:00

I've written the post below in 2007, while in Burma there were strong protests against the ditactorial regime.

News in Australia, Canada, UK and many other countries, have in the first page the comments of Stallone:

“Sylvester Stallone has revealed he and the film crew from his Rambo sequel witnessed atrocities while filming along the Burmese border.

"I witnessed the aftermath - survivors with legs cut off and all kinds of land mine injuries, maggot-infested wounds and ears cut off. We saw many elephants with blown off legs. We hear about Vietnam and Cambodia and this was more horrific," Stallone said in a telephone interview.

He returned eight days ago from shooting John Rambo, the fourth film in the action series, on the Salween River separating Thailand and Burma. He said it was "a hellhole beyond your wildest dreams".

The scenes he described occurred before the crackdown against large pro-democracy protests when soldiers responded by opening fire with automatic weapons on unarmed demonstrators.

For decades, Burma's army has waged a war against ethnic groups in which soldiers have razed villages, raped women and killed civilians.

"Stallone's next challenge is trying to get an "R" rating from the MPAA.
"This is full scale genocide. I want an 'R' and I want the violence in there because it is reality. It would be a whitewashing not to show what's over there,'' he told Associated Press."I think there is a story that needs to be told," Stallone said."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22517232-2,00.html

Meanwhile in Yahoo news we find the follow:

"Soldiers responded last week by shooting at unarmed demonstrators. The government says 10 people were killed, but dissident groups say anywhere from several dozen to as many as 200 died in the crackdown. Dissident groups say up to 200 protesters were slain and 6,000 detained in the junta's crackdown, compared to the regime's report of 10 deaths..."

The UN expected Gambari, to solve diplomatically the problem. That is ridiculous and obvious Gambari, who waited days and days to be received by the government in Burma, would not have any possibility to have a positive result.

The petition, An appeal to the UN Security Council to protect the people of Burma, Has until now only 27 thousand signatures.
http://www.petitiononline.com/9848/petition.html

The second petition asking: UN must act, Call for action on Myanmar Military Government ,Now !!!! Has only 7 thousand signatures.

http://www.petitiononline.com/kha8954b/petition.html

While other petition as for sample: Remove JewWatch.com from the Google Search Engine! Got in no time 377981 Total Signatures.

http://www.petitiononline.com/rjw23/petition.html

And the petition: Christians Say, "Enough Is Enough!" has 70437 Total Signatures.

http://www.petitiononline.com/miram/petition.html

Is this an inversion of values or what? Of course any group must fight for their rights, and any religion to defend their principles. But what shocks me most, is the great indifference for what is happening in Burma. Such indifference from part of the authorities is barbarian. The worker of a hospital in Burma called the owner of a web site in tears, saying that they were removing injured monks from the hospital, and incinerating them still alive!!!!!".

The United Nations have the following agreement:

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the U.N. General Assembly on 9 December 1948.
Entry into force: 12 January 1951.

Article III: The following acts shall be punishable:

(a) Genocide;
(b) Conspiracy to commit genocide;
(c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;
(d) Attempt to commit genocide;
(e) Complicity in genocide.

Article IV: Persons committing genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals.

Article V: The Contracting Parties undertake to enact, in accordance with their respective Constitutions, the necessary legislation to give effect to the provisions of the present Convention, and, in particular, to provide effective penalties for persons guilty of genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III.

Article VI: Persons charged with genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be tried by a competent tribunal of the State in the territory of which the act was committed, or by such international penal tribunal as may have jurisdiction with respect to those Contracting Parties which shall have accepted its jurisdiction.

http://www.preventgenocide.org/law/convention/text.htm

Unfortunately the UN can be considered the major responsible, for the continuing state of terror and chaos that exist in Burma. Is Burma eventually going to have the same end Tibet did? For as it seems China supports the dictator leader of Burma. Consequently its obvious that no military interference will happen from the UN in Burma, is obvious that the monks and the people will continually be living in a state of terror, its obvious that many more will die, their bodies left in the middle of the jungle or incinerated, that many more will be beaten to death, tortured, etc. Burma is not USA or Israel so why the authorities would take any immediate action?

The point is we as persons, who are deeply shocked with what is happening there, what can we do? To raise our voice, sign the petitions, denounce the indifference and criticize it, just do not remain silent in front of such crime.

http://www.burmawatch.org/

http://www.dassk.com/index.php

Mediumism and Channeling - Two faces of the same coin

2009-04-14T10:15:00.000+03:00

Today mediumism is such a strong phenomenon. In fact much stronger than it was during the time of the Foundation of the Theosophical Society in the 19th century. Allan Kardek is not the only one responsible for the proliferation of mediumism, but misinterpretations of theosophical teachings also has lead man into such a practice.

A common and more modern term used for mediumism is channeling. In fact channeling and mediumism are two faces of the same coin. H.P.B. give us some light upon this theme when she said he following: “There are thousands of shades of mediumism, and they cannot all be enumerated in a letter. All the ancient philosophers knew this, and shunned mediumism to such an extent that it was strictly forbidden to admit mediums to the Eleusinian and other Mysteries….(1).

We know that one of the most arduous works of H.P.B. was her struggle against mediumism. IN fact the need to approach this subject nowadays is even stronger than it was at the time of Blavatsky. After the publicity of H.P.B.’s communication with the Mahatmas, many were those who tried to contact them, through channeling or any other way. As a natural result, many were and are claiming to be in contact with them. Though none of the claimers were - or are able- able to offer any concrete evidence, they managed using the names of the Mahatmas, to found schools, to have thousands of followers around the world and in fact to make a very high profit out of it.

Between such persons we find Alice Bailey and Elizabeth Clare Profit (pardon me Prophet), also other persons who may charge two thousand Euros to give you a message from the Mahatmas; and persons we may know from our everyday life claiming to see the Maitreya at their living room and the Mahatmas at their backyard. The result of all this mess is that serious students of theosophy became very skeptical to such claims.

This skepticism born between serious students of theosophy is necessary to keep us on the right track. But is this skepticism really a good thing? In fact we know its not. But currently we have no other option. At the same time, we shall not shut out intuition and close our eyes to our latent powers. We do must exercise discernment and its only through deep study and self-knowledge that one maybe able to comprehend any phenomena, when having to deal with it.

(1) The Letters of H.P.Blavatsky, Letter 82, p. 307.

Erica L. Georgiades

Every Society is Judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

2009-03-28T10:31:00.000+02:00

Many months ago, I received an anonimous e-mail with the beautiful story which I reproduce below:

"At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next to bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball.... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions, so he too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head... Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay'.

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them."

Something to Add

2009-01-26T10:24:00.000+02:00

I've been considering the possibility to create a blog many months now. I've visited many blog-servers. I've tried many designs; I've created draft for many blogs and erased it. I was almost giving up when I realized that I was being too dramatic and had to make a final decision.

First I had to decide where to host my blog. I choose blogger, because there are many free templates and blog skins available. While using wordpress for the Wake-up pages (which in fact was not a blog), I saw they offered limited number of skins and one could not make major changes in the design without having to pay for it.

Well once I decided where the blog would be hosted, I had to choose a name. A friend of mine Sushma just choose a very easy and nice name for her blog: Sushma Webber on. I also liked the name Katinka Helsselink gave to her blog "All Considering". It is a clever name for a blog. It is so open and embraces such large variety of things. In fact in a blog with a title like this, one can write about everything. I also did not want a blog that would be limited to a subject, as the one I created last year Wake-up Say What you Think. The title for this old blog of mine was good, but the blog was a temporary one, and was related to one specific subject. So as I did not wanted to use the name of my old blog, I had to find a name for new the blog I wanna create. A name that would not limit me to a specific area or subject. Some of the names examined were:

To the Summit
Impossible is Nothing
To Dare is to Do
(As you see I am not se creative lately)

The first option was soon to be discarded, because remind me of the Summit Lighthouse. The second option Impossible is Nothing is nice but still something was missing. The third option "to dare is to do" it was not much what I want. So I thought why not Something to Add. Oh, that is very vague I know. But has also an air of mystery, what possible could be this something. So the title was decided and here we are.

We always have something to add, in our everyday conversations, in our food (sometimes on the food of others), in our house, in the world of ideas and creativity. When we have something to add, we have a contribution to give, we are willing to make an effort, and does not matter if its a big or a small effort, what really matters is to try.

Oh well Kronos (time) has no mercy, and the clock is running. I could keep writing and writing, to finish my first post. But I need to go. I guess this is what blogs are about, we seat and write and share some of our thoughts and experiences. We raise our voice against injustices, we share our dreams and hopes, our beautiful and bad moments; no matter what we always have something to add.