Objective: Burma (continued)...

The front page of today's "Independent" newspaper sums up perfectly the hidden tragedy of Burma.
Good luck to the oppressed & isolated Burmese people. They'll need it....
Accounts from inside Burma
Burma: Hundreds may be dead, as junta tries to keep brutality unseen (Independent)

Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man (continued)....

This time last year, I commented on the selection of Robert Downey Jr for the new Iron Man movie.
Just seen the trailer for said movie and it does look interesting...

PS: a tip of the hat to the Haven Comics blog (where I found the link).
Iron Man official site

Haven Comics

And the next London mayor is....

Outspoken Henley MP Boris Johnson will be the Conservative party's candidate in next year's London mayoral race, taking on Labour's incumbent Ken Livingstone, who will be seeking a third term in office.
One of Mr Johnson pledges would be to scrap "bendy" buses and return the classic "Routemaster" buses to London.


I hate these bendy buses with a passion. Several have caught fire on London streets and since the introduction of these buses, there has been increased fare evasion. But I won't be voting for Boris - or Ken, for that matter. I've had my fill of celebrity politicians.
Johnson is Tory mayor candidate

Objective: Burma (continued)...

From the BBC:

State television in Burma (Myanmar) says that nine people died and 11 were wounded in the latest crackdown on anti-government protesters. The dead included a Japanese man, identified as Kenji Nagai, a video journalist working for APF News.
Troops fired shots and tear gas in an attempt to clear the streets of thousands of protesters in the main city of Rangoon. Witnesses said dozens of Buddhist monks were beaten, while hundreds more were detained.
Several countries around the world have urged the Burmese military to show restraint and the UN Secretary General has dispatched his special envoy to the region.

And so Burma joins other countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe where we'll look on helplessly and mutter about crimes against humanity.

I'm reminded of a certain phrase by English philosopher Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797):

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
Nine killed in Burmese crackdown

Objective: Burma!

According to reports, at least two monks and a civillian has been killed as Burmese police attacked peaceful protesters against military rule. The Buddhist monks have been spearheading the recent protests in this deeply religious country. However the military had warned the monks on Monday to stop their protests. It is said that dozens of protesters were also injured, and at least 100 people have been arrested.

The protesters are demonstrating great bravery, as they know they face death or torture for asserting their rights for democratic rule in Burma. Let us not forget that the last time similar protests took place in Burma (1988), the response by the ruling military was to send armed soldiers to massacre the protesters.
Such bravery deserves to be recognised and supported by the rest of the world with deserved action by our leaders against this regime. However I fear our leaders will merely will sit and watch as more people die.

Burmese riot police attack monks

Q&A: Protests in Burma

Dexter

Followed "Dexter" religiously throughout my sabbatical. An interesting twist on the TV detective genre, having the hero as a serial killer.
Dexter Morgan (played effectively by Michael C. Hall), is a forensics analyst specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the Miami Police Department. Dexter is also a serial killer, who polishes off those who escape the law.
I enjoyed the series, but I found it hard to root for our "hero". His victims may be unspeakably evil, but Dexter acting as judge, jury and executioner grated on me a bit. Also the identity of Dexter's main protagonist in the first series (the Ice Truck Killer) was a tad too easy to discover.
Still, I hear a second series is on its way and I'll be ready...
Dexter (UK official site)

Meanwhile, in another part of London...

Latest figures unveiled this morning reveal Arsenal's turnover has broken the £200 million barrier, after the move from Highbury to the larger 60,000 seat Emirates Stadium, currently making them Britain's richest football club.
The club's annual financial results for the year ending May 31, 2007 show that income rose 46% to £200.8m, up from £137.2m a year before. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has also been promised £70million in transfer funds.
Match day revenues from the first season at Emirates Stadium were £90.6 million, representing £3.1 million per game and being more than double the £44.1 million achieved in the previous year at Highbury
However, TV revenues were down on 2005/06, when the club reached the Champions League final, by £10m.

"These results demonstrate we really don't need any outside investment," the club's managing director Keith Edelman told the BBC.

All in all, life appears rosy for us Gooners. Despite the departure of Thierry Henry, the team is currently top of the Premiership, playing the kind of football that makes others drool and costing a relative pittance when compared to the reported £30million paid by Chelski for the services of one Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko. Arsène Wenger has extended his contract as Arsenal manager through to 2011, which will make him the longest serving manager in the club’s history.
And the recent debacle at Chelski serves as a timely reminder to Arsenal fans why perhaps we should beware wealthy billionaires bearing gifts.
New stadium boosts Arsenal income

From the "Special One" to the unknown one...

Yep - I'm back. Moving quickly on....

So it's goodbye Jose Mourinho, and hello Avram Grant to the Chelski hot seat. Considering Chelski just lost 2-0 to Manchester United just now (let's be honest, they looked dispirited, although I thought the referee spoilt the match), the new man has the unenviable task of picking up the pieces in the wake of the departure of the "Special One."
OK, Jose was an egotistical, arrogant man, but I won't deny the success he had at Stamford Bridge.
However success wasn't enough for the owner, Roman Abramovich. It appears the philanthropy of the Russian billionaire has been replaced by megalomania (if the stories of him giving impromptu tactics to midfielder Essien after the draw with Rosenborg last week are true).
All in all, some interesting times for the blues....

(PS: Dear Ca$hley - HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!)
Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea