It feels like a punch in the heart when I read about the reports of hundreds of monks being massacred and tortured in Burma. I just don't understand it. I feel helpless and confused. But my spirits were lifted a bit when I learned that people are learning about this and speaking out, over 584,000 people have already signed an online petition (organizers are hoping to reach a million this week) and an International Day of Action is being planned for this Saturday (see below).

Still, the situation in Burma remains desperate, Burma's rulers have also

Tyee regulars Michael Byers, Jared Ferrie and Terry Glavin, plus human rights expert Lauryn Oates debate and discuss Canada's role in fighting the Taliban and rebuilding Afghanistan.

When: Thursday, April 26th, 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Alibi Room, 157 Alexander Street at Main, Vancouver, B.C.

Good news: The US House and the Senate have both passed Iraq Accountabiity legislation more or less calling for ending the war and bring the troops home. Bush may veto it. Pressure is mounting and awareness is increasing.

Help stop the clash of cultures and pass it on. Petition for real peace talks in the middle east: (Avaaz) "First, watch our new 'Stop the Clash' video for a fresh, empowering take on the wider conflict, and why taking this first step toward Middle East peace matters: The video takes on the wider global crisis: from New York to Baghdad, Madrid to Beirut, talk is rising of a 'clash of civilizations' between the West and Islam.

ALRIGHT GANG!

I had a meeting today with the rest of the organizing crew for the fundraiser I'm doing for child soldiers. Officially, the event is called... "I GOT SOUL BUT I'M NOT A SOLDIER". Amazing, right? Okay, here's the part where I need help.

Does anyone know of any organizations based out of Vancouver or the surrounding areas that deals with or works with child soldiers, children living in war torn conflict zones, children in general.... I'm looking for any sort of community group that works with issues surrounding war OR children. Example! A friend of mine gave me a contact for a group that works with Mobilization Against War and Occupation.

Dear Mr. Hagel,
I just watched your comments on the Iraq resolution on 01.24.07. As a matter arising from the aforementioned broadcast, I want to offer my sincerest thanks: thank you, sir, for being a man of conscience and conviction. You see, I and many other people around the world are having a great deal of trouble holding in our negative emotions over the warrant-less deaths and war-crime grade atrocities your country is currently committing in Iraq. 

all i have to say is that if you were looking for hope on the political front, this might help 

What are my thoughts?

You know, I did read it and thanks for posting it by the way. I had heard some disturbing things and wanted to give it a once over. I confess, I didn't give it my fullest attention as I did a lot of skimming. Skimming in itself denotes a lot of bullshit to wade through, I would think - or at least not the kind of substance that I'd like to hear.