Saffron Revolution

In Myanmar, there are now protests against the military regime that has been in place since 1962. Recently there had been smaller protests since August 15^th but now Buddhist monks are leading the charge. The instigation of this new wave of protests is the rise in fuel prices dictated by the junta. Prices are supposed to rise 500%. The numbers of protesters is estimated to be somewhere between 30,000 and 100,000 and growing, according to eyewitnesses. The Buddhist monks and also nuns have marched to Yangon (formerly Rangoon) to demand change. Riot Police have been deployed to control the protests. The monks have been chanting for Democracy.

Ordinary people are beginning to get involved in the biggest anti-junta protests in nearly 20 years. The remnants of two political parties: the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Burmese Communist Party which is largely defunct.

Today, is also the first day of the United Nations General Assembly with Ban Ki-moon presiding. President Bush spent a good deal of time addressing the recent spate of protests in Myanmar. Sanctions have been imposed on the country by the US. The President mentioned Iraq or Iran as little as possible. Myanmar provided an excellent new topic that no one can disagree with him on. Who is not in favor of new democracy in place of rule by fear? I will concede that Laura Bush, his wife, is deeply involved in the struggle for freedom in Myanmar.

Also in Eastern Asia, there has been recent upheaval in government of Japan. The Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned on September 12^th taking his cabinet with him amid unpopularity. He was elected only last year and was the youngest, not to mention, the first to have been born after World War II. On August 27^th, he scrapped his cabinet after the suicide of the Minister of Agriculture on May 28^th by hanging himself. There had been an open investigation into impropriety involving his office expenses.

After getting a new cabinet, things still did not go well. In fact, problems continued with the same office. Norihiko Akagi was the replacement for the Minister of Agriculture and he resigned August 1st after disastrous elections on August 1st and allegations of funding discrepancies. The Liberal Democratic Party took particularly large losses. Three days after the new house was sworn in, Shinzo Abe and his entire cabinet resigned. For months the Prime Minister's popularity had not risen above 30%.

Yasuo Fukuda was chosen by the National Diet today. Word is, he will announce the new cabinet tomorrow, September 26^th.

Back on this day in 1066 the battle of Stamford Bridge occurred. The invading Norwegian army of King Harald Hardrada beat Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria. The Norwegian victory was shortlived... This is considered the end of the Viking age in England.

In 1513, Spanish Explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa found himself in the Pacific Ocean. Ferdinand Magellen, the Portuguese explorer, named it the Pacific Ocean.

In 1789, the US Congress passed twelve amendments: The Congressional Apportionment Amendment, Congressional Compensation Amendment and the Bill of Rights. The Congressional Compensation Amendment was not ratified until the 1990's as the 27^th. The first Amendment still has not been ratified. Only 11 states ratified it Georgia, Connecticut & Massachusetts not doing anything. Under modern ratification rules, 27 more states need to ratify the amendment. The Bill of Rights went into affect on December 15^th, 1791. Again, Georgia, Connecticut & Massachusetts did not ratify. They did however, do so in 1939.

In 1962, Algeria becomes free & independent.

And in 1976, soon to be pretentious rock band U2 was founded in drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.'s kitchen in Dublin, Ireland.

erin go bragh