Rev. Danny Fisher

In addition to the things I mentioned that you could do for the Burmese victims of Cyclone Nargis in this post and this post, the U.S. Campaign for Burma today offers a few more ways that we can be useful.

In a mass email today from the campaign, Executive Director Aung Din, Campaign Director Jeremy Woodrum, Advocacy Coordinator Jennifer Quigley, and Campaign Coordinator Thelma Young suggest the following actions:

1. Hold a fundraiser. They write: “Many of you are already working on this, and we greatly appreciate it. While the Burmese regime isn’t allowing international aid in, you can fundraise. We will then send the money directly to trusted Burmese organizations inside who are working to help the people. You can send checks to us or make online donations.”
   
2. Get your community involved. They suggest using the campaign’s special page on Cyclone Nargis as a resource.
   
3. Attend an event. There are a number of vigils, fundraisers, and other events being planned all across the United States. Here is a short list by city:
   New York City
   Friday, May 9th
   
   • UN Demonstration for Cyclone Victims
     Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
     Location: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations. 434d and 1st Ave
     http://nyburmaroundtable.googlepages.com

   • Candle Light Vigil
     Time: 7:00pm
     Location: Union Square

     San Francisco
     Friday, May 9th
     

   • (4-6pm Protest & Rally; 6-7pm Speakers; 7-8pm Prayers & Vigil)
     San Francisco Federal Building/Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Office
     450 Golden Gate Avenue (@Larkin), San Francisco, CA
     www.badasf.org

     Washington DC
     Sunday, May 11th
     

   • Protest in front of SPDC attache (2300 California Ave)
     6:00pm

   • Prayer Vigil at Burmese Buddhist Temple at 10:00 am

     Boston
     Saturday, May 10th
     

   • Fundraiser 12-4pm
     Yoma Restaurant
     5 N Beacon St
     Allston, MA 02134
     http://harvardbam.blogspot.com

     Dallas
     Saturday May 10th
     

   • Prayer Service and fundraiser
     Thanksgiving Square
     1627 Pacific Ave (between Akard and Bryan), Dallas

In the House of Representatives, a period for one minute speeches usually takes place at the beginning of the legislative day after the daily prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s Journal. During this time, representatives may ask for unanimous consent to address the House for one minute on a topic of their choice.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)–one of the hardest-working and least appreciated representatives in the country–has been giving a lot of them lately. His topic of choice: Iraq. Here’s what he said this morning:

As I said back in March, I have no idea what the solution is to avoid more violence and death in Iraq. Should we leave just like that? I’m not sure. But, like I said then, I think a smart end to this war will involve many (if not all) of the points of Rep. Kucinich’s 12-point exit plan.

At any rate, I’ll be calling my members of Congress and invoking some of Rep. Kucinich’s points. To talk to your members of congress about impending war funding and other Iraq-related concerns, call any one of these toll free numbers:

Below are two video clips that comprise the Global Oneness Project‘s complete interview with Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the man many (including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government) believe to be the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.

If you’re not aware of the controversy surrounding the identity of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, I recommend visiting this Wikipedia page. I’m not sure what’s appropriate in terms of assigning the title, and so, until it gets sorted out and one of them is sitting at Rumtek Monastery, I’m just going to refer to them both as “the Karmapa”.

Incidentally, His Holiness the Karmapa (Ogyen Trinley Dorje) will be visiting the U.S. this month and next. Find out more details here.

Part I:

Via The Interdependent: Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Executive Chairman of the Board of the International Campaign for Tibet, has released a statement about the recent talks between the Tibetan and Chinese governments.

Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen and I had the honour of briefing His Holiness the Dalai Lama immediately after our arrival yesterday from China. Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, joined us in the briefing. We also briefed the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Dolma Gyari, this morning. The Speaker, Mr. Karma Choephel, is currently on an official visit.

On 4 May 2008 in Shenzhen, China, we met with Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party. We would like to express our appreciation to the hosts for accepting our suggestion to hold this informal meeting in Shenzhen as well as agreeing to a meeting of principals without aides. Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar were our counterparts for the last several years. This long relationship made it possible to have open and frank discussions in a friendly and respectful atmosphere, despite the prevailing tense and grave situation in Tibet.

Our main purpose of seeking this urgent informal meeting was to discuss the critical situation in Tibet. There were strong and divergent views on the nature as well as the causes of the recent tragic events in Tibet. These views were expressed in a frank and candid manner. On our part we rejected categorically the accusation made against His Holiness the Dalai Lama of instigating the demonstrations and unrest in Tibet. Instead we made it clear that the events in Tibet are the inescapable consequences of wrong policies of the authorities towards the Tibetans, which goes back several decades. The recent crisis in Tibet is a clear symptom of deeply felt grievances and resentment of the Tibetans with these policies. The task at hand is to address the legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people in a realistic and constructive way.

We have stressed the importance of ending the current repression throughout Tibet. We have called for the release of prisoners, to allow those injured to be given proper medical treatment and give unfettered access to visitors, including the media. We have also called for an end to the “patriotic re-education” campaign which is deeply resented by the Tibetan people.

We also rejected the accusation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is sabotaging the Olympic Games 2008. On the contrary, we made it clear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently and unambiguously supported the Beijing Olympic Games right from the beginning.

Despite major differences on important issues both sides demonstrated a willingness to seek common approaches in addressing the issues at hand. In this regard, each side made some concrete proposals, which can be part of the future agenda. As a result an understanding was reached to continue the formal round of discussions. A date for the seventh round will be finalised soon after mutual consultations.

We welcome the recent statement of President Hu Jintao that his government is “serious” about the dialogue and his acknowledging that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is being “conscientious and serious”. This statement is encouraging at a time when there is growing skepticism about China’s sincerity in resolving the Tibet issue through dialogue.

08 May 2008
Dharamsala

Visit http://www.burmaitcantwait.org.