Rev. Danny Fisher

Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
June 11, 2009

Statement by President Barack Obama on Yesterday’s Holocaust Museum Shooting

From The White House:

    For Immediate Release
    June 10, 2009

    Statement by President Obama on Holocaust Museum Shooting

    “I am shocked and saddened by today’s shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. This outrageous act reminds us that we must remain vigilant against anti-Semitism and prejudice in all its forms. No American institution is more important to this effort than the Holocaust Museum, and no act of violence will diminish our determination to honor those who were lost by building a more peaceful and tolerant world.

    “Today, we have lost a courageous security guard who stood watch at this place of solemn remembrance. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this painful time.”

I would echo all of the President’s comments, and will remember security guard Stephen Jones, his family, and his friends in my thoughts, prayers, and practice.

[Photo by Jim Young for Reuters. "A law enforcement officer walks into the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (rear) after a shooting at the museum in Washington, June 10, 2009. Washington police said that two people, including a security guard and the shooter, sustained injuries from gunshots inside the Holocaust Museum."]

June 11, 2009

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bill Gates Release DATA Report 2009

Read the DATA Report 2009 here.

June 11, 2009

Protect Indigenous Rights in the Amazon

This from Avaaz.org:

    Peru is witnessing violent clashes between indigenous groups desperately trying to protect the Amazon and the government, who has pushed through legislation allowing intensive mining, logging and large scale farming in the rainforest.

    If government and extractive industries have their way, the Peruvian rainforest and its people will suffer massive devastation, with disastrous consequences for the global climate.

    Sign the urgent petition below and support the courageous struggle of the indigenous peoples to protect the Amazon — a prominent and well respected Latin American politician will deliver it to President Alan Garcia on our behalf.

Sign the petition here.

June 11, 2009

Tibet News (6.10.09)

“More nationalistic than their parents: Arrested young Tibetan protesters on China’s State television.” Image via The Huffington Post.
Here’s the latest news about Tibet:

  • The International Campaign for Tibet offers an English translation of the recent report authored by a group of independent Chinese scholars that challenges the official government position on unrest in Tibet. Download it here.
  • The Huffington Post‘s Rebecca Novick blogs about the report.
  • Radio Free Asia reports that “a standoff over a planned gold mine in Tibet [has been resolved], but questions remain regarding the disposal of poisonous waste at the site.”
  • The Christian-Science Monitor reflects on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recent trip to Europe.
  • The Washington Post and Reuters report on China’s anger about His Holiness being made an honorary citizen of Paris while on that trip.
  • Finally, France24 reports on “Tibetans torn between spiritual authority and political necessity”:

    • June 11, 2009

    Burma News (6.10.09)

    “Thousands of ethnic Karen have fled to Thailand in recent days.” Photo by the BBC.
    Here’s the latest on Burma:

  • The BBC reports that “Thailand has sent heavily-armed troops to reinforce positions along the Burma border after an influx of ethnic Karen refugees fleeing an army offensive.”
  • Reuters reports that Burma’s ruling military junta has upheld a ban on defense witnesses for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and Prime Minister-elect who is currently on trial for violating the terms of her house arrest.
  • Al Jazeera English reports that the junta will allow one witness to testify on Suu Kyi’s behalf, though.
  • The Agence France-Presse reports that Suu Kyi “met with her defence lawyers in jail…as her legal team vowed to push ahead with an appeal to allow more witnesses at her trial.”
  • Mizzima reports on vile attempts at assassinating Suu Kyi’s character.
  • Reuters reports on how the trial has clouded the issue of continuing aid post-Cyclone Nargis.
  • On that issue, the Associated Press reports that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, international donor agencies, and various countries have appealed to the generals to “widen the door for representatives of international aid agencies to deliver assistance to the people still suffering after Cyclone Nargis hit [Burma] more than a year ago.”
  • The United Nations’ Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has said that the education sector in Burma urgently needs a funding boost.
  • Finally, the AP reports that “President Barack Obama’s choice as top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Wednesday that the United States is interested in easing its long-standing policy of isolation against military-run [Burma].” The article continues:

      Kurt Campbell, however, told U.S. lawmakers at his Senate confirmation hearing that Myanmar’s heavy-handed treatment of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi hinders any U.S. effort to change course and engage the ruling junta in [Burma].
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