International female clothing laws

This international women's day the Swiss have banned the burka, this caused a lot of trouble in France when it was instigated.

Banning a burka is a bit like banning a mini skirt, it reveals nothing but intolerance.

Whatever your feelings about revealing or covering up your body enforcing it on someone else without a really good reason is foolish.

As Aung San Suu Kyi has found herself yet again facing the gun in what should be a democracy I will add this: in some parts of the world flip-flops are banned on building sites.

There is a reason for regulating attire on a building site, there is little for wandering about wherever you may find yourself.

Myanmar coup condemned

The Myanmar military has reportedly staged a military coup due to alleged voter fraud.

This shows how fragile Myanmar’s democracy still is.

Aung San Suu Kyi has come in for her criticism of her treatment of the Rohingya internationally, now Myanmar’s whole democracy is in peril.

The military action will not protect the Rohingya and in the context of what is happening in Hong Kong this sits within other democratic challenges in the region.

The US has responded with violence to some of their own democratic challenges, but there has been no coup.

Biden and the UN has spoken up, but this still leaves Myanmar’s democracy in a very dangerous situation.

The military needs to cede control immediately and allow another vote if fraud is really suspected.

One of the true heroines

I posted some time ago about Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

And today was heartened to find this story posted on my facebook wall.

It is amazing to hear her speak and not just read an interview.

Although the guardian interview by the wonderful Polly Toynbee that I read of hers was very thought provoking, also.

I love the positivity that she has and the strength and confidence she has in her thoughts and feelings.

Truly, an inspiration.

Democracy vs the monarchy

Breaking news: pro-democracy figure released after years of house arrest; couple in the UK announce their engagement.

Last saturday I wandered downstairs to receive the news that Aung San Suu Kyi had been released from house arrest after ten years of house arrest.

It raised a tired smile from my lips, which did no justice to the weight and beauty of this news; so I can perhaps forgive David Cameroon for his painfully understated "well overdue" comment.

Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the future modern day political figures that truly makes my heart swell.

She is a hero almost beyond measure in my eyes.

And this is only heightened by the fact she is a woman.

So imagine my dismay that in the following days instead of being inundated with news about the hopes and developments in Burma's new 'democracy', I hear on the hour every hour about the engagement of a little known UK couple: their called William and Kate, oh, did I mention that he is the third in line to the throne of our, er, 'democracy'.