[Newsbot]

Filibuster Cartoons
Title: Burma's general election (click to view)
Date: November 12, 2010
Control of the government of Burma was nominally transferred to civilian hands this week, as the country held its first parliamentary elections in decades to select a government to replace its current military dictatorship.

I say "nominally" because the whole episode is really just so much polite window dressing. The fat generals who run Burma have no real intention of relinquishing their power, and the elections are a largely stage-managed affair designed to improve the PR image of a government that has come under increased scrutiny in recent years for its numerous human rights abuses. As a result, the military founded its own party, the "Union Solidarity and Development Party," which proceeded to predictably "win" 80% of the seats in the Burmese House of Representatives, in a vote all outside observers have condemned as deeply flawed and illegitimate. This new parliamentary government will almost certainly elect to keep top junta figures in key positions of power in a new "civilian" regime, and it's similarly unlikely any significant human rights reforms will emerge, considering the Burmese state distrusts its own citizens so much it literally shut down the internet during voting time.

Burma gained its present military dictatorship 20 years ago, following their last attempt at a democratic election. That was the infamous vote won by the party of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, who the military did not particularly care for, and chose to imprison rather than let assume office as prime minister. Mrs. Aung's party boycotted this most recent election, calling it a sham. Though she wouldn't have much hope of becoming prime minister in any case, seeing as she remains under house arrest to this day.

[Zipperfish]

That's an awesome one, JJ. I hope you're marketing these to the dailies. I think your stuff competes with finest stuff out there for political cartoons.

[BartSimpson]

JJ, Thank you very much for calling it Burma.

[JJ]

Zipperfish wrote:

That's an awesome one, JJ. I hope you're marketing these to the dailies. I think your stuff competes with finest stuff out there for political cartoons.

Thanks Zip! You're always such a strong supporter.

Unfortunately, papers don't usually buy editorial cartoons on a freelance basis. They almost always have a contract with a staff cartoonist, or some cheap multi-paper syndicate. I feel like the net's as good as it's gonna get.

[The_Doctor]

JJ wrote:

Zipperfish wrote:

That's an awesome one, JJ. I hope you're marketing these to the dailies. I think your stuff competes with finest stuff out there for political cartoons.

Thanks Zip! You're always such a strong supporter.

Unfortunately, papers don't usually buy editorial cartoons on a freelance basis. They almost always have a contract with a staff cartoonist, or some cheap multi-paper syndicate. I feel like the net's as good as it's gonna get.

At least your on cagle.

[Taospark]

They finally released Aung San Suu Kyi, although she'll probably still be barred from any political role and still runs the prospect of either being arrested again or succumbing to an "accident".

[Murray_Smith]

And if/when that happens, Bono will be pissed.