Angelina Jolie is a Grass Girl

More on Myanmar. Skip if you don’t wanna read. Off topic but I think dear to the hearts of many fans of Brad and Angelina.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iy-MfhLN9Q7MwtQ1VlrvexLjr2dA

Buddhist Monks Defy Assembly Ban
29 minutes ago

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Security forces fired warning shots and tear gas canisters while hauling Buddhist monks away in trucks Wednesday as they tried to stop anti-government demonstrations in defiance of a ban on assembly.

The junta had banned all public gatherings of more than five people and imposed a nighttime curfew following eight days of anti-government marches led by monks in Yangon and other areas of the country, including the biggest protests in nearly two decades.

A march toward the center of Yangon followed a tense confrontation at the city’s famed Shwedagon Pagoda between the protesters and riot police who fired warning shots into the air, beat some monks and dragged others away into waiting trucks. Tear gas also was used.

The latest developments could further alienate already isolated Myanmar from the international community and put pressure on China, Myanmar’s top economic and diplomatic supporter, which is keen to burnish its international image before next year’s Olympics in Beijing.

But if the junta backs down, it risks appearing weak and emboldening protesters, which could escalate the tension.

When faced with a similar crisis in 1988, the government harshly put down a student-led democracy uprising. Security forces fired into crowds of peaceful demonstrators and killed thousands, traumatizing the nation.

The potential for a violent crackdown already had aroused international concern, with pleas for the junta to deal peacefully with the situation coming from government and religious leaders worldwide. They included the Dalai Lama and South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both Nobel Peace Prize laureates like detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

On Wednesday, about 5,000 monks and 5,000 students along with members of the party headed by detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi set off from Shwedagon to the Sule Pagoda in the heart of Myanmar’s largest city but were blocked by military trucks along the route.

Other protesters at the Sule Pagoda were confronted by warning shots.

Some carried flags emblazoned with the fighting peacock, a key symbol of the democracy movement in Myanmar. The march proceeded quietly with protesters praying rather than chanting.

About 100 monks stayed behind at the eastern gate of the Shwedagon, refusing to obey orders to disperse after riot police there failed to dislodge them despite employing tear gas, batons and warning shots.

Witnesses said an angry mob at the pagoda burned two police motorcycles.

In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, dozens of soldiers and riot police stopped some 300 monks and 30 nuns from entering the Mahamuni Paya Pagoda. After a heated confrontation, the clergy marched toward the city where other security forces were waiting.

“We are so afraid; the soldiers are ready to fire on civilians at any time,” a man near the pagoda said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Authorities announced the ban on gatherings and a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew through loudspeakers on vehicles cruising the streets of Yangon and Mandalay Tuesday. The announcement said the measures would be in effect for 60 days.

Myanmar’s imposition of new restrictions after a week of relative inaction by the military government throws down a challenge to its opponents, testing their mettle when faced with almost certain arrest.

It was not clear what the penalty for defying the curfew would be. But breaking the section of the law restricting gatherings carries a possible jail term of two years.

A comedian famed for his anti-government jibes became the first well-known activist rounded up after the curfew was imposed.

Zarganar, who uses only one name, was taken away from his home by authorities shortly after midnight, with family members saying authorities told them the 45-year-old had been “called in for temporary questioning.”

Zarganar, along with actor Kyaw Thu and poet Aung Way, led a committee that provided food and other necessities to the Buddhist monks who have spearheaded the protests. He earlier had been imprisoned twice and his comedy routines were banned for their satirical jokes about the regime.

The fates of the actor and poet were not immediately known.

President Bush on Tuesday announced new U.S. sanctions against Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, accusing the military dictatorship of imposing “a 19-year reign of fear” that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.

“Americans are outraged by the situation in Burma,” Bush said in an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Bush said the U.S. would tighten economic sanctions on leaders of the regime and their financial backers, and impose an expanded visa ban on those responsible for human rights violations and their families.

The European Union also threatened to strengthen existing sanctions against the regime if it uses violence to put down the demonstrations.

The protests could bring increased scrutiny on China’s close relations with Myanmar. China is the country’s major trading partner and Chinese energy companies are investing in exploration of natural gas in Myanmar.

Myanmar has about 19 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, only about 0.3 percent of the world’s total reserves, according to BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy at the end of 2006. Although it doesn’t currently export gas to China, its supply could potentially help feed a rapidly growing Chinese economy hungry for energy.

The current protests began Aug. 19 after the government hiked fuel prices in one of Asia’s poorest countries. But they are based in deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the repressive military rule that has gripped the country since 1962.

The protests were faltering when the monks took the lead last week, assuming the role of a moral conscience they played in previous struggles against British colonialism and military dictators.

At least 35,000 Buddhist monks and sympathizers defied official warnings Tuesday and staged another anti-government march.

“The protest is not merely for the well-being of people but also for monks struggling for democracy and for people to have an opportunity to determine their own future,” one monk told The Associated Press. “People do not tolerate the military government any longer.” He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of official reprisals.

On Monday, a massive monk-led protest drew as many as 100,000 people in Yangon — the biggest street protest since the failed 1988 uprising.

The head of the country’s official Buddhist organization, or Sangha, issued a directive Monday ordering monks to stick to learning and propagating the faith, saying young monks were being “compelled by a group of destructive elements within and without to break the law,” the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

147 anonymous : 09/26/2007 at 4:58 am
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Ok whatever will make you happy.. OFF with this troll’s head ..NEXT..bwahahhahah!!!

I JUST WONDER WHILE THIS CELEBRITIES TRUTH SITES CALLS CINDY G IN EVERY OCCASION EVEN FOR THIS DOG ISSUE WHICH EVEN GOSSIP DIDN`T BEGIN TALK ABOUT IT JUST TMZ ,WHY THEY DON`T ASK HER ABOUT PREGNANCY RUMORS,I MEAN THEY ASKED ABOUT ZAHARA`S ISSUE,ADOPTING,THIS UNIMPORTANT DOG`S ISSUE,BREAK UP.BUT WHY THEY DON`T ASK ABOUT PREGNANCY RUMORS WHILE THERE ARE MANY GOSSIP WHO STILL ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

SO MAYBE SOMETHING IS UP ABOUT IT,AND CINDY WANTS TO LET THEY THEMSELVES ANOUNCE IT.IT IS JUST MY THOUGHT.

151 lylian : 09/26/2007 at 5:02 am

I read that a few moments ago. Thanks for bringing that here……I hope they can do another People Power. And I agree there should be pressure on China. Right now is a great time to bring pressure on them because there’s a lot at stake on China’s end with regards to the Beijing Olympics…a lot of infrastructure changes.

Sorry that should be Juan Ponce Enrile….not Ramos

158 malaya : 09/26/2007 at 5:46 am
151 lylian : 09/26/2007 at 5:02 am

The thing about this situation is that when 1986 happened in the Philippines, the military’s loyalty was divided because ENRILE and Honasan (two has clout in the military) turned against Marcos whereas, in this case, the junta has the military force.

MF, My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.GOD BLESS!

Thank you, Lylian, for posting something of substance which we could sink our teeth into and read without going crazy over “obeius” and other misspellings that drive me really batty, not to mention posts that have absolutely no value except to drive this thread to the ground.

Hi, malaya, how are you? Glad to see you post once in a while. So true about putting pressure on the Chinese, everything that is going on there now is geared to presenting a perfect society in time for the Olympics and they cannot afford ANY negative publicity whatsoever!

Ange’s baby heartbreak

Angelina Jolie had been excitedly informing close pals she and Brad Pitt were expecting their second baby, only to be devastated when doctors told the 32-year-old actress she’s not pregnant.
Making the situation worse was medical advice that the ultra-skinny star has to gain some much-needed weight if she’s to stand any chance of conceiving again.

Truly believing she was expecting, an excited Angelina and Brad, 43, had already started quietly celebrating what they thought was their happy news when they went to the clinic for an official pregnancy test.

Instead of confirming the good news, though, pals say doctors shattered the couple’s hopes by telling them Ange’s pregnancy suspicions were false.

“Ange is desperate to get pregnant again, but doctors say she’s just too thin,” says a friend. “She convinced herself she was already pregnant, so she was heartbroken.”

Now sources close to the actress say she’s seeing fertility doctors on both coasts of the US in a bid to improve her fertility and conceive by next year. The couple already have three adopted children — Maddox, six, Pax, three, and Zahara, two — and one biological child — Shiloh, 16 months — but are desperate for more.

“She’s focused on getting pregnant by January, but her doctor has told her that the only way to do that is if she starts ovulating,” says an insider. “That means she has to gain weight.”

I got it from nine msn australia….lets hope they are suceeded with the next pregnancy…I love angelina, wishing her the best.

165 whitegirl : 09/26/2007 at 6:09 am
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More tabloid crap!

MMS : 09/26/2007 at 2:58 am
funny ocean’s 12 interview of brad & george!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=522VfPhcTw8

george so has a man crush on brad!!!

just enjoy!!!

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I did enjoy! Cute, completely adorable look at the two men relaxed and candid. You can see why they are such big stars, such charisma and charm in both.

After watching that clip I watched a few more on Youtube. Watched a clip of Angelina on Ellen in 04, after she had done Alexander. Such a great interview. She showed the big tat on her back and talked about how painful it was. Ellen also congratulated about her pilot’s license and gave her a pilot’s jacket and then a small one for Maddox. Angie was so unbelievably sweet when receiving these gifts. She got teary eyed and was so thrilled with them, like a kid at Christmas. She promised to send Ellen a pic of Maddox in his new jacket. You could just tell that Angie is the sweetest person and very humble and down to earth in this candid interview. I just love her so much. Great person. No wonder the world is ga-ga over this couple. They are both extraordinary people.

#65 that story is from star or life and style not true

165 whitegirl

HONEY THEY GOT IT FROM OUTTA TOUCH,BECAUSE THIS IS THE EXACT THINGS THAT THEY SAID IN THEIR LAST ISSUE.If nicole richie can get pregnant for sure Angie can too,she now even with her pregnancy is more thin than Angie so let`s not talk about what outtatouch is telling If you are her fan.

173 Just wonder
I am a fan and i know this story cant be 100% true.