conflict of interests

So the monks' protests in Burma continue for a 3rd straight day...

Hmm. This is one of those fascinating situations where my individual, short-term desires come into conflict with what are clearly nobler and more important long-term goals. On the one hand, I'm supportive of the monks' right to protest and their claims against the brutal Burmese junta. See, it's one thing for university students to protest. But when monks, the most highly-revered individuals in Burmese civil society, speak out not only does the international press perk up, but the junta is forced to react to the severity of the crisis. It''s actions like these that have the power to finally bring about change in Burma. That being said, the more selfish part of me is quite perturbed because the longer these demonstrations go on, the less likely it is that I'll be able to visit the country again over winter break. If the junta perceives these demonstrations as building up to something that will conceivably threaten their power, they will crush it brutally, impose curfews, and make the country inhospitable to tourism. So as a supporter of long-term change in Burma, I'm all for the protests. But as a potential tourist who simply wants to visit family and learn more about my parents' homeland, I want these monks' protests to go away as quickly and quietly as possible. Does that make me a terrible person?

Oh, Shinzo...

*sigh*

Oh, Shinzo... you've been such a disappointment. From the comfort women issue debacle to the cabinet corruption, to the LDP's election losses, and now this... I can't believe I once boasted of Trojan pride in your then-upcoming appointment as Prime Minister. Bah.