An American Man, His Faith, & His Folly: (On Myanmar & Aung San Suu Kyi)

The American man that decided that he would swim to the home of  Aung San Suu Kyi and warn her that she would be assassinated according to a vision he had.  This was in May, and he was detained, because Suu Kyi, imprisoned in her home, was not allowed to have unnannounced visitors according to the military junta that rules Myanmar.

Now, Senator Jim Webb has effectively negotiated his deportation home to America, after initally being sentenced to 7 years in prison in Myanmar.  

It seems that his faith may have been his folly, because his violating the terms of her imprisonment reportedly extended the exile that Suu Kyi will have to serve under junta rule, and delays the return of perhaps the one person who can lead the country of Myanmar toward a new path to democracy.

When I read this article I thought a few things:

1) His heart was in the right place.  He had a vision, and he wanted to warn Suu Kyi because he believed in it.  I believe that people can have visions.  And if his vision came to pass, it would be the end of some people’s hope for a revolution in that country.

2) Just because his heart was in the right place, does not mean his mind was also.  Not only was the guy not in the best health to make a swim like that, but he did not think of the larger impact of what his getting caught would mean.

3) There must have been something in the air abroad – it is like he became endowed with superpowers, emboldened to do what he must to overcome the odds stacked against him.  Like a superhero, he went to save the day; however, even superheroes produce collateral damage left to be cleaned up after evil is thwarted.  As I said in the post I did on the journalists in North Korea, it is important to know the laws of the land you are going to, whether the laws are just or unjust.  And if you believe a law is unjust, know the consequences if you choose to prove it unjust by principle. 

4) Which leads me to my next point.  I have said in previous posts that being imprisoned abroad is not a great position to be in for their loved ones or the person who will be jailed.  BUT, it seems that Americans that go abroad are beginning to use their own form of bailout – the U.S. government – who negotiates their release when they break rules knowingly or unknowingly.  It is great that our government will go to bat in these situations, but I believe it depletes some of America’s diplomatic capital which could be applied in other situations.  For instance, Myanmar’s junta may send this man back to America, but later, if the U.S. wants to lean heavily on Myanmar to respect the rights of it’s citizens, they may believe that this is one request too many from the U.S. or the Western world.  I just think situations such as this raises questions about proper behavior abroad, because even as an average American citizen – makinga decision abroad can be a reflection on the U.S. government, especially if they choose to get involved.

John Yettaw will get to return home safely; however, his heroic efforts to save Suu Kyi from future harm may have actually detracted from other important goals trying to be achieved – such as promoting democracy there and denouncing human rights violations in Myanmar.

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