This is a "letter to the editor" that I submitted to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on Sept. 27, 2007.
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As we sit in (varying degrees of) comfort in our living rooms and watch the news, Canadians sometimes feel that we can't do anything to help people who are suffering overseas. An example is the violent crackdown on peaceful protests that the military dictatorship in Burma is carrying out against Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as lay people who join the call for democracy. By the way, I refuse to call the country "Myanmar" because that is what the military junta renamed it. I think that there is something we can do. The greatest political and economic supporter of Burma is China, which is also the source for much of Wal-Mart's merchandise. By refusing to shop at Wal-Mart (or at least refusing to buy Chinese-made products there) and by telling Wal-Mart why we are doing this, Canadians might be able to encourage the company to talk to the Chinese government about its support for the dictatorship in Burma. China has already pressured the Burmese military to restrain its response to the protests so China won't look bad internationally before the 2008 Olympics. This worked at first, but protestors are now being killed. Perhaps Canadians can indirectly pressure China to do more. Although it isn't a democracy, China understands the power of economic action.

Donald B. Campbell
Saskatoon

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NOTE:

Of course, many people--including me--already refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. I think it would still be useful to contact Wal-Mart and say you won't shop there because of what China is allowing to happen in Burma now. You don't have to mention all the other reasons why you won't shop there! :-)