Do we expect too much of Aung San Suu Kyi?

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Do we expect too much of Aung San Suu Kyi?

By Jill McGivering

BBC News

MYANMAR:-- We all need heroes. People of conviction and courage and moral authority to admire. They make us feel it is possible to be better. We dream that some of their wisdom might rub off on us and improve our own little lives.

But that is a lot of pressure to put on anyone's shoulders. Being an international icon can't be easy.

For years, Aung San Suu Kyi - leader of the opposition in Myanmar - was a hero to many in the West.

She was hailed as a beacon of freedom as she endured years of house arrest and pursued a path of non-violence in the face of an authoritarian, repressive military government.

Some of my first memories at the BBC, more than 20 years ago, are of a colleague's daily attempts to make contact with her, usually by fax.

As a young journalist, I was intrigued, trying to imagine what it must be like to live in such acute isolation in her lakeside home.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33180104

[alfalfa19]

Is it asking too much for her to treat all native residents of her country as human beings and citizens?

[gregk0543]

I for one will reserve judgement until after the election of 2015. Then if she has some power you will see what she is really thinking.

At this point it would be better for her to stay quiet and wait because to speak out would maybe affect her ability to do anything.

So she is not in power and as she has said the rohingya are the responsibility of the present govt.

So if she is able to form a govt. at that point it will become her responsibility.

In the end as long as she is able to make things better in Myanmar that would be appreciated. If she were able to make it perfect here then that would be a miracle in any nation.

So be patient and wait and see what happens. Less than 6 months to go remember.

[FangFerang]

She was the poster child for a Lone Voice of Democracy in a military dictatorship...and now seems to be as bad as all the Western politicians.

And echoed in the well...of silence...