As We Speak

Not that there was any danger of any of these things being discussed in Trev this afternoon, as the most intellectual conversation going on between the regulars was over the most preferable nickname to have ("jizz-bunny" and "spunk-monkey" being the equally dubious options). But still, Amnesty International's inspired beermats, designed to raise awareness of the political situation in Burma, have certainly raised a few eyebrows:

If you were a student in Burma, the conversation you're having now could get you arrested and imprisoned without trial. And in Burma, brutal repression like this is nothing new. 21 years ago, the ruling junta savagely crushed peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations led by a group of students. Many of the leaders of that movement - the 88 Generation Students group - are still in prison today, some serving 65-year jail-terms.

As the NUS gears up for another national demonstration and sit-in occupations begin in earnest around the country, hopefully Amnesty's campaign has hit at the right time to get the attention of a generation learning to make their voices heard.