Although the atrocities in Darfur may garner the most media attention, other places deserve closer scrutiny as well. Burma has been a bit under the radar and their human rights record only seems to be getting worse.

Burma, or Myanmar, is an ethnically diverse country bordered by Thailand, China, India, Bangladesh and Laos. It has a long-standing military-led government that routinely suppresses democracy, highlighted by the permanent state of house arrest for the elected leader — and 1991 Nobel Peace Price winner — Aung San Suu Kyi. Incarcerated for the last 14 years, even pleas for her release from former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anan have gone unheeded by the military rulers of Myanmar. It is this military regime, predominantly in power since a brutal suppression of democracy in 1988, that has been the source of the worsening refugee problem.  
 

The refugee crisis focuses primarily on the Karens, the people who inhabit a state in eastern Burma where a long-simmering struggle for autonomy has focused the military leaders on displacing the indigenous population. Currently, an estimated 1.5 million Karens from 3,000 villages have been forcibly uprooted. This total represents more refugees than the crisis in Darfur.

Koenig was shocked by the statistics and suffering in the region and felt obligated to raise awareness of the situation. His visit to refugee camps in the border region has now been documented and the next step is to spread the word, not just throughout the Star Trek community, but as far beyond it as possible.

At his recent convention appearance in Las Vegas, Walter had this to say about Burma: "I met with political prisoners, orphans, the woman who runs a medical clinic. They are actively trying to not only return to a state of personal health, but return the government to a state of health. The UN needs to pass a resolution to condemn the atrocities happening there. China [and Russia are] standing in the way of that.  

"At this late juncture in my life, it became significant for me," added Walter regarding his motivations for going to Thailand.  

The Burma/Myanmar problems are extensive, but with awareness and action the issue can be raised to higher levels; a possible outcome being a change in direction for members of the UN Security Council. And, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, we will see a resolution that restores democracy, the very will of the people.  

In the August 27-September 2 issue of TV Guide, an article appeared stating that Nichelle Nichols (Uhura of TOS) will have a recurring role on Heroes.  Her first appearance will be in the fourth episode.  She will play Nana, a New Orleans doyenne whose daughter died in Hurricane Katrina.  Nana moves back to her flooded home where she cares for her two grandchildren, one of whom is new hero Monica.  Nana is also great-aunt to junior hero, Micah.   

According to Nichelle, "Nana is tough and undaunted and—like the blues—she just keeps rising to the occasion." 

When asked if Nana has a superpower, Nichelle answered, "That remains to be seen now, doesn't it?"