# Myanmar junta omen backfires

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-junta-omen-backfires/500193>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 18, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-junta-omen-backfires/500193 "2009-06-18T16:55:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-junta-omen-backfires/500193/1 "2009-06-18T16:55:47Z")

</div>

I just thought this article in today’s Times was interesting, and funny: [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/world/asia/07iht-burma.html?\_r=1&scp=1&sq=omen%20myanmar&st=cse](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/world/asia/07iht-burma.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=omen%20myanmar&st=cse)

The junta has been carrying out a PR campaign to convince the population that they have the support of the Buddhist gods. To this end, the wife of the head general rededicated a local ancient pagoda.

One month later, the pagoda collapsed. The astrologers, theologians, and the superstitious took note.

> [@](#):
>
> “It is also a sign that Than Shwe does not have the spiritual power any longer to be able to undertake or reap the benefit from good acts such as this,” [the anthropology professor] said in an e-mail message. “In a sense, the pagoda repudiated Than Shwe’s right to remain ruler.”

Whoops.