Clinton: Myanmar Leaders Tried To Learn Democracy By Watching ‘West Wing’

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was feted in Washington yesterday, meeting President Barack Obama at the White House and receiving the Congressional Gold Medal for her long fight for democracy in her home country. Suu Kyi’s election to parliament in April helped to transform the nation’s pariah image, and the West began rolling back sanctions after a year of dramatic reforms, including the release of about 700 political prisoners.

But long, solemn fights for democracy are not what we are about here at the Dolt, so let’s get to the really important news:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the audience assembled to celebrate Suu Kyi’s achievements that during a trip to Myanmar, also known as Burma, last year, the speaker of the lower house of parliament said, “Help us learn how to be a democratic congress, a parliament.” Then, as Clinton recalled:

“He went on to tell me that they were trying to teach themselves by watching old segments of The West Wing. I said, ‘I think we can do better than that, Mr. Speaker.’”

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