Sad.
May 9, 2008
Pretty much the only word I can think of to sum up the situation in Burma. Great story here about a journalist’s attempt to see the disaster on the ground.
“The whole country is kind of a basket case,” Rivers said. “Combine that with a disaster on this scale and a government that won’t let anyone in — they’re turning a bad situation into … what really is criminal negligence on a massive scale.”
He’s right, of course. It’s complete and total madness and no one will ever know how many people simply vanish because of the erratic, inane, and evil junta.
Turning back aid agencies? I don’t even think Kim Jong-Il could be that crazy (then again…) if a disaster of similar devastation struck North Korea. There’s little point in praying for Burma’s prisoners–sorry, citizens–I’ve heard those are being turned back as well.
So we’re just left with one moping syllable: sad.
May 10, 2008 at 9:36 am
I’m proud to say that a Philadelphia doctor, originally from Burma, is leading a charge to get into Burma – http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/18757229.html
And the French, mon Dieu, actually got something right about international relations when they said that a UN treaty (pardon my lack of reference) allows international intervention on behalf of a state’s citizens when that state’s government can not or will not provide them with necessary services.