Whether you call the nation Burma, as many of its citizens refer to it, or Myanmar, a name adopted by the militaristic crew leading it, this is a nation that was in one big hurt BEFORE the cyclone struck (and new predictions estimate at least 50,000 dead – or many factors more than died here on 9-11 in a very unnatural disaster). As Ricky Shambles notes here, it needs our attention.
I was absolutely appalled when First LeechWife (I’m not sure she rates being called a lady, all things considered – sorry) Laura Bush jumped up to offer “compassionate aid” that would mean the U.S. would give LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE of America’s many foreclosed-upon homes to help this devastated land. Given that the Bushes (just Dubya and Laura) got more than the pledged $250K back in tax rebates (pushed by Bush himself) on their 2007 income, Laura could write a check for that amount herself off her personal account.
Understand, too, that the Burma/Myanmar cyclone disaster will only increase the speed at which many countries run out of food. After Australia’s rice crop failures, the world depended more on the rice that would be harvested in this region. Except the rice fields – like tens of thousands of its citizens, homes, businesses, etc. – are gone there. This failure won’t just strike the Burmese but the entire world.
Prayers are fine. Whatever small donations you can afford to help the relief effort there are good, too. But we need to help Burma in a big way at the same time we pour energy into understanding the food shortages around the globe and do something about them. NOW.
