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Raquel Evita Saraswati
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FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 6, 2008 - 07:19 PM
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On Saturday, a cyclone hit the Asian country of Myanmar. Some 22,500 people are now dead, with that number rising. Food, clean water, energy and shelter are extremely hard to find.
The international community has responded with aid. Unfortunately, some aid is not making it to Myanmar.
Why? Myanmar’s military regime won’t let substantive aid come in from some places. For instance, Myanmar’s government will only accept a small fraction of the aid being offered by the United States. Myanmar’s government has been slow to grant visas to Western aid workers.
In a somewhat surprising move, Laura Bush, first lady of the United States, spoke out about the situation in Myanmar. In her statement, she called Myanmar’s government “inept”, accused them of not informing citizens of impending disaster, and vehemently criticized the military junta.
Other countries – like the Philippines – have criticized Myanmar’s government. But few have been as harsh as Mrs. Bush was.
Sometimes, criticism is the necessary, morally courageous choice. At other times, it can negatively impact a situation.
Do you think Laura Bush’s criticisms were called for? Do you think her words will help or hurt the effort to bring aid to Myanmar?
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Genie
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 7, 2008 - 04:35 PM
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Whatever it takes to get aid to desperate people, short of violence, is definitely called for in my opinion. I don't think the global community should tolerate governments like this anymore. If we can't shame them into letting our help in by showing up at their door with mountains of food, water, medicine, and medical personnel, then why not start bashing them publicly for holding up relief to their own people? It's sickening and I don't think the people who are waiting for help would mind us bashing their government in an effort to get help to them. Sounds to me like a Bush finally said something intelligent.
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Raquel Evita Saraswati
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 7, 2008 - 05:38 PM
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Genielorene wrote:
Whatever it takes to get aid to desperate people, short of violence, is definitely called for in my opinion. I don't think the global community should tolerate governments like this anymore. If we can't shame them into letting our help in by showing up at their door with mountains of food, water, medicine, and medical personnel, then why not start bashing them publicly for holding up relief to their own people? It's sickening and I don't think the people who are waiting for help would mind us bashing their government in an effort to get help to them. Sounds to me like a Bush finally said something intelligent.
Interesting reply, Genie. Do you think this kind of criticism will be successful in bringing aid to the region? What do others have to say?
Also -- do you think that force should never be used in humanitarian efforts?
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Genie
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 7, 2008 - 06:08 PM
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Genie. Do you think this kind of criticism will be successful in bringing aid to the region? What do others have to say?
I wish I knew. But I'm tired of political niceties. I don't want to see this sugar-coated. It does make me wonder, though, when Hurricane Katrina struck we said no thanks to aid from Cuba. Is there a difference in this situation? America had plenty of aid to offer its people, our government was just wayyy slow on the giving part. Does Myanmar have the aid to give its people? Are they just dragging their feet? Do they actually need help?
Also -- do you think that force should never be used in humanitarian efforts?
Where I'm at right now in my thinking and understanding, I'd have to say yes. You can't just fight a country on only one point, it's either all out war or it isnt. Isn't it? We can't say, "Okay, we don't want war but we're going to shoot anybody who prevents us from landing on your shores with our bags of rice and wheat." If we raise a single gun to get aid to the people of Mayanmar, doesn't that mean war and wouldn't that, ultimately, mean more death an devastation? I think we have to draw a line somewhere when it comes to forcing aid on another country.
Are we doing air drops? Are we banned from their airspace? Would it be an act of war to go into their air space and drop food, water, and medicine? What is the reason behind not helping their own people?
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SlicNic5150
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 8, 2008 - 06:27 PM
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I believe Laura Bush to be a credible, intelligent & compassionate woman. The fact that she said anything at all (after remembering quite for so long on so many issues) speaks volumes above & beyond her criticism of the Myanmar Government.
If it is true that the Government of Myanmar is standing in the way of desperately needed Aid for its people, then NO criticism could be harsh enough!
As much as I strive in my heart to perpetuate positive energy in my life (w/ the hope that it will positively impact the world around me) I understand that you need to shake people up sometimes to get their attention. Laura Bush’s comments will hopefully have the desired effect. Only time will tell, if what she said was right or wrong. Until then, my thoughts are with the people of Myanmar.
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Genie
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 8, 2008 - 07:30 PM
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I wonder if we'll ever understand why their government is refusing our help. Are they afraid we'll storm the country and attempt to take over? Are they accepting help from any other countries?
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Cassa
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 8, 2008 - 08:25 PM
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In response to your question about why the U.S. and other Western countries are not yet allowed into Myanmar. (For original source, see http://cassiesturdivant.wordpress.com)
In short, it’s because they are a junta and we are the United States.
President Bush must have known that in order to help Myanmar, we would need to go in with kid gloves. Military dictatorships are notorious for valuing their positions of power over the lives of their people. And the U.S. is notorious for overthrowing military dictatorships.
Remember, these are the same people who were responsible for the unspeakable violence against their own people last October. As intelligent beings the U.S. government must have been aware that Myanmar’s government cares more about its own tenuous grasp on power than the lives and safety of its people, and we are the biggest threat to their power that could possibly exist.
So, why then did our first lady choose to offer U.S. aid to Myanmar by first challenging the legitimacy of the Myanmar’s Junta. It makes me wonder if our government was even serious in its offer for aid.
And, yes, they are perfectly willing to offer their people as a human sacrifice for the continuation of their absolute power.
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SlicNic5150
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 9, 2008 - 07:53 PM
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CassaLaCassa wrote:
So, why then did our first lady choose to offer U.S. aid to Myanmar by first challenging the legitimacy of the Myanmar’s Junta. It makes me wonder if our government was even serious in its offer for aid.
And, yes, they are perfectly willing to offer their people as a human sacrifice for the continuation of their absolute power.
Is it FEAR or EGO?
Clearly, the Myanmar’s “Government” cares little about the health and well being of its people. However, being a “self-oriented tyrant” and being called a “self-oriented tyrant” are two different things to most ego-centric bastards. I know I don’t like being told I’m wrong about anything. My first instinct is to dig in my heels and defend my actions or words. However, in an emergency situation, when lives are at steak and fast response is needed to reduce human suffering, political correctness has to take a back seat to action.
Ultimately it is up to the people of Myanmar to decide whether or not their “government has acted in their best interests and respond accordingly. Just as our forefathers did.
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Raquel Evita Saraswati
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 13, 2008 - 06:09 PM
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Slic wrote:
CassaLaCassa wrote:
So, why then did our first lady choose to offer U.S. aid to Myanmar by first challenging the legitimacy of the Myanmar’s Junta. It makes me wonder if our government was even serious in its offer for aid.
And, yes, they are perfectly willing to offer their people as a human sacrifice for the continuation of their absolute power.
Is it FEAR or EGO?
Clearly, the Myanmar’s “Government” cares little about the health and well being of its people. However, being a “self-oriented tyrant” and being called a “self-oriented tyrant” are two different things to most ego-centric bastards. I know I don’t like being told I’m wrong about anything. My first instinct is to dig in my heels and defend my actions or words. However, in an emergency situation, when lives are at steak and fast response is needed to reduce human suffering, political correctness has to take a back seat to action.
Ultimately it is up to the people of Myanmar to decide whether or not their “government has acted in their best interests and respond accordingly. Just as our forefathers did.
Dear Slic:
Ultimately, the people of Myanmar may be able to respond to their government in a way that will make real impact.
But right now, how does the international community let go of political correctness, and take action?
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SlicNic5150
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 15, 2008 - 07:52 PM
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But right now, how does the international community let go of political correctness, and take action?
The International Community can start by taking the Laura Bush route and stop sugar-coating the truth about the Myanmar “Government.”
The International Community can also take action through the United Nations. The UN exists for this reason. If the “Government” of Myanmar will not take the proper steps to assist their own people, the UN can go in – it doesn’t always have to be the USA. The International Community can also put pressure on the UN to impose trade embargos, sanctions & what ever else it take to get the “Government” of Myanmar to sit up & pay attention.
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EthanM
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 15, 2008 - 09:58 PM
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I don't believe our government or anyone else should have a reason to help another country other than the want to help another human in need. I don't think that Mrs.Bush was out of line as long as she truly cares for the people. There shouldnt be any other reason than that. Theres nothing political about it.
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Arnold Yasin Mol
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 16, 2008 - 08:11 AM
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Personally I would go even farther by saying the Birma government should be put on trial for crimes against their own people.
Because of their fear of loosing control, people are now dying everyday.
Let's hope this horrific tragedy brings some good in the end by opening up the country a bit.
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Incia Zaffar
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
May 16, 2008 - 10:12 AM
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Eyes on Burma (Myanmar)
Upon awakening from the disaster left by Cyclone Nargis, people watching the news are perplexed with why the government has seized the aid and is not responding quickly to the tragedy.
The people of Burma (Myanmar) have already suffered at the hands of the military junta and this incident will expose how the people continue to be failed by the government.
Yet, their governments are no the only one that should be held accountable for the atrocities that have been happening within its borders.
Canadians are as much responsible !
http://www.cfob.org/campaigns/cpp_petition.html
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/observer/story.html?id=fd182e92-b450-49e3-a2b1-2f92c2a1ea3c
http://www.interpares.ca/en/story/pension.php
Now is our chance to fix things when the whole world is watching....
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Hafiidhaturrahmah
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Re: FOCUS ON MYANMAR / BURMA - is now the time to criticize Myanmar's rulers?
October 4, 2008 - 07:43 AM
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i hope Burma is better now
^_^
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