The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lauri on May 10, 2008, 12:27:34 AM
-
ok, i will admit .. i have not kept up with this latest story that is so sad. i cant help any of them, and i cant stop their pain or lessen the magnitude of what has happened. so, i just dont read about it.
but just now, on the local news they stated that an astrologist is running the country, and will not let ANY aid in until she/he gets some new readings ...?
did anyone else hear this tonight? i am... aghast..
-
ok, i found a local story ..
Former residents of Myanmar worry, wait in Seattle
06:23 PM PDT on Friday, May 9, 2008
By BERNARD CHOI / KING 5 News
Video: Relief workers still barred from Myanmar
Larger screen E-mail this clip
SEATTLE - The U.N. has agreed to resume flights into cyclone-ravaged Myanmar but relief workers, including Americans, are still being barred entry.
To make matters worse, heavy rain that is forecast is certain to make it harder to get supplies to almost 2 million people awaiting food, clean water, shelter and medicine.
Myanmar's military government says it will allow a single U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo plane carrying relief supplies to land in the country.
It may be hard for Americans to understand why a country in dire need would turn away help.
Related Content
How to help
But Seattle residents who grew up in Myanmar say this disaster is showing the world what they saw for decades - that it is a repressive military government that is delusional and doesn't care about its people.
For Simon Khin and his wife Pwint, it has been excruciating trying to follow the tragedy unfolding in their homeland from their Seattle home.
"I don't know what to think right now," said Simon Khin. "I try not to think."
"I mean we ourselves are having a difficulty comprehending," said Pwint Htun.
The two grew up in the southern part of Myanmar, formerly Burma. Their hometowns were among the hardest hit when cyclone Nargis tore through last week.
"Those areas are littered with bodies and carcasses," Pwint said.
Sadly, some of those bodies may be those of Simon's loved ones.
"I have some relatives on my father's side. As far as I know, there's no news coming out of that and I have no way of contacting them," Simon said.
Making matters worse, the Myanmar military regime continues to keep foreign aid workers out. Natives of Burma say it's a sign of how out of touch the paranoid generals are. The junta is known to base some decisions on astrology.
The generals have stayed in power by limiting basic freedoms. For example, you can't have a fax machine or cell phone without government approval. The military has also instilled fear and intimidation through violent crackdowns like the one in 1988 that stamped out a pro-democracy movement.
KING
Pwint Htun grew up in the southern part of Myanmar, formerly Burma.
"They massacred thousands of people in front of my house," Pwint said.
Simon and Pwint say since the military regime won't help, the people in Myanmar are relying on foreigners more than ever.
"Burma really, truly needs help right now," Pwint said.
"Keep hoping and don't give up hope - that's pretty much all we could do right now," Khin said.
-
Another socialist paradise.
-
No! No! No! You'v got it all wrong.
When I said they consult the stars for advice I meant Alec Bladwin, Britney Spears and the Olsen Twins.
-
its actually the country of Burma... Myanmar is a city there where the awful weather conditions are just hammering those poor people.