[BlackSpike]

In light of the Burmese government's response to foreign aid, how do people think we can best aid the survivors of Cylcone Nargis?

Landing humanitarian aid planes within the country seems to be a no-no, unless we want to face military action.
Pushing aid through China might be an option, but will it reach Burma soon enough? (Later is better than no at all, I suppose)
Forced air-drops? It is suggested these will be a very inaccurate method, and what supplies can be gathered from the inhospitable terrain would quickly fall into the hands of the Military.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

[SlackAli]

Originally Posted by BlackSpike

Does anyone have any better ideas?

There are no solutions to this. It will be recorded in history as the great failure of the West's self-proclaimed humanitarian interventionism. These malignant evil scumbags are likely to be directly responsible for the deaths of over a million of thier decent citizens - probably more than Saddam Hussein even dreamed about. But then Iraq wasn't caught up in the politics of south east Asia, and the interests of India and China - neither of whom the West can afford to seriously piss off

[linskyjack]

Good point--why don't we invade and give the people a chance for freedom? I listened to talk radio this week, I didn't here one of the wingers ring their hands in despair over the thousands who are dying there as we speak.

[wacor]

Originally Posted by SlackAli

There are no solutions to this. It will be recorded in history as the great failure of the West's self-proclaimed humanitarian interventionism. These malignant evil scumbags are likely to be directly responsible for the deaths of over a million of thier decent citizens - probably more than Saddam Hussein even dreamed about. But then Iraq wasn't caught up in the politics of south east Asia, and the interests of India and China - neither of whom the West can afford to seriously piss off

Before I insult you I need to have you better explain yourself Slack. Looks like you are blaming this on Bush. Ergo the American interventionism. When in fact Burma refused any aid from any country initially. Are you really blaming our policy for that militarily led backwards countries refusal of any aid.

[wacor]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Good point--why don't we invade and give the people a chance for freedom? I listened to talk radio this week, I didn't here one of the wingers ring their hands in despair over the thousands who are dying there as we speak.

Your right I don't care about them. Is that winger enough for you.

Edit: actually I do care. But not enough to satisfy Linsky I am sure. kind of hard to expend much thought though when the govt there did not want aid from anybody when timing was critical.

[BlackSpike]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Good point--why don't we invade and give the people a chance for freedom? I listened to talk radio this week, I didn't here one of the wingers ring their hands in despair over the thousands who are dying there as we speak.

I would have thought that this story would have got someone posting here.

A week since the tragedy, over 100,000 dead, with more dying every day, approaching a million homeless and destitute.

At least things are starting to move in the right direction, even if it is a bit late:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7394410.stm

[Wino]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Good point--why don't we invade and give the people a chance for freedom? I listened to talk radio this week, I didn't here one of the wingers ring their hands in despair over the thousands who are dying there as we speak.

Burma Myanmar need to find oil, try to buy yellow cake from Niger, pretend to have some WMD and threaten Shrub's daddy before we can consider invading to help these people obtain democracy. Make a bet 10:1 Bush can't find Burma Myanmar on a map.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by BlackSpike

I would have thought that this story would have got someone posting here.

A week since the tragedy, over 100,000 dead, with more dying every day, approaching a million homeless and destitute.

At least things are starting to move in the right direction, even if it is a bit late:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7394410.stm

It appears that the UN , the west , and others stand ready to provide aid to Govt and people of Burma-- thats all that can be done .
If the Govt refuses ? not much to do other than apply political pressure .
If , as they say , it becomes as bad as projected , maybe the Burmese will revolt -- put their leaders to the wall with no mercy . >f

[BlackSpike]

If it becomes as bad as some estimates, there will not be much of a revolt ... ;(
Maybe the Chevron Corporation could do something to help?
Or someone in the ruby trade:

The Union of Myanmar's rulers depend on sales of precious stones such as sapphires, pearls and jade to fund their regime. Rubies are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's rubies come from the country

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar#Valley_of_Rubies)

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by wacor

Before I insult you I need to have you better explain yourself Slack. Looks like you are blaming this on Bush. Ergo the American interventionism. When in fact Burma refused any aid from any country initially. Are you really blaming our policy for that militarily led backwards countries refusal of any aid.

America is one of the first countries to offer aid, without question, to other countries in time of need. Let's not politicize America's efforts! I heard here in Canada that the damn regime over there was blocking aid. I damn them and wish all the best for the people suffering.

[wacor]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

America is one of the first countries to offer aid, without question, to other countries in time of need. Let's not politicize America's efforts! I heard here in Canada that the damn regime over there was blocking aid. I damn them and wish all the best for the people suffering.

That about sums it up for me. As I recall we had one or two ships in close proximity at the time which could have done a lot to help. They refused it. Now the aid they are getting is being labeled to make it look like it came from their own govt and that it is coming from their military. I should not have politicized it in this thread. Just came to mind how Slack had apparently done so in another thread blaming the west policies for Burma refusing aid.

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by wacor

That about sums it up for me. As I recall we had one or two ships in close proximity at the time which could have done a lot to help. They refused it. Now the aid they are getting is being labeled to make it look like it came from their own govt and that it is coming from their military. I should not have politicized it in this thread. Just came to mind how Slack had apparently done so in another thread blaming the west policies for Burma refusing aid.

The thing for me is how does America or any other country offering aid show their displeasure towards the dictatorship over there without doing harm to the people? No! Let's not invade, though my raw emotional side secretly wishes it. Force is not the answer here but the people keep dying...

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

America is one of the first countries to offer aid, without question, to other countries in time of need. Let's not politicize America's efforts! I heard here in Canada that the damn regime over there was blocking aid. I damn them and wish all the best for the people suffering.

Well said . I wish the best happens for the victims , and damn their Govt. >f

[wacor]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

The thing for me is how does America or any other country offering aid show their displeasure towards the dictatorship over there without doing harm to the people? No! Let's not invade, though my raw emotional side secretly wishes it. Force is not the answer here but the people keep dying...

Thought you did not want to make this a political issue. Far as I can recall there were no conditions to that aid. It was offered immediately and refused without discussion as I recall.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

The thing for me is how does America or any other country offering aid show their displeasure towards the dictatorship over there without doing harm to the people? No! Let's not invade, though my raw emotional side secretly wishes it. Force is not the answer here but the people keep dying...

Force may indeed be the answer but its up to the Burmese to use it .
My "raw emotional side " secretly wishes a revolution by the Burmese .
A govt --anyone who stands in way of life saving aid to millions of helpless people needs --- a bullet to head . Who knows ? maybe some will be motivated ?. I know if I were officer in their military -- I would be thinking along those lines . >f