We're sendin' Brownie over there to help out!

Fortunately, Americans won't -- quite, yet -- tolerate the kind of total control over the media that characterizes third-world military dictatorships like those in Burma, so at least people knew Katrina was coming and were able to pressure the government to respond. But does anyone really believe that the Bush government had any more desire to help people then than the Than Shwe government does now? This is standard-issue behavior for these people, whichever side of the globe you're on.

"...hundreds of thousands are without food, water or shelter in the wake of the cyclone, but the military junta prioritizes its grip on power..."

Much like the Bush Administration after Katrina.

And when prisoners (many political) panic and riot after the disaster, the guards and soldiers were quick to respond...by shooting them.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/1934080/Burmese-prisoners-'executed-after-cyclone-Nargis-hit'.html

Rather than let the world see how incredibly backwards they are and be seen as a nation that needs help, they turned away international help. About 50,000 died immediately and an unknown number subsequently. You just have to shrug and say "Oh well, hope that works out for you".

Where is the logic in letting your people die in huge droves? Who is there to rule over if they are all gone, dead from the storm and disease and hunger? Being the dictator of any empty nation makes you the king of nothing.

Hearing Laura Bush's unprecedented press conference the other day, I heard her couple her wishes to help with demands on the government of Burma. Her husband has linked disaster help with his "the people of Burma yearn for freedom" BS. No, my darling First Couple, the people of Burma yearn for clean water and food and other basic needs. These 2 reacted to this more quickly than to Katrina. They just don't get it. They have that in common with the military junta. Two sides of the same coin that says my way is the only way, and the hell with desperate people.

Come on, guys. You've got the billions you've siphoned out of the economy in your offshore bank accounts. You have your villas in Rangoon. You've got a massive military that will continue to serve as a deterrent to any threat, real, perceived or manufactured.

Let's start thinking about turning the country over to its people. A free Burma will be a happy Burma - and they'll still be plenty of opportunity for you to loot the government, even under a democracy. Just take a look at Thailand.

that we'll send over a crack team of coastal resort developers to help with the situation.

Like for Sudan. I'm sure that will fix it.

We went into Iraq because we love the Iraqi people so desperately that we had to relieve them of their oppressive leader.

How about a U.S. led invasion to bring food and water? We could get a decent coalition for that. I bet even France and Spain would come. I doubt the Burmese government is in a position to resist, and we could save millions of lives.

But we have to get there now. As in right this minute. Disease will start to spread within a week, and then it will be too late.

But then again it already is too late. It's been to late for people who suffer since the liar Bush entered the White House.

I lost my home in Hurricane Katrina. It is nice to see that in 3 years GWB hasn't learned a goddamned thing.

Diplomats, missionaries and others who want to show solidarity with the opposition are still using that name instead of the "M word" being imposed on the mass media by the junta.

BTW the Red Cross, CARE and other charities are accepting donations. It's Mom's Day this week...show your mom she raised you right!