Myanmar Government Remains Intransigent

Everyday I keep hoping something will happen and we will be able to assist the Myanmar cyclone victims, and each day that hope is dashed when I read the news. When will we take a stand and work with the world to recitfy the situation there. The story this morning at Yahoo News is of another rebuff of United Nations assistance by the Myanmar thugs-in-power, with the slightest hint that they may relent with continued pressure.

A senior U.N. envoy went to Myanmar Sunday to urge its military junta to accept more international aid for cyclone survivors, as a British minister suggested the isolationist regime may be relenting.


John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, was greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu at the start of a three-day trip that will include a tour of the Irrawaddy delta, the area most severely hit by Cyclone Nargis on May 2-3.Holmes also will meet with high government leaders, said Daniel Baker, a senior U.N. official.

He did not elaborate but other officials have said Holmes' mission is to assess the needs of survivors and urge the isolationist junta to open its doors to more international aid before people begin dying from starvation and diseases.

LINK TO FULL STORY

Time To Force Aid On Myanmar

Happy Week is over and we can get back to the news of the day. There have been several weather related disasters around the world, including the cyclone in Myanmar, the deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia, and the earthquake in China this morning.

The largest tragedy still seems to be the situation in Myanmar, with the military junta finally allowing only one U.S. aid shipment in. If we are "our brother's keeper", we need to do something more to assist these dying people. We have gotten into two wars over "American interests", and if we want to be the "policeman" of the world, let's throw some of our weight around to help people in need. We should let the junta, "know" through China, that they Will allow All aid in to their country by Wednesday or they will no longer be in "charge". We have three aircraft carriers waiting and within a day we could take control of that country. Perhaps the threat alone would be enough, but we seem to abrogate our supposed "reponsibility" when it comes to people in need who do not have anything of "value" to us. I for one wish that we had used our power in Darfur as well, but we have let that fall to other's and they continue to suffer and die as well. If we do not want to be in the "helping" business that would be fine as well, but as long as we are, let's go full out to make it happen. People are dying by the minute do to the inaction of the junta, and we must help now!

This story was at Yahoo News this morning:

The United States delivered its first relief supplies to Myanmar on Monday, as the U.N. urged the reclusive nation to open its doors to foreign experts who can help up to 2 million cyclone victims facing disease and starvation.

Myanmar reported that the official death toll from Cyclone Nargis had risen by nearly 3,500 to 31,938. Nearly 30,000 others remain missing, and the U.N. and others have said the death toll could reach 100,000 or higher. Britain's opposition leader called for air-dropping aid if Myanmar's military government remains adamant.

The U.S. military C-130 cargo plane, packed with 14 tons of supplies, flew out of the Thai air force base of Utapao and landed in Yangon, capping prolonged negotiations to persuade Myanmar's military government to accept U.S. help.


LINK TO FULL STORY

Link To Coal Miners Prayer

As news from the Utah coal mine continues to be discouraging, I have found a link to a website called Letcher County Coal Miners' Memorial, and there is a Coal Miner's Prayer written by a Margie McAlaster. In addition to the prayer there are links to other sites, as well as information about other mine disasters and a memorial fund for the families of miner's who have lost their lives in the mines.

Please take a few moments to check it out, I think you will find it informative as well as very moving. Thank you.

Officials at the Utah mine declared it too dangerous to tunnel inside the mountain, and instead pinned their hopes on a fourth hole being drilled into the mine to look for any sign of the missing men.


prayer