Give George and Laura Bush credit. They may have screwed up on a lot of things during their tenure. But the administration is right on the Myanmar issue.
The Bush’s have taken a strong (but somewhat easy stand) criticizing the military junta there for its ineptitude during this latest cyclone crisis which has now claimed more than 20,000 lives.
The administration has blamed the state for failure to send out adequate warning signals. And First Lady Laura Bush called the junta “inept” in meeting the very basic needs of its people. The U.S. reported that at first signs of the crisis, disaster assistance teams from the U.S. were actually refused entry to the country.
It’s a bad thing when a repressive state kills dozens of people at pro-democracy protests. It’s unforgivable, when that repressive state takes on a passive aggressive stance during a life-and-death crisis.
The cyclone hits at a time when the military needs the support of the country in a planned referendum scheduled to take place this Saturday. Pro-democracy observers call it a sham, intended to give political cover to the army. The military says the vote is still on.
Maybe the junta should take a hint from Mother Nature and put the people first.
In the meantime, my heart goes out to the good people of Myanmar and to the Burmese here in the U.S. trying to connect with family and friends at home.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121005930045270227.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news