The BBC on the vast numbers of people currently endangered by the cyclone, and possibly more importantly, the junta’s evil lack of response to it.
lots more after the jump….
Chaplain Danny revisited the old “Burma vs. Myanmar” debate, which is worthwhile for those still confused by the issue. [link]
Also via Danny’s blog comes this piece from the Religion News Service, on questions of karma and disaster – these discussions always come up after major disasters like this, and outsiders (perhaps insiders?) are always confused, while ‘experts’ take the same positions: there is no textual evidence for collective karma, so forget about it (this does little to assuage the anxiety, fear, and need for meaning of those who believe precisely that they are suffering the fruits of karma), or else, yes, this is the result of karma (which does nothing to help those who might be inclined to blame themselves in a more direct manner).
Whenever you have a catastrophe like Nargis, you always have some creepy aftermath. Apparently, lots of corpses are showing up with missing fingers, and other body parts, probably to get their jewelry off. [yikes]
But good stuff too – the monks are back out on the front lines, as they have been since the beginning. [ap, via] So are other normal human beings. Good on them.
[via]
It is difficult to come up with enough rage to do the actions of the junta justice, as they slow down, ignore, and obstruct honest attempts to save the lives and health of their citizens. The U.N. is now worried about a ’second catastrophe,’ stemming directly from their stupidity and callousness. Rule of Lords, excellent as always, attempts to sufficiently vent a spleen on the junta, in a number of posts.
For those more interested in what academics have to say on the issues, there’s a growing collection of commentary, some of which has been collected on the New Mandala website.
Finally, here’s a piece that suggests the outside world should employ its moral authority to force things into a better shape in Burma. [via]
Recent Comments