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As if natural disasters aren’t bad enough, politics compounds the tragedy. For the people who live where a natural disaster hits, the event itself tests every fiber of their beings. What is transpiring in Myanmar, however, is almost too staggering to comprehend: the truculence of the junta that has had the former Burma in a strangle hold for almost 50 years is preventing, or in a best case scenario postponing, lifesaving aid the country desperately needs. Why, asks any sane, normal person of almost any political persuasion, would a country hit by everything Mother Nature has at her disposal not take advantage of the kindness of strangers? Politics – both on the side of the giver and the receiver. Granted, Myanmar is an extreme case, the generals running the junta don’t want to permit Americans – military or civilian – from entering their country under any circumstances. They believe it would give Americans an opportunity to infiltrate as well as give Americans a chance to use the fact that they sent aid as a propaganda tool. I don’t for a minute doubt the sincerity of the Americans who would jump onto planes and head for Myanmar to help in efforts to ease the suffering and lay the plans to rebuild the country, but the generals are right: we would send people who would multitask – meaning they would certainly help, but they would also gather information. It’s just the way it is. Most countries – especially countries we are not friendly with – would weigh the facts and consider Americans picking up intel the cost of doing business to get their countries back on their feet. Iran, for example, permitted American earthquake relief specialists into their country after a devastating earthquake. And it’s a two-way street, by the way. The United States has refused aid from countries we are not friendly with. After 9/11, Cuba offered to share intelligence; after Hurricane Katrina, Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez offered aid in the form of fuel – which we also refused. It’s enough to make you think that politics ruins everything. Comments (0)
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Nancie Clare
Nancie Clare is an editor/writer/web content producer (and card-carrying baby boomer) with more than 25 years experience writing about issues that impact everyday life. Nancie is a former managing editor of WomensWallStreet.com as well as a Daily Cents contributor and is currently consulting with a yet-to-be-launched social networking/content site for — you guessed it — baby boomers.