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William Shatner Main Discussion - 100,000 DEAD IN BURMA CYCLONE

Harry_Mudd - May 05, 2008 - 07:45 PM
Post subject: 100,000 DEAD IN BURMA CYCLONE

I am stunned by the news coming out of Burma. As you know, I was only there a few weeks ago. They are saying on CNN right now, that 4000 people confirmed dead and 3000 missing.

How much more hardship do these people have to endure? They had almost nothing before this disaster, and now what little they have has been swept away. It is too cruel.

Certainly, this may well be the turning point for the country politically. People with nothing have nothing to lose.

Please help and donate to charities in whatever way you can. I will update you when I hear from my friends. But, I don't expect to for a while.

BrianS7785 - May 05, 2008 - 09:22 PM
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That's just shocking and so tragic. As if they haven't had enough to endure already, this comes along. I hope your friends there are safe, Harry. What impact do you think this will have on the political conflict?

Harry_Mudd - May 05, 2008 - 11:34 PM
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The number of dead has now leapt beyond 10,000.

littlestar - May 06, 2008 - 01:21 AM
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The first thing I thought of when I saw this was...I hope that Harrys friends
are safe and sound....I knew it would floor you...

BWW - May 06, 2008 - 02:31 AM
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Glad to hear you're ok, Harry. I hope you hear from anyone you know out there soon, but as you said that will take some time. This link has a brief video of the devastation, it looks like a war-zone.

morgram - May 06, 2008 - 03:43 AM
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A terrrible human catastrophe and there is now fear that the evil burmese regime will not allow ANY international aid. Terrible. That evil regime should be brought down by force if only the free world could muster up enough kehuneys to do it. In an unprecedented move first lady Laura Bush as come to the mike and addressed this great tragedy.

DianaG - May 06, 2008 - 05:43 AM
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I am just shocked at the death toll from this storm...I am also hoping and saying a little prayer that your friends will be ok Harry...May God give you peace as you wait to hear .

DianaG

Cat - May 06, 2008 - 06:31 AM
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Really awful. Crying or Very sad

Looking at some of the pics from after the storm, there was so much devastation. Some of the trees that were uprooted were huge.

SMB - May 06, 2008 - 06:56 AM
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Harry,

Could you or someone else suggest some legitimate charities that would get the help to those who need it? I want to help, but don't want to just throw money away either.

smb

angel - May 06, 2008 - 07:56 AM
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Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them..amen. Crying or Very sad

Harry_Mudd - May 06, 2008 - 08:42 AM
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It just gets worse. The death toll has now reached 15,000. I cannot believe that this has happened. I'm watching the news and seeing places I know well, just heavily damaged. It's horrible.

Some of you asked how you can help. CNN recommend the following organisations listed here: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Seamus - May 06, 2008 - 11:59 AM
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My prayers will be with them all... Gosh what a horrible tragedy!

Crying or Very sad

Tina - May 06, 2008 - 07:06 PM
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This is unreal. I don't understand why they refused to accept the US's money? I'm not familiar with the politics over there. I hope your friends are safe. I thought of you as soon as it was reported on the news.

littlestar - May 06, 2008 - 11:01 PM
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BUSH AID?

My guess Tina, and it is just that...a guess...is that they may not relish the Idea of US Military Involvement in their Country....

Tina - May 07, 2008 - 12:15 AM
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littlestar wrote:

BUSH AID?

My guess Tina, and it is just that...a guess...is that they may not relish the Idea of US Military Involvement in their Country....

Tks for the link. Yeah, I can see where they wound be weary. The money comes with US troops? No wonder they're passing.

Harry_Mudd - May 07, 2008 - 11:21 PM
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Come on, guys! Please donate to the organisation that you feel is most effective. THESE PEOPLE NEED YOUR COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY NOW!

This is breaking my heart and I am trying to do everything I can, but it feels like it isn't enough, and I hate that powerlessness.

littlestar - May 07, 2008 - 11:37 PM
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Perhaps 50,000 (click)

Debb - May 08, 2008 - 01:35 AM
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100,000 plus those that will perish from disease, starvation, and exposure.

Harry_Mudd - May 09, 2008 - 11:59 PM
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Shocking images from Burma.

http://burma-cyclone.blogspot.com/2008/05/recent-death-pictures.html

Tina - May 10, 2008 - 12:17 AM
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Heartbreaking. Crying or Very sad

morgram - May 10, 2008 - 10:20 AM
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Scum! I hope the myannar tyrants get dysentery.

Harry_Mudd - May 10, 2008 - 03:13 PM
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littlestar - May 10, 2008 - 10:30 PM
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Harry_Mudd - May 11, 2008 - 06:31 PM
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I took this photograph in Yangon. How repulsive it is to see these hideous generals being portrayed in such a pious manner.

Harry_Mudd - May 11, 2008 - 06:39 PM
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This link may be of some use for those wishing to bypass the regime.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/6.php?cl=86396597

By going through this site, you donate money directly to the monks in Burma.

Giving to the monks is a smart, fast way to get aid directly to Burma's people. Governments and international aid organizations are important, but face challenges--they may not be allowed into Burma, or they may be forced to provide aid according to the military government's rules. And most will have to spend large amounts of money just setting up operations in the country. The monks are already on the front lines of the aid effort--housing, feeding, and supporting the victims of the cyclone since the day it struck. The International Burmese Monks Organization will send money directly to each monastery through their own networks, bypassing regime controls.

littlestar - May 11, 2008 - 11:56 PM
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BINGO...the first pictures I saw out of the Region..were the monks, standing in mud, sawing down trees to get to people...

Cat - May 12, 2008 - 09:38 PM
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YANGON, Myanmar - 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.

The military C-130 cargo plane, packed with 28,000 pounds 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.

Several Myanmar Cabinet ministers, military officers and the top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar, Shari Villarosa, greeted the plane.

Government spokesman Ye Htut said the aid, which was transferred to Myanmar army trucks, would be ferried by air force helicopters to the worst-hit Irrawaddy delta later Monday. Two more U.S. air shipments were scheduled to land Tuesday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_re_as/myanmar

Debb - May 13, 2008 - 12:20 AM
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Well, if Burma doesn't want the West's help, China could sure use the extra hands, supplies, and expertise.

So could Missouri

littlestar - May 13, 2008 - 04:05 AM
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We have no choice but to help China....we're in their Pocket

Harry_Mudd - May 13, 2008 - 05:12 AM
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Debb wrote:

Well, if Burma doesn't want the West's help, China could sure use the extra hands, supplies, and expertise.

So could Missouri

NO! Burma does want your help. It's the illegal junta that does not. If you want to help, please donate to the monks. The link is above.

Harry_Mudd - May 13, 2008 - 07:54 PM
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Cat - May 13, 2008 - 08:03 PM
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YANGON, Myanmar - The United Nations said Tuesday that only a tiny portion of international aid needed for Myanmar's cyclone victims is making it into the country, amid reports that the military regime is hoarding good-quality foreign aid for itself and doling out rotten food.

The country's isolated military regime has agreed to accept relief shipments from the U.N. and foreign countries, but has largely refused entry to aidworkers who might distribute the aid.

Two U.S. planes have already delivered aid to the country, and, in an apparent broadening of the initial agreement, the government seemed willing to allow future shipments.

But logistical bottlenecks, poor infrastructure and the junta's restrictions have delayed the distribution of the aid, which is piling up at the airport in Yangon.

"There is obviously still a lot of frustration that this aid effort hasn't picked up pace" 10 days after the cyclone hit, said Richard Horsey, the spokesman of the U.N. humanitarian operation in Bangkok, Thailand.

Cyclone Nargis devastated the country's Irrawaddy delta on May 3, leaving about 62,000 people dead or missing, according to the government count. The U.N. has suggested the death toll is likely to be more than 100,000.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_as/myanmar

The survivors are packed into Buddhist monasteries or camped in the open, drinking dirty water contaminated by dead bodies and animal carcasses. Food and medicines are scarce.

The military — which has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1962 — has taken control of most aid sent by other countries including the United States.

The regime told a U.S. military commander who delivered the first American shipment on Monday that basic needs of the storm victims are being fulfilled and "skillful humanitarian workers are not necessary."

But the junta's words and actions have only served to back up complaints that the military is appropriating the aid for itself.

A longtime foreign resident in Yangon told the AP in Bangkok that angry government officials have complained to him about the misappropriation of the aid by the military.

He said the officials told him that quantities of the high-energy biscuits rushed into Myanmar by the WFP on its first flights were sent to a military warehouse.

They were exchanged by what the officials said were "tasteless and low quality" biscuits produced by the Industry Ministry to be handed out to cyclone victims, the foreign resident said.

This is what we feared would happen. Even when aid does finally begin to get in, it is hoarded by the government, with little reaching the people who so desperately need it to survive. There are times when the actions of human beings just makes you sick inside. Evil or Very Mad

Harry_Mudd - May 13, 2008 - 09:23 PM
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Hi, Cat!

I read that article earlier. These are very evil men. It is unbelievable, isn't it?

Cat - May 14, 2008 - 10:03 AM
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Hi Harry!

Yes, it is unbelievable. You have to wonder how any sane person could participate in holding back supplies from starving children. The same thing has happened before, and I guess no one is surprised, but it still sickens you.

I think your idea of sending the contributions directly to the monks is a good one.

Harry_Mudd - May 15, 2008 - 07:42 PM
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Please circulate these posters and get the word out!

Harry_Mudd - May 18, 2008 - 07:02 PM
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I received this e-mail from my monk friend in Yangon, last night. It's a relief to hear that he is okay, but as you can see through his limited English skills, things are not good.

Quote:

hi
my dear friend how are you? so far i m not fine because weather.
please contact with me. i hope you will.