Latest In

Breaking News

And on Wednesday, Burma’s Leaders Were Still Bastards

Jul 31, 2020
78.7K Shares
3.7M Views
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.– Edmund Burke
U.S. ships bobbing idly in the Gulf of Mottama with thousands of tons of relief supplies will not be permitted entrance into Burma, the Burmese government announced today, according to reports from the region. Instead, the World Food Program will be permitted to bring in 10 helicopters allowing relief workers to fly supplies to far-flung spots that have yet to be reached.
That’s progress, but it hardly compensates for the criminality of Burma’s ruling generals, who waited 19 days after Cyclone Nargis to make even that small concession.
No one knows how many have died from the storm that struck May 2 - 3, but everyone agrees the number will rise rapidly if relief doesn’t arrive quickly. Meanwhile, the military is arresting reporterstrying to cover the crisis.
As we reported yesterday, some in Congress are pushing to air-drop supplies even without the consent of the Burmese leaders. The New York Times supported that stancein an editorial today:
The international community has been walking a fine line, trying to cajole the generals, who only care about staying in power, into cooperating. That hasn’t worked, and more lives are lost every day. If the junta does not quickly open up its ports and airports, the United States and France must begin airdropping aid to victims.
That might sound like an extreme measure, but it’s hardly so extreme as allowing tens of thousands of deaths by doing nothing at all. Burke, in this case, might just be spot-on.
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles