The Tragedy of Myanmar Unfolds

[Cate Gable]

Global awareness means we must stand by now and analyze, watch, scrutinize and wring our hands over the lack of openness and willingness to cooperation exhibited by the government of Myanmar. The irony is that during the demonstrations in the streets, the monks took the brunt of the voilence delivered by the government. And now that citizens are in desperate need of food, shelter and water, it is the monks--and not the government forces--coming to the rescue. The karma of this country, the drama, plays out on the world stage. This tragedy shows all the signs of a lack of community resilience*--so let us add to the mix of negative forces, repressive government.

(* Or does it? The monks' temples--now ad-hoc shelters--scattered in remote areas examplifies the efficacy of a decentralized and independent citizens action approach to disaster.)