General Chat

Rather than pointing fingers I was merely saying that we all need to take some responsibility.
We should be proactive not reactive!

I agree with learning from disaster to help stop these tragedies from happening again I just didn't want this thread to become a finger pointing exercise.
Sue

Sue I do understand (and agree with) what you are saying.
I just get a little tired of the usual kneejerk reactions from governments in sending aid as if to salve their own consciences.
Yes of course the aid is desperately needed.
But we also need to look right now at how similar catastrophes can be prevented or at least lessened in the future.

Oh God:-((I thought that had been lifted!!

How do sanctions enable the man (or woman) in the street to have a say?
Burma has a military junta which has reportedly committed many attrocities. However, sanctions are not always the right answer.
Also, it was not always the junta who were responsible for the decimation of the mangrove swamps - local people did it in order to earn a living from things like shrimp farming. It is a very complex issue and fingers cannot be pointed at any one individual group of people, be it the local populace, the junta, overseas governments or, indeed, ourselves.

Burma is under military rule and according to the tv news today the aid that has been sent is not actually reaching the victims.

This thread was about what's in my heart not in my head. As one person on this planet my heart goes out to other people who are also on this planet. I don't put my head in the sand - I too have made changes to my lifestyle as my contribution. Living in Australia how can I not be aware of water being a precious commodity. Sometimes we need to put aside politics etc. and just look at the people.
Sue

Bur surely Errol the sanctions were put in force in order that the people of Burma could have a say in their future?

It's all down to politics at the end of the day, and say what you will the poor of every country suffer at the hands of tyrants and bullies.

Perhaps the Government of Burma might have had some "forethought" before they decimated the mangrove swamps - they, as is the western world, are much responsible for this tragedy as any.

We may be small potatoes individually but collectively we can do an awful lot.
Consider, for example, if everyone on this site agreed not to use plastic bags when they go shopping on Saturday and the impact that could have.
It is wrong to purely blame governments when we can also make a difference.
(I'm impressed with your personal efforts - well done you and it's a shame more people don't follow your lead)

Errol,Dont you think its a little late?
the damage has been done,we are all to blame,but its happening.
I dont hide my head in the sand about issues concerning our planet,Infact Im very much the opposite,Ive made huge changes to my lifestyle for that reason.

1, I dont fly long haul anymore.
2, I recycle
3,I have down sized my car,which I only use for very long distances.
and much,much more but I wont bore you with it.

we can do lots but its governments that have the biggest Impact.

we are small potatoes

Yes Jac that is why it has had to do things like decimate coastal areas including mangrove swamps for the cultivation of sea farms.
If we had been a bit more forward thinking before we put sanctions in place then maybe there would not have been such a need - for example, the country could have exported more oil, precious stones etc in exchange for inwardly needed materials, foodstuffs etc

Why? Surely we need to be proactive in putting measures in place to limit this sort of tragedy happening again?

Has the western world caused the decimation of the mangrove swamps in Burma Errol? I thought Burma was a country cut off from the rest of the liberated world.

Jac

I'm trying very hard not to get annoyed with you Errol.
Sue

Although you are correct in that we need to rally around, it is very much ostrich head syndrome if we ignore right now some of the factors that played a part in this tragedy.

I agree Sue,the rights and wrongs arent the Issue at the moment,getting help to these people is.

I understand what you're saying, Errol, but at the moment I'm just thinking about the people. It's happened and now we need to rally round and send these people what they need to get back their lives.
Sue

No sue, for the ferocity of the cyclone and the damage caused - there is well documented evidence that global warming is having a direct impact on tropical cyclones etc. Elso, deforestation and in particular the decimation of mangrove swamps (a feature of Burma) has been shown to also have an impact on the devastation caused. So yes, we do have to accept some responsibility.

When the tsunami hit Asia, my grandson's mum was involved in setting up a hospital in Bandeh Aceh at the age of 21. She couldn't talk about what she had seen for ages but we have gradually heard some horrendous stories. My son spent many a long night sitting up with her after nightmares.
Sue

They were having problems getting aid to them,I think its been sorted now,hopefully.
those people need all the help they can get.