Probably Uncalled For...  

How amusing, to see Myanmar shooting down aid from the United States. In the wake of a devastating cyclone, in which the death toll could reach as high as 100,000 people, the isolationist country has red-taped U.N. and other foreign aid agencies, thus far allowing only one U.S. shipment thus far. I figured one word would have already reached us about a benefit concert in the works by now, but instead, an initial brush-off. Myanmar is accepting aid from all nations, but will prohibit the entry of foreign aid workers to manage operations.

As reported by the Associated Press, Myanmar is refusing to use our country's "enormous ability to deliver aid quickly..." And why not, I say? They are probably sitting there, in their little wrecked country, thinking f**k that, the United States can't (or won't) even handle a natural disaster on their own turf. Take a look at our government's shameful and continued neglect of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina victims, then try to sell our "rapid response." Not so hard to figure how a third world country just punked us out on an aid offer, and actually looked like the winner in the argument. They've seen the heckuva job our government's capable of, and that's what tells me it's more than just politics monkey-wrenching our attempts to help Myanmar.

The ruling military junta in Myanmar has fair enough reasons for being a little wary. Despite being on rather friendly terms with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the regime is probably a bit tired of the U.S. bumping gums over how they run their country. With a natural disaster leaving them in a state of chaos, I'm no doubt sure they are expecting all manners of strings to be attached, and why wouldn't they? Pretty bad when a cyclone smashes up the country, and you're like damn. The United States offers to help, and you're like damn, there goes the neighborhood.