May 7, 2008
Laura Bush on Myanmar
Steve Gimbel, at Philosophers’ Playground, is amazed, he says, at Laura Bush’s news conference regarding the cyclone deaths in Myanmar.
He cites her saying: “Although they were aware of the threat, Burma’s state-run media failed to issue a timely warning to citizens in the storm’s path. The response to the cyclone is just the most recent example of the junta’s failure to meet its people’s basic needs.”
His response:
Yes, a representative of the Bush administration casting aspersions upon a government for not helping their people in a time of great crisis. You’ve got irony mixed with tragedy rolled in a staggering degree of obliviousness. We need a term ample enough to describe that. I propose “Antoinetting.” Others?Alex Kafka | Posted on Wednesday May 7, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
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For those of you who may be confused about what the difference is between a hurricane and a cyclone, here is a handy guide courtesy of the AOML:
The terms “hurricane” and “typhoon” are regionally specific names for a strong “tropical cyclone”. A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (Holland 1993).
Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 17 m/s (34 kt, 39 mph) are called “tropical depressions” (This is not to be confused with the condition mid-latitude people get during a long, cold and grey winter wishing they could be closer to the equator ;-)). Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 17 m/s (34 kt, 39 mph) they are typically called a “tropical storm” and assigned a name. If winds reach 33 m/s (64 kt, 74 mph)), then they are called:
“hurricane” (the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160E)
“typhoon” (the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline)
“severe tropical cyclone” (the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90E)
“severe cyclonic storm” (the North Indian Ocean)
“tropical cyclone” (the Southwest Indian Ocean)
— first marci May 7, 04:29 PM #
I think Mr. Gimbel should read Mrs. Bush’s entire statement and compare the facts before making such obviously politically and clearly bias remarks. Suffice to say, the US Federal Government did a very poor job responding to Katrina, but citizens were notified of the impending hurricane and much, much aid was provided thereafter. Loss of life and property damage on such scale is a tragedy anywhere and US and State agencies usually do a wonderful job of providing services to American citizens—Katrina aside.
In the Myanmar case, the military government failed to provide even the minimum notification to its citizens although the government recognized the threat. Mrs. Bush merely pointed this matter out and was asking for the military government to allow “international” aid through, including that proposed by the US, to help people desperately in need.
It is regrettable that her remarks included US policy statements about the Myanmar government and its internal matters, even as despicable as they may be, during this time of human crisis.
— capitalistprofessor May 7, 05:29 PM #
What they need is Barbara Bush to put a proper perspective on things. Come on, Myanmar, shake that funky attitude and smile! Now you don’t have to live in that old bamboo hut anymore!
— first marci May 7, 06:53 PM #
One-hundred-thousand people dead in Burma, at least in part because the criminals governing that beautiful country are so frightened of letting others help, and some of you think this is a good opportunity for making political points? For shame.
— S. Britchky May 8, 12:28 AM #
I prefer the term, Bushwacked. It seems so perfect for occasions such as this.
— Ric P. May 8, 05:17 PM #
OUr dictator gave adequate notifications while ignoring deaths, while their dictator gave no adequate nitifications while ignoring deaths—such hair splitting on the part of rightwing bigots is the touchstone of their heart.
— Richard Tabor Greene May 8, 09:13 PM #