Find compassion in disasters

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By the Times Editorial Board | Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:07 PM CDT | () comments

The fear and distrust of Myanmar’s ruling junta looked bad enough. In the wake of a devastating cyclone, military leaders first refused aid, then stole it to comfort elite, uniformed leaders while the rest of the nation suffered.

Then natural disaster struck China, and the nation known for inwardly focused, fearful, dictatorial regimes responded warmly and immediately to international aid. China already had opened up to western influences, particularly with the Olympics just months away. But this response showed a regime welcoming international help, unafraid of reliance upon others.

Not so long ago, it might have been China acting as if nothing happened. The striking

differences between the two nations’ responses to international aid in times of disaster show how far China has come. And it shows how far Myanmar has to go.

International Web access reveals the tactics of Myanmar’s ruling elite as an obvious charade. Alongside confident assertions of control are overwhelming accounts of disaster.

Myanmar cannot spout false proclamations and expect them to stand unchallenged. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina certainly reinforced that lesson in our country.

Let compassion for human suffering transcend political division. Compassion can conquer fear. Myanmar has nothing to be afraid of.