Thank you Betty for the risk you took in the name of compassion. Its hard to feel helpless in situation like this. I want to send my deep prayers to the people of Burma.
Thank you very much
P Nguyen

Thank you for the effort to remind us this did happen and is still happening.

I dont think many Americans care about this story. The U.S. is facing it own disaster. Focus your attention on our woes.

Great report! Hang in there! The world needs to know what's going on out there.

Unfortunately, the United States and the United Nations don't have the will to do what is right by the people of Myanmar to stop and remove this regime or other regimes like them that totally abuse their people. Thank you for at least risking life and limb to get us this story. I will keep praying that mankind can get it right sometime soon and stop these atrocities.

Let the U.N. form a multi-national army with U.S., China, Russia, Europe and others. Destroy these so called "governments". Take no prisoners. Set up a voluntary U.N. committee to administrate the area in an objective and sensible manner to care for these devastated peoples. The East and the West are dedicated to the elimination of such injustice. Let them agree to purge it, and have unbiased adminstration by the U.N. of these places where people are at the mercy of robbers.

i agree. we had a "coalition of the willing" for iraq, where is it for burma?

surely they deserve the freedoms of democracy, no?

This is painful to read. There must be some way to pressure the Junta to allow needed help. How can the UN stand by such acts of inhumanity by a government on its citizens? I hope enough voices are raised such that their very noise makes those that want to be deaf unable to ignore. Thank you Betty for having the courage to be there to speak for these people. Keep up the good work, may god be with you and keep you safe.

All I have to say is WOW. It is really sad to hear about that devastation and to have a government that doesn't care. The UN needs to step up. Maybe this report will open their eyes. Awesome job on this report.

That's when they need to go and attack a Government to take over they are devastated , I feel so much sorrow for them.

Without courageous people like you, we would not even be aware of the hopelessness of the situation. The US government (and those of any other wealthy, civilized nation) need to act urgently and drastically to prevent the spread of this heinous behavior. Left unchallenged, the junta's mentality is like a virus, spreading to surrounding nations. It then becomes impossible to root out, much like the extremists and insurgents who live to see freedom die.

Thank you for reporting on this terrible tragedy that just keeps getting worse. The willful neglect of their people by the Generals makes them the next candidate to be charged with genocide by the International Court. Will the world stand up against them or will the story continue to land on the cutting room floor? The people of Burma deserve better from both the Generals and the world.

It's a country that has an oppressive regime. The people clamor for democracy and freedom. And they have oil! What are we waiting for?

Remember, the people of Burma are used to suffering. It is not as if the junta was good to them before the cyclone... rape as a means of war, forced relocation, slave labor, ethnic cleansing...these are the leadership techniques the junta employs with the ethnic minorities. The junta's response to the cyclone is exactly what we should all expect from a government that regularly perpetrates atrocities against its own people. After all, the junta would not want a reporter to ask those suffering survivors how life compares now compares to life before the cyclone: just think of what they might reveal about the junta's oppressive tactics.

The more I think about the issues like Burma, Tibet, Sudan....., I more I feel sad. I am very disappointed about the role of the UN. What is the UN established for. What does it really do? What is their true mission? Just take the politics and business transactions out of the picture and get in to save human lives.

What does Chinese government think about those......?

I feel that the answer stating that the US should not care is absurd. While we have our own problems we need to think about the global community. How cold hearted! However the calls for the UN to overthrow a government is ridiculous.

I saw your report on CNN. Gosh I admire you for having the guts to take the risk of bringing the plight of the people of Myanmar to our attention. It is unforgivable that things such as these still occur in the year 2008.

I do have one question though from someone who responded above saying that the "US is facing its own disaster". Could someone share with us what that disaster is?

I think that as North Americans, we should learn from what is happening to the people of Myanmar (and elsewhere) and give thanks for how good we've got it. As tough as things may seem ... we cannot imagine what the people of Myanmar are enduring. On a daily basis.

It is astonishing that governments who perform genocide by neglect are still allowed to rule in this modern age. I think sovereignty should be earned and those that deny the population basic needs and do not allow others to help in times on disaster should be swept from power and the country become a ward of the U.N. until a suitable replacement is established. Reporters who risk it all to shine a light on the darkest corners of humanity are true heroes. The world must not let those efforts be in vain. History will remember those dictators who ruled its own poplulation with an iron fist, but it will also remember those who did nothing to stop it.

The US is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. Sadly, any effort to remove the junta would be met with accusations of "American imperialism" from much of the world. And, even more sadly, the UN has no desire to take action against dictatorships – military or otherwise. They're far more comfortable approving resolution after resolution condemning Israel than doing an iota to help the people rotting under the boot of strongmen and dictators around the world

thank you for your bravery. i know exactly how much risk you took to get there. i hope we can see more of those reports.. i am really sorry to read about Jackie's comment.. we know americans have their own problems but we all human beings after all. i hope you have some heart for non americans. may be you should get out of your bubble and look around the world with open heart.

July 15th, 2008 1738 GMT

"I dont think many Americans care about this story. The U.S. is facing it own disaster. Focus your attention on our woes."

July 15th, 2008 1745 GMT

"Unfortunately, the United States and the United Nations don’t have the will to do what is right by the people of Myanmar to stop and remove this regime or other regimes like them that totally abuse their people. Thank you for at least risking life and limb to get us this story. I will keep praying that mankind can get it right sometime soon and stop these atrocities."

I must be confused ! What these people are suggesting is that the US "Remove this regime" Isn't that the reason the US is in Iraq to do in the first place? The entire world now hates America.
If I remember correctly The US and many other nations tried to help only to be turned away, are they suggesting we just go in and take over yet again?

There are legitimate instances when military invation of a country is necessary to liberate its people from their murderous rulers. If the US and the coalition countries can save the Iraqi people, why can't they save the Burmese? The Burmese "tatmadaw" army can be defeated by the the US forces in a matter of hours with the help of the Burmese people themselves.

Its a shame that the rescue and relief efforts cannot truly assist these people with the current form of governemnt there in Burma. The very fact that they are barring foreign aid when unable to assist its own citizens is an indication of ineffective governing and sadly these people have no alternative. Rebellions in most countries nowadays are quickly squashed without military support and it is a military Junta that is currently in control . They cannot depend upon foreign aid in removing the Junta as we (US) do not assist burgeoining democracies as we once used.

Hopefully families can find out what happened to their family members, and that this can provide some kind of closure. I truly wish the people of Burma good will and wish that they, and others like them throught the Pacific/Southeast Asia can go on and recover from this travesty.

Betty, in a time of "out of sight, out of mind" thinking and a 24-hour attention span, it is encouraging to know there are still people who have not forgotten what is happening in the greater world. Although it's easy to claim we are all suffering from compassion fatigue of late, that is no excuse to ignore the grave events affecting humanity–our brothers and sisters–around the world.

Thank you for taking the risks you did to tell this story. Many of us do care, and we are frustrated by the lack of information available. Kudos to you for taking on such a challenging assignment.

Jackie Powers - As a human being, before an American, I care. While we have our "disasters" here to address, it doesn't prevent us from caring about other people who aren't Americans and helping where we can.

Frankly, your self-centeredness is quite alarming. I hope the rest of the world doesn't think the same way you do if/when we ever need a hand.

In response to Jackie Powers, American's do care about this story. We care because we are human and we care how other humans are treated. That is a huge part of what America is based on. Certainly we care about what is happening on our home front, but last time I checked our roads weren't strewn with identifiable bodies. And during Katrina, when we our people were suffering similar fates, we allowed others in to help. And the world cared about us then. It is our turn to care about these people. That is what any decent human would do. So, thank you Betty, for opening the world's eyes to this horror. Thank you for risking your life, so the loss of life in another part of the world was realized by those suffering from ignorance. Hopefully your risk will pay off and the citizens of this and other free nations will try and figure out some way to help this distraught area of our world.

You have a heart of gold, you didn't have to do it, but you did it anyhow. My extreme concern for your health, and may GOD continue to bless you and your team... sometimes i wish it was only a dream, so much happening everywhere, Sudan, Zimbabwe , and Darfur among...many... GOD bless America..

In repsonse to Jackie Powers – our own woes pale in comparison to the rest of the world. Be happy that you even have a car to put gas into or that you have a grocery store you can buy food from. Why don't you take your shoes off and work in the rice fields for a while....then take a closer look at America's "woes".

How many Americans get depressed for no reason and are on medication? Why is it that people who have nothing and have had everything taken away are more optimistic than some rich brat who forgot their zoloft. American's are pansies!

http://www.yuppieisland.com

Excellent report. The world needs more of this type of reporting – real, on the ground, actual visual images obtained by sacrifice and hard work. The Myanmar government is the essence of having the most ignorant, incompetant bully in charge of what matters most... The world needs to know!

Thanks.

Thank you for the report. As a survivor myself I know first hand how it feel like to be hunger and I wish the Burma people all the best in the future.

As for Rick in Pheonix LOL i agree with you but how do you for an Army with China, China is the main support of the Junta, and Russia is behind china.

Hi Betty: My God you risked your life to cover this story. I hope you and your team is well and can't wait to see you back on the anchor desk. I have no idea how you were even able to get close to the devasation. This is very impressive and I commend you. I do hope that one day the junta does get overthrown. Democracy will always prevail.

Yes, Burma is an awful tragedy and the outside world should provide assistance and pressure the Burmese government. But asking the UN to invade and run the country would be naive. Eventually, the country would just be run by new dictators. Freedom and democracy cannot be bestowed, it must be earned by the people.

Jackie Powers, get your head out of your ass and realize that we live in the one of the richest, most well off countries in the world. What is this "disaster" you are referring to? The fact that we have a gas problem and that our country took advantage of itself and made some bad investments in the mortgage business. WOW. These people have died or lost loved ones and barely have water or food. Wake up and realize that we are in NO way facing a disaster other than the disaster of foolish people like you who take for granted EVERY creature comfort you have...like the computer you have to blog about your disgust about a humanitarian story!

You make me sick!

THANK YOU ! thank you for keeping this in the news–it is apalling what is happening in Burma. It is a crime that the government is basically letting their citizens starve . I am heart sick for the good people of Burma.

To: Jackie Powers – That single mindedness is exactly what we do not need in the United States of America. That comment was disgusting. Our government and people are CAPABLE of handling our crisis', whereas the people in Myanmar have no assistance whatsoever and need the help of outside governments and charities just to survive.

is there oil in Myanmar? :P

I have never responded to anything on CNN before, but felt compelled to respond to this:

jackie powers July 15th, 2008 1738 GMT

I dont think many Americans care about this story. The U.S. is facing it own disaster. Focus your attention on our woes.

OMG! How do you live with yourself? What "disaster" is the US facing at this point? Gas prices are going up and you can't afford to fill-up your gigantic, gas-guzzling SUV? Budweiser is being sold to the Belgians? Dale Jr., wrecked his car?

Excuse me, but did you lose your whole family, all your possessions and your livelyhood in a storm that your government probably didn't even warn you was coming and now prevents anyone from helping you? Give me a break! You should be ashamed of yourself!

Thank you for this report Betty, when your report showed citizens of Myanmar I tried to look for friends who I have not heard from since the storm.

My husband and I have sent money to friends in the delta and managed to feed a village for a few days and buy books and supplies for an entire school of children. We did this for less than $900USD. The losses these people have suffered have been uncountable, what we can do is pressure our government to help move aid into the country. These people so need our help, if we don't help then who will?

Your sacrifice will bear fruit.

My wife and I got married there in 2005. We met the most wonderful people and even "adopted" a family. It's hard to know if they are alive or not, it is heartwrenching.

We have managed to send money into myanmar through intermediaries in other countries. Through friends we were able to send in about 800$ which was enough to take care of a small village.

If you knew how kind these wonderful people are there would be more done to help them. I have found that the worse the regime, the kinder the people.

Please do whatever you can; one dollar will feed one person for one day, 3$ will get them to a doctor. Please help any way you can.

To Jackie Powers. I bet you have never even left the your state, let alone the U.S. It's ignorant people like you that lack human compassion and immense sufferings of other people. The kind of disaster the US is facing is nothing compared to how the Burmese people have suffered. What? Not being able to pay $5 per gallon of gas for your massive SUVs? Who said driving was a necessity? In many parts of the world, driving is a luxury and people take public transportation. Or people going into foreclosure of homes because they bought homes they can't even afford to begin with. I am sorry but what the U.S is facing is brought about by the oversonsumption of its own people.

Jackie Powers, America wouldn't have as many problems as we do if people like you knew more about the WORLD. We live in a global economy, protectionsim is dead. Not to metion this is real news! I don't think many people, Americans or not, care about who is gonna pay down your sub-prime mortgage! Furthermore you can't compare the loss of thousands of lives w/ the loss of GDP growth. Its good to see you can read though... Thanks for the report Betty!

There is no wealth or strategic gain for the the U.S. having a physical presence in Myanmar. Do you really think the U.S. travels half way around the world and deposes leaders just for the sake of humanitarianism and helping local populations? If that was the case, Darfur would have ended a long time ago, Rwanda would not have gone on as long as it did, and the people of Myanmar would be on the path to rebuilding their lives. Our government could not even help our own people in New Orleans and the surrounding areas- it did not equate to wealth and affluence, and neither does Myanmar.

Thank you for your courage – I travel there every year to help train students and leaders and bring them what little luxuries I can pack in my suite case. I love the people and am so glad that I have been able to do this for the last 9 years.
Thank you for bringing awareness of their plight. I got to go up north to Putao, this last March for the first time. Some of the villages I visited had not seen a foreigner visitor since 1962 when the Junta took over and asked the foreign missionaries to leave the country. They were so excited to see me, some kids were afraid of me. It was Awesome!!
thank you again and I am glad you are safe.
blessings Kim Barrera
http://www.graphicsall.com has the photos of my trip

Sorry Rick in Phoenix, but China & Russia don’t care about injustice. Just look at their UN veto vote record. Thanks to both of those countries the UN is practically useless.

Jackie Powers,

Last I checked we don't have a government ignoring decaying bodies laying on the side of the river. These people have nothing.

Makes me sad that compassion isn't on your list of visible traits.

$4/gallon gas doesn't even come CLOSE to not having food or a tarp over us to keep us warm/dry.

No wonder the US has such a bad reputation...

Stunning, and this story deserves more than a blog entry.

How could you be so heartless Jackie what crisis are we facing in America. What temporary layoffs maybe recession so what maybe you will have to put off buying that new Iphone for a few months big deal !! That pales in comparison to what other people have to endure on a daily basis around the globe. We are all human beings no matter what part of the world we live in its high time we start caring more about each other and less about ourselves. That is how GOD wants it.

Excellent story, it made me jealous I wasn't right along side you. It's very naive to think this story doesn't affect you in any way as this is a global problem which can only be solved by a global community. As someone who has been to Burma 2 years ago, it's hard to imagine these people being made to suffer by mother nature, since they already experience the worst corruption has to offer.

You're right Jackie Powers, the US has plenty of problems, such as obesity, teen pregnancy, drugs, etc. I'm betting the people of Burma would trade problems with us in a heartbeat. How dare us be selfish by caring about a poverty stricken country who's government cannot even bury their bodies, much less feed and house those affected by disaster. I would donate my dollar in a minute before spending one second caring about the 20yr old druggy up the street sucking off welfare to feed her four fat kids

Each time stories like this appear, I am stunned by the depth of disregard for another human being. It seems so much easier to recognize and cast aspersions on those in the developing world who would mistreat their own, but the unfortunate truth is that we don't do a much better job here at home.

What??? Where the **** is Rambo? He knows how to deal with the Burmese government.

Let me guess....Jacky you're from the midwest? Bush supporter? Am I on to something....If Jesus was there he would kick some Junta ass! Right?

I agree with Joe- this should be more than a blog- this should be a feature article, the very first thing you see on the web page when you type in cnn.com. Betty- how can we make that happen?

Great act of Journalism. Its wonderful and refreshing to see some journalists are concerned with the real problems in the world and not just when angelina has her twins... The problems in Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Sudan and similar countries are whats going to shape the future of this world. We spend millionson saving birds and animals from extinction thinking their absence would cause environmental imbalance while we go on ignoring the extinction face by so many people in the world. great article... keep up the good work..

The US people do INDEED care about the suffering of people in Myanmar. We are sometimes looked at as a selfish country by others but in practice we are certainly one of the most generous. Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention and don't listen to the people who tell you they don't care...that is one out of hundreds that do!!!

ANDY, the poster who said the US is at fault for this misery: Hey! The Govt of Myanmar stole all the international aid! The US even contemplated dropping in supplies amnd marines from the air in violation of the regimes dictats. GET A GRIP ANDY

When I hear and see how humanaity treats itself , such as the story here, I am dumbstruck and simply cannot fathom that we have it within ourselves to behave this way. It literally makes no sense, and ultimately people who act this way lose whatever twisted power they think they have. No one wins, we only all lose in this. I pray for us that we will wake up.

thisarticle should never have been run. an illegal alien is ilegal activity a should not be rewarded on one hand and and condemned in the other, CNN is now a corporate sponsor of illegal activity. I hope that CNN and the US justice department turn this criminal over to the myanmar government for prosecution. The myanmar Government should sue CNN for Billions of dollars. That would be legal news.

I spent eight years in the United States Marine Corps. and learned how small the world really is. We are all human and have to treat everyone and everything with respect.

Be strong in faith and speak the truth, as the world is watching and listening.

I'm seriously dismayed by the comment made by Jackie Powers. It has nothing to do with conservative or liberal, Jew or Christian... It has EVERYTHING to do with compassion... For all humanity. Americans DO care... And those that don't face the potential for a hard reality check that could come at any time. How close is the US to feeling the effects of such a disaster? Does anyone remember Katrina? Thank you, Betty, for your courage... As an American Veteran, it is greatly appreciated... History always repeats itself...

Ike, if that is all you got out of this story, you are full of bull poop.

Jackie

If you're going to bash someone's bravery and honest reporting, please do it somewhere else. Obviously you don't have a heart that feels no remorse for the suffering these people are experiencing. Think if it was you or a loved one.

Hello Betty, thank you for an excellent report. It is most helpful to have a first-hand report out of Burma.

Several years ago I spent one month touring around Burma. I made a deal with a Rangoon taxi driver to take me all over. We visited both sides of the Irrawaddy, up to Mandalay and to the edge of the Shan territories, where drug activity made it dangerous to proceed.

The Burmese people are the most gentle, likable, hospitable and engaging people you will ever meet in Asia. Even the poorest of villagers, who lives in a bamboo shack, will invite you in for tea. Sometimes they followed me as I walk around, just to hear the English language. Burma can be very hot, unbearably humid...but it is beautiful in so many ways and its World War II history is remarkable.

What broke my heart was the poverty and repression. Two blocks from the home of Ang Son Su Chee (sp?), armed Burmese soldiers keep all tourists and citizens a good distance away.

The black market in Rangoon, where one can buy film, aspirin, etc. is operated by friends and family of the junta.

The government for a long time has stated that no longer is there forced labor. One afternoon we passed by a road that was being repaired. The workers were all high school students out for the summer. They had to work. They did not get paid. As there were no military personnel around at that moment, I got out of the car and visited with them. They were gleeful to meet an American and when I accidently placed my foot in a bag of cement, we all laughed uproariously.

One day, outside a restuarant, a mother and child approached me and motioned to their mouths. I had them sit at the table and let them order food. I gave her a fistful of Kyat to help out for the next few days. I can see her face and the face of the child as I type these words.

On another day, I unknowningly walked down the wrong side of a street where mansions belonging to the British years ago are still occupied. Suddenly, out of the shrubs, appeared a Burmese soldier with a carbine. He stuck it in my chest and pushed me to the curb. I understood and went to the otherside. A Burmese man passed me and said a few words " Stay away, military lives there. Cannot talk further, I get in big trouble" I murmured "thank you".

The military is EVERYWHERE...even in remote areas they have large encampments and rows of jeeps. Most of their military equipment comes from China. They have close relations with China.

When I applied for my Visa in the USA, the Burmese embassy sent me a ton of papers and requested 16 p hotos. A month to get it.

Instead, I went to the Burmese consulate in Hong Kong, paid my fee and submitted two photos. Visa was ready the next morning. Always get your visa's in HK., not states-side.

One older man, who met me before dawn for coffee to avoid being seen by the military, told me that it is important that Americans visit Burma. They like us very much. If many Americans visit, then the people will be safer...as the junta will not want to cut off the tourist dollars.

It was relatively easy to get around. I had a driver guide, so my month was filled with many stops. You can do the same on local buses, but it would take 2 or 3 months.

In the far north, we went by a hospital (red cross out front) and I went in to visit. A primitive facility...beds without mattresses, etc. Met the head nurse, who had two medical degrees. Offered her some money, which she rejected and asked if I had any aspirin...which I did...gave it to her...promised to send more...dont bother, she said, it will get stolen by postal workers who work for junta.

I got to go all over and meet wonderful people that I think about every day. By the way, the staff in the American Embassy in Rangoon are not allowed outside city limits...so I got to see more than our government employees did.

If Burma ever gets back on her feet...go visit it...you will never meet nice people...never!

Ike I believe you are a major sponsor of stupidity

Wow, Ike you are so wise....what great insight.

North Korea, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Congo, Sudan, and countless other regimes are destroying the lives of their people. America or UN attacking any of these countries or putting in more sanctions on these countries is not going to solve the problem or benefit the people. The people of these country have to gather and revolt. If the people of those countries are not ready for democracy, even if its handed to them on a silver platter, it wouldnt make any difference. The need a Martin Luther King, Nelson Mendola, Gandhi to lead them. The world doesnt need another Iraq...

For God Sake- Stop being International Policemen. Let countries decide themselves what to do ? We don't like people interfering in our affairs in this country and same works for others. Let people revolt in Burma and do whatever with Junta.. We must understand that days of American dominance are over. Let's focus on America and make it a better place to live. Let's fight our own wars and not make other people's wars our wars. Our financial mess is a result of this international bullsh*
Let's play in this global marketplace and compete rather than do these charity wars.

I see my response have gotten a few remarks. I'm at my office right now sharing this story and your replys with my fellow office employees. I can tell you many of them feel the same as I. We cannot bleed everytime the world gets cut. These countries must learn America cannot come to their rescue everytime something bad happens to them. You have people right here in the U.S. wishing they were dead rather than face the horrible situations that exist here. People are dying here daily from tragic things also. You have homelesssness here by the millions. The sick cant afford medical treatment. People are going to sleep, belly swollen from hunger. The weak and innocent being robbed and killed so the strong my live. Corruptness is everywhere you look. The rich takes advantage of the poor. So how in the hell can we condemn anyone else or rush to help another nation. We need to focus our attention on our nation. Wake up you so called do-gooders. Dont be ashamed to admit we have failed ourselves and the world hates our guts . We are the hypocrites of the world. You lead by example not by lies. When these nations watch the nightly news and see the condition of our nation. We are either called fools or suckers. I reiterate Americans dont care about this country. Were just trying to fake an image. That the world no longer accept from us.

Great tragic story that must be told. If not for brave people willing to take the risk silence will reign over the dead in myanmar and other places around the globe. It is a shame to see some of the responses with a ME! ME! ME! attitude. No one is immune from the violence of nature but everyone should be immune from government sponsored tragedy.

I applaud your courage.

Yeah, sure, Andy, blame the U.S. We didn't do enough. It's all our fault. But just let us step in and remove a tyrannical regime and we get slammed for doing it. We can’t win. On the one side we’re hamstrung by the weeping hand wringing liberals who claim we’re beasts if we DO something and on the other we’re blamed as heartless and unfeeling by the same people if we DON’T do something. We’ can’t win. The people of Burma deserve a government that sees to their needs. It doesn’t have to be a democracy or a republic with a congress and a president it just needs to work FOR them and be a partner and friend to the international community. We (the international community) should work towards that. Oops, there I go again, stirring up the hand wringers….

I am not pro war or against it but what I find amazing is this, we go after a tyrant that thumbs his nose at the system and treats his people like garbage. We risk our troops lives and free a people (don't tell me it is for oil because I don't buy it) and I read stories like this and I think, this is what a military should be used for. A government that barely takes care of it's people, we should ride in on our tanks and bring the supplies in tow. Who would stop us, that is the shame of all of this. By the way to all of you who question my background, I retired from the military as a medic after 4 years active and 6 years reserve so I do have that. Finally, thanks to the reporter and staff that risked their lives to bring us this story. Even though NO ONE will do anything about it.

After the storm, after the efforts to deliver aid, I saw somewhere an article about the new capital of Myanmar and how sumptous it was. I have never seen anything else about it pre or post the storm and I can't remember where I read it.

That made me wonder if the intent of the government was to "cleanse" the new capital of beggars, illiterates, undesirables, etc by making sure that they had less people to feed, give aid to, help in their old age, etc. What is more important to the military; a bright, shinny new city or helping the poor?

It's just a thought. You yourself saw what the real people face over there. .

Jackie, no country is perfect, and while there are plenty of people who hate us, there are also plenty of people envious of the freedoms we have. Many people cannot afford medical care, but we have free clinics. There are a HUGE number of homeless and hungry, but we have shelters. We are not perfect and we have a long ways to go to solve our problems, but there is an effort being made here at home. We are not trying to fake anything. As bad as you feel we have, there are others that have it much much worse all over the world. There are so many people in Myanmar, Darfur, etc, that don't have the freedoms or the resources we have. We have have soup kitchens. If we and other powerful countries didn't provide food, they would have NOTHING. We are only a small helping hand in the great scheme of things. And the "aide" we have offered in other countries isn't always done the right way, but certainly, this situation calls for our aide. Your comments are ignorant given the situation. I wish you could see things from the other side. Put yourself in their shoes. Trust me, you would see things differently.

Excellent reporting! What is truly sad about this situation is that the Bush administration has been so obsessed with Iraq for so long that the US can no longer take the lead on any international crisis. The US is no longer the "Shining City on the Hill". Our all-volunteer military is now accepting felons. The dollar is tanking. The housing sector is a mess. In the last 7.5 years the federal budget has gone from surplus to enormous deficits. Unemployment is on the rise. Remember "stagflation?" It's just starting. It won't be long until the high transportation costs ripple through everything in the economy, just like it did from '78-81. But don't worry. It's your constitutional right to pack a handgun at home. Great job, George!

TAKING PICTURES OF THE DEAD IS WRONG!!!!!

Thanks, Betty, for reporting this. For those who don't care, you will have your turn in your life time.

Sarah Anne, Very good, balanced response

In Jackie's defense, all of you who indignantly ask 'what disaster?'

Come visit the Midwest right now, try Iowa. People have lost everything, homes washed away. Flood after flood this year, lost in the headlines, 2 pages after today's gas price. Tells you what American priorities are when you mention disaster, and people think first of gas prices, and not at all of flooded cities.

For that matter, visit New Orleans. Who was it that said that our government was capable of taking care after a disaster?

Yeah, so Jackie is selfish. But those of who who made fun of her are just as bad in a different way, ignoring suffering at home, and pretending that the US can fix everyone's problems, when we can't fix our own.

Last – thanks to Betty. Sad that you have to risk your life to bring information out on this.

Jackie Powers – try visiting another country and learning about other cultures. Education is a great thing and the World is an amazing place...don't be so afraid of either of them (share that with your coworkers, too!).

Beautifully said Sarah Anne

The problem with this situation is that there is nothing to be gained by another country going in and removing the junta. This country has nothing to offer the individuals who would benefit from it. Their wallets won't get any fatter, so who cares about the people! It's sad that there is no compassion left in the world from the people who can make a difference. The way I see it, it's pretty much a criminal act the way the junta has handled the situation with the amount of death. They should be prosecuted just like any other war criminal would be for mass genocide!

Jackie is correct in that "You lead by example not by lies". That being said, have any of you helped your neighbor lately ? Have you helped someone in need standing in front of you? It is not "We" will help, it is "I" have helped. Have you helped fix America or are you one that chirps like the birds about how bad it is here? Try getting shot at by some uneducated 12 year old in a third world country. Maybe you will survive maybe not, if you do, than will you lend a helping hand and time in your local community ? We fix America not our government, we help each other, not our government We that help are not the hypocrites.

Most people dont realize what an insult it is to call the country Myanmar. The country s name is Burma. It was renamed, by the the regime. Most countries dont acknowledge the country's new name. My Girlfriend is from Burma. She tells me alot about what happens there and I appreciate living in the USA for what she has taught me.

In regards to those who are attacking Jackie Powers personally, we must remember to evaluate ourselves first. We say that we care as Americans, but if we are honest with ourselves, for the most part we could be doing a lot more. Remember that the lack of actions or responses are almost as bad as those who codemn them.

Jackie, regardless of the issues we are facing here, even you would have to admit that Myanmar's situation is far worse than anything faced or seen in the United States. And in the spirit of humanity and decency, we cannot ignore such issues regardless of nationality, race, gender, etc... Especially when we have something significant to offer. To be an American is a blessing that was imparted to us upon birth, and sometimes we lose sight of this great priviledge that we hold onto. And instead, we feel that we are entitled to such. But if you were to look past these boundary distinctions you would come to realize that this person across the world is no different than your brothers, sisters mother, and father. And how can we not help then?

Jerry- I have been to 9 different countries. And when I go to these countries I simply dont go their to relax on a beach and perpetuate an image. I also visit the many areas of the other nations slums. This is what you would call a real educational vacation. Just like I visit our nations slums. And you know Jerry I find many of these places to look like ours. Now I ask you, what slum areas here do you go and visit? And what help do you offer the poor here? What voice do you lend to their crys and pleas? There would be alot less problems in the world if Americans would stay at home (our own country) sometimes and work on the problems we have here. We cannot cure the Nations Ills nor should we try to. We would not be going broke now if we had simply told many of these other nations that we simply dont have the money to fix your woes. Instead we had out money to these folks that we dont have. NOW THE MANY SUFFER

Jackie Powers:

Do we here in the U.S. have problems? Yes. Do we have corruption at the government level? Sure, find a government that doesn't have some to some degree. Do we have sick, dying, and homeless? Of course. But, as has been said repeatedly, we're still so much better off. I wholeheartedly agree that we do need to be better at taking care of our own downtrodden, but at least we try. And it's very easy to forget that for as bad as things may ever be here, there are people in this world that truly have it worse. As a people, we do try to help each other. Our government does try to guide us and help us. Of course they don't always get it right, but I'd much rather have what I do than to have an oppressive dictator that would kill me for speaking out.

Can we be the world's police department? No, and we shouldn't be. But there are certainly times where I feel it would be justified to go in and kick a little butt.

And to those that call us "do-gooders", when is the last time you stepped in to help out someone? When did you last donate to the Red Cross or your local food bank or homeless shelter?

I say we ship "Jackie Powers" to Myanmar/Burma to experience what REAL "woes" are! What a comment from ingrateful, spoiled selfish non-being! You have NO clue how hard it could REALLY be – you ain't seen nothin yet sister!

In response to a comment below, if there aren't many Americans that care about this story, than that in itself is a tragedy. My heart and prayers go out to all those who are suffering in Myanmar and next door. Take it from someone who has seen some of the problems that face others outside the US, if we do not take the time to care about others, we will face even more struggles here at home.

Thank you Betty Nguyen for pursuing this story and presenting a side we hear so little of.

If only Burma had a few million barrels of oil underneath that delta. They'd be "helped" in no time. What a shame they don't have the crack that America is addicted to.

To jackie powers: You are wrong, Americans DO care! As soon as people like you realize we all live on this planet TOGETHER, the better off we ALL shall be! Letting people suffer because they're from another part of the world only perpetuates global suffering. The children of these people may rightly grow up as rebels, given the callus disregard the world has shown for their plight. By comparison, our problems in America are small. If you were in the position the Myanmar people are in today you would scream & demand the world pay attention. How dare you suggest that we are any better than they, or that they do not matter. The myoptic views like yours are what has gotten this planet into the mess it is in now! Wake-up.

I'm an American, Jackie Powers, and I care about this story. So you're wrong. Shame on you for comparing "our disaster" with the suffering of the people of Myanmar. Economic woes pale in comparison to the devastation and hell those people are enduring.

There is wisdom in Kevins piece above. It is a simple thing to be kind and helpful; it's someting that comes naturally to us. It is only the mind that makes things difficult and complex. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot of work to do, both inside and outside. But seeing truly and acting upon that, being guided only by what we know is true, will always help in some way (even if the mind cannot see an instantaneous result.

I agree with Heather and Sarah Anne. I could'nt have said ti better myself.

It was a brilliant attempt to inform the world that what's going on inside Burma. I believe that your attempt has brought many people into a realization of the never die attitude of people who with persistence continue to build their lives and hope again for bright future in the midst of ruins.
Thanks!

"The people of these country have to gather and revolt. If the people of those countries are not ready for democracy, even if its handed to them on a silver platter, it wouldn't make any difference. They need a Martin Luther King, Nelson Mendola, Gandhi to lead them." (Raj)

Raj, I agree–and Myanmar has such a leader in (Nobel Prize winning) Aung San Suu Kyi! Unfortunately, she was imprisoned 18 years ago(!) by the military junta immediately after her fellow countrymen ELECTED her to lead them as Prime Minister. The majority of citizens in Burma/Myanmar WANT democracy, unlike Iraq (esp. at the time we invaded it), so those comparisons are invalid.

"We cannot bleed everytime the world gets cut."
Sounds like a conservative Talk Radio parrot. Jackie Powers, how sad to be you! Thank God America didn't feel that way when Hitler ravaged Europe. Really harsh. Really dumb. In case you don't comprehend this, supporting democracy around the world is not only the RIGHT thing to do, it's the WISE thing to do (for a myriad of economic and security reasons.

Thank you very much Betty for that interesting update of Myanmar. I'm so grateful that reporters like you still keep us connected to the horrific disaster that effects mankind everywhere.

How quick we are to forget, and how desensitized we have become. We should not forget the suffering and to remember how to give to help to those relief organizations and NGOs on the front line.

In China there are yet millions left homeless and living in tents and standing in long water lines, their futures bleak, their possessions and jobs gone. But even in China many Chinese no longer see any news of those effected by their recent great earthquake.

I truly enjoyed your story and appreciated it very much.

Sincerely,

Mark Bishop

Also people let's get to the subject at hand and focus on Burma please. It's a blog about Burma and not Jackie powers. WE have our own problems abroad but we also have freedom of choice where in Burma they lack freedom so they suffer worse hence everyone attacking JAckie and her supporters. I'm sure every here is at work and doing what they can to survive in a government that takes advantage of them but what can you do right!? You have the freedom of choice. BURMA PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE FREEDOM.

To Jackie Powers – are you truly that callous, ignorant and arrogant to recognize other hardship around the world. True, the US does play a role in helping other countries in times of natural disasters but there is more than enough to go around. We are fortunate to live in this country blessed with natural resources, for the most part a good government (albeit one that invades other countries without justification causing immeasurable pain and hardship), and opportunity. Where is your heart? I am saddened by your responses and hope someday you can find the courage and compassion to help others and to see beyond the end of your nose.

As an white American living in Myanmar, I cannot post my name. Firstly, thank you for keeping the plight of the Burmese people in the news. That said, I just wish journalists would stop trying to get us all in trouble by sneaking in and posting stories about their sneakiness all over CNN. There are lots of bright, trustworthy, low-profile local Burmese with digital cameras more than happy to do the reporting for us. You're welcome to the pictures and extensive documentation my relief team has made in the Delta. Your story of your heroic attempt at clandestine night journalism only gets the rest of us in trouble. I have also been stopped at checkpoints in the Delta, but I have either secured permissions to get through those checkpoints or sent the Burmese on my team ahead without me so as not to endanger the work local groups like mine are doing. In your report, you mentioned that most of the supplies have been donated by local groups like ours. Stop screwing it up for us! We have been forced to scale back or stop many of our activities, such as body collection, precisely because of government fears of journalists like you. Our work will carry on whatever the risk, but please, for the sake of these people, think about the larger effects of what you are doing!

Thank you for your educational article. You know it's sad to say that no matter how tragic a situation it will just get worse. There is so many horrible thing going on on this world right now and the United States has the power to help and we don't. We just go on with our lives like nothing is happening. We see things on t.v and for that moment feel bad but once we shut it off all fades. So many people are suffering in other countries. Inoccent people are being murdered tortured and starving to death everyday. I'm so tired of people saying we need to just worry about our own counrty. The United States has so much opportunity..schools, jobs, government assistance, freedom. Our biggest problem is gas prices..give me a break .

Thank you Betty for your report. As an American who has spent time in Burma, I am truly disturbed by what has happened there. The lack of action by the junta is sickening, and I am disheartened that the international community hasn't put enough pressure on China to intervene. I have such fond memories of traveling around Burma, and I struggle with the picture you describe. My hope is to some day return to the place that I remember - a country with smiling faces, welcoming villages, and stunning natural scenery.

I find it so frustrating to hear that a government would deny its own people aide that is offered for free from around the world with no strings attached. very sad indeed. I've been reading as much as possible about this tragedy, and I was glad to see that some reporters
are risking there lives to let the World know what's happening there.
Thank you!

Jackie Powers, you must work for the Bush Administration or the U.N. So you visit the slums of the world – and what do YOU do about it? Have you ever smelled the stench of death? Have you ever dealt with other human beings that have lost absolutely everything they had including family and friends? Betty went in the way she did because there was no other way to see what the Myanmar Junta does not want the rest of the world to see – Burma beyond ruins. But to see what she reported should not be of any surprise. That is what dictorial military regimes to to their fellow citizens. be gratefule this imperfect democratic country we have allows you to think, eat, create, explore and LIVE! Work on your karma – it will be good for your mind and soul...
Most importantly – excellent reporting Betty! the word is OUT!

I posted something earlier. Can I please elect to have it NOT posted. Thanks, D

Jackie Powers: You seem to be misinformed about certain aspects of our economy and current 'woes'. The money the US donates is a drop in the bucket compared to the corporate greed which has led us to where we are now. Sub prime is what fueled the entire energy crisis, which in turn sparked the global energy crisis. I would like to suggest knowing what you are talking about before you actually speak. Some would call that an education, which partially free in this country. And yes, this is GLOBAL economy!

And if you have been sxleeping under a rock for the last 75 years, you would know that the USA iw the leader in ALL aspects of the WORLD! Again, I reiterate the importance od education. Im glad we have people such as yourself in this country... it highlights the more refined and developed minds of our time..

Lastly.... from Africa to Asia... Millions of lives would have been saved if it wasn't CHINA vetoing every resolution at the UN... Not only do they protect them, they supply weapons to use on their own citizens... Down with the communists!

I feel so blessed just to be here in the US for being able to read this report while having some chocolate-covered raisins with purified drinking water.

Hello Everyone...much earlier an email from "MB" suggested the Burmese rise up and throw out the junta.

An impossibility. Why?

Mao said "Power comes from the muzzle of a gun".

There is no way they can overthrow the junta. They don't have guns, they are not organized and are, at heart, a very gentle people that somehow are able to smile even though a boot is on their neck every moment of every day.

Nothing would please me more than to see Burma become free, but I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime (I'm 64) nor will any of us.

Again...I would encourage those that can, to visit Burma once it gets back on its feet and can provide lodging and food and tours to outsiders.

By the way, a visa is stamped "no land entry" and you must arrive by plane at Rangoon. In American dollars only, you have to pay an entry fee. I recall it being $40 or $60. A military type takes it from you after you have exited the plane. I did a rough calculation on how much revenue this little sting produced...you know...2 flights a day, 60 seats a plane, 365 days a year...it came to something like US$1.5 million per year. They use the cash to buy arms from China...because EVERYONE in the world likes U.S. Currency.

CHRISTOPHER

I think that west believes it is the savior for the world. These countries have been going for many more years before the United States became a country. The only thing that is truely happening is the western influence of hypocrites that invade these countries. I have been to Thailand many times and the problem right now is that the west has caused prices to raise around the world and has put a burden on the people of countries of low wage. Then the Western hypocrites that come to set the world straight by only their standards. Example: When I was in Thailand this lady was spending money like crazy paying three times what it was worth and laughing saying that the Thai's only wished they had this much money. For one she raised the price of items for the regular Thai people. Then she started talking about the Thailand girls and all the sex slave work that they did. She had nothing good to say about the Thai people. After research I learned that she was the wife of a wealthy American that had a factory in Thailand that used children 10-16 years of age to work in their factory for pennies a day. Most government problems in foreign countries can take care of themself like they have for many years before the U.S. became a country, If the western hypocrites stay out of their country. Americans should worry about their own country with all the homeless and poor that is has. CNN why don't you go after the American government for the problems we have in the U.S.A. before you speak about another goverment and the way they treat their people. The U.S. needs to understand that there is only one savior and its not the U.S. hypocrites

If you sneak into a country that you are not suppose to, you should be put in jail just like any other person that breaks a law. If a country says that You can't come into their country then you should honor their law. Now all Americans will have a hard time going to a country because a reporter had to sneak in and mess it up for all. If you worked for me I would fire you.

I've read through every single comment, so hopefully I sound rather objective. I'm don't agree with what Ike said up there, but he has a point. The contents of this report were gotten illegally – the media can't just waltz into any country they please and say it's in the name of press freedom (not every country has that law either). This is one of the primary reasons why the media is so abhorred in modern day society, because of its busybody ways. That being said, I still firmly believe that Betty did the right thing in trying to get the word out – I admire you. Maybe this is why this blog isn't front page news – it wouldn't be allowed, by CNN or the US government. The repercussions could be severe.
I'm not a US citizen so I don't feel I'm qualified to comment on the state of the US vs under developed countries, but I will say this. Rome wasn't built in a day. You yourselves had to go through a revolution to break free from the British Empire, a process that took around a decade or so. Of course, the destruction, death etc is not on the same scale, nor did you have to deal with major natural disasters but my point is that neither the US nor the UN, or any other coalition of countries is going to be able to swoop in and fix it all. By 'it', I mean the junta regime (natural disasters, while devastating can be helped, just look at the tsunami cleanup and the Sichuan earthquake). Maybe in the future, a country will be respected enough to be allowed to go in rectify the situation, but at this point in time, it's not going to happen. As people have said, the US is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. That goes for any other country. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Burma is that horse. Do the junta seem to care what the world thinks of them? Hardly. Does it seem to realise how wrong its ideals are? No. That realisation will take time, and eventually, international help.
And as for China and Russia, do not heap the blame on them. One of many reasons why they are accused of supporting the junta regime and its 'ethnic cleansing' is because of the problems with their own ethnic groups. If I recall correctly, neither country recognises Kosovo as a nation, because they feel if they did, it would encourage uprisings in their own country. Spain feels the same about its Basque people. The UK would go to any lengths to prevent Northern Ireland from separating. Imagine Mexico severing all ties with the US. The Chinese and Russian governments are by no means perfect, but they are the result of history and the people themselves.

Burmese Military is extremely brutal. They are civilian killing machine.

We, Burmese, want to rise up against them. We have tried. Once in 1988 and Sep 2007. All of us saw what happened. Military just marched into cities and shoot anyone in sight. They don't care about age, sex or innocence or guilt. They don't care. They just want people to know that they have guns and we don't have.

To the Junta, lives of burmese citizens are worth nothing.. Better death than alive cos there will be less people to opposed them. Better miserable than comfortable and rich cos people cannot think more than their survival. That's the strategy of the Junta. Cyclone Nargis brings out this strategy to our very eyes. Sadly, world is turning a blind eyes!

Such brutality and inhumane treatment. I just don't understand why some regional associations and super powers can condone such a government and turn blind eyes. And many other also don't try helping us.

Thanks you Betty for reminding us once again. Burmese people are too nice to deserved this... on the other hand, isn't it ironic that this "nice" attribute of burmese may have allowed such a government to fester and grow!

Thank you Betty for your risk and courage to expose the insight of the victims of the Cyclone. There are so much things to be done there. People out there rely on themselves rather than limited aid groups. They themselves are truly heros, helping each other in the midst of nothingness.

In Myanmar (Burma), in reality, economic sanction from the west is not an option because the government has China, India and ASEAN in the region. Dialogue with opposition party NLD is not an option because the party itself is being crushed into pieces and its leaders are detained. Intervention from the UN or from another country is not an option because their democratic diplomacy approach is not effective and not influential over the government who practise facism towards its own people. More actions are needed rather than words.

Young military officers are brainwashed. Students are provided with biased and manipulated education. State media is full of their propaganda. Educated people are scarced in the country and many are in abroads. History is covered-up. Repression is harsh and cruel on any oppsitions. Citizens are struggling with their daily hardships and therefore doing politics is completely out of their question. Thuds are trained and rewarded to crush any movements and activists. Youths are facing wide generation gap. University graduates are not widely recognized in the world. People are traditionally contended with what they have, and this is mainly due to the teachings of Buddhism. Energy resources are plentiful but people in Burma are not enjoying them. Government and its own organisations are selling the natural resources to countries which used to act as shields for international pressure. That is why economic sanctions are not effective. Internet access is limited including CNN and Yahoo. Electricity is insufficient. Cities are black out almost all the time. People from all over the world know a lot better about monk-protest in last September and Cyclone in May than the people from Yangon. Yet people of Burma are used to this kind of living conditions for many years.

Economy is down. Prices are high. Salary is low. Government is not caring. They have capacity but not ability. They rule by threats. Country is in the bottom list of poorest nations. Attempting to get out of financial burdens in daily lives, people from all levels of society becomes corrupted and finally the whole bureaucracy becomes corrupted.

All of these are chained events, happening for many years.

Yet Myanmar issue has not been taken to the centre stage like Tibet issue. Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Darfur, Somalia issues have been buring on the centre stage, but Burma issue is like a spark of the fire. It just sparks and immediately disappeared. Not continue to burn.

The reason is THE WORLD IS NOT INTERESTED IN BURMA.

The people of Burma needs HOPE that drive them to achieve their political goal like in the case of Eastern European countries in late 80s and early 90s.

The people of Burma needs LEADERS like General Aung San, diplomats like Ko Daw Mhyine and U Thant who was a former UN Secretary General and involved in the intervention of Cuban Missile Crisis.

Yes. The people of Burma needs HOPE, LEADERS and INTEREST FROM THE WORLD.

Look out!!!!!!
The junta is so cruel.

Sure they will attack you as soon as they can. Anyway, you are the woman.

Hi, I'm female reporter from Malaysia. Visited the cyclone hit area last month.Had the same harrowing experience. The fear of getting caught was always at the back of my head. Successfully came back with good visuals (shot with my DV cam) and eye opening stories for Malaysians. We have to keep reminding pople that even two months after the tragedy, people there still need help!
Well done Betty!

Cheers&God Bless,
MK Dhillon
Astro Awani,
Kuala Lumpur

This is where the UN can really help – not by creating sanctions which never really seem to work (see Zimbabwe, North Korea, Iran, etc., etc.) but by asking bordering countries to allow the UN to set up refugee camps to hold millions of Myanmars citizens and guaranteeing them food, education, health care and hope.

Empty Myanmar of victims and the Junta will fail in time. The world and the UN simply need the courage and commitment to see these programs through in the long term.

When the only victims left to a regime are the leaders themselves and the enforcing muscle – it ends.

Very brave Betty and a good report highlighting the Generals indifference to their peoples suffering.
"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely "
Tan Shwe and his henchmen rule by fear but remember they also live in fear. Maybe they should remember Ceauscescou of Romania and his "Trial"
Did you manage to go North and enjoy the rest of this beautiful country Betty and it's amazingly warm friendly and resilient people.
others are finding it difficult to get visas now such is the Govts paranoia of being invaded by reporters such as yourself. I hope you get the opportunity to return.

I am a Burmese but now staying in a foreign country. I was back in Myanmar after the cyclone Nargis. And I know for sure what kind of risks Betty has to take so as to be able present what is happenning behind the closed door of Junta. Great Journalism. And the world has a chance to witness it. And people are wrong when they said "If only Burma has the oil...Yes Burma has large reservoir of Natural gas and because of that Junta managed to buy fighter planes and tanks and guns form who else CHINA and RUSSIA. And because of that China, Russia and India are playing deaf and dumb in the UN backing up the Junta protecting it by Veto. Thank you Betty and I admire your courage.

Lance,
The almost entire 50-million population is the victim there in Burma. Speaking of relocating those victims, you will be relocating everyone but only handful of those generals. 50 million minus 25 generals! You do the math. The entire country of Burma has only about 40 fighter jets, which are not even F-15 or F-16. Those U.S navy ships(aircraft carriers) can even carry as many planes on a ship as the entire Burma has. The U.S. does not even have to invade Burma if they want to clean up those dictators. Just go to the coast right out of Burmese water and drop some satellite-guided missiles. It's that simple. Drop the first one on where they keep all those fighter jets. Drop one on the capital, Rangoon, where they have a military stronghold. Drop another on a military base close to Thai-Burma border. KNU(guerrilla) will take care of the rest since they have been fighting against the government for nearly 5 decades now. Drop one in the Shan state and local guerrilla will be happy to help the U.S since they have been fighting with the government for decades. Drop another one in Western Burma, the Rakhine State, because they also have some guerrilla fighting with the government for a long time. Drop one in central Burma, where they have a military stronghold. Drop the last one in the Nothern Burma and game over. The U.S. can even shoot down an orbiter in space and it is not too hard to drop 7 missiles. The is the the only way Burmese can be liberated from those atrocities overnight. The longer the military stay in power, the more atrocities the public face. The U.S. can claim back those expenses once Burma is free. I think Burma can pay back for those 7 satellite-guided missiles. Burma has some off-shore oil reserves if that's the U.S. motivation. There is no U.S. invasion there. The U.S has been spending multi-million dollars daily in Iraq alone with no profit(oil and other incentives) from the invasion coming in sight. For the short-term investment, I don't think that's a bad idea at all for the U.S. to launch an attack on Burma. In fact, it's more profitable for the U.S. attacking Burma than staying in Iraq to pursue a failed policy there. The U.S will be even more appreciated to attack Burma than to stay in Iraq.
After all those comments saying the U.S. will be damned if it does and will also be damned if it doesn't , the U.S. has done whatever it wants when it comes to its national interest regardless of other people, nations or even the U.N. Did the U.S. not hear clearly and loudly what other nations and the U.N. were trying to say before invading Iraq? Couldn't the U.S. even come close to the speculation of the aftermath in Iraq after the invasion? The Bush's administration would say "Well, we had sold intelligence that Iraq had WMDs and thus we needed to invade Iraq." Before he came up with that, both Condi Rice and Collin Powell said in public that Iraq had no capability of producing such weapons and let alone launching them. Later after landing on an aircraft carrier, he realized he was screwed and then he tried to justify "Oh, well I thought Iraq had WMDs and apparently we had wrong intelligence. " When he said that he made it sound like American government and its intelligence agencies were complete idiots. America has been leading the entire world in almost anything that you you could possibly think of and how could it go wrong so miserably? Even then, he still don't acknowledge the mistake of invading Iraq. He later justified his decision to go into Iraq because Saddam Hussein killed his own people(150 thousand Kurds) with some chemical weapons. That's the American government's claim. I'm not sure if that's even true or not since the government started a war based on a lie. Don't tell me if it's for oil. I don't buy that. WMDs do not have to be so big such that it has to be launch from a rocket launcher. It should be defined as a weapon,with which someone can carry out a mass murder. It could even be a pile of M-16s. If Bush justification that killing 150 Kurds as the reason to invade a county and remove its leader was morally right, how greatly it can be to justify to invade Durfur now and Cambodia back in the days when it killed millions and millions of its own people? Why Bush would not justify that the situation in Durfur is due to the WMDs? Durfur has far more than 150 thousand people killed. Of course everyone knows that Durfur does not have oil. I think Bush should be happy if he invades Sudan and gets some corn out of it as a result of invasion. Burma lost more than 150 thousand people during its 1998 uprising against its own government. Did America not find any WMD then? The reason is crystal clear. No national interest can equate to no invasion.

Betty,
Remember that you just returned from Burma and now they know that you are a reporter. If you do return there soon, they will keep you locked up in a heartbeat. I knew of a Burmese national who got involved in one of those uprisings, who has been a U.S citizen for decades. That person did not even dare to think about visiting Burma with his spouse and kids. Those Burmese generals have been in power for decades and they know well how to cling to the power that feed themselves and their family members but starve the rest to death.

Corrections
*************

Thank you very much for your patience. I know it's annoying to see so many corrections. I did not get a chance to go over before I accidentally submitted it.

Please replace "......the U.S. has done whatever it wants when it comes to its national interest regardless of other people, nations or even the U.N." with "......the U.S. has done whatever it wants when it comes to its national interest regardless of what other people, nations or even the U.N may think or say."

Please replace "Couldn’t the U.S. even come close to the speculation of the aftermath in Iraq after the invasion?" with "Couldn’t the U.S. even come close to the speculation of the aftermath in Iraq before the invasion?"

Please replace "........ sold intelligence that Iraq had WMDs and thus we needed to invade Iraq." with "........ solid intelligence that Iraq had WMDs and thus we needed to invade Iraq."

Please replace "..... you you could possibly think of and how could it go wrong so miserably?" with "...... you could possibly think of and how could it go wrong so miserably?"

Please replace "WMDs do not have to be so big such that it has to be launch from a rocket launcher." with "WMDs do not have to be so big that they have to be launched from a rocket launcher."

Please replace "It should be defined as a weapon,with which someone can carry out a mass murder." with "They should be defined as weapons,with which someone can carry out a mass murder."

Please replace "If Bush justification that killing 150 Kurds......, how greatly it can be to justify to invade Durfur now and Cambodia back in the days when it killed millions and millions of its own people?" with "If Bush's justification of killing 150 thousand Kurds......, how greater it would be to justify to invade Durfur now and Cambodia back in the days when it killed millions and millions of its own people?"

* Please replace "..........during its 1998 uprising against its own government." with "..........during its 1988 uprising against its own government."

SC, the US can't just 'go to the coast rightout of Burmese water and drop some satellite-guided missiles' and gaily drop another couple on the capital and some fighter jets. If the whole world went around dropping bombs on to countries they disapproved of, this planet would be riddled with pockmarks, not to mention devoid of people. A country can't just abuse its power like that! What makes you think that the US can be the world's policeman?
Also, it shouldn't be a matter of profitability – if you feel it would be more profitable for the US to drop missiles on Burma than invade Iraq, for shame. And invade Sudan just for corn? Production in the mid-west may be declining, but not to the point where the US has to invade an LEDC for corn...I hope.
And maybe the US won't invade Burma or Sudan (I'm not trying to be rude but it's actually spelt 'Darfur') because it has, on some level, acknowledged the stupidity of invading Iraq on such a shaky premise? To repeat the same mistake would be disastrous for its relations with the rest of the world.

Edward please proof read your letters. You would sound more credible when you speak of education. With all that was commented on yesterday's blog about america rushing in and save the people of another nation, many people in this country still feel these people should take up their own issues. And stop expecting America to fight your battales. We value our service people lives and some of us is sick and tired of wondering where our people will go next to defend as worthless cause. Most americans could care less about the plight in other nations due to the problems we face here. Betty I hope you watched Larry King last night interviewing Americas Homeless. If so you should realize americans have their own problems and their grave. Instead of illegally breaking into someones borders you can come back to the states and find the same issues here. How many do-gooder people who blogged yesterday gave one cent to the lady who was on Larry King show. Charity Begins At Home I would like to see more focus placed on the plights of America not another country begging the broke for a handout. CNN makes plenty of money simply give them a billion dollars and bring betty home to do stories about the USA.

Jackie how can you call defending Poor, Innocent, Helpless, Brainwashed with socialism, Burmese a Worthless cause. In America the Great we have opportunity for so many things that other countries only dream about. And these people have dreams in Burma as they were once the Bread Basket of Asia before the Junta took over in 1962. They have memories of better times. Their children have no choice to make concerning their futures. American Children can choose no matter how poor they have been brought up, they can go to school. Burma gives people no choice, no hope, no way out. Yes we can help here, and have, even in these hard economic times Americans have prooven to be the most generous people on the earth. Programs are available, healthcare is available. No hospital will turn someone away. Americans need to know that they can make a difference in other parts of the world as well. The Mercy and Compassion Americans have is the thread that holds this great nation together, I hope we do not loose it for the world and the atrocities that are happening in it, and only focus on ourselves.

"I see my response have gotten a few remarks. I’m at my office right now sharing this story and your replys with my fellow office employees. I can tell you many of them feel the same as I. We cannot bleed everytime the world gets cut. These countries must learn America cannot come to their rescue everytime something bad happens to them. You have people right here in the U.S. wishing they were dead rather than face the horrible situations that exist here. People are dying here daily from tragic things also. You have homelesssness here by the millions. The sick cant afford medical treatment. People are going to sleep, belly swollen from hunger. The weak and innocent being robbed and killed so the strong my live. Corruptness is everywhere you look. The rich takes advantage of the poor. So how in the hell can we condemn anyone else or rush to help another nation. We need to focus our attention on our nation. Wake up you so called do-gooders. Dont be ashamed to admit we have failed ourselves and the world hates our guts . We are the hypocrites of the world. You lead by example not by lies. When these nations watch the nightly news and see the condition of our nation. We are either called fools or suckers. I reiterate Americans dont care about this country. Were just trying to fake an image. That the world no longer accept from us."

This reponse just utterly amazes me, among many others posted here; but this one in particular. Reading trash like this gives me a headache – incorrect spelling, incorrect grammer, incorrect punctuation, incorrect topic progression, just to name a few of the atrocities commited to the English language by someone who just happens to have a keyboard. When I peruse drivel like this, I fear for our language. It makes me ponder whether this person actually talks the same way! Simply juvenile. Where did this individual go to school? Who would want to employ a person who cannot string two sentences together without appearing to be nine years old? Has access to the internet given people the right (or lack of common sense) to completely forego the necessity of correct and proper written communication? I feel as if I've entered a virtual world of idiocy – all in the name of instantly conveying an idea, regardless of how it's supposed to appear? Typing today, with the capability to proofread before submitting, is childsplay considering that many years ago people had no way to correct a mistake without using whiteout or retyping. Use whatever braincells you have left to find someone else, preferrably with an education, to type for you. Maybe you should use dictation. And, furthermore, don't include the rest of America in your ravings; not everyone shares your narrow, hateful viewpoints – except, obviously, those standing right next to you. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that it would be quite the opposite!

As for the context of this post, and not my rant about this idiot's mangling of written communication, kudos to you, Betty!

Betty I forgot to thank you for your courage. Please keep up the great reporting.

Jackie Powers: There's no sense in debating a topic with someone who is truly uninformed. The homeless people in this country were not born homeless ut yet we still help them. Why is that? Its becuase of our values and idelas that we hold that we are able to provide assistance to hose in need. The ONLY homeless people I feel sorry for are the veterans! Everyone else has had plenty of opportunity to better themselves and make things right.. It appears you do not understand the foundation that this country was built on. You dont seem to comprehend that this is a global community that we must lead. Folks such as yourself are totally oblivious to the fact that you are PRIVILIGED to be living in this country. Please make an attempt to broaden your horizons a bit, then maybe we would be able to save the younger generation. I believe Ron Paul may be rejoining the election, so there's still hope for your vision of America. (Hope my spelling is satisfactory for you)

Jackie I agree with you. These countries must stand up for themselves. This is what America was founded on. We fought for our own independence. It's time nations realize many Americans no longer want to fight your battle. WG- Jackie's blog has nothing to do with language or spelling. I doubt if you understand what is being said here. Perhaps it's you (wg) who needs to go back to school and take acourse in comprehension. Jackie I may not of stated things the words you have, but it needed to be said, many of us feel as you. Keep Speaking Out. Your the real hero here.

Should I assume all of you that's for America being the police of the world is either in the military or is a veteran. People in the military sometimes shoot people. I dont think the people on this blog know how to shoot of anything but their mouths. Very seldom are you on target.

All developed nations have the "duty" to interfere in countries where the poor, the sick, the homeless, the broken down are being abused, terminated or neglected. Those same nations started this trend in the second world war. These same nations ignored the 20 million people that Stalin disappeared. These same nations interfered in Yugoslavia to prevent racial extirpation, these same nations ignored Rwanda, These same nations ignored Sudan and more genocides that history has recorded.

These same nations arm these regimes to the teeth through iligal arms trades and then liberals expect those people to get up and fight their dictatorships? America has been very forturnate that she hasn't had a tyrant governing it. Just greedy fools.

Can anyone of you tell me to what extent we continue to help fight everyone's battles and what has this accomplished. we are not praised for such heroics we hated. Who gave us the job of policing the world. This is not to say someone should not do it but why do we feel compelled? Do you think this is our calling? If so then why have the U.S. been lamblasted so much lately. We the people is suffering who cares about us? Instead of bailing out Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac why not the Govt. pay mortages for three months for all those that's in trouble here. ( No I'm not one of those persons my compassion rests with Americans) Let's name this help that the Govt. give to these people Tricke Up Economics. The plight of the U.S. media should focus more on americans that need help. I will not say nobody cares about these other nations. But Americans is caring much less. And not will to do as much to help. And I support this thinking.

HOLY CRAP! SHE'S STILL TYPING! Obviously, her two braincells are hard at work, with one typing and the other...well, the other isn't even in the same room. I'm LMAO at the last sentence; even though, once again, it's completely inane and at odds with her capability to proofread the idiotic comments pouring forth from her keyboard. Like so many crazed, clueless little ants – strung behind one another in an endless parade of incompetence, she types what is swirling around in an obvious vacuum.

ASEAN or Assoc of South East Asia Nations should be held responsible for not looking after the people of their member nations. It appears ASEAN only cultivate relationship among the rulers of the nations. All the hooha about benefits it brought to their member nations remained questionable. What has ASEAN to say to this episode? Boycott Burma and isolate their military leaders. The people of Burma will survive better than what they faced now. Burmese leaders given statues in ASEAN only condone their behavior towards their own population.

Many of you here have honest-to-goodness, heartfelt and sane thoughts on the subject; others...my word, you're pathetic examples of what the public educational system is turning out these days. I'm done here. I can't take any more of the inanity surrounding this blog. PEOPLE....If you want to come across as intelligent, learn to type, learn to proofread, learn to put coherent sentences together; and, for God's sake....GET A DICTIONARY!

Dear Betty,
What you had seen is just the tip of the iceberg only. I once wrote a book "The people and the places I never want to see again"; but decided not to publish until 2050, due to the embarrassments that would effect some good persons who still are alive. Thank you for the risks you had taken to witness some pieces of what really happened in Burma.

Betty- my husband has just arrived in Myanmar with UNOCHA..he will be there for three weeks. He is there out of UNOCHA Geneva where we live....noting some of the existing constraints placed on humanitarian organizations, I think it would be great if you reported on or explore for possible reporting on what OCHA is doing, particularly when it comes to information management.....

Information management is the basic component behind any assistance effort. ..my husband, a USA Citizen, has been requested to put together a plan to ensure adequate information flow........not in terms of media but in terms of the information needed by ALL humanitarian agencies to make the right decisions and to help the victims in the best possible way. It is a message that can be packaged into something interesting beyond the usual "organizations trying to help"

He is working along side Myanmari people and other implementers to make this happen. I am sure there are other things you can showcase as well that escape at this time.

If you are interested contact my email so that I may give you the details.

Good luck out there!

Japan, Singapore, Thailand (yeah, right. They have a dictatorship), India, China (yeah, right; Tianamen Square), South Korea, Russia (yeah, right) Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Australia, Viet Nam (we know this one), New Zealand are more than able to close ranks and bring down the regime. But no, it is not their problem so it is okay if starving or denying medical care to the Burmese is allowed. It is okay that Stalin wiped out 20 million people, It is okay that the turks wiped out so many albanians (I think I have my information straight) around the time of WWI, that so many Rwandans were massacred. The european nations can support the above named nations in this endeavor as well as the U.S. The U.S cannot; should not ever go alone on these missions.

I apologize to the Burmese because I really don't know what is best for your country. I was raised in a dictatorship and I can only imagine the similarities between what my country went through and what yours in going through. I can only make the suggestion that bigger, stronger nations need to get involved for the benefit of the people of Burma. I know that your regime will be more than willing to wipe out quite a few of you otherwise. The developed nations have much to learn from your suffering as well as those of other nations.

I just came back from Yangon, and was stopped and turned around when trying to visit two towns (Twante & Thanlyin) outside of Yangon, because of "trouble". Yangon is fine though and if you're spreading your money around and trying local restaurants, markets and teashops, it will be a massive help to people who are having a rough time right now, particularly because its the rainy/low season. That said, a local guy I met who showed me around the city told me that the government only wants foreigners to see the central/interior part of the country, Yangon-Bagan-InleLake-Mandalay, and that anything outside of this inner bubble was basically off-limits. Please visit though if you have the opportunity. More of the money you spend goes to the people than to the government, and everyone I met was really hoping that foreign tourists would start to come back.

Betty: Awesome bit of journalism! Keep up the good work exposing injustice, wherever it may lie.

I finally managed to review the large number of posts for this blog and was struck by some of the views. A little too much mud-slinging towards Jackie Powers's comments, however justified it may be, but reflective of what I feel is one of the leading strengths of Americans. The ability to offer compassion for another is only part of the story. We who were priviledged enough to be born in the US have the luxury to reflect intellectually about our status in the world without worrying that someone in the military is going to arrest us from our keyboards. Even this simple action appears unavailable to the average Burmese citizen. The fact that US citizens think and consider offering help does speak highly of how a significant portion of the US population is compassionate. So, Jackie: first wrong assumption, regardless of what your coworkers may think.

As for offering help at home: The US will only be as good as the efforts put forth by its citizens, regardless of their causes. Period. I proudly consider my self a do-gooder, as that is how I choose to view my corner of the US. I have personally assumed it is my responsibility as a good American to give back to others what I have been so priviledged to have simply by accident of birth. Through jobs and volunteer activites, I have volunteered time and money for the SPCA; looked for homeless people, bringing them food, clothing and info for area resources at whatever cardboard box, car, or copse of trees they happen to call home; written articles on pet care and informed the public of resources for animal care, including rescue leagues and medical advancements; mental health counseling for abused and neglected children, and drug treatment counseling to help people stop the cycle of addiction that traps them within the legal system. I don't consider myself anyone unique, because each time I took on a new project, I surrounded myself with scores of other people sharing my concerns, with the same desire to be avenues of change. There are millions of other Americans who believe as I do, who quietly go about their lives, helping to change another life, one person, or one animal, at a time.

For you, Jackie, and the other coworkers who feel the same as you: it's not that everyone else thinks like you do, but that you surround yourself with others who share the same narrow view. There's a much bigger world beyond your nose. Just because Americans focus on others outside our borders does not mean there are fewer resources available for people in need here. The more people who believe in giving to others, the more resources there are availabe to not only meet the need, but work to eliminate the source of deprivation. That's the great thing about compassion. Its beauty lies not only in the desire to ease another's pain, and it need not be limited to just an exercise in economic supply and demand. Monetary resources are tight all around, especially as our capitalistic country chooses to waste its resources on money-making corporations, giving the vast majority of resources to the very few at the top. In that respect, we do have some similarities with the Burmese people, given the American economic junta known as Wal-Mart, and others if its ilk. But that is were the real comparison ends.

There will always be some sort of disaster, natural or otherwise, as there are no guarantees in this world. I know I'm worrying about how I'm going to pay for heat when I know it can get down to minus 10, without the wind chill, sometime next February, and I worrry about my father everytime I hear of a tornado blowing through Kansas. But I refuse to live my life in fear, or ignore the plight of others who find themselves unable to get out of its way. I choose to be in this world with others, even if it means thinking about someone half a world away from me.

Ghandi once said "be the change you wish to see in the world." If that's what it means to be a do-gooder, sign me up.

"WG July 17th, 2008 322 GMT

Many of you here have honest-to-goodness, heartfelt and sane thoughts on the subject; others…my word, you’re pathetic examples of what the public educational system is turning out these days. I’m done here. I can’t take any more of the inanity surrounding this blog. PEOPLE….If you want to come across as intelligent, learn to type, learn to proofread, learn to put coherent sentences together; and, for God’s sake….GET A DICTIONARY"

"WG July 16th, 2008 1638 GMT
This reponse just utterly amazes me, among many others posted here; but this one in particular. Reading trash like this gives me a headache – incorrect spelling, incorrect grammer, incorrect punctuation, incorrect topic progression, just to name a few of the atrocities commited to the English language by someone who just happens to have a keyboard. When I peruse drivel like this, I fear for our language. It makes me ponder whether this person actually talks the same way! Simply juvenile. Where did this individual go to school? Who would want to employ a person who cannot string two sentences together without appearing to be nine years old? Has access to the internet given people the right (or lack of common sense) to completely forego the necessity of correct and proper written communication? I feel as if I’ve entered a virtual world of idiocy – all in the name of instantly conveying an idea, regardless of how it’s supposed to appear? Typing today, with the capability to proofread before submitting, is childsplay considering that many years ago people had no way to correct a mistake without using whiteout or retyping. Use whatever braincells you have left to find someone else, preferrably with an education, to type for you. Maybe you should use dictation. And, furthermore, don’t include the rest of America in your ravings; not everyone shares your narrow, hateful viewpoints – except, obviously, those standing right next to you. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that it would be quite the opposite!"

WOW, WG! I am so with you on this one! The lack of language skills by the commenters has bothered me for a very long time. And my native language is German, not English. However, in your own frustration you managed to commit at least 4 mistakes in the second paragraph that I was able to detect. So maybe you shouldn't be quite so harsh on other people.

"WG July 17th, 2008 004 GMT

HOLY CRAP! SHE’S STILL TYPING! Obviously, her two braincells are hard at work, with one typing and the other…well, the other isn’t even in the same room. I’m LMAO at the last sentence; even though, once again, it’s completely inane and at odds with her capability to proofread the idiotic comments pouring forth from her keyboard. Like so many crazed, clueless little ants – strung behind one another in an endless parade of incompetence, she types what is swirling around in an obvious vacuum."

This one made me laugh out loud. Thanks, WG! It's hard to share this planet with so many crazed, clueless little ants pouring forth idiotic, grammatically incorrect comments from their keyboards, isn't it.

The Burma "Generals" have and are commiting crimes against humanity. They should be tried in international court.
Meanwhile, if I were rich, I would simply get some airplanes and fly air-drop food and supplies in. Would the Burma "leaders" shoot down relief planes? How about an INVASION TO HELP (instead of invasions of soverign countries in the Mid East done to kill)???

Dear Betty:
Bravado and thank you for taking the risks. You are a darling for
the coverage that the world can see – the oppression by the junta,
the inconsiderate rule of the army. I was disappointed with our government for giving them cash aid. The money will certainly go into the hands of the junta leadership for their own purpose. My father was
born in Burma and we were proud to assist in the previous regime
who were not as brutal as the present one. Bless you dear and stay
well.
Tony

Congratulations for your amazing job. It is a great view from what is going on in Birmania after the cyclon. Thank you very much from Spain.

Thank you Betty for your post and for the enormous risks you are taking. You are truly a hero as are the people on the ground who are suffering.

The organization I work for shipped disaster relief materials over to Burma after the cyclone hit and the plane sat on a tarmac for close to a week. The junta said that our paperwork was not in order. In the end one of our top advisors had to fly over to the capital and process the shipment through customs.

It makes me sick to my stomach that the food aid and other disaster relief materials were held at the airport-but honestly I am hardly surprised. The junta is a repressive, cruel regime that denies its citizens everything it can.

What I am going to write now will undoubtedly get me in trouble and have people sounding off, but at least the "secret police" will not lock me up for speaking out.

I am ashamed of myself and my government for not trying to do more-not just for Burma but for other people all over the world living in horrible conditions and under oppressive and cruel dictatorships. It twists my conscience that there are people all over the world that are denied everything by the same structure that is supposed to help and protect them.

Should the United States meddle into the business of every single country? Of course not, but if the United States can help in any wat then why the hell shouldn't it? This blog has sparked a debate about the issue, and is at least putting the struggle of the people on the map. I am willing to bet that as a result of Betty's blog many more people are starting to think about the situation and are at least acknowledging that there is a problem.

I hope that when people read what she's written it twists their stomaches in knots, and I hope it pricks at people's consciences. I would like to sincerely thank Betty and everyone else in the world who are risking their lives for waking me up and making me aware of the plight of these people.

I give money to charities, and I try to do what I can to help people suffering in the United States but it tortures my conscience and my humanity that there are those who would turn a blind eye to the life and plight of the people suffering worldwide.

Stay safe Betty and keep on reporting-and to any other unsung heroes, there are plenty of us who are listening, we hear you, DO NOT GIVE UP.

I watched the reporting of this story again today on American Morning I was glad to see that John Roberts started the story out letting the viewers know that this story is not getting thru to Americans. It's all butforgotten. That's because Americans could care less. Except for those on this blog who's connected to the journalist or is living or have relatives there. Americans is focused on the Economy or the upcoming Elections. This story is simply a time waster or a fill in until something important happens. Bluntly Put but True. The reporter should get back into the studio and forget about claiming an award with this forgotten story. In fact (Forgotten) is precisely the word that was use on American Morning.

Wonderful! Now CNN shows us exactly how to break international laws in order to do something they think is right. You say yourselves that foreign journalists are banned from the country and yet you celebrate Betty for breaking in as if she were some kind of hero. Then you wonder why so many illegal immigrants cross over our borders. They follow by example! Shame on you Betty, shame on you CNN!

The horrors that nature can bring are bad enough, but when the local government displays such wanton savagery, then the combination is more terrible than few can imagine. Much like many here, I think that the regime is in need of replacement. However, I do not think that the US should do so on it's own. I've been patching up too many people to think that our overstreched military should be there without help. But where will that help come from? The UN seems to be more and more useless. We have seen that in Burma, Sudan, and a dozen brushfire wars in Africa and the former Yugoslavia. The WHO does what it can, but as a military force, the UN has no real power. The EU, with Russia and the US could easily handle the situation, but it is unlikely that they will ever agree to anything without UN "support." In that case, I think it quite likely, however unsavory, that Myanmar regime will become ever more entrenched, and it in be much harder to get rid of them.

Hey Betty, you are the best ever. How about wearing a bikini sometime?

Betty Nguyen-

Even though some people might think we should be focusing on our "woes" in this country instead of others, I think it's morally important for us to report on disasters across the international spectrum in order to show our support. The breaking stories here in the U.S and abroad (e.g. Floods in St Louis, Afghanistan, Iraq etc) are well covered, so your coverage of Mianmar is greatly appreciated by some. This country must continue to show how much we care about culture diversity.

If JP had her way, the world would be flat and life in the good old USA would be the only thing that mattered. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of countries and people in this "world" and CNN is responsible to report "world" news even if they don't want us to..... Don't minimize someone (characterized as an "illegal alien" because of her name by one....whaddya think of than JP?) doing their job and (possibly) even caring about what they're doing. Otherwise, even the "holocaust" under your rules of engagement would not be allowed to be reported. Enough said. The grinch who stole Christmas, even he was able to grow a "tiny" little heart.
Yes the economy is important, especially if we want to make enough for enough years into the future so we can have the "quality" of retirement we are so much hoping and "expecting".... not the less than stellar "disappointment" that seems to be creeping everywhere in unless one already has their "million" in the bank. Part of that involves us being a world leader and getting other countries to buy our stuff and have us profit from the transaction and the other part involves doing or at least "talking" about doing the right things and maintaining what used to be an overall good impression in the rest of the world.
Agreed that there is enough injustice in every society (SC, agree with good intentions but have doubts about the afterward) and some don't even put much value on people; but consider "slowing" your reactions and start demonstrating one or two higher American values beyond "interest in self". Even the grinch might consider a little sympathy something he might be willing to concede that and maybe be a little smarter in his dealings with his customers in the future.

What Betty did, far from heroic, is illegal. Crossing international borders without permission, for whatever reason, is not setting a good example. Next time i'll make it easier for her: go to New Orleans legally and report on the situation three years after Katrina and we'll see that people there aren't much better off! Stop forcing tears from overseas issues and show the truth from the home front. CNN and Betty are part of the reason USA's image continues to be so tarnished overseas.

What an interesting and really thought provoking story. It still amazes me how cruel and inhumane certain countries and there respected or in this case disgraceful governments can still be in this present day world. Military regimes are often brutal and administer a painful reality to its citizens. Without a first hand look to inquietude the hardships of regular people living in misfortune, the average well off global citizen would probably not even think twice of the sad disposition of Myanmar. Great report Betty.

Betty, you're a hero!!! Thanks so much for risking life and limb to let us know what's really going on in Burma. After a couple of weeks nothing was said about that little country, and I just assumed it was back to life as usual. What a sad sad story of people not allowed to find and bury their own loved ones. When we offered them help, after the storm ,we were turned away. It would have helped to drop some tarps (many tarps) even without permission, on the places where they would have done the most to help the people. Little children have lost everything, and don't have enough food....what is happening to them?? How do we get the UN going on this....where are THEY when a whole country needs them??? This is disgraceful!!

I'd be interested in seeing like a 1 hour documentary on this. Great reporting . Take tons of film. What a risk you took. God bless you and peace and safety be with you. And God be with and bless all of them.

I posted a comment here before I read even 1 reply. I caught this on CNN this morning and ran to the computer to see what was what. In Jackie’s defense I’m assuming, (and you know what they say about assuming) she may be one facing or one seeing a lot of the hardships here in the US. I know we are greatly affected by the oil prices in my husband’s line of work. He’s a paving contractor so we get a double hit gas for equipment and vehicles as well as the product itself. And we are truly struggling to stay afloat this year.

We all know or should know of the hardships going on here in the US and I for one do also at times feel as though we do too much sometimes for other countries then our own. But I too believe that all too soon all that won’t matter, because there will a one world order that will have a one world police force and a one world set of laws and rules for all. Already Europe has it. And those were all separate countries at one time. Personally I don’t think that will be any better.

There will always be those hurting, suffering, going without, and dieing for no good reason. And anyone with compassion can’t help but feel helpless and wish there were something they could do to help. But on the other hand you can help. If everyone that can help, even a little, does help just one person here at home that love would spread and it would be as an epidemic. There isn’t a person alive that can’t do or give something. Even if all they have is love and an ear to listen. People do learn by example. But someone needs to start it maybe where you live. And maybe someone who does go to another country can show others how they too can help by doing 1 good thing. It will work trust me.

BUT I also think that if not for her and people like her we wouldn’t have a clue to what really does go on inside these places. And I for one am not connected to the journalist or am not one living with or have relatives there. Just one who watches CNN on Sunday morning to catch up on the world and situations regarding us as humans. Such as new medical discoveries etc.. I at this moment in time do not have the funds to travel the world. But if I did I would see it all. Every corner, every nitch and cranny because it all interests me. So please those who can, keep reporting and may God go with you and protect you.

Some of us do care about Myanmar. Thank you for providing a rare eye-witness report.

I was privileged, a few weeks ago, to be able to share another eye-witness report with readers of my blog. The report, as well as other articles and photos about Myanmar, can be found at:
http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/search/label/Myanmar

Betty,

Your incredible bravery is only eclipsed by the suffering of the Myanmar people and the shocking disregard their government has for them. The lack of response to the needs of its' population is overwhelmingly appalling and disgusting.

Jackie.......how can you POSSIBLY compare the absolute devastation to a people who are ALREADY under junta rule with the economic problems in the States?? Your narrow-minded isolationist attitude is what people hate about Americans. America's population is only 5% of the worlds population, but we are the largest consumer of products on the planet. America is the land of "everything" and we have a moral and ethical resposibility to help countries such as Burma. To say that this story is forgotten tells me you don't get much past the "garage sale" ads in the newspaper.

Note for all future I-reporters in Myanmar. Though the temptation is high for fame, If one wishes to continue to report, do not broadcast name or picture of self or give the govt a hand in identifying you. They read this blogs too. Think Dan Rivers. Show what the world wants to see, not a foreigner but but more about the conditions on the ground. We know it is very difficult to get in and it would be a shame to have your stay cut short. Otherwise keep up the good work and get that story out there.

You can find the same misery right here in the United States that's in Myanmar. Any journalist could of spent time in New Orleans or almost in any other major city in the United States and came back with a story of equal suffering. I am glad this country has been put on Americans back burner. We have so many other issues we as americans need to be focused on that had this not been a story of suffering it would be laughable for U.S. to be giving this story attention of any kind. They did not even want us over there. How can we force our help on other nations when we have our own citizens begging for their fellow countrymen help and we stand back and call those who need help lazy, bums, crooks, welfare kings and queens. and every other rude name we can think of simply to justify our reasons for not helping our own citizens. By the way it's good to know most americans think as I do. There is hope for the U.S. to save itself yet. Let's take 50% of all monies we would hand out to other nations and invest in helping americans. Spend the money on the people here. Many certainly could use it.

This is to the guy who comments on everyone's spelling or language. This may come to you as a total surprize. But the world could care less where you put that period. Unless you want to everyone to tell you where it should be placed.

I am responding to the "is there oil in Myanmar?" question–yes there is some oil but the real money maker there are poppies fields and the heroin trade. Throughout the whole country folks are being displaced by a corrupt government- which has one of the worst human right abuse records around. They buy their weapons from China with the poppie harvests. Will the US go in and try and save another country? Should they go in?

There are other ways to influence a nation other than invading.
How about we stop opening KFCs and Pepsi franchises in Myanmar?

I wish the best for the survivors of the storm and the people who are forced to live under the regime. A year ago I knew nothing of Burma or of Myanmar until my small town started receiving refugees from there. I have worked with some of these people as they struggle to start new lives. They are learning English, getting jobs and integrating- they love America and they remind me every day what really makes our country special- since colonial times we have been a nation of "displaced peoples."
Thank goodness there are journalists out there who endeavor to bring us these reports. It tugs on your hear strings- even if just for a moment. That's one moment more that you at least feel human.

To help out or learn more about the region try this link: http://burmadigest.wordpress.com/

Dear Betty:
You have certainly opened the eyes of our Asean Leaders who have been patient. In fact, they should consider expelling Myanmar from
Asean. They are a disgrace to the membership. International sanctions should be increased by banning the sale of their main
assets like gemstones. Thailand and China are not doing the world
any favours by undermining this trade – its sheer greed! Also, the smuggling of drugs by the Junta to finance their leaders and line their pockets. It is bringing great shame to the region as a drug smuggling centre. Burma will do well without the regime. There must be a way to
annihilate them from the face of the earth and bring democracy and
peace to the people of Burma. They have suffered enough.
Your reporting Betty has got the machinery going. Keep it up and disregard negative response because the jerks who think otherwise have no idea of what they are talking about. To see is to believe. You have done it, I have done it ,so to hell with those who feel they know better. God bless you Betty and stay well.
Tony

I read about Betty's stories and sad to say that she only show mostly negative side. Where is the positve side?
You can get a tourist visa with no problem just go the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok.Thailand and you get get it within 24 hours.
At least Channel News Asia reported last night that there were no disease and the people in the delta are slowly recovering. I also understand that although the junta were slow in helping the victims it is the Myanmar people that help alot and there was no report of this in CNN.
Pleae help the people of Myanmar by recommending solutions and not reporting all this bad publicity. It will not hurt the junta but it certainly hurt the Myanmar people. Most of them live on less than US$1.00 a day. Invite tourists to go to Myanmar and see for themselves,how beautiful the place is and how nice the Myanmar people are. By going there you can help create more jobs for the people of Myanmar. The Junta do not need the tourist money but the people of the country does. Sanctions only make the lives of Myanmar people suffer, not the Junta.especially when China and Russia are against it.

Betty,

This is an incredible story. I doubt many people who read and listen to your story truly recognize the risk and heroism that involved.
Thank you for sharing your journey and the story of those who are suffering in this far away land. I have no way to contact you directly, so I am in hopes that you will read this comment and contact me. I am a university professor and recently made a similar trip into the same area. Our experiences are very similar. I hope that you will read my story and perhaps we can collaborate and give a presentation at our local Performing Art Center.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/14/me-doctor-on-call-for-disasters/

http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=507

Jackie Powers – I have personally traveled quite extensively in Burma, simply as a tourist. I was followed, interrogated, and photographed by the Burmese military because I dared talked to locals.

I have visited the slums of America. I have LIVED in the slums of America. The average standard of living in Burma is FAR LESS THAN that of our worst slums. What America considers "homelessness" is a common way of life in Burma. It's called "squatting". It's actually quite prevalent across most of Southeast Asia. What makes it worse in Burma is that people have no access to the outside world. The few who have enough money to do so are heavily censored at the risk of life.

America is suffering the consequences for its own irresponsible decisions and greediness. The Burmese are suffering because of a few greedy, cold military generals who managed to intimidate their way into leadership.

Despite the suffering in Burma I experienced before the cyclone, the people are warm, generous and strong. They don't have time for depression and feeling sorry for themselves. Life must go on. It's a matter of pure survival.

The Burmese military has managed to cut off and control communications outside the major cities so that the people cannot organize to help themselves. Anyone suspected of insurgence disappears... forever. Strong family members are forced into labor and worked until they die.

I have traveled to more than 30 countries extensively... most third-world or developing nations. Are poorest are richer than most can imagine. It's all relative.

Why should Americans care? To whom much is given, much is expected. It is a gift and a blessing to have been born in America... even at its worst.

"This is to the guy who comments on everyone’s spelling or language. This may come to you as a total surprize. But the world could care less where you put that period. Unless you want to everyone to tell you where it should be placed."

Hahahaha! It must be hell not having a high school diploma, or not. Listen, Jackie, you make some valid points, some absurd points, and some very insensitive drivel; but in the end, you come across as very uneducated with your low level of writing skills. Reading your comments forces one to have to analyze every letter of every word just to understand what it is you're trying to say. And, if you reread my comments, I barely referenced "everyone's spelling or language," just yours – the most egregious.

I am not perfect in grammatical usage, very few are; however, I do know where to put that period, that comma, and that semicolon; and, I just happen to have a dictionary at hand to help me in the rare moment where I am somewhat unsure of the correct spelling of a word.

Continue with your comments; but, might I suggest that you make the effort to give some credence to them by proofreading before posting, taking the time to make sure it makes sense – it would be greatly appreciated by one and all.

I am a frequent visitor to Myanmar and have been for many years. I just returned from a trip there.

I can add an interesting observation to the author's reporting: the people of Myanmar have always been OVERWHELMINGLY pro-American, and in fact have regarded the existence of the United States as a major buffer between themselves and China, who by its support of the regime have inflicted great suffering on the Myanmar people.

Last month I heard for the first time anger directed toward the United States. WHY, the people want to know, did we not enter unilaterally after Nargis? And WHY are we all talk, talk, talk, and no action?

The bottom line is that when it concerns many disadvantaged people around the world, the United States does little or nothing when there is not money involved.

Also, to the above poster Jackie, you wrote:

"They did not even want us over there."

In the case of the Myanmar people, I could not disagree with you more.

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

I was in USA on 9/11 and watch the world cry for America. Came home (Australia) and the news media was providing full coverage. Australian people were even raising money for 9/11 victim's families.

I was in USA when the 2002 Bali bombing occurred and my experience is that most Americans are just like Jackie Powers. Nobody I met was interested in what had happened, from senior executives at a conference to hotel staff. Media ignored it after the first day's 5 second grabs.

At that time I stopped feeling sorry for people affected by anything that occurs in the USA, whether it be the regular mass shootings or the impact of the financial greed of their fellow wealthy citizens.

The USA is now starting to reap what it has sown and things are only going to get worse. The centre of power is moving to Asia, the Middle East and Russia driven by your greed for resources and in business.

Enjoy it while you can folks! The people in Myanmar and other regions of the world will survive. They have the strength to do so. Will you?

PS – Great gutsy reporting Betty. Pity the politicians don't have the same guts to intervene in this ongoing disaster.

burma's is not a natural disaster, its a disaster of indifference of the world especially of ASEAN, its a disaster of cowardice to act.

when neighbors listen as a man beats his wife and rape his daughters and think it is none of their business ,......... that is what ASEAN is doing

I am a Burmese and I tend to agree with Kulit. Asean's policy of "non-interference" has no moral grounds, its designed to exploit weak neighbors, just as Kulit puts it Asean neighbors listen indifferently as a man beats his wife and rapes his daughters, looks the other way, fearing their investments might be if they intervened.
why should they care? they would prefer Burma to be in shambles so its not a threat to them and so they could suck up all the resources while its weak.
Burmese workers are expoilted in neighboring countries, they are paid a fraction of what they deserve, their bosses are protected by their governments. Betty's next assignment could be Burma's exploited workers.
Anyway, Jackie Powers needs a crash course on basic morals and spelling and grammer.

CNN had a real concerning documentary on Black In America with Soledad O'Brien. This is the type of show real americans want to see. It should be followed up with the plight about the many other americans who's lives is in ruins do to the state of the U.S. ecomomy. Like I said in previous other e-mails, stories about other nations hardship is falling on deaf ears here. Because americans have it's own problems. Ms.O'Brien should receive several major awards for her reporting. While most americans would not give two dead flys for the Burma's story. Sad but it's a fact. Regardless if we admit it or not. Many Americans could use a helping hand from many of these countries who's wanting money from the U.S.

To Jackie Powers,

While I deplore your spelling and grammar, I also deplore your US-centrist belief that what is happening here is more important than what is happening elsewhere in the world. A long time ago, a famous man of God wrote "No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Soon, I agree, the bell will be tolling for the US because we have become so involved with ourselves, our cars, our coffee, our homes, our lives that we don't look outside of those limits. Yes, there is homelessness here. Yes, there is a lack of medical care here. Yes, there are people still struggling in New Orleans (including members of my own family). What, besides writing on a blog badly, have YOU done to remedy any of those things? Work in a literacy program? Donate blood? Donate food? Donate to the Red Cross? Donate to UNICEF? Many people think that charity begins at home, which is what I believe you are trying to say, but the planet Earth is home to us all, therefore all mankind is our responsbility...not just the US's responsibility, but every individual that has more than they need is responsible for making someone else's life better. Including you. And especially me. Because if we don't, as another blog stated, the next time a major catastrophe occurs here, the rest of the world will respond just like you.

As to those who commented that Betty's "illegal" entry into Burma sets a bad example, the ruling junta is an illegal government, maintained by force and supported by China. I'm not sure of international law, but I do not think that rules and laws passed by an illegal government constitute binding law. Therefore, there is the contention here, then, that two "wrongs" make a right. I think so, in that she gave us a vivid glimse at something that illegal government does not want us to see.

Jackie In Dallas- I dont agree that we have a duty to save the world. And many Americans agree. That's why you dont see the flood of money coming from the average taxpayers to assist these nations as we have seen in the past. Devastation and Catastrophe is really a balance of nature. We cant bleed everytime the earth is balanced. These Nations must accept that we cant right every wrong and start done to them, they must start defending for themselves. We see often that many americans refuse to help their own neighbors so why should we get worked up about all these other nations wanting a handout. If you noticed yesterday CNN reported this nation is at a record deficit, how many nations is pooling their resources to help us pay down these debts. You may cry all you want about these other nations problems, but I still say let them help themselves, we have our own problems here. And to those here whose suffering, it just as bad or worse than the so-called depressed nations of the world.

I didn't say we have a duty to save the world, either as a nation or as individuals. I just think that we ought to consider the strife and agony of those who need us, no matter who or where they are, as equal.

As for charity toward our own, I've been watching a fairly large outpouring of help to the areas that have flooded, just as a large number of individuals did enormous amounts to help the victims of Katrina and the other hurricanes long before the government stepped in. Just as we always have. America was based on the philosophy of helping our neighbors, and we still do. I donate blood on a regular basis, contribute to reputable charities, work to battle illiteracy, and still feel compassion and the need to help those with so much less than myself, who have lost more.

My life isn't made up of country clubs, ladies lunches, or lots of money - I'm a single working woman of middle age, just barely keeping my head above water. I'm no saint, and I waste resources that should go out to others on occasion, but that doesn't mean it is RIGHT, it just means I'm not perfect. I just feel it is wrong to think that just because there are poor and oppressed in this country, I should not feel compassion and the urge to help those in other countries – BECAUSE I'M ALREADY DOING WHAT I CAN TO HELP THOSE HERE.

There are deserving poor everywhere, there are victims of oppression, catastrophe, disease and famine everywhere. Giving greater weight to those in this country just because they are here isn't right.

Our deficit is the result of extremely poor political manuevering, a war that we are financing through our enemies, and our lack of proper use of our own resources, and has nothing to do with famine, catastrophes or disease. It is our own mismanagement. We shouldn't look for other countries to help us with that - we should help ourselves by voting our convictions this November. But those who suffer through no fault of their own are owed - at the least - compassion.

To Jackie in Dallas: Of all the postings to this particular blog, I find your's to be the more refreshing, the more elegant. What you have written rings with both truth and conviction. One would have to own a very small heart to not feel your compassion. Compassion, in whatever form, SHOULD be the very least one human being offers another. I couldn't have said it better.

Today one of your weather reporters mad the statement that there is not sufficient data gatering of wind etc. in the gulf to accuratly predict stors like the one in Florida as I speak. He said there is a need but this is and ocean and there are no weather ballons to gather necessary data. If you investagate the vast numbers of oil platforms in the gulf of Mexico it seems these are locations in place to collect and report mass amoutns of data. It just take goverment will to fund this data collection.
Thank you
John Brackemyre
Amateur Radio operator K7EFX