Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #1 05-25-2008, 12:52 AM

If the opportunity presented itself (and you were qualified), would you go to Myanmar to work on ecological restoration issues in the estuaries? Why or why not?

Let's say you're a civil engineer and have experience with dredging and spoil disposal, for example.

Is it better to let the political instability due to the typhoon's terrible destruction undermine confidence in (and fear of) the military dictatorship in hopes of regime change and a better life for the people? Or is it better to help the people who live in the area and whose lives are horribly impacted and are in immanent and long-term danger due to loss of food, water and habitat?

B

aklim · #2 05-25-2008, 01:22 AM

What would it be worth? Lets say I make $1000 here doing this work. What will I make over there? Why would I give up my life here and move to BFE to do that?

Now, if the pay were significantly more, say $3000, we might have the basis for a discussion. All things being equal, no thanx.

KylePavao · #3 05-25-2008, 01:25 AM

No.

And here is why...

The government in Myanmar shunned aid from the United States. We had to kowtow to THEM to give THEM aid....

So a country like this...regardless if it is the "evil" US or not, who rejects the aid of a country who genuinely wants to help them, (and does not give a sh#t about their resources) then I say f&*k them.

Even WE accepted foreign aid during Katrina...arguably the most poweful country in the world...if they have the audacity to question our need to help their people, then screw them and everything they stand for. Let their country rot like it has for the past few centuries.

danwatt · #4 05-25-2008, 03:27 AM

There is a difference between egotistical governments and a suffering people. I fail to see how helping out the people of Myanmar is contributing to the government's oppression of those people.

aklim · #5 05-25-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwatt

There is a difference between egotistical governments and a suffering people. I fail to see how helping out the people of Myanmar is contributing to the government's oppression of those people.

We run out of problems to solve locally or what?

BobK · #6 05-25-2008, 05:38 PM

I have watched the doings in Burma (sorry, I'm sticking to the old name) ever since I acidentally watched "Beyond Rangoon". The suffering in that country is terrible. I think if I went there (and had the proper skills you mentioned) I could relieve the suffering of a few of the people today. Unfortunately, it would, if anything, prolong the suffering of all the people. Sadly, I don't foresee much change there until all the world does something together. (that'll happen soon? Ha!).

Hatterasguy · #7 05-25-2008, 09:28 PM

No, not unless the pay was amazing. Sounds like a wonderfull little hole.

tankdriver · #8 05-25-2008, 09:58 PM

I would consider lifestyle factors before I considered political situation (except when political situations make life dangerous of course). What would the situation be in the location I'd be working? Hazard pay?

I don't think my presence or lack thereof would impact the political situation in any way. If I wanted to help people, and didn't have to live in the jungle with no source of water, I'd do it.

On a side note, it's weird but it seems that the most oppressive governments tend to actually succeed pretty well in stealing the people's will to fight. The Brits were hardly what some dictators of today are when Americans revolted. You'd think the more oppressive, the more likely people would not stand for it.

jlomon · #9 05-26-2008, 02:38 PM

No, I wouldn't go there because I think that country has a really good chance of falling to pieces in the next 6 months and I wouldn't want to be trapped in the middle of a civil war or the suppressing of a civil war.

Absolute dictatorships show how weak their real grip on the country is in the face of massive natural disasters. That's why the military junta was so deeply against letting in foreign aid. They need to look like they're still in control or else the people might just rise up and oust them. If the people do, I wouldn't want to be stuck there. I think it would be hard enough to get out of Myanmar under ideal circumstances, let alone when the political structure has collapsed.

I wont go anywhere that I don't have a reasonable exit strategy from.

pj67coll · #10 05-26-2008, 04:01 PM

No. Having spent my entire life trying to get the **** out of the third world, having finally succeeded I'm not about to expend any energy actually going back into it. Wether it be in Burma, Mexico, South Africa, wherever and for whatever reason.

- Peter.