Laura Bush and the concert for Bangladesh

Here's Laura Bush in the WaPo:

"Do Not Forget Burma"

"For two weeks, the world has been transfixed by images of Iranians taking to the streets to demand the most basic human freedoms and rights. Watching these courageous men and women, I am reminded of a similar scene nearly two years ago in Burma, when tens of thousands of Buddhist monks peacefully marched through their nation's streets. They, too, sought to reclaim basic human dignity for all Burmese citizens, but they were beaten back by that nation's harsh regime."

Read on.

Here's more on Burma.



I try, as best I can, to keep up on a good number of the current conflicts in the world. On both of my previous blogs, I posted a number of stories dealing with today's examples of man's inhumanity to man. However, this post is really connected to my last post. The connection is this: One of the songs on my unconscious playlist is this:




My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes
He told me that he wanted help
Before his country dies

Although I couldn't feel the pain, I knew I had to try
Now I'm asking all of you
To help us save some lives

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Where so many people are dying fast
And it sure looks like a mess
I've never seen such distress
Now won't you lend your hand and understand
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Such a great disaster - I don't understand
But it sure looks like a mess
I've never known such distress
Now please don't turn away, I want to hear you say
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
Relieve Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Now it may seem so far from where we all are
It's something we can't neglect
It's something I can't neglect
Now won't you give some bread to get the starving fed
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

In other words, because this song constantly comes into my consciousness, I am actually more aware of the need to keep track and bear witness to even the most obscure of human conflicts. I've no great solution or personal ability to influence these conflicts, but I can at least bear witness, and occasionally add my voice in protest. Not much, no doubt, but better than nothing.