Maintenance

This post is meant to serve as a note of explanation. The times reflected in the lower left hand corners of my posts are not accurate, for instance in my last post on the cyclone in Burma, it said that I posted that at 8:27 AM; it was actually more like 11:30 AM. I've tried to adjust the time in the post options section of the Blogger software but that usually holds the post for a few hours before publishing. Needless to say, if any of you have experience with this software and can advise me on how to correct this problem, it would be greatly appreciated. As for now, disregard the time stamps, they are inaccurate.

Help needed in Myanmar

Thus far I haven't said anything about the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. It's not because I don't find it worthy of mention (what could be more worthy?) it's merely a result of me not knowing quite what to say. Anyways, here goes. Myanmar, better known to most of us by its former name, Burma, has been devastated by a cyclone. The official death count according to the BBC article linked to above is at 34,273; however, there are fears that the death toll could be as high as 100,000 and it will only rise if rescue workers cannot reach the more than 1 million people still in need of urgent relief. Foreign assistance has only just begun to arrive in Myanmar, in part because of hesitation by Myanmar's government, which is ruled by a repressive and brutal military regime. However, there is still much we can do to help. I donated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Socities (IFRC) today, and I urge all my readers (if there are any of you) and their family and friends to do the same. If your not a fan of the Red Cross or just prefer to donate elsewhere, CNN.com has a helpful page here with a number of other great organizations that you can donate to in order to help the cyclone victims. You're also no doubt aware of the massive earthquake in southwest China that has killed at least 12,000 people. They are in urgent need of our help as well. If anyone knows of any other good rescue and relief organizations not listed by me or CNN on their page, please link to them in comments. Most of the readers of this blog are people I know face to face, you are all great people that I feel privileged to have in my life. I have no doubt that you will all step up to the plate to help those in need in Myanmar and China. Thank you for all that you do.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr user IFRC May 10, 2008