After the storm

At last some decisive action taken by the government of Burma, to help its cyclone-ravaged population. After 17 days of inaction, it was finally announced there would be three days of official mourning. As the crowds grasp desperately for the sustenance that only a flag flying at half mast can offer, I can only guess that the Burmese authorities had been waiting until there was a really worthwhile number of dead before beginning.

It should be noted that this is official mourning. No doubt the military Junta is vigilant for anyone trying to partake in any unofficial mourning - contraband sadness that falls outside sanctioned parameters. After all, in a country infested with poverty, corruption, starvation and slavery as an official economic model, the living might start to envy those who died.