Restoration 10:10

"I want to register my deep concern -- and immense frustration -- at the unacceptably slow response to this grave humanitarian crisis”, said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He is referring to the negligent Burmese government for their snail paced, creeping effort and loitering response to one of the worst cyclones to hit Asia with nearly 134,000 people dead or missing. Burma's Senior General Than Shwe took two weeks after the disaster to meet victims and see the destruction for himself. The General had declined to take the UN secretary’s phone calls earlier in the recovery effort. Talk about procrastination. There is a law against speeding drivers who endanger people’s lives on the highway. There should also be a law against government leaders who are criminally slow to help their suffering nation. It’s ironic that Russia can wave visas and fast track visiting football fans for the European Cup Final in Moscow. But Burma virtually shuts down its borders to visiting aid workers. Though there has been some improvement on this 34 UN visas have now been issued to aid workers. Well that’s reassuring; NOT. The world community is lining up to help and the Burmese authorities are using loudspeakers on trucks to tell people not to wait at the roadside because "begging from the donors tarnishes the dignity of the nation". Is it just me or is the Burmese junta consistently foolish? Dignity comes through dignified conduct. It is a noble thing to help the disadvantaged and feed the hungry. But it is undignified to let people suffer needlessly.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson was nick named “the baddest man on the planet”. His controversial behaviour promotes that reputation. By the age of 13 Tyson had been arrested 38 times. His most infamous crime came when he was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant, for which he served 3 years in jail. Last November he was detained in custody for a day while under the influence of drugs and driving.  In 1997 he was disqualified from a boxing match after he bit off part of his opponent’s ear. But now the bad boy has turned good. Tyson has offered to help former England footballer Paul Gascoigne. Gazza has spent two weeks in hospital for psychiatric treatment, and the former heavyweight champion believes he can assist Gascoigne on the road to recovery. Tyson, 41, said: "I know all about Gazza and I feel I can help him. A lot of top sportsmen have suffered in their private lives, including me, and that’s why I want to help’.  Suffering and failure humbles us and changes us. ‘Iron Mike’s’ heart has been softened by the trials and tribulations of life. We may not appreciate the hurt we are experiencing right now. But it will have an end result. The pain in our private lives will either make us bitter or better people.  Which outcome will you choose?