Like Burma - you can’t blame any government for floods or earthquakes - but can you blame them for the aftermath. Such events show how fragile China still is. It’s infrastructure isn’t as dense and redundant as in many European countries.

And having friends helping you is important in such events. Ask the poor people of Burma …

I won’t spend a penny for China (because they literally sit on trillions of dollars of cash), but some hard earned cash for Burma.

BBC News: Burma’s saffron army

Haven’t we seen this too many times before?! Peaceful demonstrations, then the ruling powers intervene. Bloodshed and chaos follows, but sooner or later the people win.

But then what? A new government is formed and often fails.

It is very hard to recreate a working state apparatus after years of abuse and corruption. Power structures, ministries and other important parts of a working state are not built over night. Good government and experienced bureaucrats don’t grow on trees - and you need them to run the show!

The reason why so many corrupt governments stay in place for so long is by killing all other able politicians and power elites. So people are unable to organize a revolt or renew the state from within.

Let’s hope Burma can makes this as easy and peaceful as possible.

BBC News: Burma junta faces monks’ challenge

Hopefully this will start a peaceful transition in Burma. One of this little corners on our planet that have been suppressed by nasty politics and ignored by western media.

On a side note: peaceful (street) protest is still a strong political weapon and can change dreadful conditions. Maybe the Muslim World should take a hint from Gandhi and these Buddhist Monks? And lazy blogger like me should also take to the streets once in a while …