It would be funny if it didn't kill people.

CNN has a story about the junta of Myanmar who, for reasons known only to them, are doing their best to kill more people after the cyclone devastation. First there is this:

Authorities in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar have seized United Nations aid intended for victims of the disaster, prompting the organization to halt future relief flights, a U.N. World Food Program official said.

Not even Michael Brown actively kept relief supplies from those in need. Moreover, the US is trying to help, though the junta is jumpy about letting us in. Perhaps if we wanted to roll a couple divisions in there would be something to worry about, but our military is practically reduced to touch and go's along with airdrops:

The United States is proposing that C-130s fly into the Myanmar carrying U.N. supplies. The planes would drop supplies off and then turn around and leave. But they would conduct as many flights as possible.

The United States is also proposing that Navy helicopters already in Thailand and on board U.N. Navy ships in the region fly supplies to remote areas. The helicopters would conduct low-level flights and air drop the supplies but not touch the ground.

Even if you allow that the military rulers have something to worry about from foreign influence, you would expect the Myanmar government to be puling out all the internal stops, working night and day to rectify the situation and increase the flow of aid. You would be wrong:

To complicate matters, Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok, Thailand -- where aid groups have been waiting for days for entry permission -- was closed on Friday for a holiday.

Complete and utter incompetence. And the good people of Myanmar are paying for it.

NAIAS Four Months Later

Cutting edge news, only on Kiss Blog. Where else will you get a recap of the NAIAS in April? To add some spice to this well chewed cud, we'll discuss if any of my favorites have managed to sustain interest. Here we go:

The Honda CRZ concept:

There is significant momentum behind this one, and Car and Driver just named it one of 24 cars to wait for, though it has only been confirmed for the Japanese domestic market. This revitalized CRX would be music to my ears.

The Cadillac CTS coupe:

This particular concept does have legs; this is essentially the production version.

The Cadillac Evoq:

I believe this is a strong hint at an upcoming small SUV for Cadillac, either in Europe or the US, or both.

Audi R8 V12 TDI:


This one's not happening; a V8 diesel is on the way instead. To me, that's an incredibly dumb move. Who wouldn't want a car with an engine that is essentially the Le Mans winning Audi diesel V12? The bragging rights that would come with such a vehicle seem enormous to me, and likely enough to part many of the hyper-rich from their money. Then again, I'd never be able to afford one, so what do I know?

In retrospect, this show was actually quite important for the many concepts that will make it into production relatively unscathed. Tune in again next April for another hard hitting round-up of the hottest auto news out of NAIAS.

Atonement

This must be one of the worst movies ever. Not in the typical fashion of a weak Nicolas Cage effort or the train wreck of The Matrix 2 and 3. The problem with Atonement is that it makes you care and then rips your heart out with the emotional equivalent of a dull spoon.

Warning, I spoil as much as possible below.

Here's the basic premise of the movie from my point of view:

1. Boy and girl with significant back story and conflicting social status fall in love, all very touching.

2. Stupid boy and girl's stupid young sister together do stupid things to ruin everyone's life.

3. Everyone you care about dies.

First of all, if I want heart wrenching stories of loved ones lost, I can read the newspaper. This movie had not one shred of uplifting sentiment. Nothing achieved, nothing accomplished, nothing renewed. I might as well go watch pigs being slaughtered for all the emotional uplift.

More importantly, the movie's plot turns on a number of really dull points. The mixing up of letters by the boy is second rate stuff, and the truly appalling investigation, though inspired by the believably ruthless young sister, would never pass even in pre-war Britain. If a movie wants to treat it's audience to such punishment as this one does, it had better do it smartly.

As much as I complain though, I wouldn't do it if the movie weren't so good on many levels. The death of the leads is entirely believable, and the unwavering determination of the young sister to live in fantasy even to her old age is painfully understandable and deplorable. But really, without anything positive to say at all, what was the point of such great work?

Goodbye to Dubai

It must be nice for Dubai not to have anything better to do, but as they say, "idle hands are the devil's workshop." I think I'll be avoiding the emirate for the foreseeable future.

(via Sullivan)