The death toll from a typhoon in Burma is estimated to have climed past 20,000. This is a disaster whose scale has even forced one of the world’s most evil military dictatorships to overcome its deep distrust of foreign influence. Much of the country’s infrastructure has been destroyed with little hope of repair in a badly crippled political climate in which the government abuses its own people – there is evidence that Burmese officials failed to warn villages that were known to be in the path of the storm.

It’s even brought Laura Bush to the White House podium in one of the most memorable moments of her tenure as first lady (although the White House itself delivered a highly questionable ultimatum regarding American aid).

Pay attention folks. Give if you can. The aftermath of this storm may exceed the damage of the storm itself.