Thoughts on Burma

While I've traveled fairly extensively in South East Asia, I've never been to Burma/Myanmar. Most of this is due to the fact that I never really made up my mind whether travel to Burma is a good thing (i.e., it exposes locals living under the junta to people living in 'freer' societies, and helps with their dismal financial state) or that it really does prop up a truly repressive regime.

Although it seems to have been moved from the front pages, I really can't stop looking for news on the situation. I read in the New York Times blog today that apparently the deaths can be measured in the thousands, and not in the tens. I also read some expert in the region saying that it was "over."

Well, is it?
Is there nothing that we can do to help the situation there. Will traveling help?

And, I look at the photos, and think that I've been to many, many Buddist wats, but none that seem so lovely as the main one in Yangon.

I remain distressed, and helpless. If you can think of anything that regular people can do to help with this situation, please let me know.