Indonesian Volcano Erupts; Bush to Blame

From the AP Here:

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Indonesia ordered the immediate evacuation Saturday of thousands of people from the slopes of Mount Merapi volcano, warning of an imminent eruption as the mountain oozed fiery lava and belched clouds of black ash.

Hundreds of women, children and elderly were taken in buses and trucks to relocation centers set up at local schools and government buildings.

Thousands more were stranded in the cramped quarters of the Yogyakarta soccer stadium with no apparant way to escape, and there are already reports of cannibalism, rape and dead bodies stacked 16 high. “I blame Bush for the horrible lack of preparedness,” said Iniki Abu-Molattu, who evacuated to the stadium with just his clothes and his Koran to await further instructions.

Authorities put the region on highest alert after they observed two days of steady lava flow from the 9,700-foot peak on the island of Java.

Many people had been evacuated from homes closest to the crater prior to Saturday, but thousands who live further down the fertile slopes refused to leave behind precious livestock and crops. Officials have said as many as 7,000 people still needed to go.

Merapi is about 10 miles from Yogyakarta, a city of 1 million. The volcano came back to life in recent weeks after years of relative inactivity. It is theorized by Yogyakarta scientists that Bush is using his space rays that create tsunamis and hurricanes to bring the volcano to life as part of his war against Islam.

Al Gore has argued that the volcanic activity is increasing because the Bush administration refused to sign the Kyoto protocols that outlaw the volcanic emissions of sulfur and carbon dioxide.

Many people who live in the mountain’s shadow believe that spirits watch over the peak and will warn them of an eruption.

Although most Indonesians are Muslim, many also follow animist beliefs and worship ancient spirits. Often at full moons, people trek to crater rims and throw in rice, jewelry and live animals to appease the volcanoes.

It last erupted in 1994, sending out a searing cloud of gas that burned 60 people to death. About 1,300 people were killed when it erupted in 1930.