To All affected by the Earthquake/Tsunami

[Liz]

I hope no one here is from the affected area, or has friends or relatives there. Regardless, I think everyone is affected by a disaster such as this, when words are so difficult to find. I'm sure all of us have them in our hearts.

May God bless everyone affected by this tragedy.

Liz

[Arctirus]

This news was pretty scary to me. A couple friends of mine are in India right now. Fortunately I found out that they are safe on the opposite coast.

Please consider donating to the Red Cross disaster relief fund even if it's only a couple bucks.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

[Liz]

Thanks for your response. I'm glad your friends are okay - and that you know it so quickly.

I work for Catholic Charities and we work directly with the Red Cross whenever there is a disaster, so we are very involved with this situation. It's so unbelievable. I get depressed just seeing it on the news. All I can do is pray.

Liz

This news was pretty scary to me. A couple friends of mine are in India right now. Fortunately I found out that they are safe on the opposite coast.

Please consider donating to the Red Cross disaster relief fund even if it's only a couple bucks.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

[Lara]

Excellent suggestion Arctirus. People are going to need money more than anything. So giving what we can spare is the best way to go, especially to an orginzation such as Red Cross. This way we know the money will be used where it should.

[Photo-John]

Thanks, Liz and Arctirus. I expect most people are like me and don't even know how to process something like this. The scale is too big to comprehend. Regardless of whether we're directly affected, hundreds of thousands of people are. Contributing something to help those directly affected is definitely in order. No matter what kind of problems I might have, they're meaningless in the face of this kind of tragedy. Helping and participating as a citizen of the world is the right thing to do.

Our lives are so small and fragile. There are no guarantees. Remember to be grateful and value every moment and every thing in your life as a divine gift.

[Liz]

John,

Thank you for expressing what is in my heart - and probably in the hearts of most of us. I think everyone is extremely emotional about this terrible tragedy. We are all affected because, as human beings, we are all brothers and sisters, and realize this more when there is such an enormous need.

Our lives are so small and fragile. There are no guarantees. Remember to be grateful and value every moment and every thing in your life as a divine gift

Well stated. Thank you.

Liz

Thanks, Liz and Arctirus. I expect most people are like me and don't even know how to process something like this. The scale is too big to comprehend. Regardless of whether we're directly affected, hundreds of thousands of people are. Contributing something to help those directly affected is definitely in order. No matter what kind of problems I might have, they're meaningless in the face of this kind of tragedy. Helping and participating as a citizen of the world is the right thing to do.

Our lives are so small and fragile. There are no guarantees. Remember to be grateful and value every moment and every thing in your life as a divine gift.

[yaronsh]

On July 4th in one of the years I lived in Ft. Collins, CO, I drove up to the hills rising sharply between the town and Hosetooth Reservoir, like many others, to watch the fireworks in City Park. As the fireworks show progressed - and amidst everyone's oohs and aahs - a lightning bolt came down from the sky over the eastern plains (freak thunderstorms are common in that region), and completely dwarfed the man-made lightning.

Every so often something happens that reminds us who's boss. (There's a saying in Yiddish: Man tracht un gott lacht - man thinks [and plans] and God laughs.) Sometimes it's in the form of an almost humorous natural spectacle, sometimes in the form of a disaster of an unfathomable proportions.

Remember the recent thread about mountains, light, and God? When faced with vastness - good, bad, or just there - we cannot help but be reminded that there is something bigger than all of us and bigger than the sum of its parts, which we certainly cannot understand but must respect, and out of respect for it comes respect for one another and for our collective home in the universe, and hopefully, that respect would lead to a predominance of good.

The Red Cross is one charitable organization operating in the region; please consider others as well.

- Yaron

[Janie]

A friend of mine who was an exchange student here, Michael, lived in Sri Lanka. For the life of me I can't remember her last name now. I keep hoping she and her family are okay. Hard to believe over 50,000 are dead so far. Such a horrible tragedy. Apparently the earth quake shook the earth so hard it may have affected the earths rotation rate - which may have some sort of impact on our weather patterns.

I hope no one here is from the affected area, or has friends or relatives there. Regardless, I think everyone is affected by a disaster such as this, when words are so difficult to find. I'm sure all of us have them in our hearts.

May God bless everyone affected by this tragedy.

Liz

[schrackman]

On July 4th in one of the years I lived in Ft. Collins, CO, I drove up to the hills rising sharply between the town and Hosetooth Reservoir, like many others, to watch the fireworks in City Park. As the fireworks show progressed - and amidst everyone's oohs and aahs - a lightning bolt came down from the sky over the eastern plains (freak thunderstorms are common in that region), and completely dwarfed the man-made lightning.

Every so often something happens that reminds us who's boss. (There's a saying in Yiddish: Man tracht un gott lacht - man thinks [and plans] and God laughs.) Sometimes it's in the form of an almost humorous natural spectacle, sometimes in the form of a disaster of an unfathomable proportions.

Remember the recent thread about mountains, light, and God? When faced with vastness - good, bad, or just there - we cannot help but be reminded that there is something bigger than all of us and bigger than the sum of its parts, which we certainly cannot understand but must respect, and out of respect for it comes respect for one another and for our collective home in the universe, and hopefully, that respect would lead to a predominance of good.

The Red Cross is one charitable organization operating in the region; please consider others as well.

- Yaron

Well stated, Yaron. When I read in the news about the earth's rotation being disturbed and the island of Sumatra being moved SW by 100 feet, it brought to mind the prophet Isaiah's words that one day the earth would "reel to and fro like a drunkard" just before the Lord comes to reign in Zion. In biblical prophecy (concerning "Jacob's trouble") earthquakes as well as volcanic activity play a major role in reshaping the geography of the earth, so much so that "every island will be moved out of its place" and the stars shall be rolled back as a scroll. That is some major shifting of tectonic plates! It's sad but true...many times people just plain ignore God until tragedy strikes. Then he's the first one to whom they either cry out or curse.

By the way, here's a link in case anyone is looking for a charitable organization that is helping the victims with various types of aid: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15859_1.html

Ray

[Todd Patten]

I'm sorry. Say what you want, but this is not God. It's the Earth doing what the Earth does. Maybe, centuries ago, when people did not understand how these events occured, it would make sense to write it off as God. However, today we can see what actually causes a tragedy like this. Physically, we know what happens and why it happens. This event is no different that a leaf falling off a tree. It's part of how nature and the planet works. Obviously, the results of this NATURAL event are far more devistating than the result of a leaf falling to the ground. Bottom line is that the amazing power of our planet dwarfs any power we may have.

My family and I have given to relief organizations this week and I hope that Americans step up and give what they can. This goes beyond anything we can comprehend.

[Gerry Widen]

I think it is wonderful for anyone who wants to contribute to this disaster. I will also do so. But I think it is a crime for for the United States to initially contribute $15 million and after much criticism on the world stage reluctantly an additional $20 million. This 35 million is less than the $ 40-50 million planned for the Bush coronation Jan 20th. A total disgrace.

I also want to add that the war and occupation of Iraq is costing 9.5 million dollars per hour . The 35 million is not even enough to support 4 hours of war. The people of this country should feel embarrassed.

[Arctirus]

This 35 million is less than the $ 40-50 million planned for the Bush coronation Jan 20th. A total disgrace. The people of this country should feel embarrassed.

Agreed, it's not like he's even being elected for the first time!! Just barely getting to keep his job gets him a party like that???

I think America could really boost it's lack luster world image by canceling the ceremonies in favor of helping those in need.

[Photo-John]

If you know of other good charities or resources, please list them here. Let's all pull together and do our part as human beings and citizens of the world. If you have doubts or feel like your contributions don't matter, consider that by helping those in need we are really helping everyone, including ourselves.

Here is a strong and trustworthy charity I will be contributing to. Every bit counts:

http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c...MVIwG&b=277370

Thanks-

[Arctirus]

If you know of other good charities or resources, please list them here.

CNN's How to help: http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapc...tes/index.html

[Clicker]

If you know of other good charities or resources, please list them here. Let's all pull together and do our part as human beings and citizens of the world. If you have doubts or feel like your contributions don't matter, consider that by helping those in need we are really helping everyone, including ourselves.

Here is a strong and trustworthy charity I will be contributing to. Every bit counts:

http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c...MVIwG&b=277370

Thanks-

Google has a link on how to help......I gave through Amazon, (they have me on file) so - it was easy and fast, you just put in a dollar amount, and they email you a confirmation...

This link gives other options, such as :
- Medecins Sans Frontieres
- Oxfam
- UNICEF
- Network for Good
- Donate to American Red Cross via Amazon
- Direct Relief International
- Sarvodaya

http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html

[natatbeach]

Larry along with the rest of their workplace wait and worry because one of their co-workers/friend was supposed to return to work a few days ago. he hasn't called. no one knows whats happenend to him or his wife.

They don't even have an exact location where he was when it hit.

This type of devastation makes it hard to sleep and hard to concentrate knowing that about a third of the victims were children. I feel for the parents and I'm saddened by the loss and end to young lives that barely had the chance to experience life. It reminds me how precious my kids are and my family and friends and that taking even a second of any day for granted ---- is a waste of life lived. Cherish every moment and realize regardless of your "spiritual" convictions...there is indeed a force and power MUCH greater than we are.

will update when and if they hear anything....

[tijean]

Photo gallery:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv....htm?startat=1
(remember the top tabs for more photos, but take note of the graphic material warnings if you go past the satellite image section)

The last death toll I heard was 120K, but more are expected as the survivors are without proper sanitation and drinking water. It is hard to process. There are amazing people and organizations who have devoted their lives to helping, but only so much is possible regardless of money. That is what is really torturous to those of us who can only write a check.

As for the God vs. Nature, Relief aid vs. pompous ceremony – it is unfathomably devastating regardless of beliefs or opinions. It is good to see countries' egos put to good use. It seems to have become a oneupping competition.

I was driving home tonight with a horrible headache from a sinus infection. I was having trouble keeping me eyes open and my snack down, the pressure was so bad that I had begun to cry involunteerily (pressure on tear glands or something, I guess), and everytime headlights went by it felt like I was being stabbed in the eyes. I said outloud "please God, just get me home, get me to bed, please just make it stop." Then I realized that there were hundreds of thousands of people on the other side of the world either mourning, searching, or trying to make it through the next few days. Then I just mumbles, from my dispatcher days, "Disregard."

[schrackman]

Here is another link with a ton of organizations that will collect contributions for relief efforts: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjo...nciesassi.html

Ray in CA