I'm sure that by now, you've all seen images coming out of Japan of the devastation that occurred with this morning's earthquake. It will be quite some time before the total impact of the disaster will be made clear, the lives lost, and the property destroyed. I watched video of large ships being tossed about like toys in the tsunami. The magic of movies has never made it look that bad.
There will be some who will have some nasty comment about Japan because of Pearl Harbor and the war that followed. Yes, it was a horrid attack, as was the attack that ended the conflict some 3½ years later. That is neither here nor there...
My opinion of Japan and the Japanese people comes from my late father. He had a vehement hatred for some of the Japanese soldiers he had contact with, yet a great appreciation for others, and for the Japanese people in general. You see, my dad was an unwilling guest of the Imperial Japanese Army from May 1942 until August 1945. He survived the Bataan Death March, but spent the next two years in a prison on Luzon, in the Philippines, then 14 months working in the coal mines near Fukuoka, Japan. If you look at a map of Japan, Fukuoka is about 60 miles from Nagasaki, where the second atomic bomb was dropped. He was right there... I tell you all of this to ward off the nasty comments. If my dad didn't feel it necessary to despise the Japanese, those who haven't been in his shoes certainly don't have cause to.
The world is a much smaller place now, than it was in 1942. We depend on the rest of the world as much as they do on us. Just as we'd help a little old lady across the street, we need to be willing, if called upon, to help the good people of Japan. We have plenty of troubles here, too, and I realize that. Not everyone can lend a hand. But please, don't be one of those who criticize the United States for trying to do the right thing.
I'm not a religious man, so I can't ask you to pray. I am a man who cares about his fellow man, white, black, brown, yellow, red, green...I don't care. If someone need my help, and I'm a position to render that help, they are going to get it.
Sorry to rant, but those pictures this morning had a huge impact. I feel helpless. They have 39% of the population that we have, on 4% of the land area. Their entire country is affected by this.
Well said, Merlin. I, too, can only keep them in my thoughts.
We, here in Florida, have one of the performers on a year long leave in Japan. Fortunately, he is okay. But, it still had some of us rattled (especially since he just released the Fushigi Balls about six months ago...)
But again, well said. Really put some emotions in me, as to the situation not only now, but when your father was there. Respect being one of those...
Thank you, Jade. I loved my dad very, very much, and not a day goes by that I don't think about, and miss him. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 86. It never ceased to amaze me that 1) he lived as long as he did having been 60 miles from one atomic bomb, and about 120 miles from the other, and; 2) he had as much respect for the Japanese as he did, and never held a grudge against the people and culture. A true military man, he accepted it as part of war, and not as a part of humanity.
"Pappy" was a helluva good looking guy! This is Pappy about 15 months after he was released from the Japanese prison camp (my favourite picture of him):
(http://www.srhconline.org/images/Pappy.jpg)
I had just come out of the movies when I heard about it. I honestly didn't believe it till my friend started sending me pictures. My thoughts and love go out to those in need right now.
Merlin I wanted to thank you for sharing your fathers story, it is a great and truly inspiration story and you father sounds like he was one hell of a guy, and definitely a looker ;) It always comforts me to hear about wonderful people when I start feeling a bit heavy hearted about society.
Myself I am still mind numb with this all. I looked at some of the pictures of the aftermath today, yet I still can't wrap my mind around what has happen. Honestly, can anyone? You talk about the atomic bomb, but from the pictures I have seen this makes that look like a puff in the wind. (Not saying it wasn't a terrible thing.) compared to what man can do nature can be so devastating. I pray for the people and hope over the next few weeks they are able to find the strength to carry on. They need whatever support we can give.
A candle has been lit, in my heart and in my mind... and I am holding there all those affected by this massive tragedy. I have no words to express my sincere grief at the suffering these people continue to live with, every moment, and I offer prayers of rescue, healing and safety to all who may be lost, injured or in peril. May the Universe protect and keep you all...
Lighting a thousand candles for all those poor people. My heart goes out to them all!
Candles are lit for the good people of Japan.
What really makes me shiver is that there is this much destruction (and still more happening) in a highly industrialized country that has done the best preparation possible using cutting edge technology for just this probability.
If something like this happens on the west coast of the U.S. California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, we would not fare any better, and possibly much worse.
Japan was hit by two more earthquakes today, anything approaching 7.0 is enough to trigger another tsunami. I could only donate a little, but please if you are able, give what you can to legitimate relief agencies.
Between the salt water and the radiation, Japan is likely to lose the majority of their food supplies. It is still very cold in the hardest regions and people have very little shelter. Their tribulations have just begun.
Legitimate relief agency is what I need to find. I won't give to the Red Cross for some personal reasons. Can someone recommend some others that are involved with Japan relief efforts?
Americares
http://www.charity-charities.org/news.php?artid=920970
http://www.americares.org/
Medical supplies and medicine-non religion based charity
Thanks, Rowen. If I can't find one that allows me to specify where my money goes, I'll come back to this one. I like their efficiency rating (98%). I'd rather be able to direct my donation.
I've got to say...I'm so saddened by the comments that I've read (elsewhere...not on this forum) that this is retribution for Pearl Harbor, and for their atrocities in WWII. Some have even said that God is paying them back. Japan was "paid back" several times over for their attack on Pearl and their treatment of my dad and thousands of others when we delivered Fat Man and Little Boy to Nagasaki and Hiroshima respectively. That's done with. It's over. It was [the last legitimate] war. 99% of the people of 2011 Japan had NOTHING to do with that war.
If our culture is such that we can wish such horrendous devastation on another culture, maybe the best thing to happen would be for all of the nuclear plants in Japan to go critical and put an end to this entire planet's civilization. Yes, I am that angry with the things that I've seen and heard.
Merlin, here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/20110311/wl_yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help) is a link to charities via the Yahoo! News website. Several options other than Red Cross.
Words just cannot properly express what those poor people are certainly experiencing right now. I've been in 2 major quakes in different parts of California, although not right smack in the middle of the damage, and I am certainly keeping the entire country in thoughts and prayers right now.
Yes Merlin I've seen some of the same comments by morons. My cousin was on the Arizona. But that is all over and done with. My heart goes out to these people and if those three reactors fail, it could be Chernobyl x9.
(http://www.txgenweb6.org/txnavarro/biographies/w/watts_victor_ed.jpg)
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorswithoutborders.org%2F&ei=erKATYHPG8Sx0QG-m_38CA&usg=AFQjCNGTuXMtRVudczpzijGhMWXhvDyzwA
Doctors without borders.
Gina
Thanks, all... I apologize for the rant.... There are a number of Japanese students on my campus that are still trying to make contact with their families. I guess I'm just hurting for them...
Quote from: arbcoind on March 16, 2011, 07:54:05 AM
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorswithoutborders.org%2F&ei=erKATYHPG8Sx0QG-m_38CA&usg=AFQjCNGTuXMtRVudczpzijGhMWXhvDyzwA
Doctors without borders.
Gina
thanks for sharing this.
You are welcome. This is where I donate when there is a natural disaster.
Gina
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on March 16, 2011, 08:11:13 AM
Thanks, all... I apologize for the rant.... There are a number of Japanese students on my campus that are still trying to make contact with their families. I guess I'm just hurting for them...
Daven's aunt is from Japan...we're waiting to hear back as to if she's heard from her family yet...so, I do understand the frustration and the hurt...
Japan broadens area for evacuation (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703841904576256742249147126.html)
This tragedy is still unfolding and even though the media has mostly lost interest, these people still need a lot of help. Unfortunately I agree with a lot of European experts that Japan has waited too late to widen their evacuation efforts. That may mean a continued loss of life from the effects.