The sea, the sea
The sheer brute violence of that single wave is staggering. Every house and fishing boat has been smashed, the entire length of the east coast. People who know and respect the sea well now talk of it in shock, dismay and fear. Some work to do this week.
44 Comments:
I am so sorry for all of those who have suffered losses due to this terrible natural disaster. My prayers are with all of those affected. The world is in mourning and I just don't know what I could say but that I don't understand it. I'm in New York and survived the terror attacks on the twin towers. I can only imagine the terror experienced by those in South East Asia. I wish I could help in some way. so many dead. I pray for their souls that they be in a place so wonderful and full of happiness. I pray that the surviving relatives eventually gain peace and happiness once again. May God bless us and give us the tools we need to deal with this life.
Yes, that, too, was out of the blue. A little international solidarity goes a long way, and if you're feeling helpless, you're not alone, I think. One thing you can do – knowing how long it can take to pick up the pieces - remember the millions of people who live along these beautiful coasts a year from now. On a more practical note, why not support the organisation of your choice to lend a hand?
With deepest sympathy from Atlanta, USA. I'll be paying the international charities' websites a visit. My thoughts are with all the suffering and bereaved around the Indian Ocean.
-- The Sanity Inspector
Please continue to report from Sri Lanka. I'll keep trying to raise more aid.
Kevin Hayden
The American Street
my deepest regret to the victims and my honest condolence to those who suffered a loss.
but what I can not understand is how you can feel this way and at the same time can say "May God bless us and give us the tools we need to deal with this life."
though I do not doubt the sincere intention of the writer, I hope that someday someone could explain how an almighty god is able to wipe out a large city's population and at the same time cannot give us "the tools we need to deal with this life.".
strange religion.
http://www.mercycorps.org/splash/
Another voice from Atlanta, USA... This morning I'll donate cash as the news organizations tell us is vital. I am so sorry for all of you in the affected nations. So sorry. The images coming onto our screens tear the heart.
Your pictures and perspective are important. Thank you.
From Phoenix, AZ, USA -- our thoughts and prayers are with you in this horrible tragedy. Thank you for your blog - I found it through the New York Times article this morning. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/technology/28blogs.html?8bl
I can't believe the news today. Who could have ever thought two days ago that this would have happened. John Lennon was right when he said Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. Out thoughts are with you and your people. I wish you strength and courage in the days and weeks to come. South Georgia writer.
Tragic is all one can say. Our prayers go out to the survivors.
Sending whatever cash I can.
However, I am shocked that the authorities did nothing to alert the region. They said they didn't know who to telephone? well, local embassies would have known. Each of the nations so mercilessly battered could have sounded sirens to warn of the impending doom, and moved at least some of the people inland. I am ashamed that this was allowed to happen to tens of thousands of people when diligent telephone work could have saved many.
Please send whatever money you can to help these people - Red Cross/Red Crescent is a good and reputable agency.
As a word of caution to those wishing to make donations to charities lending a hand for tsunami disaster relief, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not blindly make your donations. Beware the scammers. Make sure that the organization is legitimate because I am sure that you do not want your money given to someone who is faking a relief effort for financial gain.
Another from NYC, just offering condolences and everything else I can.
You can donate here..to help people in Sri Lanka
http://www.troonline.org/en/ (use the donate button)
i sent a donation yesterday... we are praying for all of you. mary in chicago.
to donate people in Sri Lanka
http://www.troonline.org/en/
World Vision is a good reputable organization to direct your relief funds to:www.worldvision.org
From Southern California...our hearts and minds are with you in this time of enormous suffering. Having been to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, I came to know and love the simple folk who inhabit the shoreline there. Of all the people in the world, these can afford this loss the least. Thank you for reporting as an eyewitness to this tragedy. Peace be upon you...
Such disasters will appear more often in the future and become even stronger. Giving contributions is not curing the cause!
The Kyoto protocol is one way for a safer future, but as long as the majority of the American people doesn't agree, the nature will strike back even harder. Reducing CO2 output is necessary to avoid such disasters.
From Munich, Germany
Our thoughts here are with you and those who've suffered this tremendous hardship. Glad you stayed safe.
My deepest sympathies for all who lost someone. A good friend lost both of his parents who were vacationing over there - I cannot imagine how he's coping. I too will be making donations to help those in need.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. This disaster is so huge and terrible that it's hard just to come to an understanding of it: so very many dead, so much destruction, over such a huge area. Just finding and burying the dead will be a huge task.
Beyond that, roads have been torn to pieces, buildings destroyed, water and power and sewage systems trashed, fishing fleets swept away, and innumerable livelihoods have vanished overnight. The victims of the tsunami need our help this week, but they'll need it next week too, and months from now, and next year.
Extra Extra, please keep posting about what you see around you. Tell us what's happening. Keep making it real.
Signed,
Just another blogger in Brooklyn NYC
Hi there --
I read about your blog in the New York Times article. That's a very poignant photograph, I must say.
I am very sorry to hear about the wide swath of destruction over there. I hope the rebuilding begins as soon as possible for the people who survived.
On the other side of things -- I think you have a really good blog -- I'll be adding you to my blogroll and visiting again.
Thanks,
Anthony
www.CityCynic.com
With all due respect, the Kyoto Protocol will not stop the earth's plates from shifting. Nor did CO2 emissions have anything to do with the tsunami disaster. What do the teach people there in Germany?
The solution to this problem is to install tidal warning systems in the Indian ocean and others where it is missing. This system has been in place in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for more than 40 years. Had it been in place in the Indian ocean thousands of lives could have been saved.
Posting from Creswell, Oregon, and can't imagine the depth of sorrow. Feel so helpless. Prayers go out. Also, Christmas money I got will be donated. At least I can help in that way. Hard to comprehend the magnitude of misery.
Jay
Hey, Munich, you really believe USA responsible for the tidal wave because we didn't sign your Kyoto treaty? We don't sign and nature strikes back. Right? Are you an animist or just a green fruitcake?
You do know the most prevelent greenhouse gas is not CO2;
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all victims. I worked in the US Embassy when the 8.3 earthquake hit Mexico City in '85. It was tragic, but there was obviously no Tsunami. We live on the Gulf Coast of Mexico and have dealt with many, many hurricanes, including one that destroyed our home. We cannot fathom your personal tragedies on such an enormous scale. We just donated a $1000 to a legitimate disaster aid fund, and we hope it goes a long way. We wish it could be more, but that's the best we can do for now. We'll send more next week.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. May God bless you all and bring comfort to all those that are affected by this terrible disaster.
Btw, to view the New York Times article, you can go to http://news.com.com/Blogs+provide+raw+details+from+disaster+scene/2100-1038_3-5505092.html?tag=nl (no registration required).
Be careful who you give money to. Please give to reputable organizations only. There are many good ones. The Sri-Lanka embassy can help too. Go to http://www.slembassyusa.org/ for information.
Also, see http://www.slembassyusa.org/press_releases/winter_2004/tsunami%20disaster.html
Give generously please. According to the embassy web site, some Sri-Lankan American already gave a quarter million dollars.
As a greenhouse expert, the question I am asking myself is this: Is this disaster traceable in part to rising sea levels? If so, refusal of the USA to address the greenhouse problem must be seen as an act of terrorism that dwarfs the tragedy of the World Trade Center. Food for thought . . .
to anonymous,
you sully and demean the pain these people are going thru by politicizing the "potential" cause of this disaster as related to the US and greenhouse effects. You make me as sick as i feel for these people.
Mowhak, bless you, God didn't wipe out those people. That was nature being what it is and doing what it does, according to one comment I read somewhere. This is not Heaven, you know - it's just Earth. When we get to Heaven, we will understand everything. And you asked why God cannot give us tools to help us live this life. But He can, Mowhak! He does give those tools to those of us who ask. Have you ever asked Him for tools to live this painful life on this painfilled Earth? Please do. If you blame God, you'll be cutting yourself off from the only real help there is. Oh, I still have some pain, don't think I don't, but it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. I feel for these brothers and sisters of ours who are suffering, and am praying hard for them. We must all help as much as we can. I hope you get your answer. Going to the One Who has all the answers is the best way to get answers. May the Father of us all bless and keep you always.
I am very upset at people taking such a horrible disaster and using it as their own platform for things such as greenhouse emissions and kyoto accord. Shame on you all... at this time we should be doing all we can to help and unite all of us as an international family that has watched our brothers and sisters suffer.
And before you speak please please use your head and realize that this is nothing more than a tragic earthquake that displaced a huge amount of the sea shelf along a fault line... causing a huge displacement of sea water, creating a tidal wave... no greenhouse gases...no accord ...nothing could have prevented that...it is just our earth doing what she does. So please if you have to platform don't do it where it doesn't belong..instead use your energies for something that will help and uplift ..not place more hurt feelings on an already hurting world.
Thankyou... colleen from B.C. Canada
Hi there,
I've just finished reading your blog, anyways I'm wondering if you
have any photos which you would like to share?
I am www.waveofdestruction.org and I'm collecting photos, etc.
I can set you up an account so you can upload your photos there if you want.
Let me know.
Estou triste com esta tragédia, que Jesus abençoe a todos.
acho que é momento do ser humano pensar se já nao tivemos ódio o bastante, guerras o bastante, petróleo o bastante, dinheiro o bastante, tecnologia o bastante. tenho orado e acho que é momento de amar e deixar as guerras de lado. o ódio de lado. o dinheiro de lado. já não tivemos o bastante?
i think it s time to think if we had not hate enough, wars enough, oil enough, money enough, ... i ve prayed and i think it s time to love each other and leave war behind us. leave hate behind... had nt we had enough?
I don't wanna be getting involved in a lot of that debate above, but did just want to say glad you are OK. Been away from computers for a while, but thought of you when the news broke.
Eu penso que se as autoridades tivessem gasto o dinheiro do povo na implantação de sistemas de segurança, a tragédia não seria evitada, mas seria menor, com menos mortos. É preciso respeito pelos mortos, mas é preciso cobrar os "vivos" que mandam nesse povo humilde e usurpam dele o dinheiro e a alma.
This was a tsunami caused by an undersea earthquake - it has NOTHING to do with C02, greenhouse gases, sea levels or the Kyoto Protocol. We live on a planet that has tectonic plates that are still moving. Earthquakes WILL happen.
I suggest people do more research before they blame the movement of geological plates on atmospheric gases.
What can one say when such tragedy strikes. People try to place blame, but nature does not understand blame. The only thing we can do is to do our best to make help the life for those effected easier and safer. With the death toll now surpassing the 125,000 mark it boggles the mind. I pray for everyone who has been personally touched by this disaster, just know that you are not alone, the rest of the world in on the way with help...
I recently lived through hurricane Charley and I am just now starting to feel like life is normal. When I watch the news and see the devastation my heart breaks. I know a little bit of loss, loss of property loss of the sense of safety, but the loss of life is what I cannot comprehend. I am speechless.
Chris, Port Charlotte, FL
Demorei um bom tempo para entender o que havia ocorrido,então passei a me informar sobre esta catastrofe que foi um dos maiores absurdos que já vi,infelizmente as vezes estes fatos faz com que agente pare para pensar se Deus realmente existe,mas também faz com que tenhamos mais fé e esperança de um dia acabar com tantas tragédias que muitas vazes pessoas pagam com suas vidas!Agora só nos resta esperar,rezar e pedir que tudo isto acabe! (www.diricardo.zip.net)
Only a German could make the link between Kyoto Protocols and preventing a Tsunami. Rule one in Germany is that SOMEONE is to blame for everything. Rule two is that Americia IS ALWAYS to be blamed for everything. Sad, sad.
if you just sit there you wont do anything get out and do what you need to do to help like the rest of us insted of posting on this website GO AND HELP!!! my syimpathy for those efected im comeing to help!
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