Over 1800 dead as Tsunami from Indonesian quake hits India

[Bhaisahab]

Nearly 6,000 people have been killed after a series of killer waves called tsunamis, hit south and southeast Asia.

The tsunamis were triggered by a massive earthquake off the coast of Indonesia.

Nearly 1,800 people have been killed in India alone as the massive waves lashed parts of southern India.

http://www.ndtv.com/environment/Earthquake.asp?id=15959&callid=0

scary times these man...

[SariesNightly]

1. Overwhelming.

6000 lives, snuffed out just like that.

I couldn't begin to imagine the sufering and pain their friends and family will face.

[NYC]

2. Over 7,000 dead in 6 countries.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=1&u=/ap/20041226/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake

Indonesia - The world's most powerful earthquake in 40 years triggered massive tidal waves that slammed into villages and seaside resorts across southern and southeast Asia on Sunday, killing more than 7,000 people in six countries.

Tourists, fishermen, homes and cars were swept away by walls of water up to 20 feet high that swept across the Bay of Bengal, unleashed by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake centered off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

In Sri Lanka, 1,000 miles west of the epicenter, more than 3,000 people were killed, the country's top police official said. At least 1,870 died in Indonesia, and 1,900 along the southern coasts of India. At least 198 were confirmed dead in Thailand, 42 in Malaysia and 2 in Bangladesh.

But officials expected the death toll to rise dramatically, with hundreds reported missing and all communications cut off to Sumatran towns closest to the epicenter. Hundreds of bodies were found on various beaches along India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, and more were expected to be washed in by the sea, officials said.

More at link.

[Wilber_Stool]

3. Good info here

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Here's a link to some pics on the BBC site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4125643.stm

Unbelievable. The quake measured 8.9! Saddly, the number of deaths is sure to be a lot higher than 6000 when they sort everything out.

[NYC]

7. Strongest quake in 40 years

is what I heard.

[illflem]

5. Is GW going to declare war against the earth now?

Wait he already has

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TankLV]

8. No - based on the track record and proven idiocy of ALL repukes, it makes

perfect logic to make a statement like that.

I would like to add, I wonder in what shameless and craven way the repukes will twist yet another tragedy, into a perverted political tool for their sick agenda.

If you believe what you stated, you haven't been paying attention.

[Squatch]

9. No, fuck that.

Attributing this disaster in any way to Bush is completely assinine. You people need to put down the conspiracy koolaid and realize that the earth is still capable of immense destruction, on her own.

[jdj]

12. your reading comprehension skills are lacking.

read the post again

[Name removed]

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[jdj]

37. okay then, look up

"attribute"

and then look up

"anticipate"

[chaumont58]

40. After 9/11, Fallwell and Robertson attributed the attack to God .....

removing his protection from the US because of abortion, gay rights, all sorts of thing the fundies don't like. This earthquake has to be called an Act of God by the fundies(and insurance companies). God gets credit for good thing, but is totally innocent of bad things? The repukes have even stated Bush's reelection(or election, he was selected the first time) is an act of God.
What's wrong with pointing out Bush's abuse of the environment? He sure as hell had done it.

[Mrs. Overall]

14. This is what you really want to hear-- It was Clinton's fault....

There, feel better?

[Squatch]

16. Say what? What are you trying to insinuate?

No, this was nobody's fault. Maybe the fault of the people who decided to build seaside communities in a geographical area where earthquakes are common, disaster preparation is minimal, and infrastructures cannot deal with a disaster on this magnitude.

[Mrs. Overall]

18. No insinuation, just sarcasm. Obviously this is a horrible disaster

but can you really deny that historically politicians have used such incidents for some sort of gain?

That is all that is meant...stating this reality does not take away from the horrendous tragedy of this earthquake/tsunami.

[Squatch]

21. Well, sure. And, invariably some a-hole politician will try to

gain from this tragedy. No disagreement there.

[kwyjibo]

10. So, because all "repukes" are idiots, it's perfectly logical to be idiots

ourselves?

That's completely ridiculous. I get so sick of reading comments here because there are at least a few people in every single topic who have to make everything about GWB. He's not the center of the universe, he's not going to be of any importance 4 years from now, and he's not worthy of obsession.

[jdj]

11. I happened on xmas, so god was talking

or something, is how I would guess they'll spin it.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jdj]

38. you obviously don't live in the fundie South.

where they ARE making the connection between this and your "JEEEEEEEESUUUUUSSSSSSSSS"'s birth.

which was what my post was about, I didn't mention Bush or "the repugs".

sounds like you revealed your own obsession.

[jellybelly]

25. brilliant

Usually it takes 3 posts:7

[Minstrel Boy]

13. AP: "the quake even disturbed the Earth's rotation."

"All the planet is vibrating" from the quake, said Enzo Boschi, the head of Italy's National Geophysics Institute. Speaking on SKY TG24 TV, Boschi said the quake even disturbed the Earth's rotation.

The U.S. Geological Survey (news - web sites) measured the quake at a magnitude of 8.9. Geophysicist Julie Martinez said it was the world's fifth-largest since 1900 and the largest since a 9.2 temblor hit Prince William Sound Alaska in 1964.

Initial damage centered in the Indonesian province of Aceh on northern Sumatra. Dozens of buildings were destroyed, but as elsewhere, much of the death toll appeared to come from onrushing floodwaters.

Towns nearest the epicenter were leveled by tidal waves. An Associated Press reporter saw bodies wedged in trees as the waters receded. More bodies littered the beaches.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20041226/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake_23&printer=1

[NYC]

19. Are there consequences when the rotation is disturbed?

I would expect so.

[donsu]

29. your info is the important info - earth's rotation disturbed

reality has changed

[allemand]

26. USGS: Warnings Could Have Saved Thousands in Asia

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A warning center such as those used along the Pacific Rim could have saved most of the thousands of people who died in Asia's earthquake and tsunami, a U.S. Geological Survey official said on Sunday.

None of the countries that lost thousands -- including India, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka -- had a tsunami warning system or tidal gauges to alert people to the wall of water that followed a massive earthquake, said Waverly Person of the USGS National Earthquake Information Center.

"Most of those people could have been saved if they had had a tsunami warning system in place or tide gauges," he said.

<...>

Person also said that because tsunamis in the Indian Ocean are extremely rare, people were never taught to flee inland after they felt the tremors of an earthquake.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7179796&src=rss/domesticNews

[EuroObserver]

43. Good governments are supposed to make contingency plans

Rather than devoting wealth and resources to corrupt ruling elites.

See this independent media from the MALDIVES:

https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/12/303183.html

>> 15:57 Maldives - Gayyoom's government is totally unprepared with any rescue plans for a disaster of this scale. Reports from resorts confirm that tourists are very upset and some are injured. Others are still in shock because their dream holiday is ruined and they have come to a country that has no rescue and emergency service but only a military guard for its dictator.

The world knew about this earthquake; DO reported the earthquake in Male' at 6:36 am this morning. It was reported earlier by Reuters that there was an earthquake in Indonesia, yet Gayyoom claims he did not know.

The Maldivian death toll will rise. Government spokesman Dr. Shaheed is lying about this news as well. We have confirmed deaths, he does not. Reports are concentrating on Male' and other islands. This is an attempt to get foreign aid. No details have been given to the BBC about the situation of the thousands of holiday makers and the fate of these resorts.

Reports on DO prompted Gayyoom to make a formal appearance on TV, confirms a NSS aide.

<<

[AllyCat]

27. Has anyone heard if the US will be sending aid?

Or any other countries? Poor people. That is just terrible.

As for the unfortunate GWB discussion above, I would NOT put it past the RR to say that this is a sign from God given to this largely Hindu and Muslim region. GWB will probably remain silent about it, except for a brief, but well-televised expression of condolence.

[Minstrel Boy]

31. "Russia offers help after earthquake, tidal waves in Asia"

I've searched for it, but haven't seen a pledge of aid from the US. But there is this:

MOSCOW (AFP): Russia on Sunday said it would take part in international relief efforts after the devastating earthquake off northwestern Indonesia triggered giant tsunamis across the Indian Ocean region, killing more than 2,000 people.

Two Russian Il-76 transport planes will leave in the next few days for the region carrying tents, other supplies and rescue personnel, a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told the Interfax news agency.

Russia was preparing to provide aid to Sri Lanka andIndonesia, the ministry official, Viktor Beltsov, said.

A Russian representative would also fly to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sunday to take part in a UN-sponsored meeting of experts to discuss the requirements for international aid, he added.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=20041226190726&irec=3

[Mrs. Overall]

33. Check out Relief Web and you can find out which countries

and organizations are donating funds to this disaster:

http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vLCE/B46020E42CECE0A3C1256F76003D51A4?OpenDocument&StartKey=South+Asia:+Earthquake+and+Tsunami+-+Dec+2004&ExpandView

[AllyCat]

34. Thank you. Interesting site. n/t

[jellybelly]

28. hee hee

stupid repugs, this was caused by the bombs being dropped on Iraq!
I want to be crazy too!:crazy:

[rsmith6621]

32. LESS PEOPLE TO TAKE OUTSOURCED JOBS

N/T

[AllyCat]

35. What is the matter with you?

First off, I think the furthest thing from anyone's mind except yours is who won't be getting jobs. These people are suffering from this terrible tragedy.

Secondly, this is going to have little or no impact on outsourcing.

And thirdly, your grammar is terrible. It's "fewer jobs", not "less" jobs.

[Blue Gardener]

36. That's a mean thing to say

This is a tragedy of epic proportions, and should be treated as such. These people are suffering terribly.

[Pithy Cherub]

41. That which you wish upon others will return to haunt you... be careful

It is at times like this We All need to show the better Angels of our natures!

[Ms_Mary]

46. Careful there, Karma has teeth.

[satori]

39. Repugs tinkering with the Environment

Man made was the result of long years of the Repugs tinkering with the environment (man-made seismic hazards, multistoried construction in vulnerable fault zones, mining or quarrying, nuclear testing and through the construction of dams and reservoirs, drilling for oil and gas, pollution, destruction of the forests...) and Global warming. You won't read that in the headlines nor learn about it in college (Because of the Repug Ministry of Information) but that is the fact folks.

See the Journal of Alternative News and Information article called EARTHQUAKES: Natural or Man-Made?

Most people consider earthquakes to be natural in origin, but what if there was such a thing as man-made earthquakes? Well, there are. There is the official version of what constitutes a man-made earthquake, and then there is a body of suppressed research pointing to a more insidious agenda.

Geologists discovered that disposal of waste fluids by means of injecting them deep into the earth could trigger earthquakes after a series of earthquakes in the Denver area occurred from 1962-1965; the periods and amounts of injected waste coincided with the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes in the Denver area. The earthquakes were triggered because the liquid, which was injected under very high pressure, released stored strain energy in the rocks.2

The death and devastation caused by major earthquakes around the world can only worsen in years to come, as growing urban development and unprecedented population growth compound the lethal effects of natural and, as some researchers claim, man-made seismic hazards. With the world’s population estimated to pass the 6 billion mark this year, there are fewer unpopulated places for quakes to strike. And with ever more people to accommodate, there is more multistoried construction in vulnerable fault zones. As a result, destructive earthquakes “are the wave of the future,” seismic expert Kerry Sieh of the California Institute of Technology says. “There are 40 cities of a million or more people within 100 kilometres of a major plate boundary, and all those are good candidates for a large event.”1

Man-made earthquakes may seem like something out of the X-Files, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the idea is picked up by Hollywood. This year, best-selling thriller author Ken Follett released his latest book, Hammer of Eden, about a terrorist group threatening to level San Francisco with a man-made earthquake. When asked by Salon Magazine how real is the idea of a man-made earthquake, Follett replied that “Some of the seismologists told me, ‘There’s no way this could happen.’ But others gave sad little shrugs and said, ‘It’s hard to say. Who knows? Maybe. It’s within the realm of possibly.’”

http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/Articles/Earthquakes%20Natural%20or%20Man-made.html

[jdj]

42. I don't know anything about this, and I don't think speculation

about it should detract from the focus on the victims, but what people seem to miss although it is readily apparent, is that we live in the kind of world where there are people who WILL do things like this if they CAN do it. I don't know why people don't want to face this. The viability of the documentation on it becomes the issue that clouds the fact that the majority of progressives just aren't cynical enough. Lots of things may never be proven, but I don't attribute restraint and morality to people who have proven over and over that they have none.

[satori]

45. Modern science is not factual but is based upon theories of the unknown

Modern science such as those concerning the theories surrounding atom is all based upon the unknown. Even Einstein had no factual basis to explain how the theories concerning the atom work.

[jdj]

48. good point.

despite all evidence to the contrary, people here are way too quick to pour calumney on suspicions of foul play.

Either they are trolls, or, even more disturbing, they do this because they can't deal psychologically with what accepting certain things as true would mean to their worldview. In psychology this is called, ironically, the "elephant in the living room" syndrome. The Republicans are EONS ahead of democrats in that they have tailored their spin and marketing to the child-hood trainings of their base, the early childhood paradigms engineered by religion and fairy-tale based public education. They know what early mind formation buttons to push to program their folks in the lockstep march to shooting themselves in the foot, and yet democrats are held back by the same function of early brain development, iow we can't FACE that they ARE doing this, because the TRUTH is to daunting to digest. I want to expect more of liberals, but we keep letting me down.

edit: and I just thought of something else too. Scientists base their theories on behavior of whatever they are studying, on the effects, and deduce the cause.

If certain effects keep happening, then a constant cause is probable, i.e. then certain behaviors are repeating. Iow, why did we think they would not steal 2004 when they stole 2000. We have met the problem, and it is our own denial.

[Ms_Mary]

44. Reuters now reporting nearly 9.500 dead and higher death toll expected.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7179932&pageNumber=0

[NYC]

47. Now 11,300 dead.

There will be more.

[SariesNightly]

50. Discovery channel stuff

I saw something about mega tsunamis on Discovery some time back, the waves would be as high as a 100 metres from crest to trough and will devastate the entire eastern seaboard, all the way to south America, Britain and Spain.

I dismissed it as kookie science. Now I'm not too sure.

[truthpusher]

49. Tsunami kills 4,422 in Indonesia -Health Ministry

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK135059.htm

[Moderator]

51. locking - use updated thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1099796&mesg_id=1099796