Earthquake-Tsunami Heartbreak Puts Our Lives In Perspective

[Zomby Woof]

The contrast provided at times like these for the people of Indonesia and the other nations affected by the weekend's horrendous events must give one pause.

So, please... give some though today the suffering and sorrow of the tens of thousands whose lives have been wrecked tragically by the recent quakes and tsunamis.

We are, by and large, a fortunate group of human beings here on DU. We have homes, families, friends, and each other. We have pets, food, material goods. Some of us are hurting, and I won't downplay that. But your hurt too, shall pass. Take it from someone who learned hard lessons about hurt and loss these past three years.

Take a moment, and make sure the people who matter in your life know how you feel about them by the end of this week... this year... 2005 is coming quickly.

Thanks all. :loveya:

[chiburb]

1. Yep.

This has touched me like nothing since the Kirsk submarine...

Nice words and thoughts, ZW.

Thank you.

[nytemare]

2. I just heard the US is going to give 15 million dollars.

I would love to have 15 million, but for the disaster that these people experienced and considering we gave Halliburton a no bid contract which will add up to probably 15 billion, 15 million does not seem like a lot of money.

My heart goes out to these people.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. This is why I pay taxes, in my opinion

Not to start pointless destructive wars, not to enrich campaign contributors, but to aid my fellow man wherever he may live.

It should be 15 billion dollars.

[nytemare]

7. There was an update that the 15 million was just a start

A fellow on the news said that we give .02 or .2 percent(bad memory)of our GNP for things like this. I wish we would give more to earthquake victims and aid than to crapheads in Halliburton to leave trucks with a flat tire in the desert and abandon them. I imagine the money to replace those trucks would go a lot further helping these vicitms.

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. Good, cause the way things are looking

that's peanuts.

[sybylla]

3. I was moved to tears this morning watching the news coverage

After the shock wore off, of course. I didn't sleep well and woke up early. Turned on the dish and watched News World International and couldn't turn it off for two and a half hours even though they kept replaying the same news every hour. I just couldn't take it all in. It was hard to believe that there could be so much destruction in so many countries in such a short time.

I was particularly struck by the footage of a young woman in Indonesia holding the water-ravaged body of her dead toddler and yelling at the world. I didn't know the language but I knew exactly what she was saying. Just thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes.

I'm going to pick a couple of charities off of quaoar's list
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2871263
and send in what ever I can.

[nini]

4. I've been watching the CNN coverage onboard ..

.... and I had this feeling this morning exactly the same as you. Almost guilt being out here in no where land and so many people are truly suffering not only there but just about everywhere on this planet.

I am grateful for all those I have in my life I love - even the ones I want to break their necks sometimes (you know who I'm talking about). I need to be reminded that I have it better than most people of this planet and to appreciate it.


:loveya:

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. You going all mushy on us in your old age, Zomby?

Here, have a strong cup of ZombyCoffee.

[SOteric]

8. Too true.

It was hard for me to understand why so many in other countries thought all Americans wealthy. Then I had the good fortune to travel and learnt that not all people in all countries have food and shelter. Many go without meals more often than they come across food. Some places in Eastern Europe the whole village has only one phone and a individual has to be on a waiting list for years just to get the chance to buy a car, a computer or get phone services.

In the Global Village, we are the wealthy; even the poorest amoung us.

And in the words of String...or Stink...or whatever the name of that Rock Star with more money than god, "how fragile we are."

:hug: :hi:

[FizzFuzz]

9. Thanks Zomby, you're a mensch

I didn't know what to do with the guilt feelings about being safe and fortunate here, while across this very same world, monstrous suffering.

Not easy to look at such disparity.

[Catchawave]

10. Thanks Z-Woof

For putting it all in perspective. And for some reason, and as hard as I try, I DO try to give * the benefit of the doubt, he's our President, as much as he annoys me, he's our President. In the past 36 hours, he's disappointed me more than he has in the past 4 years.

Ya know, flitting off to the ranch and all. Just pisses me off. Can't he have a photo-op or two looking (acting?) concerned ?

I'm just so embarrassed for our country right now.

[Zomby Woof]

11. A LOT OF DU'ers HAVE BEEN IN PAIN THIS PAST WEEK

For those of us with lives going well or close enough to well, let us support them too. It has been a rough month to close a helluva year for many of our friends on here.

[BigMcLargehuge]

13. OK, Who are you and what have you done with ZombyWoof?

No, seriously, rarely have more meaningful and heartfelt words been spoken in the lounge. I'd also like to add, give to the Red Cross at www.apple.com.

Thanks ZW for putting that prism up for us!

:hug:

[HEAVYHEART]

14. Thanks for this thread

I've done nothing today, but post on the DU lounge and read every news and photo I can find about the tsunami tragedy. At one time, I saw a photo of this little girl who drowned and all you can see are her arms reaching out. I couldn't stop crying, I had to stop answering phones at work for a few minutes. Thanks.

[Debi]

15. It's a way to start the New Year

off on the right track. For some of us personally and for our entire country. Compassion and financial support. Maybe the world won't see us as the monsters the current administration has made us look like.

[sundog]

16. Thanks for the post

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

17. Been doing it all day. I have to tell everybody I love how much they mean

to me.

[Mrs. Venation]

18. I Work With Two People From India

and one from Sri Lanka. My friends' families in India are all okay. My friend from Sri Lanka told me her town was virtually destroyed and she is unable to reach any family or friends there. My heart is breaking for her.

:cry: