I am sorry I think I may have been in a bit of denial, folks.

[Bonobo]

Sorry, it is starting to sink in more.

I was away all day and am now starting to absorb the enormity of this more.

I apologize to those I offended. I was, as someone said, a bit "dickish".

In my defense, I can only say that I think I may be stuck in the denial phase a bit right now.

I love this country, Japan, and this year I will become a naturalized Japanese citizen.

I am weeping now as I watch the human damage --far worse than I had thought.

Again, please accept my apologies.

Sometimes, one can be too close to see things clearly.

;( ;( ;( ;( ;(

[PA Democrat]

1. No need to apologize.

My heart is breaking for the people of Japan. I can only imagine how you are suffering.

:hug:

[babydollhead]

2. You are there. we are here.

It is very sad and awful and scary. You are human, we are very complicated thinkers and feelers. You are not alone. I stand with you, holding your hand, not knowing, only being.

[tosh]

3. Denial is a very effective coping mechanism.

I discoverd this myself during the weeks of watching the BP geyser flow.

Stay safe!!

[KittyWampus]

4. We are all connected.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. It's difficult to see the entire picture when you're too close

You're in the throws of a major traumatic event. No one should be judging you for being a bit in denial.

[rucky]

6. Just stay safe. n/t

[derby378]

7. Take care of yourself, okay?

:hug:

[meow mix]

8. i wish the pro-nukers were honest people, like you

i find thier attitude in this horrific time to be vile.

[snappyturtle]

9. Denial is purposeful....gives one a chance to absorb the enormity of

situations without being totally overwhelmed....Be safe and keep us posted! Please.

[jannyk]

10. I see no need for an apology - you were probably in shock. I did some

pretty weird things after experiencing the Loma Prieta earthquake up close and personal. I wanted to be very blase and brave, and was for a day or two, but then I broke down and became a sniveling wreck for a week or more. Of course, I got over it, but I was pretty weird for a while. And what you guys are going through makes Loma Prieta look like a 'blip', I cannot imagine what it is like.

We're here because we care. We're here for you - if you want us to be.


:hug:

[Bonobo]

13. Thanks...

I think I am entering stage 2...

Maybe the whole country is too.

[babydollhead]

11. this does not compare, I know...

we had a mouse in our house and my kids were helping dad herd it into a space where dad could scoop it up and put it outside. Our youngest and loudest, then 2 years old marched behind everyone chanting "there is no mouse! there is no mouse!" Then the mouse stopped and stood under out Christmas tree and her little face took a moment to crumble. So now we always say, "There is No Mouse!" when we are in denial. I know this is small and nothing compared, just some food for thought.

[Solly Mack]

12. I'm glad you're alive. Please know my thoughts are with you and yours...

and everyone in Japan.

I've been worried sick - not about the end of times - but about people having to suffer even more when they have already suffered so much. In a disaster - the hits can just keep coming and you just want it all to stop so people can have the chance to breathe. To catch a break, so to speak, when your world is falling a part around you.

Please keep us updated.

[Kuroneko]

14. Maybe overconfidant?

We are so in use of earthquake that maybe we have a tendency to forget how much they are dangerous.

I fear that a lot of people didn't runaway because they believe that it was an usual earthquake with a 50cm tsunami. Sadly it was an exceptional strong one...

[sabrina 1]

52. Welcome to DU, so very sorry for what is happening in your

country. Yes, sometimes people do get used to things and don't recognize immediately when something this big happens tgat it is not 'usual'. It is very understandable.

Condolences to your country. This is so sad. :cry:

[Mnemosyne]

15. We are weeping with you, Bonobo.

:grouphug::cry::grouphug::cry::grouphug::cry::grouphug::cry::grouphug::cry::grouphug::cry::grouphug:

I don't know what else to say, but you are in my prayers. :hug:

[Dappleganger]

16. When you're in the thick of the forest it's hard to see the trees...

the news is giving a bird's eye view which I would imagine is tough to see from where you are right now. Like you, at first I didn't think it was nearly as bad but it appears that unfortunately it's far worse. :(

:hug:

[cali]

17. You have nothing to apologize for.

:hug:

[bullwinkle428]

18. Totally understandable. I can't speak for every DUer, but I'm assuming

that nearly all of us were just overwhelmed beyond belief at the incredible horror and devastation that was unfolding through yesterday's pictures and videos, and were venting on this board in an absolutely sincere and candid expression of grief for your country.

[KittyWampus]

21. The video of that wave engulfing the farming village and cars has been haunting me.

[jannyk]

25. Me too - It has affected me quite strongly

and I've had trouble sleeping the last two nights.

[bullwinkle428]

51. I only thought I'd go through life watching something as horrible as that

unfold in some kind of disaster epic movie.

[adigal]

61. Me, too, be careful what you watch

It can cause some serious PTSD, even though you are not personally involved. I am limiting the visuals after seeing that.

[QC]

19. It is good to see that you are OK!

I have been worried about you.

[Hannah Bell]

20. cooling turbine just delivered to fukushima per nihon terebi

[Bonobo]

22. I just hope the downward spiral stops and this doesn't keep going south.

So scary...

I think Japan needs all the help it can get now.

I wish these fucking earthquakes would stop. These poor people have had enough!

[Dappleganger]

24. Just keep telling yourself that it *will* stop

and tell others, too. In disaster mode you have to take one day at a time. Remind those around you how they came together in the past as a community to help each other and that you will all get through it together again. Sometimes when our emotions are on edge we forget our history.

[jannyk]

27. Lots of help on the way B. Koreans (the first to land) have just arrived

and there are many more on the way...even Christchurch (NZ) are sending a team. And us Brits - who have no earthquakes - have teams of search and rescue humans/dogs in the air and on the way. Everyone will help, as Japan is always the first to step up and help others.

Help is on the way!

[uppityperson]

43. They will, eventually. My husband was telling me after the Loma Preita (sp?) one in

CA yrs back, what was scary was the continuing strong aftershocks. Not knowing if it was "just" a shaker or another big one.

Emergencies happen, then continue for a while, eventually a handle on it happens. Not as fast as anyone wants and people suffer and die in the meantime. It sucks.

:hug:

[kpete]

23. we are human

we make mistakes everyday
you have been enlightened by tragedy
there is no shame in this,

peace, kpete

[meow mix]

26. k&r for the nukie ostriches

[Whisp]

28. you have more important things to think about than offending some

keyboard warriors.

But you are a good person for saying so, nonetheless.

Best to you and yours and all around you.

[mmonk]

29. Be safe.

No apologies needed.

[etherealtruth]

30. Denial ...

.... for a time, helps one get to a place where they can deal with the enormity of a situation.

This is an overwhelming tragedy .... and none of us knows what to do or how to react.

[lunatica]

31. This is too huge to take in when it first happens

We were all in denial at first. It's a perfectly natural reaction. Don't beat yourself up. You have a hell of a lot to cope with right now. DU is on your side.

[AsahinaKimi]

32. My heart is with Japan

頑張れ日本

Donations can be made here: http://www.globalgiving.org

[Swede]

33. Hang in there B.

Apology is not required from this DUer.

[WolverineDG]

34. No need to apologize

You're in the thick of it, & sometimes the enormity of it all takes time to sink in & be processed. Those who said you were "dickish" have probably never been through a traumatic experience & so don't know how to respond to someone going through one.

:hug:

dg

[Snoutport]

35. we are with you buddy!

no offense! it is scary and rough.

We have your back if you need it!

[tekisui]

36. Be well, Bonobo. I can only imagine what you must be going through.

[Rex]

37. NP. At least you apologized. Sorry for calling your other post BS.

Goodluck and I hope everything turns out as good for you as possible in the current situation.

[dkf]

38. Hoping for the best is all you and we can do.

I have never seen anything so horrific play out before my eyes. I am clinging to the numbers they are giving us that there were less than 1000 lost but I wonder how that can be when I see what happened. I can't reconcile the two either.

[EFerrari]

39. It's okay, Bonobo.

:hug:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

40. I held back from replying on that thread... Bonobo, my best of thoughts for you and all of the

people in Japan. :hug:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

63. Kicking for those who are still responding to your first thread without reading this one.

[uppityperson]

41. I've never thought you dickish, if you were short at all, very understandable

Thank you for reporting in what's happening and my condolences on it all. Am watching closely as I live in NW WA where one day it will be us, less prepared by far.

I am glad you are ok, best wishes

[SidDithers]

42. I don't think you were wrong about the disaster junkies...

who breathlessly post worst-case scenarios before pertinent details are known.

Still, stay safe.

Sid

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

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

[roguevalley]

44. Don't worry. Just take care. I have been 'dickish' lately too and I'm

sorry. It makes me sick not to be civil. Take care, honey.

[upi402]

45. Amends are so inspiring

:pals:

[StarryNite]

47. It's okay...

I think we're all on an emotional roller coaster at the moment. It must be really difficult being right there where it's all unfolding. :grouphug:

[northernlights]

48. no need to apologize...you are in the midst of it

and were in shock. The stoic people you saw were probably numb with shock as well.

We were at a safe distance, watching events unfold with horror.

[suffragette]

49. Stages of grief can affect us through events just as through

personal loss.

And shock and denial are a natural response and can provide protection to give us time to absorb what has occurred.

:hug: to you from the other side of the Pacific.

[Brickbat]

50. This is a brave thing to post.

[Bonobo]

53. kick

[joshcryer]

54. I remember the feeling seeing cars being swept away and feeling bad for my reaction.

Lots of caps, lots of freaking out. I felt bad then, so I shut the fuck up. It's bad. Really bad. But let's be clear that the nuclear reactor is the least worrisome aspect of the disaster.

[uppityperson]

55. I was reading what you were posting as you posted and felt really bad along with you

:hug:

[joshcryer]

58. The cars were driving down the road, and it just, was impossible for me.

I am kinda glad they cut away and went to the refinery fire.

[kristopher]

56. I feel the same.

Congratulations on the citizenship; it is a very large move. I hope it works for you.

[Fleshdancer]

57. You have nothing to apologize for

I'm just glad to know that you are safe and I hope the same can be said for everyone in your life. :hug:

[swilton]

59. Take Care of yourself

[adigal]

60. ((((Hugs)))) to you and the Japanese people

You are good friends to us, and my heart is breaking for all of your people.

Peace,

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

62. .......

[Generic Other]

64. Have been frantically contacting people for two days

I feel almost foolish when we finally find them safe. Tears and laughter at the drama. But those we can't contact, we still fear the worst for.

No need to apologize for any emotions one feels in this awful time.

:grouphug:

[steve2470]

65. Take care of yourself, please, and your loved ones nt