I've finally figured out my feelings on the Tsunami...

[HEyHEY]

I have felt a combination of anger at myself and the Western World for being so fortunate, as well as guilt. I think I feel the most angry when I think that I'm not doing anything. Sure I'll donate money and tell everyone else to. But when I lay in bed at night I can't help but think how far removed from the terrible situation in Southeast Asia I am. And how many people are bedding down among the stench of death; in dark, pain-filled camps with nothing but memories of loved ones and nightmares of their fate to keep them company.
It is really disturbing, how lucky we are to live where we do and how many are in opposite circumstances.
Not only is the money there to help fix any disaster here, but we never seem to really get hit by any.
I wish there was something more I could do, but there isn't, and that upsets me even more.
Since this happened I've read story after story about the loss of life in the area and wonder if anyone in the West really cares, or even has stopped to think of the magnitude of this situation. THen I wonder if after it's dealt with, we will make sure it never happens again. Sadly I think soon we'll be back to our regular lives and people in SEA will be back in there's. We won't do anything to help those in need. They'll keep being the neglected children of the world family. Crying, screaming, and dying - but no-one who can help seems to care.
And that makes me the maddest of all.

That's all I can say about it.

[Droopy]

1. It's amazing how the world came together after 9/11

I haven't been watching the news lately, so I wonder if we are coming together like we did on 9/11. I really doubt Bush is doing much. He doesn't give a damn about anything but his so-called mandate.

[Solly Mack]

2. Thank you

you touched the heart of the matter for many of us

[Bluzmann57]

3. I too donated money

and felt a bit guilty I could not do more. I see that they are burying bodies in mass graves using heavy equipment, which I operate. Now, I suppose a person like me could volunteer for a detail like that, but quite frankly, that would make me ill. As far as disaster is concerned, yes, we have been very lucky that we have never been hit like that, but at the risk of sounding superior, we have buildings and equipment here in the USA that are disaster proof, to some extent. Earthquakes in California and buildings have minimal damage because people have learned from bitter experience. We also have insurance to the hilt and nobody I know, including me, refuses to collect on it if needed. Having said this, it is certainly sad and it would be nice to be able to do more for those people. I suspect that we may see an influx of Asian orphans in this country soon. That isn't so bad, except that these children went through hell and many will never forget it.

[fishnfla]

4. You're suffering from guilt

Very common amongst survivors, liberals and those of conscience.

Feeling hopeless and unable to stop all the worlds problems.

The thing is, it never ends.

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. I'm also very sad.

When I saw the pic of that Sri Lankan mother holding her dead child and crying 'Why?', it really drove home (again) the fact that some things like love and grief are universal. I don't feel guilty about their misfortune, as opposed to my good fortune, but it also strengthens my resolve to continue doing what I can to alleviate as much pain, suffering, poverty, war and injustice in this world as I can.

One thing that has helped me, HH, has been to remember that P and I are foster parents for 2 Ethiopan kids, through Save the Children. I can't cure the world's ills or pain, but I can help to cure theirs.

:hug:

[JimmyJazz]

6. The actions of the pResident do not reflect the reactions of those

who have a beating heart. Words cannot even begin to express the pain in my heart. :hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

7. Amen, Jimmy Jazz. You expressed my thoughts exactly.

[JimmyJazz]

8. Thanks. I didn't think I said much, but thanks.

:hug:

I just can't cry hard enough over this. And the callousness of that jackass in Crawford makes my blood boil.