China Earthquake, Myanmar Typhoon....

[Moonliner]

While my heart (and donations) go out to all the people effected by these disasters I have to wonder why to humans feel the need to link things like this together as some kind of sign?

I've already been party to three or four different conversations where people are asking: Why are all these disasters happening now? What is going to happen next? Is this global warming? A portent of evil? etc....

[Cadaverous Pallor]

While my heart (and donations) go out to all the people effected by these disasters I have to wonder why to humans feel the need to link things like this together as some kind of sign?

I've already been party to three or four different conversations where people are asking: Why are all these disasters happening now? What is going to happen next? Is this global warming? A portent of evil? etc....All that talk indicates is that people are forgetful, and somehow believe that we as a generation are special.

You can see this phenomenon every time the seasons change. "It's never been this cold," "The weather changed so quickly," blah blah blah. Forgetfulness and an inflated sense of self.

[Alex]

Someone at work suggested the Burma typhoon was a godly punishment. But then got offended when I asked why God punished us with Katrina, 9/11, and Two and a Half Men.

[Ghoulish Delight]

People don't like feeling out of control. If they can chalk it up to, "They musta done something to deserve punishment," then they feel like they can avoid a similar fate by avoiding doing things that deserve punishment.

[BarTopDancer]

Let's not forget the bizarre string of tornadoes too.

[Capt Jack]

All that talk indicates is that people are forgetful, and somehow believe that we as a generation are special.

You can see this phenomenon every time the seasons change. "It's never been this cold," "The weather changed so quickly," blah blah blah. Forgetfulness and an inflated sense of self.

I dont think Ive ever heard it put better.

[innerSpaceman]

The link I get is thus (and Katrina highlights it) ... in these far eastern countries, it seems like natural disasters kill tens of thousands ... while in the U.S., the worst kill "merely" thousands.


China is hardly a third-world country, but (because I can't bear to find out much about this yet on the heels of Burma), I assume this happened in a rural area. Unlike rural areas in the U.S., it seems people are jam packed in rural areas of China, Burma, India and elsewhere ... so that when natural disasters strike, tens of thousands (or more) are tragically affected.


What's worse is that the incompetence, corruption, and non-concern for affected peoples is so many times more magnified with governments in places like China and Burma when compared to even the incompetence, corruption and non-concern of the Bush Administration. With Katrina in the forefront of my thinking, these disasters in Asia boggle the mind on every level of horror.

[Gn2Dlnd]

The videos on CNN don't look rural.

[Not Afraid]

The epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude quake was in a mountainous region about 100 km from Sichuan's capital Chengdu, a bustling city of 10 million.

I think the sheer amount of damage is due to lack of building codes. When 8 schools in the region were topples, you're going to get a high death toll - considering school was in session when it happened. 900 teenagers were burried in one school site alone. Somehow, I can't imagine one of our local high schools completely collapsing in an earthquake.

[Not Afraid]

Anyone heard from BD Bopper this morning or last night? The tornados may have been close to him, but he also may be without power.

[Kevy Baby]

When 8 schools in the region were topples...They have topless schools? Is that like a "stripper academy?"

[Sub la Goon]

El Nino is back!

I really have no idea, but the previous posts make a lot of sense.
Population density, substandard buildings, ineffective or uncaring support systems...

Or maybe God just likes us better, so he kills fewer of us when He wipes His butt with our planet?

[Not Afraid]

They have topless schools? Is that like a "stripper academy?"

Are you trying to raise your post count by posting every time I have a typo?

[Kevy Baby]

Are you trying to raise your post count by posting every time I have a typo?Just the ones that amuse me. The system won't let me highlight all of your typos as I am limited to posting every thirty seconds.

:D

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I've already been party to three or four different conversations where people are asking: Why are all these disasters happening now?Well, as the Christian Wrong has so eloquently spewed in the not-too-distant past, it's The Gays! We are responsible for all "natural" disasters, the crash of the economy & housing markets, as well as being totally to blame for the failure of the war in Iraq.
Tremble before the mighty power of... THE GAY!!!! :eek:

:rolleyes:

[cirquelover]

Kevy you be nice to Lisa!!!


It is a very sad situation(s) indeed. I agree a lot of the areas hit are rural, not up to code and much harder to get help to, which makes it all the more tragic. The situation in Miramar seems especially sad but could be made a lot better if their government would allow aid to reach their country. Won't this make their gov't look even worse to their people when they let this many die in the aftermath, that could have easily been saved with a little help from the rest of the planet! I just don't get it when your pride is so large that you don't accept help when others are offering!?

[Not Afraid]

Well, my house is partially cleaned. The BIG ONE should hit any day now.

[Prudence]

I figure my piles of crap will protect me when the ceiling collapses.

[JWBear]

Bill and I were in Acres of Books this afternoon, where Bill pointed out that it would be a terrible place to be in an earthquake. I had never given it a thought before, but he's right... Yikes!

[Not Afraid]

Yes, he's right, but what a wonderful place to die.

[JWBear]

Spoken like a true bibliophile!