03/30/11
In recent weeks, all responsible eyes have been turned to the Nation of Japan, and to the unstoppable power of Nature which--in all its mindless fury-- has left this Nation in shambles; we witnessed in shock, as the tsunami rolled inexorably onward, sweeping away lives, families, homes, businesses, and, in the process, loosing fatal amounts of radiation in the air from damaged plants, and...in sub-zero weather.
The tsunami almost placidly tossed automobiles about like toys, and leveled houses; entire prefectures were erased from the earth, and countless lives were lost. We may never know how many.
In less than twenty-four hours, an hearty Nation with its growing economy, was reduced to mud and rubble; its automobile industry stalled, while the general, past quality of life of its peoples were thrown backwards into the dark ages. And full recovery will doubtlessly take years.
All of this was changed in a moment, hardly an eye-blink of geologic time.
There is--and will continue to be--grief, loss, and bewilderment at a way of life so drastically altered.
We knew, even as we watched in disbelief that such a titanic event that befell Japan could happen--at any time--to us.
The mighty forces of Nature know no boundaries, no political division, no regard for any religion, nor ideology; it is, in truth, equal in its sudden wrath, equal in the damage it leaves behind, and--in the case of Japan, equal in its disregard for nation states, whether they be democracies, oligarchies, or under tyrannical rule.
It knows not Kings, nor Emperors. It cannot distinguish the well-off from the oppressed.
It mindlessly kills because it has no mind.
Catastrophic natural events neither love, nor hate; it knows no favorites among the world's populace.
There have been posts that imply that this disaster was in some way, due retribution for past events; these 'posters' have small minds, small hearts, and small souls.
But despite the earthquake, the tsunami, the radiation, and the freezing weather that has nearly destroyed the 'body' of the nation of Japan, it has been its peoples--the very heart--of that nation that has thus sustained it, and, over time, will help it to recover.
Even those who cast jaded eyes upon a ruined Japan, could not deny the kindness, the sacrifice, the tenacity of the Japanese people; there were no riots. No looters. No mayhem in the devastated streets as there might well be in, say, America. No armed uprisings over lack of water, food, clothing, or warmth. Instead, there was--and is--volubly expressed the nobility of the Japanese, with its purposed, reasoned calm despite the shock, to unite, to self-sacrifice, and to help each other--stranger to stranger--as if part of a larger family, that of Man.
Would workers voluntarily return to make repairs to nuclear power plants, even when they fully knew, that, to do so incontestably meant their deaths from radiation exposure ? These mostly nameless individuals are nothing less than true heroes.
As were the brave firefighters, and policemen during '9/11/'.
True heroism is not a quality that we are generally disposed to; ; this--in the light of survival of self--is, in itself, not an apportionment of blame.
True heroes are the ones that step away from the fleeing crowds to say, "Don't be afraid...I can help".
One need only to look at history to be moved by Roosevelt's admonition the, "The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself". Or of Winston Churchill's advise to the English nation to, "..stay calm, and carry on".
And we have seen that demonstrated over and over and over again in Japan.
I am sure that many--while being stunned by the gravity of the disaster--found a few, extra tears to shed over that video that showed one dog protecting another.
While watching the slow, but sure swath of devastation, watching as homes were reduced to matchsticks, and then swept away; watching ( as helplessly as did the Japanese ), as lives were lost, and families hopelessly separated.
What was not lost, although it may have flickered in the face of tradegy, was a culture spanning centuries; one of self-reliance, patience, and a recognition of service to others.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons will always exist, to let loose the hounds of Hell upon Man, who cannot but reel helplessly before their might.
The scope of the tradegy in Japan should cause us to examine ourselves, even in all our variety. And despite our differences in race, religion, or politics, we should be joined in concert to rush to supply relief, aid, and comfort to Japan, and its brave citizens, and to help restore infrastructure that has been effectively wiped away.
Express your concern(s) to your elected officials. Forget for a moment our own ruined economy, ruined not by some fearsome natural disaster, but by unmitigated greed.
Find a legitimate charity ( one that actually uses most of its donations to help those intended ). Give what you can, even if its just a modest sum. Complain about the failed economy to those who drove it there; are we not just a small bit responsible ourselves ?
It is not a time to chest-beat, or to sabre-rattle, or to declare ourselves American, French, Russian, or, Japanese.
But, rather, to stand tall, declaring ourselves to be Human, and as Human, part of the greater Humanity of Man.
I thank you, and wish for you ( and the Japanese ), a night of quiet, warm, secure, and restorative rest.
May the Great Spirit bless and protect you.
In recent weeks, all responsible eyes have been turned to the Nation of Japan, and to the unstoppable power of Nature which--in all its mindless fury-- has left this Nation in shambles; we witnessed in shock, as the tsunami rolled inexorably onward, sweeping away lives, families, homes, businesses, and, in the process, loosing fatal amounts of radiation in the air from damaged plants, and...in sub-zero weather.
The tsunami almost placidly tossed automobiles about like toys, and leveled houses; entire prefectures were erased from the earth, and countless lives were lost. We may never know how many.
In less than twenty-four hours, an hearty Nation with its growing economy, was reduced to mud and rubble; its automobile industry stalled, while the general, past quality of life of its peoples were thrown backwards into the dark ages. And full recovery will doubtlessly take years.
All of this was changed in a moment, hardly an eye-blink of geologic time.
There is--and will continue to be--grief, loss, and bewilderment at a way of life so drastically altered.
We knew, even as we watched in disbelief that such a titanic event that befell Japan could happen--at any time--to us.
The mighty forces of Nature know no boundaries, no political division, no regard for any religion, nor ideology; it is, in truth, equal in its sudden wrath, equal in the damage it leaves behind, and--in the case of Japan, equal in its disregard for nation states, whether they be democracies, oligarchies, or under tyrannical rule.
It knows not Kings, nor Emperors. It cannot distinguish the well-off from the oppressed.
It mindlessly kills because it has no mind.
Catastrophic natural events neither love, nor hate; it knows no favorites among the world's populace.
There have been posts that imply that this disaster was in some way, due retribution for past events; these 'posters' have small minds, small hearts, and small souls.
But despite the earthquake, the tsunami, the radiation, and the freezing weather that has nearly destroyed the 'body' of the nation of Japan, it has been its peoples--the very heart--of that nation that has thus sustained it, and, over time, will help it to recover.
Even those who cast jaded eyes upon a ruined Japan, could not deny the kindness, the sacrifice, the tenacity of the Japanese people; there were no riots. No looters. No mayhem in the devastated streets as there might well be in, say, America. No armed uprisings over lack of water, food, clothing, or warmth. Instead, there was--and is--volubly expressed the nobility of the Japanese, with its purposed, reasoned calm despite the shock, to unite, to self-sacrifice, and to help each other--stranger to stranger--as if part of a larger family, that of Man.
Would workers voluntarily return to make repairs to nuclear power plants, even when they fully knew, that, to do so incontestably meant their deaths from radiation exposure ? These mostly nameless individuals are nothing less than true heroes.
As were the brave firefighters, and policemen during '9/11/'.
True heroism is not a quality that we are generally disposed to; ; this--in the light of survival of self--is, in itself, not an apportionment of blame.
True heroes are the ones that step away from the fleeing crowds to say, "Don't be afraid...I can help".
One need only to look at history to be moved by Roosevelt's admonition the, "The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself". Or of Winston Churchill's advise to the English nation to, "..stay calm, and carry on".
And we have seen that demonstrated over and over and over again in Japan.
I am sure that many--while being stunned by the gravity of the disaster--found a few, extra tears to shed over that video that showed one dog protecting another.
While watching the slow, but sure swath of devastation, watching as homes were reduced to matchsticks, and then swept away; watching ( as helplessly as did the Japanese ), as lives were lost, and families hopelessly separated.
What was not lost, although it may have flickered in the face of tradegy, was a culture spanning centuries; one of self-reliance, patience, and a recognition of service to others.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons will always exist, to let loose the hounds of Hell upon Man, who cannot but reel helplessly before their might.
The scope of the tradegy in Japan should cause us to examine ourselves, even in all our variety. And despite our differences in race, religion, or politics, we should be joined in concert to rush to supply relief, aid, and comfort to Japan, and its brave citizens, and to help restore infrastructure that has been effectively wiped away.
Express your concern(s) to your elected officials. Forget for a moment our own ruined economy, ruined not by some fearsome natural disaster, but by unmitigated greed.
Find a legitimate charity ( one that actually uses most of its donations to help those intended ). Give what you can, even if its just a modest sum. Complain about the failed economy to those who drove it there; are we not just a small bit responsible ourselves ?
It is not a time to chest-beat, or to sabre-rattle, or to declare ourselves American, French, Russian, or, Japanese.
But, rather, to stand tall, declaring ourselves to be Human, and as Human, part of the greater Humanity of Man.
I thank you, and wish for you ( and the Japanese ), a night of quiet, warm, secure, and restorative rest.
May the Great Spirit bless and protect you.
