Please excuse the title, it was in slight bad taste.
But lets take a look at Japan right now. Other than Japan offering the perfect distraction in the media from the chaos in the middle east, they are a pretty tenacious country.
They were hit with a Magnitude 8.9 Earth quake, and then in the same day a tsunami hit them, which was a result of the earth quake. To make matters worse they are having MANY issues with the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. But what stands out to me the most about all of this is the attitude that they show in this hardship. The Japanese Government is saying that they are expecting economic growth by the end of the year, the people working at the power plant are working night and day at their own risk to put it back in control. And all of this while the last death toll (that I have heard anyway) is 8300 with several thousand still missing. Then there are the thousands that are homeless, in the end of winter, with sub-freezing weather and snow. Their resolve is something to be astonished at. One worker at the power plant was saying that something like has never happened before with the nuclear power reactors so they are not really sure what to do about it.
I think their attitude towards what is going on goes back to a previous post that I have up here talking about society. Japan has regard the self as embedded in relationships, and harmony with one's group is prized above individual goals and wishes. So in this case these works know the health risks but they dive into that power plant anyway saying "This must be done for the greater good. No matter the cost to me." I really think that Japanese have a much different sense of self that Americans have. Americans think about saving one's self, and doing things for personal glory, granted not all of the time. Japanese think "All for one, and one for all." This makes such things like this series of serious unfortunate events easier for them to get under control. Look at how fast they were able to scramble together a lot of shelters, food banks, and such. I did not pay attention half as much as I should have when Katrina hit but I don't think that America was quite as organized as Japan has been the past 10 or 11 days since the crap hit the fan.
If there is any country on this planet that can recover, well, not only recover, but turn this around for the better, it is Japan. My heart cries out for those that are lost, missing, dead, injured, or know someone who is. My thoughts and prayers are being sent out in fervor for the country as a whole in this hard time. But, I believe in Japan. I can't say that I know what it is like to be them right now; however, I can say that as of now, I stand with you, my Japanese brothers and sisters, in Hope for a speedy recovery. If hope is all I can offer than I offer it whole heartedly.
Here are some links that you can click to donate to Japan relief funds.
http://www.causes.com/campaigns/154523?m=83896074&recruiter_id=2062386
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/how-to-help-japan-earthquake-relief_n_834484.html
Please give what you can to those in need. Thank you.
Like it, or hate it, read it and share it. And as always Demand Truth.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Here we go again...
And it looks like there is a new international war brewing in Libya. France, Britain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates are starting to enforcing a No-Fly Zone over the country, and this is a very odd combination of allies. The U.S. is stating that if things don't change, they will get involved. However President Obama has stated that he is only interested in saving civilian lives, and will not deploy ground troops in Libya. However, Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former adviser to Secretary of State Clinton, is saying that the President has to back up strong demands for a cease-fire, as he did on Thursday, with swift action. It seems that she means war, no pun intended, (PRI's The World). She is saying that for Political Credibility the U.S. needs act quickly. Col. Moammar Gadhafi, will take advantage of empty threats and not stop his attack on his own people, if he thinks that the U.S. is bluffing.
On the other hand, we have Barry Posen, director of the Security Studies at MIT, says that U.S. Military involvement is a mistake. He feels that the U.S. has been far to present in the Arab nations, and that if any country takes the reins in a militaristic way that they are taking away from the victory of this revolution. The people who want this revolution need to own the revolution. This means that they need to not only lead it themselves but they also need to pay the price for it. This will of course make them more joyous and more appreciative of their victory when it comes.
Many protesters in Libya Yemen and Saudi Arabia have stated that they don't want any countries involvement in their revolution. They are willing to own their freedom and take the costs to heart.
And some of the costs are hitting very close to the chest.
Yemeni peoples have been taking the brunt of a very bloody revolution as of late. On Friday in Yemen, 46 people (including children) were methodically shot by snipers medical officials and witnesses say Hundreds were left wounded. In other words, the shooters were aiming for their targets, they were not firing at random hoping they would hit someone. The killed victims were all shot in the head and/or neck. These snipers were shooting to kill. The worst part is, this Yemen protest start off peacefully, as most of them seem to. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who's government is supported by the United States, is coming under political fire from President Obama. The U.S. President has stated that those responsible for the shootings must be held accountable for their actions. President Saleh instead has issued a 30 day nation wide state of emergency, which makes it easier for Yemeni troops to confront protesters, while making it illegal for ordinary citizens to carry firearms. The Yemeni Government is using live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, sticks, knives and rocks against protesters, in the hopes of scaring them, or causing them to be violent and nullify their revolution. The majority of Protesters refuse to bear arms and attack back in Yemen. The more that they are brutalized, the more people join the cause for revolution.
Where does all of this lead? Where does all this end? Stay tuned to find out. Like it, hate it, read it, share it, and always Demand Truth.
http://www.theworld.org/2011/03/libya-gaddafi-cease-fire/
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/18/134657570/yemeni-forces-fire-on-demonstrators-dozens-killed
On the other hand, we have Barry Posen, director of the Security Studies at MIT, says that U.S. Military involvement is a mistake. He feels that the U.S. has been far to present in the Arab nations, and that if any country takes the reins in a militaristic way that they are taking away from the victory of this revolution. The people who want this revolution need to own the revolution. This means that they need to not only lead it themselves but they also need to pay the price for it. This will of course make them more joyous and more appreciative of their victory when it comes.
Many protesters in Libya Yemen and Saudi Arabia have stated that they don't want any countries involvement in their revolution. They are willing to own their freedom and take the costs to heart.
And some of the costs are hitting very close to the chest.
Yemeni peoples have been taking the brunt of a very bloody revolution as of late. On Friday in Yemen, 46 people (including children) were methodically shot by snipers medical officials and witnesses say Hundreds were left wounded. In other words, the shooters were aiming for their targets, they were not firing at random hoping they would hit someone. The killed victims were all shot in the head and/or neck. These snipers were shooting to kill. The worst part is, this Yemen protest start off peacefully, as most of them seem to. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who's government is supported by the United States, is coming under political fire from President Obama. The U.S. President has stated that those responsible for the shootings must be held accountable for their actions. President Saleh instead has issued a 30 day nation wide state of emergency, which makes it easier for Yemeni troops to confront protesters, while making it illegal for ordinary citizens to carry firearms. The Yemeni Government is using live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, sticks, knives and rocks against protesters, in the hopes of scaring them, or causing them to be violent and nullify their revolution. The majority of Protesters refuse to bear arms and attack back in Yemen. The more that they are brutalized, the more people join the cause for revolution.
Where does all of this lead? Where does all this end? Stay tuned to find out. Like it, hate it, read it, share it, and always Demand Truth.
http://www.theworld.org/2011/03/libya-gaddafi-cease-fire/
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/18/134657570/yemeni-forces-fire-on-demonstrators-dozens-killed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)