Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by John - Texas on March 11, 2011:

People rushing to the beach to watch a tsunami come in gives even obliviots a bad name. There must be a stronger name for someone that stupid.

Posted by Tony in Japan on March 11, 2011:

Thanks indeed.

Work stopped suddenly yesterday afternoon as bits of the roof started falling down, and I was on the South West side of Tokyo.

A five hour ride home followed, but at least I was lucky enough to have access to a car. Many are still stuck in central Tokyo.

My wife has relatives near ground zero, no contact yet.

(At least they are not on the coast.)

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Glad to hear you're OK, Tony, and best to your relatives in the disaster area. -rc

Posted by Michelle in NM on March 11, 2011:

I appreciate the way you so eloquently stated "but today, we're all partly Japanese". That is exactly how I have felt all day, but didn't know quite how to say it. I thank you for putting it into words for all of us to read. I went through a 6.2 and cried like a little baby the whole time it was happening. I can't imagine an earthquake being nearly 3,000 times stronger, and how the suvivors are coping with the massive devastation and loss of lives. Prayers to all the people who have been and will be affected by this quake and its aftermath. Even if you don't believe in prayer, that's okay. A nice caring thought will do. (Who do you really think you're talking to inside your head?)

Posted by The Barking Unicorn on March 12, 2011:

Let us pray that no one sends cocktail dresses to Japan as "relief donations" like some idiots did during the Indonesian crisis.

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There have already been reports of scams -- spammers and other thieves getting "donations" for Japan that they keep. ONLY give to legitimate charities, such as the Red Cross or organizations you know are legit. -rc

Posted by Jackie, Tacoma, WA on March 13, 2011:

Thank you for your comments. I hope and pray that they will be able to get all of the basic necessities to people as fast as possible; the original disaster is awful, but sometimes the followup is much worse. May all of the survivors get food, water, and safe shelter, and may any still trapped in rubble or ruins (or other sticky spots) be found and rescued.

I watched a news report on this tonight, and my cousin and I both looked at each other with bewilderment when they reported on the people who went down to the beach to watch the tsunami. Seriously?? As you pointed out, evacuations happen for a reason, and we would be wise to heed them. There have to have been safe locations from which to view the tsunami.

Posted by Michael, Louisiana on March 13, 2011:

I saw live broadcast of the coastline and right on camera you could see people walking on the beach looking out at the ocean. What more of a hint could you make NOT to walk on the beach with a giant wave coming? I don't wish anyone harm, but damn!

Posted by Mike from Dallas on March 15, 2011:

My immediate thoughts were concern for those caught in the middle of it. Then for those who know of a close one(s) caught in the middle of it. Then for those who weren't caught in the middle of it, but close enough to feel the frustration trying to help those who were. If all that weren't bad enough, there's the additional threat of nuclear meltdown.

But what causes me the most concern for all those poor people is, after it's all died down, and survivors are trying to get on with their lives, the onslaught of lawyers looking to sue somebody, anybody, everybody for failing to prevent this catastrophic natural disaster from occurring in the first place. All in the name of Altruism, of course.

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I don't think Japan has a "Sue 'Em!" culture, but I guess we'll see in the next year or so. -rc

Posted by David in Bethesda, MD on March 25, 2011:

I suspect you mean "Darwinism" rather than "Social Darwinism". While "Social Darwinism" has several distinct meanings, none of them seems to match your intent.

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You're looking at classic definitions. Online, "Social Darwinism" is "A widely circulated belief that human evolution will sort itself through the actions or inactions of stupid individuals eliminating themselves from the gene pool.... See Darwin Awards." (Urban Dictionary) -- which I made quite clear in the conclusion of the sentence. -rc

Posted by Owen , Vermont on April 2, 2011:

I can't believe that you actually sent money to those little yellow animals.They can live and fight on a sock of rice for a week, and your worried about feeding them!

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I'd rather have one of those "little yellow animals" in my home than a close-minded, half-educated bigot. -rc

Posted by Jeff, Texas on April 3, 2011:

"Owen , Vermont" should know there's another name for "those little yellow animals". Human -- a title which, if he works hard, he might one day rise to.