I’ve heard people say we shouldn’t give money to Japan, because they said something a while back about U.S. workers being lazy. Big freaking deal. “Somebody from your country called me a bad name, so I’m going to let you die?” I don’t think so.
I’ve heard people say that it’s stupid to give money to the Third Largest Economy In The World. Well, I might be naive, but I don’t think anyone is trying to prop up the Japanese economy. I doubt much of the money being given will show up in the coffers of some multinational corporation. I’m pretty sure most people are trying to get food and water to a bunch of hungry, cold, thirsty, scared people.
And there’s the arguments about giving to the Red Cross, and how we shouldn’t support that relief effort because of mismanagement, and we shouldn’t do this or that or the other thing. Yes, we need to have that conversation, and several others. But not this minute.
I’m not going to walk into a group of people who only want to help, who would fly over there and start clearing rubble with their bare hands if they could, that they’re being stupid and wrong. Could we please reserve that conversation for some other day?
For most people, right now, money is a metaphor for a shoulder to lean on. Right now, today, this week, it’s a way of saying “I love you.” Human to human, hand to hand.
And there’s just no good reason for telling people they’re stupid when what they’re really doing is offering up a prayer.
dottedyellowline 
3 comments
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March 20, 2011 at 12:18 am
lella
This disaster is so huge that people should be ashamed of themselves for being mean spirited about it. This would compare to the coast of California from Monterey Bay on down being crushed, then washed over by a wave, and everything being dragged out to sea, in the midst of a winter that was colder than any ever recorded here. Why can’t they have a little sympathy. What hard hearts we live with now.
The local rag says that this is not likely to slow the push to build reactors. I just toss up my hands.
March 23, 2011 at 6:36 am
Lanea
Well said. I’m still trying to track down a friend over there. He’s probably fine. He was in Kyoto. He must be fine. Every time I get a little shaky and worried, I toss a bit more money at the people who are helping the displaced and wounded, because I can’t fly over there myself to look for Danny. Shanti shanti shanti.
March 23, 2011 at 9:31 am
sallyjo
The world is too big to be as small as it’s become.