Japan Earthquake 2011: Should the United States Help Based on Japan's Response to Hurricane Katrina?

It must be a nightmare to Japanese.

understand very well what a tragedy of this type because in America there are earthquakes and tornadoes and hurricanes that have to support the Japanese people

DarkSinister, many thanks for your message, and much appreciate the link and support.

Let's hope this ends soon, and Japan can rebuild.

I look forward to reading more of your stuff.

Best wishes,

Ross

Darksinister, great article, from the heart.

I have been in Japan for 8 years now, and can attest to the out pouring of generosity that Japan showed in the wake of hurricane Katrina. People were collecting on the street, charity concerts were held and the TV stations really made the people aware of the plight of those in New Orleans and beyond. Usually the Japanese are not so aware of international affairs, but at this time, they took it to heart.

As you say, people care!

Best wishes,

Ross

@Plain Jane - I think the point is no one had ever had anything like the atomic bombs kill that many people in the blink of an eye and fortunately no one ever has since. What happened to the Japanese was unthinkable at the time. It would be understandable if they held a grudge but instead they became our friends. Both sides killed hundreds of thousands in the war, but nothing compared to those horrendous bombs.

"...They did this for people from the nation that sixty years earlier had killed tens of thousands of their countrymen with the dropping of two bombs that were more devastating than any weapon ever utilized before or since..."

Let us not forget that the Japanese Imperial Army first killed hundreds of thousands hence the atomic bombs to stop them.

@Jimmy: You're exactly right! I did say I accept that things are out of my control, so I handle them to the best of my ability. That's all anyone can do. I had no intention on elaborating the facts of why Japan built their nuclear plants on a fault line. But if I felt like it, I would move to Japan, as it's a beautiful place and culture. But I'm an American, and proud to be one, and choose to stay in my country. (With or without that husband, although my current fiancé would do anything to make us happy, that is also living life to it's fullest, who knows we may catch an episode of Jersey Shore, not our style but maybe with a Valium I could handle it if he liked it, but he doesn't so...)

If you or anyone did a little research on power sources the Japanese are working on, then you wouldn't sound like you're trying to be a jerk as well. Since I do have Internet friends that live there I learn from them. http://www.japannuclear.com/nuclearpower/program/s... is a great link to learn about them switching power sources. (Since you are redundant in saying "we've treated Mother Nature like crap for so long she's retaliating. What goes around comes around" are both in a short "Karma," doesn't make you appear the brightest candle on the Menorah)

NO ONE CAUSED AN EARTH QUAKE UNDER THE OCEAN FLOOR.

So rather than spewing nonsense and trying to dis me for my live and let live lifestyle, why don't you do what you say and forget what other American's are doing, and focus on yourself and GO LEND THAT HELPING HAND.

American's do help American's, it's called

"C-h-a-r-i-t-y" and it doesn't mean American's can't enjoy Jersey shore or say, a Japanese game or show!

So, exactly Al..er.. Jimmy, what are you doing to help with Katrina? I believe the city is coming around, and let's see..

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53717 shows that our Government regardless of their slackness, have not forgotten about New Orleans / Katrina.

It's obvious you have no idea of Charity or what American's really do to help ourselves and the world.

Sure we need to look after ourselves, as does every country, but it doesn't mean life comes to a screeching halt just because you don't like the fact that, well, I'm obviously more intelligent than you and I'm more of a humanist than you. In fact, if you feel so horrible about Japan, why don't you go to some local churches and ask them for plane fair to get you to Japan so you can help them, and stop in New Orleans on your way back. That should keep you busy for awhile.

@Katharella Your story didn't address why Japan decided to build a nuclear power plant on a major fault line. What it did do is say that you accept that things are out of your control, that you have access to Valium and that you're willing to move to another state with or without your husband.

I for one feel horrible about what happened to Japan, but it's happening everywhere. We've treated Mother Nature like crap for so long and she's retaliating. What comes around goes around. The universe always finds a way to balance itself out and there isn't much we can do about it. All we can do is lend a helping hand to our neighbors and prepare for the next round. If Americans would help other Americans instead of pointing their Jersey Shore noses into the air, we would have more than we needed to clean up Katrina. The same goes for Japan and any other country devastated by the elements.

shazza13, While I understand what you're saying, I understand them as well. Here is why. When I lived in the North USA, I would see hurricanes battering the Southern Coastal area's. (and the gulf) I would say/think.. WHY ON EARTH do these people build and live in an area that they KNOW a hurricane is going to hit at some point, regardless of the intensity. It just baffled me! As I grew sick and tired of the harsh winters and rude people, road rage etc. I decided I was moving to the south with or without my husband! I just could not take winters any longer. Where did I end up? Within a few miles of Atlantic Beach NC!! As I was driving TOWARD the storm, wondering why every hotel was filled, and cars were going the other way, NONE were going the way I was! It was hurricane Dennis. I made it to my friends brothers house, and he filled me in a bit more about hurricanes and preparations. As the rain bands came, and went, and branches hit the roof I just listened and learned. Then it came night, and rain had flooded the entire yard, and I saw my car sinking. I then took two valium, and said, I need rest because there's going to be a lot of work to be done if we live. I went to bed, and a saying my mother always said went through my mind when my dad almost died in surgery. "Things are going to happen no matter what you do or where you are, life pans out the way it's meant to be." I woke the next morning to the work I knew was coming, and clean up. So I understand this small country Japan, it's need for survival, and the preparations they took or did not take. No one here can control Mother Earth, and if we all lived each day as if it were our last, well, let me just say, I'm never going to leave the south, even though I know I'm in hurricane zone, because the rest of life is more valuable to me than "if" I die in a hurricane. It's beautiful while I'm here, and maybe that is why they live like they do. None of us asked to be born in a certain place or time or culture. I believe it's just best to LIVE, while you have life to live. -Peace

Kathy

I can't understand why Japan of all countries, built Nuclear power stations, on a major fault line, and worst of all, and especially with they experienced with the Hiroshima bomb and how it affect the people of Japan....This rich country both financial and culture, perhaps should have harnessed mother nature!

That was a fantastic article!

It is a disaster to humanity. Every one should help Japan in this hour of need.

Al, yer a jerk. This isn't all about MONEY, it's about HUMANS and if you were stinking rich, which I'm sure you're just stinking, how would you like it if all your riches (bank accounts etc) just went flooding down the street. In fact, it's people like YOU that should be forced to go help these people clean up what the world has done to their homes, their children, their schools, their personal IRREPLACEABLE photographs, and things handed down from their parents and grandparents. It's people like you who shame the world with your presents and vile words. No wonder you don't sign in and show your face.

Thank you for this article, DarkSinistar. It's good to see the facts about Japan's disaster assistance for Katrina. We from the US often think of ourselves as being the only generous people in the world, but that's not so. And I agreed with a former commentor that we are all one world and ultimately one people, however it is we dress, speak, or act. What we do for our fellows helps ourselves too. What we put out comes back.

japan is richer than us and own half of the us already let them ceos here send money

Hi DarkSinistar, we has people of this planet have a responsibility to help people who need our help, when we can no longer reach out to another human in need of our help than we has a planet are in serious trouble .

Awesome and vote up !!!

Looks like our government owes 1 million in aid to the Japanese

@ wizetech: Your post gives me back a little bit of faith in humanity just as the writer.

I wish more people would come to realize, we are living in 2011 not 1942.

In this age of electronics I've become friends with people all over the world. One very dear friend in Japan who has not shown any online activity since the horrible quake :( Everyday I TRY to be patient, but still my anxiety grows each hour I see nothing of her. I can only hope her and her family are without power at minimal.

If a country can help another in it's time of need, it should be done without question, we cannot put a dollar value on life! I miss my Japanese friend, we had plans to teach each other cooking meals. She is also pregnant and has children. If I had the means, I would be there to find her and her family to open my home to them until order is restored.

Good people care. Period.

That's a very powerful and inspiring statement and nothing can be truer than that.

We all are the citizens of Planet Earth, that's the fact.

Nations are human defined and human definitions constantly change, but Love constantly cares.