Bloggers are quickly assembling and organizing information about the tragic tsunami that has devastated many Indian Ocean countries. Jordan Golson at Cheese and Crackers seems to have the most links, including numerous videos (tip via Wizbang). Check it out if you're concerned, curious or just voyeuristic (you know which you are).
In any case, contemplate the fact that you're sitting at a computer right now, not scrounging for food, trying to find your missing family, and attempting to avoid a virulent contagion... then go to Amazon.com to make a donation to the American Red Cross. Millions of fellow human beings suddenly need all the help they can get.
After that, go read Peggy Noonan on what this means.
The other night at dinner a friend wondered aloud if this almost-world-wide tragedy would have an impact on peace. Would it remind us of all we have in common, and how precious life is? This reminded me of something Ronald Reagan used to say of all the conflicts in the world. He'd say that if the world were attacked by Martians tomorrow, we'd all come together, and it's too bad we couldn't manage to cut to the chase. This used to be taken as an example of his idiocy, but of course it's true. We would all drop our local and ancestral hatreds to fight shoulder to shoulder against the common foe. Years later, in true Reaganesque style, Hollywood produced the blockbuster "Independence Day," in which extraterrestrials attacked the earth and the world united in resistance.The biggest story of 2004 has come, has not yet gone, and will be with us for some time. Two thousand five begins on Saturday. For the new year, two thoughts. Remember it can all be swept away in a moment, so hold it close and love it while you've got it. And may we begin 2005 pondering how much we have in common, how down-to-the-bone the same we are, and how the enemy is not the guy across the fence but the tragedy of life. We should try to make it better. We should cut to the chase.
UPDATE:
• Much more information can be found at The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami blog.
• Belmont Club examines the blogosphere's instantaneous response to the crisis and its significance for the mainstream media.
UPDATE: Children and tsunamis.
Posted by Alan at December 30, 2004 03:54 PM