New year In shadow of a horrible happening

Subject: New year In shadow of a horrible happeni
From: skarpi
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 02:48 PM

Halló all,

In a few hour most of us will velcome a new year and go out and have some fun , go dancing and so on , but In the shadow of a happening
wich came on the second day of christmas by an earthquake who
made the biggest flood In our history ( our livetime ).

So before we go out tonight why don´t spend a 2-3 min and thing and pray for thouse who lost so many In so little time, light a candle .
It coult happen to us . There are thirteen countrys
that are In need of help, from Iceland we are sending water
and medical produce and I heard that there are doctors and nurses
and rescue men and women on their way. We here In Iceland know what
that is to have a happening from mother earth it is not a happy moments that she gives away not always anyway.

Maybe some will not agree with me about writing these message
but I once lost my home when I was nine In a volcano-eruption
In VestmannIsland 1973 23th of January that year so i know
how to loose a home but loose a loved one that is much harder
to deal with.

So I am gonna give me a moment tonight for thouse who are
having a bad time .
and I think that dosen´t matter what faith you have
christian , muslim , catholic, pagan or what ever we should help If we can , the western world have so much to give.

With lot of prayers to you all i wish everyone a happy new year
as long as it get.
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happeni
From: Peace
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 03:11 PM

Beautiful post, Skarpi. I will take your advice and spend a few minutes in thought and prayer for the survivors.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happeni
From: LadyJean
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 05:26 PM

Yes, thank you. I have put cash aside, in the sure and certain knowledge that they will be collecting for the disaster victims at my church this Sunday.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happeni
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 05:29 PM

Thanks for the reminder, skarpi. I will follow your advice and also put aside some funds for flood victims.
Stay well, my friend,
Mary

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 06:18 PM

This post, my friend, reminds me why you are such a wonderful person, and why you are an elder here at The Mudcat. Your wonderful heart comes shining right through that post. I am proud to be your friend.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 06:20 PM

We wipped round all our chums, and collected the money we were going to spend on tonights party and donated that to relief measures...

So instead of gorging and excess tonight, we'll do left-overs and board games...

Most of us are really looking forward to it... the others are giddy as school-girls!

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Joybell
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 06:30 PM

Yes thank you skarpi. The whole thing is so overwhelming it's hard to know just what to say. Joy

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: KT
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 07:15 PM

Skarpi, I'm with you.

And I echo Big Mick's comments....So good to have you here.

KT

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 07:28 PM

Very good humanitarian responses.

However, a year ago, almost to the day, a large earthquake claimed many victims too, at a very ancient city. But the news media did not go into a feeding frenzy, because it was so remote that almost no cameras or other reporters could get there promptly - by the time they did - it was 'old news'.

Relatively speaking, very little aid was sent there. I don't remember any talk of anybody disrupting New Year Celebrations last year.

Anybody remember Bam?

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: skarpi
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 07:47 PM

I remember now as you say it , but why didin´t someone do something?
who was In the way? There are disaster In many places in the world
as In Africa where many people die becouse of war and hunger ?
and what do we do In the west ?.Did you do something ?.

Five hundred thousands people where killed In A hurricane 1 or two years ago ?

Sorry I was not gonna ruin your night but If you can help one
you maid a diffrent.

I ve been a rescue man for about 25 years and i have helped people
i want to do more of that but , sometime we just can´t.

I light a candle for you.
all the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 08:44 PM

Good thread, skarpi.

It is a tragedy of the media-driven times we live in that there is much truth in Foolestroupe's comments. Bam was indeed soon forgotten. The challenge will be to make sure that the Indian Ocean catastrophe is not, because the the need will be there for months - and years - to come.

Individual responses around the world have obviously been heartening, but no catastophe on this scale should be dependant on such responses: the need is for colossal aid at inter-governmental level. So I am relieved that the UK government has revisited and dramatically increased its initial offer of a paltry £15 million.

Ideally I'd like to see the UN given a mandate by the nations of the world, to impose levies on the nations of the world (in proportion to their wealth) in the event of major catastrophes. This would ensure that any governmental response that imposed some small sacrifice on the whole population would not be a hostage to party politics, as the government would simply have no choice in the matter. It would mean in effect that everyone who could was contributing, and feeling the squeeze; not just those who happen to be of generous spirit.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: robinia
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 10:07 PM

we'll light a candle here in Seattle (I'm at Robinia's) for them and contribute as we can. Happy New Year, Frolike Yuel or how you say it? mg

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:50 AM

Many care organizations are good to donate to, but some spend more money on promotion then they need to. Money that should be going to the right place, helping the people who are devastated.

Three of the best agencies are:

Doctors Without Borders.
Oxfam
And AFSC (The American Friends Service Committee)

Either one, your money will go where it's needed.

Frank

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 12:04 PM

I'll second Frank's suggestions for good charities.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Pauline L
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 02:28 AM

Thank you, Skarpi, for starting this thread. The generous giving by many, many people throughout the world is heartening. Unfortunately, it will take years to rebuild and restore. I hope that international generosity continues for as long as it's needed.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: skarpi
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 02:00 PM

I agree it will take long time to heal this both the earth and the soul of thouse who lived this hoorible time.
And still some people have not got any help yet?.
Four hours ago A plain went from Keflavík Iceland with doctors
and food , water and people to help the victems,
they will be In Thailand tomorrow.
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: Sooz
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 02:24 PM

Well said Skarpi.
Here in Gainsborough, we began fundraising at our Folk Club on New Years Eve and have a concert organised for the end of this month to add to it. Artists are giving their time freely and we will have a reasonable ticket price. Why shouldn't we enjoy ourselves while helping the much less fortunate?
Haven't decided yet which charity to send the money to - any suggestions?
My sister has suggested that each of the big rich countries is allocated one of the affected areas to "look after" for as long as it takes. Sounds a good idea to me.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: skarpi
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 03:22 PM

Go to the RED CROSS, I think thats the best way to make sure that the money goes where it should go.
But there are others as well.
That idea from sister is good you let be heard somewhere
Among poeple.
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: New year In shadow of a horrible happening
From: mg
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 03:40 PM

in the U.S. Mercy Corps is very good too....

Also various places are collecting clothing, blankets etc. Indonesian airways will deliver. Mercy Corps also )see their web site() did collect plastic sheeting, wiring, constructio n materials in general. Don't know if it app.ies to this tragedy but there are always places that need stuff. biggest need they said was for body bags. All medical supplies in short supply. water purification tablets.    mg