Western China is still digging out from the 7.9
earthquake that hit on 5/12. Time is running out for anyone still alive
under rubble. I can think of no greater horror that could come into my
life than to stand-by, watching, as worker dig through the rubble of a
collapsed school building for survivors, perhaps including my only
child. Two videos are below. The first
shows university students in their dorm room at Sichuan University as
the earthquake hit. The second is an Australian TV update (as of 5/15).
Locally Mercy Corps is collecting donations to help the survivors, see here.
The Sichuan University Students during the earthquake:
Australian TV Update:
Additionally, NPR radio had a team in Chengdu when the earthquake struck. They have the sound of the earthquake hitting here.
An example of the Chinese response to criticism over Tibet.
Published text, video varies a little -
A Poem Dedicated to the last 150 years of this planet.
By a Silent, Silent Chinese.
When we were called the Sick Man of Asia, we were the Yellow Peril.
When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are a threat.
When we closed our doors, you smuggled drugs to our markets.
When we embraced Free Trade, you blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and wanted your “fair share”.
When we were putting the broken pieces together again, “Free Tibet” you scream, “it was an invasion!”
So, we tried communism, you hated us for being communists
When we embraced capitalism, you hate us for being capitalists.
When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said it is human rights abuse.
When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your debts.
When we build our industries, you called us polluters.
When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.
When we buy oil, you call that exploitation and genocide.
When you fight for oil, you call that liberation and democracy.
When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you wanted rule of law for us.
When we uphold law and order against violence, you call that violating human rights.
When we were silent, you said you want us to have free speech.
When we were silent no more, you say we are brainwashed racists.
Why do you hate us so much? We asked.
“No,” you answered, “We don’t hate You.”
We don’t hate you either,
But do you understand us?
“Of course we do,” You said,
“We have NBC, CNN and BBCs…”
What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer…
Because you only get so many chances,
Enough is enough, enough Hypocrisy for this one world.
We want one world, one dream, and peace on Earth.
This big blue Earth is big enough for all of Us.