Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Geo the Sarge]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

[pokefast]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

On reflection, I think you are probably right Geo.

[RED-DOG]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

That's very insightful Geo, and thinking about it, I'm sure you're right.

[lazaroonie]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

That's very insightful Geo, and thinking about it, I'm sure you're right.

comare that with how long it is taking the US government to rebuild louisiana and southern mississippi after Katrina over 4 years ago....

[RED-DOG]

How do soldiers feel about being sent on these type of rescue/aid missions Geo?

I would imagine it's great to be able to actually do something, but the horror must stay with you forever.

[kinboshi]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

Probably true.  The downside is that more die in the immediate aftermath of the disaster as there's no infrastructure for the emergency services or to get aid to the people who need it.

Sad isn't it that some of the world live in relative comfort whilst many still struggle for food, warmth and shelter. 

...and we moan about bad-beats or a tournament structure being too fast, or the juice being a few quid too much.

[Geo the Sarge]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

Probably true.  The downside is that more die in the immediate aftermath of the disaster as there's no infrastructure for the emergency services or to get aid to the people who need it.

Absolutely Dan, however once these services are there, these poor people require and would only ask for, the basic assistance, they would then work tirelessly to do what they can to return to "normality." Too many in more fortunate countries they would expect to be spoon fed and given all the luxurie they once had

Sad isn't it that some of the world live in relative comfort whilst many still struggle for food, warmth and shelter.

This is all that these people will be looking for as well as any medical assistance. If this was in my town, they'd be looking for cars, houses better than they had before etc, etc.

...and we moan about bad-beats or a tournament structure being too fast, or the juice being a few quid too much.

 

As much as this event has taken many lives, I take a little comfort that in the future many more of the survivors will have a better life after all the assistance, funding and aid is sorted out. It may take years and of course, their "better off" will still be well below what we all take for granted.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

How do soldiers feel about being sent on these type of rescue/aid missions Geo?

I would imagine it's great to be able to actually do something, but the horror must stay with you forever.

Of course there is great satisfaction to anyone in being able to help fellow beings in such tragic times and it's not just soldiers but many from various services. The firemen who make up the search teams are outstanding individuals, well trained and of course, for many, it is done on a voluntary basis.

Large scale like this is probably easier as there is so much to do and very little time to reflect until it is all done.

It's something that isn't talked about much, how troops assist in other things other than conflict.

I'm sure on my troops thread I mentioned having been a fireman and bucketman during strikes. I was also involved in the clear up and search of Lockerbie and also in the huge search for a young school girl Caroline Hogg here in Edinburgh quite a few years ago. She was a victim of the monster that was Robert Black (check wikipedia.)



These were harder as they were closer to home and became a wee bit personal. The Caroline Hogg one more so as at the end of the search we found out she was actually the step sister of one of our colleagues.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Meanwhile....


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8460417.stm

Awful just awful.

But the History channel have been telling us its gonna get a whole lot worse Apparently!

The History Channel? I watch that a lot and I haven't seen anything.

What are they saying?

You know, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to stand beside a flattened school knowing your children are under there and there is nothing you can do.

I can't get my head around the logistical nightmare faced by the aid agencies. No roads, no power, no clean water, no sanitation....

How do communities ever recover from something like this?

In poorer areas of the world i don't think they ever fully recover from these terrible things.


I watched " Seven signs of the apocalypse " and its a good job i don't believe most things i watch, only most of them.

Apparently we are due to be hit by, in no particular order:

Gamma ray showers.
Super Volcanos.
Massive global earthquakes.
Mass disease pandemics.
Asteroids.

There were many more, but apparently if we survive all these there will be a thousand year peace afterwards.

It was not one of the most uplifting programmes that i've ever watched.



Ps the world will end either on 21st December 2012 or 12th December 2012, there are conflicting reports as to which one is correct at present. I will however as a precaution, resist buying  christmas presents until the 22nd, I hate wasting money.

The "poorer" communities actually recover far more quickly than the namby pamby "less poorer" communities.

Haiti is probably a good example, one of the poorest countries in the world, ravaged by many disastrous events - hurricanes/earthquakes etc. Also a terrible civil war not so long ago which meant most lived their lives in constant fear.

Whilst there is no substitute for losing families and friends, to rebuild to the pitiful existence most had before this tragedy will not be as difficult as say somewhere like the UK.

With the funding they will receive from around the world they will probably create a better infrastructure than that which existed before.

Note:

This is not a gripe.

Geo

That's very insightful Geo, and thinking about it, I'm sure you're right.

comare that with how long it is taking the US government to rebuild louisiana and southern mississippi after Katrina over 4 years ago....

Because the wants and needs of the Louisiana and Mississippians are different?

They want houses, not just shelter
They want central heating in their houses, not just warmth
They want modern plumbing and drainage, not just a source of clean water
They want jobs created, not to just find work
They want transport to take them to work, not just walk 3 miles

etc, etc, etc.

When I say they, I know that there are many who would accept the basics to survive and get on with it, but I'm sure you get my point.


Note:

apologies to Gatso for the quoting of quoting of quoting.

Geo

[RED-DOG]

I remember the Caroline Hogg case well. At that time, I had children of around her age. Just the thought of it is a nightmare.

[AndrewT]

Sad isn't it that some of the world live in relative comfort whilst many still struggle for food, warmth and shelter. 

It's worth remembering that the level of general wealth and comfort that the richer countries have (where just about everyone lives in permanent buildings, with running water, sewage system, heat, power, food etc - enough that they don't have to spend hours every day to just obtain those things) is a very new phenomenon.

Even in Britain a hundred years ago the majority of the population lived in conditions which were the equal of those which Haitians live in today (slums, workhouses etc). So instead of thinking it's sad that not everyone can live as we do, you could also say how great it is that there are at least 2 billion people in the world who don't live like that any more.

As Geo said - we would have different levels of expectations than the Haitians would, simply because of what we're used to. Contrast the Haitians with how some people in this country were bemoaning the fact there were a few days last week when they couldn't drive to Tesco because of the snow and what a hardship that was.

[Karabiner]

I'm always surprised at quite how localised these earthquakes appear to be. Haiti consists of roughly-speaking half of the island of Hispaniola, the other half is The Dominican Republic which seems to be totally unaffected by the 'quake. Port-au-Prince is said to be at the epicentre but is only a hundred miles or so from the East coast of Cuba, but I've heard no reports of Cuba with all of it's beautiful old delapidated buildings suffering any ill-effects.

[RED-DOG]

I'm always surprised at quite how localised these earthquakes appear to be. Haiti consists of roughly-speaking half of the island of Hispaniola, the other half is The Dominican Republic which seems to be totally unaffected by the 'quake. Port-au-Prince is said to be at the epicentre but is only a hundred miles or so from the East coast of Cuba, but I've heard no reports of Cuba with all of it's beautiful old delapidated buildings suffering any ill-effects.

That is curious when you think about it Ralph. You've got me wondering about that too now.

[AndrewT]

Very shallow earthquake = localised damage

[RED-DOG]

Very shallow earthquake = localised damage

What is a "Shallow quake"?  Or, to put it another way, why are some quakes shallow?