NHK (national broadcast tv in Japan) has their English page up an running: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/11_53.html

good

Actually, scratch that first link, they just made a new advance specifically for Japan as opposed to one for general international disaster relief. Here is the one of Japan, specifically:

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/projects/search/index.cfm?action=details&id=3021317&code=3021317

The reason those islands weren't as vulnerable to the tsunamis is that they are coral atolls, where the water drops off to depths of thousands of feet very close offshore. This means that the tsunami doesn't have much opportunity to slow down and build up in height before it hits the island. A coast that rises more slowly from the sea floor over a greater distance is at much greater danger from tsunamis.

Humans think we can control our environment and we play our games to put each other down and make ourselves feel powerful. The enormity and majesty of the natural world reminds us just how insignificant we really are in the universe.

All we can do now is mourn the dead, succor the living and piece together what has been lost. We are a resilient, adaptive species - which is why we are successful. If you weren't an evolutionist before, you had better re-think and re-read now.

This is a taste of what we here in the US will inevitably experience on the west coast at some point in the future. The last major quake in the LA area occurred in 1857, and was so powerful that it set mission bells ringing as far away as Tucson. Geological excavations have shown that a major quake occurs there about every 125 years. We are at 154 years and counting, and each year means more stress is building up on the San Andreas fault. I have little doubt that we will see a massive quake in that area during our lifetimes.

Uffie: I've heard it said that one day we'll refer to California as "that uninhabited island off the coast of Nevada." It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, y'all. Drilling and spilling; fracking and greenhouse gasses, overpopulation, deforestation, depletion of farmland and water tables, diminishment of biodiversity and habitat. Do you need any more reminding?

No matter where people live, all lives are valuable. American lives aren't more important than those in Japan. I hope help will get to all those who need it, because no matter what happens... we are all humans who should care about one another, regardless of borders and nationality.

Renee Klaus, That is a despicable comment from you.

Renee's post is one of the saddest I have read in a long time. It seems to be the old "I got mine, you go get your own" school of thought.

In addition, she seems to not know her history. Yes, we destroyed much of Japan in WWII, but we didn't rebuild them out of the goodness of our hearts. We did so because of the Cold War, and the threat of the Soviet Union. In effect, Japan was built up to become an unsinkable aircraft carrier, much like England in WWII. We rebuilt their infrastructure and manufacturing capacity so they could be the front line in the Cold War. Even so, there were a number of people who opposed this. In any case, we didn't rebuild Japan for the Japanese, we did it for our own selfish motives.

What we do not need is an alarmist spreading more mis-information. All reports I have seen from Hawaii indicate that things are ok there, although they are still monitering situation.

Tsunami spares Hawaii major damage

Oregon took the warnings seriously, as they should and evacuated areas of concern. This warning has now been downgraded to an advisory

This does not impress me.

I will donate in whatever manner, be it by monetary or practical means, to the Japanese and those along the Pacific as long as there's those who need help, and there's nothing nobody can tell me or anybody who wants to do so to change their minds.

Save your selective sympathy (and memory I might add) for another time.

My best wishes to Japan.

Renee ~ We are all one world and our lives are interconnected in many ways. Helping others no matter where they live is the right thing to do.

To those that are interested in donating through Red Cross: Text redcross to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The charge will appear on your next phone bill. Donations can also be made through the website.

You must be a Republican!!

Certainly NOT.

I think that as individuals we should send aide through relief agencies such as the Red cross. (Thank you azsky13) But not through our government unless Japan would be willing to take that aide off of our debt. Who is to say that the Japanese Government would actually use that money as aide to rebuild the country. Would there be any accountability?

Just what do you have against the Japanese?

Renee, I lived in Tokyo for four wonderful years. I am shocked at your resistance to helping a country in need. Japan was just rocked by their largest earthquake on record. Worse, the damage from the earthquake was compounded by a tsunami. This is utterly devastating, yet you are worried about:

Who is to say that the Japanese Government would actually use that money as aide to rebuild the country. Would there be any accountability?

Why do you doubt the Japanese government? They are not North Korea. They do not have a despotic dictator. The Japanese are a modernized and decent society. They deserve the world's empathy and help right now. Please, turn your heart on.