Oh Bob, that isn't good. I do hope they all stay safe.

There are a bunch of forecasts about the nuclear plumes. Some good ones I've found are:

http://www.floridaoilspilllaw.com/watch-uns-nuclear-plume-forecast-animation-video/comment-page-1

http://gramercyimages.com/blog1/tag/noaa/

The Japanese people should be an inspiration to us all. I have been humbled watching news reports of their selflessness in sharing what little they have, their patience in waiting calmly in hours-long lines, their steadfast belief that what's best for everyone is how they should behave. There has been no rioting in Japan, despite shortages of food and water and fuel. With the need to ration power, the people have responded by voluntarily forgoing all non-essential uses of electricity even when it is available to them.

I lived in Los Angeles during the riots that followed the Rodney King verdict. I watched as Americans looted their own neighborhoods, stealing televisions, cigarettes, even toilet paper, for Christ's sake (and, inexplicably, Madonna's bustier from a display at Frederick's of Hollywood). It took six days to restore order in a city with one of the largest police forces in the country. These people were facing no shortages. They had plenty of food, plenty of water, and, I'm betting, plenty of televisions and toilet paper.

I shudder to think what would happen in our country if we were facing the kind of crippling adversity that is now being dealt with in Japan. Would the American people share their limited food supply with strangers? Would we light our homes with candles even when electricity was available to us? Would we help our neighbors? Or would we steal things we didn't even need, burn down the very businesses that had been supplying those needs, resort to lawlessness in the absence of an overwhelmed authority?

I like to think that we are bigger and better than that. That we would do what's good and right. That we would pull together as a nation and work together to overcome utter devastation. But I'm not sure. I've seen firsthand how a small faction of people can bring a city of 3 million people to its knees. It only takes a few people to destroy the good intentions of many. If we are ever faced with what the Japanese people are faced with today, it will take the good intentions of each and every one of us to survive and face the long road to recovery and normalcy. I don't have much faith we can do it. If our culture doesn't make some changes in its moral integrity, God help us when it's our turn.

Starfish, you have just about restored my faith in human nature. On behalf of my son and his family, and all of those going through such a terrible time, thank you.

Yes ,Starfish, thats a wonderful post and thanks for saying it so well. We are getting more and more reports in our paper of this selfless behaviour. The Chinese/Japanese relationship has never been good. This is changing the resentment of the older locals here as nothing else could do.

Starfish, your first paragraph expresses exactly what I felt, but couldn't express.
After so much recent world-wide footage of people bereaved, homeless and without food, water or sanitation, the stoicism and orderly behaviour of the Japanese sets them apart.
Did anyone see the footage from the tsunami zone when a bedraggled dog with a collar and registration tags greeted the camera crew with a polite "Wuff." He then led the cameraman to where a canine companion, obviously ill, was lying among the rubble. He sat beside his friend, put a paw protectively around its neck, and looked up appealingly at the humans. That brought me completely undone.

Let us hope that at least some lessons can be learned. I, too, have seen a great deal of journalism about the behavior of the Japanese people, but (so far at least) very little commentary about how and why the rest of us need to give this some grave thought. Obviously, my post above was written from the viewpoint of an American citizen. Those of you who are responding are from all over the world. How wonderful that this little invention called the internet can allow us to come together as people regardless of geography! And how heartening to know that others are thinking the same thoughts I am. That gives me hope. Thank you all for your responses.

To auntie1:
My dog lies beside me as I type this, sleeping off the effects of a big meal on his nice soft bed. I rescue animals for a living, and worry endlessly about the countless animals undoubtedly suffering in Japan. Unfortunately, in the face of such utter devastation, the plight of animals must take a backseat, at least for awhile. My small non-profit organization has done what it can in other recent disasters. We donated money for booties to protect the paw-pads of the dogs searching for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center, and food and medical supplies to animals rescued after Hurricane Katrina. We have yet to hear a call for assistance for the animals of Japan, and I hope when that call finally comes, the world will be able to dig a little deeper still for the animals. They are truly wonderful little creatures with no malice in their hearts, which is more than I can say for some humans.

It never ceases to amaze me what animals, particularly domesticated ones, do. I'm sure that animal charities will do all they can when the time is right. Yes, people must take priority, but we mustn't forget the furry ones.

There was an interesting article in The Independent yesterday on how people behave when disaster strikes; things in other countries might not be as desperate as we imagine:

http://tinyurl.com/686bqa9

Nonetheless I still admire the altruism shown by the Japanese and I watched the news yesterday through tears as they showed how little food is being given out and how stoic the recipients were, their courage is both heart-breaking and cheering. I wish their government would accept more traditional aid, or at least start airdropping supplies - surely it doesn't matter if some falls into the sea as long as some gets through.

I've just emailed my son to see what is actually happening about humanitarian aid. When I get a reply I'll let you know.

Save the Children Fund are there, doing their bit as usual, but few other charities are. One major problem is that because Japan is the world's third largest economy, the mechanisms for aid that exist in many (though not all) third world countries don't exist there... plus at first their government seemed to have all the necessary gear, e.g. clothing, food, lifting gear etc. Japan, after all, is usually an aid donor not a receiver. However, the sheer scale of the damage including to the infrastructure plus the lack of fuel (Sendai was a major port for that) has meant that little has got through by road. And the whole thing has been complicated by the nuclear problem that has hijacked everything. Getting aid through will be complicated even more by Japan's geography - we often forget how mountainous that country is and if the coastal roads and railways are damaged, there aren't any other routes.

I'd be interested in your son's view, Bob, the plight of those people living on half a handful of boiled rice a day will be even more unthinkable than it is already if food, water, and heat don't get to them soon.

Here's more information about the radiation risks/contamination:

http://newsdesk.umd.edu/bigissues/release.cfm?ArticleID=2375

So do you think it's worse that Japan is such a modernised country that has been plunged into this situation than say Haiti that was so impoverished just before their disaster?

I wonder how long the stoicism can keep up. After a while the people are going to start thinking of themselves so I hope the aid needed gets in there pretty quick.
To be dealt one blow would be bad enough but to have the whole three of earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear situation all at once is just so mindblowing.

The aid program is gaining momentum according to my son. Supplies are starting to get through, albeit slowly. There are tens of thousands of people to feed and the infrastructure is badly damaged. The worst areas now have influenza to contend with as well.

It's slow going for them and snow is coming down to make matters worse.

Two of the news items that struck me are the following, in addition to the fortitude of the people going through this terribly stressful period.

I haven't found it again, but I saw one older woman find her cat after having to flee without the cat. It was incredible seeing that cat come down the stairs and reunite with her mistress.

Then, this video of a dog who refused to leave the side of his companion, another dog who'd been injured.

Yahoo Faithful Dog

The two dogs have been safely transferred to a shelter apparently.

That is wonderful news! Thanks for posting it!

As for the influenza outbreaks, I was wondering if there will be a rash of illness breaking out. After the Northridge earthquake in California, we had an outbreak of what they called Valley Fever, which was actually coccidioidomycosis, a disease caused by inhaling airborne spores from dust clouds after the earthquake triggered landslides. While I haven't heard anything about landslides, I would think there are all sorts of things in the air from the dust of fallen buildings, not to mention things the tsunami brought in.

I think this is the cat one

Thanks Ren. I had it on another site (the cat one) and didn't want to link all that into this one.

I also am following the former Comfort women story which is the Korean women who were 'drafted' into serving as mistresses for Japanese men during WWII who paid tribute to the dead the other day. Even though these ladies have been simply trying to get some recognition all these years in front of the Embassy, they've said some very good things about their fellow men and women suffering in Japan.
Koreans pay tribute to Japan

edited to change consul to Embassy.

It was just announced that yet another earthquake has hit Japan registering 6.5 on the Richter scale. A small tsunami alert has been issued for the Miyagi prefecture.

My heart goes out ot everyone living there and those that have family in the area. They are dealing with more than enough at this point.

Yes, no damage reported thank God.

romeomikegolf, how are things with your son's family? Has food availability improved?
And what is the current radiation situation?

The family are fine, thank you. Food supplies are not too bad. Radiation levels in Tokyo are only slightly raised. People don't seem too worried about it, they're trying to go about their normal business. I'll get a new update in a day or so.

I am glad they are ok, it must be very worrying for you Bob.

It's not as bad as it was at first Sue. I'm in touch with them every couple of days. It was very worrying at the beginning and even now, when I don't hear anything for some time, all sorts of things go through my mind. All of them irrational. A few days ago I missed an email from my son asking if I was going to be around for a Skype chat around 11.00am our time. I replied back the next day asking if anything was amiss but didn't hear anything for another three days. It turns out my grandson wanted to play with me via the computer .

I saw there was another earthquake off the coast of Japan. I hope everyone is well.