This disaster in South East Asia is on such a massive scale that it should be a wake up call for all of the world. We have all been bogged down psychologically in terrorism; it has taken over the world psyche. We're fighting wars in the name of terrorism. We see pictures on our television screens of bombs and bodies, children with limbs blown off, grieving mothers on both sides of conflict. Humanity ripping at itself. It has taken over how we see each other as people and created even further distance.
This crisis presents an opportunity for the world to stand up and say that this moment - this disaster of such immense proportions - it is time for us all to join and work together to show our humanity and help. Really help. It's an opportunity for leadership both from nations, but also for grassroots on an international level.
It's not all that hard to imagine actually. It's a question of what kind of view of the world we want to have.
What the UN can do -- and repair it's tarnished reputation at the same time -- is to take a true leadership role. It can get its administrative act together and ensure that all nations in the world contribute. To bring the nations of the world together to do good even in the face of all of our disagreements, would be a step in a positive direction for all of us.
The media can end the salacious coverage of bodies and corpses and start talking about what can be done. If ever there were a time for activist journalism, now is the time. The media can show us how good we can be as a people when we try. They can tell the story of the America that is kind and generous. They can show the story of the UN working effectively to solve problems, bringing warring and distant peoples together in what binds us all as humans.
What can America do? It can step up both on the federal level, with an appropriate level of financial aid, and it can step up on a grassroots level, as we've done in the past. We can send our rescue teams abroad, raise money of travel and send our police and fire units that train in rescue abroad.
The long-term benefit of this is massive. Our nation has faced our own internal disasters and the lesson is already there. In the aftermath of hurricane Andrew in 1992, it was the nation coming together that sowed this response, ten years later, in a town like Homestead Florida - a celebration of thank you:
City officials plan to observe the 10th anniversary of Andrew's rampage with a "Celebrate Our Second Wind Music and Arts Festival," with bands, a motorcycle show and the flying of 100 kites. ...
"It's not really a celebration of the hurricane, but a celebration of our progress," said city spokesman Charles LaPradd. "One of the main things is to say thank you to everybody who helped us: the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the little fire departments from the middle of nowhere that helped us rebuild."
Imagine what the peoples of South East Asia would think of the US if it brought to bear the riches of our nation in this time of such crisis? Sent our "little fire departments" from around the country to help these nations rebuild? Not just the federal government's response, but our grassroots response as well. Show this region of the world, a hotbed and breeding ground of terrorism, the America we all know is here.
What can you do? You can turn your New Year's Celebrations into fundraisers for relief and rebuilding efforts. There are over five million people who have been left homeless by this disaster. Take this time to do something on your own level other thn just sitting by the TV and watching it all unfold.
