I’ve been a little disconnected from the world the past few days, but I did manage to hear the reports of the massive earthquake that struck Chile this weekend. From the reports that I have heard it is one of the largest recorded earthquakes to date at magnitude 8.8, 500x more powerful then the Haitian earthquake, and the death toll is under 1000. That is such a significant difference in what we seen in Haiti. And the differences between Chile and Haiti are also huge. Chile is one of the most stable and is the wealthiest nation in South America. With a GDP over 20x that of Haiti, the poverty rate is low. And the low poverty rate can be attributed as a major factor to the low death toll. After the largest earthquake of the 20th century hit the same region in May of 1960, the Chilean government recognized the need for stronger building codes and also on enforcing them. They have been building with the highest standards for the last 20 years. The Chilean government had this choice nearly 50 years ago. Haiti did not. As the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, a third world country with a highly unstable government, Haiti has not been able to sustain the physiological needs of its populations. Without being able to fulfill basic human needs, building to code and enforcing it goes out the window. Needless to say that it would be a shame to write off the Chilean people as not needing the assistance of the world. The next few days are critical and I’m sure they can use all the assistance in the form of monetary donations,doctors, nurses, food, water, first-aid kits, blankets, and other rudimentary items. For ways to help here are a few sites that have more information.
As I sit here and watch Niel Young sing a classic and closing the 2010 Olympics, I cant help to feel the sentiment of the moment. After weeks of hearing some amazing stories, people overcoming tremendous adversity, watching some amazing athletes live a dream, and triumph or fail, its always inspiring. Now I’m not any under any illusions. I will never win an Olympic medal. But hearing the national anthems and watching these athletes receive their medals it always makes me wonder how can I reach my full potential. How can I feel that triumphant feeling instead of the stresses of day to day life? How can I overcome the adversity of the world trying to break me down at every corner? And then something takes me back to my childhood and puts it into perspective. Watching Michael J. Fox closing speech, battling his Parkison’s at every syllable, it makes me realize how insignificant some of my adversities are compared to what he is dealing with. Everyone faces challenges and adversities. How will I overcome mine? How will you overcome yours?
Depending on what side of the table your on this either made you laugh or pissed you off. It made me laugh and to hear John McCain trying to play it off with a bad joke and a nervous chuckle made it even sweeter as Obama was so serious. I was actually curious to hear Megan McCain’s take on the incident as I am a fan of hers believe it or not, but it seems she hasn’t posted recently and what can she say? Regardless of what side of the table your on in the health care debate you have got to admit that Obama is making a serious bipartisan effort to bring everyone to the table and give Republicans a voice in a bill that the Democrats are hell bent on passing.
