It Seemed Like a Scene From the Bible [WaPo reporter swimming when tsunami hit]

Washington Post ^ | Dec 27, 2004 | Michael Dobbs

[Mike Fieschko]

WELIGAMA, Sri Lanka, Dec. 26 -- Disaster struck with no warning out of a faultlessly clear blue sky.

I was taking my morning swim around the island that my brother Geoffrey, a businessman, had bought on a whim a decade ago and turned into a tropical paradise 200 yards from one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

People look at debris in Madras, India, one of several areas hit by a massive tidal waves that slammed into several countries in Southeast Asia on Sunday. (AP)

I was a quarter way around the island when I heard my brother shouting at me, "Come back! Come back! There's something strange happening with the sea." He was swimming behind me, but closer to the shore.

I couldn't understand what the fuss was about. All seemed peaceful. There was barely a ripple in the sea. My brother's house rests on a rock 60 feet above the level of the sea.

Then I noticed that the water around me was rising, climbing up the rock walls of the island with astonishing speed. The vast circle of golden sand around Weligama Bay was disappearing rapidly, and the water had reached the level of the coastal road, fringed with palm trees.

As I swam to shore, my mind was momentarily befuddled by two conflicting impressions -- the idyllic blue sky and the rapidly rising waters.

In less than a minute, the water level had risen at least 15 feet, but the sea remained calm, with barely a wave in sight.

[AntiGuv]

Residents and tourists fleeing from a wave approaching the coast of Phuket, Thailand.

A general view of the scene at the Marina beach in Madras after tidal waves hit the region.

[FlashBack]

They just stated on Fox News that the earthquake affected the Earth's rotation...but the other channels (MSNBC,CNN, et al) will probably blame it on Bush, Chenney, Rove, and Halliburton!!!

[mcg1969]

Didn't Michael Dobbs do that relatively sympathetic Swift Vet article detailing the "No Man Left Behind" incident? ("Relatively" being the operating word)

[RaceBannon]

(Mat 24:3 KJV) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

(Mat 24:4 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

(Mat 24:5 KJV) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

(Mat 24:6 KJV) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

(Mat 24:7 KJV) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

(Mat 24:8 KJV) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

(Mat 24:9 KJV) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

(Mat 24:10 KJV) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

(Mat 24:11 KJV) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

(Mat 24:12 KJV) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

(Mat 24:13 KJV) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(Mat 24:14 KJV) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

[clee1]

Well..... Just Phuket!

[Klein-Bottle]

I do not know how, but within a short time someone will figure out that GLOBAL WARMING caused this disaster.

GLOBAL WARNING causes every natural disaster!!!

No exceptions are allowed!!!

[Salvation]

When I heard this reported today, the end times went through my mind too, but I couldn't remember anything about floods, just the earthquakes.

[Mike Fieschko]

Didn't Michael Dobbs do that relatively sympathetic Swift Vet article detailing the "No Man Left Behind" incident? ("Relatively" being the operating word)

He wrote a number of articles.

Records Counter a Critic of Kerry

Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete

Transcript: Kerry's War Record

[feedback doctor]

They just stated on Fox News that the earthquake affected the Earth's rotation...but the other channels (MSNBC,CNN, et al) will probably blame it on Bush, Chenney, Rove, and Halliburton!!!

Stem cells, Kyoto, and those rednecks in the red states.

[RaceBannon]

Some times I wonder, there is so much happening historically that fits the scenario perfectly, that NO OTHER generation can say, we can read the prophesies and then point to the news and see the ability of those prophesies to come true today at any time.

[Humidston]

Oh so right, Race. Scary stuff if one cares to read the Book.

[RepublicanReptile]

I'm just glad that Global Warming keeps it from ever snowing in the Southern US. It snowed about 10inches in Eastern, Coastal NC last night.:)

[jwalsh07]

They just stated on Fox News that the earthquake affected the Earth's rotation.

Well the suns not on the horizon in Ct which I take as a good thing.

[fish hawk]

It seemed like a scene from the Bible.

It is.

[Klein-Bottle]

Exactly, you get it.

If it is too hot, it’s GLOBAL WARMING. If its too cold it’s GLOBAL WARMING. It is responsible for everything, why not an earthquake?


In truth, the others who listed a prayer on this thread may have a better point. A lot of people died today.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308869/posts

[LibertarianInExile]

Women, minorities hardest hit!

[Balding_Eagle]

They just stated on Fox News that the earthquake affected the Earth's rotation...

EVERYTHING we do affects the earths rotation, even walking to the mailbox. It's a question of how much. The earth is nothing more than a very large space station.

[expatguy]

The word "Biblical" was the first word that came to mind yesterday when this happened and as such I used it in my blog.

Im glad to see both Matt Drudge and The Washinton Post have now realized the magnitude of this catastrophic event.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia