Killer waves, then a day on the beach

The Advertiser ^ | 31dec04 | OLINKA KOSTER

[WildTurkey]

First, you comparison of going to your relative expecting them to take care of you is NOT similar to the situation where one goes on vacation PAYING for their visit to a place where the house still stands

[JBCiejka]

I can't believe that I have to respond to someone complaining that we spend too much time to mourn someone, when we don't know if they are even dead or not. I would much rather stay at home and look for my family that has been missing, than work at some hotel to take care of people that have their family safe and happy a continent away. Please tell me what I am missing? Unfortunately, since I probably would not understand, please tell me what that is.

[Eva]

You got it right, it's obscene to be sun bathing and swimming while the residents suffer and the rest of the world is sending aid in the form of money, supplies and medical help. I can't imagine the crass hedonism of these tourists.

[longjack]

It may be that this particular part of the beach wasn't affected as much as other parts.

One site I looked at describing Tsunamis said that within relatively short distances, shorelines exhibit wide ranges in the levels of damage they receive.

Regarding rental equipment: Perhaps an establishment further away from the shore.

Just guessing.

longjack

[shubi]

Oh give it a rest.

Compared to Indonesia, Thailand was hardly hit at all.

Have you wondered why most of the reporters are going to Thailand? Its because there really isn't that much damage. They can stay in a nice Hotel and do "reportage".

[antivenom]

UMMM the islands RELY on tourism...just like the NYC relies on the stock market...was it disgraceful when we reopened the stock market.

Remember without tourists those places will die.

I am not defending the newspaper account or the quotes...I see the little islands and remaining businesses there in desperate need of normalcy...when is it SAFE to start...to continue to support the financial system that has always been in place...tourism...these little islands have to get back to some version of normal quickly...

[JeffAtlanta]

Those now homeless and without food or water should march en masse to these resorts and take them over.

How could that be justified?

[JeffAtlanta]

Not only that, but these tourists are coming to hotels, where the lodging could be used for all the people that are flying in to help.

I doubt it - the places where resorts are reopening are obviously in areas that were not that hard hit.

[American_Centurion]

I can't believe that I have to respond to someone complaining that we spend too much time to mourn someone, when we don't know if they are even dead or not.

If you know someone who is missing you may mourn for as long as you wish, you may not impose your mourning on other people who have no connection to your loss other than it was at their vacation spot.

I would much rather stay at home and look for my family that has been missing, than work at some hotel to take care of people that have their family safe and happy a continent away.

You, obviously, do not live on an island where the only thing separating you from 3rd world poverty is tourism.

Please tell me what I am missing? Unfortunately, since I probably would not understand, please tell me what that is.

I think I just did, but I will elaborate a little more. Mourning, is primarily personal. It can be societal but since everyone mourns in a different way your ideal of mourning should not interfere with the life of another. For me I quit mourning 9-11 on 9-12. I spent the next 2 years on active duty doing my best to ensure that those responsible payed a price for their crime. I, and a whole lot of other people, don't let loss of life stop what we are doing. If you want to mourn longer I won't stop you, but I will speak out when someone thinks that everyone else should mourn as long as they.

[SamAdams76]

Sorry, but that's obscene, IMO. I do hope that this "fine gentleman" sees the destruction and turns to to render whatever aid he can. If not, then a pox upon him.

Why so judgemental? Are the millions of Americans taking vacation elsewhere this week just as obscene or does this only apply to people taking their vacation in that area? What about all the people taking vacation in Disneyland the week after Hurricane Andrew hit?

[nmh]

I agree. It's cold and heartless to "enjoy" this disaster where so many people perished. Ah, but the Europeans aren't warm and empathetic so tragedy won't bother them. They'll "enjoy" this holiday even if they swim swim with dead bodies and body parts - just a minor nuisance.

[VOA]

Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front
hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".

A few thoughts before condemning this fellow and two friends.

1. It's possible that their trip and "holiday" are based on non-refundable fares/reservations.
And if his travel company won't allow refunds, based on the "force majeur" escape clause...
they may be faced with a "use it or lose it" situation.
Hence, take the trip or just lose $2,500 to maybe $10,000.

2. The engineer and his friends show us what a "post-modern" or "post-Christian"
world looks like...populated with materialists that only care about self and
if others suffer and perish, well that's their problem.

I pray the day never comes when America looks in the mirror just to see
it is really converted to being "post-modern" and "post-Christian".
It will spell a meaner, less compassionate world.

3. All that being said, I was heartened to hear a news report of an American family
that spent the remaining days of their vacation (in a hard-hit area) volunteering
in the rescue /relief effort.
I'm sure there were plenty of similar stories (of all nationalities) and that
the MSM will carry at least a few...once they've gotten past the usual "if it bleeds,
it leads".

[Texas Songwriter]

Eurotrash

[riri]

Exactly, these are the same people who wouldn't cut their vacations short when their parents were dying in the heat waves. It really is par for the course.

[expatguy]

And while the bars are thumping and the beach party roars back to life, our nation enters a 5 day mourning period by lowering our nation's flag to half-staff.