[MineralMan]

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.

[OpusatFR]

I've written my son and his fiance asking that they not go to Thailand on vacation next week.

It just seems so disrespectful for them to go.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe getting the tourist industry up and running again is best for the Thai, but I'd rather they show some respect.

[Labyrinthos]

No class, no heart, no soul.

[frog_jerk_2004]

"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.

Will they have fireworks and celebrations for the New Year or just a healthy disrespect of the dead?

[samtheman]

I'm sure the locals want tourism to continue. They need the income. Now more than ever.

[G.Mason]

Don't you just love it?

Now can't we all respect each others feelings?

Don't make me laugh!

[First_Salute]

When you take a hard hit, if you can walk and are physically able, you must get back on your feet and to work.

If I were over there, I'd be organzing the repair and refit of the fishing fleets. They must get back to work as soon as possible, and kick-start the related businesses and ways of life.

[Rodney King]

Bizarre... I don't mind tired and worn out tourists who are unable to get home lying on the beach, but I personally could not enjoy myself with so much death and destruction around.

[Texas Eagle]

This does sound kind of crass but if the locals are okay with I don't see the problem.

They obviously need the income.

[rhc2000]

115,000 dead and counting and this Euro piece of crap comes walking off a plane with a gin and tonic in hand? Classy!!! Imagine the European media's response if this jackass happened to be an American.

[Cicero]

I understand the feelings, but it doesn't help Asia to boycott their tourism industry. Many westerners are on Christmas vacation. What good would it do to take their vacations somewhere else?

I suspect that a lot of aid money will be wasted, although hopefully it will help combat the spread of hunger and diseases were needed. But the other thing this region needs is to have an economic recovery from the damage--as was needed in New York City after 9/11.

[Maria S]

"Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000"
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash5.htm

[BenLurkin]

For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans. Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.

No way! I really hope this is not true.

[jtminton]

It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck

Who takes a six month old baby on vacation with them to the beach?

[Yo-Yo]

Note the parasail in the background.

[Cultural Jihad]

Killer waves, then a day on the beach

Seeing that the world looks at deeds of a satanic murderer and declares him a holy man who wields the vengeance of God upon a greedy and prideful people, where are the world's smirks and winks about all those indolent pleasure-seekers on the beaches being wiped away?

[UncleDick]

I actually think it's rather inspiring that despite all of the death and devastation, life moves on. Moping around with the sackcloth and ash routine does absolutely nothing for those who have died. Refusing to let the ravages of nature crush the human spirit, on the other hand, is exactly the attitude I like to see.

[Kitten Festival]

So are they ignoring the bodies washing up next to them? I hate when that happens!

[Dont Mention the War]

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

[NJJ]

This will sound disrespectful but a lot of good may be done if our Psy-Ops SF can get the word out that since Indonesia is predominantly Muslim and at the center of the disaster, then either our God is stronger than theirs or that Allah is extremely displeased with what the terrorists are doing.