>>> The sun rises in the east...

It's hard not to want to head out to Japan and volunteer to help. Especially when a friend or two are in Japan and there is so much information pouring out of the region that it's a near overload and seemingly almost vague.

But then again, I've been pretty known to want to help people, so it may just be in my nature to want to volunteer and, basically, help.

That being said, anyone know where I sign up to volunteer and whatnot?

*awkward silence*

^{Carrying on...}

And I really cannot believe the absolute shite that is coming out of people from so many places over "crimes and atrocities committed by Japan" from over half a century ago!

I mean, seriously, what is wrong with you lot!?

The PEOPLE responsible for all of that are long gone and so much dust. You cannot hold an entire nation responsible for the actions of a few, especially from over 60 years ago! Because if that's the case, we should be making Germany suffer for everything they did during the Second World War and through the Cold War, for fuck's sake.

So, what if their military during World War II bombed the living bejeezus out of Pearl Harbour? They struck mostly military targets.

And even with all the vileness that the Japanese Imperial Army perpetrated during their Occupation, you don't see many of us Asians saying that they deserve it for their "past crimes".

For Christ's sake, the Yanks dropped not one but TWO atomic bombs on civilian-filled cities. AND then crippled them economically with the peace treaties. That outdoes what happened at Pearl Harbour and more than makes up for it. Many Japanese feel shame for it enough as it is.

BOTTOM LINE: The Japanese are PEOPLE and deserve our sympathies. I really do not think that they were celebrating and all "thats-what-you-deserve" when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and its surrounds, do you? Maybe the Taliban were in their caves, but I higly doubt that the Japanese were celebrating in their homes.

GIVE 'EM A BREAK AND SHARE YOUR HEARTS, PEOPLE.

Do something to make a difference.

GO!

... and prayers & hearts go out to Japan in their time of crisis.