wake up people!!!!

This would be funny, but there was actually some real damage.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...0ZJ_story.html

500 people are out of their homes and schools were seriously damaged. But, I hope you've had a good laugh...

And Charlise McAndrew fell over and grazed her knees.

Well, actually, I did. Although it isn't funny kind to laugh at other people's misfortune, it is a fact of life that most people do, in some form or another. Besides, this does somewhat put in perspective:


Clearly you are a better person than me. Not that that is too difficult.

Everyone laughs at the misfortune of others sometimes. And it is a little funny.

But maybe it's in bad taste to do it in earshot (or "eyeshot") of those who might have been affected, though?

Um. You never heard of the internet and/or youtube?

When, in recent history, has anything been out of earshot or eyeshot of "those who might have been affected"?

You seem to mistake/equate laughing at a picture - that has nothing really to do with the big 'quake - to laughing at pictures like this...


I would suggest the two are worlds apart.

Here in NY my husband phoned to ask if I felt the earth move, so that was a bit confusing until he explained about the earthquake. I din't feel it-he did.
A friend in the Military VA wrote this:

And to be clear - we did not "evacuate." We ran from the building. Highlights include screaming (presumably by civilians at this military course) and me asking my friend to grab my hat so I could be safe outdoors without violating customs & courtesies.

She did think that the building was going to collapse and has been rattled by aftershocks. But now they were off to prepare for the hurricane.

But generally the east coast don't understand what all the fuss is about on the west coast.

And a lot of my West coast friends are poking fun at the East coasters about their "minor" earthquake. Depth DOES matter and earthquakes are never a joke. Never. Got through the frightening Loma Prieta one in SF and the city's due for the "big one" anytime.

Fact is, when you feel it, you just don't know:
- how big it really is
- how big it's going to be
- how long it will last
- how many others (& larger ones) will follow

It can take you in an instant and people should show some decency and respect for the fear that people feel.

Oh Tearley, your infallible logic gets the better of you sometimes. Clearly some things are funny and some are not, but it's necessary to find the division so that one can laugh and feel empathy at the same time.

Example: Crazy Cows attack Alpine Hikers

The headline is funny. The image it provokes is funny. The injured hikers are not funny, and to most EFrs the Local making the post is not funny.

In light of recent global events, the image of a downed garden chair as a depiction of the horrible effects of that 5.0 quake is funny. 500 people out of homes is not funny. The two exist side by side.

U.S. economic collapse- not funny. Congress's reaction- funny.
Friend of mine from Christ Church NZ who flew in to Tokyo 12 hours before the earthquake- funny ('cause he's OK). The destruction in NZ and Japan- not funny.

I think that the US market crash and state of the economy now destroyed and is destroying more lives, but we still joke about that. Floods have destroyed more homes. Insurance rates are bound to rise. Sometimes laughter is the only remedy. Life is beautiful!
Now we are preparing for possible hurricane damage. The roofers are here to check everything- 'cos ya never know!

I'm in NYC on business and the quake was felt here. With our offices on the 44th floor people were a little panicked. We left the buidling for half an hour just to be on the safe side.
There was another quake in Virginia at 00:04 EST, hitting 4.2. I was fast asleep by this time and didn't feel a thing.

Irreducible contradictions. I like it.

I din`t felt a thing und i need a good shaking