GregsOpinion.com

I haven't had a great deal to say about the tsunami that hit a while back. What does one really say when tragedy strikes over 150,000 lost souls? But one thing that has become a bit obvious is that in the face of tragedy, opportunity emerges. The region hit hardest contains numerous nations where both anti-Americanism and militant jihadists have actively sought to build an Indonesian front in the war on terror. Yet for all the carping and criticism, our presence there is possibly one of the surest ways to demonstrating our benevolence.

Phil Carter offers one sober take that's worth echoing:

Right or wrong, the world expects us to act in this manner when a disaster of this magnitude strikes. After a slow start, I am impressed by the way the U.S. has swung into action. More is needed, of course. But as the proverb goes, a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. The deployment of an aircraft carrier and its group represents one giant first step for the American response to this tragedy. I can think of no better ambassadors for the United States than the men and women of the U.S. military now engaged in this endeavor. Let's keep up the effort.

And in a unique take that somehow manages to combine my own odd blend of snarkiness with the occassionally profound social commentary, Varifrank offers this take:

" See, this is why George Bush is so dumb, theres a disaster in the world and he sends an Aircraft Carrier..."

After which he and many of my Euro collegues laughed out loud.

And then they looked at me. I wasn't laughing, and neither was my Hindi friend sitting next to me, who has lost family in the disaster.

I'm afraid I was "unprofessional", I let it loose - "Hmmm, let's see, what would be the ideal ship to send to a disaster, now what kind of ship would we want?

Something with its own inexhuastible power supply?

Something that can produce 900,000 gallons of fresh water a day from sea water?

Something with its own airfield? So that after producing the fresh water, it could help distribute it?

Something with 4 hospitals and lots of open space for emergency supplies?

Something with a global communications facility to make the coordination of disaster relief in the region easier?

Well "Franz", us peasants in America call that kind of ship an "Aircraft Carrier". We have 12 of them. How many do you have? Oh that's right, NONE. Lucky for you and the rest of the world, we are the kind of people who share. Even with people we dont like. In fact, if memory serves,once upon a time we peasants spent a ton of money and lives rescuing people who we had once tried to kill and who tried to kill us.

Do you know who those people were? that's right Franz, Europeans.

Theres is a French Aircraft carrier? where is it? Right where it belongs! In France of course! Oh why should the French Navy dirty their uniforms helping people on the other side of the globe. How Simplesse...

The day an American has to move a European out of the way to help in some part of the world it will be a great day in the world, you sniggering little fucknob..."

The room fell silent. My hindi friend then said quietly to the Euros:

"Can you let your hatred of George Bush end for just one minute? There are people dying! And what are your countries doing? Amazon.com has helped more than France has. You all have a role to play in the world, why can't you see that? Thank God for the US Navy, they dont have to come and help, but they are. They helped you once and you should all thank God they did. They didnt have to, and no one but them would have done so. I'm ashamed of you all..."

To his lasting credit, Bush has done the right thing in assembling a top-flight bipartisan team of his dad and his predecessor to raise funds ... precisely one of those moments when a demonstrable show of bipartisanship is a wise move.

Closer to home and more seriously, the disaster registers with an acquaintance of mine, Jay Aiyer. So I feel is worth passing along his request for assistance:

This catastrophe is personal for me. My mother?s hometown located in south India was leveled by the tidal wave?killing thousands and leaving thousands more homeless. My father is currently visiting India and has seen the destruction first hand. Luckily for my family, all of our family and friends are currently safe. Unfortunately, millions of people in the region are not as lucky as I am.

That is why I am working with the Houston Indian-American community asking for your help. I am pleading to all my friends to come together and lend a hand in whatever way you can. The way Houstonians have always come together to help victims in our hometown and around the world.

By working together we can make a difference for the millions of people who have lost family members, homes, schools, health facilities, and much more.

During this holiday season, please open your hearts and checkbooks. I ask you to please send your financial contributions to:

ICC-Operations Tsunami Relief
C/O Metro Bank
P.O. Box: 4760
Houston, TX 77210-4760
Account Number: 1165802
Routing Number: 113017346 (should you wish to wire transfer)