[MMM]

You say "Japan" and "Japanese government" has money, and they do.

However the fisherman who lost his house, his boat, and his family does not.

The daughter that lost her home, her school, and half her classmates does not.

The mother that felt her toddler's fingers slip from her fingers as they were separated by the tsunami does not.

I am not talking about giving money to the Japanese government. I am talking about giving money to the international aid and relief workers that are pouring into Japan AS WE SPEAK while we are here so smugly behind our computer screens.

Neither you or Suki addressed the fundamental issue. Yes Japan has money, but do they have what it takes to save their people RIGHT NOW? I gave my answer, and it's the same answer many Japanese living in Japan would give you. Obviously, NO! It's a bureaucratic system, and as I am seeing on the news every hour, doesn't work with the sense of speed needed to save the region.

Part of it is paying it forward. That means I help you now, knowing that when I need help, it will come back around. Japan helped New Zealand when it was struck by an earthquake a few weeks ago. What did New Zealand do? Turn around and help them back. That's good diplomacy and simply being a good neighbor.

No one is forcing either of you to participate in that process, but to call it irrational is absurd.