Great Tohoku Earthquake

Holy Hell! That's the first thing I said when I watched the wall of water roll over the Japanese farm land as I turned on the TV Thursday morning and started setting up breakfast at work.  At that moment I was glued to the TV and watching one of the largest disasters to affect Japan in a long time.  The large scale devastation was caused by an offshore Earthquake that hit 8.9 magnitude that caused a large scale tsunami that simply washed away parts of Japan along with thousands of Japanese people.  I've been following the developments of the crisis as it has been unfolding these last few days.

And it has only gotten worse.  Japan's nuclear power is having some serious issues and still thousands of people are missing and presumed dead.  On top of that even more large scale aftershocks are scheduled to hit Japan through out the week hampering clean-up, rescue and nuclear containment activities though out Japan.

For the latest updates on the nuclear issue forget the news and word of mouth.  Instead follow an informed source on the matter the Nuclear Energy Institute for all the up to date information.

If you want to check out some crazy pictures of the devastation you can see some overhead before and after shots at ABC News Australia.  Also Boston Big Picture has two sets of pictures up Aftermath and Massive Earthquake.  I also found this site that is a wealth of information about the Great Tohoku Earthquake timeline as well as a great source of information for ways to help out -- Gakuranman.

So how can we help Japan?
While Japan isn't Haiti it doesn't mean that they don't need help them out in a time of need.  But you need to make sure that the places that you are sending money are actually going to help Japan.

You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami or you can visit the following page -- Time Out Tokyo that lists some recommended donation sites to send money too.  Another great site that lists recommended donation sites is Japan Subculture as well.

Why the Hate?
When I first wrote this I forgot to include something that made me really frustrated with my fellow Americans and that's the stupidity that many have shown regarding this natural disaster.  From people trolling the Google Person Finder app with fake death notices to the biggest asshole ever Paul Watson saying that the Earthquake and tsunami are Divine Punishment.  But the biggest and by far dumbest response by people so far is their idea that the Earthquake and tsunami are just payback for Pearl Harbor and that we shouldn't be helping them.  To all of you morons out there that think that way...you suck and DIAF!

I'd just like to finish this post by saying my Thoughts and Well Wishes are with you all in Japan and other areas affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami.