In Reply to: Indonesia Tsunami posted by rds1 on Friday, 2. September 2005 at 05:31 Bali Time:
After reading some of the associated posts regarding the US hurricane thought I would share the Balinese perspective with anyone interested. It is a very simple one. It is also why we all love Bali and its people. It is also sadly lacking in many of the posts which resort to nationalistic stereotyping. Being American, Australian or Indonesian doesn't mean jack if you have no food and water!!
Anyway my Balinese friends to the man (or woman) all have one reaction, COMPASSION, it is the true human reaction to someone suffering from any adversity. Money, food, water and blankets all stem from that first concept of compassion. It costs nothing but as any Balinese will tell you it comes with countless rewards to both the giver and receiver.
My heart goes out to the US victims of this disaster, as it has gone out to the victims of the Bali bombing, the tsunami and every other disaster that is a part of life on this planet.