HEY, A FREAKING MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE JUST HIT JAPAN!

[Ken Cheng]

Magnitude 8.9!

[fridaythe13th]

First there was a major flood in Queensland Australia, then an earthquake in Christchurch and now an earthquake in Japan...and it is only the beginning of March!

[remember_Cedric]

Magnitude 8.9!

Yeah, one of my colleagues was telling me. It was 7.2 a few days ago. This is bad, very bad. God bless the country.

[Xaari]

Indeed, this is a terrible catastrophe! My favorite singer (Kim Junsu) has finally managed to leave safely on a flight back to Korea after receiving such a shock...and two of my friends in Japan have been affected by it, but are currently safe. I hope everyone in Japan can stay as safe as possible!

[odbayarb2000]

It was huge earthquake and Japan received severe damage. Felt sorry for the people who lost their dear lives. But it triggered some panic all over the world as if Japan has sunk. It was totally safe in the places where beaches are far away.

[dictionary]

I just saw the news and footage. My sympathy to everybody, especially survivors.

[GuGu]

i saw the news early this morning and immediately called my friend over there without even reading where exactly it was. thank goodness that she lives far from that area!

[Ken Cheng]

The scope of this disaster is so huge that its true effect will be measured in years, and even through the lives of people who walked away intact from its immediate effects.

[devilz91]

8.9 is pretty fúcking huge.

[Lianazhu]

First there was a major flood in Queensland Australia, then an earthquake in Christchurch and now an earthquake in Japan...and it is only the beginning of March!

Gives a whole new meaning to the term, 'March Madness' if you ask me

[JamesG]

Some twit in the European Parliament is blaming it on Global Warming!!! It's insane, but not unexpected.

[jadebunny9]

It's really really terrible. Even the most earthquake-prepared nation in the world can't defeat nature. Hopefully help will get to them quickly before anymore disasters strike.

[wkeej]

Many have not been accounted. The number of deaths will be increasing. Think the Japanese are shocked by the magnitude too.

[junny]

^ Yeah, it's a double whammy - earthquake and tsunami - now accompanied by the spectre of a nuclear meltdown. And food and water shortage, plus power cuts. Information has been sketchy and people are confused, worried and freezing cold.

[patricia n]

it's just getting worse and worse. i'm left speechless by the magnitude of this disaster. i'm trying to do some research into determining what's a legitimate charity to donate to as i do not trust the red cross, which seems to be plastered everywhere. if anyone knows of an organization that actually uses the majority of the donated amount towards the cause (instead of towards the ceo's pocket) then please let me know as well.

in the meantime, i hope that the survivors will be able to keep warm and be without hunger soon.

[junny]

it's just getting worse and worse. i'm left speechless by the magnitude of this disaster. i'm trying to do some research into determining what's a legitimate charity to donate to as i do not trust the red cross, which seems to be plastered everywhere. if anyone knows of an organization that actually uses the majority of the donated amount towards the cause (instead of towards the ceo's pocket) then please let me know as well.

You don't trust the Red Cross? How come? I was thinking of making a donation to the Red Cross here in the UK.

[patricia n]

if you read reviews of the red cross on sites that look over the legitimacy of charitable organization or google red cross reviews, you would not want to trust them either. most of the donated money never goes to the intended cause. if anything, it stays within the organization for their own profit. their director makes $600k/year...how's that for a charitable organization.

here's an example. while the charity navigator site ranks it pretty high on their list of legitimate foundations; it fortunately allows users to also post reviews.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...ews&orgid=3277

also, here are some other people's experience.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20110311/pl_usnw/DC63870_1

right now, i'm torn between the salvation army and doctors without borders

[junny]

^ Thanks for the heads-up. Never would have thought that about the Red Cross, but it's sad to think that people would siphon money meant to help those in need. I think I'll just chip in something via my Japanese friend here - she's got family in Japan.

[JamesG]

if you read reviews of the red cross on sites that look over the legitimacy of charitable organization or google red cross reviews, you would not want to trust them either. most of the donated money never goes to the intended cause. if anything, it stays within the organization for their own profit. their director makes $600k/year...how's that for a charitable organization.

here's an example. while the charity navigator site ranks it pretty high on their list of legitimate foundations; it fortunately allows users to also post reviews.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/inde...ews&orgid=3277

also, here are some other people's experience.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20110311/pl_usnw/DC63870_1

right now, i'm torn between the salvation army and doctors without borders

If you can manage a bit for both it would be a double whammy approach. The first for food, shelter and personal items and the second for medical aid.

[wkeej]

if you read reviews of the red cross on sites that look over the legitimacy of charitable organization or google red cross reviews, you would not want to trust them either. most of the donated money never goes to the intended cause. if anything, it stays within the organization for their own profit. their director makes $600k/year...how's that for a charitable organization.

OT: May I know where you get the salary figure? Thanks much.