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Friday 25 February 2011

Another Tragedy

It seems like only yesterday that all our thoughts and prayers were going out to all those poor people in Australia, who were affected by the terrible flooding.

Now, we have another terrible situation over in New Zealand with the awful earthquake that they experienced.  I realize that others have probably posted about this already, as I am a little behind at the moment, but I just had to mention it and send prayers to all those affected.


It was horrible watching all the images on the BBC news last night.  The thing that really affected me was the interview they did with a mum whose daughter was trapped in the rubble of her office.  This poor lady said that she was constantly ringing her daughter's mobile phone, in the hope that the rescuers would hear it ringing and that it would lead them to her beloved daughter.  Oh dear, I can't even begin to imagine what that poor mum was going through.  It certainly wasn't looking good, that's for sure.

Does anyone else feel a bit uneasy by all this twenty four hour news coverage of these terrible tragedies.  It's always the bit when the reporter sticks his microphone up to someone's face and asks such inane questions, when they are suffering so much.  Perhaps it's just me, but sometimes I do feel that they go over the top in the reporting of these horrific situations.

One of my favourite singers, Neil Diamond, is in New Zealand at the moment to perform three shows, and he has launched an immediate appeal for the earthquake relief.  He has posted a link to donate to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal online.

20 comments:

Bethe77 said...

Thisisme I couldnt agree with you more on this over the top reporting in your face where people are hurting already. Where is the compassion and empathy for these hurting people. I just hate it! As you it is so important for us to lift them up in our prayers. But do we have to reveal their naked pain so in front of the camaras every minute. The tradgeys seem to keep coming or maybe it is because news hits us much faster with all these new ways to get the news out so quickly with all this hight tech media resources. What used to take days or weeks on some even months now is instant information . It can be so overwhelming.
That is Awesome that Neil Diamond is host and fundraiser for all those hurting in New Zealand.
Glad you are back up and posting
Blessings

Unknown said...

Yes, Thisisme, it is tragic and I am sure we all feel the same as you about the rude way the reporting is done sometimes. It hit close to home with Belle in BC as her grandaughter's dad lives in Christchurch and his mother had just arrived for a visit. His house was badly damaged and they will be staying with his girl friend but are safe. It really is good having you back girl.
Odie

Carol E Wyer said...

I completely agree with you. I actually turned the channel over last night. I hate seeing the looks of anguish on the faces of those suffering and I always want to hit the reporters who ask 'And how are you feeling?' (grrrr don't get me started). My heart goes out to them. What a dreadful tragedy.
Lovely to have you back and I laughed my socks off at your last post...my mother did something similar a while back with her hairspray. She was trying to spray an annoying fly but picked up her hairspray can by mistake - it had the sleekest wings in the area.
Great to have you back. Hope you feel better in no time.
Hubby adores Neil Diamond by the way (and as you know Abba)

Shady Del Knight said...

I was in television news for many years as a film and video shooter, field reporter and studio anchor. Beating the competition and getting the best footage and sound bites for the newscast wasn't the only thing...it was everything. I often felt dirty walking into people's burned out living rooms or to the scene of train derailments or car wrecks and pointing my camera or microphone at people. I'm glad I got out of that business because what I was forced to be wasn't what I wanted to be.

I hope you are feeling stronger and better today, dear Thisisme. Bless you!

SkippyMom said...

Between the floods and the earthquake on the news Pooldad looked at me and said "It's like the world is coming to end." I know that sounds dramatic - but the way they report, constantly, it just seems so sad.

Our thoughts are with them. And no, I could not imagine one of my children trapped and I couldn't get to them. The thought makes me cry.

Hugs to you darling - and love to New Zealand.

Gawgus things... said...

Your words are very true. But we are the ones that are watching all this coverage as well. I think with all the reality tv shows that are on nowadays our perspective is getting blurred as to what is and what isn't intrusive. Definitely sending prayers and thoughts to everyone involved.

Southhamsdarling said...

Bethe77 = It seems that most people are not really happy with all this reporting of these tragedies. Sometimes I think that 24 hour news has a lot to answer for!

Odie - I hadn't realized that Belle's granddaughter's dad was involved out there in N.Z. Thank goodness that they are all okay.

Facing50Blog.Com - it is all very intrusive, isn't it. Something not quite right about it! Still at least you gave me a smile today with the fly with the sleekest wings in town!! LOL!

Shady - dear friend, thank goodness you managed to get out of that business. It's just not you at all, or not the you that I know anway! Thank you for your good wishes.

SkippyMom - I know just what Pooldad means. It does seem like that sometimes, doesn't it?! That thought made me get very upset too.

Gawgus things - You're right of course. We can always switch off. Although we moan about the weather here in England, thank goodness we never have anything like that to cope with.

Unknown said...

I'm deeply affected by massive events like these. It makes me hurry the pace in my own life. It's almost as if there's something big that could happen at any moment, to anyone, anywhere in the world. So my personal response is to try to fit everything I want to do in life as soon as possible. Strange, I know. I feel so bad for people who experience so much loss and destruction all at one time.

LindyLouMac said...

The news coverage of these tragic events really wind me up as the reporters always seem so insensitive. We have friends in NZ but fortunately they are all safe.

Jumble Mash said...

I completely agree, Thisisme. Well said!

Southhamsdarling said...

kneesandpaws - That's an interesting take on things, in that you feel you want to fit everything into your life as soon as possible. It certainly brings home just how fragile life is.

LindyLouMac - thank goodness your friends in N.Z. are all safe and sound.

Jumble Mash - Thank you!

Belle said...

It is sad to see all these things happening in the world, which I attribute to global warming. This is what the industrial age has come to. There have been good inventions (medicine) along with the bad.
My granddaughter's father lived one block from the large church that was ruined. His house was toppled also, but they were not home at the time. I thank God for that and pray God will comfort those who lost loved ones.

Chatty Crone said...

Can't say I think too highly of journalists to begin with - but don't sensational on someone elses sorrows.
sandie

Unknown said...

There is a little something called...tact. I'm convinced that most reporters don't have it. It's enough to be there and show it, and have the images but to go and be so in your face and to ask how it has affected someone or how they are feeling - maybe it's just me but it's obvious when such tragedy how people are affected or how they feel without bringing even more hurt and attention to it. My heart breaks for all of the tragedy in the world! :(

Empty Nester said...

The news media are horrid. I will watch just to see what happened and then turn them off. They sensationalize everything- including the misfortune of others.

caterpillar said...

I agree on the unsympathetic reporting that happens these days where it's all about news coverage rather than a humane treatment to the situation at hand....I hope that the people are safe.....

MunirGhiasuddin said...

I agree with you, sometimes reporters don't know how to leave people alone.

Rebecca said...

what a horrible thing my prayers have been with them

On My Soapbox said...

The whole thing is just tragic. I can't begin to imagine what they must be going through! Good on Neil Diamond for helping - every bit helps.

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - thank God indeed that no-one was at home when the house was toppled. It's bad enough to have your home destroyed like that.

Chatty Crone - well said!

mskanorado - I agree so much. To ask how someone is feeling when, sometimes, they have lost everything, is just too much to take.

EmptyNester - it really does seem that we all agree about the sensationalism of news reporting, and we don't like it.

caterpillar - totally agree with you. The humanity side seems to have just gone out of the window!

Munir - thank you so much for popping into my Blog. Hopefully you will come by again!

Becca - yes, lots of prayers needed for those poor people who have been affected by this tragedy.

On My Soapbox - I'm just so glad that we don't get tragedies like that over here in England. I agree - good for Neil Diamond for trying to raise as much money as possible.