Earthquakes and Terror

From NYT: Most Powerful Quake in 40 Years Triggers Death and Destruction

Death toll at least 9,000, likely to rise, and rise, and rise...

We humans are not the only thing the earth's got going on. Sometimes, it does something that reminds us of that. Those who think that one man can keep them safe should ask who in this world can stop a tsunami, and then they should remember that safety is always an illusion, in the end.

The earth behaves in inhumane ways. It does not know from morality, kindness, or the Geneva conventions. It attacks innocents, killing without remorse. Shall we destroy it before it destroys us?

UPDATE 12/27/2004: Death toll at 23,000 and still rising steadily. This is really horrific. A list of orgs to donate to is here, at The Command Post (via Brad DeLong).