The Way I See It - Upheaval!

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Wed, Jan 20, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

There are lessons to be learned from the earthquake in Haiti. As the earthquake response effort continues we see heroic efforts by individuals, organizations and governments to increase the survival rate and feed and care for the injured and displaced. There are few places on earth that could have been hit harder by a quake. Haiti has been on life support for a long time and what little political, social or physical infrastructure it once had lies in rubble and dust. The human loss is staggering. Hurricane Katrina was the third largest natural disaster in the U.S. in terms of death toll, after the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Total deaths for these three disasters might top 20,000, which is barely 10 percent of the possible Haiti quake toll of an estimated 200,000 souls lost. Could destruction of that enormity happen here? If the magnitude 9.2 quake that hit Anchorage in 1964 hit Seattle, San Francisco or LA, it just might. The fact of the matter is, a massive natural disaster can happen here. How prepared are we physically, emotionally and spiritually to deal with that possibility? 
 
In a disaster, perhaps almost any disaster, there are some people who will do anything to survive, and some who will do anything to help others survive. In our culture, we bemoan the behavior of the first and are inspired by and cheer for the latter. There is a third group that is just in shock and unable to respond physically, emotionally or spiritually. Which of those groups each of us wind up in may be unknown until the disaster happens. But does that have to be the case?  I believe we can choose to influence the outcome beforehand. To make that choice we need to ask questions about which group we want to fit in if circumstances allow, and how can we prepare ourselves. Essentially, what does your survival kit look like? What is in it? Various government organizations publish thorough and well thought out emergency preparedness lists. While these lists address our physical needs in the event of a disaster, we also need more than food, water and sutures to survive.
 
We need something in our survival kits for the mental, emotional and spiritual stresses as well. And mind you, the survival kit has to be prepared and ready to go prior to a catastrophe. Mental preparedness is not only about having checklists and adequate supplies, it is also about understanding the risks and vulnerabilities of the various natural and man-made hazards we have in our area. Typically in Whatcom County we think of flooding, severe weather, earthquakes, and pipeline explosions. These hazards have been part of our experience. But mental preparation requires a broader range of awareness. It also requires actively reviewing our preparations and planning on a regular basis; it is hard to stay mentally and physically prepared for less-likely big disasters. As with earthquakes, a disaster might not even happen in our lifetimes. So we have a hard time making the mental and physical effort to prepare. 

What do we need to do in the way of emotional preparation? The biggest emotional stress for most of us is probably the safety and whereabouts of family members. Once again, preparation has to occur before the event. Making sure our family members know what the emergency plan is and how to respond is a big step toward preventing the emotional impact of a disaster from becoming overwhelming. Everyone in our circle needs to know what to do when separated (at school or at work are the most likely scenarios). Teaching our kids and family members where to go, who to seek help from, and how to handle interrupted communications can be critical. Understand the disaster plans of the schools. What will the schools do in a disaster? Essentially, be mindful. Establish a personal plan for handling your emotions by thinking through scenarios and setting intentions. Develop answers to the questions: “If I am not injured, what will I do? Who will I be caring for? Besides my family, will I be helping co-workers, neighbors, or perhaps strangers?” 
 
Spiritual preparation is also paramount. In the event of a disaster, will we have included compassion, non-judgment and forgiveness in our survival kit? Spiritual items for the kit, like the other items, have to be added in advance and on a regular basis. In the moments of a crisis and afterward, will we choose to serve others or not? Will we be prepared?
 
Beyond the immediate heartbreak of the Haiti earthquake is the Herculean task of reviving a country destroyed. The spark to ignite that revival will have to come from the Haitians themselves. Others, countries and people from around the world, will need to be supportive and do a lot of heavy lifting for some time. It is certainly within the American character to do what is necessary to help. But old patterns of thinking need to be broken and new levels of consciousness evolved. The next Haiti will not and cannot be a replay of the past. The Haitian people will need to find and develop a self resiliency at the same time they are being helped. Otherwise, the oppression that dominated that land will return. Haiti, our prayers and assistance are with you. God speed.

UPDATE: City of Bham Moonlighting Issue - More Documents

Mon, Jan 30, 2012, 10:58 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley updates us on the latest facts coming to light about City of Bellingham employee moonlighting

2 comments; last on Feb 01, 2012

Compliance, Noncompliance and Invalidity in Whatcom County

Sun, Jan 29, 2012, 10:16 pm  //  Wendy Harris

The County's rural planning actions have not just failed to comply with the GMA...they have contradicted the goals of the GMA.

2 comments; last on Feb 01, 2012

We invite you to visit our large gallery at 901 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven. Take I-5 Exit 250.

A Worm’s Eye View of our local WorkSource Center

Wed, Jan 25, 2012, 9:42 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley visits the local WorkSource center and interviews the regional director

0 comments

Watch out for basement flooding

Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 9:03 pm  //  Paul de Armond

Stormwater surge may back up sewers

5 comments; last on Jan 21, 2012

The Political Junkie interviews Kathy Kershner

Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 4:29 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley discusses the Jail, Jack Louws, and an impartial council with our new Council Chair

1 comments; last on Jan 20, 2012

SOPA - A Step in Destroying Democracy

Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 12:17 am  //  John Servais

NWCitizen.com went black for Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012, as a protest against proposed legislation, SOPA and PIPA. Here is what was posted.

1 comments; last on Jan 19, 2012

Why SOPA is so terrible

Tue, Jan 17, 2012, 6:28 pm  //  John Servais

On Wednesday, thousands of websites will go dark to show opposition to SOPA. I will be posting a single article explaining who SOPA is so bad.

0 comments

Planning Commissioner Mocks Environmental Concern For Coal Terminal

Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 11:06 pm  //  Wendy Harris

Planning Commissioner Onkels should recuse himself from review of environmental impacts at GPT.

2 comments; last on Jan 16, 2012

Jack Petree, Olympia, the Whatcom Council and Obama’s Inner Circle

Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 8:04 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Latest from the Political Junkie on a variety of subjects

7 comments; last on Jan 15, 2012

Commmunity Governance at its Best

Mon, Jan 09, 2012, 8:27 pm  //  Tip Johnson

We have a new mayor!

4 comments; last on Jan 10, 2012

Property Rights Protected Under Lake Whatcom Stormwater Proposal

Sun, Jan 08, 2012, 11:02 pm  //  Wendy Harris

The County's proposed stormwater regulations for Lake Whatcom will increase development without improving water quality

2 comments; last on Jan 20, 2012

Riley Rouses Row Over Domestic Violence

Sun, Jan 08, 2012, 1:21 am  //  John Servais

Issue is County Council member Kathy Kershner and how our social service programs are funded.

3 comments; last on Jan 08, 2012

Some thoughts on the Occupy Bellingham issue

Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 12:05 am  //  John Servais

A third note on Jan 1 about the Herald photos with links. And previous thoughts on the trivia around the militarized evictions.

9 comments; last on Jan 10, 2012

Kelli Linville has taken oath as mayor

Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 2:07 pm  //  John Servais

Kelli assumes office of mayor at midnight Dec 31

6 comments; last on Jan 02, 2012

Bellingham Herald removes comments

Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 11:59 am  //  Wendy Harris

Decide for yourself if this blog comment, posted under my own name, should have been flagged and removed from the Bellingham Herald Online Edition.

1 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011

Herald Permits Censorship of Pro-Occupy Bellingham Comments

Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 11:14 am  //  Wendy Harris

Anyone can "flag" a blog posting, resulting in immediate removal of your comment, regardless of merit. This is occuring for comments supporting OB.

1 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011

City Exceeds Scope of Occupy Bellingham Eviction

Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 8:26 pm  //  Wendy Harris

The City infringed on the public’s right to peaceful assembly in a public park by enforcing an inappropriate public safety law

2 comments; last on Dec 30, 2011

Dan Pike Issues Order to Evict Occupy Bellingham

Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 11:55 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley questions Pike's timing, and Occupy's choice of tactics

2 comments; last on Dec 28, 2011

Updates from The Political Junkie

Tue, Dec 20, 2011, 2:19 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Where Riley provides more info on the City of Bellingham employees moonlighting issue and Crawford's ethical troubles

0 comments

Dock Increases Risk of Invasive Species on Lake Whatcom

Sun, Dec 18, 2011, 8:43 pm  //  Wendy Harris

Relocation of a dock to Bloedel Donovan Park underscores failure to protect Lake Whatcom from invasive species

0 comments

Sam Crawford Faces Ethical Concerns . . . AGAIN

Thu, Dec 15, 2011, 12:44 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Local blogger Shane Roth files ethical complaint over Crawford's sweetheart deals

3 comments; last on Dec 16, 2011

Planning Commission Fails to Remove Cherry Point From Birch Bay Mitigation Plan

Wed, Dec 14, 2011, 7:05 am  //  Wendy Harris

Claiming it is unfair to treat large property owners different than small property owners, the Commission refuses to remove industrial areas from buffer mitigation proposal.

0 comments

Rick Perry, Can We Talk?

Tue, Dec 13, 2011, 9:58 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley has a conversation with Rick Perry

2 comments; last on Dec 16, 2011

For Gift Ideas, Think Beyond Parker Brothers

Sat, Dec 10, 2011, 9:32 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley discusses his love of board games and some good gift ideas

2 comments; last on Dec 11, 2011

The Political Junkie needs your input

Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 12:47 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Please take my reader's survey, I'm planning 2012

0 comments

Loophole Benefits SSA and Undermines Birch Bay Mitigation Proposal

Wed, Dec 07, 2011, 7:00 am  //  Wendy Harris

Tell the Planning Commission to eliminate this loophole

2 comments; last on Dec 14, 2011

Washington United for Marriage: It’s Time!

Tue, Dec 06, 2011, 11:12 am  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley attends a public meeting on equality

0 comments

The Cole Train: Loads of BS

Sun, Dec 04, 2011, 4:53 pm  //  Tip Johnson

Wherein the sooty prospect of economic necessity rears its ugly head

2 comments; last on Dec 04, 2011

Update on Cherry Point Buffer Mitigation Proposal

Fri, Dec 02, 2011, 1:08 pm  //  Wendy Harris

Planning Staff's recommended revision will not prevent SSA from reducing wetland buffers.

0 comments

UPDATE: City’s response focused on favoritism, not lost revenue

Wed, Nov 30, 2011, 5:51 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

More on the city employee moonlighting issue

0 comments

TPJ Exclusive: Little Documented Oversight for City Employee Moonlighting

Mon, Nov 28, 2011, 4:29 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

The Political Junkie breaks a story of employee moonlighting within city of Bellingham

7 comments; last on Nov 30, 2011

Deer me!

Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 3:30 pm  //  Tip Johnson

O.K. Who's in charge of all these ungulates?

14 comments; last on Dec 01, 2011

County Proposal Includes New Cherry Point Buffer Mitigation Requirements

Tue, Nov 22, 2011, 9:29 pm  //  Wendy Harris

The County's new mitigation proposal is unlikely to be adequate for Cherry Point's industrial impacts to habitat buffers

3 comments; last on Nov 24, 2011

CameraGate:  Red-light safety or city revenue?

Mon, Nov 21, 2011, 1:00 am  //  Guest writer

With budget woes, Bellingham passes on safety in favor of cash. Starting in 2008, Bellingham officials were coached by ATS on how to get Red Light cameras through…

26 comments; last on Nov 29, 2011

Cameras, not coal, decided the election

Sat, Nov 19, 2011, 8:24 pm  //  Paul de Armond

Looking at the numbers for the Bellingham elections

11 comments; last on Nov 22, 2011

Election Analysis: What does it take to win a county seat?

Fri, Nov 18, 2011, 12:28 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley examines Maginnis/Crawford and Kremen/Larson

0 comments

Election Analysis: Dropoff, Lynden Suburbs and the “Buys Bounce”

Thu, Nov 17, 2011, 5:20 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley looks at Lynden and coins some new phrases.

0 comments

Political Junkie Election Analysis: Louws/Ericksen

Wed, Nov 16, 2011, 12:31 pm  //  Riley Sweeney

Riley takes a look at Louws/Ericksen in the search for moderate Republicans

1 comments; last on Nov 17, 2011

Kelli Linville is elected Mayor of Bellingham

Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 5:21 pm  //  John Servais

Results are posted as of 5:21 pm. Use links at top of right side column.

2 comments; last on Nov 15, 2011

Padden Trails Rezone – You Should Be Worried

Tue, Nov 15, 2011, 9:43 am  //  Dick Conoboy

The Padden Trails rezone effort is a misuse of the Infill Tool Kit on the outskirts of Bellingham.

8 comments; last on Nov 16, 2011

Still over 6,000 ballots to count

Mon, Nov 14, 2011, 4:52 pm  //  John Servais

Kelli Linville takes safe lead for mayor of Bellingham. Sam Crawford is leading for county council.

1 comments; last on Nov 14, 2011

 

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