|
Post by Avril on Jan 1, 2011 15:35:01 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 1, 2011 15:53:18 GMT -5
Whut is THAT CHILD doing in the water? He could catch a watery disease! And did they ever rescue that marooned kangaroo?
|
|
|
Post by sunfrog on Jan 1, 2011 15:55:43 GMT -5
All those ozzies look happy. Are you sure they're distraught? Can kangaroos climb trees? I love that guy's t-shirt.
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 1, 2011 15:59:04 GMT -5
Philippine Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. Pigsnit went there too, to check on Mums poorer relations. Not Biblical but a Monstur Typhoon probably hits the Philippines every 5 years or so.
|
|
|
Post by Avril on Jan 1, 2011 16:00:06 GMT -5
They're tough, Queenslanders, and pretty good natured. Actually, why can't you enjoy a disaster if you can? Plenty of people can't.
|
|
|
Post by shoegirl on Jan 1, 2011 16:09:58 GMT -5
I hope most people in Queensland own a boat...
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 1, 2011 16:13:50 GMT -5
That hatted gentleman being helped off the boat wuz amazingly well-dressed too.
|
|
|
Post by Avril on Jan 2, 2011 2:21:07 GMT -5
I used to think that populations in third world countries were more resilient when it came to disasters - because they were used to not having a great deal, and because first world countries, like the US in Katrina, were more spoiled, feeling entitled to immediate aid and too soft to deal with deprivation. Now I wonder about that. Research shows that people who are happy can withstand more pain and discomfort than those who are unhappy. It seems that hope is the most important thing. In Queensland, even though they have floods every year, they are dealing with this Biblical flood cheerfully and, it appears, a little self-consciously. If they were not predominantly middle class and well superannuated, their faces would no doubt look like those of these citizens of Quezon City in Manila.
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 2, 2011 4:17:39 GMT -5
Actually I still think Westerners are still too *soft* to deal wid *deprivation.* Look at how the French totally freak out at the thought that their retirement age will be raised two years to 62 or something. *Enfin! To labour at my cushee office job iz a thought not to be borne!*
But when you are poor, like most Filipinos, you just suck it up buttercup, collect the remains of your shanty, and rebuild. Its resilience and, I think, resignation. Its like that song my mum used to sing. *Que sera sera. Whutever will be will be. The futures not ours to see. Que sera sera.*
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 3, 2011 23:19:44 GMT -5
Sounds like the floods are getting worsur. All over the Beeb tonight.
|
|
|
Post by Avril on Jan 4, 2011 3:03:30 GMT -5
The Fitzroy River is expected to peak tonight, and maintain that level for two to three days. They've got most people out. As you can see, livestock that remains is left to drown or be eaten by saltwater crocodiles.
|
|
|
Post by Avril on Jan 4, 2011 3:13:51 GMT -5
An area bigger than France and Germany combined is affected...
|
|
|
Post by PigsnieLite on Jan 4, 2011 3:24:01 GMT -5
Are any foreign countries sending aid? Also, I notice that even though the floods are incredibly high, the houses are very well built and dont look like the wrecks of New Orleans after Katrina. Maybe the people can save more stuff.
|
|
|
Post by Avril on Jan 4, 2011 3:30:37 GMT -5
Well, no hurricane devastation like Katrina, just rising water.
What will be left in the wake of these floods is going to be heartbreaking. Devastated crops and massive erosion after years of drought, dead stock, and in homes, pets that had to be abandoned and might not have not been rescued by the RSPCA because of the danger of crocs and snakes in the water.
|
|
|
Post by sunfrog on Jan 4, 2011 9:53:33 GMT -5
What is that big hill in the background in that photo? Why don't people go up there?
|
|