The Lesson

Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. Don't loot and steal.

It is hard for people to ignore the obvious contrasts in light of Japan's behavior during one of the most powerful natural disasters and the resulting emergency with the power plants. It's remarkable how fond most Americans are of the Japanese. I think it is that they earned respect over time. And, contrary to high profile charlatans, when it comes down to it, we tend to place character above race more than most societies.

I have a friend whose father survived the Bataan death March, and I think they do not hold it against the people as a group. My friend swears by Honda. That is all he's driven for the last 20 years or so. And I only hear him sing the country's praises. Typical American. Many in the world would have generations of a blood feud going after what his father endured.

I hope nothing more happens there, and that the attempts to make political issues regarding energy and else out of this event simply fall flat.