Let me tell you something about the Japanese people.

[mahina]

It's late, past time for bed, and I may be nudged a little over my own limit by posts here such as this one: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x639403 I'm no expert, not Japanese myself though I went to Japanese language school when I was a little kid, with the rest of my neighborhood. I thought everybody did.

The Japanese people are tough as nails. Lovely, cultivated, funny, urbane, polite, yes, they are all those things. They are the people who brought the world ikebana and the tea ceremony but they are also warriors, almost all of them, and they are going to show the world how to overcome this horrendous nightmare together.

They know how to work together and put the common good ahead of individual needs. I promise you, in six months, you will be amazed at how they have gotten through this with grace and strength. If we are good people, we'll help every way we can too.

Aloha gozaimasu.

[iwishiwas]

1. I do think they have the "common good" at heart, something that

I think many in the US have lost.

[mahina]

2. we find it when we need it

like today in Madison, like every time there is a big problem. When the Koch heads get out of the way!

[iwishiwas]

8. I was in Madison Saturday. Yet,

perhaps half of Wisconsinites do not have the common good in mind.

Ah, Madison, it was so lovely, seeing and listening to the Dem 14 and the Assembly reps. I had a lump in my throat even through the chants.

[mahina]

9. Yeah, I came across a few of those last week here.

Couldn't believe my ears. What a surprise to learn that the teachers are taking such advantage.

Do I need the sarcasm tag thingy?

Anyway, I didn't change their minds. Amazing to hear that kind of nonsense coming from otherwise rational people.

[Bonobo]

3. Arigatou gozaimasu.

例のリンクを読んだ時も僕も心が沈みましたがそちらの言葉で大変感謝しております。ありがとうございます。僕も日本人の根性も優れていると思うし、この悲劇を乗り越えれると確信しています。

I also felt depressed when I read that post you refer to. I don't know why anyone would write such a thing as if they are guessing how many jelly beans are in a jar. But your post lifted me up.

I also know how tough the Japanese are and I know that they will overcome this tragedy.

Thank you for your kind and hopeful and inspiring words.

It touched me.

[mahina]

7. dootashimashte.

I'm happy to return the kindness, Bonobo. You did the same for me yesterday.

aloha

[malaise]

4. True but the forces of nature and that man made

potential nuke disaster are still conspiring against them.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. The grace they convey is astounding, and so inspiring.

Bless them....

:grouphug:

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. The post you referred to, and some of the equally mean spirited comments

I have seen around DU about this heartrending tragedy, do make me thankful for 2 features on DU:
the ignore and the hide thread options.
It is unfortunate that I have had to use them more frequently this past week.

[jannyk]

12. I just read this, I think it sums it up well - yes?

#
1215: The ordered response to Japan's disaster is down to the high level of education and "collective values" of the Japanese, says Takehiko Kariya, professor in the Sociology of Japanese Society at Oxford University. "In this situation it works well for people to work together and take care of each other," he says. Mr Kariya tells the BBC World Service that with the democratisation of the country since World War II, Japanese citizens have increasingly perceived their society to be a homogenous and equal one. Anybody putting himself first in such a disaster and, for example, trying to jump a food queue, "socially punished".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

[mahina]

14. Couldn't have said it better, thank you.

[sarge43]

13. From your monitor

My husband was stationed in Japan. He admires the Japanese. The other day he said they will come through this horror.

[flamingdem]

15. I agree, truly amazing people who have amplified my life nt

[defendandprotect]

16. KR --