I too am amazed at how patiently the tsunami victims wait in line for hours to receive food rations--and without incident. It's in sharp contrast to the looting that has occurred in an American town devastated by a natural disaster. I think it's because of their culture and having to live in a highly populated region that lends itself to their politeness towards their fellow man. I was looking at the photos of the devastation and how the elderly are being cared for. In that respect I saw the faces of the Katrina victims--the elderly men and women who were gathered outside the dome waiting for rescue.

My heart goes out to these victims as they brace for powerful aftershocks and exposure to nuclear waste.