Usually I confine my comments only to arts topics but this is one of
the few times I feel compelled to make a comment. It is sobering that
we are spending approximately 28 million per day in Iraq (roughly a
billion per week). In my book, 35 million or 70 million for Indonesia
is a paltry sum when put into comparison. If you wish to donate Oxfam
is also an excellent organization. They already have people in
indonesia and can direct the dollars directly to relief efforts.

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

or

https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04


John


On Dec 30, 2004, at 1:06 PM, Karl Gehrman wrote:

> Geoeff,
> I can't say for sure what is happening in many other states, but as
> San Diego is a bit of a parking lot for some U.S. ships
> I hear that six of them have been deployed for disaster relief or
> diverted from Iraqi missions to a new location and a different sort of
> purpose, the kind they should really be used for.
> Though the US is promising 35 million, I am sure the real figure spent
> will be twice that or more.
>
> A 5 minute warning could have saved most of the victims.
> I just hope some terrorist groups do not seize on this event as an
> advantage.
>
> Karl
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration-
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Geoff Thompson
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 11:52 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: OT Merry Christmas!
>
>
> Dear Karl,
>                 Yes, it's too terrible to comprehend. The huge toll
> keeps rising too "Unconfirmed estimates of the dead ranged up beyond
> 76,000, AP reported". The Australian Government has raised the aid
> pledged to $35 million (Aust.). There are 8 Australians dead and
> another 8 for which grave fears are held. I'm not sure what the US
> government is doing. Disease seems to be the next big threat.
>     Here it's paradise, a perfect blue sky at 75°F, at 6:00pm, with a
> gentle breeze. Makes you feel almost guilty to be so fortunate,
>                 Cheers,
>                             Geoff
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karl Gehrman" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 2:36 AM
> Subject: Re: OT Merry Christmas!
>
>
>> Hi Geoff
>> Nothing we have here could come anywhere near what just happened in
>> Sri
> Lanka.
>> Can't say I've ever heard of a death toll this large by water. I hear
>> Australians are heavy into the the rescue efforts, how we can do as
> well.
>>
>> Karl
>>
>> Karl Gehrman
>> Illustration & Graphic Design
>> Stratagene
>> La Jolla, CA
>> [log in to unmask]
>> 858-535-5400 ext 14507
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration-
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Geoff Thompson
>> Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2004 2:26 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: OT Merry Christmas!
>>
>>
>> Dear All,
>>             Merry Christmas! It's currently 8:15 PM Christmas night
>> here
> in Brisbane, Australia. We have just had a hot, muggy Christmas (87°F)
> and it is still 78°F, with 80% relative humidity. I'm sure it's
> freezing in the northern hemisphere and hope you all manage to keep
> warm and have a wonderful time. We'll be thinking especially of all
> the great friends we have made on the list and on our trip round the
> world in 2003. Hope to see you all again sometime sooner rather than
> later, I hope.
>>     Best wishes for 2005 too. Lets hope it brings good changes for us
>> all.
> [I'm wishing this despite a very scary birthday number a few days into
> it.]
>>             Best Wishes,
>>             Geoff Thompson
>
>