I am sure everyone knows about the earthquake in Chengdu by now. Last death toll was 15,000 and counting. People are grieving, homeless, helpless. Now is certainly not the time to go into rhetorics about the China-Tibet situation. Please help if you can.

If you would like to do your bit, cheques are to be made payable to the “Singapore Red Cross Society”. Please indicate at the back of the cheque name of donor/organisation (if applicable), mailing address and contact numbers and “Red Cross China Earthquake”

Cheques should then be sent to Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486. Once the cheque/s are received, an official non-tax deductible receipt will be issued.

As a mother, it grieved me deeply to look at this picture. You can imagine how much more grief and pain their parents must feel.

J, who is stationed in Hong Kong Beijing now with her husband and son, had quite an experience in her apartment. I can’t even begin to describe the fear I felt when I imagined myself to be in her position - that my children, Big and family were not by my side in such a precarious situation.

We are very fortunate to be in a geographical location where no such life threatening catastrophe is likely to happen. Let’s help where we can.

**

Jaywalk has written a few insightful posts on the earthquake. He’s based in China and shares a first hand perspective. This post especially touches a deep chord in me. I didn’t see LHL on the ground when Nicoll collapsed or when MS escaped. Or perhaps as JW said, the photographers are doing a lousy job. I did see a lot of Wong Kan Seng in the recent MS episode, but sadly it was in the manner of blame shifting speeches and for want of a better phrase, covering his own backside. Someone was fired and of course, he wasn’t the one.

I am not a Chinese National and yet, I am touched by this photo (stolen borrowed from JW as you can see).

.

.

I remembered turning to Big and telling him, after seeing Wen Jiabao on the news; being there on the scene and offering support and empathy, that I certainly cannot imagine our elite and overpaid PAP chosen ones doing the same thing. He replied that, oh they might because they have to. Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?

So much for having to be overpaid to do your civil duty for your country. Here is a living example that one does not need to be over paid in an absurb manner to serve one’s country in a sincere, humble manner, in the best way he could. What is even sadder is that, even though our government is paid much more, their performance in times of country crisises (and much milder than this earthquake!) pale much in comparison. Shame on you! (that is, if you even knew the true meaning of this word)

And as for the unscrupulous construction companies and contractors who have cut corners in construction materials and quality, which resulted in schools and other new buildings collapsing when the older buildings remain firmly rooted with nary a crack, I only have one thing to say.

人在做… 天在看.