Along the lines of Bill's comments, we had a similar (though smaller scale) situation here in Okla. City on April 19, 1995 when our Federal Building downtown was blown up, killing 169 people and injuring countless others. Our annual Arts Festival was scheduled in a nearby downtown park for April 25. After much soul searching and determining that the Festival couldn't be moved to an area at least out of sight of the tragedy on such short notice, our Mayor cancelled it for that year. A good move, I think, as not even all of the bodies had been recovered. However, other activities in areas not affected by the bombing went on in our city. And the Arts Festival returned to its downtown park location in April, 1996.

The matter of this Tsuami is a bit confusing to me. On one hand, we have relief agency representatives on TV asking visitors to stay out of the affected areas (which I understand consist of a strip of land near the coast in most areas). Yet the site posted my Mark unmistakedly shows that Phuket should be up and running very shortly. So, on one hand, I certainly wouldn't want to get in the way of the relief efforts, or go to an area with the possibility of disease from contaminated water and such, I also wouldn't want to avoid a cleaned up, rebuilt, and safe area just because a natural disaster had happened there. In that case, I would be more inclined to want to patronize that area, to further help it economically. So, it's confusing, isn't it?

I have confidence that the better cruise lines like Radisson and Silversea have the sensitivity to know when it would be disrespectful (and possibly dangerous) to return, and when it would be disrespectful NOT to return.

One thing is for sure. NOW is the time to donate to the relief efforts.

Thanks,
Richard