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December 31, 2004
A book and a Phone Call
bOINGbOING publish the harrowing story of Pearl, a guy who is living in Thailand:
Our house was 150 feet from the beach, that is THE hardest hit beach in Thailand. As water rushed into our house and then ripped open the second story wall, I leapt off our second story roof and swam and swam and swam, riding the wave deep into the jungle, as it destroyed building after building, ripping up trees and spinning diesel trucks into the air.
It is a very moving tale of survival and quick thinking. A very personal look at the death and destruction wrought by this tsunami.
Pearl, an American citizen, tried to get the help of his government, our government, in an effort to get out of there:
The U.S. goverment offered me a phone call, a toothbrush, a paperback book and a temporary passport. No hotel, no food, no flight home. I was told that I could take out a loan if I could list three people who would vouch for me at home. The process would only take a few days. I was alone, injured (superficially - but I sure did look bad), no possesions, no money and my government offered my a book.
"A phone call, a toothbrush, a paperback book and a temporary passport." Seriously, is that the best we can do for our people? Ostensibly, even when you live overseas, you pay taxes with the idea that your government will come and help you when the shit hits the fan. A paperback novel is not help.
Maybe (hopefully) there's another reason for this than plain idiocy, but you never know.
Posted by Samer at December 31, 2004 02:01 PM
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