Posted on 03/16/2011 10:34:17 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
“Gaman-subeki.”
Translated from the Japanese, the words mean “we must endure.”
It’s these words the Japanese are using to describe the way they are dealing with the nightmare engulfing their country, according to an edited report by Winnetka native Dan Simon, 30, who has lived in Tokyo for the past three years.
“The Japanese people have responded to the situation with resilience and determination,” said Simon, a journalist who is now working for a public relations company. “They are hanging tough and proud of the way they have responded to the crisis. This is the Japanese way: continue on, do not give up and help each other.
“I live in Tokyo in the middle of the city and I think it’s important to note if this had happened in Chicago or in New York, I think we would have seen rioting and looting.
“But the Japanese people have a different way of doing things, and even though there is panic, they go about their lives in an orderly and polite way. There’s no overturned cars or riot police. It’s something that the Japanese people are very proud of. They’re saying they are very proud to be Japanese right now.”
Simon, a graduate of New Trier High School, has no plans to leave.
“In spite of several moments of panic, and the ever-present desire to flee overseas, I will follow the example of the Japanese and stay put.”
Although Tokyo has been relatively safe, hours after Simon dispatched his message to Sneed, the city was hit by three more aftershocks at 8:30 a.m. Chicago time Tuesday.
“One was a 6.0 on the Richter scale,” said Simon, who’d recently been on his home computer “watching a streaming Internet video of someone with a Geiger counter in nearby Chiba. But I’m not worried about radiation at all. From the information I’ve been receiving, it’s not something to really worry about in Tokyo. There is some panic with people buying food and water — but people are still delivering pizza.
“It has been four days since the giant earthquake. When the quake struck, I was in my office on the top floor of a seven-story building. At first, it felt like the dozens of minor earthquakes I have experienced since moving here.
“I quickly realized, as did my co-workers, that it was no minor thing. I braced myself in a nearby door jam while the rest of my colleagues ducked under their desks. Our building swayed, heavy metal bookshelves and cabinets were knocked over and the walls cracked. We feared it was the “big one” that has been predicted to hit Tokyo for decades.
“On Sunday, I started carrying my passport and cash around with me. As the new week began, many foreigners fled the city. A vegetable vendor near my office said, “Food supplies are still strong from the southern and western parts of Japan. But in the northern areas, things are very difficult. But Tokyo is OK.”
Then he added: “But it does seem surreal, as if the real danger is looming just out of sight.”
Huh? What’s not true about the statement “if this had happened in Chicago or in New York, I think we would have seen rioting and looting.”
“if this had happened in Chicago or in New York, I think we would have seen rioting and looting”
I see it as being regrettably true.
Do you mean “it’s important to note if this had happened in Chicago or in New York, I think we would have seen rioting and looting. “
You must have missed the dozens of Freepers making pretty much the same comment...
Did Simon forget about how selflessly and honorably New Yorkers responded after 9/11? Evidently.
I think the culture that gave us Nanking and the Bataan Death March bears watching.
As far as looting goes, that’s a way of life for DemocRATs.
this isn’t anti-US. this is anti-democrat/progressive.
i’ve stated the exact same sentiments about progressive run areas since katrina.
for the record... i am DISGUSTED at the response by the chump-in-chief
Totally a—hole comment from Simon - where was the looting after 9/11 in New York or after the tornado disaster that come through the Chicago area every decade or after the Groundhog Day 2011 snowstorm?? Simon’s head is totally up his butt.
True enough. But it's more accurate to say that this is what you get when it happens in blue America. In red America it is much different. Compare the reaction to the flooding in New Orleans to the reaction to the flooding in Nashville.
Show me where he mentions Katrina?? He said “Chicago and New York.”
Let’s be honest, shall we?
Take a look at the way things happened in New Orleans during and after Katrina. If you are at all honest, these comments are right on the money. The truth hurts at times but it is still the truth.
I suppose that IF Japan had branches of the New Black Pampers Party, ACORN and the NAACP then they would likely have rioting, looting and general mayhem in the streets.
Your Community Organizer-in-Chief is largely responsible for the growing disaffection in the world for all things America. Afterall, he has thrown all of our friends and allies under the bus at each and every turn.
Only until we rid ourselves of Stroker and his minions and we install responsible adults that love this country, will things start to turn around.
Actually it’s quite true. And the looting did happen in New Orleans, also.
There’s always looting in blue areas. There ISN”T any looting in red areas. And we’re just not allowed to talk about WHY.
I love America, but must reluctantly agree that New York and Chicago (being centers of crime, incompetency, and welfare kings and queens) would most probably have riots.
And Chicago deserves extra special contempt for giving us what is probably the most corrupt, stupid, and inept idiot we’ve ever had for president.
Again - show me where he mentions Katrina?? He said “Chicago and New York.”
Very true and unfortunately when we know that so many belong to the moocher class it could very well happen anywhere in the USA.Just look at the discussions here about being armed incase of a complete crash a national emergecy like Japan has had would be exactly the same excpet you may not have your home to shelter in and have your stocked supplies.
Where was the big New York riot after 9/11?? Where were the Chicago riots after the big snow last month??? You can do better than that!!!
What is snotty about the truth?
Were you sleeping through the Katrina/New Orleans debacle? (The majority of the deaths and cluster f*ck was due - not to the storm or floods - but MAN.
were you on another planet when Haiti was hit?
My brother, this morning, when bringing me over another load of wood, remarked: “Have you noticed something different in Japan than if it had happened here? NO LOOTING.”
The stark difference is as plain as the nose on your face - trying to deny that fact is ignorant.
And these people are trapped in the middle of one long nightmare that get's worse daily. I shudder to think if it were here. I'd be heading for the hills to find a cave, not to get away from the disaster, but the citizens.
I think Simon should have thought about what he said. If he’d said LA, New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, or Detroit, the statement would have been right on the money. I think he was trying to be PC with his statement but came up short.
Again - show me where he mentions Katrina or Haiti?? He said “Chicago and New York.”
As far as Japan goes, I have a hunch they’d take a day or two of “looting” in excahnge for getting their nukes under control.
WHAT response?
Has anyone gone to the golf course to inform him yet?
"FO...RE.."
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