CNN on Top of Tsunami

Sincere kudos to the media, with CNN taking the lead in this case, for giving the epochal disaster in Asia the attention it deserves. It was at about 8 p.m. on Christmas night, East Coast time, when the underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, a 9.0 on the Richter scale, set off the mammoth "tsunami" tidal surge that swept across the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, wiping out what may exceed 100,000 lives in a matter of moments.

The numbers, too staggering to imagine, could more than double by the time a full inventory is taken of all the stricken areas, and the water-borne diseases arising from contamination take their toll.

The first reports of the event indicated a few hundred fatalities, but as more very scattered and sketchy accounts began to roll in, the profile of something far more ominous began to emerge. With the benefit of satellite access to initial streaming images of the holocaust, CNN led other 24-hour news organizations in a news blitz that left the major network operations, snoozing over a holiday weekend, in the proverbial dust.

Thanks to CNN, it was not difficult for governments to mobilize major relief efforts within hours of the catastrophe. By yesterday, only four days after the tsunami hit, over $225 million had been raised from the international community for the relief effort, the most in such a short period of time, according to United Nations officials, in history. The story has remained the focus of the virtually undivided attention at CNN since, as well it should be. It has dwarfed any single tragic event in our lifetimes.

It is worth applauding such a good news effort about something impacting people on the other side of the world that might not be seen as interesting, from a news standpoint, as some domestic scandal. It is a far cry from August 1999, when a massive earthquake in Izmit, Turkey, that killed 17,000 could not bump Kenneth Starr off the banner headlines of all the major U.S. newspapers.

Praise also goes to the United Nations official for calling out the developed sector to not be "stingy" in its response. He was absolutely right, and for once someone in his position had the nerve to say what needed to be said. He could care less about the sensibilities of routine diplomatic protocol. He was acting on behalf of the stricken and did the right thing. The remark drew howls of protest from U.S. officials, in particular, even though the U.S. was not named as such. But on the suggestion that "if the shoe fits, wear it," the U.S. took it personally. So while it howled, it also swiftly doubled its contribution and promised much more.

But had not the media been relentless in its coverage, the U.N. official's remark would have drawn derision but little more. Had full reports on the extent of the destruction been delayed, help would not have been able arrive in time to stem the loss of countless more lives, especially from disease.

Still, a massive full court press of aid is required from all points on the globe to prevent this tragedy from continuing to roll across the Asian continent in the form of deadly pestilence, strewing dead bodies in its path as relentlessly as the tsunami, itself. The public should pay attention to the best web sites where the most effective ways to assist can be identified and provided. Everything humanity squabbles over seems petty in the wake of something like this. On the other hand, this incident, almost like a horrible visitation, gives us all a chance to affirm our basic common humanity as an infant species surviving on an infinitesimally small and fragile orb in the greater order of things. It could be the basis for a fresh start of sorts.

Let the angry voices that hate and divide based on the fabrications of their twisted minds be silenced. They know who they are, and in the famous words of one of them, they should now "Shut up!" Let's see how they can handle a shovel and let the urgent work of recovery begin. Among the things you learn in life are that while genuine leaders are few and far between, petty tyrants are a dime a dozen and the only people more commonplace are ordinary folks willing to offer a helping hand. They're the most prevalent and dominant factor on this planet, and it's in times like this that, as bad as the tragedy may be, we are yet blessed with an opportunity to watch them at their best. The urge CNN and the rest of the media to keep up the good work, and for the United Nations to continue calling forth the level of effort required to bring this crisis under control. As for the rest of us all, I'm confident that every possible mission service, every benefit concert and every corner lemonade stand will be fully mobilized.

Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com