Tsunami

We've managed to confirm that most of our business contacts over in Japan are safe (which is a relief beyond our own business implications--they're nice people, and we're worried about them). Their various institutions are safe, too, which is good because none of them can get home. They're all staying overnight at the office. Transportation is terribly disrupted and power's out in swaths, so no one with any sense is going anywhere any time soon. And I suspect many of them aren't entirely sure whether or not they have a home to go home to. But at least they're safe, and somewhere safe and dry and not on fire. I feel terrible for all those who can't say the same.

With decreasing surprise, I note that Al-Jazeera English's streaming coverage has been more informative and tactful than CNN's. They blather less, and sound appropriately concerned and horrified instead of like gleeful rubberneckers. CNN, you're embarrassing us.