THERE IS GOOD IN PEOPLE

Like many others I watched in sadness and hopelessness at the events which have unfolded in Japan this morning as the largest recorded earthquake in the countries history triggered off a tsunami that swamped much of the countries coastline.

One of the worst aspects was seeing this wall of water rapidly approaching people in cars who were frantically trying to drive out of the way of the wave only to become engulfed by it.  It is certain that many of those people died trapped in their cars and it is gut wrenching to watch real people in the final moments of their lives dying right before your eyes.  No Hollywood movie or video game can ever come close to emulating that feeling.  This is real, those people dying are real and it can have a profound effect.

However, in the midst of this human tragedy, there is always that glimmering light of hope that shines through.  So much of the news emphasizes the negative aspects of humanity.  We all know of the greed and corruption that goes on at the highest levels of office.  Yet the hope I have for the future of the human race is always highlighted when terrible events like this happens and that how quick other nations in this world will come to the aid of the one stricken.

Forgetting politics, it is reassuring that the spark of humanity is still very much alive.  That our governments are always prepared to act to help people in times of natural disasters.  That we have international aid agencies that mobilise within a few short hours of a disaster happening, ready and waiting to go across to the other side of the world to assist those in need.

Humanity has it's flaws.  Governments have their agenda's.  Yet when forces are unleashed that can be incomprehensible they will act and do what is right.  Deep inside there is still compassion for our fellow men and women.  It is a shame that it takes such terrible events as those which have happened and are happening in Japan for this to shine through.

There maybe examples of when governments have failed such as what happened in New Orleans but we are an imperfect species that will always make bad calls.  The hope is that we learn from these errors in judgment.

There is still good in people and that should never be forgotten.