Net Worth
This morning I was listening to CBC radio 1 while doing my chores. There was a blurb about the fact that after the tsunami struck last Christmas more than 200,000 people were killed and Canadians raised $200,000,000 in support of the relief effort. Then, following on from that was the fact that the recent earthquake in Pakistan has killed an estimated 80,000 people so far (and that's before winter decimates the homeless), but somehow Canada has managed to muster ONLY $2,000,000 in support of the relief there.
I was a little suprised that the total was so low, but I have to admit I was equally suprised that any expatriot community would complain that their new country had only raised a couple of million dollars in support.
It is a big difference, I mean, we're going from $1000 per death to $25 per death. That's a big drop. But still. Canada raised 2 Million, that isn't too shabby.
That's what I thought. Then I read:
"Before Wednesday's draw the lineups were long in every part of the country. In the past four days, Canadians have spent an amazing $90 million on 6/49 tickets."
Now that's a little lesson on perspective and priorities for you. Help dying folks? hmm... no thanks, I helped last christmas... chance to drive an even bigger car? Hell yeah! Sign me up!
***One thing I heard this morning that I hadn't heard before was that preceding the Tsunami itself the ocean drew back, and people rushed out onto the exposed beaches to gather shells and other uncovered artifacts. I was a little amazed at this because frankly, if I were on a beach and the water suddenly and without explaination receded, it would scare the shit out of me.