Not really a financial post, but I just wanted to share what's happening in our country at the moment.
Apparently, according to the latest news stories, it's worse than Ash Wednesday.
Lots of terrible bushfires in the southern states (where my dad lives, my brother and a lot of other family). I think the death toll is around 100 at least count. Completely ridiculous. and INTENTIONALLY lit!
I was able to call my dad (he lives in a town that was safe) and ask how everything was. My dads wifes brother (so... my uncle) is the fire chief for the region of Bendigo and he had worked 48 hours straight, putting out fires, rescuing people etc. Horrible, horrible, horrible.
I heard on the radio that the Salvation Army has recieved $6million in donations so far. I guess it is one good thing to hear in all this mess. And I saw on the news the other night that the Prime Minister was there, at the site of some of the bushfires, just showing his presence and talking to people, showing he cared. It was a bit of a heartbreaking moment when a grown man broke down into tears and hugged the Prime Minister! (he hugged back).
If you want to read some of the news stories you can use these links:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/fire-f09.shtml
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025672-661,00.html
horrible bushfires
February 9th, 2009 at 08:29 am
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Glad to hear you and your family are ok. To think that somebody did this on purpose...
February 9th, 2009 at 09:01 pm 1234213299
As far as I know all of our family are safe. My brothers wife's auntie and uncle lost their house, though. I think that is the only people who I know who are directly affected at the moment. It is an absolute tragedy.
It is bushfire season, and last year too there were a lot, but nothing like this.
I think the weather had a lot to do with it. In my stepmums parents town it got to 49.5 degrees celcius! That's nearly halfway to boiling point! For most of the other towns it was 46.4 degrees celcius.
I *hate* arsonists, and like a lot of people are suggesting lately on the news, they SHOULD be charged with murder.