Editor:
Now that the urgency of the crisis in Japan seems to have settled a bit, we should be considering what we’ve done so far and how effective we’ve been.
The Japanese are a very proud and capable people. They’ve probably had more experience dealing with earthquakes and tsunamis than just about any other people in the world. Though I’m sure they appreciate the good intentions, good will and the extra few search and rescue teams we’ve sent over, it must be a little bit irksome to be offered help with a situation that they’re good at dealing with. Just as any help or advice we may offer with regards to their nuclear power plants…well, we Canadians have never had a similar problem – any solutions we might offer are basically
theoretical.
There is one real offer that we could make: We could offer to house and pay for passage for any new mothers or mothers-to-be, to visit us for a while. The Japanese lived through the nightmarish consequences of nuclear fall-out at the end of the last war and they are very conscious and concerned about it now. Our water is some of the most pristine of the world. Our food is un-contaminated. Let’s invite them over for a visit…At least until the situation is more certainly clear at their own homes.
Such an offer might be a more sensitive form of help. It has the advantage being something any of us could do. A certain percentage of their population would become familiar with how we are, where we come from, and hopefully to like us. It could be to our benefit in some future business
negotiations.
Right here, in town, we have a number of empty apartments, hotel rooms, rental houses. It was pointed out to me, by one friend, that we’re coming up on the ‘slow’ season for several ski-lodges. I’m sure there are people here who would be willing to billet young mothers here – as willingly as we billet young athletes that come to town for sports
events.
Surely we could make this offer. It’s something more substantial than dropping spare change in a tin can full of coins at the coffee shop. Or maybe the coins could be used to buy tickets for passage here.
Regards,
Richard Rose
Prince Rupert, BC