Comments on: The Rise of the Civil Society in the Wake of the Sichuan Earthquake http://thinkweird.info/208/the-rise-of-the-civil-society-in-the-wake-of-sichuan-earthquake The wandering tune of a distant flute at night... Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:12:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paul Wilson http://thinkweird.info/208/the-rise-of-the-civil-society-in-the-wake-of-sichuan-earthquake#comment-65 Paul Wilson Thu, 22 May 2008 22:33:18 +0000 http://www.thinkweird.info/208/the-rise-of-the-civil-society-in-the-wake-of-sichuan-earthquake/#comment-65 Similar trends of civility have resulted from major catastrophic events in USA. Usually the effects are short-lived, though appreciated, during times of great need and great distress. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in USA, many people were more sober and helpful in their daily dealings with others, and people spoke with less sarcasm, less flippancy. Families spent more time together, and people gave more to charities. Movies with graphic violence declined, and church attendance increased. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as thousands of people lost their homes in New Orleans, there are countless stories of volunteers from other states traveling there to help with the relief efforts. Our city of Peoria IL, which is 600 miles away from New Orleans, brought in 50 families and provided housing for them. I think these disasters that happen are a reminder of the civility and charity that holds our nation together. However, I have also seen effects quite the opposite regarding a shift in civil vs. Governmental responsibilities during major catastrophic events. For instance, in the days and weeks following 9/11, the patriotism and nationalism of the American people increased tremendously. This lends to giving more power and responsibility to the Government, and increasing bureaucracy. The US Government created the Homeland Security Department, and the personal privacy and responsibilities for the average US citizen were diminished. In the case of hurricane Katrina, there were nightmarish stories coming out in the media about civil unrest and barbarism among those who were flooded out of their homes in New Orleans. For awhile, it was practically a "police state" or "martial law" which was being monitored by the National Guard troops who were deployed there. In fact, I have heard that the Guard's military presence is still monitoring that city. I have a good friend who was sent there with the Illinois National Guard, and he told me stories about total lawlessness demonstrated by some of the "citizens" of Louisana. It's difficult to say how the Sichuan earthquake will effect the Chinese society in the long run. I think the compassion and civil collaberation shown so far, is a positive response to this crisis. Perhaps with the combination of on-going efforts by China to reach out to the international community for the Summer Olympics, and the international community reaching in to provide earthquake relief, China will enter a new era of increasing awareness in the areas of civil rights and responsibilities. The basis of which, in my opinion, are human rights and responsibilities. Human rights and responsibilities provide the foundation for civil rights and responsibilities. Civil rights and responsibilities provide the foundation for national Government. And the Government of a nation sets the standard for civility within an international community. Sometimes it takes an earthquake to shake foundations of societal tradition, and bring a "grass roots" change from the ground level up. Sometimes it takes a Hurricane to expose the weakness of our so-called civil society. This all in my opinion of course:) Similar trends of civility have resulted from major catastrophic events in USA. Usually the effects are short-lived, though appreciated, during times of great need and great distress. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in USA, many people were more sober and helpful in their daily dealings with others, and people spoke with less sarcasm, less flippancy. Families spent more time together, and people gave more to charities. Movies with graphic violence declined, and church attendance increased. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as thousands of people lost their homes in New Orleans, there are countless stories of volunteers from other states traveling there to help with the relief efforts. Our city of Peoria IL, which is 600 miles away from New Orleans, brought in 50 families and provided housing for them. I think these disasters that happen are a reminder of the civility and charity that holds our nation together.

However, I have also seen effects quite the opposite regarding a shift in civil vs. Governmental responsibilities during major catastrophic events. For instance, in the days and weeks following 9/11, the patriotism and nationalism of the American people increased tremendously. This lends to giving more power and responsibility to the Government, and increasing bureaucracy. The US Government created the Homeland Security Department, and the personal privacy and responsibilities for the average US citizen were diminished. In the case of hurricane Katrina, there were nightmarish stories coming out in the media about civil unrest and barbarism among those who were flooded out of their homes in New Orleans. For awhile, it was practically a “police state” or “martial law” which was being monitored by the National Guard troops who were deployed there. In fact, I have heard that the Guard’s military presence is still monitoring that city. I have a good friend who was sent there with the Illinois National Guard, and he told me stories about total lawlessness demonstrated by some of the “citizens” of Louisana.

It’s difficult to say how the Sichuan earthquake will effect the Chinese society in the long run. I think the compassion and civil collaberation shown so far, is a positive response to this crisis. Perhaps with the combination of on-going efforts by China to reach out to the international community for the Summer Olympics, and the international community reaching in to provide earthquake relief, China will enter a new era of increasing awareness in the areas of civil rights and responsibilities. The basis of which, in my opinion, are human rights and responsibilities. Human rights and responsibilities provide the foundation for civil rights and responsibilities. Civil rights and responsibilities provide the foundation for national Government. And the Government of a nation sets the standard for civility within an international community. Sometimes it takes an earthquake to shake foundations of societal tradition, and bring a “grass roots” change from the ground level up. Sometimes it takes a Hurricane to expose the weakness of our so-called civil society.

This all in my opinion of course:)

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