Deadly Volcano

Treating The Burnt

In New Zealand we have been in-your-face confronted with volcanic eruptions and burns suffered by those caught in the eruption.  White Island is a small volcanic island--or more accurately the tip of the island is a live volcano; the rest is beneath the sea, off the eastern coast of New Zealand.  

It has attracted tourists because they can get up front and close to the smoking peak.  But every now and again the peak will explode in a much more serious and deadly eruption--which occurred a week or so ago.  At that point the island turns from being an educational and entertaining friend to a deadly enemy. 

When this happens, and when tourists and guides get caught, many of those who survive end up in hospitals for weeks and months, fighting for their lives.  It is a very sobering outcome.   

Here is an account of what the burn victims go through and how they are treated on what (for many) is a long road to recovery.

National Emasculation

Police Refuse to Recover Bodies From White Island 

It Must Be Questioned


Duncan Garner
Newshub

We have a big decision to make as a country: What do we want our first responders to do when it comes to national emergencies.  Blink, delay, wait, and let people die perhaps, or charge in.  Think about the New York firefighters at 9/11 where many ran towards their death in the pursuit of saving lives. Dumb or brave national heroes?

I say we must let calculated courage be our test - and sometimes locals know best, not transplanted police officers from Wellington who take charge because a 50-year-old piece of law says that must be the case.   Although, I accept in many ways police are damned if they do and totally damned if they don't.  But I applaud the spontaneous, spur of the moment first responders who bravely touched down on White Island on Monday looking for signs of life.

They didn't wait for the cops, they just went in and put their own lives at risk - what a remarkable rescue.  That so many got off. They are now fighting for their lives and will in time receive the attention it deserves. Those local heroes, the chopper pilots, skippers and the like.  That's probably the way it should be - bugger the law and bugger the rules - judge it, call it , do it.

A Holiday Season With Little Rest

No Let Up, No Winding Down

As things wind down to the much anticipated summer holidays, the news and international events show no let up.  Top and centre in New Zealand has been the tragedy of tourists being caught in an eruption at White Island.  This has resulted in deaths and in terrible burns (external and internal) to the tourists and some of their guides.

The globe continues to shrink.  As a result tourists from all over the world can be found holidaying in New Zealand.  Most New Zealanders find themselves grieving the dead and wounded.  We are such a small country that, for many, these things are personal.

The United States is witnessing another impeachment of its current President.  This, too, is historic.