[OT] Hope: An update from Canada

1) They are sealing/have sealed off the US
Canada border (highways and tunnels - though
the porousness of the border is still there I'm
sure - it's a darn big border).

2) Canada is taking incoming flights and diverted flights, but has grounded
all domestic and international departures indefinitely. Only military, rescue,
and police traffic. I suspect NORAD has asserted some control here. Apparently
all fighter jets in North America are on alert.

3) Several larger harbours up here and all Canadian military bases are on
heightened alert. Many urban centers, large buildings, and
national sites of importance are secured and/or
evacuated.

4) BC (and I'm sure other provinces) have called in police and cancelled
holidays.

5) Victims of the tragedies are being taken to Toronto and Ottawa for some
treatment.

6) This one is important: There are some ways for Canadians to help:

Contact the Red Cross who are, I believe, taking donations of money if not
supplies.

Contact Canadian Blood Services who will
probably need blood badly - if only to replace
the quantity I suspect is being diverted to the
United States (especially New York). 1-888-2-
DONATE. Be patient with backlog on the phones.

7) I understand that many folks are either in or near the affected areas and
feel strongly about this. I understand also there are many different views. I
appeal to all for.... not calm.... but for us to keep in mind that any
attribution for the cause of this horror is at present only speculative (if
you have proof, you should be
talking to the FBI/President). So let us keep our
rage, our anger, and our desire for justice or
revenge outside this list - though the feelings
are legitemate, it is not the forum. 10K+
people have probably lost their lives today - I
don't know about anyone else, but that is probably more people than I've met
in my whole life. That blows my sense of scale. I can barely concretize this
horrid situation, and I know I certainly can't do much about it except refrain
from spouting off about how much I'd like to pull the villains toe nails out
with pliers....
so please.... do what our esteemed list-admin
recommends. Shock, information/news,
sympathies.... I think everyone expects some of this OT posting for a while.
But leave the rest for later days, and other forums.

Now I'm off to find a place to donate some blood.... don't just be angry, get
out and help if you can.

Tomb.