Comment: Katrina and the tyranny of distance

I have seen comments in the blogosphere criticising the thoughts and sentiments that many have expressed about what is happening in areas affected by Katrina.

They wrongly assume that because a person is not in the immediate vicinity, that they forego the right to have such feelings. How can they feel sorry, they ask, when they live elsewhere?

I even had one email saying, "why do you care - you're safe with the kangaroos." Fortunately, he was safe behind a computer screen. That's the way the cowardly and the ignorant operate - from behind the safety of a screen, lectern or desk in odd shaped offices.

The world is no longer separated by time, only by distance. I am not alone in having friends and clients overseas - especially in the U.S.

I am not alone in having a very precious loved one live so near to the affected areas. And that is what frightens me. If Mel had been in New Orleans, there is bugger all I could have done.

Sure I could travel to the U.S. but what then? Authorities were not even letting Australian consular officials into the area - I would have no chance.

I would be sitting here without a word, no way of contacting Mel or her daughter. My mind would be racing with all sorts of potential and real dangers.

No doubt I am not alone. Many people have relationships with partners overseas. In fact it is now so common, that the Australian Dept of Immigration has a special section for those wishing to sponsor partners they met on the Internet.

So to those who say you can not care because you are not here - take off your spectacles obscured by ignorance. You will see that many not only care, there are those who even though they are far away, are personally and emotionally involved with a country or place, that is separated only by distance - the only thing the heart and soul can not overcome.