Japan

Had a really, really horrific nightmare last night - combined elements of Echo Bazaar, Gen Con and cross country skiing and oddly a small earthquake, which sounds banal or weird enough, but doesn't give the flavor of the nightmarish stuff when that started happening....

...and then woke up to the news of Japan's 8.9 earthquake and tsunami.

I used to live in Tokyo, so this slams home for me. The building we lived in and the one I worked in were built to rigorous earthquake codes, but I still felt nervous about the ground from time to time.

Keeping my fingers crossed for acquaintances there, and hoping for everyone in Japan that the damage is as little as it can be after something like this.

Somewhat restoring my faith in journalism:

roseaponi has found a considerably better article about the alleged sexual assault on the 11 year old.

Let's note what happens when you try actual reporting:

1) You get a statement from a person (the kid's mother) affected by the events.

2) You get a statement from defense attorneys who have actually talked to the alleged rapists, instead of a neighbor who hasn't, thus allowing yourself to cover both sides of the story.

3) Yes, you do get another "blame the victim/victim's parents" neighbor, but this is countered by another statement from a neighbor suggesting prayer instead of blame.

4) This is followed by a statement from someone who ACTUALLY WITNESSED some of the events.

5) And information about how the alleged victim is doing. I think quotes from her Facebook were a mistake, though - those would make her too easy to identify, but it does seem as if most people in her community know who she is anyway.

Which brings up the problem of trying to hide the identity of young victims - I approve of the idea, but, back in junior high, we all knew within hours who the young sexual assault victim on our street was. Kids talk. But perhaps this will allow her to remain unknown outside the community. I can only hope.

Anyway. See? Was that so difficult?