J.F. at Democracy In America visits the South. On this week's tornadoes:
The stoic civic-mindedness of the Japanese in the wake of last month's tsunami and nuclear disaster garnered much praise. The response of Alabamans—and indeed of southerners generally—deserves no less.
It is admittedly anecdotal, but having listened to Alabama radio throughout the day I have heard many more offers of aid than requests for it. Not being a Christian myself I hesitate to use the word "Christian" as a synonym for compassion and generosity, but it would be dishonest of me not to note that many of the donors and coordinators of aid seem to be churches, and not to note too how moving it was to hear the counsel and consolation offered on Christian radio programmes throughout the day.
The Dish 