I was reading the posts from everyone concerning the ribbon candy contest and it struck me that we live in great country.

We're playing a game to pick the next spot for a 5.0 earthquake and we're all looking forward to the candy if it happens. In some parts of the planet, a 5.0 would kills hundreds - if not thousands. Here in California, we can afford to play this game with a reasonable assurance that a 5.0 won't even harm anyone let alone kill them.

Why is that? I think its because we live in an amazing country with an amazing form of government made up of amazing people who have decided that we simply won't tolerate the conditions that others are forced to endure elsewhere.

I know no one here sees earthquakes as a game , but isn't it something that we have created a reality that allows us to be at least slightly cavalier about what otherwise would be a catastrophic event?

Anyway, for what its worth.

All the best,

Russell