OPINION> Commentary
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OPINION> Commentary
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Good reasons to be rational
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-21 07:18 College students from the quake-afflicted areas should stay at campus instead of blindly rushing home to rescue their families and countrymen, says an article in Oriental Morning Post. The following is an excerpt: "I bought a flight ticket. I will go to Mianyang first, then to Beichuan, with a tent I have already prepared," said a college student in Shanghai, whose hometown is Beichuan. Starting from the afternoon of May 12, he kept contacting his family in Beichuan, but failed. He made a decision rightaway and told his teachers in the college that he wanted to go home and see his family and serve as a volunteer. This student is not alone. Many other students are undergoing the same suffering. The quake-hit areas are their hometowns where they have their childhood memories and dearest families. Their emotions are understandable and it is easy to see that these students want to go home and meet their families and hope to fight against the disaster along with their families and fellow-countrymen. However, rationally speaking, these quake-hit areas are still likely to have aftershocks and the conditions there are still harsh. So, it is not safe for these students to go home. The government, the professional rescuing teams as well as the military forces are all out in the disaster areas. These students had better wait patiently in colleges, attend classes as usual and pray for their families. It is not necessary for them to go to the frontline of the rescue. They can use other ways to help their hometowns. At this critical moment, good sense should prevail over emotions. Their schools should care for the students from the quack-hit areas. Besides financial help, psychological comfort should also be offered. (China Daily 05/21/2008 page10) |
