We're barely one week into a massive disaster covering several countries and involving well over 100,000 deaths, with perhaps millions left homeless. There is an immediate need for aid that's being answered, sometime to the point that it's becoming a problem. There are very real concerns about a disease outbreak that could kill untold thousands more. In the long term, there will have to be a rebuilding effort probably lasting for years to help devasted countries recover.

At the same time, much of what's being reported is the same thing as was reported on every day of this week.

Constantly dwelling on a disaster risks "compassion fatique." There is only so much misery most people are willing to listen to before they begin to tune out. We can't afford that if we're going to do right by those people.

One of Jimmy Carter's many mistakes was letting himself effectly become another hostage after the Iranians seized our embassy back in 1979. He was so consumed by that mess that he failed to take care of the many other concerns like the stagflation and souring economy. We shouldn't do that. Yes, we have to be concerned about the effects of this disaster to keep it from being even worse. We also have to live our lives and be prepared to help when the next big disaster strikes somewhere, as it almost certainly will happen in the next few months.