Cass,

I'm with you. I think people have forgotten how fucking terrible these diseases were in the first damn place. When polio comes back, then (and perhaps only then) will people finally get a fucking clue.

I have begun yelling at my tv on a daily basis. I think I'm going to need to take a mental health break from politics for a few weeks or I will not make it to the Fall conventions.

Liese,

I have been thinking about this terrible anniversary all day.

As bad as events at Fukushima Daiichi were, I feel like the focus on it kept the rest of the world from really understanding the size of human tragedy.

I think you have a point. I have been trying to keep up with news as best I can, but it seems the better English language reporting about the incident has been recent (last few months).

And now I feel all gauche and irrelevant. I'm so sorry, Liese. I know how hard this disaster was for you to witness and process. It's never comprehensive enough or fast enough, but I am grateful for any improvement and alleviation of conditions, even as I am frustrated and helpless at how slowly things are being resolved.

Oh, Jess, I hope it's not German Measles! Though at least you're not pregnant? It's awful then. And I think I also heard that Amanda Peet PSA and was surprised and happy.

hugs to you, Liese. I know what a hard anniversary it must be for you.

I kind of would like Robyn Hitchcock's "Where Do You Go When You Die" played at my funeral, but it might be upsetting for those attending, as the answer to the title question is "nowhere."

Or maybe Talking Head's "Heaven"

Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens

It's actually a very pretty song.

"Send Me to Glory in a Glad Bag" would be fun.

Or maybe that Grateful Dead song that has the line, "I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride."