Angry Planet or Angry God?

Thousands dead across Asia in tidal waves after world's most powerful earthquake in 40 years

An earthquake of epic power struck deep beneath the Indian Ocean on Sunday, unleashing 20-foot walls of water that came crashing down on beaches in seven Asian countries across thousands of miles, smashing seaside resorts and villages and leaving nearly 10,000 dead in their wake.

The death toll along the southern coast of Asia -- and as far west as Somalia, on the African coast, where nine people were reported lost -- was certain to increase, as authorities sorted out a far-flung disaster caused by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake, strongest in 40 years and fourth-largest in a century.

This is truly horrific. Brad DeLong has a first hand account from an American who was on the Indian coast for Christmas and it's worth a read.

The cynic in me keeps waiting for Pat Robertson of Jerry Fallwell to point out that these were largely Muslim and Hindu areas that were hit. How long do you think I'll have to wait?