They have to show the damage because undamaged stuff is not interesting and sickos like me find this whole event somewhat exciting. Yet at the same time relieved no-one was killed.

As a member of the traumatised public at "ground zero" (am I allowed to say that ? is it a dramatic statement ? Ans - yes - I live in eastern Chch, far away from epicentre) However my pics from yesterday (earthquake thread) show a bit of our local damage.

The bigggest issue re the media we had yesterday was that TV was mostly just endless replays of snippets of dramatic interviews - what we needed, and got most through email / website monitoring, was FACTUAL, practical, UPDATED info about water and sewerage, and relief arrangements if needed. However given these things have a time frame for accumulation of the necessary info it is a tricky balance of wanting to know what authorities are not yet able to give us.... patience and understanding go a long way.

The politicians DO have a role as visible leaders, and they are trained / experienced in talking to camera's / reporters. It could be more appropriate for the heads of each agency involved in the response to do the talking (thus cutting out the electionering / photo op that might be seized apon) but ONLY if they can do so clearly and effectively.

Re the damage - look or walk around MOST of my neighbourhood (South Brighton) and it will today look just as it did on Friday. But down near the edges of the estuary & Avon river it is a different story - the water soaked soil has liquified and streets, footpaths, and I understand some houses (new & old) are a mess = a genuine tragedy for those most affected. We have power etc, but around the corner (300m away) the local diary has no power, freezers full of ruined food, and hardworking owners with candles on the counter .... So the situation is varied, depending on just where you happen to be.

ps; the cat came back, but is still very jittery, chickens are happy as.
pss; and it would be nice if the media called it the "Canterbury" earthquake - it's not just Chch, though with pop'n density (no jokes please) that is where majority of cost will fall. It is disrespectful to all those Cantabrians outside Chch to call it the Chch earthquake end of rant