• National Geographic’s explainer on what tsunamis are (two-word description: giant waves) seems like a fitting thing to pull out of the bag right now.

• Get off the shore line. We are closing all the beaches and telling people to drive out of the area.
• Oahu Civil Defense spokesman John Cummings • Describing the danger of being on the coast in Hawaii right now as a result of the pending tsunami. While the tsunami isn’t expected to be serious, Hawaii is taking all the precautions it can, including voluntary running a bus near the shore to pick up those with no other way to get away. Tourists who stay at modern resorts should be safe as long as they stay above the third floor. “We are taking it very seriously, but this is not a big one.” said Brian R. Shiro, a geophysicist at NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. source

• 122+ killed by the earthquake, which had aftershocks in Chile up to 500 miles away
• 15 number of stories in a building that collapsed in Concepcion, the closest big city
• russia the furthest country to get tsunami warnings as a result of the Chilean earthquake source

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• The last 24 hours have been crazy seismically. There was a 7.0 earthquake in Japan yesterday, and now this 8.8 earthquake in Chile (just upgraded by the USGS, which tracks quakes) sounds especially scary. It’s already prompted tsunami warnings in neighboring countries. We’ll keep you posted. It’s already quite awful. source

• Our hotel is built for this. In Chile, this happens many times.
• Santiago, Chile, Hotel Kennedy employee Anita Herrera • Regarding the earthquake which just hit her country. While this quake is quite large, the country has lots of experience with large-scale quakes. The powerful 9.5-magnitude 1960 Valdiva Earthquake, for example, was so huge that it caused a tsunami that reached all the way to Alaska. From Chile. That quake left a huge death toll (as many as 6,000 dead). This one also forced a a tsunami warning for Chile and Peru. Our prayers go out to the country. source

• 9.5M the size of a 1960 quake, which is the largest earthquake ever recorded in world history
• eight number of earthquakes the country has had above an 8.0 magnitude before 1800 source

• 212 miles away from the capitol; close enough to damage? source

• The Coffee Party is an interesting idea. An alternative approach to the Tea Party that switches drinks along with tones (a pro-bipartisanship political movement!) is really welcome in the political climate. While we’re not saying this will change the world, it’s good to have an alternative voice that can’t be dismissed as “liberal” or “socialist” so quickly. As regular watchers of the political sphere, we have a couple thoughts for you guys:

• Calm but firm The reason this idea is gaining any sort of traction whatsoever is because the political discourse is too angry for some. But being calm and respectful doesn’t mean not having a backbone, though. Tell politicians what you want to see. Bring new ideas and red meat. Skip both the granola and the nuts.
• Don’t align with anyoneWe really hope that the Coffee Party doesn’t side specifically with Democratic interests just because they’re in conflict with Tea Party interests. What we see with Tea Partiers is that they actively push against moderates on both sides, not just liberals. A big open tent is a much better idea.
• Get a rally together! The Tea Party movement went from zero to 60 because they were well-organized and got themselves on TV frequently. You need to do the same. Get a rally together in D.C. – invite everyone you can, get a bunch of local coffee companies involved and bring low key to a big scale. Good luck. source

• Savings are depleted, jobs are tough to come by, and families still have expenses to manage. Unemployment benefits are the only thing keeping food on the table for a lot of Minnesotans. One Senator, acting alone, should not be responsible for holding their livelihoods hostage.
• Sen. Al Franken • In a statement criticizing the move by Sen. Jim Bunning to block unemployment benefits. It’s not the only one he’s made, either. He also just blocked some key highway funds from getting distributed, for all effective purposes shutting down much of the highway system and putting thousands more out of work. Crooks and Liars has a nice explainer explaining why that move is really, really bad for millions of Americans. Despite the importance of agreeing on these moves – we know a lot of out-of-work journalists, for example, depending on that unemployment – some people are still supporting him on Twitter (though most aren’t, fortunately). Unbelievable. source