Thoughts and Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by the Los Angeles Metrolink crash and by Hurricane Ike. For those who don't know, a Metrolink crash near Chatsworth on Friday killed 25 people. The head-on collision between the Metrolink train and the Union Pacific freight train, with 222 people aboard, left 24 dead at the scene and 135 more injured in the crash, 95 of them critically or seriously. One person later died at the hospital.

If you're an LA local and want to do something to help, I received the following information from the local Obama campaign:

The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center will be open Monday through Friday to accept blood donations. Healthy donors of all blood types are needed to donate blood. Appointments can be made by calling 310-794-7217 ext. 2. Contact the Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcross.org for other information about blood donation or ways you can help.

I'm sure that the Red Cross is also helping victims of Hurricane Ike.

Thank you, and please keep your thoughts and prayers with the families and victims affected by these terrible events.