COLUMBIA -- Citizens in central Columbia clashed with an outlawed criminal gang using machetes, axes and clubs, killing at least 28 people and leaving streets stained with blood, police said Tuesday.

*NOTE: This is NOT a real article.*

This is:

GATHAITHI, Kenya (AP) -- Villagers in central Kenya clashed with an outlawed criminal gang using machetes, axes and clubs, killing at least 28 people and leaving streets stained with blood, police said Tuesday.

I edited it to make a point.

What if we read world-wide stories with an eye that it was somewhere closer, somewhere more immediate to us, somewhere that felt like it had an impact? Would we be as numb to tragedies? 

I wondered this today when I almost didn't think twice at the previous story on the home page of the New York Times' Web site. It was easy to glance over. But would it be as easy to glance over if it occurred in my town? or my state? or my country? I know it wouldn't be. Just as I became enthralled in the coverage following the earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy, recently, I know I pay more attention to stories that somehow strike a cord with me. 

But when did a tragedy of any sort, in any place in the world, stop striking a cord? It baffles me how the world is so vast and large, yet humbles me when I realize how little and alike we all are. I wish I was reminded of that more often so that caring for someone took on a real form for me whether that person was an acquaintance or not.