Funerals for 16,000 this Saturday

This Saturday, funerals will be live-streamed on the internet for the 16,000 children reported to have died on February 11, 2012 from hunger-related causes. "That's one child every five seconds" according to Bread for the World.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has strongly defended his decision to have flags flown at half-staff Saturday, despite receiving emails and other messages criticizing him.

However the outpouring for these children on Twitter and Facebook has been unprecedented.  Among the celebrities tweeting their memorials:

• Mariah Carey: "Heartbroken and in tears..."
• Justin Bieber: "just heard the news. so crazy..."
• Katy Perry: "So devastating. We will always love you..."
• Ricky Martin: "...Sending my love and deepest condolences..."
• Khloé Kardashian Odom: "...So sad... RIP."
• Kourtney Kardashian: "Wow! I just heard... Very tragic."
• Ryan Seacrest: "At Grammys rehearsal... Everyone here is absolutely stunned."

At the Grammys, the tributes to the tragic and untimely death of those so young poured in from the performers and presenters. "We've had... death in our family," said LL Cool J, Grammycast host, "And so at least for me, for me, the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for... our fallen ..."

Then LL Cool J introduced a clip of the children; the crowd got up on its feet and roared its approval.

In tribute to these children who died so unnecessarily, the host rightly concluded, "This night is about something much bigger than any one of us..."

So much bigger than any one person.

Funeral arrangements are still being made for the 16,000 children who died of hunger-related causes on February 12th, and 13th, and 14th...