I believe that money should be put toward PREVENTING this kind of thing in the future, but that does not solve the problem of millions of displaced people and thousands of orphans.
Posted on 12/28/2004 8:14:26 AM PST by dead
Falling deeper and deeper into shock. When the disease kicks in, I'll probably have a breakdown.
I would never give money randomly to an organization that hadn't been reasonably vetted. I'm not an idiot. My whole involvement in this thread began when I asked other FReepers to RECOMMEND a charity that they find to be a good and reliable one. Then other people chimed in to say that such a thing does not exist. I disagree. I think at this point I'll do my own research.
What part are you having trouble understanding?
Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union, their people found themselves standing in line hoping to be able to buy a loaf of bread. The cumulative effect of such experiences, coupled with video showing how well stocked American stores were, helped to hasten the fall of that evil empire.
What purpose would have been served to have sent them bread?
Granted, too, non-Christian "charities," like various muslim groups, do fund terrorists. SO too did non-fundamentalist "christian" groups in recent history.
OK. So we'll just send the people of Sri Lanka and Sumatra videos of people in the US enjoying the beaches unencumbered by those pesky tsunamis. That should make them feel better.
I just spent all my money at Costco. Nice... I have lots of stuff now.
What?
I am reminded of the postings I have seen which read, "Poor planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part."
If I gave YOU the choice between helping save the lives of 10,000 people in that region of the world by distributing direct aid or spending the same dollars installing an effective tsunami warning system with the potential to save twice that many lives during the next earthquake, which would you choose?
Some of my local tax dollars are being spent to save an endangered species of salamander. I would send that money anyplace you like.
Just donated to them. Looks like they are on the ground and ready to give relief.
For all I know, this little boy has a net worth which exceeds my own. Charity is not the only means by which people can cope with disaster.
How much should I send? Enough to search for this boys parents? For how long? Using what method? Diverting what resources from feeding others? Who will decide?
How will you FEEL if I send money but then nobody bothers to search for this boys parents? Does that matter? Is there some amount of money that would ensure that a search was made for this one boy's parents? How much is that?
What will happen to this boy if not enough money is sent? Will he be put up for adoption by a local family? Sold into slavery? How much will ensure that he gets home?
I would gladly divert the entire budget of the United Nations to help this boy.
You see, cwiz24, some of us think forward and we think big. People like you throw money at charities and think you did some good. You are hurting these people more than you are helping them. You are spittin' into the wind.
I just heard a piece on the radio from a person from Sri Lanka who has immediate family in Sri Lanka begging us not to send aid! Why? Because she said all the "aid" that they have received over the years has been diverted to corrupt officials, the same thing William Tell and I have been saying.
You should spend your time and money getting the United States to stop sending our tax dollars overseas. That would be a far more noble cause.
In the end, the people of these poor regions of the world would benefit more in the long run if the taxpayers of the Unites States were no longer tax slaves.
Your full of it. The U.N. must have met you before it released the remark about "stingy" Americans.
Well now, let me see. I'll just read my post to see what got you to say that . . .
START POST......Giving money is not a wise option. Cash will never reach any of the victims. The "Oil for Food" program clearly shows how "cash" works in thug nations. Yes, this is a tragedy, but all cash will do is line a corrupt official's pocket. Unless somebody can physically go there and help, like some medical volunteers do, your cash to any organization will be wasted.
END POST
I guess you are correct! I am full of insight. I am full of logic and rational thinking. I am full of correctness at the expense of political correctness. I am full of honesty.
Thank you for your very fine compliment. It is great to see fellow members recognize a well though out post.
I truly want to thank you for the recognition of the point I was making.
Not after I found out that almost a year later they still were witholding $500+ million that people contributed specifically to the victims of 9/11 and their families. I figured up how much interest they were making in just a few months time by holding that money and it's sickening.
I never heard if they ever did get that $500+ million distributed to the victims.
I doubt that they did and what wasn't used as bonuses or to refurbish offices probably is still sitting in the bank or mutual funds collecting interest that they can use to refurbish more offices and give out more bonusus and raises.
All that extra blood they collected that wasn't needed they could have given to other areas but I read they threw it all away and I object to them charging victims for the donated blood.
So far Americares seems to be efficient. I could be wrong.
"...anyone will notice?"......Nah!
I am certainly not "dancing its", but wondered as a mattere of curiosity if the victims were mostly from muslim countries. Of course, it seems many were European.
vaudine
Is it just me, or does the idea that national television crews showing up to film and report (and talk to survivors) seem crass? It does to me.
Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean - it doesn't matter. Tsunamis don't read geography books.
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