Posted on 12/28/2004 8:14:26 AM PST by dead
International Aid is a very reputable faith based relief organization headquartered in West Michigan. They could certainly use contributions.
I care plenty about your freedom, but I have to weigh what is important TODAY. Four days ago, your freedom was very important, but it has slipped a little in the rungs of reality. I think helping the people whose children were ripped from their arms by giant waves and whose livelihoods have been utterly destroyed through no fault of their own is a teensy bit more important right now than your right to bear arms. I think the fundamental problem with your and Don't Tread on Me's "reasoning" is that you are equating the corrupt governments of certain countries with the people inside them. The innocent victims of this country have nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that their countries didn't send money to Florida or with the strong likelihood that corruption is rampant inside the government walls. The fact of the matter is that many charitable organizations don't give money to the governments of these countries. They show up in person with help--goods, services, food, medicine. They know better that to just hand over millions of dollars to random government officials. Just because people happen to reside inside a country that has a corrupt government or that isn't quite as generous with their donations as the US it, does not mean that they should not be helped when they need it the most.
So you ARE accusing me of aiding terrorists. Well, me and probably about 80% of FReepers give to charitable organizations. I'd like to see you accuse the FR community of aiding and abeting terrorists and see how fast your head will spin getting kicked out of here. Why don't you just post a new thread in chat describing your feelings about those who give to charity? That's a beat down I'd like to see.
Yes, cwiz24, your charity would be spent so much more appropriately if you sent William Tell cash for his cause.
What about me? I have a $51,000 project to build on my property following the Florida hurricanes. I am not receiving one red cent from FEMA to help me repair my property.
Why is it that you want to send foreigners money after this tsunami, but you will not send William Tell money or will not send me money???
We are Americans, and we are NOT terrorists! You are sending money to foreigners and some of that money may well get into the hands of terrorists--which is normal for international charities!!!
What is with you? How can you be so cruel and thoughtless--and selfish?
How do you know I didn't give money to the victims of the Florida hurricanes? Do you have access to my bank account that I'm not aware of? You jumped so far to that conclusion, you jumped right over the truth.
No, we just realize that the "innocents" are not in charge. The thugs and dictators and corrupt officals are in charge. The thugs will get the goods or the cash--the innocents rarely see it.
They know better that to just hand over millions of dollars to random government officials.
You are very wrong. Study up on the "Oil for Food" program. You are naive if you do not know where most of the World Bank money goes--(hint: think "corruption").
Some money that you spend on gas for your car, or on wood to help rebuild your property, may get into the hands of terrorists too. But is that stopping you?
You keep quoting the Oil for Food program. Somehow, I think that is your only example. I wouldn't give money to the UN if my life depended on it.
Don't patronize me. You enjoy talking down to people, don't you? Do you do ANYTHING nice for other people on your own accord?
Who IS responsible then?
If you locate an organization that is collecting money to send arms to such countries so that their people can obtain freedom and accountability from government, let me know.
Just saw a report on FoxNews about bodies still laying on the sides of roads and still snarled up in trees. Horrible, horrible situation there.
I didn't say that.
I said I live in Florida and I have a $51,000 repair job to do that FEMA is not helping me with--not even one cent.
Why not just send all your "tsunami money" to me (or to William Tell)? I am an American and I am not a terrorist. Should I not be more deserving of your money than somebody in Sumatra?
What? Could you possibly string together a sensical post? I know it's difficult, but try. It's a big help for the rest of us.
I already sent you money.
By the by, just because someone isn't an American, does not mean that they are a terrorist. And just because someone IS an American, does not mean that they are not. You act as if the two terms are mutually exclusive.
If you aren't careful you will be. If you give money to a charity, make sure it's a charity that gives needed supplies to the people who need it, and not their governments.
NEVER donate to a charity with executives making 6 figure salaries. NEVER donate to a charity that blindly flushes money away by giving it to another government to help its people.
Bottom line: Only give to a charity that helps the people directly with supplies. Anything else and you could very well be donating to terrorists or corrupt leaders.
The nicest thing I do for people is I attempt to get them to stop sending their good money to charitbale organizations.
These people do not read the U.S. Budget. If they did, they would see that the United States spends $1 trillion every ear on charities--from our tax dollars!
Once they realize this, many then start questionoing why they send money to charities directly when the U.S. is spending $1 trillion a year anyway on charities--of their own tax dollars! I think that is a noble use of my time, and is a very nice thing to do for people.
Don't you think so?
No I don't.
That's what I've been saying the entire time.
It does sadden me how many people, and unsavory governments are going to be lining their pockets because of this.
"Oil For Food" is a very good example, except this could get allot worse.
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