Posted on 12/30/2004 4:25:17 PM PST by 4.1O dana super trac pak
Contributions are pouring into the American charities involved in the massive relief effort in South Asia at an "incredible" pace.
Americans are using the Internet, the mail and the phone and dropping by local relief agency offices to donate - to help the survivors of the killer tsunamis get back on their feet and rebuild their lives, their homes and communities.
"The response has just been incredible," noted American Red Cross spokeswoman Jackie Flowers, who reported that $18 million in contibutions had been received since Sunday.
'snip'
At CARE USA's office in Atlanta, "a stranger just walked into the office with a check for $10,000. And our offices around the country are reporting similiar experiences," said Ahuma Adodoadji, director for emergency humanitarian assistance.
He said the agency has received about $3.5 million in donations so far.
Others benefitting from America's big heart and open pocketbooks include Doctors Without Borders, which received $4 million in donations through its Web site alone.
Save the Children USA reported $3 million in donations to date; Americares, $2 million; Oxfam America, $1.6 million; and Catholic Charities, $1.13 million.
" That fine gentleman from the United Nations was miguided and ill-informed," said Dean Owen of World Vision....
Americans have been incredibly generous," said Owen, whose agency has recieved more than $1 million for its South Asian disaster relief - without advertising.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Americans don't give to outcompete. We give because we care. Donations to help people recover from tragedy IS NOT a sport and it SHOULD TRANSCEND petty political and other ideological rhetoric.
Couldn't agree with you more. I'm not American (I'm not conservative either, hope no one thinks I'm a troll, I'm here to hear what people from other perspectives have to say) and I've had my critisims of your government at times (gotta admit sometimes they make me furious). But to suggest that Americans aren't some of the most generous and well-intentioned people on the planet and on balance the US hasn't been a force for good in much of the world is wrong. Especially at a time like this, playing politics is a sickening. This isn't some trade dispute. I have friends in Sri Lanka who are missing and suggetsing that the US is stingy or Bush shouldn't have stayed on holiday is offensive and completely unhelpful.
That is my favorite charity. I also highly regard Feed the Children and the Salvation Army.
I am a medical professional. I don't have time to look up documentation right now, so I will just tell you that most of our docs in town will not associate themselves with Doctors without Borders. It is a leftists organization.
and yet the BBC is reporting as if it is the UN responsible for all aid.
You only hear about efforts from everyone OTHER than the USA.
(we help DESPITE our people being decapitated, and our misionaries murdered by rebels.)
We do and will always do the right thing regardless, the left will always and has always used disaster as opportunity for political gain. Germany is manuvering to sell concrete, france to sell computers.
You're an embarrassment to whatever it is you represent.
The US supplied 40% of every dollar that went to world aid in 2004. The US represents 20% of GWP and approximately 5% of the population. The US has born almost 90% of the financial costs in Afghanistan and Iraq and a proportionate amount in combat deaths and casualties.
How much did you and your country pony up in Africa for Aids? US 15 billion.
How much did you and your country pony up in the Caribbean disaster? US 120 million.
How much did you and your country pony up in Iraq? US 200 billion and counting, over 1000 dead and 10,000 injured.
How many troops did you and your country station in Asia and Europe since 1945?
Americans in general believe it is more efficient to give money directly to sources in times of need, rather than allowing the government to collect it as taxes and then parcel it out. We are a very giving, generous country. We are also very independent and like to choose our charities rather than having the government dictate how much from each of our pockets should go for any particular cause.
Government is good for sending troops, planes, and other services on a large scale. Business and charities are great at collecting the and amassing the smaller donations pouring in daily.
You say perhaps it will inspire the government to send more? Where do you think the government gets its money??? From the taxpayers!
The RED CROSS was exposed after 9/11. They kept exactly what sonserae stated: 80% to the administration and 20% to the victims/families.
United Way was, likewise, exposed. Although, I already knew what they were up to back in the 70's and haven't contributed a dime to them since then.
I will NEVER contribute to the RED CROSS or UNITED WAY. The Salvation Army is a trustworthy and reputable charity, well-deserving of any donation monies. I'm sure there are others, but after the 9/11 expose on Red Cross/United Way..........NEVER FORGET, NEVER FORGIVE.
You misspeak. Our GOVERNMENT is just that, OURS. It isn't your government, your papa or mama. It exists to run OUR business. Please mind your own.
Didn't know that; thanks for posting that info. I'll make sure to add them to the "do not donate to" list.
< Sorry if I offended you I was actually giving your country a compliment. >
Insult my government and you insult me. You WERE condescending.
Our government doesn't have to be shamed by its citizens into donating. Before commitments are made with my money I want to check out the situation too. After it's all said and done the USA will bear the brunt of this in money, manpower and supplies.
Go ask O'Reilly. Better yet, watch any of his shows where he had on the Red Cross during his expose regarding their withholding of vasts amounts of donation moneys. You'll see, they didn't deny doing so. They did, however, attempt to weasel out of the accusations.
I also suggest you go read up on the Red Cross and do as sonserae suggests.......read their FINANCIALS.
LOL. All it took was constant pressure from O'Reilly, on an almost daily basis, to MAKE the RED CROSS give out the money they claimed they were collecting for donations and initially were going to treat as they do ALL other donations received: 80% to administration, 20% to the "cause."
So what percentage of YOUR money does your country confiscate? And if they're taking that much out of your earnings, why the heck don't you associate yourself with them? Did you personally send anything to help or are you expecting your government to do it all for you so you don't have to worry about it?
My, my you do know how to make friends in the short time you've been here. Keep it up and the kitties will be paying you a visit.
< Fair enough but I don't associate myself with the state, but each to their own. >
Our government is "us". That's a tight "association"
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