Amazon.com declines to join in effort to raise money for Katrina victims

InformationWeek ^ | August 29, 2005 | Gregg Keizer

[The Noodle]

An Amazon spokesperson said that the online retailer had no plans to post a donation link on its site. "Each case is different," she said. "The Red Cross has essentially given over its entire site to donations. The tsunami came out of the blue, so it was an 'all hands on deck' situation, but the Red Cross has been getting ready for this and getting its message out there for several days."

[The Noodle]

Apologies if this was posted previously. However, I think that some friendly e-mails to Amazon might rectify this. There is absolutely no reason for Amazon to not provide donation information on its front page, particularly in light of the fact that they did it for tsunami relief. I thought it was a great thing back then, and there excuse for not doing it now is utter nonsense.

[Lauretij2]

I fear that more will be given to the tsunami which hit basically an enemy country than our own.

[Paradox]

I fear that more will be given to the tsunami which hit basically an enemy country than our own.

I think I understand what you are getting at, but basically, you are wrong.

[avg_freeper]

Our reasons are this:

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah, blah, ... and finally, we hate America.

[TXBubba]

Actually I see their point. Why does everyone have to have a link? It might be easier to just point folks to one spot. Unless that spot is overloaded or something. Besides, not everyone wants to give through the Red Cross.

[SandRat]

Time for a little FR action???????

[Merry]

I see their point, too. I went right to the Redcross.org site. I never gave it a thought to go to the Amazon site to contribute money. I also think that Americans will give to other Americans and be very generous. I do feel that most people love their country.

[OldFriend]

A bit of elitist bigotry perhaps.

As when Chris Matthews called the Gulf Coast, the REDNECK RIVIERA.

[OldFriend]

Wal Mart has a link to Red Cross and Salvation Army. I used their site to donate to the Salvation Army.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[The Noodle]

I think that something like this requires all of us to participate in the relief and recovery effort. If for no other reason than the potential impact of the hurricane on our economy. Plus, it seems like a very small effort on their part. Sure, it sets a precedent, but God willing it will be a precedent that does not apply again for a long, long time. Also, I am not suggesting nasty e-mails to Amazon or any type of boycot - to the contrary, friendly suggestions are probably all that is needed.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Who the HEL@ does Amazon think they are? Yeah, Freepr action needed. what is the big deal about them just putting a link on, seeing as how many people buy ( "used to buy"ha) on their site. They are jackasse@ of the first order.

[RckyRaCoCo]

As when Chris Matthews called the Gulf Coast, the REDNECK RIVIERA.

intellegent words from one of those BLUE STATE PANT CRAPPERS

[TXBubba]

That's fine. I can see how it might get some people's attention. I'm just not going to get mad if they don't put a link.

I like the idea of putting up both the Salvation Army and the Red Cross like Wal-Mart. You might suggest both to them.

[Irish Eyes]

As when Chris Matthews called the Gulf Coast, the REDNECK RIVIERA.

I heard him say that , was glad to note that he was quickly corrected.

[OldFriend]

They need to get out of the beltway and into where the real Americans live.

[upchuck]

Some folks have very short memories.

I will not contribute one penny nor a drop of my blood to the Red Cross.

I do contribute blood to my local community blood bank that has no connection to the Red Cross. On a regular basis.

And I do contribute to the Salvation Army. They are about the only "disaster" organization left that's descent and makes good use of the contribution.

[Irish Eyes]

I agree but it will never happen.

[Fudd Fan]

I'm not sure hating America is the reason. I know someone who is a raving moonbat and she has info on what corporations donate to which political candidate. She won't use Amazon because they donated to President Bush (she uses B&N 'cause they donated to Kerry). When she told me that I immediately ordered some stuff from Amazon.

Point being, I'm sure they have reasons but hating this country ain't one. And they can always change their minds.

[The Noodle]

It think the biggest benefit of a link at Amazon is that it serves as a reminder to those intending to donate but who have not yet gotten around to it. On a somewhat related note, my 4yo has been saving his money to buy a book that he wants (it's about $12). He earns a quarter here and there by doing certain things around the house - e.g., cleaning up his toys without crying about it, etc. He happened to see some of the news footage on the hurricane and, like any 4 year old, he was excited about seeing things knocked over and blown around. I quickly explained to him how bad hurricanes are and that people had died and others had lost their homes, clothes, pictures, books, toys, etc. I also explained to him the concept of donating money so they could buy new clothes, books, toys, etc. It was hard to stay composed when he told me that he wanted to send ALL of the money he had saved for the new book to the people in the hurricane - he would just start over saving up his money, even though it meant waiting even longer to buy the book. It has been very hard today fighting my urge to go buy that book for him. Sorry for the sappy story, but I think my kid just might turn out OK after all.