Louisiana
It has occurred to me that, with a Cajun wife who moved up here from Baton Rouge (a short drive from New Orleans), we probably have access to some of the stories that are going on down there.
I'm going to see if we can get in touch with any of Janet's friends and relatives (all of whom, thank heavens, seem to be safe (if homeless)) and see if any of them would like to share their stories, and if so, I'll post them in the next few days.
Right now, in Baton Rouge, there are apparently large numbers of armed people causing some havoc. Those who were evacuated from New Orleans but refused to give up their weapons in order to stay in the safe houses are roaming the streets.
In the city itself, reports are being down played, because nothing sparks a panic and a riot like telling people there is panic and rioting in the streets.
But for anyone who believes this tragedy is limited to New Orleans and the immediate surrounding area, understand that there's more to it.
There are reports (this is from the news, not from people we've spoken to) of refugees driving their cars to the Houston Astrodome hoping to join with the refugees moved there from the New Orleans stadium, and being turned away because they didn't come on the busses.
I'm trying to find out what we can do to help out, and if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Our house is too full to house refugees (and being in NH, is probably too far away to be practical), and I don't trust most of the officially sanctioned relief organizations.
If I thought flying down there to help with the rescue operations would be helpful, I would take some time off and do that. Since I don't have a boat or any useful equipment, I'm not convinced I wouldn't just be in the way and a further problem.
Anyway, keep the people of Louisiana in your thoughts and prayers (like I need to tell you this).
Liam.
posted by Liam at 9/02/2005 10:53:00 AM
4 Comments:
Liam,
Why do you feel that the relief agencies are untrustworthy?
Friday, September 02, 2005 6:10:00 PM
The problem is that, except for the Red Cross, they're all faith based, and at least a few of them support things I can't support, like prejudice against homosexuals.
The rest, I don't know anything about.
But the problem is, if I could provide money to an organization, KNOW that it would go at least in large percentage to help those in New Orleans, and know that the group in question wouldn't then try to claim me as a supporter for their extremely ANTI-Christian hate based philosophies, I'd have no problems with donating.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with Faith based organizations... when they're primary focus is helping people. When their primary focus is political, and my own beliefs say that theirs are extremely UN-Christian, I can't let them count me as a supporter.
Liam.
Friday, September 02, 2005 6:59:00 PM
For reference, by the way, one of the most odious was also the #2 (after the red cross) on the official list: Operation Blessing, owned and run by Pat Robertson.
Pat Robertson who apparently feels that the 6th of the Ten Commandments reads "Thou Shalt Not Kill, unless first you ensure that the oil shipments will not be affected". I absolutely can not support a man who, in his role as a Christian leader, advocates the assassination of a democratically elected and popular leader of another country.
I'll find another charity to give my money to, thank you very much. One which will take my money and help the poor victims of this horrible tragedy and NOT politicize my donation and try to claim me as one of his supporters.
Liam.
Friday, September 02, 2005 11:18:00 PM
Oh, and lest someone out there say "Well, then, why not donate to the Red Cross?", from what I have read, in the aftermath of 9/11, the Red Cross collected a record amount, over $1 billion, of which very little actually made it to NYC.
I don't mind donating blood to the Red Cross (even if they do turn around and sell blood donations for more than $1.5 billion each year) because while it may make them money, it does eventually go to help someone.
This is the problem with charities these days. Some are scams, of course, but even the ones which do have some benefit, many are so bloated that they spend large percentages of every dollar on salaries, fund raising and similar costs.
I won't name it, because I don't remember for sure which one it was, but one of the "feed the starving children" charities, when audited, turned out to be spending 95% of it's money on salaries, administration costs and fund raising. That's right, for every dollar given, a paltry nickel went to feeding a starving child.
That's why I asked if anyone had any ideas. I want to know how to help, not to line some charity's bank account or become listed as a supporter for a cause I oppose.
If I knew, right now, where I could send a check and know that at least 90% of the money would directly and actively help the victims, I'd write a check right now for a week's salary and send it off.
But in this world of ours, I'm not certain that the money will get where I want it to go, and I didn't work all this week so that the bottom line at the Red Cross could be further in the black.
Liam.
Friday, September 02, 2005 11:31:00 PM
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