Hurricane Katrina Relief fund...

[Scribe]

Well, if you have been watching the news for the past week, you know that Louisianna and parts of surrounding states have been hit by hurricane Katrina. New Orleans, one of the most historical cities in the United States, has been completely flooded and thousands of people are without food, water, shelter, and money. It is the most tragic natural disaster to ever hit the U.S. and it is going to take alot of time, effort, and money to restabilize the parts that have been torn asunder by the hurricane. If you would like to donate money to relieve them, you may do so by clicking on either of these links:

http://www.rrmtf.org/mtf/hurricanerelief.htm
http://www.writerscafe.net/donations.html
http://www.redcross.org/


For the first link, I do not believe that people from the U.K. can donate online, but I do believe that you can donate via regular mail and telephone. Nor do I know if they will accept pounds. The second link however, you can use paypal with. I intend to send an email to a relief foundation with the names of people who lament the horrible losses suffered. If you would like, state your name and where you are from at the bottom of your post.

[wikkybikky]

not trying to sound cold hearted here- because i have been greiving for all those affected by this tragedy- but surely the U.S government can easily afford to pay the costs necessary for rescue / recovery / rebuilding etc. It is the worlds wealthiest & most powerful nation after all [not that you'd know it by the shockingly bad efforts of rescue and recovery so far]

[wyrd_fish]

i'd rather give to the american red cross (http://www.redcross.org/)

as i've i heard of them and the internet is full of scum

[Scribe]

Very true, the U.S. is very wealthy, but is that really a reason to not help out people who have lost everything they own? Yes, the government can help, but only to a certain extent. The most the government can do is rescue and recover at the moment. Other than that, all of the rest of the money will be focused on draining the cities and rebuilding. The citizens need the money that is being donated so they can get food, water, and the basic essentials to live. You cant expect the government to be able to give every single person enough money to cover their losses. We would be in even more debt than we already are.


@ Wyrd: I edited the origonal post to include the link. Thanks!

[moovok]

Actually, from what I've heard there's a huge problem - the US spent money on Iraq and not thinking a disaster would effect the US (though that is just the word(s) that are spreading, not sure if it's 100% true).

Webcomic peeps are doing a telethon for it as well... http://www.webcomictelethon.com/

Peeps can post comics, donate or see the whole thing on the week of September 12th. Sounds interesting at least

[wikkybikky]

Very true, the U.S. is very wealthy, but is that really a reason to not help out people who have lost everything they own? Yes, the government can help, but only to a certain extent. The most the government can do is rescue and recover at the moment. Other than that, all of the rest of the money will be focused on draining the cities and rebuilding. The citizens need the money that is being donated so they can get food, water, and the basic essentials to live. You cant expect the government to be able to give every single person enough money to cover their losses. We would be in even more debt than we already are.

sorry scribe, i absolutley would and do expect the U.S government to cover all "humanitarian" costs of this - there should be no limits to their funding......alot of the rebuilding and other costs will be undertaken by insurance companies etc.

i cannot think of any reason why outside funding would be deemed necessary in the richest nation on earth.

I don't mean to take away from your original post- It is a very noble and worthy cause ( i just feel that it shouldn't be up to joe public to fund this particular "cause")

[Moltz]

I was so happy to get on the forums and see this thread. Ive called the red cross and volunteered our family's spare room because i'm sure someone wiill need it. I've heard that other countries are sending military aid/money/oil and I was so surprised, either becuase I never thought that we'd be in a position to need help (an arrogant attitude which is probably responsible for much of the unpreparedness of...everyone) or after being bombarded with hate from other countries, I didn't expect such quick or willing assistance from overseas. I hope we can rise from this disaster a better country and learn that we are just like people anywhere else, we are capeable of anarchy, of total chaos, of atrocities many americans felt they were above, but under conditions of some of the worst countries in the world, we are just the same as the people in those places. Those of us who are only out of fuel consider ourselves the lucky ones, there are thens of thousands out of FOOD. Thanks to anyone who sends help. We need it.

Molly, Richmond, VA

[deliops]

sorry scribe, i absolutley would and do expect the U.S government to cover all "humanitarian" costs of this - there should be no limits to their funding......alot of the rebuilding and other costs will be undertaken by insurance companies etc.


You have an incredibly skewed perception of the us government! There are indeed limits to the funding! Just because the us gov't has money doesnt mean that enough of it is budgeted to fund disaster relief, and with the war it especially cannot cover these costs. The gov't is not going to cover the losses of the individual people or their homes. Many people did not have flood insurance and now are homeless and without enough money to afford the things they need to survive. Some of these people are really depending on these donations.
The company that i work for says that they will match any donation that one of the employees makes which i think its really awesome, so all my co-workers and i are going to pitch in. These people really do need the help, because no, the government is not going to be able to provide enough.

[wikkybikky]

You have an incredibly skewed perception of the us government! There are indeed limits to the funding! Just because the us gov't has money doesnt mean that enough of it is budgeted to fund disaster relief, and with the war it especially cannot cover these costs. The gov't is not going to cover the losses of the individual people or their homes. Many people did not have flood insurance and now are homeless and without enough money to afford the things they need to survive. Some of these people are really depending on these donations.
The company that i work for says that they will match any donation that one of the employees makes which i think its really awesome, so all my co-workers and i are going to pitch in. These people really do need the help, because no, the government is not going to be able to provide enough.

fair enough deliops..you have a good point- they may not have it in their budget, but for you to say "they are not going to be able to provide enough (funding)"..i cannot agree with this...they are perfectly able- if they are willing.

Please don't misunderstand me- i say that the govenment should and in my opinion can fund this relief effort...I in no way actually think that they will.

[Scribe]

Well, not to be rude, but the government can not fund this entire thing on their own. Its a fact. They should be able to, but they cant. Thats why there are relief funds. To make up for what the government and the insurances companies cant cover. And saying that "just because the country is rich, money shouldnt be donated" is really dumb in my opinion. The fact is, lives need to be saved, and the U.S. cant do it on its own. Realize that. Most people dont realize stuff like this doesnt just happen in the undeveloped countries.

[wikkybikky]

well my friend i suppose we will have to agree to disagree. Sorry if i have derailed your thread - unintentional.