Comments on: Helping out in Katrina’s wake

Comment on Helping out in Katrina’s wake by: jonathan

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 17:19:46 +0000

that is so wonderful

Comment on Helping out in Katrina’s wake by: Ken

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:58:14 +0000

Here’s a current news item detailing some of the deficiencies of the Red Cross as a charitable organization. I’ve taken a few choice quotes and embedded them into a hyperlink. I wish I’d read this before donating a few dollars to them for Katrina, it’s a good read that touches on both the Red Cross’s history and some court decisions about it.

Hosler says that although the city is now fully occupied by the National Guard, the Red Cross remains outside the city and is not distributing supplies, largely because of the decision to forcibly evacuate those who remain.
…
The Red Cross was incorporated by Congressional Charter in 1905 in order to “provide volunteer aid in time of war to the sick and wounded of the armed forces” in accordance with the spirit and conditions of various treaties, among which were the Geneva Conventions.
…
In 2002, the Federal Response Plan was superseded by the similarly-named National Response Plan. This Plan was created under the 2002 Homeland Security Act. FEMA and the Red Cross were brought under the Department of Homeland Security.
…
Under the Plan, the Red Cross “provides relief at the local level and also coordinates the mass care element” to include mass care, disaster housing, and human services. It is obligated to timely deliver these resources.

Comment on Helping out in Katrina’s wake by: Layna E.

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 09:48:46 +0000

I like what you wrote Barbara and yes it is a hard subject to approach and from what angle. It is difficult to know what to say what to write and what to do. Except to give money and of course how much of that do we each have to spare? I had a lot of trouble this week just finding a fitting contemplation for my yoga classes that I teach. Yes, this situation does make one feel small. Water, now that is such a powerful thing and so destructive. And here in Californina we thought fire was so bad. It is keeping me awake at night. Thanks for writing what you did. And of course don’t get me started on the snail like response and the politics… My thoughst still seem to go back to the pets. I know how comforting my dogs are to me, and along with the human lives being ripped away and separated, so were/are their pets. Sighhh…

Comment on Helping out in Katrina’s wake by: Sarah

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 21:12:29 +0000

Los Angeles will get students who will need transportation to schools and that will be my job, once they arrive.

What sticks in my craw is this: when the hurricanes hit Florida, Bush the president declared an emergency *immediately” and arrived in person to help brother Bush.

When the hurricane hit Louisiana…well, the story is still being told a week later. And I don’t need to repeat the scenes of Bush the president continuing with routine political speeches while poor people were drowning in their attics.

I don’t expect miracles–after all, we can only do what we can do. But I do expect appropriate actions and response from government, fairly exercised no matter whose constituency. We are all one people, after all.

Comment on Helping out in Katrina’s wake by: violetismycolor

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:23:51 +0000

It makes one feel so very hopeless, doesn’t it? Portland will probably get 1000 people and we were brainstorming at church this morning on how to get involved. My husband is on the board of the social service agency for our part of Portland and they are going to try to get involved…we may take in a student or a family, if it is needed. We feel very blessed, that is certain.