I just want to write and encourage anyone with *any* spare money to make a donation, no matter how small, to help the people that are being affected by hurricane katrina.
I'm not going to point out all of the horror and atrocities that are still occuring, the news can do that much better than I can. I would just love it if we all made a donation. I'm at a point in my life where I don't have much extra money, but then I recalled the same though that has helped me change my attitude and mentality when it comes to recycling, the environment, and other issues that plague the world. The thought that gives me great motivation to offer whatever I can, even if it is only $1, is that if only 1/10th of the population of the USA (roughly 300 million) were to follow suit that'd be $30 million dollars.
$1, 1 euro, 1 english pound, or less...it doesn't matter. When we amplify these small donations by the worlds population it is obvious that even these small, seemingly inconsequential donations quickly become large and are capable of making a *huge* difference.
Now, I'm heading over to the red cross donation page (it can be reached from the black ribbon on Google). I hope some of you follow suit!
A large thank you in advance from myself and my fellow Americans!
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
hey mate you've touched me there - BUT how come the USA can't look after the USA? If this had happened to say .... I don't know ... say Jamaica for instance (it doesn't matter) the USA would be sending in relief aid / troops / cash etc .... but for their own people they seem to do nothing??? Why should I send money to the richest nation on earth?? Better I email Mr Bush and say what I've just said??
to start press any key ...... where's the ANY KEY??
Granted, the government was not as fast or as efficient as they *need* to be regarding this issue, although it does seem that they are starting to get things rolling. I know a bill is in the works that should be signed tonight that will appropriate 10.5 billion to FEMA (the federal emergency management agency) to use for relief and rebuilding.
The truth of the matter is that the US people are doing everything they can to help, it's just that there are a lot of logistical issues and governmental red tape to get around to get some of the relief actions underway.
Ultimately though, it's not a matter of what the government is or isn't doing. Regardless of the political trappings the issue still remains, the disaster still exists. Thousands of peoples lives have been completely uprooted, their houses and family torn from them, their workplaces destroyed, their jobs gone. Imagine if something similar were to happen to you.
Today is not the time to point fingers. Today is the day to step forward and offer what we can, to offer that which we'd hope to receive if we were in their shoes. Today is a day for compassion.
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
You have all the compassion I can send (honsetly) but I just feel sending money to the USA is like sending money to the Bank of England (in terms of where I live) it would be more effective if people outside of the USA flooded emails to the Whitehouse expressing their dissaproval etc...
to start press any key ...... where's the ANY KEY??
I'm not sure you realize how bad it is. I don't think anyone knew that it would be this bad. But sending money to the US isnt like sending money to the rich. The money will go directly to all the poor people who lost their homes. New Orleans residents are typically poor and black, so you have a giant misconception if you think it's going into the pockets of greedy white men in $900 suits.
Steve Zissou: Anne-Marie, do all the interns get Glocks?
The flag is symbolic of the only thing that these affected people have that still stands in their lives. Their houses and workplaces may be destoryed, but their fellow Americans, and all of the other compassionate contributors around the world are now their backbone, their support, their shelter.
Edited by the Author.
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
do you REALLY think the money will go to the poor!!! It will go to the banks in Washington/New York etc... - places in the north USA - YOU need help in the south
to start press any key ...... where's the ANY KEY??
""I'm not sure you realize how bad it is" believe me we do. the news is totally plastered with constantly. "
Is it that you just don't care then? I'm sorry that I'm inconveniencing you by posting pictures that you've already seen. I'm sorry that I'm trying to stir up a little compassion for people in need. God forbid you be inconvenienced by the stories of thousands of people that have lost their homes and their lives as they know them.
I don't want this to degenerate into a flame war or anything like that. Seriously, I posted this hoping to encourage a few people to offer a dollar or two. If you don't want to, that's fine. There is nothing wrong with that. Please though, don't derail this thread.
You don't have to care about the situation, but please don't dilute the thread in the process.
Edited by the Author.
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
Accusing me of being racist? How immature, I'm simply contrasting reality to moonbird99's false idea that America is so rich that we don't need help. If you are too insecure about your own racial tensions then you need to grow the fuck up, I'm the only white person in my school so don't talk to me about racism. Moonbird what you're saying is not accurate and you shouldn't talk because your ideas are just plain wrong. You can keep your ignorance or you can learn how the Red Cross works.
Steve Zissou: Anne-Marie, do all the interns get Glocks?
I hate it when people try to convince you to donate to some cause with a bunch of pictures and then have a self-righteous winge attack when you don't. People will donate to what they want, when they want.
What is the point you are trying to make? It's none of my business if someone is too cheap or poor to donate, neither does it hurt me in the least bit. What is this new trend of people defending their right to do the exact opposite of what common sense tells you is a good thing.
Is it now cool to put up a mask of uncaring and calculating indifference? Because Radix, you seem to enjoy taking the stance with the least possible heart.
Anyway if you want to make a point of not donating for a political reason, I feel that is the wrong reason. If you are too cheap or poor or lazy then that's your prerogative. Keep in mind you're not hurting me by not donating, you're not hurting Bush by not donating, your hurting the starving, drowning Negroes in New Orleans. And that is what counts, helping other people in need.
Steve Zissou: Anne-Marie, do all the interns get Glocks?
Okay i hate to admit this, Radix has a point, people wont donate unless they want to.you are as bad as clipboard people in the streets.
"your hurting the starving, drowning Negroes in New Orleans"
Hes not really hurting them is he now? If hes not donating im sure it wont really affect them too much, why dont you dontate on Radix's behalf? Something they didnt already have cant hurt them, it can help them yes, maybe but its not hurting them.
"your hurting the starving, drowning Negroes in New Orleans."
The ones shooting at the helicopters?
Here's the thing. I don't need a reason not to donate. I need a reason to donate. If that's your outlet for social guilt, good for you. If I find an objective reason that it's required for me to donate to people too stupid to evacuate in the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth with a fully equipped national guard and coastguard, I'll do so. But I'm not going to get that from a bunch of emotive bullshit on a messageboard.
If I were in the area and had the means to deliver food or water to the people that need it, I would. But fuck the Red Cross. I'd rather not have my donation 'misplaced'.
That's really ignorant to say that the 90,000 people in New Orleans were too stupid to evacuate. These people had no choice:
A. No car
B. No money to rent a car
C. Nowhere to go
D. Elderly, disabled, homeless
Make no mistake, these people are POOR they were poor before and they have absolutely nothing now. The top 5% of the population has 70% of the wealth, therefore you can’t lump us all together. The fact is, you aren’t in a position to help personally but you can help by donating. I don't see what 'sign' you're waiting for, maybe a baby washing up on your doorstep?
You ARE hurting them by not donating, when you make the decision not to, you are denying someone a blanket, a cot, a warm meal, or medicine. Don't bullshit yourself into believing you are taking the high ground with indifference.
I would think the reason for donating is obvious, if you need one, turn on the TV. There is no guilt involved when I donate, I didn't do anything to cause a hurricane. It's a moral responsibility and the fact that I know good people will be there for me if *heaven forbids* a natural disaster hits my home. They will be there for you too.
Steve Zissou: Anne-Marie, do all the interns get Glocks?
"You ARE hurting them by not donating"
This is the crux of your argument. It's bullshit, and you know it.
"There is no guilt involved when I donate, I didn't do anything to cause a hurricane. It's a moral responsibility and the fact that I know good people will be there for me if *heaven forbids* a natural disaster hits my home. They will be there for you too."
You misunderstand the concept of social guilt. Additionally, altruistic motivation is somewhat undermined by the suggestion that you're doing this because you expect others to do the same.
I'm not suggesting that people shouldn't donate. I'm saying that it's their own decision, and righteous poop-throwing--what you're doing right now, in fact--is unjustifiable.
"These people had no choice"
They had three days' warning. Being disabled is a valid excuse, nothing else is. "Nowhere to go"? There were designated assembly points. No car? Walk. Take a bus. Ride a homeless person. Whatever.
Radix, please explain to me how I was being self righteous or trying to put *guilt* on anyone. The fact that you immediately jumped to those conclusions shows that you do feel some guilt, deep down inside. You can reply and deny it all you want, but given the fact that you pinned those qualities on me when all I did was encourage people to donate and then show pictures of what really happened and what is really going on only points to the fact that you need to reason your way out of the guilt you'd otherwise feel.
I didn't say anything like "I know *you* have a dollar or two you can donate"...I said I had a dollar or two, and if we all donate only a dollar or two it can make a huge impact. I never pushed any guilt, as there really is none to push. I was just pointing out that small donations can make a large difference, that is all. I've heard too many people say "oh, what's a five dollar donation going to do" or something to that effect. I understand why people think that way, but by using some numbers and amplifying the situation by a fraction of the worlds population I like to point out that $5 can make a large difference in the scheme of things. Again, that was the only intent of my post.
Please point out where I got self righteous and when or where I alluded to people being under an "obligation to donate". All I wanted to do was encourage some people that might be on the fence in regards to the matter, those same people who say "what's a dollar going to do?"
I don't understand why those who are opposed to the idea of donating even respond to such a thread. Maybe you can explain your logic to me?
I mean,to me that's like an atheist going up to every christian he meets in the streets and explaining to them why [he believes] their faith is wrong (btw I'm not christian, let's not turn this into a religious discussion.) Is it really worth the time and effort? They feel the way they do, you feel the way you do. As long as nothing is being imposed upon you (and it's not), why take the time to respond to something that you have clearly indicated that *you're not interested in*?
I don't mind if you don't donate, *as I clearly stated in my earlier post*. I do mind when people derail a thread that only has/had good intentions. That's like stealing a piece of bread from a starving man only to turn around and throw it in the garbage.
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
Again, the concept of social guilt is evidently elusive.
Your self-righteous behaviour revealed itself in your resonse to Digital. However, I was speaking more in generalities. And unless you and JP are the same person, you're pretty damn vain for thinking everything has to be directed at you.
You're waving around a bunch of emotive photos and rubbish then getting upset when someone disagrees with you. I'm not suggesting that anyone not donate, in fact I may yet do so myself if it becomes apparent that it would do any good, but you're being a pain in the ass by soliciting donations. There's a difference between that and allowing people to make their own decisions.
It's not like anyone doesn't know what's going on.
Novasoft, what if your brother or mother or lover or son or daughter or someone who was really close to you was badly injured in a car accident? Would you organize fund raisers and place little charity donation cans around town to try and gather the money needed to help sustain their life, or would you just write it off as some much needed 'population pruning'?
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
I stand with Phizzy(scary I know) But yes, this topic is dumb. Some things that have been up have been the most retarded things I've ever heard. So as I have said in my previous post. Please shut yer yappers. If you want to donate donate if you don't don't. Can an Admin please lock this topic? Its quickly going down hill.
What you see as guilt I see as empathy. Two sides of the coin I guess.
I'm not going to elborate on my stance anymore after this post. I've made it clear what my intentions were. I don't benefit from any donations, nor does anyone that I know personally.
Nova, that cynicism you and so many others harbor is part of the recipe that leads the world to the state it's in. If empathy and compassion were abound in the quantities of cynicism, pessimism, fear, and anger that plague our outlook these days the world may not be the cesspool you see it as. Of course I know you will disagree, because in reality you fear change - you fear the notion of a world filled with compassion and empathy, because that would require you to step away from your egoist, self centered reality. It is much easier to embrace delusional logic than it is to demand of oneself the changes that you'd like to see in the world. You are caught in a cyclical pattern of negative reinforcement. You wear sunglasses and then complain that it's dark.
Radix, regarding this topic being an inconvenience, I would imagine that it would be much more inconvenient to take time out of your day to reply to this thread than it would have been to have just shrugged it off. There is no difference between what I did and allowing people to make their own decisions. I have not violated anyones free will with my post. I simply wanted to share my perspective on the issue in hopes that it might do some good. I can't make you donate. And if the pictures or any other "emotive rubbish" that has been presented 'coerces' you into donating, well then you need to reevaluate your situation and your beliefs before you point the finger at me and claim that I violated your free will. If you become emotionally involved to the point where you want to make a donation because of the pictures presented, you can't blame me. Blame that little, horrific thing inside of you known as compassion.
The truth is that you are arguing, or shall I be generous and call it debating, with me because you've got nothing better to do. I came here with good intentions and made a simple post of encouragement. I didn't, nor could I, twist anyones arm or in any way actually coerce them to donate. My post was like a change donation can you'd find at a gas station. I mean, according to your logic nobody should take the time to put those up, because "the people that want to donate will donate anyway". Then tell me, how come there is always some change in those jars?
And now I've given you more to tear apart, to consume and to cast aside. Enjoy.
Current Project: Undertaking the design of my mammoth RPG. Utilizing all of the knowledge gained while coding the now defunct "Shadow Reign".
Inconvenience is a different animal from irritation.
What you could have done was make a post suggesting people donate, maybe provide a link to a reputable charity, and nothing more. That would be acceptable. Instead you posted a bunch of "touching" images to attempt to guilt people into donating (and thank fuck you don't know how to use image tags), and had a whinge when someone disagreed with you.
And right now, you're questioning my compassion. Never mind the complex philosophical implications of philanthropy; that's a big fuck-you.
This 'disaster' is a result of pollution and resource abuse.
Uh, what? You mean climate change? Because, you know, we had big hurricanes before that... otherwise the scale wouldn't even go up to 5. Even if it were a direct result as opposed to an anomaly, there's mounting evidence that climate change isn't anthropogenic.
America deserves what it gets to be honest. That may sound harsh, but their governments donations towards the big Tsunami and the famines in Africa were pitiful, regarding their economic power and massive wealth. Americans just don't care unless it's themselves that's the victims. George Bush even said today himself "The aid towards the victims of the hurricane was inadequate" (not actual quote, but near enough). Other than that, everything Radix said I agree with. Some things Novasoft I agree with also, but the stuff about this disaster being caused by humans is absolute balderdash.
"Inadequate"....President Bush can say that word? Wow. He must be taking lessons or something.
Anyway, I strongly disagree with what you say, Noodle- America does not deserve what it gets. America shouldn't be going around forcing democracy on everyone, this is true- but that also means they are NOT responsible for everything that goes wrong. They have enough problems themselves right now.
The victims of this hurricane are just showing the animal inside us. They are just trying to survive (except for the ones that steal televisions and stuff...what's the point of that? They can't use it...there's no power going to the entire place....)
Side note: George Bush is an idiot...but he's not an evil man. He's human. He does what he thinks will help his country.
Fine Garbage since 2003.
CURRENT PROJECT:
-Paying off a massive amount of debt in college loans.
-Working in television.
These problems being what exactly? Ensuring they pump enough smoke into the air to cause China to blackout? Arranging weapon trades with Iran? Avoiding signing the Kyoto agreement?
So Noodle... you're saying America deserves this because they didn't donate enough to the tsunami cause- does that mean you think something bad should happen to people who don't donate?
oh my god. hey did anyone see Bush's speech on the news yesterday? He repeated every thing he had said in the first 40 seconds. dumb ass. And i thought Blair was bad.
1. You have the right not to donate.
2. Donating would help people in need.
3. Hurricane Katrina was not made or significantly altered by man, although the Gulf of Mexico has a one degree higher ocean temperature than a decade ago.
4. America did not deserve this. Looking past borders, we are all people. This is even more wrong when you look at the people this affected.
5. The majority of people who did not leave had no choice, the affected area is the size of Kansas, there is no walking. There were not enough busses, the assembly points were in places like the convention center and the Superdome.
And if I'm flinging righteous poop, you're throwing wicked poop (antonym). Although you say you defend people's right to not donate, you are taking a staunch opposition against donating, against donators, and against the people of NOLA.
Steve Zissou: Anne-Marie, do all the interns get Glocks?
Nonsense. I have said repeatedly that people should and will donate if they want to. I do have a philosphical objection to charity in general, but in particular there are causes that are both worth donating to and that will benefit from donations.
This isn't necessarily one of them. Charity should be an entirely private thing, as such anyone may evaluate the cause through their own set of values: for evey point you make there is a simple enough counter, objective or otherwise.
The majority of people who did not leave had no choice, the affected area is the size of Kansas, there is no walking. There were not enough busses, the assembly points were in places like the convention center and the Superdome.
How many is three? Oh right, it's three.
You are point-blank accusing those who chose not to donate of inflicting disutility on the possible beneficiaries. This is not only an invalid point, it's offensive and hypocritical.
Advertisement
Edited by the Author.
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19203183.jpg[/IMG]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19203183.jpg[/IMG]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204787.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204787.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19205491.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19205491.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204837.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204837.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204869.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8153/5m/images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-08/19204869.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220308.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220308.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19219454.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19219454.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19219934.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19219934.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220932.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220932.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220892.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-08/19220892.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-08/19224641.jpg[/img]](http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-08/19224641.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2005/09/02/PH2005090201897.jpg[/img]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2005/09/02/PH2005090201897.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
![http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-09/19252836.jpg[/img]](http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/8165/5m/images.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2005-09/19252836.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
