(no subject)

[coldblossom.livejournal.com]

I've been watching the coverage of the Haiti earthquake and its really just heartbreaking. I'm enjoying my lunch at work and I didn't have to dig for it or fight someone off for it. I go home to a comfortable house where I have electricity, food and water, and a clean, comfortable bed. My family is whole. So, I donated some money. Americans are generous with our wealth, even at a time when we can least afford it.

Anyway. I was thinking about how, as is usual, the United States is spearheading the rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. No other country has pledged so much money, manpower, or other resources so far. Even the U.N. hasn't offered as much--of course, the majority of the U.N.'s money comes from the United States so we're just paying that much more. And that is the official response. Private citizens and charities are already mobilizing to donate their resources to the cause, further increasing America's contribution.

It also occurred to me that Haiti's government is non-functional, leaving a vacccuum of authority and security. Guess who is filling that role? The United States. Where are the accusations of interference? Of nation-building? People asking for an exit-strategy? They think getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan will be hard...try extricating yourself from the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere that has little to no resources of its own, no centralized government, and millions of starving, homeless citizens?

They recognize that we should be there. Better the generous United States who will ask little or nothing in return for its efforts rather than, say, the Chinese who might ask for a base, or the Russians who might want to build a missile silo or somesuch. We'll give and give and rebuild and leave, and nobody will thank us and everyone will go back to the old "MYOB, USA!" slogans they chant when they're not after our money...and often even when they are.

For once, I approve of what President Obama is doing. I think his public response was slow (I wonder if he was having trouble with his exit strategy from the golf course), but the aid is already there and more is on the way. No matter what anyone else thinks of us at the end of the day, we'll be doing the right thing.

I was talking with a co-worker about this and he sent me this comic. Yeah, we may say that...but we'll get involved anyway. Its not in our nature to say "no" to someone in need.

Sorry for the ramble. :(

P.S. I donated through work, but I was wondering if there were any other trustworthy places to donate to for relief assistance? If anyone could share a few I'd appreciate it.

Comments

[spikedpunch.livejournal.com]

Haiti has been a nightmare in the making for years, if not over a century. In the last couple of decades, millions if not billions of dollars has been sunk into this pit of misery and very little improvment has occurred. I know I sound rather cynical, but I try to look at the positive side to this that perhaps maybe this earthquake was not such a bad thing, that perhaps this will finally force the people there to make a stand for themselves and rebuild their country as it has been needed to be done all of this time.

And as great as it is that Obama is willing to give all of this aid to the stricken country, keep in mind that this is the same man that greatly reduce the tax deduction on charitable given shortly after entering office.

[coldblossom.livejournal.com]

keep in mind that this is the same man that greatly reduce the tax deduction on charitable given shortly after entering office.

Yes. Ironic, isn't it? :(

[lilliew.livejournal.com]

The U.S. has been doing this time and time again for other countries, both as a government and by private citizens who donate and volunteer time and money, and for catastrophes and in general. That's why I think it's stupid to keep trying to apologize for who we are and what we do. Yes, we're a super power and no matter what we do or don't do, other countries are not going to like us. We should be diplomatic, but we should also be tooting our own horn more and reminding the world of what we have done and continue to do all the time. I'm proud when I see how generous the American people are every time something like this happens.

As for Haiti, it's tragic, but also a shining example of why we shouldn't "not interfere" in trying to help other countries, not just in time of need, but also not letting them be ruled by corruption that only hurts their own people and keeps them oppressed. I'm not sure what the right solution is for helping fix their government, but surely freedom and capitalism is a better solution in the long term compared to the poor quality of life that results in massive death and destruction when something catastrophic happens. But time for analyzing the rebuilding is for later, for now, lives needs to be saved and people taken care of.

As for donating, I recommend the Red Cross as your best bet. They are one of the best organizations out there overall.

[middlegirl.livejournal.com]

The picture of the "sad" America was really funny, even if it may not be totally true. I think as a country, we can't say no to someone in need, but I think that we also have an attitude of "we don't need you, we can have fun playing by ourselves." Well, some of us, anyway. Some people seem to think we can't function unless we're playing with Europe, and by their rules, too.

My church is partnering with World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift-haiti-quake-relief?open), one of those Christian sponsor-a-child agencies, as they already have operations in Haiti...

[sreya.livejournal.com]

Maybe America as a whole feels we can play by ourselves, but our government, liberal OR conservative, certainly falls into the "want to play with the other kids" image. *grin*

I think the comic is missing one last image, where America agrees to "meddle" and help out, then some other country (or the UN?) starts pointing and shouting at America for "going it alone."

[coldblossom.livejournal.com]

There are more comics like that, my co-worker tells me, but I haven't been able to find the rest. And they're supposedly done by a European girl, if that changes anything.

[archerstar.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of great ways to donate listed Over Here (http://community.livejournal.com/help_haiti/660.html).

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more! The minute the news broke, I said so - even BEFORE knowing we'd be helping. We ALWAYS do. We ALWAYS are one of the greatest givers in times of disaster, both financially and in manpower. That is who we are and that is what we do.

And yet the world still hates us, and those who live here still continue to lie about what a horrible country we are. It never fails. Never.

But we will continue, despite the ungratefulness at times the very places we help. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.

[so-sporktastic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, uh... Cuba? Venezuela? You guys helping at all? Bueller? Bueller?

Also I meant to say this in the other thread, but ROCK ON 1986. :)

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Alas, 1986 it is my spiritual birthday, not my physical one. That one is... er... a few years earlier. LOL!

[zerorevenge.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't tell people that. Remember that I had the same reaction to "FUCK YEAH '86!"

You're 23 now Sing, just accept it. :3

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Hee! It's very tempting. But I don't want folks to be traumatized when they find out I'm OMG SOOOOO OOOOOOLD!

It's really only on paper, though. I still feel and act like a teenager, and I much prefer hanging out with teens and 20-somethings. Put me in a room of my peers and I generally zone out!

The funny thing is, until your comment, it never crossed my mind that people would make that assumption. Though in hindsight it makes perfect sense and I'm sure I do it all the time if I see a year on an icon!

[zerorevenge.livejournal.com]

:|

You're not old.

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

I suppose it's all relative. Compared to the 18-25 year olds that seem to dominate LJ, I'm ancient. Compared to the gentleman I do typing work for, who is in his 80s, I'm a kid. He actually calls me "kiddo". I love it.

:)

[blondebaroness.livejournal.com]

Samaritan’s Purse
Food for the Hungry
World Vision
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Catholic Relief Services
For Haiti with Love
Compassion International
GAIN-USA
Baptist Haiti Mission
CURE International
Bright Hope International

My priest personally recommends:

http://www.operationblessing.org/

[blondebaroness.livejournal.com]

My priest emailed the above list to everyone in our church, all 20 of us. He has personal experience with Operation Blessing. He's an accountant and MBA as well as a priest and is very concerned that we donate to reputable charities.

[regalpewter.livejournal.com]

"For once, I approve of what President Obama is doing. I think his public response was slow (I wonder if he was having trouble with his exit strategy from the golf course), but the aid is already there and more is on the way. "

I'm waiting for a rapper to say on national TV that it was because he hated black people.

Plus the various folks speaking to their audiences and trying to get them to pony up their funds, (Dr. Robinson's remarks were while he was getting his followers to pledge, and Rush's were during a 'media tweaking' segment on his show. Poor taste both of them, but they did prove their points)

There was a website that we use in planning our donations each December that breaks down how much of each donation actually goes to the cause. Unfortunately, I didn't bookmark it on this computer.

We sent what little that we had through the Red Cross, and have planned blood donations this weekend. These are important as each region will use what they have available and then need to rebuild their stocks. Especially, as there are already patients being brought to mainland US Hospitals.

YIS,
WRI

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

We have a friend in the Army who was sent there Wednesday night, from Fort Bragg. They told him minimum 3 month deployment.

[coldblossom.livejournal.com]

I wish your friend the best. I have heard the security situation down there is quite dangerous. However, there is nobody that can bring order more quickly and efficiently than the U.S. military, so I know he'll be fine.

[ohinternets.livejournal.com]

Amen to that.

[mockingbird39.livejournal.com]

One of my coworkers has done volunteer medical work at l'Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, and she suggested donations through there. They are flat out taking care of the sick and injured and trying to help people find their loved ones. I donated at www.hashaiti.org

[ohinternets.livejournal.com]

I'm in Miami and this personally touches many of my friends and loved ones. My best friend from high school's elderly grandparents are still among the missing, my neighbor's two older aunts as well. :(

Do you have a church or synagogue (or other house of worship) home? Maybe a local one if not? Many churches are in overdrive responding to this situation. My church is tiny, but we are sending a rescue team of our members with a shipping freight full of food and supplies to make sure that it goes directly to the people.

The thinking is, if we send money, the government has been so corrupt for so long that it can't be trusted to actually help its people.

This post really touched me. I know exactly how you feel.