Please Do Not Donate to the Red Cross, re: typhoon/earthquake victims

[gulfcoastliberal]

Remember the scandalous 9/11 "Liberty Fund": the RC raised over $500+ million dollars yet only disbursed 150 million to the victims! They intentionally misled donors into thinking all the proceeds of the fund would go to 9/11 victims but that was a lie.. I was a sucker back then and gave money to the Red Cross Liberty Fund. After living through the devastation of several hurricanes, I can also say the Red Cross did not do diddly squat for hurricane victims - the Salvation Army did a lot more. My grandmother lost everything in Katrina and the Red Cross didn't do anything for her nor did they do a thing for the citizens of the devastated town of Waveland, Mississippi. The Red Cross should have its charter revoked - it's a total scam.

Please, if you want to help disaster victims do not give any money to the Red Cross. They are one scandalous bunch of thieves and liars. I feel strongly about this organization after seeing exactly how much "help" they provided to devastated communities and families here on the Gulf Coast after Katrina and other hurricanes.

:rant:

[NightWatcher]

1. call me terrible, but I dont have money laying around to send to a Junta that I cant even find

on the map.

Yes, shit happens and I am sorry, but I hate how we are expected to send money to help them out. We have enough problems here at home

[gulfcoastliberal]

4. Hey I'm unemployed and in the same boat.

I just wanted to point out what a bunch of frauds the red cross are in case anyone was thinking of donating.

[RB TexLa]

20. So people needing help have a priority based on geography?

How does that work in determining who is more deserving? Does East/West distance get a higher factor than North/South distance? Is land counted for more than water?

[northzax]

22. your lack of geographical knowledge is relevant?

that's pretty sad.

[mike_c]

2. can you suggest some alternatives?

TIA

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. Domestically, the Salvation Army is pretty good.

They were among the first to set up food kitchens and shelters after the hurricanes.

Internationally, I don't know.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. Isn't that the organization that discriminates against gays?

No thanks.

[bryant69]

15. You mean they won't feed Gays? or they won't let Gays join?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[spoony]

18. Instead of regurgitating that talking point

why don't you back it up? Show me where they've refused to help someone or take their donations because they're gay.

[Warpy]

13. Doctors Without Borders is my favorite

along with international agencies that distribute food, like Oxfam.

Aunt Sally's is a religious organization with some policies I don't like, but they do provide a big bang for the buck in getting help where it's needed as quickly as possible. Their head doesn't live like a sultan, either.

[sandnsea]

11. Merlin is already there

After reading about Haiti, I'm discovering you want to find an agency already operating in some of these countries with corrupt governments. They have either developed trust or methods to work around the corruption. I don't know anything about this group, but they seem to be in the toughest places at the right times.

http://www.merlin.org.uk/Where-we-work/Myanmar.aspx

[Crunchy Frog]

12. How about American Friends Service Committee?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Yes, they have an excellent reputation

:-)

[pdxprog]

16. MercyCorps is also really good

I agree that Doctors Without Borders is a good choice, too.

[PeaceNikki]

23. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is amazing

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Does the UN have a reliable disaster fund?

[anitar1]

6. This behavior by the Red Cross is nothing new.

If people would only remember the questions through the years about the Red Cross. Not the first time they have been accused of sucking money from folks and contributing little to victims of disaster. Of course the people who volunteer their time don't cost the RC a dime. The volunteers really believe the RC is great.

[NewHampshireDem]

7. Pardon my ignorance if I am incorrect, but aren't the ARC and the IRC

American Red Cross and Int'l Red Cross separate organizations? :?

[Horse with no Name]

8. They are. n/t

[CPschem]

9. I recommend Doctors Without Borders

n/t

[VP505]

17. As long as the Director of the American Red Cross

gets a $500,000.00 + a year salary, they don't need my contribution.

[Regret My New Name]

24. Whaa? That doesn't seem right at all....

Top Person: Marsha Evans
Top Salary:* $651,957

That's ridiculous in itself... but even more so considering what the organization she works for is...

[baldguy]

19. Give to the Canadian Red Cross

http://www.redcross.ca/

[Regret My New Name]

25. seems like they have their own scandles too....

can't seem to find how much of a salary their top execs bring in though. Curious for comparison reasons though.

[PeaceNikki]

21. I'll continue to donate blood and organize blood drives with them.

[malaise]

26. I never give the Red Cross money

They always have close ties to the right. Elizabeth Dole was President...oh no. Doctors without borders for me.

Sp.