tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post2780215301146221285..comments2024-03-28T23:22:41.774-05:00Comments on TYWKIWDBI ("Tai-Wiki-Widbee"): Exploitation of earthquakes and other disastersMinnesotastanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-51261168917688978162010-01-19T19:34:42.946-06:002010-01-19T19:34:42.946-06:00I live in South Florida and after Hurricane Andrew...I live in South Florida and after Hurricane Andrew, people from northern states emptied their closets and sent clothes - winter clothes included - to people sweltering in the heat. There were massive piles of unusable garments sitting in the rain that had to be trucked out with other hurricane debris, making the clean up process even more difficult.<br /><br />Since seeing that, I give monetary donations to known, well established groups that I feel will use it well and which promise that all monies received will go toward disaster relief and not to their administrative costs. Also, giving material donations doesn't mean that they will always go to those in need and not be sold for profit. <br /><br />While I know that unscrupulous people will profit from disasters as they do from wars, I cannot in conscience sit on the sidelines and opt out because other people might try to steal. That conduct is on their heads as my conduct is on mine. I hope I will always have the way and means to try to help.Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-38617964875954828892010-01-19T02:27:28.334-06:002010-01-19T02:27:28.334-06:00As usual, an interesting perspective. It is sad wh...As usual, an interesting perspective. It is sad when the will to help is there but misdirected. <br />As far as the fudging of donations for taxes, this seems to be a regulation problem. All donations should have to undergo some kind of examination (at least on paper) in order to eliminate this kind of deceptive "charity."<br /><br />Many individuals donate material items because they feel that money can be so easily misappropriated or spent wastefully<br />Many people just do not trust relief organizations. In Turkey many people refuse to give at all because of so many scandals of charity organizers pocketing massive amounts and fleeing to other countries. Having people like George Bush, Jr. telling people not to send blankets or material items, but to send cash and assuring people that "we will make sure their money is properly spent" does little to assure people, I'm afraid.Nomadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03686282358562565742noreply@blogger.com