Reactions to story from The Washington Post

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  How you can help Hurricane Ike victims!

  http://www.leftlanedesigns.com/how-you-can-help-hurricane-ik...
  66 days ago in leftlane designs | Custom logos, websites and branding solutions that get noticed! · Authority: 8

  You can help the victims of Hurricane Ike by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of Hurricane Ike, as well as others. I was shocked to learn that the Red Cross has accrued more than $70 million in debt, caring for victims of the recent Hurricane Gustav. Now completely strapped for cash, they are literally borrowing from everywhere, but have stressed that they will continue to help victims of these disastrous hurricanes, no matter what. You can donate $5 to American Red Cross disaster relief efforts simply by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). Donations will appear on your monthly bill or be debited from your prepaid account balance. Standard text messaging rates apply. Millions of Houstonians will be grateful for your help during this difficult time!
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  The Red Cross under stress

  http://russmcbee.com/archive/2008/09/11/the-red-cross-under-...
  71 days ago in Russ McBee · Authority: 3

  Hurricane Ike is fixing to beat the crap out of coastal Texas. For the fourth time in a month, the American Red Cross is having to respond to a hurricane. As a result of Fay, Gustav, and Hanna, the Red Cross has already incurred significant debt; as of five days ago, they'd only raised $5 million toward their $70 million Gustav relief effort (they're still sheltering and feeding 1,500 evacuees from that storm). With Hurricane Ike barreling toward the Gulf Coast of Texas, the Red Cross needs all the help they can get. Of course, you can donate directly to the American Red Cross here, but there's an even easier way to give. If you have mobile phone service through Alltel, AT&T, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you can donate $5 right now to the American Red Cross by sending a text message to 24357 (which spells "2HELP"). The body of the message should consist merely of the word GIVE. Five dollars isn't much, but if a few million people do it, the contributions add up quickly. If enough of us do this, it could make a world of difference. Click here to read about the Text 2Help Initiative, then pick up your mobile phone and send that text message. Share this post: Email | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit
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  The Red Cross under stress

  http://russmcbee.com/archive/2008/09/11/the-red-cross-under-...
  71 days ago in Russ McBee · Authority: 32

  Hurricane Ike is fixing to beat the crap out of coastal Texas. For the fourth time in a month, the American Red Cross is having to respond to a hurricane. As a result of Fay, Gustav, and Hanna, the Red Cross has already incurred significant debt; as of five days ago, they'd only raised $5 million toward their $70 million Gustav relief effort (they're still sheltering and feeding 1,500 evacuees from that storm). With Hurricane Ike barreling toward the Gulf Coast of Texas, the Red Cross needs all the help they can get. Of course, you can donate directly to the American Red Cross here, but there's an even easier way to give. If you have mobile phone service through Alltel, AT&T, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you can donate $5 right now to the American Red Cross by sending a text message to 24357 (which spells "2HELP"). The body of the message should consist merely of the word GIVE. Five dollars isn't much, but if a few million people do it, the contributions add up quickly. If enough of us do this, it could make a world of difference. Click here to read about the Text 2Help Initiative, then pick up your mobile phone and send that text message. Share this post: Email | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit
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  Today’s Science Policy News for September, 8th 2008

  http://sefora.org/2008/09/08/todays-science-policy-news-for-...
  74 days ago in Scientists & Engineers for America Action Fund · Authority: 215

  A look at today’s science and health policy news: Congress likely to delay health care overhaul CNN (A.P.)–As Congress returns from summer recess, lawmakers are expected to continue needling pharmaceutical makers and health insurers with investigations, while holding off on major health care reform until next year. Facing Veto, Democrats Drop Plan for Vote on Child Bill N.Y. Times–Congressional Democrats have scrapped plans for another vote on expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, thus sparing Republicans from a politically difficult vote just weeks before elections this fall. FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated Washington Post–The Food and Drug Administration will begin posting every three months a list of drugs whose safety is under investigation because of complaints brought to the agency’s attention by drug companies, physicians and patients. Pentagon debates development of offensive cyberspace capabilities L.A. Times–The current emphasis is on intelligence gathering and defending U.S. electronic security, but some officials think the military should know how to attack other nations’ computer systems. Senate candidates’ energy positions are very similar The Virginian Pilot–Both promise to work in Washington for new federal investments in wind and solar power development, along with new technologies to make coal-fired power plants run cleaner. John McCain’s Energy Follies N.Y. Times (Editorial)–John McCain is proving, so far, to be such a disappointment on issues he once seemed to understand better than almost anyone else in his party. Obama Has a Plan To Manage Our Oil Reserve Wall Street Journal (Opinion)–Sen. Barack Obama is proposing a simple maneuver — called an exchange, or swap. The world we avoided Nature–The Montreal Protocol rescued the ozone layer, but also prevented drastic regional climate changes. Gustav Relief Sends Red Cross Into Debt Washington Post–The American Red Cross said yesterday that it is going deep into debt to fund a $70 million Hurricane Gustav relief effort, an unusual occurrence even as the nation’s biggest disaster aid charity braces for a trio of powerful storms lurking in the Atlantic. Funding storm research could save cash, lives Miami Herald–The cost of Ike — and storms of Ike’s ilk — are calculated by the damage and ruination left after hurricanes crash ashore. High-resolution satellite launched in California A.P.–A super-sharp Earth-imaging satellite that can detail an area the size of a baseball diamond’s home plate from space has been launched into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the Central California coast. CERN fires up new atom smasher to near Big Bang A.P.–It has been called an Alice in Wonderland investigation into the makeup of the universe — or dangerous tampering with nature that could spell doomsday. No greenhouse gas in coal substitute USA Today–Imagine an electricity source that kind of looks like coal and packs all of coal’s energy punch but is cheaper and produces no greenhouse gas emissions.That’s what Seattle-based NewEarth Renewable Energy says it developed with E-Coal. Company uses algae to make ethanol more eco-friendly USA Today– Corn-based ethanol is getting slammed for straining the world’s food supply and contributing to global warming by encouraging the plowing of grasslands. European science satellite launch is delayed AFP–The launch of a satellite to monitor Earth’s gravitational field, scheduled for Wednesday from a base in northern Russia, has been postponed to October 5 because of technical problems, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced on Monday. China to launch space mission in late September A.P.–China will launch its third manned space mission in late September, featuring its first-ever space walk, a state news agency said. Click here to suggest a story ShareThis
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  Hurricanes - Need Help - YOU Can Help With Money

  http://pambennettforaurora.com/blog/2008/09/07/hurricanes-ne...
  75 days ago in Pam’s Blog · Authority: 1

  Hurricanes - Need Help - YOU Can Help With Money Posted on September 7th, 2008 at 3:12 pm For the majority of you who do not know me, I am a Red Cross Disaster Services Call Agent in my volunteer life.  Basically, when a disaster strikes I am one of the hundreds of Call Agents around our country whom the victims of the disaster talk to on the phone.  We do our best to help the victims receive medical aid, clothes (in floods or other water disaster clothes are often lost or contaminated and must be discarded), food, shelter and whatever else we can do talking to them, like mental support.  I am writing this diary wearing my Red Cross vest, not my political hat.  Politics are on the side right now.  I am writing about a possible disaster called Ike which is following Hanna and Gustav.  As with all hurricanes and tropical storms there is no way to know the intensity or damages until it hits.  But, we have to be prepared for the worst and that costs a lot of time and money.  It is also hard on the local citizens, such as stocking food and water and covering windows and evacuating and possibly returning to a shelter instead of their home or apartment.    Yesterday, Saturday Sept. 6, I did a shift at the call center handling calls from Hurricane Gustav victims.  For me the work was something I enjoy doing, helping people get back on track after having their lives completely disrupted.     Red Cross Disaster Services personnel from around the country are deployed to several states; to staging areas ready to move in once it is somewhat safe into the areas hit by the hurricane.  This is costly and difficult for all involved because of the unknowns for those leaving.  This is a deployment of personnel, without a true return date.  We do not know how horrible conditions will be, or when things will end.    Philp Rucker of the Washington Post wrote an excellent article Saturday Sept. 6, 2008.  He found that all of the groups involved in disaster relief are not getting money donations;  donations immensely under the costs incurred so far.   The American Red Cross said yesterday that it is going deep into debt to fund a $70 million Hurricane Gustav relief effort, an unusual occurrence even as the nation’s biggest disaster aid charity braces for a trio of powerful storms lurking in the Atlantic. The Red Cross has raised less than $5 million toward its Gustav expenses, officials said. To recoup its Gustav cost — most of it borrowed money — the nonprofit organization plans to roll out an aggressive national campaign Monday.    I am asking you to please contribute to the Red Cross.  Yes, this is a fundraising request for a non-profit. The Red Cross is supported only by contributions from people around the world.  We do not receive any government monies.   Right now the Red Cross needs your money donations as we enter what will be an expensive series of hurricanes here in the U.S. I also know that many of you will contribute to a candidate this week.  Consider giving half or more to the Red Cross.  We will be taking care of people in life threatening situations this week.  Your candidate will not know what they did not get unless you put a note in the envelope saying they helped you contribute to the hurricane victims. The Red Cross relies on your contribution to help others. Please contribute either at the National Red Cross website or your local Red Cross such as the Mile High Red Cross Chapter.  Posted in Aurora | No Comments »
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  Give

  http://www.welovedc.com/2008/09/06/give/
  76 days ago in We Love DC · Authority: 107

  If you’re getting a little stir crazy hunkered down in your house waiting for the ugly weather to pass, take a second to think about how it could be worse. WaPo reports today that the Red Cross has gone into the red debt gathering up the money to help Gustav victims and is worried about raising the money it’s already spent. I know a lot of us have some issues with the Red Cross given some of their issues over the years, but I still think they do good work and have put my money where my keyboard is. If you just can’t stomach supporting them then go donate to some of the other operations like The Salvation Army or Save the Children or Catholic Charities USA, all of whom have extended themselves beyond their current means to help people in need. While we may not be done yet, I feel confident that we won’t have 700,000 homes without power when this is over. So go help out.

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