How to Help

Matt Welch | September 1, 2005

If that Red Cross link is taking too long, or if you just refuse to support anything with the color red, Glenn Reynolds has about a cajillion links up to recommended places where you can donate.

Comments

|9.1.05 @ 12:47PM|#

We need your help along the Gulf Coast. Its pretty desperate.

|9.1.05 @ 12:51PM|#

Aside from employers, is anyone else matching donations? I'd like mine to help as much as possible.

|9.1.05 @ 12:54PM|#

Food,

Some grocery store chains are offering to send a % of their profits (in money or food) to the region. Food Lion is offering a way to donate while you pruchase food. Petsmart is offering a way to donate for animal relief while you purchase pet products.

|9.1.05 @ 12:54PM|#

Liz at Rightalk suggests that animal lovers donate to the Humane Society.

Giving money to a group that uses it to lobby against hunting and trapping is fine if you want to ban hunting and trapping but it won't do much for any Big Easy Fluffies and Fidos.

A lot of people have HSUS confused with their local Humane Society that actually does operate shelters, spay/neuter clinics etc. But the local HS is not affiliated with HSUS which does absolutely none of those things.

Basart|9.1.05 @ 1:04PM|#

Here in LA (and in SF and Berkeley locations) Amoeba Music is matching Red Cross donations dollar for dollar.

|9.1.05 @ 1:18PM|#

Any one else notice how many of the chicks are into saving the kitty cats and puppy dogs.

ed|9.1.05 @ 1:20PM|#

Thousands of independent musicians at CD Baby are contributing 100% of their profits to the Red Cross. In most cases this will be well over 50% of the purchase price, as CD Baby keeps only $4 per CD sold. Music you've never heard for a worthy cause. And it isn't the United Way!

http://www.cdbaby.com/

|9.1.05 @ 1:34PM|#

Yup, they're all lying when they say they're rescuing abandoned animals. If it comes from ________, you know it must be true.

|9.1.05 @ 1:53PM|#

I'm actually startled that people are that worried about animal welfare, considering the human situation in New Orleans.

|9.1.05 @ 1:59PM|#

I'm actually startled that people are that worried about animal welfare, considering the human situation in New Orleans.

|9.1.05 @ 2:03PM|#

Interesting point, toshiro.

|9.1.05 @ 2:06PM|#

toshiro,

I'm surprised you're startled. I've noticed in recent years past how self-hating of a species humans truly are. Most people I talk to would much rather keep company with a kitty or a puppy than with a fellow man. I guess that whole "language" capability in man can be a real bane to real communication in addition to being a benefit, after all.

|9.1.05 @ 2:18PM|#

There are people (primarily veterinarian doctors) who specialize in the rescue and recovery of animals. And it's not always pets, either. We're also talking about livestock, which is a property and livelihood issue.

Would it be better that these folks just stay home and do nothing?

|9.1.05 @ 2:18PM|#

Actually, I had a bit more to the post but it got truncated for some reason to what I meant as a quote.

To reprise what I was going to originally post. Why are you surprised ? Most people suck and kitties are cute and don't try to shoot at rescue helicopters.

My html sucks....

p.s. bonzai

|9.1.05 @ 2:19PM|#

Toshiro Mifune?

I have the coolest echo ever.

|9.1.05 @ 2:22PM|#

Eric,

I hear he's a ninja.


Mr. Nice Guy,

I wasn't making any statement about their rescue efforts. I was just making a general observation about humanity as I know it. Sure, I want the pwecious kitties and puppies to be saved. What am I going to eat for lunch, otherwise?

|9.1.05 @ 2:53PM|#

smacky, if he was a ninja, you wouldn't hear him.

Duh.

|9.1.05 @ 2:56PM|#

Smacky,

I can think of plenty of people that I'd toss out of a liferaft to make room for a cat or dog. Some are even family members.

|9.1.05 @ 3:02PM|#

Actually, I had a bit more to the post but it got truncated for some reason to what I meant as a quote.

Ah, that makes more sense. :)

To reprise what I was going to originally post. Why are you surprised ? Most people suck and kitties are cute and don't try to shoot at rescue helicopters.

You have a point or two...

|9.1.05 @ 3:07PM|#

I'm confident that my ex-cat Rachel both could, and would, take down a helicopter.

|9.1.05 @ 3:15PM|#

joe,

Well I never said he was a very good ninja.

|9.1.05 @ 3:18PM|#

So, I've been wondering what the Libertarian view of the Federal Government's role in the relief and rebuilding effort should be. It seems to me that disasters like this necessitate a government response which conflicts with the Libertarian concept of a limited government that stays out of the lives of citizens, business, etc. but what do I know...Anyone care to enlighten me?

|9.1.05 @ 3:52PM|#

Deaths of animals in the area is a human health issue.

|9.1.05 @ 4:20PM|#

Mr. Average,

Speaking only for myself, disaster aid is one of the areas where government should interfere. That is a legitimate function of government defending the lives of its citizens.

|9.1.05 @ 4:40PM|#

I agree with David. Immediate response evacuation, food, medicine and what not is a valid government response.

They should NOT however participate in rebuilding. Patching the levees for a temporary fix is valid as it will help protect the citizens, but that is pretty much it.