It Feels Good to Do SOMETHING

Today JD and I did a fundraising event for the Red Cross for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It felt good to be able to do something, no matter how small. It also felt good to see how many people want to help and are willing to do something.

I figure our next few summers will be devoted to Gulf Coast Rebuilding through Habitat for Humanity.

Thanks to everyone else out there who is doing whatever they can. This is going to take a lot, and it's going to take awhile.

Finally, a Real Coalition of the Willing

Get all the details from Reuters.

Who wants to help:

Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organization of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Assistance ranged from medical teams, boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators and cash donations.

He said:

President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.

"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Bush told ABC's "Good Morning America."

They said:

"The sheer size of this emergency makes it possible that we can supplement the American response with supplies from other countries, or with experience we have gained in other relief operations," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan

"This idea that 'well they're the most powerful, wealthiest country in the world' -- but when something like this strikes, the poor and the vulnerable are the same all around the world," [ Australian Prime Minister John] Howard said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to Bush offering medical teams. "During these difficult times, we, the people of Israel stand firmly by your side in a show of solidarity and friendship," said the letter, which was released by the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area... Chavez... on Wednesday called Bush a "cowboy" who failed to manage the disaster.

Cuban President Fidel Castro, a close Chavez ally, led a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of Katrina in parliament on Thursday. The parliament then returned to normal business with a resolution attacking Bush over the Iraq war.

Help for the Golden Buckle of the Bible Belt

The government is dropping the ball, but the Baptists have leapt into action. Now I know that people will get fed. I learned from the Red Cross that the Baptists are the best at doing mobile kitchens and mass feeding. I don't think that they will let a few logistical problems get in their way. I'm not much for organized religion, but I think I'll be throwing some change their way for the forseeable future.

Why Journalists Go to Hell

Yes, this is an actual screen capture from the CNN website. Do you think they even realize what they did? It's like an ad for the Roman Coliseums. "Watch Death and Despair!" It's just sickening.

Raise Awareness, Raise Money

September 1st was declared Blog Relief Day and I am participating by encouraging you to throw some change at Habitat for Humanity. Once rescue efforts are complete the long term issue is going to be housing. Everyone I know on the Coast... that I've heard from yet... has had their home destroyed.

If you are interested in other charities please check out Instapundit's Round Up and The Truth Laid Bear's Relief Page. These are the guys who organized Blog Relief Day.

If you donate TTLB encourages you to document it at his contribution logging page so that bloggers can see what a difference they are making.

Also, don't forget that if you donate at a Lowe's they will match your gift before shipping it off to the Coast.