The generosity of the world is showing, and offers of help starting to pour in.<br> <br>I don't pretend to talk for everyone, but from me personally... thank you.<br><br>Now, don't wait for these jackasses called our "government" to take you up on these offers.<br><br>Please... just come. We need you. <br><br>Now.<br><br>Just tell them I sent you. ;)<br><br>

People are in need. Thanks to the media the world has witnessed all the details. I believe most people don't want to see suffering no matter where they live. There is a genuine desire to help their fellow man when times are rough.<br> I know here in Toronto many are opening their wallets. Many of our Salvation Army folks are down there already and the Red Cross people as well. All I can say is thank goodness Canadians have never witnessed such widespread catastrophe on our soil but I know this... if anything ever horrible happened here, Americans would be first to our aid. It would do well for everyone in Canada to remember this no matter their opinion of the government. <br><br>America and it's folks have been very generous over the years. I'm betting in many cases it's a matter of wanting to pay back that generosity and kindness.<br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>I'm betting in many cases it's a matter of wanting to pay back that generosity and kindness.<p><hr></blockquote><p>I hope not! Payback? I'd like to think it's simply the right thing to do.<br><br>- alec

"Pay back" were the words used by the tsunami affected countries and also the folks in Bosnia. I don't think they meant it in a negative way. There are people there opening their hearts and wallets because they want to, not because they feel obligated.<br><br>

God bless NGOs, right?<br><br>I was disturbed about what the Red Cross did during the September 11th money drives, diverting a lot of money into their own structure that people thought was going to the families. It wasn't right, but it seemed more unfortunate than bad because they were trying to prepare for the next huge emergency.<br><br>Well, here we are. It doesn't make it right, but I'm much less uncomfortable with what the Red Cross did to prepare. I never give money to anything because right now I have no net income, but if it means eating more ramen noodles and mac and cheese. I can throw some of my budget to the Red Cross. It's impossible to pay up and suddenly feel better about the situation, but at least it was something.<br><br>You can always look at the immense amount of work that needs to be done and think about how insignificant you and your money are. But when it's all finished, you can at least look at what is done and think about how in some small way, you were a part of it.<br><br>Here's to getting there.<br><br>-- Charlie Alpha Roger Yankee Whiskey

I live in a town of about 40,000. The local news tonight had a story of a man who's 30 relatives were just brought to the Houston after spending the week at the the Superdome. He's cleaned out his savings, rented a few big vans and is leaving tonight to pick them all up. He's bringing 30 people who have lost everything to his small house, and he's already got a family of five. The tears didn't stop down his cheeks when he told of the phone call that he got today that they were all safe. He could barely slow down to talk to the camera as he packed up the van for the 15 hr. drive.<br><br>Well, the newscaster mentioned his name and address, and I can tell you that this family will be welcomed into our community with generosity they have never seen before. I'll keep you posted because this area is filled with many with deep pockets who will surely step up to the plate with housing and jobs. Although it felt good to donate to the Red Cross, it's going to feel even better to see this family find some comfort here.<br><br>

MoveOn makes available 42,000 beds for Katrina survivors<br><br>http://www.hurricanehousing.org<br><br>story here<br><br><br><br>

<br>It brings back 'the Good Old Days';<br><br>When the word "LIBERAL" had been preceded <br><br>by the epithet "BLEEDING HEART"<br><br>...Rather than "WHINING-BEDWETTER"<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>[color:green]"...or am I a butterfly that's dreaming she's a woman?"</font color=green>

I miss the days when "Liberal" meant "Thomas Jefferson." <br><br>

I miss the days when it meant- "willing to sleep with me"...<br><br>