Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Thinking of Japan and sending good thoughts whatever help that might be.

Never been there. My favorite Japanese food story is getting sushi in San Diego where the shrimp was alive and waving it's feelers around.

Earthquakes - no fun there. No warning. Aftershocks. Scary. I was in one at Big Bear CA, I thought the house was going to fall down, and it was small compared to that one.

The footage is amazing of the wave and water consuming buildings.

Lynn

To donate $10 to the relief effort text REDCROSS to 90999.

Amy

Thanks for sharing that text # Amy

Amy, All,

An alert: please do NOT text to 90999 for Japanese disaster relief. That's the American Red Cross. While the American Red Cross is all-too-happy to accept donations for disasters around the world, they do not actually do any useful disaster relief abroad. Or, for that matter, much at home.

The primary purpose of the American Red Cross is to accept donations and divert them to the political campaigns of whichever Washington politicians are currently in control of the ARC, as well as to pay out some 1/3 of their budget in executive salaries. The ARC has been sued multiple times in the last decade for misappropriation of funds, and is always shielded by the White House (through four administrations now). Do not give them any money, ever.

Yes, this is kind of shocking; I was shocked when I found out after Katrina how donations to the ARC were diverted.

The organization you want to support is the International Red Cross. The IFRC is a legitimate organization responsible for much of the on-the-ground relief efforts in the world. Other good disaster relief organizations to donate to include Doctors Without Borders and Catholic Relief Services. The Japanese Red Cross should be accepting donations soon as well.

Links:
http://www.ifrc.org/en/get-involved/donate/donation/
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/do ... erview.cfm
http://crs.org/japan/

FWIW, I have several friends in Japan I'm still trying to reach. Even today they don't seem to have been able to get online.

Josh,

So glad you pointed this out, I have been aware of this "arraingment" for years. There are far better ways to help those in need than the ARC.

Now...anyone else care to bash AARP with me?

We have friends in Japan, too, who we are unable to contact. I think they are far enough away from the disaster that they will be all right but they do have children who live somewhere on the coast.

My complaint with the Red Cross is this: in 1950 there was a huge flood in Kansas City. My father worked the sand bag dike round the clock for three days. When the Red Cross came around with a coffee truck, they had the gall to charge these men for coffee. They also charge fireman at the scene of fires for coffee.

So, I agree with Fuzzy.

fitzie

I have been to Japan a half dozen times or so, what they have going for them is the fact that they are bright, industrious, people with strong financial resources.

As Americans we tend to throw money at problems, not sure money is what is needed here. We are not dealing with a third world country with a corrupt government here.

Would love to see thoughts on how the Japanese could be helped in a more effective way than just making a financial donation…thoughts?

Josh,

Thanks for the info...I wasn't aware of this.

Frank, yes, Americans do tend to throw money at problems, but sometimes that is exactly what is needed.

Amy

P.S. Josh, I saw Nate on the Today Show this morning. I didn't know he had lived through the tsunami back in 2004.

Yes, more often than not, charitable orgs would rather have money so they can obtain what is actually needed and not waste valuable time and manpower sorting through donations...when the earthquake struck last year in Haiti, some folks on one of my crafting sites were wondering about making stuff for the victims, but as it was pointed out, handmade blankets and sweaters are not exactly appropriate for Haiti even in January

I usually give to our company's disaster relief fund because they match our donations.

Very good NY Times Before / After photos

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011 ... mi.html?hp