Give generously, but please don't give to "Operation Blessing"

[rozhinka.livejournal.com]

Operation Blessing is controlled by Pat Robertson, one of the most dangerous people on this earth.

Comments

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Thanks for letting us know.
The Red Cross is usually a safe bet.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Or Goodwill.

[visage.livejournal.com]

A quote from elsewhere, yesterday:

"A good friend who is an atheist bleeding-heart liberal with several masters in social work, sociology, psychology and a Ph.D in one of those disciplines and who cannot stand even the mention of Pat Robertson, nevertheless has glowing praise for the work of Operation Blessing. She believes them to be effectively organized and committed to being there for people."


Do you happen to have objections to Operation Blessing's actual behavior? I confess to absolute ignorance on that subject.

[komos.livejournal.com]

Political stumping has been deemed by management to be appropriate in the community.

[st-darwin.livejournal.com]

It seems to be a mixed bag (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_08_28.php#006385) - high marks from some organizations, but a history of co-mingling donations with Pat's for-profit companies that cozy up to dictators.

There are a lot of reputable charities to give money to and lessen the risk of misuse - I like America's Second Harvest (http://www.secondharvest.org/default2.asp), but there are others listed at Billmon (http://billmon.org/archives/002122.html) and elsewhere. It is distressing that Operation Blessing was (for a while) pulled out of alphabetical order to be the #2 on FEMA's list, but far worse things have happened in the past few days.

[easy-wind.livejournal.com]

you have a real chip on your shoulder. have you considered leaving the community?

[komos.livejournal.com]

It is simply a statement that reflects the current attitudes governing statements of this sort.

And no, but thanks for your concern.

[visage.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, what are you trying to express with this comment? I have to admit ignorance to *that*, as well.

[srl.livejournal.com]

Oxfam is also really good for relief efforts-- immediate, but they also do more than the red cross to address the structural issues that contribute to disasters like this--- poverty being the main one in this case, because poor people without cars got stuck in the city where people with money got out.

[komos.livejournal.com]

Entirely fair. It was largely just to mark the occurence, and wasn't entirely appropriate as a response to your query. Apologies.

I am wondering when someone will post the Phoenix's list of companies that support right-wing causes, though.

[visage.livejournal.com]

Ah, it was more a response to the original post than to my reply? Ok, much more clear now. :)

architecture for humanity.

[irelandchik.livejournal.com]

for those architecture folk, architectureforhumanity.org is also a good place to check out/donate.

[komos.livejournal.com]

Essentially, yes. ^_^

More appropriate to your comment: I have difficulty with value judgements placed upon an organization solely because of individuals associated with it. For instance, I know that the founders of LL Bean have strong ties to the pro-life lobby, but that doesn't mean that they don't provide a good product, and it doesn't mean that the community service the company performs should be dismissed out of hand. It seems akin to the single-issue voting idea.

I'm not a fan of the man, either, but unless the organization is providing bad service or makes preaching part of their aid package, it seems a little unfair to blacklist them without reviewing their record.

[antimony.livejournal.com]

The following post has a long list of secular, non-secular but generally help-oriented, and unabashedly secular charities here:

http://www.livejournal.com/community/dark_christian/245640.html

Do with the information as you wish.

[rxrfrx.livejournal.com]

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=13994

couldn't find the primary sources, though.

Just don't trust the guy...

[rozhinka.livejournal.com]

I hear what you are saying -- for example, I'm no fan of a lot of Catholic doctrine, but I have nothing but respect for the work done by the Boston-area Catholic Charities. However, but I could never trust anything associated with Pat Robertson. And I certainly don't want him to get any "reflected glory" when there are so many good alternatives.

[antimony.livejournal.com]

Edit, that last should be "unabashedly" religious, not secular.

[snowmentality.livejournal.com]

The Red Cross is not being allowed into New Orleans. (http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html#4524)