USS Clueless              Voyages of a restless mind

Main: normal long no graphics Contact Log archives Best log entries Other articles Site Search

Stardate 20011119.1224 (On Screen via long range sensors): The Red Cross tries to cover their asses on their own web site with a "Myths and Facts" page. It's quite amazing.

Myth: Families of the victims are not receiving Red Cross financial assistance.

Fact: Between September 11 and November 9, the Red Cross has provided direct assistance amounting to $136.8 million.

(Emphasis theirs.) What they don't bother mentioning is that this represents less than a quarter of the money which was contributed for that purpose, and that they tried to redirect more than three quarters of the money for other things, without the knowledge or permission of the donors.

Myth: Money donated to the Liberty Fund is being diverted from its intended purpose or placed into the "general fund."

Fact: All money that Americans have donated to the Liberty Fund is being used for its intended purpose: to help everyone across the country touched and impacted by these tragedies. Millions of dollars in financial assistance is going to families who lost a precious breadwinner. Facilities that are open 24 hours a day are helping the rescue workers with important needs such as food, shelter and emotional support. As well, countless volunteers are helping thousands of individuals and families who lost their living environment.

Yes, that's true now. But it wasn't true until certain reporters and then Congress raised a ruckus; it was going to be the case that most of the money was redirected. It's only true now because the Red Cross was forced to change its policy. So why is the Red Cross trying to take credit for something that they only grudgingly did because they were embarrassed into it?

If this page proves anything, it demonstrates that the Red Cross is finally waking up to what a debacle this has been. But there are two ways they can respond to this: covering up, or actually changing the policy and honoring donor intent. Let's hope they do the right thing in the future. (discuss)