Posted on 11/01/2012 5:47:56 PM PDT by Morgana
At a press conference this morning on Staten Island, a host of local officials, including Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, gathered to highlight the needs of the hard-hit borough in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. And, although many pols spoke, no one was more impassioned than Borough President James Molinaro, who called the Red Cross an “absolute disgrace” and even urged the public to cease giving them contributions.
“Because the devastation in Staten Island, the lack of a response,” Mr. Molinaro said to explain his comment to NBC after the press conference. “You know, I went to a shelter Monday night after the storm. People were coming in with no socks, with no shoes. They were in desperate need. Their housing was destroyed. They were crying. Where was the Red Cross? Isn’t that their function? They collect millions of dollars. Whenever there’s a drive in Staten Island, we give openly and honestly. Where are they? Where are they? I was at the South Shore yesterday, people were buried in their homes. There the dogs are trying to find bodies. The people there, the neighbors who had no electricity, were making soup. Making soup. It’s very emotional because the lack of a response. The lack of a response. They’re supposed to be here….They should be on the front lines fighting, and helping the people.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politicker.com ...
Give to the Salvation Army or your church instead.
( * Red Cross: “ ‘Safe abortion’ is essential to maternal health “ * )
After Hurricane Katrina, it was the church groups that went in and offered the most help. And they did it on a fraction of the money as the Red Cross.
The church groups were the first to feed people and offer real help.
United Way Sent $1.9 Million to Planned Parenthood in 2008 ...
Or you can give to MercuryOne.org
All donations go directly to the Sandy relief. Their trucks were the first ones to arrive, after the storm.
I’d like to give directly to help for Staten Island. Don’t know if there is a way to specify or not. I saw some complaints about the Salvation Army there, too. (maybe people are just being overly sensitive)
People all over begging for help, but not sure what to do. One thing for sure, I cannot be giving any goods to Mitt Romney so he can help. /big ole sarcasm.
Obama needs a hurricane czar....
I alway give to Samaritan Purse run by Franklin Graham.He is the son of Billy Graham.
Oh I quit supporting them long before that. When I was around the age of 14 the city I lived in had a massive flood. The red cross was absolutely useless. Average citizens did more to clean up (including the boy scouts, girl scouts, local church groups, kiwanis, elks, etc) than the red cross ever did. They had pretty trucks and nothing else.
When I was in college one of my profs was a POW during WWII. He railed against the red cross and the useless crap they sent to the prisoners.
I guess they did good at one point but they out grew themselves long ago
The people there, the neighbors who had no electricity, were making soup. Making soup.
Uh, that's what I've had for lunch the past three days at work since there was no power. I survived. What does he think they deserve? Lobster?
re: Obama needs a hurricane czar....
shhhh! Don’t give him any ideas!
To be fair, the Red Cross is not a rescue mission. They do not rescue people or give away socks. The Red Cross’ primary purpose in disasters is mass shelter.
Anyone who has worked with any of these first responder agencies knows they now at least try to all work together and have made concerted efforts not to duplicated one another. FEMA and the Nation Guard are supposed to rescue people. The Salvation Army does more of the clothing, feeding and long term followup. All the canned goods, like those Romney collected, go to the food bank. The Southern Baptists provide most of the hot meals. The Center for Disease control deal with health, and so forth.
People may have problems with the Red Cross for other reasons, but it’s good to at least know how the system is supposed to work.
Personally, I gave to Franklin Graham’s ministry - Samaritan’s Purse. I find them to be very reputable and honest.
I went through Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi. The first people to show up were the Salvation Army and Red Cross, who fed us out of food trucks. Soon thereafter, the Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, Eastern Catholic and Reformed people showed up. Then the National Guard and FEMA people a few days later. After awhile, we had too much food and clothing.
That money would fund about 4,000 abortions. The United Way probably killed more people with this single donation than they saved in all the rest of 2008.
And what is typical of many NYC residents (I didn't say all but I know this from experience) they look down at Staten Island as beneath them. True compassion from the Democrats in charge of the city as a whole.
What’s wrong with soup? I’ve had soup during power outages before...and I’m alive to tell my story...
Is this an attack on Romney by schumer and gillibrand?
In an email, team Romney is suggesting to donate to the Red Cross.
just wondering....considering bloomberg endorsed obama today.
The American Red Cross had become EXTREMELY LIBERAL in last several years.
With politicians, everything’s political.
They are not in danger of starving or freezing to death.
With it’s president being a member of the 1%...
They pay the prez $450,000 a year...based on donations...amazing.
I love Staten Island...
Visited it during Fleet Week a while back...they had the portable VietNam wall while we were there...Staten Island lost the most in that war of any place in the nation...like Bedford, VA.
The people there are REAL...unlike Manhattenites.
Agree 100%
The Red Cross is required to help because of the billions of taxpayer dollars that will be transferred to them, in addition to private donations, by us for actual expenses that will be padded by salaries, accommodations, travel, and anything else they can put as an expense (please note the cluster XXXX Katrina). That said, their best bet is to get the Salvation Army or one of the Baptist Relief organizations involved for immediate assistance.
but the power will return soon
A week or three in some areas.
little stores all over the city will get new shipments of food.
Distribution of food and fuel is taking a long time to recover. Still too many power and transportation problems.
the water will drain away
Another FReeper reports that certain pumping efforts are failing...the water is draining but right back into the tunnel or sub-foundation.
They are not in danger of starving or freezing to death
Forecast low of 32F Monday night.
I just did tomorrow’s to-do list, and give to the Salvation Army is the 2nd item.
They are as low-overhead a charity as exists.
I was going to ask if any freepers ever hear their parent or relatives mention RED CROSS during WW ll..
I had six uncles and my dad in that war, and they told stories how the RED CROSS charged them for drinking water when in battle..
then in 1962 my solider husband was in Germany and his dad dies very suddenly only 49 yrs.old and the RED CROSS gave my husband $100.00 When he returned to his duty, he discovered the RED CROSS was going to have to be paid back, plus interest!!!!
we have not donated RED CROSS since...we have not forgotten.
The morning that I showed up for Navy boot camp the Red Cross gave me a shaving set and writing materials to contact my folks. Money was deducted from my first check for this stuff.
I do all my donating to St. Vincent de Paul or the Salvation Army.
when you are a POW and you get stuff that is thread bare and useless (so called blankets) and peanut butter and crackers that are rancid (and probably were before they were sent)....and on and on.....
Your stories ring true to what I know of the red cross. Glad I am not the only one to have come to that decision
We also continue to have a 15 year overhang of housing so there's plenty of empty stuff around.
This is not a third world hellhole.
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