plunkett@rlgvax.UUCP (S. Plunkett) (02/13/85)
A plea to forgoe the traditional Valentine gift and to place the
money in one of the many relief agencies is well taken.
However, there have been reports of these funds being used to
political ends. The Ethiopian regime springs to mind on this
point. While many Ethiopians die of starvation we learn (a)
that the regime in well-stocked Addis Abbaba uses the crisis
to further it's aims of eradicating rebels and quelling political
threats, and thus aggravating the tragedy; (b) that the regime's
ally, the U.S.S.R., in helpful assistance, sends arms and ammunition,
and just recently some gymnastic instructors.
In addition to appealing to the hearts of the USENET crowd--an
easy thing to do as we are all so chummy--it might also be wise to
assure the cantankerous skeptics amoung us (no names please) that
the agencies receiving the donations are (a) operating at a
respectable efficiency--i.e., show what proportion of receipts
are disbursed; (b) disbursing the receipts in a useful manner--
cash transfers to Addis Abbaba are not welcomed for instance;
(c) indicate who or what authorities determine where and how
the relief is to be distributed.
Scott Plunkett,
..{ihnp4,seismo}!rlgvax!plunkettriks@athena.UUCP (Rik Smoody) (02/14/85)
..... > around everywhere, and that one should not act emotionally. With much anguish > in his voice, he proceeded to refuse to give. > > Meanwhile, people die. Meanwhile, you are going to act emotionally > on Valentine Day. Why not do then the truly exceptional and outstanding, and > have that money you dedicated for a gift buy the best gift you can give--a > contribution to a relief agency. Consider: otherwise, you would probably buy > a card, a flower, chocolates, all at exorbitant prices set to absorb your money > on this happy occasion. Instead, why not write a note, in your own handwriting, > your own sincere words, to the person you love, and tell her (or is it him) > that, as a token of your love for her you contribute to help relieve some > suffering somewhere. That it is a gift you are doing for and on behalf of both > of you. This will tell her (or him) so much more about yourself, much more > than any words or cards or flowers, for generosity, compassion, thoughtfulness, > are really among the deepest qualities. This will show how confident you are of > their love, that you are not afraid they might react in a petty manner at the > deprivation of yet another chocolate box. > Even better yet, send birth control and education so that the number of people suffering need not grow even larger. Give a person a fish and feed them for a day. Teach them to fish, and feed them for life. Teach them also to control their population and their children will have fish to catch. A hard lesson, and one which not all Americans have learned, is that there are limits on some resources. Rik Smoody
jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) (02/25/85)
> A plea to forgoe the traditional Valentine gift and to place the > money in one of the many relief agencies is well taken. > However, there have been reports of these funds being used to > political ends. ... > ...it might also be wise to > assure the cantankerous skeptics amoung us (no names please) that > the agencies receiving the donations are (a) operating at a > respectable efficiency--i.e., show what proportion of receipts > are disbursed; (b) disbursing the receipts in a useful manner-- > cash transfers to Addis Abbaba are not welcomed for instance; > (c) indicate who or what authorities determine where and how > the relief is to be distributed. The original poster of this article did, in fact, name several such agencies. To post their annual reports would take much too much of the net's bandwidth (;-)). Two that I know to be excellent per the above criteria are the American Red Cross and the Catholic Relief Services. (a) 100%, 97% ;(b&c) consult your local ARC Chapter or Diocesan relief office. Joe Yao hadron!jsdy@seismo.{ARPA,UUCP}