2005 - 09-15-05

In any case, here she was, having survived
the horrors of World War II and now (at 77 years of age)
trying to survive the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
Bernadette was
attempting to return to her home (if it still existed) with
very little money and no possessions except what she took
with her on her trip to Costa Rica.

I don't know what has happened to Bernadette
Lewis but, if anybody can find her and she needs some
help, I would be more than welcome to help her personally
to the best of my ability.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, my
youngest son Bond read in the "Los Angeles Times" some of
the evacuees had made it to Los Angeles and were being
sheltered there by the Red Cross. So you know what he did?
He went directly to the shelter, talked to the people,
and found out exactly what they needed. They were most
concerned with immediate needs to get them through the next
48 or 72-hours. So Bond made a list and went to
store after store buying items like deodorant, diapers,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, and lots of other stuff people use
on a day-to-day basis.

One curious thing the evacuees asked for was
decks of playing cards. This puzzled me at first. Then I got
to thinking about it. I guess playing poker or other card
games for matchsticks is a better way to get through the day
during the aftermath of a disaster... than just staring into
space hour after hour and worrying about your future.

Anyway, after he bought all these items, he
put them in his truck and drove back to the Red Cross shelter.
He gave everything directly to the people who needed it.

I'm enormously proud of my son. He has
far
more wisdom than his father will ever possess.

The message I've tried to illustrate here
is...

If You Want To Help The Victims

Of This Disaster, I Think You Should

Give That Help To The Victims Directly!

I've become jaded. I think the
worst organization in this country we can donate money to
help people is the United States Government. And, I am very
suspect of other major organizations such as the Red Cross,
the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and all the others. I
think each of these charities have many good people... but...
I suspect also each of the charities have some bad
apples who would embezzle the money
entrusted to them without a pang of conscience.