2005 - 09-15-05

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.

Anyway, I really don't want to receive any
more emails about Hurricane Katrina. Most of the emails I did receive were
intelligent and well-reasoned and had very good ideas in
them. But, I don't even want to read those kinds of emails
any more.

On a lighter note, one very misguided reader wrote that since so many people read my newsletter and trust me, I should form "The Gary Halbert Hurricane Relief Fund"
and raise money and administer the funds myself.