The generosity of Americans

[Comrade]

Watch this donation counter for disaster relief in Asia as it clocks up to its first million. It's growing at 100k every few minutes.

http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/PX3BEL97U9A4I/002-7199653-3876068

Remember how they called our governments first 15 million stingy!

(Hey all you oil rich Muslims, how about poneying up for your own?)

And then understand these are private donations from individual citizens through just one source alone.

Americans are the most generous people on the Earth.

 

[Johnney]

hey send this link to whats his name. then he can insult the american people as well as the government

 

[Johnney]

i have a question about that site. when i refresh it, it says something lower, then refresh it again and it says higher, then lower then higher... wtf

 

[Comrade]

I noticed the same thing, but I'd trust the higher numbers, which are building consistently.

FYI, since I first posted here tonight, the paid donations to the American Red Cross, the bulk of which are from American citizens, have risen to $809,627.00.

So over the course of a few hours the total will break 1,000,000 by this evening.

Damn that makes me proud.

 

[Comrade]

My suggestion for Drudge.com for the Thursday AM update:

Online Bookseller collects over ONE MILLION DOLLARS from American websurfers to help tsunami survivors in south Asia.

IN A SINGLE EVENING!

Donations continue at 100K/hour...

Consider that other various governments have already been exceeded by the generosity of solely online contributors in the course of a single evening.

And as news spreads over tomorrow and more contribute through what is still just the Amazon.com website, I expect the sum total contributed to what is again, the AMERICAN Red Cross (and NOT the International Red Cross) to exceed that of all but a few of the government entities on this list:

http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=40128

Nations pledge aid after Tsunami disaster

Reuters
Posted online: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 at 1131 hours IST

London, December 29: Aid teams are beginning to reach Asia's tsunami devastated villages and resorts where more than 68,000 people have been killed as an international humanitarian relief campaign swings into gear.

The following is a list of contributions pledged, compiled from reports by Reuters bureaux and UN agencies.

AUSTRALIA: Commits $26 million in aid. Five air force transport planes with supplies and medical specialists sent to Sumatra, two 15-member emergency medical teams and 12-strong team of police bound for Phuket.

AUSTRIA: Pledged 1 million euros ($1.36 million) in aid to the countries hit.

BELGIUM: Belgian military plane due to stop at Dubai to load most of its cargo; UNICEF aid such as tents, vaccines.

BRITAIN: Plastic sheets and tents worth 250,000 pounds ($481,500) sent to Sri Lanka. Giving 370,000 pounds to EU aid effort and $100,000 to World Health Organisation.

CANADA: Initial contribution of 1 million Canadian dollars ($814,300) to appeal for some $6.5 million by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

CHINA: Offering 21.6 million yuan ($2.6 million) of aid to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

CZECH REPUBLIC: A plane sent to Sri Lanka with drinking water. Officials said aid worth $444,400 would be sent.

DENMARK: A UNICEF flight from Copenhagen with 45 tonnes of supplies, including oral rehydration salts and medical supplies to serve 150,000 people for three months. 10 million crowns ($1.82 million) put aside quick relief.

EUROPEAN UNION: Ready to release up to 30 million euros on top of 3 million euros already allocated to IFRC.

FINLAND: Pledged 500,000 euros of aid to the IFRC. Local aid organisations contribute another 75,000 euros. The Finnish Red Cross has sent a field hospital with 15 staff to Sri Lanka.

FRANCE: Foreign Minister Michel Barnier in Sri Lanka, to go to Thailand on Wednesday. 100,000 euros earmarked, 16 rescuers sent to Thailand and 10 tonnes aid to Sri Lanka.

GERMANY: Germany doubling its emergency aid to 2 million euros. German air force medical evacuation plane to set off for Phuket and two more planes chartered to take disaster relief teams, medicines and consular officials there. Germany's largest utility E.ON to donate 1 million euros.

GREECE: Offered Sri Lanka medical assistance, with 17 doctors and staff.

ISRAEL: Medical team sent to Sri Lanka and another to Thailand. Military search and rescue team due in Sri Lanka held up by coordination problems.

ITALY: Two Hercules aircraft to be sent, one to Sri Lanka, one to Thailand.

JAPAN: Some $30 million in aid pledged and three navy vessels sent to Thailand to help rescue survivors.

KUWAIT: Aid supplies worth $2 million pledged and $100,000 immediate aid sent.

NETHERLANDS: Contributing 2 million euros to Red Cross-Red Crescent appeal, plus participating in EU aid programme.

POLAND: Government earmarked 1 million zlotys ($336,100) for Polish NGOs involved in relief.

SAUDI ARABIA: Pledged a $10 million aid package, $5 million of food, tents and medicine to be distributed via the Saudi Red Crescent, and $5 million for international aid groups such as the Red Cross and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

SINGAPORE: Contributing some $1.2 million to global effort, military medical teams and supplies ready to fly to Indonesia.

SOUTH KOREA: Raises aid from $600,000 to $2 million, considers dispatching military cargo plane to move aid workers and supplies.

SPAIN: Sent airplane with first aid, sanitary equipment and 19 volunteers to Sri Lanka. One million euros promised.

SWEDEN: Two communications specialists sent to help U.N. relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Sending tents and communications equipment to the Maldives. Swedish Red Cross to contribute $750,000 to IFRC appeal.

TAIWAN: Pledges additional $5 million to South and Southeast Asian countries, after giving $100,000 to Indonesia, $50,000 each to Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. Sends more than 100 relief workers.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Pledged $2 million in aid and its Red Crescent society will donate 30 tonnes of food, blankets and clothing to earthquake victims to be transported over this week.

UNITED STATES: Pledged initial $35 million. Pentagon ordered 12 vessels to region, although no decision made on their role.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS: A cargo plane flying from Kenya to Sri Lanka carrying 105 tonnes of supplies, provide aid to 150,000 people in north and east. Seeking to raise more than 50 million Swiss francs ($44 million).

IMF: Intends to provide assistance, but no specific pledges.

UNHCR: Initially distributing $380,000 of non-food relief items, including 23,500 plastic sheets for shelter, 24,500 plastic mats, clothing, towels and 20,000 kitchen sets.

UNICEF: Distributing clothing and 30,000 blankets and sleeping mats in Sri Lanka, 1,600 water tanks, 30,000 blankets, medical supplies and hundreds of thousands of water purification pills in India. Supplies heading to Indonesia and Maldives.

UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: Sends 168 tonnes of commodities to Sri Lanka, more than 4,000 tonnes of rice, wheatflour, lentils and sugar, enough to provide an emergency ration to 500,000 people for two weeks.

UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: Provided $100,000 each to Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand to help assess damage and coordinate emergency needs.

UN POPULATION FUND: Earmarked up to $1 million and extra staff to help health needs of pregnant and nursing women.

 

[krisy]

Not a surprise to me. This supposed war loving,lazy nation always comes through and always comes through with the most. Even after the bashing,the American people always manage to step up and do the right thing. Sure we all know we are the richest nation,and should step up. But it's still hard knowing that soon someone will say that it's "stingy" or just not good enough. In the end,the U.S. will pay for the majority of the damage and I believe we are a better country because of that. We are always there to give-that's what makes us so great!! God Bless the U.S.!

 

[dilloduck]

Not a surprise to me. This supposed war loving,lazy nation always comes through and always comes through with the most. Even after the bashing,the American people always manage to step up and do the right thing. Sure we all know we are the richest nation,and should step up. But it's still hard knowing that soon someone will say that it's "stingy" or just not good enough. In the end,the U.S. will pay for the majority of the damage and I believe we are a better country because of that. We are always there to give-that's what makes us so great!! God Bless the U.S.!

very true but I'd love to hear the whiners get an official tongue lashing for being so arrogant and anti-American!

 

[krisy]

very true but I'd love to hear the whiners get an official tongue lashing for being so arrogant and anti-American!

Oh-me too!!! I saw that the guy calling us "stingy" was right back out yesterday to call it misinterpretation. He was probably afraid of backlash. I wonder if he has given anything yet. Like KarlMarx said in another thread-I wonder if the U.N. will hand over any of that Oil For Food money?!!!!

 

[Democrat4Bush]

My reply to UN would be:

"And how much aid did you send to the residents of Florida after they were hit with 4 hurricanes in a month"?

 

[dilloduck]

Oh-me too!!! I saw that the guy calling us "stingy" was right back out yesterday to call it misinterpretation. He was probably afraid of backlash. I wonder if he has given anything yet. Like KarlMarx said in another thread-I wonder if the U.N. will hand over any of that Oil For Food money?!!!!

It's sad how instead of growing up,the rest of the world insists in viewing the US as parents. We never do enough-we never do the right thing--we always cause problems. Time to kick the kids out of the house and tell em to get a frickin job! :chains:

 

[krisy]

It's sad how instead of growing up,the rest of the world insists in viewing the US as parents. We never do enough-we never do the right thing--we always cause problems. Time to kick the kids out of the house and tell em to get a frickin job! :chains:

Heeelll yes! It's lonely at the top!!!

 

[dilloduck]

Heeelll yes! It's lonely at the top!!!

I'd rather be lonley than live in a house full of ungrateful shitheads !

 

[Bonnie]

I'd rather be lonley than live in a house full of ungrateful shitheads !

LOL I like that!!

 

[Bonnie]

What's most ridiculous about this whole thing is the way Democrats in this country are trying to use it as another opportunity to impune Bush.........I actually heard one pundit say everyone is upset with Bush because he didn't come out publicly and say how upset he was over the tragedy. So typically liberal, they loved it when Clinton was his usual phoney self biting his bottom lip pretending to give a shit, while Bush was actually doing something about getting money to Asia as a soom as it happened. And even funnier would have been if Bush had spoken out right away they would have accused him of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.......... News flash for liberals.......Most people in Shri lankha and elsewhere were a little busy trying to find their dead relatives, not watching TV waiting for Bush to speak and tell them he feels their pain.

 

[HorhayAtAMD]

Not a surprise to me. This supposed war loving,lazy nation always comes through and always comes through with the most. Even after the bashing,the American people always manage to step up and do the right thing. Sure we all know we are the richest nation,and should step up. But it's still hard knowing that soon someone will say that it's "stingy" or just not good enough. In the end,the U.S. will pay for the majority of the damage and I believe we are a better country because of that. We are always there to give-that's what makes us so great!! God Bless the U.S.!

I'm sure the only reason the US is doing this is to install an American picked government and then steal all the oil in the region. Oh, and to kill as many innocent muslims as possible in your never ending "crusade" against non-christians.

And in case the sarcasm was missed, I'M BEING SARCASTIC! Take a from your neighbour to the north.

 

[Comrade]

OMG, it's up to 2.6 MILLION!

That's going to be around 3 MILLION in the first 24 hours since this donation link opened.

Folks, this is a HUGE SUCCESS and a slap in the face of the government driven charities of most of the other countries listed here.

 

[NATO AIR]

inspiring progress made by americans rushing to help

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6767322/

Internet speeds contributions for tsunami victimsBy Jerry Markon and Leef Smith

Updated: 11:08 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2004
Faced with searing images of suffering and grief in South Asia, Americans are finding an instantaneous way to reach out to tsunami victims: on their home computers.

Like never before, people are turning to the Internet to donate money, the latest step in a revolution that has altered everything from shopping to presidential campaigns.

"This is like 1951, when television really took off,'' Paul Saffo, director of the Silicon Valley-based Institute for the Future, said yesterday. "We are in the middle of a fundamental shift from mass media to the personal media of computers and the Internet, and charitable giving is a logical progression.''

At Amazon.com alone, more than 53,000 people had donated more than $3 million by yesterday evening after the company made an urgent appeal on its home page. Catholic Relief Services was so overwhelmed with Web traffic that its site crashed. Online donations to the Red Cross outstripped traditional phone banks by more than 2 to 1.

The online generosity was a key part of a massive U.S. response to the crisis in South Asia. From neighborhood coffee shops to large corporations, hundreds of thousands of people donated millions of dollars and a variety of goods. The relief effort ran the gamut from a tavern in Georgetown promoting a New Year's Eve bash called "Celebrate and Donate" to a San Jose coffee shop giving away free beans to anyone who donated $10.

"Online, by phone, the mail," marveled Steven Gotfried, a spokesman for Washington-based B'nai B'rith International, which has been overwhelmed with offers of support. "Every two or three minutes, we get a donation. People are really giving from the heart."

Much of that giving came from people sitting at their computers. That has happened before, primarily after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But relief officials said the scale of online giving has grown dramatically since then.

As of Tuesday, for example, 25,000 people had visited RedCross.org to pledge money to aid the tsunami victims. During the same period, about 9,000 people called the donor line, officials said.

Donations after Sunday's calamity in South Asia are already outpacing those after other disasters. From Aug. 13 to 23, the Red Cross estimated that it received $19 million in pledges for victims of Hurricane Charley. As of noon yesterday, the Red Cross had received $18 million for tsunami victims.

'Huge impact'
"Technology has had a huge impact on our ability to disseminate information about what we're doing," said Red Cross spokeswoman Kara Bunte."The support has been overwhelming, amazing."

Relief officials say money, rather than clothing or food, is the fastest way to get help to affected countries.

"Sending supplies at this point is not going to make much difference," said Nadadur Vardhan, president of the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California. The temple is anticipating nearly 20,000 people at a New Year's prayer service that has been reorganized as a massive fundraiser for victims. Most of the temple's members have family or friends in India who were affected by the disaster.

The instant-response capabilities of the Internet, combined with a desire to reach out to bigger audiences, prompted a slew of companies to encourage donations on their own high-traffic Web sites.

The Internet search engine Google posted a link on its home page that offered "Ways to help with tsunami relief.'' Another click brought users to a screen with links to relief agencies ranging from Unicef and Oxfam to the Amazon.com home page.

On America Online's start page, subscribers yesterday found links to donate to disaster relief funds through Network for Good -- a Web-based nonprofit founded in 2001 by AOL, Cisco Systems and Yahoo.

"We're trying to put this in front of members in multiple ways to hopefully encourage donations," said Nicholas J. Graham, spokesman for AOL, which is donating $200,000 through the American Red Cross and will also match the first $50,000 that AOL employees give.

A recent survey conducted by Network for Good said online charitable giving grew last year to approximately $2 billion.

For small relief agencies, the Internet has become a vital component in the drive to solicit funds. It is especially critical in disasters such as Sunday's earthquake and tsunami, when money and help are needed immediately.

'The great equalizer'
Unlike bigger groups, "we don't have a huge fundraising apparatus or staff. We don't have sophisticated appeals going out of phone banks,'' said Nancy Aossey, president and chief executive of International Medical Corps. The Los Angles-based humanitarian relief and development agency has been providing crisis care in Indonesia since 2000.

Aossey said much of the $160,000 the corps has raised has been through its Web site. One man donated $5,000 online after reading about the group in a newspaper.

In the world of fundraising, Aossey added, the Internet is "the great equalizer."

At Seattle-based Amazon.com, a group of employees decided to do something to help the tsunami victims. So dozens of workers, some of them originally from the affected areas in Asia, toiled through the night to rejigger Amazon.com's Web site. The large posting centered at the top of the site prominently features the American Red Cross symbol and a link for people to donate to the relief effort.

"It definitely came as a groundswell from our employees,'' said Amazon.com spokesman Craig Berman. "As soon as it went up, we started seeing donations kick in. It was virtually instantaneous."

The only other time Amazon.com made a similar posting was after Sept. 11, when it raised more than $6.8 million.

Staff writer Mike Musgrove and staff researcher Bobbye Pratt contributed to this report from Washington. Special correspondent Kimberly Edds contributed from Los Angeles.

© 2004 The Washington Post Company

 

[Avatar4321]

holy crap its already approaching 4 million.

 

[Comrade]

I noticed the average contribution has also steadily grown from $40 to $60 dollars, which means the site has attracted alot of attention from wealthy donors.

And I'd be a hypocrit if I didn't give to this nobel cause, and so I tossed into the pot enough to keep that average up.

I encourage everyone with a little to spare after Christmas to go this route!

 

[Comrade]

Repeating the link:

http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/PX3BEL97U9A4I/002-7199653-3876068