Before you work yourself into a lather, read the whole statement.
"This list of organizations is provided by the National Organization of Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster. Please email EST-DONAT-A@dhs.gov if you are interested in having your organization added to the list.
The listing of or omission of an institution or organization on this Web site does not refer to programmatic capability nor does it confer any official status, approval, or endorsement of the institution or organization itself. This listing does not purport to be a listing of all organizations that are providing relief in the affected area. Additionally, there may be organizations providing relief in the affected area that are not accepting donations at this time. It is not the purpose of this Web site to make, or enable to be made, any representation to the public concerning the organizations listed. This listing is for informational purposes only. Any contributions you choose to make from links on this Web site are at your sole discretion."
I know you would like to think George Bush typed in Robertson's name personally, but it just didn't happen.
By the way, if you would care to poll the subject, you would find most republicans think Robertson is a total idiot.
Posted by j.west at September 1, 2005 02:25 PMSo FEMA pulled a CYA so that makes it AOK?
I say BS.
Posted by snark at September 1, 2005 02:38 PMIt's past time to hold the administration accountable. Why anybody would defend them, is beyond consideration at this point.
FEMA went from an effective agency under Clinton, to a sinecure under Albuagh, to a Boondoggle, under brown. This disaster dwarfs 9-11 by any comparison, and yet Team Bush is continuing to pretend as if it doesn't exist.
Every dead resident should be hung around the neck of the administration. SHAME on Team Bush, SHAME on the legislative and media sycophants who perpetuate this nightmare legacy.
This Albatross will not be ignored.
Posted by patience at September 1, 2005 02:40 PMContrary to what you might think, FEMA does not have the power (prior to an actual event) to force localities to do anything concerning planning or preparation. FEMA provides assistance for planning, holds exercises and seminars on every conceivable situation, but if the people attending these functions treat it like a paid vacation as opposed to work, the victims of a disaster pay the price.
During GWB's term in office, it seems that FEMA performed very well with hurricanes in Florida. This is probably due to Florida's gestapo-like efficiency of their emergency management people.
for the sake of decency, even if they qualify the charities with a footnote, FEMA should delete the robertson charity.
there is NO excuse to put it on the list considering the recent past.
none none none.......
Posted by distributorcap at September 1, 2005 03:03 PMDuring GWB's term in office, it seems that FEMA performed very well ...Posted by at
You're full of crap. To quote a former FEMA official:
Clinton built up FEMA by expanding the ability to plan for disasters, react to coming disaster, mitigate future disasters and build the preparedness infrastructure at both the Federal, State and Local level.
Bush destroyed it. He appointed a hack who was universally detested to run the agency. Then it got swallowed into Homeland Security and all the plans got garbled. And almost all of the most experienced and best managers left. Last year, FEMA rated DEAD LAST among Federal agencies in terms of employee job satisfaction.
The Mitigation program - ie the program to try and reduce the risk and impact of future disasters was scrapped entirely. The Directorate shut down, Project Impact cancelled.
The Preparedness program was moved out of FEMA.
And of course the ability to handle the onrushing storm was crippled because all the crafty vets were gone. All those guys who had been trained in that little thing: If its raining in New Orleans, for god's sake don't let the levees burst!...Samuel Knight
It's unfortunate he's listed where he is, but of course he's second of 3 organizations that are accepting cash-only donations.
As for the list, the government doesn't get much choice in deciding who gets to be on it if they meet the federal 503c guidelines. How would the reaction be if suddenly only Catholic and Jewish organizations could be on it, I won't ever donate to Roberts, may think noone else should either, but the Feds don't get to discriminate... which btw means if a muslim organization which is focused on US aid wants to put their name on the list, it goes up. (or at least it damn well better.)
Posted by OutsideTheEchoChamber at September 1, 2005 03:15 PMPeople, people, you are missing the point. It's not just that Operation Blessing is next to the Red Cross. There are three organizations listed under "Donate cash", with OB being one of them. That's bad enough. But look at the rest of the list, which is "Donate cash or volunteer". They are all religious organizations! This is a complete scam!
Posted by buck turgidson at September 1, 2005 04:59 PMThe injustice shone as a bright light seen all around the world. -- George Bernard Shaw
The intent was laid bare, The president spoke and said we'd all need to pass the hat. Collection plates are making their way through the pews of a nation. But if we know this, our enemies know this as well...not being able to insure our civil defense framework in the face of this devastation reveals all about our vulnerability. This is a national defense matter and the president has violated his oath of office in this staggering display of ineptitude.
Posted by obelus at September 1, 2005 05:15 PMYeah, I don't really think this is all that important. Sure, Robertson's a stupid prick, but I'd have to see more to really get too mad about it.
Posted by Toby Petzold at September 1, 2005 05:22 PMTurgidson, who the hell do you think does all the private charity work in this country? The atheists from the local cable access channel?
Posted by Toby Petzold at September 1, 2005 05:25 PMTurgidson, who the hell do you think does all the private charity work in this country? The atheists from the local cable access channel?
That is good stuff.
Posted by muckcat at September 1, 2005 06:02 PMWell, Toby, if you want to know...
For one, MoveOn.org has been doing a hell of a job collecting relief funds. Apparently it's too radical an idea for the New FEMA.
Meanwhile, back at the GOP ranch, instead of calls for donations, calls for supporting the repeal of estate tax go out. Yes, they have their priorities straight...
Posted by buck turgidson at September 1, 2005 06:11 PMWell that's completely stupid. Pat Robertson's organization should either be put down in the same section with Catholic Charities or completely taken off the list.
It gives an air of legitimacy to Operation Blessing that it doesn't deserve. I wonder how much money Pat Roberston will skim off the donations. You guys do know that he's had "accounting issues" in the past.
Posted by Ga6thDem at September 1, 2005 06:52 PMUm, Toby, maybe you missed Howard Dean's email today, asking everyone to consider donating to the Red Cross. But surely you saw the letter from the GOP pumping everyone for a permanent repeal of the estate tax. Sometimes timing is everything.
Posted by ann at September 1, 2005 08:51 PMRANT!
People voted for this piece of shit in the WH because they believed that he would keep us safe. Katrina has taught them a hard lesson. This pRsident, with all his Homeland Security bullshit, can't keep anyone safe. FEMA HAD NO PLAN OR PREPARATION FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT LEVEES COULD BREAK, OR DAMS COULD BREAK. WTF! One hundred thousand people are poor, and could not get out of the City, and there were no busses to take them out. There is no food or water, no bathroom facilities, and no place for a person to lay their head down at night. People dying in the streets. Good God, am I in Iraq??????
FEMA just learned, today, about how bad the situation is, according to Ted Koepel. WHERE IN THE FUCK HAVE THEY BEEN FOR THE LAST FIVE DAYS????? The head of FEMA is blaming the problems on the numbers of people that did not leave. Ted, thank God, gave him a new one. New Orleans head of Homeland Security, Terry Ebbert said this is a disgrace.
If we are ever attacked, WE NOW KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. NOTHING!!!!!! NO LEADERSHIP, NO FOOD, NO WATER, NO MEDICAL CARE, NO SHELTER, NO WAY OUT, NOTHING!!!!! THIS PRESIDENT SHOULD BE IMPEACHED TODAY! HOW MUCH OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT AND FOR WHAT????? FOR WHAT! End of Rant.
Posted by Judith at September 1, 2005 09:04 PMBush today. "We never dreamed the levees would break." Right George, just like you never dreamed airplanes could fly into buildings, even after you were told that very thing.
Posted by Judith at September 1, 2005 09:13 PMThe United Nations, you know, the people Bush has no respect for, has offered aid to Americans in the way of experts to help. Bush hasn't responded yet. Right George, why don't you sit on your ass and think about whether or not you want their help. In the meantime, while you are deciding, maybe we will lose more people to death.
Posted by Judith at September 1, 2005 09:18 PMPersonal note to Tom/Muckcat.
Tom, I left you a post under "Evangelical Group Blames New Orleans' Gay Decadence For Katrina".
There is only one reason why anyone would accept cash only transactions. FRAUD! Pat Robertson is an expert in that field. To think that this man gets tax free dollars is mind boggling.
Posted by Judith at September 1, 2005 10:28 PMJudith,
What you said!
I have some questions:
Maybe I imagined it, but wasn't New Orleans expected to be blown off the map before being flooded? What was the evacuation plan for those without their own transportation or money needed to pay a $1000 for a taxi out of town? Come on, are we really supposed to believe that no one took a head count of those left in the city? Were relief agencies not prepared because most didn't anticipate so many survivors? How can looters with guns access the hospitals but not not police or military? Since we know the looters are a problem, why were trucks with supplies sent into NO without protection? If trucks can deliver supplies (someone thought it could be done) why can't we get food, meds, water, etc, to the evacuation centers? Why are we having the discussion of whether or not NO should be rebuilt? Does anyone remember how long after the Tsnami it was before we started seeing touchy-feely stories about the great work of the relief efforts? Didn't it happen within a 2-3 days? Those hero stories were expecially touching. Did they not have looting after the Tsnami (I don't remember hearing about it)? Why would Bush delay in accepting help from the UN? Would we be expected to account for how the money is spent? The list goes on....
Posted by OffTheFence at September 2, 2005 01:30 AMHey OffTheFence, this isn't Thailand. I would expect better preparation from the wealthest Country in the world.
Posted by Judith at September 2, 2005 03:05 PMYou're right. My expectations have sunk to a new low.
It took me a few days to begin to deal with this disaster (cowardly, I know). I avoided the news as much as possible. Bits and pieces gradually got through my filters. One quick glance at TV provided me with a snapshot that reminded me of LA Riot footage. Next I began hearing snippits of "blame the victim" dialogue. I knew from my growing rage that the circumstances of this disaster would far surpass my lowest expectations of human behavior. But it's even worse than I imagined. Yea, I would like to see the media treat the NO survivors, our own US citizens, with the same compassion provided the tsunami victims.
I'm trying to think of past events or under what circumstances have natural disaster survivors been blamed for encountering the disaster? I'm drawing a blank.
Posted by OffTheFence at September 3, 2005 12:12 AMJust got this e-mail
In a distasteful show of insensitivity and partisanship, the
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has called
for cash donations be paid to Operation Blessing, a charity
front for Pat Robertson's right-wing Christian fundamentalist
TV operation, The 700 Club, and his other corporate schemes.
In a press release published on its website on August 29th,
FEMA urged those who wish to donate funds to give cash to the
Robertson organization and provided a link and a 1-800
telephone number.
Robertson (listed as M.G. Robertson on Operation Blessing's web
page, Marion Gordon is Pat's real name) is well-known for his
ultra-right views about reproductive rights, his hatred of
homosexuals, his wild claims that liberals are the cause of
America's "decline," his love of war, his distaste for women's
equality, and his opposition to civil rights.
In fact, in September 2001, Robertson blamed immorality for the
9/11 terrorist attacks. The terrorist attacks were God's
punishment for everything from abortion to homosexuality and
witchcraft, Robertson boldly pronounced.
Robertson is notable for founding the explicitly political
Christian Coalition to advance his views in the Republican Party
and in the halls of government power. Its stated purpose is to
create a theocratic government.
While the Christian Coalition has been credited with helping to
propel the far right to dominance in the Republican Party, the
organization has fallen on hard times recently due to financial
scandals, investigations surrounding its violation of campaign
laws, and the drifting political loyalties of its former
adherents. Currently a bill collector is suing the organization
for approximately $13,000 for failing to pay a bill for a
fundraiser mailing.
Most recently, Robertson disgusted many with a call for the
assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chᶥz, then denying
that he made the comment, and then apologizing for making the
comment. Robertson called the democratically elected leader of
oil-rich Venezuela a "dictator" that the US government should
"take out."
What Robertson didn't disclose was that his oil-related
investments are really what fuel his animosity for Chᶥz.
Robertson's business interests are less well known than his big
mouth. His investments and business schemes have been mostly
funded through Operation Blessing and his other "charities,"
his television show, The 700 Club, and his TV "network" the
Christian Broadcasting Network.
From donations provided by viewers, Robertson bought the Family
Channel, sold part of its stock at a personal profit of $90
million, and then sold the rest to right-wing media mogul and
FOX owner Rupert Murdoch for $1.82 billion.
In two swift financial deals, Robertson and his family took in
tens of millions of dollars in pure profits on the backs of
desperate, deluded faith-filled viewers. No money was disbursed
to the viewers who made Robertson's millions from these deals
possible.
Operation Blessing, also financed entirely through charitable
donations from Robertson's cult following, has proved to be a
more shaky financial venture for Robertson. First, he used the
airplane and resources brought in by Operation Blessing to fly
to Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo) to purchase diamond
mines for Robertson?s company African Development Corporation,
to harvest so-called blood diamonds produced by near slave
labor.
Interestingly, Robertson's diamond venture shows that he really
doesn't have a problem with dictators per se ? as long as he can
make some money from them. To win diamond mining rights,
Robertson developed a close and friendly relationship with
dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, most notorious for his collaboration
with the CIA in the assassination of Congolese national
liberation movement leader Patrice Lumumba in 1961.
According to a 1996 interview with a former pilot for Operation
Blessing, of 40 flights to Zaire in the mid-1990s, only one or
two were really related to the humanitarian work that Operation
Blessing claimed to its donors would be its main work. The rest,
the pilot admitted, were related to developing the blood
diamond business.
When that business didn't pan out due to changing political
fortunes in Zaire and Sese Sekos? overthrow in 1997, Robertson
turned to oil speculation. In 1998 he became a main investor in
the CENCO Refining Company in California and sought to invest
in oil refining in Santa Fe Springs (near Huntington Beach, the
site of a major oil spill in 1990).
Environmental activist and local community members who feared
that Robertson's company would pollute the water and air near
their homes blocked his speculative venture. In a notorious
legal battle, Robertson fought environmental laws and almost
the whole state of California before backing out of those
operations.
CENCO's former lawyers sued him for his failure to pay them.
That same year, Robertson used the donations of his flock to set
up an offshore mining company in the Cayman Islands called
Freedom Gold Limited. The purpose of setting the company
offshore, of course, was to avoid taxes and to make its
connections to Robertson more difficult to trace.
According to a 2001 Washington Post story, in 1999, Robertson's
Freedom Gold signed a business deal with notoriously corrupt and
brutal dictator Charles Taylor of Liberia allowing Robertson's
company to explore and receive gold mining rights in that
country.
The deal gave Taylor 10 percent ownership of the company, which
was founded with donations by Robertson?s faithful following in
exchange for a five-year exploration concession and a 20-year
mining claim.
Unfortunately the deal fell apart when President Bush withdrew
US support for Taylor in 2003 and forced the embattled dictator
to resign in the middle of a violent civil war.
In 2002, after complaining about the legitimacy of President
Bush's subsidies to Christian churches through a so-called
faith-based initiatives, Robertson's Operation Blessing accepted
millions in taxpayer money from the administration.
Subsequent investigations of Robertson's charity, however,
reveal that it doesn't actually distribute charitable giving to
those in need, but rather serves as a "middle-man" siphoning off
part of the donations for its "overhead" and then handing the
money over to real charities.
Robertson and his businesses has gotten into trouble for failing
to pay his creditors, for trying to avoid paying state, local
and federal taxes, for breaking campaign finance rules and
bending other laws. In other words, he believes that it is God's
will that he cheat, steal, make deals with tyrants, and bribe
and scheme his way into greater riches ? all lovingly financed
by his cult following.
The question is why is FEMA promoting Operation Blessing? Can
you trust Robertson with your donations? Obviously not. His
record shows that he will pocket part of the donations to
finance some hair-brained scheme that probably involves slave
labor, environmental racism, and some brutal tyrannical government.
And call [202] 566-1600 or e-mail FEMA at
femawebmaster@dhs.gov and demand they remove Operation Blessing
from their list of donors.