I think that the Red Cross and other organizations have been unwilling to accept anything but financial contributions - I went through this with the ARC project - and I am somewhat disillusioned with this disconnect which seems like hubris from the cheap seats. The Red Cross does have a lot of experience, but... why can't people do things other than what their archaic system allows? Why can't you, or me, or anyone on this list simply say, "Wouldn't it be cool if..." to someone at the Red Cross?
These disconnects - that you and Andy have shown - is somewhat disturbing. At what point will these agencies ask for help? Which disaster? We have people offering up housing, and as you point out - we wonder if the right people can get that information. The database of missing and so on is also gone. Meanwhile, the reporter on CNN just handed some Senator Mary Landrieu an angry statement talking about the dead bodies on the streets (a corpse being eaten by rats) and questioning the values of politicians thanking each other. I like this guy. This is 3 days into it. 3 Days. The politicians dance with words. The Red Cross asks me for donations, but they don't seem to know how much of what they need. The living victims dance with the corpses. How do people affect change if they cannot communicate with the people who can institute the change? Who are the people who can institute the change? ""It's amazing how difficult it is to find someone to pass it along to, and say, look this is what we're trying to do and everything like that," says Mr Rampersad. "So the big problem right now is the same problem we're trying to solve - human communication."" -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4149977.stm Lars Hasselblad Torres wrote: >Hi Andy and everyone -- I am trusting out compatriots on this list who are >from Katrina affected areas are with friends and family, safe. > >Like others, i'm blown away by how many people across the US have signed up >on the MoveOn.org site to offer up housing. > >My question is, how can this databased information be connected to >text-to-speech software and made available on an 800-number? I ask because >I am wondering who is going to see the website? > >Conversely, are there efforts to connect this information to Salvation Army, >Red Cross etc housing efforts for the displaced? > >Wishing all the best in these difficult times for many, > >lars > > -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: Georgetown, Guyana [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran "Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
