In response to some of the general flow of the discussion ... and I didn't and wouldn't post anything about Pat Robinson ... it is clear that the hurricane ripped open not only buildings and levees but also society and perceptions of the country. These are issues that can't be separated from politics.

Technology is great in its correct context and moments. But to look to technology for a 'solution' is to miss the point as much as it is to define the digital divide as if it is simply, and only, a technological issue.

The solution will lie with people. They may use technology to forge a solution, or they may not. But first, you've got to get them to pay attention and to care - hopefully about everyone equally. You've got to get presidents off vacation, you've got to get participation and support rather than anger and fear, you've got to have adequate leadership emerge, you've got to quit blaming people who had no power or cars or money to leave or those who have been systematically denied access to power for being angry about the situation, you've got to replace special interests with human interests.

ap




The Red Cross maybe slow... But Operation Blessings? Some readers may wish to know about the following: FEMA is directing Katrina donations to none other than the televangelist Rev. Pat Robertson (who recently called for the assassination of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez on his nationwide televangelist network). FEMA has released to the media and on its Web site a list of Suggested charities to help the storm's hundreds of thousands of victims. The Red Cross is first on the list. The Rev. Pat Robertson's "Operation Blessing" is FOURTH on the list. Operation Blessing's board of directors is dominated by the televanglist and his family. The chairman, "MG Robertson," is none other than the Rev. Pat - Marion Gordon Robertson is his real name - while Pat's wife DeDe is vice president and son Gordon Robertson is also on the board.



--On Friday, September 02, 2005 12:13 PM -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I think the general public does not realize how ineffective the Red Cross
has proved to be unfortunately during this disaster.  The news media
indicated they saw the first Red Cross truck on Thur, yesterday in
Mississippi.  If you have tried to call them you will find out that it
is very difficult to get through.  It is so unfortunate.  People should
send their funds to the most effective organizations such as the
Salvation Army, Operation Blessings, Feed the Children etc as well.
Molly

-----Original Message-----
From: Taran Rampersad <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 23:57:26 -0500
Subject: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched


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

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