Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-03 Thread Jan Guthrie
Tom,
I am interested in your LONG story  if you would be willing to share.

As far as finding another charity .. I would worry about how to find a
good one now.  Scam charities and their webpages are already up and
running.

ARC does pretty good according to a couple of the groups that watch
charities.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3277.htm
http://charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=679

Jan (sending money and dog crates so far)


Potter, Tom E wrote:

 I am going to pee on LT Don's parade and at the same time be politically
 incorrect. From my EXPERIENCE (note that I did not say hearsay evidence)
 the American Red Cross will get about 10-20 percent (if that) of your
 donations to anyone who needs it. I suggest that you do some research on
 the ARC before donating ANYTHING to them. If you want my LONG story,
 e-mail me. There are many truly charitable organizations that you can
 support with some confidence that your donations are going where they
 were meant. There are many overwhelmed facilities/organizations in or
 near New Orleans that truly NEED your help. Adopt one of them and donate
 to it.

 Sorry for the off-topic e-mail, but I got tired of everyone holding the
 ARC up as some sort of beacon of hope.

 Thomas E. Potter
 Telephone: (713) 215-2877
 Fax: (713) 215-2551
 Mobile: (832) 794-0536

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of OK Don
 Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:25 AM
 To: Mercedes mailing list
 Subject: Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email
 clients,taxes, and bad dogs

 Saw this response to a what can we do question - I don't know who
 submitted it, but it makes sense. Just watch out for the scammers.

 People want to help. That's good. The problem is they often can, but
 they think they can. And, in the end, all they really do is get in the
 way.
 The single best thing Joe Geek can do is give cash. Not stuff, cash.
 Cash is portable, fast, and useful. Everything else has problems --
 even if it is something they really and truly need, because it isn't
 there, and people and resources are needed to get it there.

 The canonical example: Bottled water. Something otherwise useless that
 is critical in this sort of emergency. So you give a few flats to the
 ARC. Well, you bought them at retail, and now, the ARC has to put them
 on a truck (which costs money) and ship them down there (which cost
 money, and time.)

 Let's say you give them $20 instead. The ARC notes that they need
 water. So, they call a bottler in a city close to, but not affected
 by, the storm. They get wholesale or cost prices, as opposed to
 retail. For the same amount of money, they get far more water, far
 closer to where they need to be. In six hours, you're delivering your
 flats to the local ARC office. In six hours with cash, they're handing
 water to people who desperately need it.

 Finally, of course, if what they really need is food, your flats of
 water aren't helpful, but your cash is. So, the lesson:

 1) Give cash. That's the best thing you can do from your home.

 2) Stay the hell away from New Orleans. Seriously. They're ordering
 everyone out, that includes you. Do not go.

 3) If you are trained to do rescue work, they have almost certainly
 called you by now. If not, check in with your local org -- records and
 such get lost, and they may have missed you.

 4) If you really insist, go to your *local* American Red Cross office
 and talk to them. If, in fact, they do need a skill you have, they'll
 put you with the people you need to know, and start the wheels moving.
 The single biggest thing the ARC does in disasters is routing
 solutions to problems.

 5) If you have supplies, not cash, you can talk to the local office,
 but realize that the cost of shipping your supplies may make them
 worse off then just buying them closer. If you have supplies *and*
 shipping -- and we're talking trucks, not FedEx, -- then call the
 local ARC, and talk to them, and if they need what they have, they'll
 put you in touch with the people who need it, who can arrange how to
 get it to them.

 In general, when they need something, they need lots of it, either in
 one place or put into one place so they can easily distribute at need.
 One satellite phone isn't that helpful, esp. if they have to figure
 out how to make it work. A thousand phones, ready to go, however, is.

 6) If they really need what you have to offer, and you are one of the
 few who can provided it, they've probably called you by now.

 7) If you want to help in the future, start working with rescue orgs
 now. If you haven't been trained in general rescue procedures, your
 not nearly as helpful. Think of it as backups -- you can't help New
 Orleans now, but there will be other bad days, and if you've done the
 classwork and drills, and kept in touch, then you will be one of the
 people they need -- and they'll

[MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Rich Thomas
Somehow a lot of the listers just have their priorities all out of 
whack.  I mean, I look here for info about BEER!  But with all the idle 
chatter about guns, dogs, email clients, and other random trivialities, 
we are missing something extremely important.


*Seriously, y'all, there is another important topic to consider -- this 
hurricane thing is significantly huge.*  This event is unparallelled in 
our US history.  Here in Htown we got lots and lots of folks who left 
home a few days ago, now there is no home left.  There are 2 hotels 
walking distance from the house, packed full of LA license plates.  I 
don't even know how they would get back if there was anywhere to go, as 
the roads are gone.  GONE.  Blown away, washed away.


All of NOLA is a nasty toxic fetid swamp (not counting Bourbon Street, I 
think it is actually cleaner now).  A lot of the rest of region is not a 
lot better, some even worse. 

Tomorrow the Astrodome is going to be the staging point for evacuees who 
are left there and being pulled out, including lots and lots of very 
sick people coming from hospitals all over the devastated area (which is 
HUGE).  Many arriving will be very very sick, no medical records, no 
meds, no money, no jobs, no insurance records, minimal care for the last 
few days.  The Texas Med Ctr is being mobilized to help.  My wife will 
be triaging patients who make it, trying to figure out how to keep them 
alive and where to park them.  I saw some flights of mil helos headed 
east yesterday, not sure if that is the evac method or what, but the 
roads are gone 'tween here and there so I am sure that will be 
happening.  I hate to think what is festering in the area, no clean 
water or sanitation, lots of dead stuff baking in the hot sun.


We signed up to be a host family for girls who are coming to my 
daughter's school, theirs in LA is gone.  GONE.  It ain't there no 
more.  Neither are their homes, jobs, neighbors, family, friends...I 
can't even begin to comprehend.


Refinery capacity just dropped by a very large percentage, and the main 
pipeline from here to the NE is shut down right now.  A lot of Gulf 
production is off line, and even if/when it comes back there are fewer 
places to refine it.  That means much less gasoline, diesel, or heating 
oil coming from down here for some time.  Y'all up in New England might 
have to turn down the thermostats a bit in a few weeks, get out the old 
Schwinns again. 


From a friend in the industry yesterday:

Gasoline hit a record high today, settling at $2.47/gal (up */42 
cents/* from yesterday) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. 

In a nutshell, gas (and diesel) at the pumps will be up at least 42 
cents from where they are now.  Probably within days.  Katrina was a 
monster.


(Benz content) I filled up the TD yesterday for $2.43, tonight it was 
$2.53 at the same station.  I am driving it now exclusively instead of 
my truck, better fuel mileage and diesel is now a bit lower than 
gasoline.  While it will probably be available here for the foreseeable 
future (the next week?) at a much higher price, I expect that it will be 
in very short supply in other parts of the country, if at all in some 
days...Time to get them veggie-mobiles going, diesel folks.


Carry on rants about about guns, dogs, email, girly men, Canadians, 
taxes, politics (don't forget it /must /be Bush's fault!), and all that 
on the Benz list, full of text and fury signifying nothing, but please 
do not lose sight of what is turning out to be, probably, the largest 
natural disaster to hit the US, ever, both in terms of immediate damage 
and ongoing problems.  It really is way way way beyond the locals' 
ability to deal with it (it now appears they did very little even to 
prepare for it -- that is a whole 'nuther topic), umclear just how TO 
deal with it even with national help.


Oh well, it's bedtime.  Whatever your politics or views on other topics, 
there's a lot of folks who need a lot of help, and it is getting worse 
daily for them.  Please think about them, try to do something to help, 
put some (all?) of the useless bitching about other random stuff in 
perspective. 

Oh, and hurricane season is not yet over!  Check out the central 
Atlantic right now.


--R


Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Craig McCluskey
On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:01:06 -0500 Rich Thomas
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 *Seriously, y'all, there is another important topic to consider -- this 
 hurricane thing is significantly huge.*  This event is unparallelled in 
 our US history.

You are most certainly right. How to help, other than prayer, is uncertain
at the present time.


 Oh, and hurricane season is not yet over!  Check out the central 
 Atlantic right now.

Best done at http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/2005/index.html



Craig



Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread kevin kraly
Yes, a very serious topic indeed.  The thought that those people have 
absolutely nothing to come back to has been on my mind since yesterday.  MB 
content:  I'm considering, much more seriously, the veggie-mobile idea.  Man, 
I should have taken the aux. tank out of the trunk of Ingrid (white 78 300d) 
before I sold her!

Kevin in Hillsboro Oregon

1978 300CD 200K+ miles, Vinnie

Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Harry  M.
Been watching the news here about whats going on there. Was told my former 
Guard unit may be on ready alert to assist in the evac and help with food and 
water. Some have already volenteered to go on their own. Considering whats 
going on in the middle east it just makes you wonder who will be there for us 



Rich Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Somehow a lot of the listers just have their priorities all out of 
whack.  I mean, I look here for info about BEER!  But with all the idle 
chatter about guns, dogs, email clients, and other random trivialities, 
we are missing something extremely important.

*Seriously, y'all, there is another important topic to consider -- this 
hurricane thing is significantly huge.*  This event is unparallelled in 
our US history.  Here in Htown we got lots and lots of folks who left 
home a few days ago, now there is no home left.  There are 2 hotels 
walking distance from the house, packed full of LA license plates.  I 
don't even know how they would get back if there was anywhere to go, as 
the roads are gone.  GONE.  Blown away, washed away.

All of NOLA is a nasty toxic fetid swamp (not counting Bourbon Street, I 
think it is actually cleaner now).  A lot of the rest of region is not a 
lot better, some even worse. 

Tomorrow the Astrodome is going to be the staging point for evacuees who 
are left there and being pulled out, including lots and lots of very 
sick people coming from hospitals all over the devastated area (which is 
HUGE).  Many arriving will be very very sick, no medical records, no 
meds, no money, no jobs, no insurance records, minimal care for the last 
few days.  The Texas Med Ctr is being mobilized to help.  My wife will 
be triaging patients who make it, trying to figure out how to keep them 
alive and where to park them.  I saw some flights of mil helos headed 
east yesterday, not sure if that is the evac method or what, but the 
roads are gone 'tween here and there so I am sure that will be 
happening.  I hate to think what is festering in the area, no clean 
water or sanitation, lots of dead stuff baking in the hot sun.

We signed up to be a host family for girls who are coming to my 
daughter's school, theirs in LA is gone.  GONE.  It ain't there no 
more.  Neither are their homes, jobs, neighbors, family, friends...I 
can't even begin to comprehend.

Refinery capacity just dropped by a very large percentage, and the main 
pipeline from here to the NE is shut down right now.  A lot of Gulf 
production is off line, and even if/when it comes back there are fewer 
places to refine it.  That means much less gasoline, diesel, or heating 
oil coming from down here for some time.  Y'all up in New England might 
have to turn down the thermostats a bit in a few weeks, get out the old 
Schwinns again. 

 From a friend in the industry yesterday:

Gasoline hit a record high today, settling at $2.47/gal (up */42 
cents/* from yesterday) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. 

In a nutshell, gas (and diesel) at the pumps will be up at least 42 
cents from where they are now.  Probably within days.  Katrina was a 
monster.

(Benz content) I filled up the TD yesterday for $2.43, tonight it was 
$2.53 at the same station.  I am driving it now exclusively instead of 
my truck, better fuel mileage and diesel is now a bit lower than 
gasoline.  While it will probably be available here for the foreseeable 
future (the next week?) at a much higher price, I expect that it will be 
in very short supply in other parts of the country, if at all in some 
days...Time to get them veggie-mobiles going, diesel folks.

Carry on rants about about guns, dogs, email, girly men, Canadians, 
taxes, politics (don't forget it /must /be Bush's fault!), and all that 
on the Benz list, full of text and fury signifying nothing, but please 
do not lose sight of what is turning out to be, probably, the largest 
natural disaster to hit the US, ever, both in terms of immediate damage 
and ongoing problems.  It really is way way way beyond the locals' 
ability to deal with it (it now appears they did very little even to 
prepare for it -- that is a whole 'nuther topic), umclear just how TO 
deal with it even with national help.

Oh well, it's bedtime.  Whatever your politics or views on other topics, 
there's a lot of folks who need a lot of help, and it is getting worse 
daily for them.  Please think about them, try to do something to help, 
put some (all?) of the useless bitching about other random stuff in 
perspective. 

Oh, and hurricane season is not yet over!  Check out the central 
Atlantic right now.

--R



-- 
69 280 SEL 120,000 Miles
72 350SL   108,000 Miles
2004 VW Passat 4 Motion
1999 Mazda Miata   


__
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Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread OK Don
Saw this response to a what can we do question - I don't know who
submitted it, but it makes sense. Just watch out for the scammers.


People want to help. That's good. The problem is they often can, but
they think they can. And, in the end, all they really do is get in the
way.
The single best thing Joe Geek can do is give cash. Not stuff, cash.
Cash is portable, fast, and useful. Everything else has problems --
even if it is something they really and truly need, because it isn't
there, and people and resources are needed to get it there.

The canonical example: Bottled water. Something otherwise useless that
is critical in this sort of emergency. So you give a few flats to the
ARC. Well, you bought them at retail, and now, the ARC has to put them
on a truck (which costs money) and ship them down there (which cost
money, and time.)

Let's say you give them $20 instead. The ARC notes that they need
water. So, they call a bottler in a city close to, but not affected
by, the storm. They get wholesale or cost prices, as opposed to
retail. For the same amount of money, they get far more water, far
closer to where they need to be. In six hours, you're delivering your
flats to the local ARC office. In six hours with cash, they're handing
water to people who desperately need it.

Finally, of course, if what they really need is food, your flats of
water aren't helpful, but your cash is. So, the lesson:

1) Give cash. That's the best thing you can do from your home. 

2) Stay the hell away from New Orleans. Seriously. They're ordering
everyone out, that includes you. Do not go.

3) If you are trained to do rescue work, they have almost certainly
called you by now. If not, check in with your local org -- records and
such get lost, and they may have missed you.

4) If you really insist, go to your *local* American Red Cross office
and talk to them. If, in fact, they do need a skill you have, they'll
put you with the people you need to know, and start the wheels moving.
The single biggest thing the ARC does in disasters is routing
solutions to problems.

5) If you have supplies, not cash, you can talk to the local office,
but realize that the cost of shipping your supplies may make them
worse off then just buying them closer. If you have supplies *and*
shipping -- and we're talking trucks, not FedEx, -- then call the
local ARC, and talk to them, and if they need what they have, they'll
put you in touch with the people who need it, who can arrange how to
get it to them.

In general, when they need something, they need lots of it, either in
one place or put into one place so they can easily distribute at need.
One satellite phone isn't that helpful, esp. if they have to figure
out how to make it work. A thousand phones, ready to go, however, is.

6) If they really need what you have to offer, and you are one of the
few who can provided it, they've probably called you by now.

7) If you want to help in the future, start working with rescue orgs
now. If you haven't been trained in general rescue procedures, your
not nearly as helpful. Think of it as backups -- you can't help New
Orleans now, but there will be other bad days, and if you've done the
classwork and drills, and kept in touch, then you will be one of the
people they need -- and they'll call you when they need you. It may
not be as elegant as network support -- but right now, they don't care
about TCP/IP. They care about getting people out of the floodwaters,
and plugging the holes in the levees.





-- 
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK 
'87 300SDL
'81 240D
'78 450SLC
The FSM created the Diesel Benz
http://www.venganza.org/



Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Potter, Tom E
I am going to pee on LT Don's parade and at the same time be politically
incorrect. From my EXPERIENCE (note that I did not say hearsay evidence)
the American Red Cross will get about 10-20 percent (if that) of your
donations to anyone who needs it. I suggest that you do some research on
the ARC before donating ANYTHING to them. If you want my LONG story,
e-mail me. There are many truly charitable organizations that you can
support with some confidence that your donations are going where they
were meant. There are many overwhelmed facilities/organizations in or
near New Orleans that truly NEED your help. Adopt one of them and donate
to it.

Sorry for the off-topic e-mail, but I got tired of everyone holding the
ARC up as some sort of beacon of hope.

Thomas E. Potter
Telephone: (713) 215-2877
Fax: (713) 215-2551
Mobile: (832) 794-0536


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of OK Don
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:25 AM
To: Mercedes mailing list
Subject: Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email
clients,taxes, and bad dogs


Saw this response to a what can we do question - I don't know who
submitted it, but it makes sense. Just watch out for the scammers.


People want to help. That's good. The problem is they often can, but
they think they can. And, in the end, all they really do is get in the
way.
The single best thing Joe Geek can do is give cash. Not stuff, cash.
Cash is portable, fast, and useful. Everything else has problems --
even if it is something they really and truly need, because it isn't
there, and people and resources are needed to get it there.

The canonical example: Bottled water. Something otherwise useless that
is critical in this sort of emergency. So you give a few flats to the
ARC. Well, you bought them at retail, and now, the ARC has to put them
on a truck (which costs money) and ship them down there (which cost
money, and time.)

Let's say you give them $20 instead. The ARC notes that they need
water. So, they call a bottler in a city close to, but not affected
by, the storm. They get wholesale or cost prices, as opposed to
retail. For the same amount of money, they get far more water, far
closer to where they need to be. In six hours, you're delivering your
flats to the local ARC office. In six hours with cash, they're handing
water to people who desperately need it.

Finally, of course, if what they really need is food, your flats of
water aren't helpful, but your cash is. So, the lesson:

1) Give cash. That's the best thing you can do from your home. 

2) Stay the hell away from New Orleans. Seriously. They're ordering
everyone out, that includes you. Do not go.

3) If you are trained to do rescue work, they have almost certainly
called you by now. If not, check in with your local org -- records and
such get lost, and they may have missed you.

4) If you really insist, go to your *local* American Red Cross office
and talk to them. If, in fact, they do need a skill you have, they'll
put you with the people you need to know, and start the wheels moving.
The single biggest thing the ARC does in disasters is routing
solutions to problems.

5) If you have supplies, not cash, you can talk to the local office,
but realize that the cost of shipping your supplies may make them
worse off then just buying them closer. If you have supplies *and*
shipping -- and we're talking trucks, not FedEx, -- then call the
local ARC, and talk to them, and if they need what they have, they'll
put you in touch with the people who need it, who can arrange how to
get it to them.

In general, when they need something, they need lots of it, either in
one place or put into one place so they can easily distribute at need.
One satellite phone isn't that helpful, esp. if they have to figure
out how to make it work. A thousand phones, ready to go, however, is.

6) If they really need what you have to offer, and you are one of the
few who can provided it, they've probably called you by now.

7) If you want to help in the future, start working with rescue orgs
now. If you haven't been trained in general rescue procedures, your
not nearly as helpful. Think of it as backups -- you can't help New
Orleans now, but there will be other bad days, and if you've done the
classwork and drills, and kept in touch, then you will be one of the
people they need -- and they'll call you when they need you. It may
not be as elegant as network support -- but right now, they don't care
about TCP/IP. They care about getting people out of the floodwaters,
and plugging the holes in the levees.





-- 
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK 
'87 300SDL
'81 240D
'78 450SLC
The FSM created the Diesel Benz
http://www.venganza.org/

___
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net



Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread LT Don
That was OK Don, not LT Don. 

On 9/1/05, Potter, Tom E [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
 I am going to pee on LT Don's parade 
 



-- 
1977 240D
1972 Honda CB-500K motorcycle

http://www.airamericaradio.com/listen


Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread TimothyPilgrim
I seem to recall a recent news story that exposed the finances of
the Red Cross and that only a small portion of donations actually went
to the needy. Most was used to support the RC itself...

Tim
1982 300TD Moby

On 9/1/05, Potter, Tom  E [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 I am going to pee on LT Don's parade and at the same time be politically
 incorrect. From my EXPERIENCE (note that I did not say hearsay evidence)
 the American Red Cross will get about 10-20 percent (if that) of your
 donations to anyone who needs it. I suggest that you do some research on
 the ARC before donating ANYTHING to them. If you want my LONG story,
 e-mail me. There are many truly charitable organizations that you can
 support with some confidence that your donations are going where they
 were meant. There are many overwhelmed facilities/organizations in or
 near New Orleans that truly NEED your help. Adopt one of them and donate
 to it.
 
 Sorry for the off-topic e-mail, but I got tired of everyone holding the
 ARC up as some sort of beacon of hope.
 
 Thomas E. Potter
 Telephone: (713) 215-2877
 Fax: (713) 215-2551
 Mobile: (832) 794-0536
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of OK Don
 Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:25 AM
 To: Mercedes mailing list
 Subject: Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email
 clients,taxes, and bad dogs
 
 
 Saw this response to a what can we do question - I don't know who
 submitted it, but it makes sense. Just watch out for the scammers.
 
 
 People want to help. That's good. The problem is they often can, but
 they think they can. And, in the end, all they really do is get in the
 way.
 The single best thing Joe Geek can do is give cash. Not stuff, cash.
 Cash is portable, fast, and useful. Everything else has problems --
 even if it is something they really and truly need, because it isn't
 there, and people and resources are needed to get it there.
 
 The canonical example: Bottled water. Something otherwise useless that
 is critical in this sort of emergency. So you give a few flats to the
 ARC. Well, you bought them at retail, and now, the ARC has to put them
 on a truck (which costs money) and ship them down there (which cost
 money, and time.)
 
 Let's say you give them $20 instead. The ARC notes that they need
 water. So, they call a bottler in a city close to, but not affected
 by, the storm. They get wholesale or cost prices, as opposed to
 retail. For the same amount of money, they get far more water, far
 closer to where they need to be. In six hours, you're delivering your
 flats to the local ARC office. In six hours with cash, they're handing
 water to people who desperately need it.
 
 Finally, of course, if what they really need is food, your flats of
 water aren't helpful, but your cash is. So, the lesson:
 
 1) Give cash. That's the best thing you can do from your home.
 
 2) Stay the hell away from New Orleans. Seriously. They're ordering
 everyone out, that includes you. Do not go.
 
 3) If you are trained to do rescue work, they have almost certainly
 called you by now. If not, check in with your local org -- records and
 such get lost, and they may have missed you.
 
 4) If you really insist, go to your *local* American Red Cross office
 and talk to them. If, in fact, they do need a skill you have, they'll
 put you with the people you need to know, and start the wheels moving.
 The single biggest thing the ARC does in disasters is routing
 solutions to problems.
 
 5) If you have supplies, not cash, you can talk to the local office,
 but realize that the cost of shipping your supplies may make them
 worse off then just buying them closer. If you have supplies *and*
 shipping -- and we're talking trucks, not FedEx, -- then call the
 local ARC, and talk to them, and if they need what they have, they'll
 put you in touch with the people who need it, who can arrange how to
 get it to them.
 
 In general, when they need something, they need lots of it, either in
 one place or put into one place so they can easily distribute at need.
 One satellite phone isn't that helpful, esp. if they have to figure
 out how to make it work. A thousand phones, ready to go, however, is.
 
 6) If they really need what you have to offer, and you are one of the
 few who can provided it, they've probably called you by now.
 
 7) If you want to help in the future, start working with rescue orgs
 now. If you haven't been trained in general rescue procedures, your
 not nearly as helpful. Think of it as backups -- you can't help New
 Orleans now, but there will be other bad days, and if you've done the
 classwork and drills, and kept in touch, then you will be one of the
 people they need -- and they'll call you when they need you. It may
 not be as elegant as network support -- but right now, they don't care
 about TCP/IP. They care about getting people out of the floodwaters,
 and plugging the holes in the levees.
 
 
 
 
 
 --
 OK

Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Mitch Haley
TimothyPilgrim wrote:
 
 I seem to recall a recent news story that exposed the finances of
 the Red Cross and that only a small portion of donations actually went
 to the needy. Most was used to support the RC itself...

Try the Salvation Army. Not exactly a top-heavy organization chart.
They usually arrive at a disaster before the RC does. 

If you could get money to a Mennonite relief group it would probably be
even more effective, I don't think they have any paid staff.



Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Mitch Haley
TimothyPilgrim wrote:
 
 I'd prefer to donate through a secular organization. The SA is off my radar.
 

What about the Mennonites? (think Amish w/o the beards)
In my experience (I've worked alongside them when the destroyed buildings 
belonged
to my family and the Mennonites were there because somebody needed help) they 
just
want to help. Incredibly hard workers, with nary a syllable of proselytizing 
coming
from their mouths. I'd think any funds you could get to them to help with fuel, 
food,
etc. would be greatly appreciated.



Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread TimothyPilgrim
I just found this list of charities helping out the New Orlean's relief effort:

http://www.deadlykatrina.com/?p=54

Tim
1982 300TD Moby

On 9/1/05, Mitch Haley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 TimothyPilgrim wrote:
 
  I'd prefer to donate through a secular organization. The SA is off my radar.
 
 
 What about the Mennonites? (think Amish w/o the beards)
 In my experience (I've worked alongside them when the destroyed buildings 
 belonged
 to my family and the Mennonites were there because somebody needed help) they 
 just
 want to help. Incredibly hard workers, with nary a syllable of proselytizing 
 coming
 from their mouths. I'd think any funds you could get to them to help with 
 fuel, food,
 etc. would be greatly appreciated.
 
 ___
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Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread redghost
Thin veneer of civilization with all the looting and such.  Not 
standard behavior in US disasters, unless you reside in Detroit.


I would love to help out, but at this point will be a greater 
hinderance than help.  When they figure out what needs I am able to 
meet, will be feeling less stuck and able to do good.


MB content.  Lots of cars for Kaleb to salvage and part in his back 
yard.  Going to be a bunch of stay the hell away from cars hitting eBay 
in coming months.  I wonder how far the water logged cars will travel 
from the Gulf coast before they end up on eBay


On Thursday, September 1, 2005, at 12:16 AM, kevin kraly wrote:

Yes, a very serious topic indeed.  The thought that those people have 
absolutely nothing to come back to has been on my mind since 
yesterday.  MB content:  I'm considering, much more seriously, the 
veggie-mobile idea.  Man, I should have taken the aux. tank out of 
the trunk of Ingrid (white 78 300d) before I sold her!

 
Kevin in Hillsboro Oregon
 
1978 300CD 200K+ miles, Vinnie
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--
Clay
Seattle Bioburner

1972 220D - Gump
1995 E300D - Cleo
1987 300SDL - POS - DOA
The FSM would drive a Diesel Benz




Re: [MBZ] A VERY serious topic -- put away yer guns, email clients, taxes, and bad dogs

2005-09-01 Thread Mitch Haley
redghost wrote:
  I wonder how far the water logged cars will travel
 from the Gulf coast before they end up on eBay

I've seen 'repairable' cars in salvage yards in Indiana with Houston dealer 
stickers on
them
and flood damage titles several months after a tropical storm. Creeps usually 
want 50-60%
of loan value for the cars, too.