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opinion
Revisiting Red
Cross issue for the sake of closure
Since there were some responses to my last opinion, I decided
to open the Red Cross issue once again to bring more information
and closure.
Two weeks ago I
had an issue about the Red Cross and their mishandling of
funds to the New York victims of Sept. 11. Critics have said
the Red Cross is a well-respected organization. Other attacked
my position of giving to needy individuals without giving
to charities.
First, in response
to the Red Cross being a well-respected organization, here's
some "respect" for you. Let's talk about how
the Red Cross has collected over $250 million, and they have
yet to distribute a check to the victims of Sept. 11.
Also, let's discuss
how the Red Cross said that they were going to use some of
the money to buy computers and other administrative needs
for the organization. That's wrong, and that is not what people
donated money for. Those funds are supposed to go to the victims.
That's it, that's all, no strings, no tricks.
Even, the head
of the Red Cross resigned because of all of their dishonest
antics. I don't blame her for leaving. The Red Cross had a
moral obligation to distribute the funds to the victims, and
they failed to do this making them dishonest and corrupt.
I have also learned
that this isn't the first incident of a charity organization
being dishonest. Let's also talk about how the United Way
has collected $500 million, and they have only distributed
$9 million, because they take 78 percent from every donation
for their "overhead costs." There is no telling
when the remainder of the funds will be distributed. What
is the hold-up? If you have the money, pass it out to the
victims. They are in desperate need.
Larry W. Brunson
Jr. is a journalism and English major at Cal State Long Beach.
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