Infinite MonkeysEd, at Captains Quarters blog is trying to encourage contributions to the relief efforts following the unspeakable horror that struck the Indian Ocean this week. He is raising money via World Vision, and has designated January 12, 2005, as "World Relief Day."
Ed explains it best:
CQ readers, fellow bloggers, and friends,We have before us one of the world's greatest natural disasters in terms of lost human life. Over 120,000 now (12/31) have perished, and unless we get immediate and effective assistance to the survivors, many more will die.
Our friends around the world have given of themselves through their governments, and the US has also risen to the challenge. Our government has pledged $35 million to date, as well as ordering thousands of our military personnel and two US Navy task forces to the Indian Ocean region to provide assistance.
However, many people question the ability of capitalist-based economies to show any generosity. Americans, and other Western people, have been judged by the amount of government assistance provided. We've been called "stingy". It's up to us to show that when people control their own resources, we can put it to the best use through our own decisions -- and in fact, we can put it to better, more direct, and more effective use.
At Captain's Quarters, we're declaring January 12th World Relief Day. I ask that CQ readers donate their take-home pay for January 12th to the tsunami relief effort. Obviously, we cannot hope to match the funds raised by governments -- but we can show what a handful of determined private individuals can do to help. If you can't afford to donate all of your take-home pay for that day, please donate what you can.
Let's show our friends in Asia that they can count on us to lift them out of danger and destruction, and show the power of the individual to change the world for the better. On behalf of the First Mate and I, I offer you our deepest gratitude.
You can go direct to the Captains Quarters donation page at World Vision. Of course, there's no need to wait until the 12th, and any amount will help.
Posted by JamesPh. at December 31, 2004 05:37 PM