Conspiracy Theories

This article discusses a video released on Al Jazeera in which one of the suicide bombers involved in the July 7th attack on London gives a farewell message, praising al-Qaida and explaining his actions.

This should put to rest any questions regarding whether or not he was an intentional participant in the bombings.

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This one has been making its way around the web log world:

Paul Watson and Alex Jones report that many donations to "establishment charities" do not get used to help the victims of the disaster being collected for. United Way and Red Cross are specifically implicated. Some figures cited:

• After the 9/11/2001 attacks, Red Cross collected $564 million in donations. Months later, they had only distributed $154 million, explaining that the rest would be used to help "fight the war on terror". The Red Cross president specifically stated that the fund being collected for has "evolved into a war fund".


• After the San Francisco quake in 1989, the Red Cross raised $50 million in charity, but only passed on $10 million.


• Similar facts exist regarding the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and the Red River flooding in 1997

It is important to keep the sources in mind when considering this, but I'd guess that some of this information could be verified, and if false, will be challenged. Personally, I will be limiting my donations to Red Cross to the traditional vitae.

In a nice departure from the all to frequent "tear down but don't rebuild" approach to criticizing institutions, AvaAdore took the time to compile a list of alternative charities to give to. I hope she won't mind if I steal her writing wholesale:

• The Humane Society of the United States: These wonderful people are specifically responding to the needs of the animals that were left stranded, abandoned or hurt by the hurricane. During a natural disaster like this, we must remember that the animals suffer, too.


• National Youth Advocacy Coalition: This amazing organization is raising money specifically for LGBT families that were affected by the hurricane, as they are not eligible for aid from FEMA (they're not considered "real" families...)


• America's Second Harvest: So far, they have supplied more then three million pounds of food to the affected areas. Better yet, they don't discriminate against any families.w00t for them. Even better yet, if you donate through their web site, 100% of the money goes to the relief efforts instead of some of your money being wasted on administrative costs and such.


• Direct Relief International: They have a great efficiency rating as far as finances go and they have been doing awesome work down there as far as food, medical supplies and the like.


• Southern Mutual Help Association: The most anarchist of all the groups, works in the rural South to help teach people sustainability and the skills they will need to become autonomous and independent. It was born over 35 years ago due to the oppressive conditions found in the Louisiana cane fields and has been a catalyst for change and social justice ever since.

Keep in mind, these organizations are organizations that AvaAdore feels are better, but I can definitely vouch that I have heard very good things about Second Harvest (including the fact that because they are giving a lot of their stores to New Orleans, they'll need extra donations to continue their regular assistance of local families through the winter).

Anyway, there are many worse things to do with your money than give it to the Red Cross. I have no doubt that there are many people who survived or had an easier recovery from some terrible occurrence or another due to the assistance of the Red Cross. There are certainly many people working for the Red Cross that do so for all the right reasons. Just know that when you give money for a particular cause, not all of it will be spent for that cause. Also know that while they try and remain "neutral", the Red Cross has a history of questionable neutrality. Just remember that there are a lot of good places to send your money.