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Thu. Sep 01, 2005

Shut Up And Give

The levels of frustration and desperation are growing. If FEMA could issue checks like they normally do to victims, these victims have no bank to deposit it in, no power to get cash from an ATM. They might as well use it as toilet paper. These people need help from the government, for sure. But right now, they need our help. They need your help, and luckily, they need it from the one thing you control.

And what are a lot of us doing? Whining. Yesterday in Atlanta, we had a full-fledged gas scare, complete with price gouging. People waited up to two hours in line to pay $4-$6 per gallon for gas, yet today there are no lines, and gas is below $3.50 per gallon. So people are whining about price gouging.

Look at the reports from New Orleans and Mississippi. If the sole effect Katrina has on you is some time in line to buy pricey gas, how freakin’ lucky are you?

Shut Up And Give.

You’ll notice that phrase has two links, the left half linking to NPR, the right half linking to Instapundit. At both sites, you’ll find a host of links to places where you can donate. And there’s two links because they are from the two perceived sides of our sickly divided country.

Rather than bash Bush and the Republican Governor of Mississippi for perceived lackings, Shut Up And Give.

Rather than bash the Democratic Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans for perceived lackings, Shut Up And Give.

Rather than bash other countries for what they haven’t done in response, when we’ve always been there for them, Shut Up And Give.

If you have a weblog, or regularly leave comments in one, here’s my challenge to you. I don’t care what your political persuasion is, the next time you feel the urge to bash the President, a Governor, a foreign nation, or “Those Others” you oppose, go directly to redcross.org and make a donation. I don’t care if it’s only $10.

Treat it like a Cuss Jar. Call it Katrina’s Cuss Jar.

If we could harness the power of both flanks of the political blogosphere in that manner, we could raise billions. Overnight. In a month, we could retire the national debt.

So the next time you feel like bashing, Shut Up And Give.

I’m not saying you don’t have a right to free speech. I’m suggesting that, right now, you look realistically at the tens of thousands still at risk. I’m suggesting that, right now, you be realistic about what you control. Don’t kid yourself you can control a President or a Governor or a Mayor, not in the short term manner required in this dire situation. You can only control one thing: yourself.

And unless you have needed skills you can volunteer in the affected areas, your power is in your wallet, not your mouth. Today, the victims need that power.

Shut Up And Give.