Don't get me wrong. I am part of a global community. One that isn't just there with a checkbook when the big wave hits.

But when you do things like this, it earmarks the funds. Funds that Japan will have no problem raising.

Problem is the excess can't go to something else. So then you have a NPO with a glut of cash that MUST be spent a particular way.

When really it would do them more good if they had the discretion to be able to use it in other ways.

I don't know, really. I may just be being a worrywort overall, and prefer to show my support and understanding during this time differently

I disagree, with the idea that Japan will be getting enough funds in the next few weeks/months/years. Before the events of the last week

their debt was 225% of their GDP. That is an insane level. They were hurting for cash even before earthquake.

i don't think there can be excess of funds this time around

on the other hand, i think they need all the help they can get

the level of destruction is way beyond the worse fears

Japan's infrastructure is equipped to handle exactly this kind of crisis. Insurance is fairly common in Japan.

While I expect their economy is going to take a hit? I don't think that writing a check solves anything.

I think that that are other parts of the world in far far worse shape and that have been for a long time that need it more.

And they will have to watch as a country with 20 times their GDP has Charities building mini-mansions while they starve & Hide from militas.

Because they just aren't as interesting, or because the problems are "Too Political."

No offense Syngen. If they have a place to hide from the Militia, they are doing better than a lot of people in Northern Japan, with nothing

Or maybe it's just that part of me that says "Where was this outcry for help when Egypt collapsed?" Or "Who's helping Libyan refugees?"

i live in a poor country, where floods hit twice a year and people don't have insurance... many suffer and many are hungry

but that does not mean we can't help both ways

and no, japan was not prepared to handle a tsunami 10 meters high, no one can be!

So While I understand, and sympathize with what's happened in Japan as a tragedy, & my prayers are with then through this time,

Egypt, and Libya and the uprisings in the middle east are not natural disasters. I totally support the people uprising there.

I also have faith that they have the financial means to recover from this. And No offense taken And none offered.

Exactly. Somehow a 'Natural Disaster" merits a check. While the day to day suffering in Sudan and Rwanda is what? Their own fault?

There really isn't stable government there to funnel supplies to those who need it most.

Look what happened in Somalia in the early 90s. Billions of dollars was pumped into the country in the form of supplies.

The warlords took it all for themselves.

And just like you support the people uprising in the Middle East, with your heart and not your purse. I feel better doing the same for Japan

Support with my heart and my prayers.

As for my SL charity work. I'm far more comfortable with that going to organizations with direct oversight and transparency in SL.

Now, if my friend decides to go over and do her thing? She'll wheedle a check out of me.

She's an attorney and goes to Natural Disaster regions to help people with the sea of forms and legalities they are usually facing.

That is the beauty of this country. Nobody is forced to donate to something they do not like. You can donate to charity you believe in.

Nobody is going to say you are wrong or bad for not supporting one charity over another.

www.slate.com/id/2288243... Was an interesting read for me. I was relieved that someone else sees it

Also Here: www.kalzumeus.com/2011/0...

The Japanese Red Cross has asked to NOT received donations. Most of the places won't be able to disperse donations in Japan.

AFIK Japanese government OFFICIALLY asked for help....

This kind of speeches shouldn't even exist

they're out of this world, there are many events in SL to raise funds for the most disparate causes

this should be a reason to be proud of ourselves

not a reason for drama. I think that if we can, it is good to help those in need

hard for me to imagine a world where *money is not needed*...especially in such a big tragedy. Money for food...for health..

for recontruction, for anything. It's the way we can help. And the whole community moved to help. I find this so amazing

I agree with Didi and Foxy.

If you don't want to donate, don't. no one is forcing you.

but don't pass judgment on people who want to reach out. Some of us (including me) are personally affected by the disaster in Japan,

and others just want to DO something to help, in whatever way they can.

How is that hurting rwanda or the middle east? we don't tell you when to feel moved by an event or where to put your money.

so don't bring everyone else down for giving a shit.

Does that mean I've never done anything for another charity? No. ffs. And I have immediate family in Pakistan and Egypt, so dont' tell me

that just because I feel moved and am involved in a charity for Japan now that I don't care about the rest of the world. kthxbai

I'm just going to say, an event is run by a person. That person runs events about whatever they feel concern about at that moment. That

doesnt mean none of the people involved care about anything else. Nor does it stop other people having events for things that they view

to be important.

My event in May is for Doctors Without Borders, October was The Samaritans, September was UNICEF... Its not that I only care about this one

thing, its simply that one person cannot run and support multiple things at one moment.

I appreciate your point of view, I'm not taking it as a personal attack, I'm just offering my thoughts as a counter. There are always

people in the world (and in SL) trying to help the people they think need help. Just because this one is more visible doesnt make it more

important, or the others less so.

oh yes, almost forgot, I'm hard at work finishing the build for a charity event for building wells in Africa and India...I've given an

insane amount of time and resources to this and will be giving more money as well www.wix.com/lilbigshop/2...

just in case THAT moves you, Syngen. and here is our direct link to the charity on their webpage: thewaterproject.org/comm...

If not, don't worry. I don't judge ppl for the causes they take up.

I don't judge either. That's not what I'm saying and you took it out of context. I said I have concerns.

As to how it damages aid for other causes. When you donate earmarked funds, they HAVE to spent on that exact issue.

The Slate Article brings up Sri Lanka. Where agencies with a glut of a earmarked funds were building mini-mansions because they had to...

the Japanese government has only accepted help from 15 nations of the 90 who offered according to the UN

goodintents.org/disaster...

Spend the money on building housing. So, those kids in Rwanda? They're watching that same charity that barely has the money...

To give them a bottle of water build huge mansions for someone else. Thats how it hurts. And it's not what an upstanding charity wants.

So my heart and my prayers go to Japan. I know on a very personal level, the kind of terror and physical hardship that many people face.

And despite what some people think, a check doesn't solve it all. Especially a check earmarked to something specific.

I completely agree Syngen about the earmarked funds. I work in fundraising for a non-profit and earmarked funds are the hardest. Because

you cant use them anywhere else. The problem is, is that people want to know where their money is going.

I have heard statistics that say the redcross in the USA only gives out like 25% of the money they raise the rest goes to admin....

To me I would want to know where my money goes too... with a big org doing stuff like that.

Admin should only cost 15% TOPS for a non-profit....but that doesnt always happen.