Dean's World

I'm seriously going bananas reading and listening to what's going on in New Orleans. Several times I've been tempted to throw blankets, food, water, and a gun into the trunk and gun it down to New Orleans to see if I can help. But I know I'd probably just be in the way.

Still, here's what I can do: for a confirmed donation of $50 to the American Red Cross, I'll write a 600 word essay on the subject of your choice, with a minimum of two references.

Any subject. Sent to you privately or posted publicly. Your call. No limit at this time on the number of donations or essays.

* Update * Please read this. The situation is deteriorating, not improving.

* Update 2 * You can listen to a live police radio scan of Baton Rouge here, if you're interested. It's a live feed so sometimes you'll hear a lot and sometimes not much at all.

* Update 3 * Citizen Smash has a proposal, and a dare.

* Update 4 * This morning the Louisiana Governor has ordered the National Guard to shoot looters on sight. There are explosions and fires reported near (or in) the Superdome. There are two hospitals completely without sanitation with patients dying like flies, dead bodies inside and outside, and no way to dispose of any medical waste. Doctors are being forced to turn people away at the doors. More help is needed now!

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Publius Rex (mail) (www):

No need for an essay, Dean. I'll give you confirmation if you want.

We all need to pull together right now and it is the least I can do. My heart and complete synpathy goes out out to New Orleans tonight.

9.2.2005 2:02am

Mark at Urthshu (www):

Being sort of a broke yokel at the present, I volunteered to go help out instead. I actually do hope they'll call me down.

9.2.2005 3:07am

BTW- Saw this coming, didn't you?

9.2.2005 3:09am

Dean Esmay:

Grrr. Don't get me started.

9.2.2005 3:31am

Moze (mail) (www):

Dean,

I'll see your $50 and raise you $50 more. This won't be my only contribution.

Does the Theory of Evolution refute the account of creation in Genesis 1&2?

Since I raised your offer, don't limit yourself to 600 words.

Cheers,

9.2.2005 3:34am

Mail me your receipt.

Ugh. I hate you. (Heh. Just kidding. Send me the receipt, you'll get your essay.)

9.2.2005 5:38am

Kevin D (mail) (www):

I'd say no. Genesis 1 and 2 doesn't get that detailed. Science agrees with the stages of creation Genesis describes.

There, saved Dean 600+ words!

9.2.2005 7:28am

Mike (mail):

Yeah, Dean, you'd just get in the way. This is going to take time to open roads, get sufficient small craft into the area, and get these people out. You just have to be patient and wait. Those people down there, local, state, and federal are doing all that they can to help the citizens of three devestated states.

This storm was awesome, in the sense that "the power that nature is demonstrating right now fills me with awe." It damaged the battleship Alabama, which went through typhoons in the Pacific without damage. This will take time.

9.2.2005 8:46am

IB Bill (mail) (www):

I was thinking of the same thing. Just run down there. Instead I donated ... $50 to the Red Cross. I've emailed you the receipt. Unlike others, I want the essay.

What I'd like: Why HIV causes AIDS ... no kidding, kidding. Why Islam is a bloodyminded religion of conquest ... no, I'm still kidding.

I'd like you to write a short essay, no sources, and you can be as flexible as you like, revealing as little or as much as you see fit: What/who matters most to you -- and why? That's probably what we're all thinking about right now.

I expect to be uplifted.

9.2.2005 11:03am

BTW - $100.00 yesterday to Episcopal Relief and Development. I disagree with my denomination on a lot of things and may be gone from it, but they do good work.

Essay on anything you want, Dean. Anything.

9.2.2005 11:08am

Martin L. Shoemaker (www):

I would like to add that, while direct donations to the Red Cross are good, you may have a chance to donate through a matching organization, and thus double your impact. A lot of people can do this through their employers; but if that's not open to you, you can also donate at various retailers who are matching. For instance:

Best Buy: Matching donations dollar for dollar, up to $1 million. While I was there, I picked up this just because I trust Dean's tastes. And Dean, I'll have my receipt copied and sent to you tomorrow. Haven't picked a topic yet, but I'm working on it.

Wal-Mart: No, they're not matching funds; but since they've already committed $15 million to relief and they're giving items such as clothing, diapers, baby wipes, food, formula, toothbrushes, bedding and water to evacuees and others who just show up and prove their need, I figure they deserve the plug.

I'm still looking for other options; but don't wait for me. Go to Best Buy. Buy a movie. Make a donation.

What are you waiting for? Go!

9.2.2005 7:36pm

maggie may - labrat:

I wouldn't give the Red Cross two cents - but I've given substantially more than that to the Salvation Army.

And you don't even have to write an essay for me.

9.3.2005 12:14am

Bill: The "kidding" suggestion would have been more fun ("Why HIV causes AIDS: because government scientists never get anything wrong, and questioning authority is always a bad idea!") but I'm composing the alternate essay in my head as we speak. ;-)

Martin: I think you'll like. And those are good suggestions.

9.3.2005 10:45am