What about all the people suffering in chile? I haven't seen any music people up in ams about this? Just sayin'

I"m sure there are going to be very more natural disasters bore we are done.

ltamer i'm not saying it's right, but you definitely have a point. Chile didn't have the devastation that Haiti experienced but that's due to engineering. Chile experiences quite a bit of seismic activity and as such the buildings are designed differently. Haiti's usual form of natural disaster are more weather related (hurricanes etc) then seismic in nature. Also, Haiti's earthquake struck in a major city and Chile's didn't. It seems as though Madison avenue usually goes after what's "sexy" over factual elements and true numbers of the causes "du jour" and it sickens me. Just out of curiosity and maybe someone can refresh my memory, how many nations actually contributed to the efforts at ground zero after 9-11? How 'bout Katrina? How 'bout the SoCal wildfires a few years back that lasted almost the whole summer? If you ever want to know what the nations around the world REALLY think of us...sit back and watch the efforts made by other nations when WE have a disaster or emergency. Compared to not only our nation's government but the generosity of our private citizens and industry too???. Not even close and it's a slap in the face quite frankly. The Japanese have an expression, when you point a finger at someone...you're pointing three back at yourself. Don't waste time affixing blame...fix the PROBLEM. But some of these nations/citizens have some real crust when it comes to what they think our contribution SHOULD be to their relief efforts...jerks.

I"m sure there are going to be very more natural disasters bore we are done.

Wow. What a tool. Very compassionate, really.

congrats to Jerry Shirley...you've won the tool of the week award! runner up?

pat robertson

You gotta wake up pretty early in the morning to be that stupid and insensitive. First of all Mr. Shirley don't all people want to live in squalor and ignorance w/little or no realistic chance of bettering themselves while having their basic human rights stamped on by a historically corrupt gov't. (At least here we have some rights left, for how much longer remains to be seen). And Pat Robertson would know all about deals w/Satan as he's got special spots reserved for him in the 4th, 8th and 9th circles of hell.

(climbs down off his soap box and scrambles back up into the cyber canopy)

born...this piece was written as sarcasm. i use OS for blogging and it was much discussed. the main problem is most of us wouldn't be surprised if robertson were to say such a thing. i believed it when i started reading, but there are hints thru out.

unfortunately, i guess some people only get the headline in their e-mail and didn't have the chance to read the actual article.

Okay, duly noted, as you said, it is easily believed. Oh, and it's not that I "got the headline in [my] email and didn't have the chance to read the actual article." I got the story from another source that quoted this one. Here is an actual quote by Robertson on the quake:

Robertson is quoted as saying:

“If I had to guess, I’d say it must have to do with Chile’s persecution and attempted prosecution of their great former leader, and a personal hero of mine, Augusto Pinochet – who, it should be noted, had never been convicted of a crime when the Lord called him home three years ago. . . General Pinochet not only assisted the CIA in the overthrow of Chile’s Marxist government, but is widely credited with personally arranging the meetings of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of his countrymen with Jesus.”

So, that's tons better, huh? He's still a vile human being.

unfortunately, i guess some people only get the headline in their e-mail and didn't have the chance to read the actual article.

God Even Angrier with Chile

I tend to believe that if everyone opened their hearts, there would be enough to go around. I feel that because we believe that by giving to one cause we are taking away from another (or from ourselves), that is why it seems like there isn't enough to go around.

History is one thing, but right now is another. I'm a big believer in second chances. And third chances....or as many chances as it takes. After all, we're talking about human beings here. I know that I would like to be treated with compassion in the wake of disaster regardless of mistakes that I might have made - or that my forbearers made - because I am doing my very best right now in this moment. While my very best may not be as good as someone else's very best, it is still the best I can do, and given the tools I have to work with, I am trying. And so is everyone else.

This is my view on Haiti (please note this is my opinion.. this is not an attempt to start drama, etc.)

It really, really bothers me that people all over this country stand up for Haiti, when we have our own mouths to feed. People come together, banded as one, to help the efforts of another country. Great, it shows strides in compassion. But, I tend to agree with the NBA star; history shows. The fake that all these superstars, actors, singers and more bought out ALL television stations for some mock up telethon to help them just irks the hell out of me. Why can they not do that for their own, in this country?

Stats in regards to underfed, abused and homeless children are astounding.... but yet, they're totally blinded what's going on here. They'd rather make some big show of effort for Haiti, and forget about our own.

I see your point but...I don't feel that Obama is any better. He's obviously just another puppet of bigbusiness & (George Sorus) to name a few. I seriously feel that their puppet is going down.

quite the subtle avatar there, seeker.

We haven't had a worthwhile leader in this country in a while, but to me Obama is much better than the torture supporting, control the American people at all cost (mostly through fear of terrorism) administration that preceded it. I would love to see a third party candidate win the presidency, but the question would then be, who really controls that particular party, and thus the candidate? The people, or those who pay the bills? As long as money is a determining factor in who wins an election I doubt there will be any significant change. Now, if a system could be devised where the Government provided the funds to any viable candidate, and they all received the same amount, then I think special interest groups would have less of a say. That would be better in my book.

I see your point but...I don't feel that Obama is any better. He's obviously just another puppet of bigbusiness & (George Sorus) to name a few. I seriously feel that their puppet is going down.

wow just wow /wacko.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wacko:' />

Really. Preying on vulnerable people who are already superstitious? Classy.

First Hand Account

Wow. What a tool. Very compassionate, really.

yeah, real heartwarming stuff. i vote they make a movie re: this great humanitarian. it will star Leslie 'Don't Call Me Shirley' Nielson.

good gods! someone who makes robertson seem compassionate! i didn't think anyone could have expressed their feelings about the quake victims in haiti with more distain for the human condition but this guy manages to out disgust the disgusting.......i am praying that he has a very low sperm count.

Former NBA player Paul Shirley has a lot to say, regarding whether he will donate any money to the people of Haiti since the Jan. 12th earthquake.

According to the NY Daily News, Shirley blogged on flipcollective.com:

"I haven't donated a cent to the Haitian relief effort. And I probably will not. I haven't donated to the Haitian relief effort for the same reason that I don't give money to homeless men on the street. Based on past experiences, I don't think the guy with the sign that reads "Need You're Help" is going to do anything constructive with the dollar I might give him. If I use history as my guide, I don't think the people of Haiti will do much with my money either.

... Shouldn't much of the responsibility for the disaster lie with the victims of that disaster?"

During his brief stint as a basketball player--he only played 18 games--Shirley played with the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Pheonix Suns. He used to spend part of his time blogging for ESPN, up until he blogged these comments yesterday:

"Shouldn't there be some discourse on how the millions of dollars that are being poured into Haiti will be spent? And at least a slight reprimand for the conditions prior to the earthquake? Some kind of inquisition? Something like this?:

Dear Haitians –

First of all, kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Your commitment to human rights, infrastructure, and birth control should be applauded.

As we prepare to assist you in this difficult time, a polite request: If it's possible, could you not re-build your island home in the image of its predecessor? Could you not resort to the creation of flimsy shanty- and shack-towns? And could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?

Sincerely,

The Rest of the World

ESPN had this to say:

"The views he expressed on another site of course do not at all reflect our company's views on the Haiti relief efforts. He will no longer contribute to ESPN."

Wow. What a tool. Very compassionate, really.