[Fwd: Iraq Dispatches: Inside Abu Hanifa mosque during attack

[Jaron Omega]

On Wed, 1 Dec 2004, John H. Robinson, IV wrote:

> I tend to prefer to give my money to an institution with a proven track
> record of real results and directed effort. Yes, direct money brings
> temporary comfort, perhaps in the way of food or drink, or even a bus
> pass for transportation. Is that helpful in the long term? Perhaps the
> bus pass is, as it allows getting to and fro; perhaps to a job
> interview. I don't know.

This seems typical.  Could it be, deep down we don't want to take
responsibility for our own actions?  Maybe, acknowledging a problem
isn't exactly the same as observing the problem.  Be wary of the
person who claims benevolence tossing assistance at you from a
distance.  As if they aren't man enough to look you in the eye;
out of sight out of mind, what are his intentions right?

Would it be better, had you taken your contribution and lay it
in needy hands?  Instead, we prefer to lay our contributions
in greedy hands, who seems honorable enough to trickle change
for the cause.

It feels wierd, to take a hundred dollars and just hand it to
a bum that appears half starved.  Doesn't it?  What, is it more
the norm to hold our nose and toss a few quarters?  Well, why
pat a man on the back for giving a hundred dollars to an
organization?

Omega