Obama's Red Cross Appeal

From my inbox:

Today, the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with those in the path of Hurricane Gustav -- and many of you are asking what you can do to help.

We do not yet know what the impact of Hurricane Gustav will be, and we hope with all our hearts that the damage will not be as great as it was three years ago.

But we know there will be damage, and there is something you can do right now.

Your financial support will strengthen organizations like the American Red Cross that are evacuating Gulf Coast residents and planning to help communities get back on their feet.

Make a donation to support the American Red Cross today.

At times like this, it is our compassion and resilience that define who we are as a nation.

Please give whatever you can afford, even $10, to make sure the American Red Cross has the resources to help those in the path of this storm:

https://donate.barackobama.com/redcross

Thank you for your generosity, and I hope you will join Michelle and me in praying for the safety of those in the path of the storm and the first responders who are doing all they can to ensure the safety of their communities.

Barack

As always in this sort of emergency, send money. Food, clothing, blankets, etc. are easier to coordinate if they're bought as needed. Not only is it cheaper to get it all where it's needed that way, but they can be sure they have what they need.

Don't send items, send money.

Ron Paul is a Prick

clipped from thehill.com Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) complained Sunday about the notion that the government "must bail everybody out" and said Hurricane Gustav will not change his plans to hold rallies in Minneapolis this week. Paul and his supporters will be gathering this week for a three-day rally in the backyard of the GOP convention at the Minneapolis Target Center, home of the pro-basketball team Minnesota Timberwolves. Hurricane Gustav "won't change our plans any," the critic of the Iraq war told Fox News. The lawmaker said he is closely monitoring Gustav, but said any changes to his rally will not affect the hurricane or hurricane-relief efforts. Paul's Texas district is expected to be affected by the hurricane.

This illustrates something I've been trying to get more people on the left to realize -- Ron Paul is freakin' Newt Gingrich. He only looks good in comparison to Bush. Compared to just about any Democrat, he's still a right wing, reaganite nut.

Monday RNC Schedule Mostly Cancelled

clipped from www.nytimes.com Senator John McCain said Sunday afternoon that Republicans would suspend most activities on the first day of their convention on Monday because of Hurricane Gustav. On Monday, the Republican Party will conduct only its essential business of convening the convention, adopting its rules, electing its officers and adopting the party platform. Rick Davis, a top McCain aide, said the convention would only be convened from 3 p.m. Central time to about 5 or 5:30 p.m. The Republicans need a quorum on the floor to conduct their business. Mr. Davis left open the possibility that Mr. McCain might not attend. He said the nominee is not required to attend, but since this convention is “the culmination of his political career,” he wants to be here but he “won’t do anything deemed inappropriate.”

It'll pretty much be business only Monday, with the speeches and festivities curtailed.

From the same article, Barack Obama plans to take action as well:

“We can activate an e-mail list of a couple million people who want to give back,” Mr. Obama told reporters. “I think we can get tons of volunteers to travel down there if it becomes necessary.”

Look for MoveOn.org, an Obama supporter and a strong online presence, to make its own online appeal.

Gustav Forces 'Substantial' Changes to RNC

clipped from www.cnn.com President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will not attend the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, because of Hurricane Gustav, White House press secretary Dana Perino said Sunday. In addition, "substantial" changes to the Republican National Convention program will be announced Sunday because of the storm, two Republican officials said. One option is delaying the planned Monday opening of the convention, both sources said, though one of the officials said "that has not been decided. We need a few more hours to look at all of the contingencies. But there will be some substantial adjustments." A senior McCain source said Saturday that officials were considering turning the convention into a massive telethon to raise money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help with hurricane aid. They are also hoping to get McCain himself to a storm-affected area as soon as possible. Other changes were being contemplated Saturday afternoon.

Making lemonade from meteorological lemons. Bush and Cheney were both big problems for the RNC this year, being about as popular as athlete's foot. People will be glad to see them elsewhere. The telethon idea reminds me of the blood donor bit from Primary Colors.

Still, Gustav demonstrates how sadly unprepared we still are -- there are still people living in FEMA trailers. Let's hope everything goes well for the Gulf States.