Fornits

Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora
An open discussion about the troubled parent industry

Anyone starting to wonder if the millions of dollars are really going to make it to the victims of hurricane Katrina?

I had a disturbing call at work today regarding one such family. It seems they are registered with some well known organizations to "prove" their victim status to get "help". It seems so far they have been on their own and have been pretty much only offered food.

I'm going to give some of these organizations a call that are raking in millions and ask what is it exactly that they are helping with. I recall on one such website if I donated a $100 it would provide cleaning supplies and food for 2 days for a family of four. Seems a bit inflated IMO since I do run an emergency food pantry and I spend around $200 to provide groceries for 30 to 60 families in a week. I'm quite sure they have the same connections where there is a substancial discount on the food we purchase.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/200509 ... someofboth


Blacks suffering over race or class? Some of both. Tue Sep 13, 6:28 AM ET
 
It wasn't long after the tortured images of thousands of black men, women and children holed up in the Louisiana Superdome and Morial Convention Center started appearing on TV newscasts that talk of an old conundrum surfaced.

Was it the color of their skin or their place in society that made the suffering among that city's blacks so great? The race or class question pits those who believe that racism is the root cause of much that ails blacks against those who say it is their economic and social condition that is the problem.


More often than not, the answer splits along predictable fault lines. Many liberals - especially blacks - see racism as the culprit. Conservatives, by and large, think it's the lifestyle choices of poor blacks that lock them into the underclass.


I think it's a combination of both. But as with most mixtures, one is more dominant than the other.


Actions of survival


Anyone who saw the television footage of black looters hauling away appliances and TV sets is right to believe that the criminal behavior of some blacks has more to do with the hand life deals them than does the color of their skin.


But to view the mindless acts of a few thugs in the same way as the taking of food and drink by the larger body of blacks misses an important distinction. The vast majority of blacks were simply trying to survive - a struggle that was impacted more by race than by class.


Before Hurricane Katrina struck, New Orleans' population was 67% black, but a whopping 84% of the city's poor were black. Many whites lived in neighborhoods at the highest elevations. Most blacks lived in the lower-lying areas of the city. According to The New York Times, 35% of black households in New Orleans didn't own a car. In other words, blacks lived in neighborhoods that were hardest hit by the flooding - and were less likely to have an automobile to escape.


In New Orleans, as in much of the rest of this country, race defines class. It was the poor in New Orleans who had the most difficulty evacuating. It was the poor who were forced to resort to looting to feed themselves and their families while being left stranded by the incompetence of government officials. It was the poor who made up the bulk of those who were housed for days in the Superdome and convention center without much food, water, medical help or police protection. And most of the poor in New Orleans are black.


Poverty is the new Jim Crow. It is a subtler - but no less hurtful form of racism. Last year, a quarter of all blacks in this country lived below the poverty level, compared with less than 9% of whites. The South, where the majority of blacks live, is the nation's poorest region. That's not a chance relationship.


Reasons for poverty


"For a variety of well-documented reasons, poverty is disproportionately experienced among minorities," writes Michael Stoll, a UCLA professor for Public Policy, in a paper he will present this week at a "Colors of Poverty" conference sponsored by the University of Michigan.


Stoll says there is a relationship between where people live and their level of poverty. Poverty is higher in central cities than in suburbs. "Location," he says, influences the access people have to "good schools, decent housing, crime-free neighborhoods, productive contacts and other benefits that help shape, determine or constrain access to opportunity."


If that sounds as if Stoll thinks "class" is to blame for what happened to poor blacks in New Orleans, you're wrong. "If you press me, I have to say that race played more of a role in how fast" the government came to the aid of that city's blacks, he told me.


I couldn't agree more.


DeWayne Wickham writes weekly for USA TODAY.

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... 1001054572


It began, fittingly enough, with jazz from New Orleans natives Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. But "A Concert for Hurricane Relief," a heartfelt and dignified benefit aired on NBC and other networks last night (Sept. 2), took an unexpected turn thanks to the outspoken rapper Kanye West.

Appearing two-thirds through the program, he claimed "George Bush doesn't care about black people" and said America is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible."

The show, simulcast from New York on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and Pax, was aired live to the East Coast, enabling the Grammy-winning rapper's outburst to go out uncensored. There was a several-second tape delay, but the person in charge "was instructed to listen for a curse word, and didn't realize [West] had gone off-script," said an NBC spokesperson.

West's comment about the president was cut from NBC's West Coast airing, which showed three hours later on tape.

Comedian Mike Myers was paired with West for a 90-second segment that began with Myers speaking of Katrina's devastation. Then, to Myers' evident surprise, West began a rant by saying, "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food."

While allowing that "the Red Cross is doing everything they can," West declared that government authorities are intentionally dragging their feet on aid to the Gulf Coast. Without getting specific, he added, "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us." After he stated, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," the camera cut away to comedian Chris Tucker.

Concluding the hour a few minutes later, host Matt Lauer noted, "emotions in this country right now are running very high. Sometimes that emotion is translated into inspiration, sometimes into criticism. We've heard some of that tonight. But it's still part of the American way of life." Then the entire ensemble performed "When the Saints Go Marching In."

In a statement, NBC said, "Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks.

"It would be most unfortunate," the statement continued, "if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person's opinion."

During the show, viewers were encouraged to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by phone or on the Web. Some 18 presenters performed musical numbers or gave information on the tragedy's huge scope.

Louisiana native Tim McGraw teared up as he told Lauer, "I know the citizens that weren't affected by this directly are gonna stand up and do good things for people." He sang two songs, then became the first of the evening's stars to sign a Gibson Les Paul Special guitar to be auctioned online.

Faith Hill, a Mississippi native, sang "There Will Come a Time," with the inspiring lyrics, "The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong. Hold on to your faith." New Orleans son Aaron Neville performed Randy Newman's soulful "Louisiana 1927" with the memorable chorus, "they're trying to wash us away, they're trying to wash us away."

New York governor George Pataki presented the Red Cross with a check for $2.5 million and promised, "This great state will do far more."

Dated May 16, 2003

In a letter to Mr. Wilhelmsen, a ways through it, towards the end,
TERRI NISSLEY says:
"We are concerned about the International Survivors Action Committee
because they have attempted to hurt our good name in the community
with untruths. Their attack tactics clearly show an unwillingness to
look at long-term programs in an unbiased and straightforward manner.
Those tactics include attempts to recruit negatively biased comments
about out program, using the Internet to post negative comments and
labeling positive comments as coming from "brainwashed" people, and
calling our accrediting agency and other supporters in attempts to
discredit us. As a result, members of this organization may contact
you. If this happens, please keep in mind that the person calling is
making accusations about Pathway from their experience at an entirely
different program. We are evaluating the options available to us
legally to end their misinformation campaign.
It is also our opinion that this radical group is not interested in
an honest and reasonable conversation that will result in a rationale
analysis of our program. This makes it difficult for us to defend
ourselves in any other way but to forewarn our supporters."

SEPTEMBER 2005

09. Ames IA: Iowa State University @ Stephens Auditorium
Tel.: 515-294-8123

10. Ukiah CA: Mendocino College @ The Center Theater
Tel.: 707-972-7381 (PS Productions)

13. Hartford CT: Mark Twain House
Tel.: 860-280-3146

15: Johnson City TN: ETSU @ Culp Auditorium
Tel.: 423-439-6828

16. Baltimore MD: SONAR @
Tel.: 410-327-8333

28. Santa Barbara CA: SoHo @
Tel.: 805.962.7776

29. Phoenix AZ: Celebrity Theater @ 440 N. 32nd Street
Tel.: 602-267-1600

30. Albuquerque NM:  Sunshine Theater @ 120 Central Avenue SW
Tel.: 505-764-8887 / 764-0429 / 843-7236


OCTOBER 2005
01. Canyon TX: WT Events Center @ 3301 4th Avenue
Tel.: 806-651-1400

03. Oklahoma City OK: Bricktown Events Center @ 425 E. California
Street
Tel.: 405-236-4143

04. Dallas TX: Lakewood Theatre @ 1825 Abrams Parkway
Tel.: 214-821-7469

05. Austin TX: La Zona Rosa @ 612 W. 4th Street
Tel.: 512-472-4445 / 472-4142

06. San Antonio TX: Sunset Station @ 1174 East Commerce
Tel.: 210-222-9481 / 9482

07. Houston TX: The Meridian @ 1503 Chartres Street
Tel.: 713-225-1717

08. New Orleans LA: The House of Blues @ 225 Decatur St.
Tel.: 504-529-2624 / 596-2471 / 310-4999

09. Orlando FL: The House of Blues @ 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive
Tel.: 407-934-2014  / 934-2583

11. Tampa FL: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center @ 1010 N. MacInnes Pl.
Tel.: 813-222-1000 / 229-7827

12. West Palm Beach FL: Carefree Theater @ 2000 South Dixie Highway
Tel.: 561-833-7305

13. Atlanta GA: Atlanta Variety Playhouse @ 1099 Euclid Avenue
Tel.: 404-524-7354

14. Atlanta GA: Atlanta Variety Playhouse @ 1099 Euclid Avenue
Tel.: 404-524-7354

15. Alexandria VA: The Birchmere Theater @ 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Tel.: 703-549-9482 / 549-7500

17. Pittsburgh PA: Byham Theate @ 101 Sixth Street
Tel.: 412-456-1350

18. Albany NY: Empire State Theater @ Empire State Plaza
Tel.: 518-473-1061

19. Boston MA: Berklee Performing Arts Center @ 136 Mass. Ave.
Tel.: 617-262-4998

21. Asbury Park NJ: Paramount @ 1300 Ocean Ave.
Tel.: TBA

22. Atlantic City NJ: Borgata Music Box @ 100 Borgata Way
Tel: 610-617-1100

23. Toronto Canada: Convocation Hall @ 31 Kings College Circle
Tel: 416-978-2100

25. Buffalo NY: Sphere Entertainment Complex @ 681 Main St.
Tel.: 716-852-3900

26. Ann Arbor MI: Michigan Theatre @ 603 E. Liberty St.
Tel.: 734-668-8397

27. Kalamazoo MI: State Theater @ 404 South Burdick
Tel.: 269-345-6500

28. Cleveland OH: Agora Ballroom @ 5000 Euclid Dr.
Tel.: 216-881-2221

29. Cincinnati OH: Bogartâ??s @ 2621 Vine Street
Tel.: 513-872-8800

30. Milwaukee WI: The Rave @ Eagles Ballroom @ 2401 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Tel.: 414-342-7283 / 342-4536


NOVEMBER 2005

01. Madison WI: Barrymore Theater @ 2090 Atwood Ave.
Tel.: 608-241-8864

02. Chicago IL: Vic Theater @ 3145 North Sheffield
Tel.: 773-472-0449

03. St. Louis MO: Pageant @ 6161 Delmar
Tel.: 314-726-6161

04. Lawrence KS: Liberty Hall @ 644 Massachusetts Street
Tel.: 785-749-1972 / 749-1937

05. Boulder CO: Mackey Auditorium / U of CO @ 17th Street & University
Ave.
Tel.: 303-492-8423

07. Reno NV: Hilton Theater @ 2500 East 2nd Street
Tel.: 775-789-2000 / 789-1626

08. San Francisco CA: Palace of Fine Arts @ 3301 Lyon St.
Tel.: 415-563-6504

09. Sacramento CA:  Crest Theater @ 1013 K St.
Tel.: 916-442-5189

10. Portland OR: Aladdin Theater @ 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue
Tel.: 503-234-9694

11. Spokane WA: Met Theater @ 901 W. Sprague Ave.
Tel.: TBA

12. Seattle WA: Moore Theater @ 1932 2nd Avenue
Tel.: 206-467-5510

14. Vancouver BC: Vogue Theater @ 918 Granville St.
Tel.: 604-331-7902 / 331-7904

15: Edmonton AB: Francis Winspear Centre @ 4 Sir Winston Churchill Sq.
Tel.: 780-401-2500

16. Calgary, AB: McEwan Hall @ U of Calgary @ 2500 University Drive
Tel.: 403-220-6551 / 220-7968

25. San Diego CA: 4th & B @ 345 "B" St.
Tel.: 619-231-2131 / 231-4343

26 Las Vegas NV: House of Blues @ 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Tel.: 702-632-7600

For ABC's Primetime and Daytime shows, as well as our Movies and Specials and ABC Sports: Audience Relations Department at [email protected]



It can be short & sweet or long & detailed


To Whom It May Concern:

I find it very distasteful that your network is airing the series Brat Camp. The children deserve to have privacy and respect. This program publicly humiliates children and is abusive. Any therapist that calls their clients belittling names such as "brat" is in the wrong profession. Furthermore, the "treatment" practices used on these children are highly controversial. Many allegations of abuse have been substantiated at these types of facilities.

I will be contacting your advertisers and letting them know that I will be boycotting any company that airs commercials during this show. I will also be asking everyone I know to do the same.

May your days be blissful.