Trucker Observation: Molinaro and Schumer are a-holes. They will soon be gone. The Salvation Army has been helping America since 1865.

Sorry about above post.

I am so happy someone has finally come out and said NOT to give to the Red Cross. My dad told me many years ago, that during WWII he was offered doughnuts and and all the guys took some (they were in Europe) and then the Red Cross wanted money for them. I have never given them a red cent and never will. I give to the Salvation Army!! Great people in the Salvation Army and very very low overhead.

Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse many times better than the Red Cross. They are on the ground now. They are known for outstanding organization. No problem giving to them generously.

How can we make this Bush's fault?

Amen. This is why you do what Romney did. You collect food and items people will need. The Red Cross is going to use supplies already on hand the first few days of any disaster. Cash does no good.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Camille (August, 1969) the Red Cross was there .... selling blankets to the destitute, homeless victims of the worst storm to hit the Gulf Coast since 1900. Be like Romney, not like the Red Cross.

Aren't enough camera crews on site for the Red Cross to show up.
Besides, the ATMs aren't running yet so who can buy their coffee and doughnuts?

While I agree with the position re the Red Cross, I wonder who is taking care of the idiots who were too stupid to evacuate when told to do so.
Molinaro and Schumer are opportunists, what are they doing to help other than blowing smoke?

#2, your assertion regarding the Salvation Army is absolutely correct. They are a great, and very helpful organization. But Molinaro didn't deride them. He did so of the Red Cross, which in my personal experience has always been about the money. As a young AF troop stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1969, I saw first hand the help the Salvation Army provided. Hurricane Camille, contrary to Katrina philes, was the worst hurricane to hit the US last century, along with Andrew in the 1990s. Winds gusted to an unbelievable 215 mph with far greater damage to the Gulf Coast by comparison. Katrina made landfall as a Cat 3, whereas Camille made landfall as a stagaring Cat5. We were on cleanup and assistance detail throughout the area for 3 weeks aiding in restoration of normalacy. The Salvation Army showed up from Louisville KY and other places handing out free coffee and other drinks along with food for FREE! Meanwhile, our friends at the Red Cross were SELLING the same. Absolutely true, I swear. the Red Cross also uses far too much of donation money to support "overhead", to the tune of 40%. Check it out. They are not the victims friend, by any means. Screw the Red Cross.


Girl's Hubby

#3, I heard that the Red Cross did the same thing to our POWs coming out of Viet Nam. Selling coffee and donuts when the guys had no money and the only clothes they had were those funny PJs they were wearing.

Same story from my Grandfather and Father reference the Red Cross. Donate to the Salvation Army!

Exactly, #3. I was filling sandbags along the mississippi river during floods in the early 70's, and the same thing happened. The red cross was charging for coffee etc, unlike the SA. The salvation army is definitely the go-to charity for me.

Having been through Andrew with extensive damage, I know from experience that FEMA isn't there to help individuals and that God helps those who help themselves. The media has given the impression that 'serices' will arrive almost instantly. See the criticism that George Bush endured over Katrina; will a comparison be made by the media here and absolve Bush, of course not.

I also lived through every other hurricane that hit Florida since 1945 and no one was around to help then either. No one files your insurance claims, no one cleans up your house and no one makes you solvent from your losses. America needs to learn to be responsible for themselves and not wait for the government or private agencies to be Johnny on the spot to make their lives whole again.

I grieve for those who have suffered loss of loved ones, treasured possessions, their homes, the photographs of their lives past and can personally understand their anguish and deep pain; may God give you reason to look back at this horrible experience from a new perspective of good things to come.

any time we have money to donate, it goes to the Salvation Army. Without exception...

And Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC was complaining about Mitt Romney collecting food and clothing for the victims of hurricane Sandy and said people should instead give money to the Red Cross. I just sent her this story and asked her to apologize to Romney. Likely a wasted effort.

Not a dime to the RC, not one dime.

Strong supporter of the Salvation Army.

Charities can be unbelievably corrupt, because no one ever checks their books.

Will never give another dime to the Red Cross, have not for years and will never again--Salvation Army and Graham's group are the ones to give to. Heard stories from our men in uniform about the Red Cross charging for coffee and donuts as well as cigarettes--Red Cross is just a money grab outfit!!

I never give to the Red Cross. ALWAYS the Salvation Army. They get the bulk of my donation money every year. I know that, wherever they're using it in the world, they're using it wisely. The Red Cross vs the Salvation Army is like a nurse played by some vapid actress on TV as opposed to a real nurse. No contest.

Not sure what year it was, but Mrs Dole was in charge of the RC. Disaster money poured in and they used it to remodel their home office.

Putting money directly into the hand of someone that needs it is the best way. I would never give to the Salvation Army. They might be great in a time like this but locally-no.

These people are going to learn the hard way that disaster relief is a bit like waiting on the cable guy to come. If I ran the Red Cross I would be telling these people to go take a hike. You just went way down on the priority list.

#3. You are full of it. Stop it. I was there in 1973 when those POWs came home from Hanoi. And they didn't come home wearing POW PJ's either. The Red Cross was nowhere near them and the military took care of everything. . . including issuing them dress uniforms tailored overnight so that they landed back on US soil in their finest.

Gail McGovern took over as CEO of the American Red Cross in 2008 at an annual salary of $500,000 plus a signing bonus of $65,000.

Democrats and Old Media was making fun of Mitt Romney for collecting and sending food, water and other needs.
.... Old Media thought everyone should send cash. I remember how the Red Cross took cash for 911 victims and used it elsewhere.

I'm another who sings the praises of the Salvation Army, whose concern is victims .... not salaries for VIPs.

Yep, Salvation Army and Samaritan's Purse are top drawer and no giant salaries for there administrators either.

As a former military gal I've had my problems with the Red Cross. I don't donate. Having made it through Hurricane Andrew and Rita I must say things take time to get back to "normal." It doesn't help when politicians gin up the folks. I understand their frustrations. Perhaps they could turn their frustrations into personally helping people. Move tree debris; sweep up; something useful. The people who have lost so much will themselves be the givers and comforters. It will get better. But it will take time and cooperation.

A local town suffered a horrible gas explosion some years ago. They ended up telling the Red Cross to get out of town because of the mess they made of an already bad situation.

#23, you are attacking the wrong post and you also are being a little rough on the person who mentioned the PJs. They only were repeating what they had been told. Geez...everybody is so touchy!!!

Regardless, we all know the Red Cross is a slimey organization and has become less helpful over the years. That said, I sure hope that somebody comes out and says that they were wrong about attacking Romney for collecting food and clothing (instead of cash as the Red Cross demanded).

We're on the Red Cross call list because we donate blood. Since the storm hit we have received a phone call every hour or two from 80am to 80pm. When they aren't asking for money, they're asking for blood donations. Even though we have told them we aren't able to donate for a few weeks due to illness they still call. We don't pick up the phone, but their multiple voicemails alone are annoying.

The Salvation Army gets my money. Now if there was only another option for blood donations...

#3, I'm amazed at what you say...because my father had exactly the same experience with the Red Cross in World War II when he was being deployed. They told him that the donuts were for servicemen headed overseas; he asked, "Well, exactly where do you think I'm going?" He never contributed another dime to them.

I've always noticed that the Red Cross is first to get on TV and beg for donations, but not the first to get to the crisis. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army is first on the scene, but far quieter about seeking donations.

Red Cross selling coffee and doughnuts to servicemen? Urban legend.

I suggest Chuckie ( Mr. Camera) & Kirsten stay off TV & try to find some solutions... Hey C & K the people don't have electricity sooooo they can't see youuuuuuuuu......typical dems blame blame blame not daring to find resolve issues.

Hmmm, well with all that energy wasted whining...did it occur to you idiots to pick up a FREEKIN SHOVEL and pitch in?

I don't share the hate on display here for the Red Cross. As an AF troop throughout the 80's and early 90's, the Red Cross was there for me twice. First, the got me an airline ticket, free of charge, and arranged emergency leave for me when my father-in-law passed away. Secondly, they helped out with household items and some cash when my house burned down while stationed in Las Vegas in '87. They are a great organization. /.02

#32 As a member of the US Navy I was in Hong Kong after a major typhoon in 1961 or 1962 and was engaged in the clean up. The Salvation Army set up on one side of the street and was giving away food, clothing etc. Down the street on the other side the Red Cross was selling their goods. Try to convince me that that is an “Urban Legend. As a member of the US Navy I was in Hong Kong after a major typhoon in 1961 or 1962. The Salvation Army set up on one side of the street and was giving away food, clothing etc. Down the street on the other side the Red Cross was selling their goods. Try to convince me that that is an “Urban Ledgend.

Thank you #36 for saying something good about the RC. The politicians are criticizing an organization, made up of many VOLUNTEERS, which does provide relief in times of emergencies.

The politicians were way out of line.

I was in Wichita Falls, TX back in 1979 when it got hit by a tornado. RC on one side of a destroyed shopping center was selling food and supplies while the Salvation Army on the other side of the parking lot was giving food and supplies away free. I was in the AF doing anti-looting duty and enjoyed the free bologna sandwiches and water from the SA. Never have given to the Red Cross since. My mother had told me about her uncles in WW1 and WW2 encountering similar situations. None of the family tree gives to the RC.

I love the Salvation Army too - they DO instead of getting on TV bragging like the Red Cross.

Have always been a supporter of the Salvation Army. For #30, your local hospital is a good place to donate your blood or platelets/plasma - keeps it in the community.