When I was a kid, I remember that the esteemed American Red Cross was The Joint for donating and receiving much needed blood that saved lives. When and how did the Red Cross join the shelter and housing construction party? They would probably claim that’s part and parcel of disaster relief work. But by what method did they take in $488 million for Haiti earthquake relief and wind up building six houses in five years?
I’m not the only one asking. Even though I don’t usually find myself in agreement with any Republican anywhere, it is Iowa’s own suddenly-adorable Senator Chuck Grassley, who jumpstarted a congressional inquiry into Red Cross shenanigans with funds destined for Haiti. Early in July this year, NPR reported that Grassley demanded …show more content…
According to NPR’s website:
Grassley, an Iowa Republican, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office Monday morning saying that the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he heads, "has received additional information that Red Cross personnel did not provide unfettered access to the GAO even after multiple requests for relevant information."
Grassley is asking investigators for a list of all the documents the GAO requested but "the Red Cross refused to provide," any records or emails the charity wrote that cite reasons for not providing records, and "a list of all the officials that did provide the material GAO requested."
Other reports indicate that Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern had also written last August to Democratic Representative Bernie Thompson, appealing for an end to the GAO inquiry into the Red Cross. You know, let’s just you and I work this out by ourselves. Here’s my cell phone. Call me, dude. It’ll be much simpler that way.
Bernie Thompson called the letter …show more content…
I don’t usually donate to the Red Cross. I prefer giving to individuals or families I know, or to smaller, local charities, where following the money is a straightforward affair. It’s Haiti’s reputation I care about. It’s Haiti fatigue I worry about. It’s that Why can’t those Haitians get their act together already? mindset I agonize over. Hell, after $482 million in donations, by now Port-au-Prince should look like Paris! Right?
In a July email communication with my friend Marguerite Lathan, a clinical therapist, who has often worked in Haiti pro bono since the earthquake, here’s what she had to say upon hearing about the congressional inquiry into the Red Cross:
“It's about time. They have to be accountable. I saw them in Haiti running around in their chauffeured, air conditioned Range Rovers! They had cooks and maids, gardeners and dogs!!! They lived in the hill top villas and went to the beach on weekends! Their offices were stacked with snacks and ice cold bottled waters while the rest of the country was in dire
I’m not the only one asking. Even though I don’t usually find myself in agreement with any Republican anywhere, it is Iowa’s own suddenly-adorable Senator Chuck Grassley, who jumpstarted a congressional inquiry into Red Cross shenanigans with funds destined for Haiti. Early in July this year, NPR reported that Grassley demanded …show more content…
According to NPR’s website:
Grassley, an Iowa Republican, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office Monday morning saying that the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he heads, "has received additional information that Red Cross personnel did not provide unfettered access to the GAO even after multiple requests for relevant information."
Grassley is asking investigators for a list of all the documents the GAO requested but "the Red Cross refused to provide," any records or emails the charity wrote that cite reasons for not providing records, and "a list of all the officials that did provide the material GAO requested."
Other reports indicate that Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern had also written last August to Democratic Representative Bernie Thompson, appealing for an end to the GAO inquiry into the Red Cross. You know, let’s just you and I work this out by ourselves. Here’s my cell phone. Call me, dude. It’ll be much simpler that way.
Bernie Thompson called the letter …show more content…
I don’t usually donate to the Red Cross. I prefer giving to individuals or families I know, or to smaller, local charities, where following the money is a straightforward affair. It’s Haiti’s reputation I care about. It’s Haiti fatigue I worry about. It’s that Why can’t those Haitians get their act together already? mindset I agonize over. Hell, after $482 million in donations, by now Port-au-Prince should look like Paris! Right?
In a July email communication with my friend Marguerite Lathan, a clinical therapist, who has often worked in Haiti pro bono since the earthquake, here’s what she had to say upon hearing about the congressional inquiry into the Red Cross:
“It's about time. They have to be accountable. I saw them in Haiti running around in their chauffeured, air conditioned Range Rovers! They had cooks and maids, gardeners and dogs!!! They lived in the hill top villas and went to the beach on weekends! Their offices were stacked with snacks and ice cold bottled waters while the rest of the country was in dire