Contributing toward the Haitian relief effort

Over one hundred thousand people are feared dead in Haiti today, after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the tiny island nation. With little in the way of infrastructure, it’s imperative that the global community come to the aid of the Haitian people immediately. And, so far, it looks like that is happening. There is, however, at least one man – a leading Christian evangelist – who feels as though this mass death was warranted. Pat Robertson, the millionaire televangelist, has come forward to say that he thinks the people of Haiti deserved this fate. Robertson, on his 700 Club television show this morning, said that the Haitian people deserved what happened, because they “swore a pact with the devil.” Here’s the full quote, and video:

Robertson: And, you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.” True story. And so, the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.”

And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other. Desperately poor. That island of Hispaniola is one island. It’s cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti; on the other side is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, et cetera. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island. They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I’m optimistic something good may come. But right now, we’re helping the suffering people, and the suffering is unimaginable.

For those of you able to donate money toward the rescue and relief effort, assuming you’re not of the mind of Pat Robertson, Charity Navigator has pulled together a good list of reputable, well-run and effective non-profits presently doing work in Haiti. And, for those of you looking to contribute in another way, it’s just been brought to my attention that my favorite museum – the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore – is donating 100% of the money collected through the sale of Haitian art in their online giftshop. If you know of other ways in which to help, please leave a comment.

My thoughts tonight are with the people of Haiti, who, despite what Pat Robertson might say, didn’t do anything at all deserve this.

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13 Comments

  1. Edward O
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 10:14 am | Permalink

    The Red Cross says they’ve already raised $3 million through their mobile text fundraising efforts alone. I think that’s a pretty cool use of technology.

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/01/red-cross-says-text-fundraising-efforts-raises-3m-for-haiti/1

  2. Steph's Dad
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 10:25 am | Permalink

    The Associate Press has good video footage of the relief effort.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RrIjHXQ_qY

  3. Theodore Covey
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 10:27 am | Permalink

    Rush Limbaugh:

    “This will play right into Obama’s hands. He’s humanitarian, compassionate. They’ll use this to burnish their, shall we say, “credibility” with the black community — in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country. It’s made-to-order for them. That’s why he couldn’t wait to get out there, could not wait to get out there.”

    http://trueslant.com/colinminer/2010/01/14/dont-let-the-terrorists-win-—-ignore-rush-and-robertson/

  4. Effin
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 10:49 am | Permalink

    I volunteer to go back in time, if the technology exists, and offer Pat Robertson’s mother a free abortion.

    Also, the number of dead looks to be closer to 45,000 or 50,000 according to the Haitian Red Cross.

  5. Pact Man
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 12:35 pm | Permalink

    Robertson’s interpretation of the events may be open to dispute, but the Haitian Revolution did begin with pig’s blood and voodoo.

  6. Stephen R
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 1:54 pm | Permalink

    I got this from a friend on Facebook. I haven’t called yet.

    After you donate to Haitian aid please call @ 1 (800) 759-0700 to give your opinion of the statements Pat Robertson made regarding the tragedy in Haiti- Remember that each call costs the 700 Club $1.

  7. Eliot Tims
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 1:55 pm | Permalink

    The gang at TED have some other ideas as to how we can help.

    http://blog.ted.com/2010/01/the_haiti_trage.php

  8. Kim
    Posted January 14, 2010 at 1:57 pm | Permalink

    To make a $10 contribution to the Red Cross recovery effort in Haiti, simply text “HAITI” to 90999. (It will be charged to your cell phone bill.)

  9. Posted January 14, 2010 at 8:02 pm | Permalink

    I bet God can’t wait to get his hands on Pat Robertson.

  10. Posted January 14, 2010 at 8:41 pm | Permalink

    Forwarding:

    “Hello All,

    We’re going to be producing a benefit for the victims of the Haitian earthquake on Friday, January 29th in the Magic Stick. If anyone would be interested in donating their time to help raise funds, please hit me up asap. We’re looking for bands to play 20 minute sets. Metro Times is donating a half page ad to run next week and a full page to run the week of the event. Please forward this on to anyone you think would like to get involved.

    Best,

    Anthony Morrow
    Majestic Theatre Center
    Promoter/Talent Buyer
    Ph: (313) 833-9700 x200
    Fax: (313) 833-0314
    http://www.majesticdetroit.com
    Facebook | Twitter | MySpace”

  11. Big Mac-Attacker
    Posted January 15, 2010 at 11:05 am | Permalink

    Maybe we could raid the closets of Limbaugh and Robertson, and take their white sheets and hoods and sew them together…then we take Robertson’s boney-ass old body and Jam him feet first into Limbaugh’s fat bloated stomach….then we lay Limbaugh on his back, with Robertson sticking up out of him, and string the sewn white sheets over Robertson outspread arms like a sail…then we load them up with supplies, and float them to Haiti. we could christen this ship the USS I’m sorry for these two inconsiderate dipshits…

  12. Posted January 19, 2010 at 9:34 pm | Permalink

    Good news for the people of Haiti… I’ve just gotten word that John Travolta will be airlifting Scientologist “Volunteer Ministers” to the island nation.

  13. Posted January 21, 2010 at 5:28 pm | Permalink

    Here’s the facebook page for Detroit Rocks For Haiti, a benefit show for the relief effort at the Magic Stick on Friday Jan 29th & Saturday Jan 30th.

    http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=288069854765&ref=nf

    Here’s the lineup:

    JANUARY 29th

    01:00 AM FRIENDLY FOES (MAIN STAGE)
    12:30 AM COPPER THIEVES (SIDE STAGE)
    12:00 AM FOUR HOUR FRIENDS (MAIN STAGE)
    11:30 PM SECRET TWINS (SIDE STAGE)
    11:00 PM CHARLIE SLICK (MAIN STAGE)
    10:30 PM OLD EMPIRE (SIDE STAGE)
    10:00 PM BLACK JAKE AND THE CARNIES (MAIN STAGE)
    09:30 PM FAWN (SIDE STAGE)
    09:00 PM THE COLD WAVE (MAIN STAGE)
    08:45 PM THE HANDGRENADES (SIDE STAGE)
    08:30 PM DESIGNASAUR (MAIN STAGE)

    JANUARY 30th

    01:00 AM BUMP (MAIN STAGE)
    12:30 PM SISTERS OF YOUR SUNSHINE VAPOR (SIDE STAGE)
    12:00 PM ELECTRIC FIRE BABIES (MAIN STAGE)
    11:30 PM TROY GREGORY (SIDE STAGE)
    11:00 PM THE JULIETS (MAIN STAGE)
    10:30 PM DECIBILT (SIDE STAGE)
    10:00 PM MICK BASSETT AND THE MARTHAS (MAIN STAGE)
    09:30 PM TBA (SIDE STAGE)
    09:00 PM COMPUTER PERFECTION (MAIN STAGE)
    08:45 PM TBA (SIDE STAGE)
    08:30 PM BODY HOLOGRAPHIC (MAIN STAGE)

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