Two items that I have recently read strike me as most prescient. First from Grant Oliphant President & CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation and second from the Economist, the the article: Lessons from the tsunami
Too much of a good thing? Quality counts as much as quantity in disaster relief Jan 21st 2010 [1]
On Jan 29th, 2010, Mr. Oliphant stated in a letter to donors:
As a community foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation rightly concentrates most of our discretionary grantmaking right here at home. But when disaster strikes somewhere else, we believe that one way our community maintains its own health is by reaching out to others who are in desperate need and hardship.
Mr. Obama's comments recently during the state of the union ring true. About how drastic measures were needed when the economy was in peril, but then as we move futher away from this time-sensitive disaster it is more pragmatic to stop, and think and evaluate than to act fast.
Anderson Cooper and "Stupid Death". It is not unusual for the host of AC 360 to show an emotional response to his stories, however I believe the language is poigent in it's simplicity, it shows a man who emotionally wants to give up, perhaps after hours of not sleeping, breaking every so slightly not before giving up but before screaming and railing against the Gods and the injustic in the world. A roman and romantic guesture of
So what to do? For PHUL, our discussion internally continues. For individuals I suggest the same as I would in almost any situation. Educate yourself. Discuss issues intelligently (there's a comments section below) and allow the free flow of information and ideas to inspire action and measure results.
go with your gut.
Links:
[1] http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15331309
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