Text To Support Haiti

[Seil]

You can text "Haiti" to various numbers mentioned in this article, and $5 to $10 will be added to your phone bill, money that will support those afflicted by the Haitian earthquake.

Know how much has been made already? Millions. From $5 to $10 amounts per person, millions have been raised. There's finally something good to be said about teenagers and their texting habits.

I did read yesterday - whether in the Vancouver Sun or the Globe and Mail, I forget - about the Haitian disaster. We here in Canada have one or two Haitian officials in office, one who broke down in tears mid-speech, after talking about the aid that we should give and that we're already giving, and as I was reading, I was like "I'm proud to be a Canadian." Canadian banks and businesses are donating. Those who're supporting Haitians as well as providing the public means to do so. But the crowning moment has to be that Canadians are giving so much that the internet might break.

Then I looked at Stephan Harper. Now we've got the Olympics coming by here in B.C., and we're pouring millions of dollars into that. Stephen Harper, though, has reached into the Government pocket and has proudly stated that he will send... five million dollars. To put that into perspective, the amount that they estimate security for the Olympics to amount to is... nine-hundred million. Which, of course, is five times the amount that was originally estimated.

Just an FYI, Obama has already pledged one-hundred million. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm proud to be a Canadian, I'm not too terribly proud of Mr. Harper.

[Azisien]

Our school is organizing a massive Skate-N-Donate thing next week so I'll be donating that way. The canal just opened in Ottawa so it's perfect!

[pochercoaster]

Originally Posted by Seil

Then I looked at Stephan Harper. Now we've got the Olympics coming by here in B.C., and we're pouring millions of dollars into that. Stephen Harper, though, has reached into the Government pocket and has proudly stated that he will send... five million dollars. To put that into perspective, the amount that they estimate security for the Olympics to amount to is... nine-hundred million. Which, of course, is five times the amount that was originally estimated.

Just an FYI, Obama has already pledged one-hundred million. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm proud to be a Canadian, I'm not too terribly proud of Mr. Harper.

You are aware that the state of California alone grosses more than our entire country, right? And that the States has about ten times our population? They have more money kicking around. >_>

That's not to say Stephen Harper couldn't be doing better- just saying that I don't think it's good to compare how much we're donating with a country that's much more massive in population and income.

[Roland]

Originally Posted by pocheros

You are aware that the state of California alone grosses more than our entire country, right? And that the States has about ten times our population? They have more money kicking around. >_>

That's not to say Stephen Harper couldn't be doing better- just saying that I don't think it's good to compare how much we're donating with a country that's much more massive in population and income.

I think what Seil was getting at was less "they're only give 1/20th what the Americans are giving" and more "they're spending 180 times more on security for the Olympics".

I mean sure it's the Olympics, but... that seems a bit extreme if you ask me.

[mauve]

I donated to the Red Cross via text message yesterday. It was really easy! Just text "haiti" to 90999. Then when you get a reply, text YES to confirm the donation. It'll automatically charge $10 to your next phone bill.