Re: [tlug] Thoughts and prayers from America

[Raymond Wan <rwan.kyoto@example.com>]

On 03/13/2011 05:25 PM, Stephen J. Turnbull wrote:
> I don't know, Josh.  I guess I would go with the usual suspects, like
> the Red Cross.  Or
> come back to Japan, get a job, and pay taxes so the government can repair the
> infrastructure. :-/
>
> Maybe somebody else has some good suggestions, though.

Good summary, Stephen!  I was out yesterday and there were 
4-5 people with cardboard boxes outside the station with 
references to the earthquake in Japanese characters.  No 
mention of their organization.  Even though they're in 
Japan, I would be suspicious of that...
If you're outside of Japan, Josh, I'd stick with Red Cross 
as Stephen says but also anyone that the nearest Japanese 
embassy / consulate suggests.  I don't know much about these 
things, but I guess even if you donated money now it can't 
be used for some time; most of the provisions you see on the 
news were put away by the government ages ago in preparation 
for this.
I'm not saying donations won't help them; I'm saying that 
there is time to make an informed decision.  Or else you 
would end up putting money in the first cardboard box you see.
Ray