Shameful MDD thread

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. maddy, that photo is from Breezy Point in the Rockaway. It was one of the hardest hit areas in Brooklyn (it's on the "southern coast" across from Coney Island). They got hit with fire damage as well as wind and water. The fires were especially bad as they were cut off from any help for hours because of the flooding.

Yes, it from St. Genevieve Church. Very sad, all that you are enduring. Don't listen to the ignorant, such as those who posted in the MDD thread. They don't speak for God. Pray for them and us, that we may learn compassion.

[_Morley]

What's a good locally-based charity that might not otherwise get donations, Blixa?

[_Sethbag]

Oh man, sorry to hear about your colleague and friend's death, Blixa. SP is right, we see things a lot differently when we can put a face on it, or are closer in time to an event. I'm sorry this one has to be so personal to you.

[_cafe crema]

I've been chatting this morning with a student who is very shook up. His family has not heard from his grandparents who live in a particularly badly hit part of the island that is still without damage. So far I've gotten reply emails from 8 students. This is likely because of lack of power and hopefully they are all ok. I sent mass emails out asking for them to check in if they can---so I know they're safe---and also to reassure them that they needn't worry about pending classwork or grades (some of them were worried about such things).

I also just learned of the death of a colleague and friend in the storm.

I've been thinking about you since Monday and wondering if you were okay. I was relieved to see your post this morning but I didn't even think about the people you know and may be worried about. I'm so sorry for your loss and continuing worry, I hope you hear from your students soon.

[_Blixa]

What's a good locally-based charity that might not otherwise get donations, Blixa?

I'm not sure there is anything better than the Red Cross. I know that is what Long Island relief services are asking people to donate to. Catholic Charities have also been doing a great deal of organizing and outreach. This place Fuel Relief Fund might be more like what you're asking for Morley. They are a non-profit organized to specialize in sending diesel and other fuels because they are as much a necessity as food, water and shelter. They've been sending a lot of trucks to New Jersey and LI.

Whatever you do, don't collect a bunch of food cans in Ohio to send "into, I, uh, think it’s New Jersey.”

We're comparatively fine during all of this, but still having some trouble: the local markets are cleaned out. I had to go to two markets and three bodegas to find staples like milk, bread, eggs and butter this morning. We had supplies ordered ahead of time from our grocery delivery service, but they cancelled everything at the last minute early Sunday morning, well in advance of the storm. So we have to get food in every day and there's no telling which place will have what in stock. There are a few bagel shops and restaurants open: they are doing a lot of delivery. And most places are offering free coffee and wifi.

I'd invite friends from the East Village to come stay with us, but there's no way for them to get out here easily. I could drive out to Long Island, but there's no need for extra volunteers and apparently traffic lights are still not functioning in most places. It's really a matter of sitting tight and reassuring the students who contact me and waiting to see what next week brings.

Two local archives near the canal seem to have gotten through unscathed: The ReAnimation Library that specializes in old strange science and textbook materials and The Morbid Anatomy Library: a great archive of the arcane and uncanny that sponsors lots of public lectures. Reportedly the NYC Parks photography archive where our roommate works (a vast repository of local historical photographs) also miraculously didn't get hit hard. They had some supply closets flooded, but the leaky roofs held tight and all irreplaceable photographs survived (not everything has been digitized, though all libraries and archives across the globe are doing their best to replicate their holdings digitally, the process takes time).

[_seeker56]

It is particularly unsympathetic and callous to claim it is God's will while people are currently suffering from it.

Seems to me like the same sort of comments came from there in the aftermath of Katrina, the tsunami, and virtually every other natural disaster lately. There is nothing in Mormon doctrine or culture that justifies that kind of callousness.

How about elder Holland in general conference one month after the Japanese tsunami disaster? Here are his words (my emphasis):

Brothers and sisters, in general conference we offer our testimonies in conjunction with other testimonies that will come, because one way or another God will have His voice heard. “I sent you out to testify and warn the people,” the Lord has said to His prophets.15

“[And] after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, … of thunderings, … lightnings, and … tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. …

This is from one of the twelve apostles, one month after the japanese earthquake and associated tsunami, where thousands of people perished.

[_Morley]

I'm not sure there is anything better than the Red Cross. I know that is what Long Island relief services are asking people to donate to. Catholic Charities have also been doing a great deal of organizing and outreach. This place Fuel Relief Fund might be more like what you're asking for Morley. They are a non-profit organized to specialize in sending diesel and other fuels because they are as much a necessity as food, water and shelter. They've been sending a lot of trucks to New Jersey and LI.

Whatever you do, don't collect a bunch of food cans in Ohio to send "into, I, uh, think it’s New Jersey.”

We're comparatively fine during all of this, but still having some trouble: the local markets are cleaned out. I had to go to two markets and three bodegas to find staples like milk, bread, eggs and butter this morning. We had supplies ordered ahead of time from our grocery delivery service, but they cancelled everything at the last minute early Sunday morning, well in advance of the storm. So we have to get food in every day and there's no telling which place will have what in stock. There are a few bagel shops and restaurants open: they are doing a lot of delivery. And most places are offering free coffee and wifi.

I'd invite friends from the East Village to come stay with us, but there's no way for them to get out here easily. I could drive out to Long Island, but there's no need for extra volunteers and apparently traffic lights are still not functioning in most places. It's really a matter of sitting tight and reassuring the students who contact me and waiting to see what next week brings.

Two local archives near the canal seem to have gotten through unscathed: The ReAnimation Library that specializes in old strange science and textbook materials and The Morbid Anatomy Library: a great archive of the arcane and uncanny that sponsors lots of public lectures. Reportedly the NYC Parks photography archive where our roommate works (a vast repository of local historical photographs) also miraculously didn't get hit hard. They had some supply closets flooded, but the leaky roofs held tight and all irreplaceable photographs survived (not everything has been digitized, though all libraries and archives across the globe are doing their best to replicate their holdings digitally, the process takes time).

Thank you, Blixa. I donated to the Red Cross (and I know they're fine), but their various political and tainted blood scandals make me hesitant to give them more.

Please keep us updated. There are many here who are interested. Our hopes and prayers are with you all.

[_Blixa]

Thank you, Blixa. I donated to the Red Cross (and I know they're fine), but their various political and tainted blood scandals make me hesitant to give them more.

Please keep us updated. There are many here who are interested. Our hopes and prayers are with you all.

Yeah, I understand Red Cross concerns but from what I can see they are the primary organizer in the area.

This blog post, the embedded video AND the comments in the thread following it, give a good idea of what it's like around here now:

http://boingboing.net/2012/11/01/trappe ... qus_thread

[_Franktalk]

I was a mile from the center of the big earthquake in California (loma Prieta) We were without power and water for some time. But the damage was localized so there was lots of help within driving distance. The Red Cross came in and asked for volunteers. They had them man phones and ask for cash. Many people thought the money would go to helping out the victims of the earthquake. They also asked for blood. Lines formed for blood donation. Only later did we find out that a very small percent of the money was used for earthquake victims. The earthquake was used as a fundraising drive. The blood that the locals gave was poured down the drain since the local blood bank was full. They took blood for days knowing they would pour it down the drain. The biggest help came from distant utility companies that sent parts and men from all over the state to fix the power grid. Her is a link about the Red Cross in Staten Island.

http://politicker.com/2012/11/staten-is ... red-cross/

I know how bad it can get and if the power does not come back on it will get worse. If you have water don't venture out if you are in the city. People do well for two days and after that society breaks down.

I have been working for years to come up with low tech solutions to keep people alive in disasters. Only recently have I started a business to offer those devices. They deal with water from wells and systems to replace everything one would get from the grid.

If you find you are in need please please go to the nearest LDS storehouse and ask for what you need. We are all Gods children. If you have extra then find people around you that are in need.

My heart reaches out to those who are suffering. But be aware that in the mist of all this are pockets of people who don't give a crap.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... -York.html

I am a tech head so if you need to know something send me a PM. I will check for msg often.

[_Nightlion]

Fire men, rescue teams and the police have managed countless untold heroics; stories of looting are nearly nonexistent in the metro area.

That's one heck of a town you got there kiddo!