CNN is having a 2-hour Gulf Coast fund drive involving several charities...

[Honeycombe8]

with a host of celebrities (as usual).

Robert Redford will be a guest at some point.

National Wildlife Federation is one of the charities, as is Natural Conservation something-or-other. There is info about what the different charities are doing.

[Better Believe It]

1. Why is a Gulf Coast fund drive necessary if BP is covering the cost of everything?

[KittyWampus]

8. it's not about "necessity" as much as some people prefer being constructive

as opposed to being incessantly negative.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. I am torn on this.

Grateful that those with the means can help, but unlike the hurricanes ans tsunamis, this is NOT a natural disaster. This is BP's baby.

On the other hand, I have grave doubts that BP will make us whole.

Where I am on the fence is if this is somehow letting BP off the hook, but getting much needed money to the region.

Hrm.

[Honeycombe8]

3. I'm giving for the sake of the animals. Time is of the essence. There are

charities that will get in there and save lives of birds and mammals that are suffering right this minute, and will surely die. Even if BP would pay, there's not time for a big corporation, or a government, to get down on the ground and save animals. That's where animal charities excel...small groups of experts who know what they're doing, zero in on those animals they can save. Nimble organizations without a lot of red tape.

To the animals, it doesn't matter who caused it.

If you passed a car accident, and a dog was lying on the side of the road seriously injured, would you pass it by, since one of the cars was no doubt at fault, and that driver should be the one to save the dog?

[hlthe2b]

4. yup.... BP has shown wanton indifference to the wildlife...

For many it is too damned late, but I'd like to try.

[glinda]

5. I agree.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Thanks for that perspective - I agree

Will change channels when Rachel is over.

The animals break my heart. If only we had a way to warn them. :(

[Poboy]

7. As a New Orleanian,

I wouldn't be offended if you felt it was 'on BP'. Because it IS 'on BP'...or supposed to be.

What we'd really like though is more materials and federal help in mitigation and containment. The best help as far as I am concerned, is all of you who have been calling or expressing to your reps. to get a better federal response.
One that is aggressive and makes good on the promise of the administration doing 'whatever it takes'. The oil continues to pour in, slowly saturating the coast, marsh, and swamp. mile after mile the oil comes in on the surface, and on the bottom as well, depending on the consistency of the goop. Again, if you choose not to send money, I do not think anyone here would be offended, but please, please keep up the pressure for a more vigorous federal response -or getting them to force BP to 'DO WHAT IT TAKES'.
Whatever you, donate or not, we need your voices more.

[likesmountains 52]

9. kick..helping the animals is the point...not BP