Thoughts

I would like to post about how the President's tax plan is nothing more than a tax-break for the filthy rich.

I would like to post about how even George Bush wrapped up all other pending business in the wake of Katrina so that he could focus on disaster.

I would like to criticize those who asked "Where was Obama during Katrina."  In Chicago, you morons.  He wasn't President.

Instead, I'd like to point you to a charity I believe in, the J.J. Watt Foundation.

Sometimes professional sports players exceed all expectations.  Michael Strahan used to build playgrounds for kids in need on HGTV before he left the Giants for his Fox/GMA career.  Brandon Marshall started Project Borderline to support people with personality disorders.  Jay Cutler's foundation helps treat children with Type 1 Diabetes.  The Drew Brees Foundation helps children with pediatric cancer.  And J.J. Watt's Foundation was to help develop life skills for middle-school students in athletic programs.  That was, until Harvey.

Now J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans has set up a Houston Flood Relief Fund through YouCaring.org.  Initially, he was looking to crowd-fund $1 million.  When they hit that, he asked for $5 million.  The Houston Texans jumped in with a $1  Million contribution, making the $5 seem like it was possible.  They blew by the $5 million mark, so they raised the stakes to $6.  Blew by that number, and then Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart dumped another Million into the bucket. The goal is now up to $10,000,000...and in a matter of hours, they will hit that number as well.

As of this writing, they're up to $9,982,673.

The thing is, with this President and his bluster, you don't know if he means it when he promises aid to Texas and Louisiana.  The man is filled with empty promises and bravado.  As his overall budget plans to gut FEMA and other flood-response agencies, it's hard to believe that adequate help will come to the people who need it most.  And these people can't wait.

You don't need to donate to the J.J. Watt foundation to make an impact.  There are plenty of other charities that will try to help get the victims of Harvey back on their feet.  Find one.  Donate.  The people on the ground, the volunteers and the professionals helping, all need to eat.  Food isn't free.  Medicine isn't free.  Transporting livestock and pets out of the flood area isn't free.  Gas isn't free.  

$10 million will be a drop in the bucket, and like Ike and Katrina before it, Harvey will have extremely long-lasting effects on the communities it's ruined.  Please consider contributing, and if you have the time, visit Houston and Louisiana to help those communities that need it most.

https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053

P.S.  Since starting to write this, they blew past the $10,000,000 mark.  Do your part to help them shatter the next goal.