Haiti

Does anything more have to be said? What a horrendous catastrophe! And the suffering in the aftermath of the massive earthquake is unspeakable. Why do the worst possible things always happen to people who are already beat down? Some commentator today pointed out that this was a prime example of how disasters in poor countries are always far, far worse than they are in developed countries. Example: in the substantial San Francisco earthquake of 1989, 63 people were killed. In Haiti, they haven't got a clue what the final tally will be, but 45,000 to 50,000 is what's most commonly reported. May God have mercy on them all.

Here's a quick way to get some assistance to Haiti, if you've got a cell phone:

Haiti Text-To-Give Numbers, via Gigaom and Mobile Giving Insider

•Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross
•Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
•Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada
•Text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10 through the Clinton Foundation
•Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way
•Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation
•Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International
•Text RELIEF to 30644 (this will connect you with Catholic Relief Services and instruct you to donate money with your credit card)

Other ways to donate here. And there are a number of other links listed at Trench Warfare.