Welcome to Gaia! ::

Look at the thread. The author was yelling and name-calling. Not very persuasive.

Yes, I would have like more clarity on how much was to be donated and how much was being raised as it went, but Gaia DID SOMETHING, although I do wish they had allowed the items to be sold longer. And maybe telling us why not, since they did not.

But the thread convinced me of nothing, except that the author was erratic.

Also, please be aware that IF YOU DONATE through the Red Cross (Red Crescent in Arab countries, and yes it is the same organization) - you MUST label the project or place you want funds to go to, or the money will go into the Red Cross' general fund, to be divvied up as they choose. There was a lot of anger after Hurricane Katrina, because donations made at that time did not go automatically to help hurricane victims, but that is not how the Red Cross works.

Another detail - most charities use 90% of donations for fundraising and administrative costs, not direct aid. Did you know that? A few organizations are known for having much better ratios - Doctors Without Borders is one (Medecins sans Frontieres.)

Sadly it not a scam. If was a scam that would rip people off. I think everyone have the rights to help them out.

Japan need our help. So we should stop saying it a scam just blame the media for crying out loud or some government. I still think we should help out Japan.