Very GOOD idea and here's why...

> Very, Very Bad Idea - Here's why...

> You make it seem as if all one has to do is put up a website and BOOM,
> you're making money. Most websites make no money, In fact, if you take
> into consideration time spent and hosting fees, most websites actually
> lose money. Most people that do get into internet business do not make
> money for months and months and months before they see their first dollar
> GROSS profit.

> Even if they do eventually make money with a site, well, that's just it,
> it will be "eventual". Not to mention that they would need to
> spend time, money, or both in order to even hope to make a red cent.

> With respect, I have to say this is a very bad, unproductive, unhelpful
> way to help hurricane victims.

> And also, realize that MOST people will have nothing to do with running
> their own business even if it is completely online.

> Also, realize that it is not really recommended that anyone without a
> permanent residence and without a reliable internet connection get into
> online business. Par to f business is customer service - GOOD customer
> service. You cannot give good service if you are running around avoiding
> hurricanes and hopping from one temporary home to residence.

> Productive praying would be MUCH more helpful than what you suggested.
> Again, no offense, but I don't think you gave this much thought. You are
> better off donating to the Red Cross.

> Bob B. - who has been told several thousand times that if he was any more
> truthful he would not be taken seriously.

> PS. Another reason why it is bad is because, in the case that there are
> some victims that are cool with it, that person might try using the fact
> that he is a hurricane victim to try to make sales. That is no way to
> market. Most people look at this type of marketing as fraud, and for good
> reason. Usually only crooks engage in this type of marketing.

> Again, very, very bad idea.

You're entitled to your opinion but keep in mind, I'm no newbie on the internet either so I'm not as naive as you would make me out to be, Bob. You're talking like IM is the only way to make money on line...it isn't. Sure it will take time and effort but the idea was that donations could go a long way to helping these folks if someone would just co-ordinate things properly and get the ball rolling.

Look at it this way: a majority of businesses in that area are, or will be, nonexistent. Where will the jobs come from unless someone provides them? There will be tons of people out of work. So what if it takes 6 months or a year to get established? The idea was to have a one-on-one mentorship relationship to avoid the newbie errors AMAP and shorten the necessary learning curve for these folks. If it takes a year for them to become even partially self-sufficient, that's one year out of how many they could cool their heels on welfare at our expense? Not to mention the fact that these are real human beings with feelings, pride, and some of them even may have ambition, which no doubt would surprise you, apparently. I say give them every chance we can.

This was a way to take excess materiels, skills, resources, and put them to good use. What better use than to raise up another human being, and with it, his/her family?

IMHO, Bob, you're being short-sighted but I do thank you for your feedback.

Thanks also to Pete for his comments.