It's the infrastructure, stupid.
Many people who opposed going to war did so not out of any weak passivism, but because they knew that important priorities were being left behind. Priorities like say, oh, repairing the levees. As Maureen Dowd clearly points out, a paper trail starkly shows how Team Bush repeatedly short changed New Orleans' infrastructure needs, sucking funds away to pay for their folly in Iraq and their tax cuts to the rich.
In the wake of this devastating crisis, it's clear that the Bush Administration's priorities need some major readjustment. To raise money for those in need, a collective of people, including Bed Strader and Jonathan Tasini (author of the excellent website workinglife.org,) is putting out the message that seeks to raise the consciousness about the choices facing America.
It reads, simply, "Make Levees, Not War."
You can the t-shirt at http://www.cafepress.com/neworleansaid right now.
It's loud and it's proud. Makes a nice Labor Day gift for a loved one.
All profits will be shared equally between three groups that are doing great work at the community level in both the areas affected by the disaster and in the greater struggle for social and economic justice:
The New Orleans Foundation is now working out of the Baton Rouge Foundation's offices. Together, they have established two funds to help the city in crisis: The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund and The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund.
Since 1948, Direct Relief International has worked to improve the quality of life for people in need. They focus on health -- by providing essential material resources to locally run health programs in poor areas around the world and during times of disaster. Direct Relief has already sent emergency medical supplies to local clinics and committed $250,000 cash assistance.
George Bush helped invite this disaster by neglecting the critical infrastructure of our country to chase invisible WMD and promote tax cuts for the wealthy. To see just how flagrant and clearly documented this neglect has been, check out this excellent must-read Alternet piece.
3. The American Friends Service Committee
Through programs like their Wage Peace campaign, AFSC is continuing the Quaker mission of promoting non-violence and economic justice throughout the world. In addition to their programs on Iraq and Africa, they have created a special fund for Katrina relief efforts.
Buy the t-shirt, wear it with pride.
PASS IT ON. This message brings home the truth about how our country's basic needs have been shortchanged by a possibly corrupt but undoubtedly horribly misguided government.
Support our troops. Support America. Stop the war.