Apparently this article from the DMN is getting passed around the progressive blogs today. When I first saw it linked on the HuffPo, I thought, hmm, big surprise:
Gov. Rick Perry, in hurricane relief tours around the state, in news releases and on his official state Web site, has urged Texans to contribute to three groups: the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the OneStar Foundation.The last of those is a volunteer-coordinating effort founded by Mr. Perry. His prominent promotion of his own foundation has prompted some to question whether the governor is trying to benefit politically from the outpouring of sympathy and good works in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
I have nothing against the Onestar Foundation. In fact, I have worked with them in the past. Perry's throwing support their way, as far as hurricane volunteering and donations goes, doesn't seem that shady to me. Considering all the other crap that is going on right now, this doesn't seem like a big deal. What do you think?
I have a much stronger objection to the funds going to OneStar given that one of the foundation's primary purposes is supporting very questionably-constitutional activities by faith-based social service providers,
Isn't OneStar the foundation Perry set up and appointed former Republican Party Chair Susan Weddington to run? At the time, press reports uncovered the foundation as just another way to funnel corporate funds to a Perry-controlled lgroup.
Frankly, I don't agree with most of what that guy has to say. But at least in this instance, he's paying attention and doing something constructive. That's more than I can say for Mr Bush.
Volunteer at your local Katrina refugee camp here in Texas, and see just how screwed up the situation is, and how little FEMA is helping things. It's far worse than even the "liberal" news (NPR?) portrays it. If it weren't for the Red Cross, all of those people would be in far worse shape.