do not call me evil

(from an email sent today by a friend of mine)
CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM's contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.

The findings are as follows.....

1. Ford- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.

2. GM- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.


7. Audi-Nothing.

8. BMW-Nothing.

9. Daewoo- Nothing.

10. Fiat-Nothing.

11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001.

12. Isuzu- Nothing.

13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.

14. Nissan-Nothing.

15. Porsche-Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.

16. Subaru- Nothing.

17. Suzuki- Nothing.

18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001.

[commentary from the original information circulator?] "Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep this information in mind. You might want to give more consideration to a car manufactured by an American-owned and / or American based company. Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States ... It's OK for these companies to take money out of this country, but it is apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis. I believe we should not forget things like this. Say thank you in a way that gets their attention."

MY OPINION:
a) it's nice to see companies and individuals worldwide donate charitably in times of crisis or emergency, but the real impact is charitable contributions on a regular basis. it's like christmas... why do some people make such a big deal of giving gifts on CHRISTMAS? gifts and love should be given EVERY DAY for NO REASON WHATSOEVER other than the fact that you WANT TO GIVE.

b) until american car manufacturers start making quality cars again, i refuse to purchase from them (nor will i purchase foreign brand cars manufactured in u.s. plants). maybe the u.s. car makers should have used some of that donated money to make better cars. a chrysler seabring sub-par engine mount, weak brake lines, or a faulty child seat anchor that causes the death of an individual benefitted by funds donated by chrysler after 9/11 is a bit of an irony, don't you think?

c) after reading that they "donated so much money and equipment to help so many people" when for decades their quality and image and reputation were going down the shitter, i have no sympathy for u.s. auto makers and their current whining for a financial bail-out from uncle sam.