The U.S. Congress sets a federal budget every year in the trillions of dollars. Few people know how much money that is so we created a breakdown of federal spending in simple terms. Let’s put the 2011 federal budget into perspective:
U.S. income: $2,170,000,000,000
Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000
New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
Recent budget cut: $ 38,500,000,000 (about 1 percent of the budget)

It helps to think about these numbers in terms that we can relate to. Let’s remove eight zeros from these numbers and pretend this is the household budget for the fictitious Jones family.
Total annual income for the Jones family: $21,700
Amount of money the Jones family spent: $38,200
Amount of new debt added to the credit card: $16,500
Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
Amount cut from the budget: $385

So in effect last month Congress, or in this example the Jones family, sat down at the kitchen table and agreed to cut $385 from its annual budget. What family would cut $385 of spending in order to solve $16,500 in deficit spending?

It is a start, although hardly a solution. Now after years of this, the Jones family has $142,710 of debt on its credit card (which is the equivalent of the national debt).
via Annonymous (Shared via email from 1SupremeGoddess’s Hubster)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I will do most anything for our troops and veterans.  This though, I cannot do and am asking for your help.  I must admit, I never considered what happens when a single, deployed troop member has a pet or, in this case pets.   Enter Amelia, (or @gadsdenista on twitter) who has been tweeting about this incessantly for a while now.   Amelia is one of my newer twitter friends with a lot going on in her life but she took these kittens out of necessity when their owner’s plans fell through.  She can no longer keep them and, well, she’s a writer. I will let Amelia tell you the story:

When our service members are deployed, they’re frequently unable to find a temporary home for their pets and are forced to leave them with an animal shelter. Guardian Angel For Soldier’s Pet is a nonprofit organization created to help find foster homes for these pets so that service members may be reunited with them upon their return.

Right now, Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is looking for a home for Abraham and Sarah, two young cats in the Denver area. Sarah and Abraham’s human is already deployed, and the arrangements she had made for the cats fell through. They are very sweet, well-behaved cats, who can usually be found purring in their temporary foster mom’s lap, napping, or playing with each other. If you or someone you know can give Abraham and Sarah a nice place to live for the next 9-12 months, please contact Amelia Hamilton at gasp.communications.co@gmail.com. We need to find them a new home by next Wednesday if at all possible.

This group places pets all around America for varying lengths of time. We need volunteers not only for foster homes, but also to help with administrative work, communications and many other roles.  If you cannot take these kitties but would like to help, please see www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org

If  you or someone you know can foster these adorable kittens, please email Amelia at the above address, or tweet or dm either Amelia @gadsdenista or me @hipEchik .  As Amelia says, time is of the essence. Thank you, God bless, and may He  watch over our brave men and women.   I am confident we can find a foster family for these adorable cats!  Let’s Do This!!

Abraham

Sarah

I was requesting additional resources to update the #twisters tornado piece today when I received a sad tweet.  Jim Kelly of N.E. Tennessee, (@TNJim on twitter),  informed me that a friend of his died as a result of the tornadoes.   Her name was Shirley McKinney and she was from the Horse Creek/Camp Creek area.  She was just 63 years old.  Jim says that Shirley was always cheerful and that her husband James was a long haul trucker.

As is often the case with such tragedies,  we are sad, we pray, we try to help and we know there are victims.  In this case, one of our friends knew a victim and we offer our deepest condolences.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Shirley’s family and with her friend Jim who cared enough to make sure that I knew about her. Rest in peace Shirley.  You are not forgotten.

Who Has Seen The Wind? by Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

http://bit.ly/if7d7D

How to Help Tornado Victims

This list has grown from our original Twisters Tornado Relief Marathon.  A huge thank you to all who helped get the word out and gave us even more information to share!   The marathon may be over but we are still working to spread the word to help Tornado victims across the country.  It is going to be a very long clean-up and rebuilding process.  So many have lost absolutely everything.  Anything you can do to help is indeed helping.

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” ~Edmund Burke

General Information/Donations for all States

U.S. tornado damage estimated in billions

UMCOR Underscores Commitment to Storm-ravaged South

How to help tornado victims in the South : http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/28/2190950/how-to-help-tornado-victims-in.html#ixzz1L0eyBItZ

2011 Tornadoes : Ways To Help : http://www.ecorazzi.com/2011/04/29/2011-tornadoes-ways-to-help/

ABC News lists ways to help tornado survivors

SALVATION ARMY – The charity is providing food, drinks and spiritual support to victims. To donate, text GIVE to 80888 to donate $10 through your phone bill. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visit  http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/  The Salvation Army is helping to feed the over a million people who have been left homeless by sending in food trucks.

Checks can be made out to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, Ga., 30384-0339.

Feed The Children Storm Relief :  https://secure2.convio.net/ftc/site/Donation2?df_id=2360&2360.donation=form1&s_src=201104-disaster-hewitt-984v

SAVE THE CHILDREN - The relief effort providing food, medical care and education to children is accepting donations online at http://j.mp/kbE3A6. People can also call 1-800-728-3843 during business hours.

WORLD VISION – The Christian humanitarian organization focuses on children, aiming to lessen the emotional and psychological damage that many children suffer during crises. To donate, visit www.worldvision.org or call 1-866-56-CHILD (24453).

Winn Dixie starts tornado relief program : http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/04/29/winn-dixie-starts-tornado-relief.html

The American Red Cross is accepting donations online, but also via phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS. They’re also asking for blood donations and volunteers to help with disaster relief. Additionally, if you’ve got your cellphone handy, you can easily text “REDCROSS” to 90999 and contribute $10 to the cause.

If you’re looking to volunteer, a group called Samaritan’s Purse is sending groups of volunteers into the stricken areas. You can also donate online to the organization.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES – The charity accepts disaster donations by calling 1-800-919-9338 or visiting https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Do you live in Ohio? ISOH/IMPACT is having a Bucket Brigade –

Fill a bucket with needed supplies from the provided lists.

Drop off your bucket at one of our area centers or directly at the ISOH/IMPACT  warehouse located at 905 Farnsworth Rd. in Waterville, OH. (If you don’t live in NW Ohio or SE Michigan and would like to get involved, contact us about establishing a remote distribution center.)

Facebook Site to Reunite Tornado Victims with Pictures & Documents – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pictures-and-Documents-found-after-the-April-27-2011-Tornadoes/162443980482277?sk=wall

Soles4Souls® Inc., The Shoe Charity, Responds With Aid for Tornado Victims – Individuals interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts are encouraged to visit www.giveshoes.org to find the nearest shoe drop-off location in their area or to financially sponsor pairs of new shoes to be sent.  Individuals can also text the word SHOES to 20222 to donate $5.

Lutheran Church Disaster Relief - http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=544

Alabama

The Governor of Alabama’s office is accepting donations for church and community relief organizations. Donations can be sent using a credit card or check.

Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions will be touring affected areas today and also has a relief page here.

Tornado relief: How you can help in Alabama – Extremely comprehensive list of ways to help Alabama and ways to help IN Alabama http://alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/

• Call 2-1-1 (toll free 1-888-421-1266) to find out where volunteers are most needed.
• To foster a pet, email tornadopetsofAL at yahoo.com with the subject line “Will foster”

Tornado Donation Drop Off Locations in Alabama – http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/sidebar_stories/tornado-relief-donations-resources

Church of the Highlands Alabama Relief Efforts – List of what they need and how you can help! http://churchofthehighlands.com/relief

Alabama/Auburn United T-Shirt!! (Tornado Relief) 

West Alabama Food Bank – http://www.westalabamafoodbank.org/  Text the word FOOD to 27722 to give $10 to West Alambama Food bank – Answer YES to Questions 1 & 2.  All funds stay in West Alabama.

Wiregrass Church in Alabama – We will collecting gift cards at the church beginning May 1. Please bring gift cards from Publix, Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens, or Dollar General. Pre-paid debit cards and gas cards from the major gas companies would also be beneficial. We have relationships with churches in the affected areas who can distribute the cards directly to the affected people. Thank you for your help. If you would like to mail us the cards please send them to P.O. BOX 1601, Dothan, AL 36302. You can also donate online.

Alabama’s 13 and United Way to host Tornado relief telethon May 4th through May 5th – http://www2.wspa.com/blogs/Alabamas13-Weather-Blog/2011/may/03/alabamas-13-host-tornado-relief-telethon-ar-1796522/

Tuscaloosa: Want to help? – http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110428/NEWS/110429644/1007/news?tc=ar

Donation drop-off points Walker County -http://walkercounty.myfoxal.com/news/community-spirit/donation-drop-points/80058

Alabama tornadoes: More opportunities to help North & Central Alabama (Updated List) -http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_more_opportu_1.html

Birmingham Bars and Restaurants Help with Tornado Relief – Birmingham Happy Hour: http://bit.ly/j7Q73G

Toomers For Tuscaloosa (with resources for other States also) –  http://www.toomers4tuscaloosa.com/

Arkansas

Salvation Army Responds to Garland and Randolph Counties, Arkansas -http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=f8d176c87fef141fdd85dce875850748

Help for Vilonia, Arkansas with updates by Representative David Meeks – http://davidmeeks.blogspot.com/2011/04/ways-to-help-vilonia.html

Georgia

Georgians look for ways to help tornado survivors – Extremely comprehensive list of ways you can help if you are in Georgia from March of Dimes to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.  Click on the comprehensive list link to view more ways to help in Georgia:

• The March of Dimes is mobilizing its network of volunteers and sponsors to help  pregnant women and families with infants cope with the aftermath of the storm. March for Babies walkers Saturday are asked to bring diapers, hand sanitizer and powdered formula to any of the metro Atlanta March for Babies sites. For locations check www.marchofdimes.com/georgia and go to the events section.
• Starting Saturday, Kroger shoppers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to directly benefit the American Red Cross relief efforts.
• At Publix Super Markets customers can donate any amount by adding it to their grocery total when checking out. Collected money will be channeled through the Red Cross and designated specifically for the Southern storms disaster relief efforts. In a separate donation, Publix Super Markets Charities is contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross.
• The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is collecting bottled water, nonperishable foods, soap, shampoo and tarps. People can donate those items at the headquarters at 2985 Camp Road in Jasper. For information call 706-253-8900.

Mississippi

Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund :  Anyone who would like to contribute can donate either through the website www.mississippirelief.com, or text “MS” to 27722 to give $10 to the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund.

Best Western Rewards Members Can Donate Points for Tornado Relief Efforts in Southeast U.S – http://www.newschannel5.com/story/14566052/best-western-rewards-members-can-donate-points-for-tornado-relief-efforts-in-southeast-us

Media General’s WVTM-TV Organizes United Way Telethon to Support Victims of Tornados http://tinyurl.com/3scbzd5 On May 4th

AmeriCares Responding to Deadly Twisters in the U.S. - http://www.newschannel5.com/story/14556586/americares-responding-to-deadly-twisters-in-the-us

Oklahoma

Country music stars Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton are organizing a benefit concert for victims, tickets will range from $45-$100. Tickets go on sale May 6th, and the concert date is set for May 26th at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, OK with all proceeds going to benefit storm victims in Atoka County, Oklahoma

You can also donate to Oklahoma victims by texting OKGIVE to 27722 to make a one-time $10 donation for tornado victims

Tennessee 

List of ways to help tornado victims in East Tennessee – http://www.newschannel9.com/news/supplies-1000717-sheriff-drop.html

Volunteer And Donate To Tornado Relief Effort http://www.wcyb.com/news/27718702/detail.html

ETSU establishes website to assist victims of tornadoes

Donation drop-off points for Walker Co. - http://t.co/MPzHopW 

Neighbor To Neighbor: How Nashville Can Help With Alabama Tornado Relief - http://nashvillest.com/2011/04/28/neighbor-to-neighbor-how-to-help-with-alabama-tornado-relief/

Virginia

How to help Halifax tornado victims in Virginia –

Donate clothing, shoes, personal care and hygiene items at First Baptist Millstone Church (at 1157 Millstone Church Trail in Nathalie on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.)

OR Hands Up For Halifax (at 807 Traver Ave. in South Boston.) For more info on Hands Up, call Dale Trent at (434) 579-4243, Brandee Sharp at (434) 470-0384 or Angie Jones at (434) 222-6389.

Donate money to the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter, which includes Halifax. Call the Red Cross at (434) 476-5148 or toll-free at (866) 242-8757.

Animal Resources

Give a Hoot; Rescue a Wild Bird Injured or Orphaned by the Storms – Alabama Wildlife Center tells how you can help rescue injured or orphaned birds and also Donations can be made online at http://www.awrc.org/Donate%20Cash, or by telephone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at (205) 663-7930, extension 8. There is also a Wish List of needed items available on the website, and those items can be delivered every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Animals Lost & Found in Alabama Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ALTornadoAnimals?sk=info

Animals Lost & Found in Georgia Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/lostandfoundpetsingeorgiatornados

Displaced Animals in East Tennesse Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Displaced-Animals-Eastern-Tn-from-427-storms/206936232662532

Clarksville, AL J&M Petland is taking donations for pets - Donations of bedding, food, collars, leashes, bottled water and other goods for pets can be dropped off at the store, 1450 Fort Campbell Blvd. The store is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 645-2130.

Daffy’s Soup Kitchen has list of places in Georgia to donate items for pets – http://daffyspetsoupkitchen.info/locations/drop-off-locations/

Updates by Kimberly Morin

Assistance by all the twisters!

April 30, 2011

The Twisters Tornado Relief Marathon

We are nine women from across America who joined forces less than a year ago with a focused mission; to sponsor and raise money for conservative political candidates.    Our twitter bio states that we are “ a  tightly knit group of superpower wielding, patriotic conservative bad-asses of the female kind.”  Most of this is true.  Unfortunately we don’t really have superpowers.  Therefore this weekend we are asking for your assistance in a mission that is a departure from our norm.  Beginning now, that mission is to provide a variety of assistance, primarily financial, to the victims of the deadliest tornadoes to hit the United States since the Great Depression.

Our avatar is a twister with clouds that resemble a heart.  It has obviously been enhanced but the original image was born from an actual twister.  As I have learned in the past few days, tornadoes have no heart.  Though I live in California and have never experienced the wrath of a tornado I need not be an expert to know that Mother Nature has once again reminded us that she is the one with the superpowers.

Since the tornadoes began I have been worried about using the twisters hashtag.  My concern is that someone affected by the tornadoes might find it insensitive or worse.  It is not an irrational thought.  In the midst of posting updates about San Diego’s  7.2 magnitude Easter day quake in 2010, I received a tweet  expressing the hope that “ California would fall into the ocean” .  From my perch under the dining room table, I broke down.  Not wanting to cause any further strife to a victim,  I have been  pondering the thought of temporarily changing our avatar and dispensing with the twisters hashtag.  As is often the case when I am troubled, yesterday I spent some time at the beach mulling things over.  Sitting on the warm sand witnessing the familiar power of the sea, a thought occurred. Instead of disabling the hashtag we could use it to help the victims of this tragedy. The twisters tornado relief marathon was formulated.  Within an hour the twisters were on a conference call and this plan was quickly formed.  I stress “quickly” as we know we haven’t captured all of the links or resources and there again, we seek your help.

This post contains links to numerous relief agencies, information on how you can help and as much data as we could gather on short notice. The blog will be updated as additional  resources come to light.  Though our primary goal is to raise funds for the victims of these deadly tornadoes, we will also be posting information on rescue and recovery efforts.  We have seen the great generosity of Americans on so many occasions when natural disasters strike and we are confident that with your help we shall rise to this challenge.

We are acutely aware that these are difficult economic times, even for those of us who did not lose our possessions or loved ones in the devastating storms.  This does not daunt us.  Our experience with political fund raising and social media has taught us that even a $5.00 or $10.00 donation adds up quickly and every little bit helps.  We are posting a wide variety of charitable organizations and resources so if one is not to your liking for whatever reason; we hope you will choose another.  We are only asking you to do what is within your means.   All assistance is welcome including ideas.  If all you can do is help us enhance this effort and/or spread the word, please do so.  We are asking for your retweets and Facebook postings.  Additionally, please email this and any updated posts  to those who are  not on social media.

As stated, this marathon was planned quickly and we know that we have not captured all of the resources.  We need your assistance to inform us of  additional relief efforts, organizations or any other information that will be helpful to our fellow Americans who have been impacted by this horrific series of storms.

Tragedy knows no political affiliation.  Although “the Twisters” are 9 conservative women, we are hoping that this be an apolitical effort.  Our ideology may differ but events such as these remind us that politics are unimportant when our neighbors are in need.  We thank you in advance for your help with this marathon.   We are not famous or wealthy but we do have social media as our arena. Let’s rock this!

You can track our posts by following us at @theTwisters and/or on our individual twitter accounts  =  @0402sgrl @1SupremeGoddess @AssKickyMcHotti @ConservativeInd @FlyingPatriot @GaltsGirl @hipEchik @Runedart @Suziplasse.  We are also on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/2dn4gs2 .  Additionally you can follow the #twisters hashtag on twitter.

The hour is late, the time is short. Please forgive any typos etc. The organizations we have chosen to begin with are as follows (in no particular order). Please help us help those in need.   Thank you and God Bless.

UPDATE: This list has gotten quite extensive – a huge THANK YOU to everyone passing along information!!  We are separating out by state so that if you are in that state or near and want to donate or volunteer you can easily find where to go and what to do.  THANK YOU to all who are donating money, items and time – you have no idea how much this means to the people of these devastated states.

UPDATE:  We are moving the list to a separate page.  While the ‘marathon’ may be over, we will still be spreading this information around as much as possible.   Many people sent information to us and we’d like to give you a HUGE THANK YOU!!!!  Because we all got so much information from different people, rather than offend anyone by not including them, we are thanking all of you – you know who you are!!!

General Information/Donations for all States

F.E.M.A. Blog. Check here for updates and resources : http://blog.fema.gov/2011/04/recap-2-response-and-support-efforts.html

U.S. tornado damage estimated in billions

UMCOR Underscores Commitment to Storm-ravaged South

How to help tornado victims in the South : http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/28/2190950/how-to-help-tornado-victims-in.html#ixzz1L0eyBItZ

2011 Tornadoes : Ways To Help : http://www.ecorazzi.com/2011/04/29/2011-tornadoes-ways-to-help/

ABC News lists ways to help tornado survivors

SALVATION ARMY – The charity is providing food, drinks and spiritual support to victims. To donate, text GIVE to 80888 to donate $10 through your phone bill. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visit  http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/

The Salvation Army is helping to feed the over a million people who have been left homeless by sending in food trucks. They are also accepting texted donations of $10 when you send a text of “GIVE” to 80888.

You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and donors can text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be made out to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, Ga., 30384-0339.

Feed The Children Storm Relief :  https://secure2.convio.net/ftc/site/Donation2?df_id=2360&2360.donation=form1&s_src=201104-disaster-hewitt-984v

SAVE THE CHILDREN - The relief effort providing food, medical care and education to children is accepting donations online at http://j.mp/kbE3A6. People can also call 1-800-728-3843 during business hours.

WORLD VISION – The Christian humanitarian organization focuses on children, aiming to lessen the emotional and psychological damage that many children suffer during crises. To donate, visit www.worldvision.org or call 1-866-56-CHILD (24453).

Winn Dixie starts tornado relief program : http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/04/29/winn-dixie-starts-tornado-relief.html

Red Cross : Please help Alabama, Georgia & Miss tornado victims! Text REDCROSS To: 90999 to give $10 or go to Red Cross website : https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4882.donation=form1&idb=1495181504&df_id=4882

The American Red Cross is accepting donations online, but also via phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS. They’re also asking for blood donations and volunteers to help with disaster relief. Additionally, if you’ve got your cellphone handy, you can easily text “REDCROSS” to 90999 and contribute $10 to the cause.

If you’re looking to volunteer, a group called Samaritan’s Purse is sending groups of volunteers into the stricken areas. You can also donate online to the organization.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES – The charity accepts disaster donations by calling 1-800-919-9338 or visiting https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Do you live in Ohio? ISOH/IMPACT is having a Bucket Brigade –

Fill a bucket with needed supplies from the provided lists.

Drop off your bucket at one of our area centers or directly at the ISOH/IMPACT  warehouse located at 905 Farnsworth Rd. in Waterville, OH. (If you don’t live in NW Ohio or SE Michigan and would like to get involved, contact us about establishing a remote distribution center.)

Facebook Site to Reunite Tornado Victims with Pictures & Documents – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pictures-and-Documents-found-after-the-April-27-2011-Tornadoes/162443980482277?sk=wall

Soles4Souls® Inc., The Shoe Charity, Responds With Aid for Tornado Victims – Individuals interested in supporting Soles4Souls’ relief efforts are encouraged to visit www.giveshoes.org to find the nearest shoe drop-off location in their area or to financially sponsor pairs of new shoes to be sent.  Individuals can also text the word SHOES to 20222 to donate $5.

Lutheran Church Disaster Relief - http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=544

Alabama

The Governor of Alabama’s office is accepting donations for church and community relief organizations. Donations can be sent using a credit card or check.

Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions will be touring affected areas today and also has a relief page here.

Tornado relief: How you can help in Alabama – Extremely comprehensive list of ways to help Alabama and ways to help IN Alabama http://alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/

• Call 2-1-1 (toll free 1-888-421-1266) to find out where volunteers are most needed.
• To foster a pet, email tornadopetsofAL at yahoo.com with the subject line “Will foster”

Tornado Donation Drop Off Locations in Alabama – http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/sidebar_stories/tornado-relief-donations-resources

Church of the Highlands Alabama Relief Efforts – List of what they need and how you can help! http://churchofthehighlands.com/relief

Alabama/Auburn United T-Shirt!! (Tornado Relief) 

West Alabama Food Bank – http://www.westalabamafoodbank.org/  Text the word FOOD to 27722 to give $10 to West Alambama Food bank – Answer YES to Questions 1 & 2.  All funds stay in West Alabama.

Wiregrass Church in Alabama – We will collecting gift cards at the church beginning May 1. Please bring gift cards from Publix, Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens, or Dollar General. Pre-paid debit cards and gas cards from the major gas companies would also be beneficial. We have relationships with churches in the affected areas who can distribute the cards directly to the affected people. Thank you for your help. If you would like to mail us the cards please send them to P.O. BOX 1601, Dothan, AL 36302. You can also donate online.

Alabama’s 13 and United Way to host Tornado relief telethon May 4th through May 5th – http://www2.wspa.com/blogs/Alabamas13-Weather-Blog/2011/may/03/alabamas-13-host-tornado-relief-telethon-ar-1796522/

Tuscaloosa: Want to help? – http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110428/NEWS/110429644/1007/news?tc=ar

Donation drop-off points Walker County -http://walkercounty.myfoxal.com/news/community-spirit/donation-drop-points/80058

Alabama tornadoes: More opportunities to help North & Central Alabama (Updated List) -http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_more_opportu_1.html

Birmingham Bars and Restaurants Help with Tornado Relief – Birmingham Happy Hour: http://bit.ly/j7Q73G

Toomers For Tuscaloosa (with resources for other States also) –  http://www.toomers4tuscaloosa.com/

Arkansas

Salvation Army Responds to Garland and Randolph Counties, Arkansas -http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=f8d176c87fef141fdd85dce875850748

Help for Vilonia, Arkansas with updates by Representative David Meeks – http://davidmeeks.blogspot.com/2011/04/ways-to-help-vilonia.html

Georgia

Georgians look for ways to help tornado survivors – Extremely comprehensive list of ways you can help if you are in Georgia from March of Dimes to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.  Click on the comprehensive list link to view more ways to help in Georgia:

• The March of Dimes is mobilizing its network of volunteers and sponsors to help  pregnant women and families with infants cope with the aftermath of the storm. March for Babies walkers Saturday are asked to bring diapers, hand sanitizer and powdered formula to any of the metro Atlanta March for Babies sites. For locations check www.marchofdimes.com/georgia and go to the events section.
• Starting Saturday, Kroger shoppers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to directly benefit the American Red Cross relief efforts.
• At Publix Super Markets customers can donate any amount by adding it to their grocery total when checking out. Collected money will be channeled through the Red Cross and designated specifically for the Southern storms disaster relief efforts. In a separate donation, Publix Super Markets Charities is contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross.
• The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is collecting bottled water, nonperishable foods, soap, shampoo and tarps. People can donate those items at the headquarters at 2985 Camp Road in Jasper. For information call 706-253-8900.

Mississippi

Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund :  Anyone who would like to contribute can donate either through the website www.mississippirelief.com, or text “MS” to 27722 to give $10 to the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund.

Best Western Rewards Members Can Donate Points for Tornado Relief Efforts in Southeast U.S – http://www.newschannel5.com/story/14566052/best-western-rewards-members-can-donate-points-for-tornado-relief-efforts-in-southeast-us

Media General’s WVTM-TV Organizes United Way Telethon to Support Victims of Tornados http://tinyurl.com/3scbzd5 On May 4th

AmeriCares Responding to Deadly Twisters in the U.S. - http://www.newschannel5.com/story/14556586/americares-responding-to-deadly-twisters-in-the-us

Oklahoma

Country music stars Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton are organizing a benefit concert for victims, tickets will range from $45-$100. Tickets go on sale May 6th, and the concert date is set for May 26th at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, OK with all proceeds going to benefit storm victims in Atoka County, Oklahoma

You can also donate to Oklahoma victims by texting OKGIVE to 27722 to make a one-time $10 donation for tornado victims

Tennessee 

List of ways to help tornado victims in East Tennessee – http://www.newschannel9.com/news/supplies-1000717-sheriff-drop.html

Volunteer And Donate To Tornado Relief Effort http://www.wcyb.com/news/27718702/detail.html

ETSU establishes website to assist victims of tornadoes

Donation drop-off points for Walker Co. - http://t.co/MPzHopW

Neighbor To Neighbor: How Nashville Can Help With Alabama Tornado Relief - http://nashvillest.com/2011/04/28/neighbor-to-neighbor-how-to-help-with-alabama-tornado-relief/

Virginia

How to help Halifax tornado victims in Virginia –

Donate clothing, shoes, personal care and hygiene items at First Baptist Millstone Church (at 1157 Millstone Church Trail in Nathalie on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.)

OR Hands Up For Halifax (at 807 Traver Ave. in South Boston.) For more info on Hands Up, call Dale Trent at (434) 579-4243, Brandee Sharp at (434) 470-0384 or Angie Jones at (434) 222-6389.

Donate money to the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter, which includes Halifax. Call the Red Cross at (434) 476-5148 or toll-free at (866) 242-8757.

ANIMAL RESOURCES!

Give a Hoot; Rescue a Wild Bird Injured or Orphaned by the Storms – Alabama Wildlife Center tells how you can help rescue injured or orphaned birds and also Donations can be made online at http://www.awrc.org/Donate%20Cash, or by telephone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at (205) 663-7930, extension 8. There is also a Wish List of needed items available on the website, and those items can be delivered every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

ANIMALS LOST & FOUND IN ALABAMA Facebook PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/ALTornadoAnimals?sk=info

ANIMALS LOST & FOUND IN GEORGIA Facebook PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/lostandfoundpetsingeorgiatornados

Displaced Animals in East Tennesse Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Displaced-Animals-Eastern-Tn-from-427-storms/206936232662532

Clarksville, AL J&M Petland is taking donations for pets - Donations of bedding, food, collars, leashes, bottled water and other goods for pets can be dropped off at the store, 1450 Fort Campbell Blvd. The store is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 645-2130.

Daffy’s Soup Kitchen has list of places in Georgia to donate items for pets – http://daffyspetsoupkitchen.info/locations/drop-off-locations/

PLEASE TWEET US WITH ANY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS, RESOURCES LINKS ETC.

* PLEASE NOTE, THE TWISTERS ARE NOT RECEIVING ANY COMPENSATION IN ANY FORM*

Finally, please pray for those in need.  Thank you and God Bless.

Photo by AP

Most of you have probably been paying careful attention to the Union battle going on in Wisconsin.  There is another battle that is being waged by the Left that needs our attention and most importantly our ACTION!!

There is a bill in Congress called “S.223 — FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act” which has been placed on the Senate calendar.  As you can see from the title, this bill is regarding the FAA and aviation.   The problem with this legislation is that there have been an insane amount of amendments attached to it from both Democrats and Republicans that have absolutely nothing to do with aviation or the FAA.  Thanks to THOMAS, the online source of all federal legislation,  you can see the various ‘subjects‘ that pertains to each bill.  As you can see in the snapshot below, many of the subjects have absolutely nothing to do with the prime goal of the pending legislation:

What, you ask, does Social work have to do with the FAA or aviation?  The answer is absolutely nothing.  Most of the ’subjects’ that have been attached to this legislation are amendments from both Democrats and Republicans.  Apparently Nancy Pelosi wasn’t kidding when she said ‘we have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it.’  At a time when Congress should be simplifying, streamlining and becoming more transparent, they are still playing the same political games that have gone on for years.  Rather than just leaving the legislation intact and only allowing amendments that actually apply to the topic, they are convoluting the bill with ‘the kitchen sink’. 

Since it’s pretty clear that the majority of our elected representatives don’t seem to actually read the bills, allowing every Tom, Dick & Sally to add anything and everything as an amendment is extremely irresponsible.  Americans are demanding transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility.  Not only are adding unrelated amendments a waste of time,  they distract from the original purpose of the legislation being brought forward.  It’s time that our Legislators start responsibly legislating and stop with the political circus.  The problem with legislation is the Legislators.

 Cross-posted at www.anystreet.org and www.monderconservative.com

On September 16, 2010 there was an assassination attempt on Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. The assassin, Casey Brezik, a self-proclaimed Left Wing radical, stabbed a Dean of the college and another man trying to help the Dean. Apparently Brezik had no idea what Nixon looked like and according to the Associated Press report:

“A man accused of stabbing a Kansas City college official intended to instead attack Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and mistakenly believed he had done so, police said Thursday.

The suspect, 22-year-old Casey Brezik, did not know Nixon and had no particular beef with the governor, but he decided to attack him because he was a top government official, Kansas city police spokesman Darin Snapp said.”

If you live outside of Missouri, did you hear about this? I didn’t until yesterday when Gateway Pundit posted a blog about it. This was reported by Fox News but I don’t recall a mention on any of their programs on the air. A man attempts to assassinate a Governor just to attack a top government official and there is no NATIONAL news reporting on this??? What is wrong with this picture?

Brezik’s parents claim that he suffers from mental illness as reported by WLSI TV:

“Brezik’s father, Raymond Florio, said his son has a long history of mental illness and hasn’t received the medical help he needs.

Court documents from Springfield show his mother, Heather Brezik, described her son as paranoid schizophrenic and sought legal guardianship in 2007. She dropped the request when Casey Brezik was sentenced to prison for drug possession.”

Maybe if this had been reported on the national news level, a light bulb would have gone on and someone would have sought help for Jared Loughner, the apparently mentally deranged Tucson shooter.

Why wasn’t this reported? Was it because the Governor is a white male and the assassin is a minority? Was it because the assassin is a self-proclaimed Left Winger? Was it because, as Jack Cashill suggests, that it involved a knife as opposed to a gun? (the Left isn’t on any mission to ban knives – yet).

Thanks to this story getting absolutely no national attention, Brezik’s Facebook page is still up. It doesn’t appear to be rants of a deranged schizophrenic as his Mother suggests. The only mental illness that is clear on his page is Progressivism. He even uses Obama’s favorite chant – ‘Yes we can’:

'Yes We Can'

Brezik admits to being part of the radical Left and ponders how to stand up to the ‘New Right’:

The Radical Left

It appears we have a Left Wing assassination attempt on a Governor; a Dean of a Community college was stabbed as well as someone who was coming to his aid (a bit heroic don’t you think?); a knife used as opposed to a gun; a claim that the assassin is mentally ill and a minority attempting to assassinate a Caucasian. All of these things make for an extremely interesting news story to say the least but the Main Stream Media remained completely silent on this. Why?

A Left Wing minority who uses a knife in an attempt to assassinate a white politician just doesn’t fit into the Main Stream Media’s agenda; it defies their ‘party line’ that it is the Right who are violent; it defies their mission that guns are violent; and it defies their mission that minorities are victims of the white man. Simply put, the Main Stream Media have lost all credibility as journalists and have gained notoriety as being nothing more than shills for the Progressive agenda.

What would have been reported on a world-wide level is if the assassin was Right Wing. Period.

Cross posted at AnyStreet & ModernConservative

‘Twas the night before January 5th, when all through the House
Not a single Rep was stirring, not even soon-to-be ousted Speaker Pelosi, that Louse
Their pink slips were hung by their office doors with care,
While Americans hoped the new Congress soon would be there.

The 112th Congress were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of the Constitution danced in their heads
Americans in their homes and Uncle Sam in his cap
Had sighed a sigh of relief, no more of their crap.

Over $8 Billion in PORK in the latest OmniBUST bill