Topic: American Red Cross

The American Red Cross faces criticism for its slow response to Hurricane Harvey victims and its high administrative costs. Victims report that promised $400 emergency grants were inaccessible due to system crashes. The hosts discuss how tragedies are often used as "immediate fundraising opportunities" by nonprofits and mention a "Disaster Prediction" app that tracks solar flares.

The American Red Cross faces scrutiny over its transparency and fund allocation following Hurricane Harvey. A 2014 investigation by NPR and ProPublica, along with a report by Senator Chuck Grassley, highlighted high administrative costs and misstated spending during the Haiti earthquake relief. The organization currently claims 91 cents of every dollar reaches victims, though critics remain skeptical of the executive leadership's accountability.

President Barack Obama issued several proclamations for March 2014, designating it as American Red Cross Month, Irish American Heritage Month, and Women's History Month. The proclamations celebrate historical figures like Clara Barton and the activists of Seneca Falls. The hosts provide a cynical commentary on the historical accuracy of "welcoming" Irish immigrants and the timing of these social observances.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the session from the Travis Heights hideout in Austin, Texas. They acknowledge National Consumer Protection Week and the 10th anniversary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Technical difficulties regarding audio quality and a previous internet outage are briefly addressed.

The American Red Cross is criticized for soliciting blood donations for Hurricane Sandy victims while allegedly selling that blood to hospitals for $500 a unit. A discussion on organ donation suggests that "opt-out" systems, like those in the Netherlands, may create incentives for doctors to prioritize organ harvesting over patient care.

Actor Sean Penn, managing a refugee camp in Port-au-Prince, criticizes the bureaucracy of international aid agencies and the American Red Cross. Penn claims the Red Cross has been out of the medical field for 50 years and is primarily a money-collection operation. He warns that without immediate spending on the Haitian people, the country will become a wasteland despite long-term rebuilding plans.