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*UPDATE 1/21/02 FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UPDATE TO FOLLOWING ARTICLE
(don't know the author, but like his way of thinking..)
After seeing a short news listing on "CNN Headline News" regarding Ford and GM's contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York City and Washington, DC, I was prompted to see what the other automotive companies were contributing. It is important to know which companies are there for us in a crisis.
I went to (the news, press release and philanthropic areas of) each of the companies' web sites. If the company had several sites, I tried to visit them all. Additionally, I visited the leading news and automotive sites. This is what I have found:
Aston Martin - Nothing.
Audi - Nothing. Audi's web site states "Audi News: Always up to the minute."
BMW - Nothing despite other press releases/postings since 09/11/01. Last updated 09/13/01.
Daewoo International - Nothing.
Daimler Chrysler (includes Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Plymouth) $10 million to support the children and victims in addition to other donations from their employees, dealers and suppliers.
Fiat - Nothing.
Ford Motor Company (includes Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo) $1 million to the American Red Cross, matching employee contributions to the American Red Cross and 10 Excursions to the New York Fire Department. The company has also offered emergency response team services and office space to displaced government employees.
General Motors (includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn) -- $1 million to the American Red Cross, matching employee contributions and a fleet of vans, trucks and SUVs.
Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles - Donated one million dollars and 30 new motorcycles to the NYPD to assist in relief efforts and replace motor cycles lost in the attack. Harley-Davidson's own employees drove the cycles to NY in a day and a half and turned over the keys personally to the NYC Motor Division.
Honda (includes Acura) - Nothing. "The latest news on Honda can always be found right here?" No press releases/postings since 9/04/01 when the release boasted "American Honda Motor Co., Inc. recorded its second best sales month ever in August." My search included: hondamotorcycle.com [other press releases posted on this site since 9/11/01), honda.com, honda2001.com, world.honda.com, acura.com and honda.co.jp.
Hyundai Motors Group (includes Kia) -- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
Isuzu - Nothing.
Mitsubishi Motors - Nothing. Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp site states, "The latest news about Mitsubishi Motors." I also searched www.mitsubishimotors.com
Nissan - Nothing despite other press releases/postings since 09/11/01.
Porsche - Nothing. Press release with condolences posted on the Porsche web site on 09/12/01, but no contribution.
Subaru - Nothing. Despite other press releases/postings since 09/11/01.
Suzuki - Nothing.
Toyota (includes Lexus) -Nothing. Press release with condolences posted on the Toyota web site on 09/14/01, but no contribution, despite earlier press releases boasting that Toyota had high sales in July and August.
Volkswagen - The employees and management created a Foundation, funded initially with $2 million, to assist the children and victims with humanitarian help including medical and psychological assistance, rehabilitation and scholarships.
Author's conclusion:
We have the freedom to choose which companies we make purchases from and I, for one, will make my purchases from and give my money to the companies that are giving their money to America at this time of need. I hope that you will, too. We can only hope that it is an oversight by the companies that have not made a contribution and that they will join the relief efforts. Remember this the next time you make that move to buy your next car...New or Used..... Who gave what to help OUR Beautiful United States of America.........
*UPDATE 1/21/02 FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UPDATE TO PRECEEDING ARTICLE
As I don't have Osama bin Laden's email address please forward this letter to as many as folks as possible so that he may receive my heartfelt thanks!
Dear Osama:
Allow me to thank you for your recent visits to our country! I am a 49 year old male, 4th generation, well educated, prosperous and yes, a spoiled American. I have never really understood our nation's history nor the actions of the past generations. You see I grew up in a time period when we had our unpopular war in Vietnam and it wasn't cool to be a patriotic. Went through the space generation, the love generation, the me generation and the x-generation without any real appreciation for what went on before my time. I couldn't understand why men would rush to sign-up to defend our country in the World Wars. Nor could I even really appreciate why we had Veteran's Day or for that matter the Fourth of July. For my generation, it was merely a holiday which was a day off from work. My hero's weren't fireman, policemen, soldiers, or politicians. They were sports figures, business tycoons, movies stars and the like. Why would anyone take one of those low paying, dangerous positions when you could have more money, more respect, and have a whole lot more fun as one of these others?
My view of the world was; USA against the rest of the world because nobody appreciated what we did for them. I was never concerned about the rest of the world or really cared for their well being except to dole out money for food and medicine through one of our relief programs (like the $171,000,000 we gave your countrymen last year). All I ever thought about was maybe a vacation to their corner of the world to experience their culture.
Your visit here has changed all that! So I want to tell you "Thanks"! I sincerely mean it too. You have no idea how your visit has changed all that. You see I realize now what my forefathers fought for and why they risked their lives. I understand what Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are all about. Upon seeing our Flag, my chest expands, our national anthem brings tears to my eyes. My fellow Americans are truly my brothers and I will defend them with all my might.
As you watch CNN (from our satellite) broadcasting our American family portrait, I am sure you have noticed a different pose. We are all one now. Racial barriers have been broken, religious barriers are gone, as we believe and trust in any and all religions that support a just and merciful Supreme Being. My heroes now are firemen, policemen, soldiers and yes, even our politicians. The outside world as I have known it has now embraced us. Taking us in during our time of need and given us the support we so desperately required. Our enemies of the past are not. So, you see, Osama, we OWE you. Thank you for realigning our perspectives and values like no one has done before. Your action have created more good will than any one single act I have known in my lifetime. I know you didn't think this would be the outcome, but rest assured this is what you have created!! You made us understand a lesson we hope to never forget or take for granted again.
In closing it is a custom in our country to express our gratitude. So we and a few of our friends (the rest of the world) are going to stop by and deliver a message to you and yours. I hope it comes soon and swift but don't worry if you don't see us right away we won't forget...not now, not ever.
In Appreciation,
Dave
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy
