Here's hoping I'm not tarred and feathered for saying this...

[CornField]

I was very, very touched by the outpouring of love to both Barbara Boxer and Helen Thomas. I think one of the best things we can do is salute and honor those who share our values of truth, justice and equality. This message then is in no way intended to take away from what was done or to cast a shadow on it.

While the roses are beautiful and provide a great photo opportunity (and great press for DU), isn't there something else we could do to perhaps kill two birds with one stone? For instance, couldn't we send handmade paper roses, each with a card attached showing a contribution to a certain charity (which could either be the same for everyone or different by donor)? There are so many programs undergoing budget cuts -- free clinics, Head Start, medical research, etc. -- I just wonder if our dollars couldn't do double-duty by both honoring those who deserve it and helping those who need us.

Just thoughts...

[Poll_Blind]

1. Good ideas for Version 2.0 n/t

PB

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. There is always a more responsible way to do anything you can think of.

It was pretty much a spontaneous gesture. Anything more elaborate probably would be impossible on a volunteer basis.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. You're right, there's always a better way, in hindsight...

I like the idea of collecting money and donating it in the honoree's name. Then giving them a certificate with flowers telling them what you've done. That's a very nice gesture.

However the dozens of flowers is a grand and touching sight. Perhaps Helen donated all those roses to a hospital. :)

[CottonBear]

5. I think she may donate them to injured service men and women in DC.

That's what Senator Boxer did with her roses after enjoying them for a few days! :)

[Nickster]

3. That's a great idea. Where the heck were you when we needed you? j/k :-)

[GardeningGal]

6. Oh well, I'm not going to be very popular for this...

But I have given to many charities, send money to politcal campaigns, send calling cards to Walter Reed, etc. and I can tell you that I've never been happier about a donation that I made than for the roses for Helen Thomas.

It was uplifting for her and for me like no other donation I have ever made. So, call me selfish but I wouldn't want to change a thing. Sometimes (especially in these times), you just have to stop for a minute and smell the roses.

[oneold1-4u]

7. Billions Chopped

The amounts that bush has taken away can never be replaced with the few dollars for giving small rewards to some great people who are trying so hard to stand for so many of us!
If we all sent a rose (1) to those who stand so tall, and each time they do, for the good of this whole nation, they would have a roomful of roses too!
I'm proud to be BLUE, so remembering the song, "If I Sent A Rose To You", there are a few who keep me BLUE so this may well become a good theme for keeping this party together with the few who stand!

[CornField]

8. I am only one, still I am one

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” ~ Helen Keller

Real roses are beautiful, but short lived (no matter where they are placed). I'm not denying the obvious impact of the donations, just suggesting that, perhaps, we could come up with another item which would also make such an impact (i.e., the Am. Legion Auxiliary's poppies) while taking the bulk of our funds and making an additional impact in another arena.

I'm not going to argue about whether or not we have the ability to un-do the damage the Bush administration has done. We obviously do not. That knowledge, however, should not prevent us from doing what we can. For instance:

$25 can...

• pay for 500 portable pipe drinking water filters (and help eliminate Guinea worm and other disease)
  
• provide an infant with formula or baby food for a week
  
• purchase shoes for a child caught in a disaster
  
• provide emergency communications to connect a member of the military with family during a crisis such as a death in the family
  
• buy a one-year subscription of Easy English News for an adult learner
  
• pay for a low cost spay or neuter surgery for a cat or dog in need
  
• provide books, hygiene kit and school supplies for a child in need