Americans donate $15 million to pay Coast Guard since Trump won't

[babylonsister]

https://shareblue.com/coast-guard-15-million-donation-trump-shutdown/?fbclid=IwAR1AoB21XfxYHYgpgZARg5OYJEjU5ZEbRTd-MLH7Wz-zjAnQg1nt92XqpjM

Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Americans donate $15 million to pay Coast Guard since Trump won’t
By Lisa Needham -
January 16, 2019


Private companies and individuals are stepping up to help Coast Guard members get through the Trump. shutdown, but it's simply not enough.

Over the weekend, Trump hit a milestone: the dubious distinction of being the architect of the longest shutdown ever. Then, this week, he managed to rack up another ignominious achievement: United States service members in the Coast Guard are going without pay for the first time. Other countries expect their military to serve without pay, but those are places like North Korea.

Service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are currently getting paid. However, the Coast Guard is funded through the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the Department of the Defense, and only the former is defunded during this shutdown.

Thankfully, private citizens and corporations are stepping up to make sure that members of the Coast Guard receive some pay, food, and more.

The largest donation came from United Services Automobile Association (USAA), an insurance and financial services firm for service members and their families. They’ve provided $15 million. That money will go toward giving interest-free loans to Coast Guard members, a vital lifeline at this time.

However, that money only goes so far. Coast Guard members with dependents are eligible for loans up to $1,000, while members without dependents can get $750. At most, it is estimated to help cover two weeks of financial shortfalls thanks to the shutdown, and not for all members. The Coast Guard expects the payroll costs for that stretch at $150 million.

In Alameda, California, residents of that Bay Area community donated enough food to feed over 600 Coast Guard personnel and there’s another food donation coming up next weekend. USO Wisconsin, a military support organization, is collecting gift cards to support the Coast Guard members that are breaking ice and doing rescue operations on the freezing Great Lakes.

It’s heartening to see people come together to support the Coast Guard. But it’s also wholly unnecessary. Service members are going without pay because Trump is throwing a weeks-long tantrum about his wall. People aren’t going to be able to make it by stringing together donations and having garage sales or babysitting.

[grumpyduck]

1. Lends a new meaning to "We the People."

'nuff said.

[bdamomma]

2. is there a gofundme petition on this

I would love to donate these people are hurting along with many others.

[jberryhill]

4. The $15M is not a donation

The headline is false and misleading.

The story is about USAA offering $15M in interest free loans to Coast Guard members.

It's not actually about monetary donations.

[jberryhill]

3. The headline seems misleading

The headline is "Americans donate 15 million to pay Coast Guard"

The story is USAA is offering 15 million in interest free loans.

It's a great thing for USAA to do, but a loan and a donation are two different things. This seems like a press release disguised as a news story. Either that or the reporter does not understand the difference between a donation and a loan.

At best, USAA is donating the interest on that $15M, but that doesn't equate to a $15M donation.

[babylonsister]

5. The story goes on to

list other donations. I imagine there are more out there. I think it's right nice of them myself, and didn't think it was particularly misleading.

In Alameda, California, residents of that Bay Area community donated enough food to feed over 600 Coast Guard personnel and there’s another food donation coming up next weekend. USO Wisconsin, a military support organization, is collecting gift cards to support the Coast Guard members that are breaking ice and doing rescue operations on the freezing Great Lakes.

[jberryhill]

6. So what? It's still false

Yes, the story lists other donations. They are not in the amount of $15M. It is perfectly obvious where the lazy writer got that figure.

I think it is nice of them too.

I don't think it is nice of reporters and news publications to be sloppy with facts. I think that accuracy matters.

No one, individually or collectively has donated $15M to Coast Guard members. It is a false statement. It reflects disrespect for the reader.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. this suffering is on the gutless GOP behind Moscow Mitch