NONE OF YER DAMN BIDNESS

The American Red Cross boasts of being “transparent and accountable” for the way it spends donations from compassionate people moved to help those in need. However, when public policy watchdog ProPublica asked for some details on how the Red Cross used funds donated for 2012 Hurricane Sandy victims in New York, the organization begged off, claiming details beyond broad generalities were “trade secrets” it was entitled to protect, lest its “competitors” copy or exploit the techniques it uses to help people. The Red Cross did release more detailed accounts to the attorney general of New York, but under an agreement of confidentiality.