In recent months, we’ve seen an outpouring of support for victims of the Boston Marathon attacks, the deadly fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, and Monday’s twister that flattened the town of Moore, Oklahoma. Within moments of these events, Americans opened their wallets, set up fundraisers, and began collecting toiletries, food and medical supplies. Crowdfunding websites, where individuals set up accounts that allow them to quickly raise money directly for victims, have become a popular new way to give – thousands of dollars have already been collected for tornado victims.

Nonprofits are also more organized. The big charities have sophisticated social media strategies, and well established networks among non-profits across the country. Some groups set up disaster relief funds before Hurricane season even begins in anticipation of need.

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"What's most important is someone made a decision to put an embassy and consulate in a war- torn country with no host country to guard that embassy or consulate, leaving the guarding and security up to a militia. That decision alone was a terrible and tragic error. And that's what needs to change."