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Greetings!
Here’s the deal: I’m gonna buy somebody a Benefactors membership. Because I’m currently working and I know a lot of us aren’t.
Contest rules:
You must answer the question “WHY should BoxTurtle buy you a membership?”. Sob stories, humorous tales, conspiracy theories, legal arguments, fish stories and outright boldfaced damn lies are all welcome. No statistics.
By entering this contest, you’re submitting your entry to MY sole judgement. Which may be biased, capricious, inexplicable or simply wrong. I’ll accept bribes, but if you can afford to bribe me you should really buy your own membership.
Contest ends when I notice this post has scrolled off MyFDL. I’ll post a note at that time. I’ll pay off even if this post gets only one response that says “Me too”.
Contest is open to anyone, even paid trolls, who cannot afford a membership or are willing to lie and SAY they can’t afford one. Though all of FDL should hang their heads in shame if a paid troll gives me the best response.
UPDATE: There is now more than one membership in play. Kelly Canfield and MsMolly are splitting the cost of a gift, they’ll pick from my leavings….isn’t that a wonderful way of putting it?
RGB, a site Admin whom I’ve never met, is being quoted by KrisAinCA as wanting to start a scholarship program. No details yet on that.
newdealfarmgrrrll is looking for a partner to arrange a another gift membership.
I refered to canadianbeaver as a troll. I’ve been informed that he/she simply is of different opinions and forceful about presenting them. I retract the troll reference wholeheartedly, the more viewpoints we have here the better we are.
As of 9am EST, this contest is still open. And we’re a bunch of talkers, there are more comments than entries! Surely, there are more Firepups out there living under bridges and depending on public WiFi?
UPDATE II
@onitgoes has placed TWO more membership in play! But my offer is still the best, nobody else has said they’re offering benefactors level yet.
UPDATE III
onitgoes has corrected me, it’s only one membership.
Kelly Canfield has indicated that she’s offering a benefactor level as well.
And the contest in closed. Winner will be posted in another thread this evening, hopefully before 6pm EST.
Boxturtle (“Drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what you’ll find.” -Carville)
166 Comments
I will probably be villified for this (and hey, maybe I deserve it) but if this site is going to turn into a paygo site, then it will die a fast horrendous death. Membership fees? Come on gang. That is the excuse used for all the ads on all blogs. Now membership fees? Are we beating AOLHuffpost to the draw? So, any serious voices out there, with great ideas, will not be heard because, they aren’t paying members? That is elitist and sounds Republican.
And before everyone goes off half cocked, I know, I know, it’s Jane’s blog, and it costs alot of money to operate correctly. People aren’t stupid. People, good people, no sorry, alot of great people do not have the money to join exclusive clubs right now. Myself included. I love this site, and I love all the posters, but I am truly sorry, this is just wrong. It is no wonder other blogs see this site as somebody trying to dig gold. Honest question. What exactly costs so much to run this site? Specifics please.
Oh and I know, I’ve been called a troll on numerous occasions. Well, if you have to be a paying member, almost everyone visiting here will be officially trolls. Great way to get more hits.
A – your comprehension needs work. Go read the announcement from this morning again.
B – how crappy to come onto a Boxturtle’s generous donor post and shit on it.
Good for you Boxturtle!
If you were to click on the “See Plans” button in the right side bar, then go to the bottom of the page, you would see a link that says “How We Use Donations” where things are broken out in a nice pie chart that even you can understand.
And what makes you think “serious voices out there, with great ideas, will not be heard…” just because they aren’t paying.
I would wager that truly serious voices will be publishing diaries at MyFDL, just as they have been all along.
You should buy me a membership because that would then free up the money I would have otherwise spent on my own membership to buy one for Margaret.
Worse, he didn’t answer my question. So his post is disqualified.
Boxturtle (A shame, because trolls are specifically allowed to enter)
I was going to buy her one too. But somebody beat me to it. Thus this contest.
Boxturtle (But as the only qualifing post, you’re currently #1!)
As one of the long term un/underemployed, I have to spend my pittance each month trying to stay alive yet hesitate to ask for someone to make a purchase for me as I know there are always those worse off.
So I keep praying for the miracle to hit me. (and I’m not begging, honestly)
You should buy me a benefactor membership because I already have one and will give it away to someone who needs/deserves it. :-) Oh, you’re already doing that. *G*
Hi Turtle Man:
I should be the one who wins your contest because for the several years I have been lurking on this site I have been subjected to nearly every one of your comments. I am not saying that is a bad thing because I have been greatly entertained by your comments on many occasions, especially the final comments made in parenthesis. And during that time I have enjoyed your long stint of unemployment, your long drives after having become employed and your tenacity in refusing to move to another city where the job is. Besides all of the above being a lurker around here is sometimes painful because of the cliques that abound here. Not only that one has to tolerate the trolls that appear. Your offer is very generous and thoughtful and whoever you may choose will surely be very deserving. Did I mention that I have read most of your comments over the years???
Slide (Being a lurker has its benefits in that there are no attacks on one’s character).
Dayam, BoxTurtle, at least you’re brutally honest…! No false advertising what so ever…! Btw, that Carville quote is priceless…! ;-)
I would buy a benefactor’s membership because I believe in FDL and what it means to our Democracy to an honest voice in these dire days… But we pups on SS did not get a cola so I will settle for a $10.00 a month. Best I can do.. Wish I could do more if ya would deem to UPGRADE my Membership I would be eternally grateful. Well at least a Weeks worth…
Would be great to get to rub shoulders with Jane & crew..
I am on disability, and as such, am very limited in my expenditures. But because my family is so generous, I have a roof over my head and food to eat, and they only require that I pay certain bills each month. So even though I make less in a month than most do in a week, I do have some spending ability (very little).
So, I already joined myself.
If I could, I would like to ask for another person. I don’t think she would ever ask herself, but I read her comments here all the time and I believe she is sincere, and most definitely a decent human being.
Her screen name is IsIs (unless those two I’s are L’s, sometimes I’m not sure). I do not know her real name, or anything that would help identify her so this may not be possible.
I only know she’s a damned decent person that’s recently faced a near death experience, pulled through it, only now to face the same nightmare far too many other face, and that’s medical bills in the thousands.
I don’t know if my asking for her would upset her, so if you did pick her I hope you wouldn’t tell her it was me.
Thanks for doing this, no matter who you pick. I would do the same if I had more cash.
You should buy me a benefactor’s membership, Box Turtle, because yesterday while on my way to work my car broke down. I was on the side of highway 84 here in sunny California when suddenly I was accosted by pirates! The captain said
“Avast ye landlubber, show me yer Professional Left card and we’ll let ye go free!”
And I had nothing to show him. So they slashed the tires in my car, pillaged my shoes and cell phone, and stole my wallet.
Then, as the pirates turned to leave, something amazing happened. A Box Turtle swooped down from the sky, brandished a genuine FDL benefactors’ membership card, and the pirates all cowered in fear! They threw down my belongings, fixed my car, and began carving the image of the Great and Powerful Box Turtle into the stone retaining wall at the side of the road.
Then they all renounced their pirate ways and swore forever to uphold the values of firedoglake, starting by volunteering time at the local soup kitchen and donating all their previous plunder and booty to the Wisconsin 14.
Now there is a retaining wall monument of grace, beauty and wonder that will stand forever in memory of today, and the triumphant Box Turtle defeating the evil highway 84 Pirates.
Also too if I win, I’d like my membership to go to CTuttle :)
LOL! Good job.
What a crock of horseshit.
Remarkable community that it is, lsls is already taken care of. So good for the benefactor(s) and lsls and scratch her off the list.
Oh, Ok, sorry, I didn’t know.
Thanks for the update Kelly!!!!
That is good news!!!
So sorry I can’t do more. This place really is amazing. That includes you sir.
Thanks again.
Don’t be sorry – she just posted it a moment ago.
And I’ll sweeten the pot. I did take a benefactor membership for myself today; but I have enough budget to split a membership with somebody else for another worthy Firedog.
Someone else join me so we can make this thread award 2 memberships.
To keep it uncluttered, Master Turtle should choose first, and whatever partner joins me can choose the 2nd.
Yoo hoo, tech crew – “recommend” isn’t working for me. something about a WP cache issue.
Yeah, I’ve been getting that message as well. But I think if you refresh, it seems to have taken. Or at least that’s what I’ve seen
Ahh, yup. Thanks.
I would like to disqualify myself from your contest but if I win anyway, feel free to give my membership to someone else.
In order to justify said membership at FDL,to the spousal unit,I have to cancel my Sunday NYT subscription. No tears please. By canceling my Times subscription I can give Jane $120, Amy Goodman $100, save a tree and have almost enough left over to cover having the puppy spayed and chipped. The world is a better place because Jane asked for $120. Who’d a thunk?
tuezday (the NYT has been pissing me off a lot lately anyway)
If you dislike it here so much, why do you keep hanging around ~~~Edited by Moderator. No need for insults~~~?
Holy moly! How much is the subscription? Just the $220 is $4 a copy.
CanadianBeaver – please read the rules. You do not have to be a member to read, comment or write a diary. Those who don’t wish to join will go on as usual. Relax – it hasn’t turned into a money making machine.
Kelly, I will split a membership with you (I already have my benefactor membership). We’ll have to figure out how to make that work – Ryan Cook, are you still here?
Shall we give it to Dakine01? He is a long time commenter and poster, and his voice is needed!
@msmolly March 8th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Excellent! Let Boxturtle’s contest/choice run. Who knows who he’ll pick?
Then you can be the chooser of the 2nd person, and we’ll work it out with Ryan from there.
OK, works for me! I so much want our “regulars” to be able to afford to be founding members. Perhaps, like Margaret said earlier, if she gets the job she’s after and her circumstances improve, she will pay it forward.
I am recently retired, but I’m comfortable (not wealthy by a long shot) and can afford a bit more to support FDL and our valued contributors.
It’s pushing $400 a year at $31 a month. And that’s for Sunday only. I kinda like reading the paper on the porch on Sunday, rather than sitting in front of the ‘puter, although the laptop can hit the porch too. Some of their editorial decisions have really gotten under my skin lately, especially in regard to Wikileaks. It’s a two way street, they throw their readers under a bus, I can throw them under the same bus.
It’s become very expensive birdcage liner.
I’ll ditto that pledge…! ;-)
That’s why I’ll leave it to you. I’m pretty much every other day after work and what I can on weekends.
Especially since Peg is taken care of, I thought I’d still sponsor something, but didn’t want to choose myself. Thanks for partnering.
@ctuttle – It was the ONLY possible choice.
@nahunt – If only somebody would upgrade me….
@kris – The pirates were on their way to a Flying Spaghetti Monster Revival and swap meet. They were late, so I was sent to look for them. I wouldn’t take those promises too seriously, they’ll sober up.
@tuezday – Then you’re already a winner!
@kelly – What have I started here? This is going to get bigger than just me!
Boxturtle (If enough donors and enough donees find this…)
*heh* Canucks can be stubborn critters ya know…! ;-)
Thats NAHANT not nahunt… sheesh.. wott’s a guy gonna do??
Glad to see this taking off… Be sure and do a bit of Blog Whoring and share the link to our friend BoxTurtle’s contest and generous help to fellow FirePups!!
BoxTurtle, this is SO excellent! I do hope it catches on!!
I stopped taking a dead-tree paper a couple of years ago, and I drag my laptop all over the house, read blogs and news, stream radio, etc. Sitting on my screened porch in good weather with my laptop and my tea is priceless. And I don’t have to stop the paper when I’m away because I take it with me!
Canadianbeaver isn’t really a troll. S/he’s a regular with a different viewpoint on a lot of issues discussed here.
And I am so sorry that he/she chose to shit on BoxTurtle’s offering.
Canadianbeaver, if you don’t want to contribute, don’t. It’s just that simple.
I am not aware of any cliques at FDL. Can you elaborate? I feel as welcome as anyone, and I don’t write diaries much, or have anything incisive or insightful to say most of the time. But I engage with other commenters (including Jane, occasionally). Where are the cliques?
My reason for winning is being the most obnoxious member of the FDL community. Always asking embarrassing Qs of the PTB. http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/author/ecahnomics
selise had a link the other day to the Q I asked Wesley Clark in a book salon: Are you proud of having bombed the Serbs?
In addition, I have been a reasonable financial contributor to FDL over the years, and have tried to bring more viewers to the site by my high praise of it.
But by no means do I wish to capture this prize by my good deeds. If it happens, I want it to be bc I am a SOB truth-teller.
AND, I promise to contribute my prize to the site.
(I didn’t see that bribery was NOT allowed in the rules, but I coulda overlooked that.)
Oh, and if I win, I want my name spelled correctly: it’s eCAHN, not eCHAN.
Latest example of my completely obnoxious contribution to online honesty. http://firedoglake.com/2011/03/08/firedoglake-is-not-like-the-government-thank-god/#comment-2326160
Yeah, I cringe when I see that. But mostly I think it’s a typo, not a misspelling. Those of us who know your name from posts and meetup invitations and such don’t usually make that mistake.
I always like your “obnoxious” posts, and value your economics expertise. That was my least favorite subject in school, and my grades reflected that!
Well, when I see the misspelled CHAN? I giggle because that is a pet name for our family between belch and his sibs and me, standing for:
Can’t Have Anything Nice
[lulz!]
Okay, I already joined. Since Margaret is already covered. I’d still give it to a worthy candidate like Ctuttle or OFG. If you’re still looking for reasons, here’s another:
It’s a goddamned bizarro world today, where up is down, Wall Street is on welfare, and a democrat President is a neocon operative. So instead of me being able to buy you a beer for making me laugh countless times (especially with ObamaLLP), you need to buy me a membership. It’s like Sadie Hawkins, opposite day, or the other side of the sun world.
Hey msmolley. I really don’t care how my name is spelled unless it’s ‘shithead’.
My late husband warned me almost 30 years ago about that misspelling, but bc I KNEW better than he did (after all, he had already had the name for nearly 40 years and I was just acquiring it), I obviously knew more than he did about how to make sure it was spelled Jewish, not Chinese.
I’ve lived with my hubris on this subject for decades, so no reason for anyone else to be more embarrassed than me.
I delve into your CHAN with trepidation. Reveal all or nothing; your choice. *g*
LOL. That’s funny. And it’s “molly” not “molley” — but I answer to just about anything. (Call me a taxi? OK, you’re a taxi.)
Grammar and spelling “Nazi” that I am, I have to restrain myself or I’d be correcting “eCHAN” every time it appears.
OH I love that! LOLOL!
LOL! Well, it’s because. Just because.
For instance, when we sold the Old One’s Truck, turned out that we had to buy a qualified funeral plan for them, since they have a Medicaid application pending. We were just going to squirrel away the money for them, since Medicaid doesn’t pay for things like incontinence pants and a huge variety of other necessities.
Upon realizing what the Medicaid reg was, our response was “CHAN!”
This thread is becoming truly funny. Good luck sorting it out, BoxTurtle!
If you (or Kelly) need to check in with me on this split, I’m msmollynd AT gmail DOT com.
Oh Kelly, such a f’d up system when it doesn’t pay for adult diapers. Shit on them, literally.
Oh, msmolly, that was truly a typo. I know the diff. But I promise not to call you shithead if you return the favor.
I was actually contacted via email a couple hours ago by RGB, a site admin. Wants to talk ideas about a member scholarship program! This is getting higher than you thought.
@nahant – If you pick on dyslexics, doG will get you.
@ecahn – Bribery is allowed, but if you can affordto bribe me, you should give away a membership of your own.
@msmolly – I’ll take all the luck I can get!
Boxturtle (ecahn, you’re nowhere close to the most obnoxious!)
That’s the least of the worries actually. Once their Medicaid app is approved (prolly about 17 months from now, given the penalty period from selling their house) they technically won’t be able to live together in the same apartment at their assisted living facility.
Each will be forced into a single buffet unit, due to CO Medicaid rules and billing. Believe it or not, that’s better than many states. In NM, they would be forced into full on nursing homes, with at least 2 beds to a room and absolutely zero privacy.
One does what one can. So while I have $60 to split a membership right now, that’s what I’m gonna do, in spite of the CHAN rule.
I’m really offended that I am not close to the most obnoxious. I must work harder. Who is the most obnoxious IYO? And what must I do to capture that title?
If I win, I promise to have another contest. Really, really, I really promise.
Hmmm. I may have another choice when it plays out. I wonder if we’ll have several peeps weigh in with additional donations?
I’ve “talked” to RGB about tech issues. Count me in if you want someone else to brainstorm “scholarships” for FDL.
Absolutely never!! I thought it was funny on an exchange about typos of names.
Hey, admins, mods, etc. THIS SHOULD BE FRONT-PAGED – it is emblimatic of this community and how we hang together and have become virtual friends.
I go to other blogs, and rarely read the comments, because they either don’t engage with each other, or the poster/blogger doesn’t engage with his/her commenters, OR the commenters fling poo. This is the ONLY site I’ve found where we have built a community of virtual friends who look after each other.
This is one thing that makes FDL special for me.
Does this mean you’re accepting entries offline? (Teehee)
OK I am going to bed. Let me know how many memberships I’m on the hook for when I get here tomorrow. SHEESH. It is a dangerous place, this FDL…
@nahant – If you pick on dyslexics, doG will get you.
Promise?? I just would just love to… One of my best friends is dyslexic and has taught me a lot honest with his “Joke Of The Day” can’t repeat any in mixed company…
Gnite msmolly. Ima gonner for tonite too.
Boxturtle, this is amazing of you.
I was trying to think of some good story – you did say fish stories and outright lies were sanctioned…but I think KrisinCa’s pirate story has to win, really. I couldn’t have come up with that one to save my life.
That said, I’ll just throw in that I’d love to win ’cause I wanna go to that dinner….wait, is that the Gosprey level? Oh well, unless the dinner is held within a coupla miles I’d need a scholarship to get there, anyway. Unless of course some miracle makes the job fairy bring me a real job with decent pay sometime soon. On the sob story side, my anticipated 2 weeks of work at a generous $9 an hr ended today after 1 day and 5 hrs. I got to come home early but my paycheck won’t break $100. Sniff, sniff (wipes tear from eye).
Oh, never mind; my family has been surprisingly helpful, too, and I think I can swing a regular membership on my own. There are others who need and deserve it more.
I’ve also been thinking of who is the most obnoxious firepup – doubt that it’s eCAHN, who I’m sorry to see has already left us.
Boxturtle, you have a challenge ahead of you. Bless your heart!
peeking in during my late lunch break …
i need to win a benefactor’s membership so i don’t have to deprive myself of nasty vending machine snacks.
just kidding! I already joined, but i could go in with another Pup to help defray someone’s membership. lemme know …
**MWAHHH** i love you Pups.
ndfg! MWAHHH! yourself! You’re working nights? I didn’t realize. Good to see you. (and I was glad to see you on Twitter, too. I love Twitter these days…)
*waves* ya, 2nd shift mon thru thurs. I’m loving twitter too, i’ve gotten addicted recently after a number of years on it and never paying attention …
Well…I was on my way to join..and then…and then…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFvujknrBuE&playnext=1&list=PL8E32E5CFF3DB3D26
Because I’m a Sea Turtle? And this place should be Fire Dog Sea? ‘Cause I couldn’t use a three letter moniker like MrX? Surely someone won this already.
Because I try to buy emptywheel a beer at beer thirty?
Because I contribute music to Late Late Night?
Because you think I still care?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owWNCNyEuYI&feature=related
I felt unfettered and alive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyOUk1q12O0&feature=related
Çause I can think of songs that references long haired hippies for all the DFHs here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf-e5ZDfxfU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAk8z2PLOmc
If I win, I’ll pass a membership on to selise if she still drops by.
Alright, OK, You Win
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYVEdPy8gQY
I am going to enter with a counter entry. You should buy one for me because your should not. You see I think that I am quite deserving but do to 12 years of Catholic boarding school I can’t put myself forward as deserving of anything without massive guilt. To avoid that I am entering while insisting that you don’t give it to me (while secretly hoping you do!).
Yes I know that this is a near text book example of cognitive dissonance, which, now that I think about it is another reason why I should get the membership!
Oh by the way Boxturtle, you are a real mench for doing this. Good on ya!
That should be “emblematic” /editor
((((Boxturtle))))
You. Are. Amazing.
The alternative is badging folks via level of donation – as is done at Democraticunderground (I so hate that site that it hurts to spell the name – David does not need the money – site views per Google produce a very health income) – and HuffPo – so that improving ones image to ones peers is easily done via an icon attached to all your posts to show you donated.
HuffPo does pay for content – and free content – while it makes the content provider feel like they are adding value and often is of better quality than one would ever get from MSM – does not really generate much money. So I understand why Jane has made this move – and with the Ipad app option – if Jane wants to pursue it – don’t think she listens to me all that much ! – now available it may do better than the NYT attempt.
I’d like to get into those “Exclusive FDL chats” – if only to lurk and learn – but my finances preclude a $45 hit – for anything. Money is tight for the retired, contrary to Simpson’s/Obama’s ideas of where to screw the public so as to fund more tax cuts for the rich.
@Ecahn – Until you can top bmaz munching a troll or the moderator on Blue Texans regular posts, you’ll have to settle for 2nd tier obnoxious like me.
@msmolly – Offline enteries are perfectly acceptable. No whips, no midgets.
@Mrwhy – What’s with the youtube? Ain’tcha got no words of your own? *Ducks & runs*
It’s good to be an MOTU, if only for awhile. I can throw money into the Lake and watch the natives dive for it!
Boxturtle (Extra points will be given to anyone who can blame a sitting politician for their predicament)
Egad, I want the membership, and I might buy it myself eventually when I have the money. How do I say this? I’ll just say it.
I had two kids too young but still managed to work my way through liberal arts college. It wasn’t my fault – she lied to me, if you know what I mean. But I got two really smart, good looking, awesome sons out of it, so it’s not all bad.
I have a BA in political science and I graduated a little less than 4 years ago. I had a job at an insurance company that I lost when I got sick and the economy tanked. It was salaried but we worked required overtime all…the…time. An average week for me was about 55 hours. And I was tossed out on my ass.
I was unemployed for 8 months. Now I’m temping for the MOTU in a brokerage call center. Seriously.
I can’t afford to make my student loan payments. Any of them. Child support comes first. Even then I can barely support myself, and my temp job could end any day and when it does end, it will be sudden.
I have $70,000 in student loan debt.
In addition to all that, I’ve been fighting major depression pretty much my whole life. I went to a partial hospitalization treatment in October and now I feel much better. For the first time I thought hard about what I want for a change and learned to take better care of myself. Oh, and my meds are expensive, but they work and I’m doing ok on the depression front.
I got good grades in college. I’ve always wanted to be an academic, researcher or maybe a journalist but always thought grad school was out of the question because of my boys. I’ve stopped caring about that – I can do it. So now I’m teaching myself Arabic and applying to PhD programs in the fall. I want to study conflict and do applied conflict theory. Subjects like religious institutions in civil conflict, the effect of different kinds of civil conflict on civil society institutions and case studies are all research I’m trying to do.
So there’s my sob story. The benefactor membership comes with a tshirt, right? :)
Oh, did I mention that Tim Pawlenty is largely responsible for how much student loan debt I have? I’m from Minnesota and went to college here. By my senior year I had to borrow every penny because the $7,000 state grant that was available when I was a freshman was no longer available.
He just left office, so do I get sitting politician points for that ;)?!?!
I am working… but I’m saving about $600 dollars a month, so my grandson can take a trip to Europe with the marching band at his school and with some other schools, too.
Other people are saving for his trip, too, his grandparents and some uncles and an aunt. Otherwise, I would not be able to save enough in time for the trip.
judgement…may be biased, capricious, inexplicable or simply wrong
Didn’t I work for you for over 50 years in many, many companies?
OK, I deserve a free membership – for a year – because of all those years working for folks that I would describe using those same terms.
:-)
Buy me a membership, otherwise the terrorists win. I don’t know what that means, but it helped Bush get his way a lot.
Tap, tap, tap.
Is this thing still on?
My spouse and I have been unemployed for over two years. Spouse’s UI benefits are about to be cut off. We have struggled daily to pay the bills. I even went around the town begging to rake leaves for people in the fall and early winter just to pay the power bill. I did get a temp, part-time courier gig which I started on Monday. It is only 3 days a week and when the company is swamped and needs an extra hand.
Okay. I’m not begging. I’m just in a real bad situation now. So is CraneStation. If someone has a heart big enough to help her out, I’ll step aside.
Take Care, Pups!
Sorta like tossing bread crumbs into a fish pond at the zoo and watching the fish fight to get some!
Thanks for doing this, BoxTurtle and Kelly and all of the kind FDLers.
I would love a membership but can’t swing it right now ~ there are lots of expenses I can’t swing right now until I make all my financial ends meet. I have a story, of course, but I know others have troubles, too. I am hoping things will look much better by the end of the year, but that’s what I said last year. :-( I am actively working on Plan C and D and E as are all the other persistent people here. Some days are better than others.
I’m so happy I can go on as I have at FDL without a membership and hope I won’t miss out on *much,* but that’s probably denial! LOL. Hope everyone understands.
The only reason I can see for me to win is I had the amazing (for me) courage to actually step up and say I would like to win! Big changes come in small steps.
Still, there are so many others I want to see in line ahead of me ~ I was thrilled that Margaret got taken care of ~ every thread I am on it seems Margaret has been there already jumping in and she’s one of the best on troll-patrol.
So, if selise and CraneStation and, hell, everyone else on this thread has been covered, and there’s still room, … I would love to be a founding member.
Besides the only other thing I am a founding member of is an online bank, and that’s just not going to cut it these days, is it?
The pirates were wearing Michelle Bachmann and Scott Walker masks. I think Alan Simpson was with them too, because one of them kept yelling “Poopy!”.
Oh, thank goodness lsls will have a membership! She is a valuable voice here.
I wanna win, I wanna win. Slow down you guys, I wanna win.’cause if I win, I can be one of the cool kids. sigh. I know, I can’t buy my way to coolness. I really can dig up $45 a year.
But, here is my “How all the sitting politicians stole my life” rant:
Time was, before the pols helped the Banksters steal the country and my career, $1k for a Founders membership, (so I could go to the Cool Kids Dinner), would have been a good investment. Back then, I owned an Architecture firm, and was living out my dreams. I was approached by some Developers (scum of the earth) to design a high rise. Understand, they do not let girls design high rises (MOTU). Nor do they let small firms. But there it was, like a bright Holy Grail.
I went for it. Staffed up to 25, extended a line of credit to pay them,and I was all over the newspaper. But something was happening behind the scenes. Credit was getting tighter. The Developers were having trouble getting a construction loan. Then they were late on their payments to me, and the staff salaries went on the line of credit. Then other projects stopped paying. But I had contracts that do not let me stop working until 60 days after a late payment, which is 30 days after billing, which is 30 days after the work is performed. It all came crashing down in a slow motion landslide. I am owed $400k I will never see. I owed the bank $200k that I do not have. My Mother died leaving me $100K which I paid to my sub-contractors, because I got them into this mess. Three years of hell, sitting on the sofa waiting to drink until it is 6pm, trying in vain to figure a way out of my hell. Unemployment wrote me a letter saying they made a mistake and wanted their $17k back, immediately. That was the final straw. I declared Bankruptcy. I am sitting here each day reading Dday’s foreclosure crisis reports, knowing they will be at my door soon. But someday, I will be back on my feet.
I also know Bradley, with one self destructive act, has done more good for this world than ever I can, and is paying with his life. (Say..why not buy Bradley Manning the membership?!)
Well, the most obnoxious commenter at the Lake who should have a membership is Raven, IMO. He’s a curmudgeon, but he very often makes valid points and jabs me in the direction of optimism. I miss his voice here.
Secondly, not obnoxious in any form but badly missed, is Hugh. Please give Hugh a membership so he’ll come back.
The image came from a series of photos that prompted three days of intense discussion and an essay question on the final in one of my university philosophy classes. The photos were from around 1920, and showed young American couples at the rail of an ocean liner. They were throwing coins into the ocean so the natives could dive deep for them. The natives were obviously desperately poor and the tourists obviously very well off. Opinions ranged from “the most evil exploitation short of slavery” to “They’re entertainers, obviously very popular and they’re making a very good wage for that part of the world”.
Boxturtle (Obviously, I was closer to the entertainer side of the debate)
As I wrote I realized that what I really want is to meet some of you folks. You know who you are! That Founders Dinner is really the prize.
Why not hold some fund raising parties? Like politicians do, but not so fancy. All would be welcome, some would contribute what they could. Someplace free, like a local watering hole. Don’t you all wonder what the faces look like when attached to the monikers?
Hey Boxturtle: if you pick a first, second & third choice, I’d be glad to pay the membership of either the 2d or third choice. Let me know your email address if you want me to assist with this.
I am very fortunate & grateful to have gainful employment, which looks to be stable (at this point in time). I have enough to go around to pay for 2 memberships other than my own.
Lemme know. Onitgoes….
P.S. Very much enjoy FDL and those who post here regularly, even those who sometimes are irritating. Whatever. It’s usually a good “conversation” if nothing else. Viva la difference!
Okay, that’s a double! But you have to pick your own winners. I get first pick, and Kelly & msmolly are second.
UPDATES at the top!
Boxturtle (Whomever thought up this membership idea is probably dancing a jig with a bottle of whisky)
@Box Turtle – Just spoke with RBG at length and it looks like we’ll have an exciting Member Scholarship program coming soon. Folks will have the opportunity to donate a 1 year membership to either the member of their chosing, or contribute to a fund for some type of random lottery.
We also discussed their implementation of monthly payment processing instead of 1 time contributions, and a few other exciting things centered around the membership program.
Long story short, FDL is awesome. And making every attempt to accommodate all members of the community, regardless of their current financial situation. It seems FDL wants to see nobody left without a membership card in hand. :)
I think Kelly and I are splitting a Benefactors membership. At least that’s what I assumed last night! So at least two on offer.
“I’d like to get into those “Exclusive FDL chats” – if only to lurk and learn – but my finances preclude a $45 hit – for anything. Money is tight for the retired, contrary to Simpson’s/Obama’s ideas of where to screw the public so as to fund more tax cuts for the rich.”
Your comment made me wonder how many great voices will miss out in these difficult times for many. Having a free place for one’s voice gives hope during such times.
I am a fan of the word “inclusive.”
There are a number of things in the works to make it so nobody is left out :)
I discussed this at length this morning with a member of FDL’s team. No worries, klynn. We never leave a ‘Pup behind!
Not to be a party wrecker here but I will not approve any automatic deduction from any account, even when I have ten days prior to a payment being withdrawn to change my mind. I just don’t do a very good job of tracking these things even with numerous reminders, both electronic or manually scribed. My shortcoming, but I would like to make a simple one time contribution at some point when available work allows the finances to do so. What level of a one time donation would get me a tee-shirt? I’d be more than proud to wear one.
I have a suggestion for another type of contest. Speaking with no knowledge of the history behind the name firedoglake, I’ve often thought the FDL letters could simultaneously stand for the Free Democratic Left or something more catchy or creative. Any other ideas? Thanks and thanks again for this site.
msmolly, BoxTurtle, onitgoes – you all are awesome.
BillEgnor – you have used the reverse argument that I considered – I was explicitly taught never never to ask for anything, includng help (my mother claims astonishment that I got that message, but she made it very clear), so I understand where you’re comming from.
It handicaps me in job-hunting, too, I know – hate to ask for referals, references, etc., etc.
yellowsnapdragon – yes, I agree; I miss Raven and Hugh a lot. Almost as much as Christy (though I absolutely understand why she had to back off. Sigh.)
Yes, bittersweet,was it, who said – the dinner is the big prize ’cause we’d get to meet each other? Yeah, absolutely.
I’d love to win the Benefactors’ membership, but there are people who can’t afford any membership, and I’ll be able to cough up the basic amount shortly. I just wanna be a founding member.
I think Silverback Teddy P predates me, but not by a lot. I’ve been here since at least the Ned Lamont campaign; the 1st specific post I remember is one by Christy shortly after a WVA mine disaster (there’ve been so many, offhand can’t recall which…long before last year’s.) I was so impressed with her writing and the point of view, so different from the MSM’s brief glance, that I stuck around.
Yes, FDL is awesome.
Oh, but nonquixote – FireDogLake does have an origin tale, that includes Jane’s beloved dogs, one of whom has passed on. I think us old-timers would want to keep the name. I kinda miss those early days when we’d hear (almost) as much about Kobe’s passion for pumpkin muffins as about the latest anti-democratic outrage.
Hopefully, new comers will not miss out or be overwhelmed by membership requests.
Thanks tejanar, sounds more like an origin tail. ;)
I was not looking to change the name but possibly adding an official or unofficial descriptive amplification or enhancement using the same initials, FDL.
Yesterday was Mardi Gras-you coulda used folks diving for doubloons!
Throw me somethin’ mister-like a membership!!
oh dear, i have to pick one? *gulps*
and my offer to split was for a benefactor’s level … i could swing someone’s friend level membership by myself, but can’t quite do a benefactor’s level by myself because of the latest round of eye surgery copays. Damn our health “care” mess anyhow.
I love the idea of a scholarship program! Yay FDL!
I have had years where i went hungry so my young children could eat, where i worried about having enough gas in the car to get to my temp job, where i constantly juggled utility bills that were about to be shut off … the only way i can repay all those who helped me survive is to pass it on.
Just a note to let you all know that I have been gifted a membership. Man, am I lucky duck today!
Thank you so much. This is really a dream come true and I am so thankful to be part of community like FDL!
Congratulations PeasantParty and thank you to the generous benefactor!
Absolutely! I tweeted that I am a PROUD FDL MEMBER now! Man, it felt good.
I am a long eared dog (thanks to that SOB Johnson who would try to pick me up by my ears, the moron – I used to have lovely German shepherd type ears, all alert looking, and now I look like any old hound dog) and, as such, I am unemployable. I tried to do search and rescue but my ears would get all muddy and I just couldn’t stand it. I tried telling people Timmy was in the well but then South Park came along and all I would hear was “Timmeh!”. I tried fetching the newspaper but that only got me a pat on the head (and have you ever tasted a dead tree? Yuck). Without opposing thumbs I absolutely suck at keyboards (I type 3 words an hour and they are usually misspelled due to typos)so I cannot do anything computer-related. I have to rely on my own personal MOTU to get fed and have the occassional sweater (always in bad taste it seems, never a Ralph Lauren) in winter and sometimes a tennis ball in summer. I would love a membership in FireDogLake so I can read all the doggy things that go on here, as long as it’s nothing regarding Ceasar Milan or clicker training. If you would prefer I could take the membership in milkbones and then you could add the cost of the membership to the scholarship fund. If you ever have a protest against LBJ, please let me know.
Congrats! It couldn’t have happened to a better person!
I am not a member yet, but sure in hell am looking desperately to find what seems to be a paltry sum for some, in order to join. But the truth is my dear pups…I am a 65 year old, forcibly retired grandpop, because I cannot find enough work to support myself, I am on SS with it’s meager allotments, and I do not have some glorious well stoked ‘nest egg’ somewhere lying around. Sometimes I have enough to get by, sometimes I don’t…that’s life…you adapt, and try to keep smiling!
Blessings to all that are working, have created good fortune for themselves, and things have gone well. May you all continue to prosper, and be blessed.
FDL literally is what keeps me somewhat sane…the diary’s, the posts, the quips and quibbles, and most especially the lively commentators, is like life blood that can rejuvenate and sustain
when life has got ya down, or when you need other voices in your head to concur that it’s OK that we’re all in the same boat, trying to make sense out of the global insanity!
I am not posting here to ask anyone to consider a gift…there are many that are very, very, so much more deserving…
but what I am asking is for the opportunity to share my artistic and graphics talent, which in turn makes me feel a lot more of a contributor (than a one time money exchanger or simply a commentator, or lurker which is OK too!)
Is there a process to facilitate that or do I have to be sanctioned and accepted as a non journalistic/diary/post entity who is part of the contribution family?
On second thought, eCAHNomics deserves the membership, a great and honest and without PC limits commentator.
Hey, edve; I don’t know enough about the inner workings, but an in-kind contribution would likely be welcomed. (how does your work compare with that of darkblack?
http://darkblack999.blogspot.com/
Tho’ I don’t see his stuff as often as we used to….
anyway, I hear you. Wouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself on the “gifted” list….
Thanks for the comment tejanarusa!
I think my work is a bit softer than darkblack’s so it might not have as much impact…but just have not had a vehicle to expose a more “bite back’ style.
Here is my current blogspot: http://ukiyo-edesign.com/wordpress/
personal/photos/and art…
As I mentioned there are much more deserving folks then I, so I will wait my turn and find some way to accumulate the bucks! I often wish I had the money to add huge support to causes like FDL or Bradley M….and the ability to give something to the truly poor and downtrodden…sometimes soup kitchen aide and good deeds pale when you could have a fistful of dollars that can really change somebody’s life.
Strange place these States of Amerika! Money is so often so enabling and sinister, simultaneously!
Selise.
No one has done more for this site, imho.
Checking in – and yes MsMolly, I’m in for splitting a benefactor membership.
Turtle Man – you picked yet?
Sorry: just ONE more membership. I wasn’t clear enough; my apologies. I can afford to pay for one membership annually for the next few years.
I’ll keep my eyes open for this update. I’d prefer to just make an “anonymous” donation to the “pot” rather than having to choose someone to donate for. But whatever works is fine with me.
I had a long chat with RBG and they are wrestling with the technical challenges of splitting a membership across two credit cards and having the money wind up in their system in a single membership. I told him if it can’t be solved (and you and I can’t be the only ones who would like to do it), one of us could send the other a check and then put it on one credit card. I could also sponsor one $45 membership, but can’t spring for a second Benefactor level on my own.
There are so many deserving people that I really don’t want to pick, since I consider them all friends. It would be nice to have some impartial way to select the recipient and just have US put up the funds.
Well, I guess I’ll throw my hat into the ring. Even though I told Margaret that I probably not want a helping hand. Truth be told, it’s the only way I’ll ever be a card carrying member.
I’m Demi. I have good days. I have bad days. I have more good days than bad. I mostly only post in the mornings now. I don’t know everyone here, but I know a good many pups. And, the only way I’ve been able to contribute to the Lake is by posting a diary every once in a while. As much as I love this place and feel I have a voice here, I cannot in all good conscious spring for even the $45 a year.
Pick me! I’m Demi.
PS – I meant in all good conscience…but you all knew that. See? I need help.
I don’t mind the payment issue either way; I understand it has to be difficult as they hadn’t really thought us socialist freaks would come up with this so quickly! I can put it on my card and you can mail me a check. I’ll mail you my address.
I don’t want to pick/favoritize either. Maybe what we could do is after anybody listed in the post who didn’t already get a “scholarship”, take those names and put them in a hat, virtually speaking.
Maybe we could get Jane or someone at the mothership to do the draw and let us know the scholarship recipient. I don’t know. That’s all I can think of at the moment.
‘how does your work compare with that of darkblack?’
Ah, that no-talent darkblack’s all washed up – more like ‘fadedgrey’ now, T.
Bring in the new breed I say, some artistes with digital teeth…the better to eat them and smile with.
;>)
what a good idea!
I hate having anyone who’d like a FDL card to not have one.
I suspect that all the long-timers will get covered eventually. But let’s make sure they are in as founding members … because they are! The lake is a family place and it’s “everyone in!” I’m counting on Ryan to help organize those who want and those who want to assist. FDL and DFHs rule!
PS: For every 2 at the benefactor level, you could have 5 (!) at the regular founding member level. We can get ‘em all in the lake!
Someone was kind enough to enter a membership in the “friends” category for me. I am very, very grateful, whoever you are!!!!
I nominate Rafe. (He or she would have to wear a T-shirt with FDL on it)…Heh… ;P
The idea that RBG and I kicked around OTP was the option to either choose your member, make a $60 donation and choose a member and have the additional $15 go into a pot for a random lottery, or make a $45 donation to the random lottery. We also talked about including at least 1 friends level scholarship in the purchase of each Gosprey Circle membership, of which they’ve had some.
From our conversation, I took that there will be a random lottery selection process, or the ability to designate to whom your donation sponsors.
The other thing RBG said was that we should refer to this effort as “sponsorships” not “scholarships” since there’s no educational institution involved. And he also said he and KrisA had talked about the $60 “half” of what would be a Benefactors level with $45 to purchase a Friends level membership and the other $15 into a sponsorship fund.
I think they didn’t anticipate this and are scrambling to make it work! Which is ALL good.
Sorry, Kris, I think I overlooked your comment and wound up saying exactly the same thing. *rollseyes*
Probably shouldn’t leave wallbanger out, now should we? *evil grin*
Rafe, wallbanger, Headed West, should all be included.
Demi? If you’re choosing to be inclusive.
No fucking way. Not a goddamn chance in hell. These fucking libertarian Trolls pay their own goddamn freight.
Did I say no goddamn way?
Demi, you’re not a troll :) You’re always intelligent, polite, well-spoken, thought-provoking, and an absolute sweetheart.
This is something RBG and I discussed this morning. I agree. We talked about approaching those that were offering to purchase benefactor memberships and asking them to sponsor multiple friend level benefits instead.
Thank you, Kris.
OK. I think I should win the Benefactor Membership cuz all my life I have been making donations to worthy causes and have always envied the people who get to be Benefactors, Sustainers, Beneficent God-like Beings Whose Very Shit Does Not Stink, and other such impressive sounding titles, while I just get to be plain old donor, not because I’m really cheap but only because I’m not rich, so it isn’t fair that, even in the doing-of-good-deeds department, there should be class distinctions if not actual war. And besides, I am already a plain member, so box turtle would only have to pay for an upgrade.
There.
I just want to mention that I saw one of the Pirates today, and it was indeed Alan Simpson. He tipped me a wink and yelled “300 million tits!”, then disappeared. I think he may be magical…
What an interesting thread BoxTurtle created.
Simpson really needs to be put away before he becomes a danger to himself – he’s already a danger to others.
Poop! Tits! I’m in your government, taking your Soshul Sekyooritiez!
Boxturtle….you’re the best! Keep the enthusiasm coming. Everyone in the Lake!
I second Kris re: Demi. I just couldn’t help myself….hehehe
My comment only included the trolls; not demi, just to be perfectly clear, since the nested comments can look funky.
707!!!
Thanks, Kelly. It is sometimes difficult to see where the comment threads back to. Not that it’s the end of the world. But, we’re cool.
Boxturtle deserves kudos for this post, but also for having one of the best avatars here. That’s what I think. Isn’t s/he cute?
Flowers, baby, flowers. My broccoli plants have flowered and I have several sprigs of that in a bud vase on my desk. Always think of you when I drive by the open fields with wild flowers. Always. LS!
you forgot tinman.. you know know the it with no Heart, cold and empty??… Or wait maybe these are just reincarnations of it??
I always think of you too. BTW, the rose I named after Quakergirl almost bit it last year when I was sick, but she’s coming back gangbusters. Luv ya Babe.
Cute!
Did I see someone saying Rafe should qualify for this? The person who comes in and hijacks posts for almost the entire time they are up?
So now not only is a “liberal” president rolling over so the GOP gets whatever it wants, but FDL is going to be wimpy enough to give away a membership to a fucking troll?
Maybe it’s time to just stay with al-Jazeera/english and russia today with espn.com thrown in for the other entertainment outlet.
Someone just made a joke. No way is Rafe getting a membership unless he pays for it.
Over my dead body is any of these goddamn libertarian/republican trolls gonna get a sponsorship.
Your comment is entertaining!!! Hahahahaha
Who needs TV??!! Rafe, the new “American Idol”!
*heh* The FDL card, and, maybe the off-chance to be a ‘fly on the wall’ would totally Rawk…! ;-)
darkblack! Do you have a tool that notifies you whenever your name is mentioned?
Or did I just turn on the batsignal?
As of this post, the contest is closed! I’m at work currently, but I’ll review everything when I get off and try to post a winner before 6pm EST tonight. Expect a new post, with a summary and a link to this post.
For those of you worrying, it doesn’t look like rafe, tinman, or wallbanger entered. So there’s no worry about them winning.
For those who like my avatar, I wish I could claim I worked hours on it. But all I did was put ‘funny turtle’ into yahoo and it was on the first page of pictures. It seemed to fit.
Thanks to all who jumped in, this has been a really interesting thread and it seems to have pulled some generous people out of the woodwork.
Boxturtle (162 comments for my first FDL diary. That’s gotta be a record for a first)
And the suggestion that I could split the benefactors membership into three regulars is noted. But I had a specific reason for going with the higher level that I’ll explain in the followup.
Boxturtle (It may not be a good reason, but it’s my reason and I love it)
I think that’s “American Idiot.”
‘Do you have a tool that notifies you whenever your name is mentioned?’
As a matter of fact, George Bush does work for me in that capacity, T…Having mercy on an unemployed idler is one of my better qualities.
;>)