If this is inappropriate for Hatrack, too self-serving, say so and I'll delete.
But next week strange people are going to drag me away from my office and lock me away and force me to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association...
You know, those Jerry Lewis followers who do useless things like buy kids the equipment they need to live, who fund research and the fight against a group of terrible diseases. These are the same dastardly fiends who have altogether changed our Labor Day Weekend TV viewing habits.
(The MDA Telethon--more than just TV fill between the Olympics and the Presidential Conventions)
Someone listed me as an "Important Executive". They think I am worthy of being "Jailed for Good cause". They want me to call all my rich contacts and beg for money.
I don't have any rich contacts.
I do have a nice group of internet friends who may just have a few bucks wanting to go to a worthy cause.
I mean, if you were going to donate anyway...why not visit my little chunk of the MDA and help bail me out.
The site asks for $85 or more. Yeah, right. Any amount will do. $5, $10, $2,000. What ever you can afford.
I know, most fund raising pleas offer some totally useless junk as an incentive. (Yeah, that Dr. Who mug from your local public television station with the crack across Tom Bakers face).
What can I offer?
Well, there is a rare picture of Dan_Raven if you just go and visit the page.
My wife is there too, who is much easier to look at. Don't want to scare anyone away.
Plus I vow to write a long and somewhat silly description of my capture, imprisonment, and limo-ride after the event.
Oh, I forgot to mention the limo. Hey, prisoners need perks too.
Anyway, anyone who actually donates, I'll send one of my unpublished and possibly unpublishable short stories to--via email.
Donate a lot and I'll sign and mail you a hard copy to keep for future sale on E-bay when I'm famous.
So, can I count on Jatraquero's to come to my rescue and not leave me locked away with just my cell phone, my poor contacts, and a buffet of gourmet food? (Yes, its a catered jail. See the comment about Perks above. )
Can I at least count on you to read my account of this travesty of justice next week?
I just don't want to be the only guy there with a $0 in my account. I think they would torture me--make me watch a Jerry Lewis movie marathon with a group of French fans or something.
Thanks
[ August 25, 2008, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: Dan_raven ]
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I'll consider, but I'm not fond of the MDA. And I'm broke. They do good things, but they also do stuff I don't agree with.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Bad link.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Here's what it shows for me (but with graphics and such):
quote:-undefined- - MDA's MOST WANTED CITIZEN!
Currently unable to display a participants home page. Context does not exist.
MDA in your Community
* $85 -Fund One Minute of Research * $100 - Support Group Session * $800 - Send one child to MDA Summer Camp * $2,000 - Assist with Wheelchair or Leg Braces
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Shows the same for me.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
From the URL I think that's meant to be your personal page, like, for you only. I'd guess there should be a separate URL for people to visit to donate.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Synesthesia: I'll consider, but I'm not fond of the MDA. And I'm broke. They do good things, but they also do stuff I don't agree with.
I tried emailing you, but your email address doesn't work for me. I'm curious -- what is it about the Muscular Dystrophy Association that you object to? If you'd rather, you can message me off-board.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Here's a few threads on the subject from way back:
One thread. (Synesthesia's post is a down the page somewhat.)
[ August 20, 2008, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: Dagonee ]
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
I smell a chain letter in the works.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Odd situation: I don't want to stymie Dan's efforts, but I want to probe into this MDA thing a little. Sigh. I guess I'll just ask.
Would it be fair to say that some people object to the MDA because they primarily portray MD as a condition which to have deserves pity? I'm asking because I don't think you can divorce the fundraising for research/treatment/assistance from a pity reaction in donors. If it isn't pitiable, in other words, it would not seem to be a problem.
Or would that be oversimplifying it?
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
quote:$85 - Fund One Minute of Research
Man, and I thought my billable rate was high... I gotta re-negotiate.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
At most -- 24hours per day, 365days per year -- that would be equivalent to a research budget of less than $45million per year. Assuming 40hours per week and 50weeks per year, the research budget would be a bit over $10million per year.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I guess it depends....I don't pity the people with MD....but there are a lot of people who suffer from this, and not enough money is being spent on researching this. ALso, it can be a huge financial burden, and some of these people receive sub-standard care because of lack of funds.
It is a fine line to draw between pitying the person, and finding the state of medical research on MD pitiful. Also, it is possible e(IMO) to offer assistance without thinking the people suffering from this as anything other than people who were dealt a raw hand. It doesn't make then any less of a person.....yet it is possible to want to help cure this disease so that no one else will have to go through it.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Dan...it worked for the first time for me just now.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Good. I fixed it. NOw if my computer doesn't explode, (fan is melting) I'll see if I can start begging my way out of jail
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I'm not begging.
yet.
But if I don't get some donations soon I think they may force me to watch "Cinderfella" over and over again.
Oh, the humanity. Jerry Lewis is evil, which is why the French love him.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Dan, in the future, a simple way to test this is to use a different browser. For example, if you normally use firefox, visit the site in IE. The cookies aren't shared across browsers, so it won't present you as being logged in.
There are other ways to do this, such as creating a new profile in firefox or deleting your cookies for that site. But the different browser option is the easiest.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Yeah. I just wasn't expecting this situation from an organization seemingly as organized as the MDA. Apparently they are have lots of people email out donation requests, that don't work either. I think its fixed now. Thanks.
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
I'd love to help Dan but my dh just got laid off and only gets one paycheck as severance Wish I could donate something more than wishing you good luck! May your luck be better than mine has been recently.
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
I accept good luck wishes anytime.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Well, they are about to come and drag me away. I think this will be an interesting time. If interested, I'll tell you about it later.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Wish I could donate something more than wishing you good luck! May your luck be better than mine has been recently.