ganked from sabotabby

[mistersmearcase]

"Everyone has things they blog about. Everyone has things they don't blog about. Challenge me out of my comfort zone by telling me something I don't blog about, but you'd like to hear about, and I'll write a post about it. Ask for anything: latest movie watched, last book read, political leanings, thoughts on yaoi, favorite type of underwear, graphic techniques, etc. Repost in your own journal [if you like] so that we can all learn more about each other."

While I'm soliciting responses (I never get many responses when I solicit them), here's another question, more important: I'm going to have more disposable income soon. I actually really took it to heart in Sunday school when we discussed the fact that charity means more if you're not self-aggrandizing about it, so I am ambivalent about discussing this, but I'd like to give a little here and there. Historically I have given to The Nature Conservancy because I like their goals and their practical, direct approach. (They find land that's going to be ruined by developers and just fucking buy it.) The joke here being that I hate the outdoors but that's where I give. Anyway, I stopped giving to them last year when I felt really financially pinched and now I need to make a decision. Keep giving to them? Add something new? Amnesty International is appealing, but I don't actually know that much about them beyond generalities. Is there someone I should know about? I'm reluctant to give to groups who focus on lobbying because that's one fucked up system. Suggestions? Comments?

Comments

[straussmonster.livejournal.com]

We've had some short but entertaining discussions about slash, but I guess I am interested in your thoughts on yaoi. (sigh, I guess it has become a meme...)

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

Ok I'll post my really limited thoughts about slash AND yaoi :)

[straussmonster.livejournal.com]

When I get back to my home machine, I should hook you up with some of the crackier yaoi. :D

[sabotabby]

I would also be interested in seeing this.

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll look them up.

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

I have a few organizations to which I contribute that do more work in international relief efforts, including Doctors Without Borders and Women for Women International.

I do give to Amnesty International and the ACLU as a matter of habit, as well as Planned Parenthood and Nature Conservancy. Sometimes Habitat for Humanity as well. And since the 2004 election, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has received a few checks from me as well.

Given that they're backing HRC, it will be a cold day in hell before NOW ever sees another dime from me. (Which is much like Gerry Ferraro threatening not to use her fundraising acumen to help Obama, I realize.)

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

I should look into how Americans for Separation spends their money because of course it's a cause dear to my heart.

Meanwhile yeah, Doctors Without Borders, I like that idea. Tell me about Women for Women International?

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

Women for Women mostly works with women who are in wartorn regions, helping them rebuild. Here's their website: http://www.womenforwomen.org/

They are mentioned in Bill Clinton's book Giving apparently, but I won't hold that against them. Also, they are a pet project of Oprah. Same qualifier as for Bubba.

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

What charity helps women in places where it's ok to stone/kill/rape/etc them, do you suppose? Maybe just Amnesty International?

[sparkle-shortz.livejournal.com]

I was also going to suggest DWB.

[arlan-bishop.livejournal.com]

can't wait!

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

I have their world map on the office wall, reminding me how large Brazil is and that I should give them $.

[atthesametime.livejournal.com]

i highly recommend the center for constitutional rights, but in fairness, i should say i used to work there.

also, i would love to hear more about your opera interest, how it developed, etc.

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

I'll go look them up. I'm deciding whether to answer about opera in comments or in a post, because I think I may have bored people who have been on my flist a long time with it :)

[microbie.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested in hearing more about how you chose your academic major(s), but feel free to tell me to read your archive if you've covered this already.

I also enjoy the language posts. Sometimes I wonder whether I should have been a linguist, although usually I think my inability to grasp more than one language probably disqualifies me.

The Nature Conservancy was the organization we all wanted to donate to when we were graduate students with no disposable income, so I wholly endorse that group. I'm also going to look into the separation of church and state group that oblomova's mentioned.

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

I would look for a local no-kill shelter for cats, or someplace that fosters them with volunteers. They always need money. Donating to a trap and neuter/spay program is good, too.

Several of the others that were mentioned here are also excellent.

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

That's true, I could do something more productive for the cat kingdom than looking at icanhascheezburger :)

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

I gave to the Nature Conservancy on a negligible monthly drip for a few years. I figure a little is better than nothing, right?

I'm actually not sure I've ever posted about how I chose my major so maybe I will. Btw you don't have to be a particularly good language learner to be a linguist, i don't think.

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

It can't hurt. ;) I like to donate to local cause as well as international ones.

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

Well, WfW does work in a lot of places like Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq, Sudan, etc.

But I think what we really need to concentrate on is getting Hillary in the White House. That will magically erase all the bad things that have ever happened or could ever happen to women everywhere. She's just that powerful!

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

Not to blow anyone's cover, but do you think it is possible she is actually Wonder Woman?

[oblomova.livejournal.com]

Well yes, in the sense that I certainly wonder about her.

[mistersmearcase.livejournal.com]

That, too, is a good point, the local causes.