Furious Seasons

May 29, 2009

Summer Fundraiser, Criticized For Asking

Another $385 came in yesterday from nine people, bringing the total raised so far to $1,510 from 37 people. That leaves $2,490 from 63 people to go to reach the overall goals of $4,000 from 100 people somewhere around June 5, next Friday.

Thanks to all of you who've contributed so far.

I have two substantial concerns right now: 1) I fear the fundraiser won't meet its goals or even come close and 2) I've been roundly attacked in a few comments (which I didn't post) and a couple of emails in the last 24 hours for even asking for contributions to support the work I do here. Of course they were all anonymous! Apparently some folks have a weird beef with me (whatever, have a nice day) or somehow don't get that sites like this one are rapidly becoming the new media in the US. To expect them to operate for free is sheer madness (I can assure readers that I do it for a significant discount). As it stands these days, there are plenty of political blogs that solicit their readers for contributions (or they have loads of ads or funding from a political group, neither an option for FS), so what I am doing with this fundraiser isn't so unusual and is pretty tame by the standards of your local community radio station or political blogs. One political site, truthout.org, used to send readers "Contribute or we go out of business" emails once a month. I try to limit my begging to once a quarter.

Anyway, it's Fear #1 that I'm most concerned about at this point since this site is my only means of support currently (sadly, the freelance writing market has gone to hell over the last nine months or so). Newer readers probably don't know this, but for the first two years of this site's existence I subsidized things 100 percent out of my own pocket and only turned to readers for support in 2007 when several readers requested that I do so.

If you'd like to help ensure that my cats and I don't end up on the street in the next week or so, please consider making a donation today.

As usual, the PayPal button is on the right. If you prefer snail mail, send me an email and I'll send you a mailing address.

Thanks for your support.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at May 29, 2009 12:05 AM

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Comments

Cats? Sorry, I'm a dog person.

But seriously, don't pay any attention to those low-life scumbags. I'm sorry to say that given the nature of your blog, such attacks are proportional to the quality of your articles. Keep it up.

Posted by: Patricio at May 29, 2009 05:30 AM

It seems to me that anyone who doesn't approve of fund raising appeals they don't have to read them. They're clearly marked as such.

Or they can go start their own damned blog.

Posted by: Sherry at May 29, 2009 06:09 AM

Now I wonder why people would waste time sending you anonymous emails?

Could it be that there are a number of factions that would be very happy to see this site abandoned?

If these people don't think your hard work deserves a donation then why do they bother wasting time coming to your site to read the enlightening information you post daily?

You deserve every dime you get and don't let anybody tell you different. And anonymous emails should be banned.

Cheers,

Evie

Posted by: Evelyn Pringle at May 29, 2009 11:59 AM

You are alright, Philip.

I'd be happy to contribute, but I'm not economically viable these days due to the forces that exist. I wish you luck in your efforts,

Dan

Posted by: Dan at May 30, 2009 09:53 AM

I bet they get paid to attack you.

Posted by: Lilly NC at May 30, 2009 10:44 PM

Phil,

Don't worry about the criticism. If you aren't getting some flak, you aren't speaking truthfully enough to power.

Sorry to be a little late in the curve with this donation. You are worth every penny, even if you are a gun-loving smoker. The reporting you are doing is necessary. You do it damned well.

We need you. Keep it up.

Posted by: Gene Combs at May 31, 2009 09:09 PM