Help me help 23.6 million people

I really should have posted this sooner, but school kicked my butt this semester, and this week I have been on crutches & crying thanks to a perfect storm of gout-inducing circumstances. OWW. So I actually sort of forgot about getting the word out...and that makes me a terrible human being to be sure, but…

...I’m here now, blegging for your assistance. On June 13th I’m riding the Tour de Cure, a charity bike ride to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association. I know, these charities have huge overhead, but diabetes doesn’t have a lot of directly-donatable charities, and more people are getting this - especially children. Did you know they no longer call Type 2 “adult-onset diabetes?” Because the largest growing segment that gets it? Kids. Kids are getting a disease that used to afflict mainly the elderly, then fat middle-aged people, and now, thanks to a combination of flat-out evil behavior from food companies and utter laziness coupled with a lack of effort on the parts of parents everywhere...kids are getting “adult onset” diabetes as early as 8 or 9 years old. Just imagine what that means, what you have to feed a child in order to create a disease state that shouldn’t happen to them for another 40 years.

Part of the effort to combat this trend is education (both parents and children), and that costs money, and that is where the American Diabetes Association can be useful. SO...go here: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/stark23x. Donate. Sponsor my (still fat but shrinking every day) ass to chug along the roads of North Haven, CT in support of helping not the fat middle-aged dude who eats nothing but King-Size Reese’s and KFC twice a day and can’t figure out why he’s 350 lbs. and his blood sugar is all over the road, but for the child of that parent who doesn’t know that what the kid is being given to eat is going to put them in the ground at an early age.

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/stark23x. Right now my class’s team is signed up for the 25K. I should tell you now, that is NOT a challenge for me.  However, if I raise $250, I will ride it twice, even if no one else from my team joins me. 50K is a bit of a challenge, but here’s the kicker. $500 and I’ll ride it three times. 75K will literally chap my ass, and I do mean literally. So if you despise me, here’s your chance to make me suffer. The more you give, the more pain I will be in on June 13th. :)

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/stark23x. 

It’s donatin’ time…

I’m afraid it’s that time again...time for a server drive. With Lee’s passing, the entire cost of the server is now on my shoulders, and times - as they are for everyone I’m sure - are tight.  Blogads are a thin trickle these days, not nearly enough to pay for the server.  And so I’m coming to all of you hat in hand.  If you find any value in any of the sites I host, please consider a small donation. Every penny will go directly to the cost of paying for the $250 a month this machine and the associated bandwidth costs me.

We host the following blogs:

Right Thinking
Right Thoughts
Made of Awesome
Wasting Time WIth Alex
Moorewatch
The Victorious Opposition

So if you are a fan of any of these sites, consider sending maybe the cost of a beer or two. The cost of a couple of beers, when multipled by a group of you, could keep us going for months. Unfortunately we only have Paypal as a donation solution, since Amazon closed their donation/payment program. Hopefully that’s okay for most people.

I wish there was a way to express to all of you how little I like doing this.  Some day I will either be rich or Supreme Ruler of the Universe and then I’ll host everyone’s websites for free. :)

Ping!  Fundraiser reminder

First of all, thank you SO much to every person that has already donated to the server fund.  Some of you did it anonymously, and some of you let me know.  Either way is cool, but those of you who let me know who you are...I’m trying to figure out something cool with which I can thank you.  At the very least I will address each of you individually, as I have developed at least that much class over the years. Well...almost.

As I said the last time, if you think we’re worth a few bucks...please hit the tip jar.  It’s not an emergency, it’s just a bit of a rough patch and this server never gets cheaper.  It never gets more expensive, thankfully, but it never gets cheaper.

All we’re asking for is a small contribution.  Think of it like buying us a pizza...or a couple of microbrews.  Just a few bucks to get the monkey called Softlayer (our hosting provider) off our backs.

Use Amazon.Com

Use PayPal:

As always...you rock.

It’s fundraising time…

People, you have no idea how little I want to write this post.  I have been putting it off forever, but numbers are numbers, and numbers don’t lie.  My numbers are telling me that I need to once again ask for the support and generosity of the readers of the blogs on our server.

If you read anything by me, Lee, any of the guys at MOA, Moorewatch or Right-Thinking or anyone else we host, and you think we’re worth a few bucks...please hit the tip jar.  It’s not an emergency, no one is dying, no one is losing their house, although our house is part of it - our tax bill went up because our house is worth more, so our mortgage escrow is short and you homeowners know what that means!  Monkeys on backs.

All we’re asking for is a small contribution.  Think of it like buying us a pizza...or a couple of microbrews.  Just a few bucks to get the monkey called Softlayer (our hosting provider) off our backs.

You people are awesome, and have always treated us well.  I hope that every reader of this site knows I appreciate the years of posting, comments and general yacking we’ve all done.

It’s that time again…

I’ve been putting this off, for reasons that are obvious to anyone who is regular.  Unfortunately I’m getting a little thin in the financial area, so it’s time for a new server drive. 

Let’s build a wiki

Let’s use the wiki function built into the site to make a wiki that actually contains information we want people to know about Moore.

Here is our Wiki.

Here’s where you can learn how to use it.

I’ll be checking in to make sure no one is abusing the system...filling it with nonsense or vandalizing pages will result in bannination faster than Trogdor can hit you with his big beefy arm.  Don’t make me have him burninate you.

If we do this right, we’ll never, EVER have to hear “I went to the site and it;s just a bunch of nazi fascist neocon rightwingers talking there’s no PROOOOOOOOOFFFFFF...”

Goddamned hippies.  ;)

Uncle JimK Wants You

We’re looking for one or two volunteers to be on the MichaelMoore.Com beat.  Your job would be to read the drivel on his website (specifically his site, not necessarily TV appearances or books or anything else) and write posts about it.  You can “fisk” his ramblings, simply point out flaws and inconsistencies, whatever you feel comfortable doing.  Of course at times other writers may have something to say about some insanity Mikey posts, but generally the beat would be yours alone.  It’d be rare that any more than one or two of us would want to tackle his nonsense.

All we ask is that you be honest and do your homework.

If you’re interested, comment or email me.  Y’all know where I be at.

We need your help!

It’s that time of the year again...time for the PBS Moorewatch fund drive.  I have no tote bags to give you.  In fact I’m so frigging broke I’m accepting free totebags.  I plan to convert them to clothing.

Here’s the deal: 

We need your videotape

Hey fellow Moorewatchers.  I need your help for a little project of which I cannot speak freely at this time.  However, I can say that if you dig this place and you’re interested in a broader, more well-rounded, less myopic view of Our Boy Mikey...you’re going to like it.  I know that Moorewatch can be narrow of focus at times.

What we need is your help.  We need videotape.  Actual physical tapes.  News broadcasts, TV appearances, absolutely ANYTHING you have on Michael Moore.  Nothing from movies or documentaries, but TV appearances, college appearances, political rallies, demos and news footage will all work.  Physical tapes would be best.  In a pinch, if there is absolutely no way to get the source, I might be able to use downloadable video but it’s going to have to be fairly decent quality.  Definitely look to physical tapes first.

Again, it doesn’t matter what show or network it was on, or even how old it is.  I would say we could even use foreign news sources.  Mike on al Jazeera?  Sure, why not.  If you have ANY tapes with footage of Mike...please consider sending it to me.  I promise it will be put to good use.

You can send it to:

Moore Tapes
PO Box 4302
Hamden CT 06514 USA

Much thanks in advance.  Y’all rock.  :)

Call to action

Ok folks, this is what we do.  Here’s the skinny:

The Blob is in town with his “non-political” film festival, and the local
liberal paper is having love-spasms. I volunteered to work as a “security”
person at Genie Aldrich’s counter-festival which is showing “Michael Moore
Hates America” on Friday night. I am looking for quotes from the Blob that I
can print and hand out to the lefties. I remember him calling Americans
“stupid” in the foreign press, but I can’t find it. Can you help me locate
some telling quotes? I’d like to put this together today, if possible.

Thanks,

Daniel Sanderson

You know what to do.  Find the choice stuff, in context with citation as to source, and drop it in the comments.  I’ll point Daniel to this thread.  Let’s roll.  ;)

OT: Please leave your name, number and a brief message after the beep…

I’m gearing up to produce The Starkcast #3, and I just wanted to remind you all that I have a voice mail number for you to abuse.

1-206-600-JIMK (5465)

Planned topics:

-A little on Star Wars Ep. 3 (a slightly spoileriffic review)
- iTunes enhancements, iPods, podcasting, Paris Hilton (trust me it all ties in!)
-South Park Conservatives reviewed (the book)

The SPC review will cover a lot of ground about the liberal/conservative media, pop culture, gay culture, the intellectual honesty of authors, news people and filmmakers, etc.

If you have thoughts on any of this stuff, it just might be useful, so give the voice mail a call.

1-206-600-JIMK (5465)

Consider the comments open mic.  Talk about the above stuff, your underwear or whatever.

*UPDATE*

I’m not too bright.  I have been touting the WRONG FRIGGING NUMBER.

206-600-5465.  five four six five.

Boy do I feel dumb.

A favor

OK, love us or hate us, you’re here.  Every day.  So help a brotha out.  Look in the upper right-hand corner.  See that ad for ipodlounge’s Buyer’s Guide?  Click it.  ONCE!  Maybe once every few days.  I’m trying to win a pair of very expensive headphones because mine are dying.  They happen to be giving away the very ‘phones I swear by, the Shure E5c.

Actually my E5s are turning green and the plastic sheathing on the wires is disintigrating.  It’s kind of gross.  So I need new ones.  No money need change hands...just click, ONCE PLEASE, they are tracking IP numbers.

If I win...I’ll..umm..do something.  For you.  As long as it doesn’t involve my nipples.  Or fire.

Since this is an off-topic bleg...let the free-for-all commence.  Comments are open to any and all topics except Terry Schiavo and the Pope.  Let’s be a Schiavo/Pope-free zone, whattya say?

Looking for an assist

Reader Roy sent this in:

When Michael Moore finally updated his website after the Nov election, he had the picture of “Jesusland” and a scathing article degrading the people who voted for Bush. Do you know where I can get a copy of that article?

I remember the graphic, but I can’t remember what article was linked.  Anyone out there know?

Announcement: A new community site

Not everyone will be interested in this, and not all of you will fit in to the plan, but…

Announcing South Park Conservatives (dot com).

My intent is to make this a true group community site, where members submit stories and editors (to be named later) pick the ones that end up on the front page.  There are forums as well...and it’s PostNuke, so we can add features later to expand the community.  I don’t want it to be driven by any one person or personality, but to truly reflect a community, so once it gets rolling I hope to take a back seat and let the site govern itself as much as is possible.

Come on over, register (one login for the site AND the forums!) and have some fun.  Know this: It is NOT a Moore-related venture.  In fact I rarely expect his name to come up.  He doesn’t really fit with the idea.  I want this to be a place where we can examine issues where SPCs bump heads with traditional conservatives and see how we as SPCs can expand our influence.

Check it out.  Pretty sparse right now because I just got the software installed...we need people!

If you’re a Moore-on who is thinking of following along, know that there is a Total zero tolerance policy for negative behavior.  If you;d like to come and have some thnoughtful discussions and a little fun, then come and be welcome.

Bleg; Need an artist

I’m creating a new community site.  I need someone to do a masthead/logo and maybe some stuff for effect around the site.

It needs to be in the style of South park.

Anyone out there that can draw? The work would be moneyless, but I would thank you a lot.  :)

I need a Christmas miracle

*UPDATE*

I should have done this months ago.  The blogosphere always comes through.

Thansk to the suggestions from some peoplearound the ‘net to look at high-risk stuff, I ended up getting a call from a company called IAB Health Group.  They buy group plans and resell to people that Anthem Blue Cross turns down.  The end result?  As of January 1st, we might be covered.  And it’s pretty good insurance, not the best ever but a damn sight better than paying out of pocket.  The benefits list is here.

Now, like in all things that seem too good to be true, I am wary.  I used a credit card that I can dispute should all hell break loose and this turn out to be some scam.  Worst case scenario, I lose $341.80 (the first month plus enrollment fee).  If this turns out to be totally legit, IAB will bcome my new favorite company ever and I’m going to become evangelical in trying to get them new members.

Thank all of you SO much for your help, suggestions, prayers and wishes.  I feel like a three ton weight is off my shoulders...maybe.  :)

Oh, and to the couple of folks that went that extra mile, and you know who you are...I don’t really know what to say except thank you.  I hope your Christmas or Hannukah or whatever you celebrate is the best it can possibly be.

END *UPDATE*

I have been thinking about this for weeks, wondering if posting this is somehow crossing the line.  I know lots of people ask for support and favors in the blogosphere.  I have asked on behalf of others in the past.  This time I’m asking for me.

If you aren’t aware (and unless you’re a long-time reader of my blog, there is no reason you should be), my wife has been pretty ill for nigh on to 5 years now.  Our health insurance was gone a long time ago...she was a law student and the university stopped covering her after the third semester of medical leave.

Last year I was turned down by every carrier I could find.  I fear it may be worse this year because now she has been diagnosed as epileptic.  Pre-existing conditions and all that.  I have tried almost every group or self-employed plan you can find, all to no avail.  Many of them don’t even return multiple requests for information.

So here is my plea...if you work in the health insurance business and you know a way I can get her insured, please tell me.  We would be willing to pay almost anything in premiums.  Anything has to be better than the $12,000 or so we’re shelling out now.

I only have one string: It has to be a PPO.  Any plan that would restrict the doctor or facility choice or force us to apply for permission for treatment isn’t worth having, we may as well pay cash.

There has to be someone out there who can help.  Someone who knows the rules or can make an executive decision to help us out.  Right?  There has to be someone.

If you can help, please contact me.  I will be in your debt for all of time.

A Favor

My regular blog, Right-Thinking, has been nominated for Best Conservative Blog in the 2004 Weblog Awards.  Since I am nothing more than a shameless publicity whore, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind popping over there and voting for me.  Earlier today I as tied for first, but now I’m in fourth. 

Help a brutha out…

BLEGGING TIME!

OK, it’s been awhile, and you know I wouldn’t ask if we didn’t have to.

Our provider says that the errors are definitely RAM relatedand they would be greatly alleviated by adding another gig of RAM to the server (bringing us to two gigs).  It’s going to cost, though...since we’re leasing this, they charge a monthly fee.

So we need a few bucks.  Not a lot, $400 bucks should cover it for the remainder of our lease.  And so I humble prostrate myself before you, the goodly and kind readership, and ask that you hit the donation links over to the right.

Remember, every time you see an error message, God kills a kitten.  Won’t you please think of the kittens?*

Apologies to Fark for Grand Theft Cliche

Quotes

Here’s a group effort for today.  Let’s compile a list of the best Michael Moore predictions about President Bush’s demise.  For example:

And, whenever you’ve got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up.

There’s got to be hundreds of them.  You have your marching orders, leave what you find in the comments.  (And use the link button to leave a source for your stuff, if possible.)

Looking for more on this story

This is an odd one-liner in what seems to be an unrelated story...unless the reporter is trying to illustrate the farce of Soros denouncing Moore for misleading tactics while being the primary backer of one of the most vile PACs and 527s in existence.

George Soros denounced filmmaker Michael Moore for using unethical and misleading tactics following a speaking engagement in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 19.

Anyone find anything else about this speech?  Did Soros elaborate?

Could this be a ploy, or a genuine falling out between the Jedi master G’eo’rge il-Soros and his padawan, Michael wan Moorenobi?  Is Soros finally realizing that Moore is an albatross in any election?  or is this some kind of plausable denability “See, we’re not really working together” ploy?

Update

Polls are fun!