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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Sept 17, 2013 22:40:27 GMT -5
I'm as concerned about politics as the next person. The continual calls to slash food stamps, education, Social Security and so forth concern me deeply. BUT I am sick to death of having my email jammed full of requests for money from one organization after another, each spouting a tale more harrowing than the next. Even if I contributed $3 to each of them it would be more than I can afford. How does one remain poltically involved without having to listen to all the horrifying stories -- and some of them truly are -- or going broke? I totally agree with what Anne said. Also consider is that all those emails are like any other form of advertisement. They're doing whatever they can, including sob story anecdotes, to convince you to donate. The cause, whatever it is, is only one and sometimes not even the primary motive. I say to scope out the various charities to figure out (with references like Charity Navigator) which ones you feel comfortable donating to. Advertising needs to be deconstructed; if it's coming faster than you have time to really analyze, it's cause they're trying to give you info overload so you shut down that process and are more likely to just do whatever they want you to do. If that's the case, then you just have to ignore the deluge. The other thing to consider is that despite what they are arguing, donating money is not the only way to have a positive impact on the world. Oftentimes personal action can have a greater effect; even if it does take more time and thought and effort.
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Post by Onjel on Sept 18, 2013 7:24:43 GMT -5
*snipped* BUT I am sick to death of having my email jammed full of requests for money from one organization after another, each spouting a tale more harrowing than the next. Even if I contributed $3 to each of them it would be more than I can afford. How does one remain poltically involved without having to listen to all the horrifying stories -- and some of them truly are -- or going broke? *snipped for brevity* The other thing to consider is that despite what they are arguing, donating money is not the only way to have a positive impact on the world. Oftentimes personal action can have a greater effect; even if it does take more time and thought and effort. This.
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Post by SpringSummers on Sept 18, 2013 14:41:39 GMT -5
I'm as concerned about politics as the next person. The continual calls to slash food stamps, education, Social Security and so forth concern me deeply. BUT I am sick to death of having my email jammed full of requests for money from one organization after another, each spouting a tale more harrowing than the next. Even if I contributed $3 to each of them it would be more than I can afford. How does one remain poltically involved without having to listen to all the horrifying stories -- and some of them truly are -- or going broke? *hugs* I'm going a bit political-ish here. If it's an organization we've donated to before, I start out polite: For the phone calls, I say "I'm sorry, we are not able to help you financially at this time". If they get pushy, I say no again, and if they still push, I say goodbye and mentally cross them off my list. For the emails, I try to unsubscribe using the link. When (not if, when) that doesn't work *glares at League of Women Voters*, I email them once, and if they still persist, I spam-filter them. The ones we've never donated to, they're spam from the beginning, and I treat them as such. You can't fix everything. Do what you reasonably can, but don't drain yourself, financially or emotionally, and don't guilt yourself over it, either, that's how some of the scammier operations get to you in the first place. I did have one nice experience; the NPR station we support called after we renewed our membership. Not to demand more money, just to thank us. Yes, I'm with Anne. I have a couple of places I donate to, and one that I do some volunteer work for, and that's it. I chose them awhile back, based on my personal interests/priorities. I say no to everything else, regardless of the sob story. I am polite, in that I say "No - thanks for calling." But I hang up immediately after I say that. If I continue to get calls from somewhere (be it a charity or a vendor of some kind), I say, "You have called me several times before, and I'm not interested in this. Please take me off your call-list." I don't answer any requests for explanations, and just repeat what I said as need be. I once had to tell a persistent lady, twice, "I don't want to explain it, I just want you to take me off the list, can you do that?" I hang up immediately after I am satisfied that my request has been understood and accepted. I unsubscribe as Anne mentioned, and spam filter as needed. I feel zero guilt on this score. As Anne says, do what you reasonably can . . . and you get to decide what that is.
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Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Sept 19, 2013 10:33:59 GMT -5
Won't be here for PR tonight. We're going to go see a favorite band play!
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 19:15:32 GMT -5
Won't be here for PR tonight. We're going to go see a favorite band play! Hope you have a fab time!
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 19:25:22 GMT -5
*snipped for brevity* The other thing to consider is that despite what they are arguing, donating money is not the only way to have a positive impact on the world. Oftentimes personal action can have a greater effect; even if it does take more time and thought and effort. This. **nods** Like Spring, I have my chosen organizations, treat them like a regular "bill" every month - and my ones that I volunteer for. The rest can do what they like, I will do as I like. I have a simple philosophy - "do some good in this world and have fun". ;-) The ones I eye-roll over a bit are the folks on the street - always for a good cause, yes, but their opening line is so very manipulative. It's always some version of "can you spare a minute to: save the environment/rescue helpless children/make sure more animals don't die/etc.". Because they expect you'll think you can't say "no". Usually I just smile and say "sorry" or "no" or whatever. But to the really smarmy/annoying/persistent, I smile and say "Yes I can, but I don't have a minute for you". Just because I'm not helping them doesn't mean I'm not helping in my own way.
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 19:50:30 GMT -5
It's almost time for Project Runway - woot!!
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Post by SpringSummers on Sept 19, 2013 20:01:09 GMT -5
It's almost time for Project Runway - woot!! OK! I am here. Let's play!
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Post by SpringSummers on Sept 19, 2013 20:06:37 GMT -5
It's almost time for Project Runway - woot!! I guess I need to find a picture of an "everyday" woman for us to "make over . . . "
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 20:08:29 GMT -5
What is our challenge tonight?
A make-over for PR "superfans". Whoa! Real-person challenge? Time for the whining by designers to begin! And it's the hair challenge.
And within 2 seconds, we get "I've never sewn for real women." OY!!
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 20:11:31 GMT -5
It's almost time for Project Runway - woot!! I guess I need to find a picture of an "everyday" woman for us to "make over . . . " Coolio!! Then we'll totally fashion her up!! Big huge swirling skirt, cutting edge fashionista collar, all sculptural and architectural. A bodice with sparkle and cut outs. Bold colors! Vermillion and midnight blue! Coral and lime green!
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Post by SpringSummers on Sept 19, 2013 20:15:58 GMT -5
I guess I need to find a picture of an "everyday" woman for us to "make over . . . " Coolio!! Then we'll totally fashion her up!! Big huge swirling skirt, cutting edge fashionista collar, all sculptural and architectural. A bodice with sparkle and cut outs. Bold colors! Vermillion and midnight blue! Coral and lime green! OK, let's use this nice looking but plainly attired "everyday" lady:
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 20:28:23 GMT -5
Coolio!! Then we'll totally fashion her up!! Big huge swirling skirt, cutting edge fashionista collar, all sculptural and architectural. A bodice with sparkle and cut outs. Bold colors! Vermillion and midnight blue! Coral and lime green! OK, let's use this nice looking but plainly attired "everyday" lady: Excellent! OK, she's a blonde, so maybe icy blues and silvers, or do we want to go firey? Reds and oranges? She's wearing red already, so maybe go with that, since she likes it? Swirling skirt with stripes and a lovely flowiness, or shall we go with slim lines, all slinky and sexy?
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Post by Karen on Sept 19, 2013 20:45:29 GMT -5
Ohhhhh!!!! I want a superfan Makeover!!!! Make me with purple and pink hair and something fitted and leather with boots and gloves and a mask or headdress!!! oooooo What a fun idea! Bravo, PR!!!
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Post by Lola m on Sept 19, 2013 20:48:03 GMT -5
Speaking of cars, the young marrieds are back with automotive transport: a very-low-mileage 1996 Camry, because it was what they could afford. The old car blew a head gasket after taking them to Vegas for the Star Trek con for their honeymoon. I've been building chicken pens and also fighting bad joint pain, and freaking out because the last time I had this level of painit turned out that I had a dental abcess blow up and was sick for a week. I napped yesterday; the last time I napped was when I had the flu-that-wasn't-in-the-flu-shot, about four years ago. I am not a napping creature. Still not watching PR; still don't feel much deprived by that fact. Julia, and now, since there's another hour until dark, I go to move chicken containers around. Star Trek con for a honeymoon? Awesome!! Bummer about the car, but at least they got something else to get them home, eh! Hope the pain improves, with no complications and what not. PR is being very wanky and I wish there was less drama-llama-ing and more, you know, designing! We joke that us s'cubies beat all the designers each week, but I swear we are beating them this season! In maturity if in no other way.
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