sometimes they just don't get it

[realthog]

Make no mistake, I'm a great fan of the rationalist organization the Center for Inquiry (CFI), and I think the work they do pushing back against the forces of ignorance and superstition -- and outing the crooks who take advantage of other people's ignorance and superstition -- is excellent.

But every now and then, almost reassuringly, the CFI does something so blitheringly stupid as to defy credence. A few months ago they issued a -- hastily retracted and revised -- positional statement opposing the so-called Ground Zero Mosque (you know, the one that isn't a mosque and isn't at Ground Zero). And now they've sent out a fundraising appeal that you can tell from its opening few lines just isn't going to raise that many funds from the rank-and-file CFI supporters like me.

A Special Message from Eddie Tabash
CFI Board Member, Speaker, Debater, and Chair of CFI Los Angeles

Like most Americans, I have been experiencing difficult economic times in this most challenging year. Nonetheless, I have personally donated a total of $100,000 to CFI during 2010.

That's where I stopped reading, and I suspect it's where most other recipients will have stopped reading likewise.

Anyone who has $100,000's worth of spare cash lying around that they can give to the CFI -- or any other charity -- is not "experiencing difficult economic times". "Experiencing difficult economic times" is what people whose total annual earnings are less than half that $100,000 -- sometimes 'way less -- are doing.

Comments

[slweippert.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if the cluelessness above is annoying or funny.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

Depressing. How can we get anywhere when even those supposedly on the right side are so disconnected from the larger numbers of people who make $50,000 per annum, when they're lucky, and those who make even less?

Love, C.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

But all his friends are in the same situation as him. They aren't getting the third holiday or the yacht this year.

[mylefteye.livejournal.com]

*shakes head in disbelief*

It reminds me of when I used to donate money to an animal charity called IFAW a few years back. I gave regularly and what I could afford, but when the donation slip changed to "We appreciate any amount, no matter how small. Tick box [ ]£35 [ ]£55 [ ]Other...." they lost a supporter.

[intertribal.livejournal.com]

That reminds me of "I want my life back" guy.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I've been having really difficult economic times. I had to give up my second Cessna and my spare Bentley. It is to weep, I tell you.