Jim Hake over at “Spirit of America” is starting a “Blogger Challenge” to see which blogs can raise the most money for the great things his charity is doing in Iraq. While I’m not big on contests (I hate to lose), I signed up immediately because I support so completely what Jim is doing. If you’re not familiar with it, click on the link just above.
And if you care to donate, you’re welcome to do so through this blog by clicking here. I’ve started the ball rolling by donating $100.00. I had two reasons. One, I support the cause and, two, that’s the bare minimum that has to be contributed through a blog for the blogger to win a “Spirit of America” baseball cap. As many know, I’m a well-known lover of hats. [Is that because you're short on top?-ed. You're fired.]
By the way, one of the many new initiatives SoA is involved in is the creation of new Arabic-language blogs in Iraq to counteract Al Jazeera, etc. (”Arabic Blogging Tool – Viral Freedom“). You won’t be surprised to learn that the estimable crew (Omar, Ali and Mohammed) at Iraq the Model will be involved with that. Those three gentlemen, who, with other Iraqi bloggers, have opened so many minds in this country to the realities of life in Iraq, are coming to the USA in December. I’ll be one of those hosting them here in LA. I look forward to meeting them and I dedicate all the contributions made by this blog to “Spirit of America” to them.
OBVIOUS UPDATE: Any other bloggers reading this, please click here to join in. Then click on “join the challenge.”
UPDATE: As of 4:24 PM Pacific, $1690.00 has been donated to “Spirit of America” through this blog. Thank you.





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11 Comments
1. chuck:Good on you.
I was planning on making another donation to SoA anyway and the chance to cast vote for your blog made today the day. My last donation went through Argghhh. Hey, maybe I should have checked out the competition
I’m looking forward to the visit of the Iraq the Model brothers. Hope you post some pictures and commentary.
Nov 19, 2004 - 12:03 pm 2. Julie Cleeveley:I would very much like to come over and meet the three brothers who have contributed so much to my understanding of Iraq. Mohammed, Omar and Ali are thinkers, writers, educators and patriots.
Nov 19, 2004 - 12:08 pm 3. Jim E:I too would love to meet & support these guys. Please let us know when they’ll be in LA, and if there will be a public gathering.
Nov 19, 2004 - 3:07 pm 4. Paul Snively:Please do let us Los Angelenos know when the band of brothers will be in LA. This calls for a celebration!
Nov 19, 2004 - 3:44 pm 5. Jamie Irons:Roger
Inspired by you, I just now contributed; I have been donating to SoA for about a year now.
But they didn’t offer me a hat!
Jamie Irons
Nov 19, 2004 - 4:46 pm 6. richard mcenroe:Count me in on payday.
Nov 19, 2004 - 4:50 pm 7. Lydia:Jim E put it much more succinctly than I did in my email to you, Roger. I sincerely hope an arrangement can be made so that us fans can meet these guys. They’re heroes in my book.
Nov 19, 2004 - 5:36 pm 8. TmjUtah:I’d love to participate on my own forum, but since I’ve got the same traffic volume as a Maine outhouse between two and three a.m. on a January morning I guess I’ll just pitch in here. Proudly, of course.
Give me a day to figure out where our checking account stands and I’ll give what we can.
I collect baseball and cowboy hats…*grin*.
Nov 19, 2004 - 10:48 pm 9. Loki the Dog:Whoops–guess I didn’t take the high road like TmjUtah when we saw this yesterday!
But, thought that perhaps we’d reach the few people who read our site and may not see this elsewhere.
We were, however, inspired by Roger Simon to join the challenge as well as match his initial donation.
Roger: how about a “Roger Simon” challenge to other bloggers to join the challenge and begin with an initial donation of at least $100? While it wouldn’t show up in your totals it could help drive more donations, and we’ll all know who was responsible!
Nov 20, 2004 - 5:49 am 10. Silicon valley Jim:Roger, would you please e-mail me? I have a small proposal to assist you in raising some money. It’s not a scam. I promise.
Nov 20, 2004 - 8:27 am 11. chuck:but since I’ve got the same traffic volume as a Maine outhouse between two and three a.m. on a January morning…
Ooh, that brings back memories. But hey, 20 below on a sunny day with a view of the mountains ain’t so bad.
Nov 20, 2004 - 5:26 pm