From: protozoa@tux.org (K. M. Ellis)
Subject: baltwash-burning Hey, brother, spare a dime?
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 09:35:28 -0500 (EST)
To: baltwash-burning@egroups.com (Onelust)

Tis the season for charitable donations, fa la la la la la la la la. All of the places below are 501(c)(3), are currently accepting donations, and IMNSHO, richly deserve whatever you can spare. I'd also love to hear about other organizations y'all know about.

Several organizations I'm really thankful for that are actively seeking funding from generous people:

erowid.org - I don't care what your stance on recreational drug use is - this site saves lives. The only sensible approach to the "drug war" is one of harm reduction, and that's what this site is all about. You get real information about commonly and not-so-commonly-used substances, their affects, their interactions, and sometimes why you shouldn't take them (you'll never see DARE distinguish between pot and huffing gasoline; to them it's all the same even though any thinking 13-year-old knows better). The founders of Erowid are having a hard time paying their rent, so if you've ever made use of their invaluable site, write 'em a damn check, will ya?

epic.org - Without a doubt the best Internet policy organization in this country. The Communications Decency Act was defeated largely thanks to them as well as all kinds of histrionic nutso legislation (like requirements for schools and libraries to use deeply flawed and censorious filtering software, a ban on any illegal-drug-related info worth anything, as well as being the only organization who really seems to be actually doing anything about Carnivore). The EFF and CDT are chickenshit corporate sellouts..give your cash to an organization that's really out to defend your best interests online. (note: I used to work there, privacy.org is actually their site).

agape.qis.net - Take a look at Agape House's "Income and Expenses" page and it'll be obvious to you just how little can help out so much. They operate on a shoestring budget - all the comptuers are donated and they use free operating systems and software to sustain their labs. Agape house is essentially a community organization in Baltimore. They invite local kids to come over and learn to use computers, the Internet, and thus about the world outside the confines of the neighborhood. I'm personally acquainted with many folks involved with this project and I can't say too many nice things about this group of outstanding people. Many of the kids have their own web pages; I encourage you to check out this site. They could also use some volunteer help, if you're in the area.

cbf.org - I wish the Chesapeake Bay Foundation had been as strong in the sixties and seventies as it is today. Nowadays we go out for steamed crabs once a summer so we don't contribute too much to overharvesting, plus we have misgivings about the mercury and cadmium content of our local seafood these days. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has done an amazing job getting local environmental issues to the forefront of every Marylander's mind at some time or other, and they've got exactly the right approach to its restoration as a viable watershed and wetland area. Think about weekends at Sandy Point when you were a kid and then think about rich asshole yuppies who are determined that they will build houses on the bay's shoreline and leak their sewage right into the bay. CBF is the only thing that stands against them; they know what they're talking about when they speak of the potential consequences, and they could really use your help.

--
Kathleen M. Ellis, P.A.B. -- KB3CWP -- http://www.tux.org/~protozoa

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