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gazette
Issue # 207 (11-17-2003)
Pay To Play Is Here To StayMarketing your Web site using the search engines has moved, rather quickly, from "Hit or Miss" Optimization into a much more market driven set of options. Does the ability to paying the engines to get what you want level the playing field, or further divide the big guns from the mom and pops ? |
| A Word from Our Sponsor |
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A bit of a reversal this week. Rather than having a sponsor for this issue of the Gazette, I decided to be a sponsor myself ... and I challenge you to follow suit. We're rolling into the holiday season, as you know. It's very easy to get caught up in decorations, gift lists, thanksgiving dinner plans, travel plans, family and generally being schizophrenic during this time of year. It's so easy that we forget that there's 130,000 members of our (speaking for the USA here) Armed Forces over in Iraq, and another 30,000 or so in Afghanistan. Now, regardless of your politics, or your view/opinion on the war ... there is one simple fact that I think we can all agree on. These brave men and women are there, half a world away, risking their lives for us. They're away from their families and loved ones. Some have kids that they've not yet met. Some will never see their families again. It's easy to say "I support the troops". but until recently, it's been next to impossible to actually back that up with anything tangible. Enter Frankie Mayo.
She's the mother of a soldier, hailing from my old stomping grounds in Delaware. She started a program during the hotter months, called "Operation Air Conditioner" where people could donate their air conditioners, and she'd send them over to Iraq so that the troops could "keep cool". Her operation has grown to the point where they're now sending over better boots, medical supplies, candy and other goodies ... basically anything that'll put a smile on a soldiers face. A recent addition to Operation AC is the "Adopt A Soldier" system. Simply give them your contact information, and they'll put you into direct contact (usually via mail, but sometimes via e-mail) with a solder in the Gulf. You can correspond with them, pump up their spirits, and if you choose, send them things. Some people have sent over artificial Christmas trees, others have sent "mix tapes", some are sending newspaper clippings so that their soldier can keep up on their favorite sports team. You get the idea. Personally, we're sending over our Air Conditioner, and my wife and I are in the process of our "Adoption" right now. Hopefully, I can make our soldier's days a bit better, by whatever means I can. I challenge each of you to do the same. These guys need encouragement, and this is the best way I've seen to not only show your support, but to actually make a difference. There's 160,000 or so troops over there, and over 175,000 Gazette subscribers. The math works, let's each adopt a soldier. Remember, we are "The Land Of The Free ... Because Of The Brave". Operation Air Conditioner: http://www.operationac.com |
Read the A Word from Our Sponsor section from the Last Issue or in the Following Issue
JimWorld Member comments and feedback ...
Posted On: 11/18/2003 09:50
Posted By: crash
Posted By: crash
Already signed up :) I can't afford a heater but I can certainly afford to be a penpal and it should be great for my daughter. Perhaps I can involve her class in some part of it as well. Maybe make xmas cards to send or something.
Posted On: 11/18/2003 02:59
Posted By: philh
Posted By: philh
I think we should keep politics off the board.
Posted On: 11/18/2003 03:56
Posted By: jcokos
Posted By: jcokos
You'll notice that I specifically said in the article "Regardless of your politics..."
The point is ... they're OUR troops, let's help them to help us.
The point is ... they're OUR troops, let's help them to help us.
Posted On: 11/18/2003 04:08
Posted By: philh
Posted By: philh
Every 3 seconds a child dies through lack of water - somewhere on this planet...
Never heard much about them...
Never heard much about them...
Posted On: 11/18/2003 05:09
Posted By: jcokos
Posted By: jcokos
You could draw a million parallels like that.
Note, that people donate very heavily, and there are entire organizations devoted to the Children of the world. Troops however, are on their own, and since they're out there prepared to die for me, and my right to call Claria/Gator a "Scumbag" ... I take that pretty personally, and will do whatever I can to help see them through, in addition to my other charitable donatations.
Note that with the adopt-a-soldier, we're not even talking about money, just writing them would be good therapy for both parties ;)
Note, that people donate very heavily, and there are entire organizations devoted to the Children of the world. Troops however, are on their own, and since they're out there prepared to die for me, and my right to call Claria/Gator a "Scumbag" ... I take that pretty personally, and will do whatever I can to help see them through, in addition to my other charitable donatations.
Note that with the adopt-a-soldier, we're not even talking about money, just writing them would be good therapy for both parties ;)
Posted On: 11/19/2003 01:18
Posted By: philh
Posted By: philh
Couldn't George and his friends buy them out of the oil money?
They shouldn't be in Iraq in the first place - it would be better to spend your energy getting the troops home where they belong.
They shouldn't be in Iraq in the first place - it would be better to spend your energy getting the troops home where they belong.
Posted On: 11/19/2003 08:30
Posted By: crash
Posted By: crash
I don't see this as being about politics. The soldiers have nothing to do with the politics. They are there because they were told to be there and it's their job regardless if you or even they agree. They are human and they are being killed as well. Seems I hear about another suicide bombing every day. No I don't want them there either, I wish they would come home, but does that mean we should ignore them because we don't like the politics behind what put them there - away from their families and friends? The mom who started operationac didn't tell the government to send her son overseas.. I'm guessing if she actually had a choice he'd be home where he'd be safe. I'm guessing that would be his choice as well.
I appreciate that they created this opportunity for me. I signed up and now have *my* soldiers info. I will be sending him letters and care packages - as will my daughter. Hopefully I can get her teacher to agree to include her class as well.. I'll find out tomorrow after I meet with her. I think it would be a great learning experience for the class as well as something nice for the soldier and his company.
You're making this about politics philh. Please don't.
I appreciate that they created this opportunity for me. I signed up and now have *my* soldiers info. I will be sending him letters and care packages - as will my daughter. Hopefully I can get her teacher to agree to include her class as well.. I'll find out tomorrow after I meet with her. I think it would be a great learning experience for the class as well as something nice for the soldier and his company.
You're making this about politics philh. Please don't.
Posted On: 11/19/2003 10:05
Posted By: philh
Posted By: philh
I'll admit I am angry about the whole Iraq war thing and this is nothing personal with you or John. But I always feel when these kind of schemes crop up it gives tacit approval of what's going on - and I am very much against this war. I would rather see peoples' energy harnessed in an effort to bring the troops home.
I'll shut up now.
I'll shut up now.
Posted On: 11/19/2003 12:45
Posted By: jcokos
Posted By: jcokos
You can be against the war all you want ... yet still be "pro troops" which is what this "SCHEME" as you call it is all about. Fact of the matter is, they're there, and anything we can do for them, while it pales in comparison to what they're doing for us, is important.
As you stated early on (even though you didn't take your own advice), this is not and should not be a political forum or discussion. That said, if you don't like what the troops stand for, it's your choice not to adopt one, but don't belittle those of us that are behind them with pacifistic rhetoric.
As you stated early on (even though you didn't take your own advice), this is not and should not be a political forum or discussion. That said, if you don't like what the troops stand for, it's your choice not to adopt one, but don't belittle those of us that are behind them with pacifistic rhetoric.
Posted On: 11/19/2003 03:41
Posted By: philh
Posted By: philh
I can assure you I'm not a pacifist.
I forgot this was an American forum.
I forgot this was an American forum.
Posted On: 11/19/2003 03:59
Posted By: crash
Posted By: crash
OK, deep breaths.. all around please.
I have no hard feelings Philh.. and while John and I are Americans this isn't an *American* forum.. it's just a forum and we have members from all over the world. I like it that way.
I agree with you philh. There are many other issues in the world that deserve as much if not more attention than our troops. Often I see *Adopt a [insert fav charity thing here]* infomercials and such. Some are real, some are not. Locally there are ways to get involved on a local and much broader scale. It wouldn't be overly appropriate for me to post about those however because I don't think there is anyone else in this forum that is *local* to me.
I don't think this is a scheme. I didn't give them any money so I'm not out anything. I did get the address for a SSG overseas so I can send him a letter. I, and my daughter, will do just that. We'll see where it goes. Maybe he doesn't want to hear from us. It's a small gesture. Ultimately I hope my daughter learns from this experience.
Everyone will have different reasons for doing this - or not doing it. But they are personal, not political.
annnndd i have to shut up now before my daughter is late for dance and kicks my butt.
I have no hard feelings Philh.. and while John and I are Americans this isn't an *American* forum.. it's just a forum and we have members from all over the world. I like it that way.
I agree with you philh. There are many other issues in the world that deserve as much if not more attention than our troops. Often I see *Adopt a [insert fav charity thing here]* infomercials and such. Some are real, some are not. Locally there are ways to get involved on a local and much broader scale. It wouldn't be overly appropriate for me to post about those however because I don't think there is anyone else in this forum that is *local* to me.
I don't think this is a scheme. I didn't give them any money so I'm not out anything. I did get the address for a SSG overseas so I can send him a letter. I, and my daughter, will do just that. We'll see where it goes. Maybe he doesn't want to hear from us. It's a small gesture. Ultimately I hope my daughter learns from this experience.
Everyone will have different reasons for doing this - or not doing it. But they are personal, not political.
annnndd i have to shut up now before my daughter is late for dance and kicks my butt.
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