I was nominated to do the ALS ice bucket challenge today. I did not, and do not plan to, dump ice over my head. Before I go any further, I want to point out that I did donate $100 to ALS online 8/29/2014. I would love to hear from people who dumped ice and water over their head but did not donate a dime. I would ask: Why? As Ive watched this ice bucket phenomeone unfold, Ive made a few observations. One: people get caught up in the social media frenzy very quickly. Everybody dumping ice over their heads for the cause. In fact, since its common to see dozens, hundreds of these challenges being fulfilled every day, its easy to assume this is the new world order: part of the 2014 establishment. Everyone born on earth and posessing a certain number of X and Y chromosomes must at some point during the month of August and September 2014 (yes, I skimped on October becuase I think it will have faded off by then), must stand while ice is dumped over their heads. Or have it dumped onto your head. Then, of course, came the debbie-downers. Conspiracy! Theyre not actually donating the money to research, theyre paying the top execs millions! ONLY X PERCENT OF ICE BUCKET PROCEEDS GOING TO RESEARCH. And as usual, the watchers, the lurkers. The people who dont do anything but scroll but never click, comment like or share. Log in, observe, take note, and log off. The ALS has raised over 100 million dollars since this thing began. Youd think that some of that has somehow found its way to research. Here we see the ugly side of social media. Just as easy as it was to convince millions of people to dump ice over their heads and donate money (or just dump and not donate), it is also a simple click to share those horror stories about ALS only using X% of their proceeds on research, or wasting it on further fundraising, or diverting it towards lavish salaries of the charity kingpins. A bright distraction came when cynics like Charlie Sheen, arrogant prick though he is, at least had the balls to donate hard cash and skip the ice when nominated by some of his peers. But the social media hoard jumped on these outliers immediately! Was Pamela Anderson promoting her own cause celebre after being nominated by directing watching eyes towards animal rights? BUT WHAT ABOUT ALS? What, Grimes donated money to the Malala Fund instead? Whats that, nominated celebs like Carey Hart, Shay Mitchell and Zachary Quinto decided to (1) donate to ALS, (2) NOT dump ice over their heads and (3) draw attention to other needed charities as well? What about all the other causes and charities out there? I donate money. I volunteer. As I said I donated $100 to ALS after being nominated. But it got me thinking, as it has through this whole campaign of ALS hysteria. How many people even know what ALS is? Or how this challenge got started? These answers are all out there. You actually have to look. Just like you have to look at the conspiracy theories. The answers are not that hard to come by. Top Charity Watchdogs Rate The ALS Association with High Marks for Financial Transparency, Accountability charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3296#.VAFKOxyn6xG alsa.org/about-us/ice-bucket-challenge-faq.html ALS financial statements. Its right here, take a look: alsa.org/assets/pdfs/fy2014-20als-20association-20financial-20statements-20final.pdf From ALS website FAQ: Can you give me a breakdown of how each Ice Bucket donation dollar will be allocated? While research and care services to patients and their families are our top priorities, we cannot provide a breakdown at this time. We appreciate the sense of urgency that exists and are already engaged in discussions on how we’re going to put this money to work in the short term and into the future. Now and in the coming weeks, we will be able to enhance our strategic plan, reformulating and recasting strategies with input from stakeholders, including our donors, our chapters, and most importantly, people living with ALS and their families. We want to move quickly but decisively as our ultimate goal is to use this incredible generosity in a way that has the biggest impact on the disease. The ALS Association is absolutely committed to transparency and will be communicating regularly with the ALS community, our donors, the media and the public about progress in funding projects and programs to support the cause. Part of this challenge is to nominate other people. I would like to nominate Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Peace.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 03:56:19 +0000
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