(no subject)

[cblj_backup]

Good morning all, and welcome to Radio Free Monday! Now with 100% less emo on my part than yesterday. :)

HAVE SOME LINKS:

Ways to give and stuff to buy:
A friend's sister recently lost her 12-year-old son to an asthma attack, and is taking part in a sponsored climb in his honour to raise money for the American Lung Association. Have a look, it seems pretty cool!

aunty_marion let me know about a friend of hers who is not only ill but in a financial crisis -- you can find the details here. They were pretty much screwed by a credit card company (I know, shocking) and are under threat of court proceedings.

alchemia is also facing both ill health and medical bills, and is trying to raise money via site ads and sales. Just visiting the site can bring in ad revenue. (Thanks anotherslashfan!)

bluejeanius let me know about an animation studio working on an independent animated film based on a Neil Gaiman short story, The Price. She's got a post here about why this is a great idea, and if you're interested in supporting the film there's a kickstarter page here. They've got $74k of $150k raised, with a little over a week to go. (Kickstarter collects pledges, rather than donations; the project is only funded, IE you only pay, if the full goal amount is reached.)

Free stuff you can do:
dramaturgca let me know about Katie, an adorable first-grade Star Wars fan, who was bullied for liking "boy stuff". Epbot and Geek Girl Diva picked this up and suggested that Geek Girls (and Geek Women) leave messages for Katie so that she knows "different" isn't bad and that she's not alone. You can leave a message for Katie here.

flamingsword is looking for hard scifi stories about transhumanism and embedded technology. Any reccs, Cafe?

Organisations to be aware of:
The Penny Arcade boys have opened a Child's Play website for their home-grown charity; Child's Play grew out of the gaming community and brings games, books, toys, and financial support to sick kids. There's a ton of info on the site, including banners you can put on your profile and a calendar of Child's Play events.

rednwhiterose linked me to Random Acts Of Culture performing in Philadelphia with 650 choristers singing the Hallelujah Chorus. They're sponsored by Knight Arts, and it's pretty cool.

And, to end it all, Fuck The TSA:
There's been a lot of debate about backscatter devices being used in airport security, the ones that may have associated health risks and definitely show you naked. Your options are: Be shown naked to a screener, or be given an invasive pat down (you can read about what that entails at the link). It's already been discussed that the pat downs are a scare tactic to get you to use the backscatter device. You can find a lot of links about the backscatter protests and abuses here.

Here's the thing: a lot of people say make them look you in the eye. And that's great, and I agree. BUT -- there are important things to remember. If you are an abuse or rape survivor, allowing a total stranger to grope your genitals may not be an option. Don't automatically dismiss other people passing through the backscatter device as cowards or sheep. For some, it is the best of two horrifying paths. And if you think "that's too many people, they can't possibly all be traumatised" allow me to remind you that it is a conservative estimate that one in five women in this country is a rape survivor, and we don't even have good statistics on the men yet. (At least not that I could find. If you've got some, link me.)

Also, remember that the TSA guards you encounter may be aggressive, abusive, and getting off on it, and if that's the case I truly am sorry and you should file a report. But they might also be people who never fucking signed on to touch other peoples' genitals but need a job. Remember that this may be as traumatic for them as for you, especially since they're going to be doing it multiple times a day to usually hostile passengers. Admittedly, one of the goals of Make Them Look You In The Eye is to raise TSA protests about this as well, but TSA staff can't legally unionise and have limited power within their own organisation.

Taking the train is not always an option, I know. It's as expensive as flying and it takes a long time. But whenever I travel, if I can take the train, I do. The fewer butts-in-seats that the airlines get, the less likely the airlines are going to be to take this lying down -- and they do have a lot of power.

OKAY. Let's close on two lovely things:

FLYING WILDEBEEST! from cluegirl and

The Charity Logo Rainbow from Claire over at Nonprofity.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. :) You can always post items for my attention in comments here (or on any post) or email me at copperbadge at gmail dot com. If you're not sure how best to proceed, here is a little more about what I do and how you can help.

Comments

[firynze.livejournal.com]

Pages visited, flying wildebeest enjoyed, and intelligent discourse on TSA fuckwittery and how some of the TSA employees, too, may be traumatized by all this applauded.

I really do feel for quite a few of the TSA employees; I know I would be horrified and traumatized by being asked to grope people, and there's precious little they can do about it...

[in-a-tizzy.livejournal.com]

I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I was recently at an event with some RL friends who are also fandomers. Two of us actually discussed Radio Free Monday and what I great idea we think it is. We agreed that we click on more links now than when it was random posts throughout the week.

I will be ad-clicking around for alchemia/b> but her story also makes me very grateful that my brother (whose meds cost about the same) has been able to avoid that situation. (Through sheer luck, geography and my mother serious kicking ass). Not only have a taken a moment out of my morning to try to help someone but it's reminded me to be grateful for my loved ones and what they have.

*goes to follow more links*

[in-a-tizzy.livejournal.com]

ugh, stupid lapsed paid account (and lack of editing power). Sorry for the access of bold. I meant

[nakki.livejournal.com]

The TSA is horrible but I'm at a loss to what more I can do about them. I've written to my government people and I've been opting out of the backscatter machines since the beginning because the numbers have always been iffy, but I can't stop flying. Especially since I fly for free with certain airlines, I can't afford the price of a train ticket. I have yet to get this extended grope but since I fly monthly I'm sure I'll get one eventually and get to raise holy-hell about it.

And I love links that you can click to give people ad money =) puts my highly developed skill of clicking things to good use.

I haven't read The Price but that animation style is Gorgeous!

Thinkgeek donated some star wars goodies (http://twitter.com/thinkgeek/status/5735931332009984) to Katie on Saturday along with giving similar bundles to ChildsPlay and a shelter. And the chicagonow interview (http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/portrait_of_an_adoption/2010/11/katie---an-ordinary-story-with-an-extraordinary-response.html) with her is adorable and makes ridiculous use of Star Wars music and references.

[angelcarrot.livejournal.com]

I posted a link to EPIC, one of the organizations currently challenging the TSA's measures in court, they've requested an injunction on the use of ATIs and advanced pat-downs until the issues are resolved (www.epic.org)

Other things you can do are to educate yourself and contribute to public discourse on these issues in a calm but passionate way. Lend your voice and just keep sending those letters to your government representatives.

I have been watching reactions from Napolitano and Pistole since the congressional hearings on the 17th and they started out arrogant, but it's clear that agency officials are aware of the tide of public opinion. They've started to scale back the scoff and other powerful voices are coming out in disapproval.

Just keep using the magnificent resource of the internet. It really is taken seriously. Comment on articles in the New York Times, Washington Post and other serious journals. While the TSA does screen comments, post on their website as well. Get on Facebook, and keep using livejournal. If you get tired or exhausted, or it's taking its toll on your sanity take a break. You are a drop in the bucket, you are not alone, but you are not insignificant. Keep talking, keep educating yourself, keep letting people know you're paying attention and something will change.

Just a little ray of hope: in the New York Times today, at the end of the article on the TSA's measures (found here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/23tsa.html?_r=1&hp) a security expert from Georgetown (not sure how much the TSA listens to him, but we do) said that we need to take a step back and re-evaluate. Government is notoriously thick skulled, but change really is possible. And people who are well-equipped are working for it.

Hope that helps. I've been struggling with my own fear, rage, anxiety, and despair on this issue for a while now, but these are the things that bring me peace.

[kayleigh-jane.livejournal.com]

Thanks Sam, for putting together another RFM. I went to visit alchemia's site, as it is the only thing I can do at the moment.

This has inspired me to go and look for volunteer work I can do in my own city. I don't have cash, but I do have time to spare. I'll also be much less bored in my days off...

[ihlanya.livejournal.com]

Go you! Volunteering is something people rarely think of, and it's a shame because you also get back from it.

[in-a-tizzy.livejournal.com]

*continues to not be able to edit comments*
ETA: I am basically not going to fly anywhere Amtrak will take me from now on. I can't really afford to do that but I was already nervous flyer. I'm voting with my wallet.

Being a TSA employee is an awful thankless job. There are awful ones out there who abuse their power but most of them just need the paycheck and enforcing the policies that requires.

One of my dear friend's fathers works for TSA. He's a baggage screener in the back. The stories he can tell *shudder.* One of the anecdotes that stuck out the most for me was that ties used to be a mandatory part of TSA screeeners uniforms. This was discontinued because there were so many incidents of disgruntled passenger grabbing TSA employees by their ties.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

I take Amtrak when I can, but I have no delusions I can afford to take an extra four days off and spend an extra $900 every time I want to go home to Texas :D But yeah, I train when I can.

Anonymous for content.

[(Anonymous)]

You have a real heart for, and understanding of, deeply sensitive issues, Sam. It's a gift, and one I'm really grateful you have. Thanks for using that gift for RFM and other things on this journal, and please don't ever let anyone discourage you from doing so.

I'd planned to say the above anyway before I saw this week's RFM (and after I saw your post asking for feedback), and then I saw that this week you'd addressed the TSA issue. That really struck a chord with me. I'm a rape survivor, and the airport "pat down" (inverted commas because pat down seems far too mild a name) that I received a year after the assault was one of the worst minutes of my life. I still feel sick just thinking about it. But posts like this make me bolder. Every time you encourage thoughtful, informed, and well-framed discussion on an issue such as this one, it helps people like me. Not sure if this was the sort of feedback you were looking for (!), but thanks regardless.

Re: Anonymous for content.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Well, I try :) Some of it is training, you know; see two sides of an argument for long enough and one usually comes round to the idea that "people are people and you can't help it" :D I'm glad the posts help!

[jonaht.livejournal.com]

same here. Took my words. ȫ

[vivichick.livejournal.com]

I left a message for Katie, the little girl who likes "boy stuff"- as if such a thing even exists.
When I was a little kid, all the other girls loved Rainbow Brite and Care Bears. I was into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
When I was a little older, I got really into Gargoyles.

Good storytelling and compelling characters are not the property of a single gender.

[hermione-like.livejournal.com]

Good storytelling and compelling characters are not the property of a single gender.

This. <3

[anijade.livejournal.com]

Hey there, left a message for Katie. These days the stories about bullying have really upset me and I keep swearing when I have kids they aren't going to be allowed to hurt anyone like that. We've all got to do our part to make these kids lives a little easier.

[kallaneboi.livejournal.com]

Clicked links and read stories. I can't do much right now, particularly financially (whooo grad school), but I've reposted some things from RFM so people who do have the resources can find them.

Thanks for doing the RFMs :) They're not always happy and fuzzy, but it brings attention to things that would have probably otherwise gone unnoticed. You're amazing for taking the time and the blog space to do these.

(I read "Fuck the TSA" as "Fuck the PSA" and I was very confused until my brain sorted it out.)

[celtprincess13.livejournal.com]

I always check out RFM and help out where I can. I can't always do $, but if it's clicking or signal-boosting or whatever, I'm all for it. I think it's great that you take the time!

I'm especially happy to see the signal boost about Katie. I initially tried to get to the news story to post a message for her and was unable to, as it had crashed from overload. I thought it was especially cool that Epbot picked it up and left my message for Katie there.

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

What an awesome project, isn't it? I couldn't leave a comment, but helpfully there was also a hashtag to leave her a message.

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

That charities logo thing has links to a lot of other charities, including one for the promotion of girls and women that has lots of happymaking videos. Thanks for a boosted morning, Sam!

FYI

[angelcarrot.livejournal.com]

I myself am looking at two internship options for the summer: Intern with EPIC, the organization that is challenging the TSA (see/ support them here: http://epic.org/)

And the TSA has a civil rights internship slot. Seriously? Best way to change the beast is from within yes?

For everyone not in law school, might I suggest calling, writing, and hounding the heck out of your governmental representatives? New York has already responded with pledges to ban the machines in the state. You can see if your member of congress is on the TSA oversight committee here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/1147610-heads-up-senate-tsa-oversight-hearing-17-nov.html

I love this country. Most of all, I love that citizens really CAN effect change.

Re: FYI

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

New York has already responded with pledges to ban the machines in the state.

Considering that's two exceedingly busy airports right there (JFK and LGA), that *is* awesome.

I'm surprised there's no NY representation on the oversight committee, but I'm willing to let the honorable member from New Jersey speak on behalf of us.

*hopes*

[funkyturtle.livejournal.com]

My MA thesis is on transhumanism and embedded technology. I have initiated contact. Thank you.

[ihlanya.livejournal.com]

Um.

Is your cat related to The Joker?

More TSA bullshit...

[lavenderspark.livejournal.com]

I held off on letting you know about this since you posted that you had a bunch of TSA links already so I wasn't sure if you had this one or not.

The TSA Harassing the Military (http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/11/18/another-tsa-outrage/)

This REALLY upset me as my husband is in the Army and has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Those plane rides home are long not only in hours, but emotionally as well. They've been away from their families and loved ones for a long time and to delay them even longer FOR NO REASON is simply awful.

A friend of mine had an issue with a TSA officer a couple years ago. They tried to confiscate his body armor that was in a CHECKED bag, not his carry-on. He thankfully was able to get on the plane with no problems, but only after taking out his phone and starting to call his battalion XO (basically his highest 'boss').

Another article I found talks about how these delays can hurt a soldier's career (http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=230021). It talks about other issues with the TSA as well and includes links on what to do.

Here's the other links if you don't want to go read that article:

Stop Airport Humiliation Now Program (http://superstore.wnd.com/SPECIALTY-ITEMS/STOP-AIRPORT-HUMILIATION-NOW_2) just an FYI, it costs $29.95 to send the letters.

Online petition to stop the scanners (http://www.wnd.com/airportscreening) this one is free!

[corvoidea.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

Coming from a family of frequent flyers (We joke but I honestly know O'Hare better than my campus, and sometimes my dad really does forget which state he's in) this whole TSA thing has been really unnerving. While I'm not a victim of any type of assault I am extremely uncomfortable with strangers touching me. Also the fact that they don't really know what some of the radiation and whatnot could do is terrifying considering my family's history with cancer. The links that you and other people have been providing have been really helpful in connecting me to more information.
On another note, I am definitely going to leave a note for Katie. When I was little my favorite movie was Star Wars. Hell, I nicknamed my first laptop Han. Nothing wrong with a girl liking Star Wars.

Thanks for setting up Radio Monday, even when it gets you down.

[calliope-jones.livejournal.com]

Oh, getting my back up! I'm just... horrified by the TSA and will refuse to fly do to these new things. I'm disgusted that now our dignity is being attacked in the name of security. And as we, as a society, have so little dignity to start with, is just horrible.
And poor poor Katie. That girl will grow up to own the world!

[ice-smurf.livejournal.com]

You asked yesterday about Radio Free Monday, and I thought about it. I particularly agree that it's alright to be proud of what you do; it's okay to be happy that you help people and it's okay to talk about it, because other people might catch on as well. It's certainly not something to be ashamed of, or feel like you have to hide!


A lot of the issues you highlight in Radio Free Mondays are slanted towards the US (which is only to be expected, it is where you and the majority of the café are!) and so that makes it a little tricky for me (across the pond) to do anything constructive. But that's okay, because some of the things you link to aren't soliciting donations, they're about raising awareness.

I have a running joke with my friends, about having enrolled in "The University Of Life". They're all graduating or starting to move up from entry-level jobs, and in some ways I feel left behind, because I haven't been well enough to go off to uni or work full-time.
I learn so much from hanging around here. When you link to race!fail or transgender issues, it makes me stop and think - I don't move in quite such diverse circles as you do and hadn't considered my priviliges before. It didn't seem to come up in my day-to-day life, until I started looking for it. I no longer take them for granted, and I'm learning who I am and what my values are, and thinking about what sort of world I want to live in.
Radio Free Monday is frequently eye-opening, and yes, some of the things that come up can leave me angry, but so they should! And you always warn appropriately, so I know what I'm getting myself into. If I'm in the wrong headspace, I can choose not to click forward and read.
So I tend to file Radio Free Monday under the "personal development" column, myself.


I don't give as often as I should. I have a roof over my head and my savings account is healthy enough; I should really donate to worthy causes more often.
I'm toying with making it my New Year's Resolution for 2011, to pick something each month and send them a donation. Not necessarily a lot, but something, because every penny counts - especially in a recession where everyone has to do more with less resources. In which case, I suspect Radio Free Monday will influence my choices - the issues that make me apoplectic may well be the ones to benefit - but more importantly, will remind me to actually go and give something, rather than just think about it. Because I can procrastinate with the best of them!

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Well, and honestly, I'm not demanding everyone do something constructive -- I mean, I know it's a bit US-centric and a lot of people are like me, kinda broke :D I just like to know that at least people see it and don't hate it, or something, I guess. :D I'm glad it's been educational!

There are charities where you can pledge to give monthly -- granted it's not quite what you're looking for, which is something different each month, but if you want to make a giving plan there are definitely places out there which will help you. I always urge people to only give what they can and not give if it will endanger them, but I'm always glad to read about people getting more interested in helping :)

[(Anonymous)]

The charity rainbow logo thing is kind of cool, but I think the best part is the text at the bottom.

"Don’t bitch at me because WWF is not included. The panda is black and white. "

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

:D That made me LOL too. That site, Nonprofity, is run by the woman who wrote ask_captainjack, and she has a great sense of humour :)

[dragongirl16.livejournal.com]

Good to know about the Penny Arcade charity. We're broke as hell, but we've got some old games sitting around gathering dust that won't sell. It'll be nice to put them to use!

[(Anonymous)]

It's a bunch of amazon wishlists for children's hospitals (mostly in the US)

I don't think there's an outlet for used games, but some of the stuff the hospitals ask for is cheap, like gluesticks and crayons.

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

I almost always read Radio Free Monday, and if there is something I can do, like clicking through to alchemia's stuff, I do it. And I sent Katie's story to another friend named Katie who is THE biggest Star Wars lover in the universe, and she spread it around. So thanks for sharing the story!

[3-sickles-short.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm reading RFM. I'm mostly broke--grad student + holidays = poor--but I try to click on the "clicking alone can help" links (like alchemia's link today).

In other news, my holiday gift copy of CG arrived last week and was waiting for me when I got home. And it is lovely! I will try to send you a picture of it with my friend's other gifts.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! Glad the book made it safely, and I'd love a photo :)

[flyakate]

I know my family has been looking for lots of charities/people/things/whatever in need as a way to celebrate the holidays this year (because seriously, how many more dvds do my younger cousins need) so thank you as always for these.

I have no doubt it is taxing on a physical and emotional level to put these posts together, but I appreciate the chance to hear about causes/issues that I would never connect with. Public service is a tiring task--trust me, as a teacher I should know ;o)

Happy Monday!

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Heifer Project is always a good one to support around the holidays -- you get to help someone in Distant Lands, and if you do it in someone else's name you can give them a card with an adorable goat on it or whatnot. :D

[bobcatmoran.livejournal.com]

I read RFM every week and try to help out where I can, and at least get a little more awareness where I can't. I think it's really great that you put this together each week, and even though the horrible things in the world may sometimes seem overwhelming, RFM offers a way for an individual to help make it better, even in small ways.

Also, if the way the DHS treats its job applicants is any indication of the way they treat their actual employees (suffice it to say that their asshattery was enough to make me take a temporary job without benefits that paid just enough to cover basic expenses plus the occasional minor emergency over the well-paying, permanent, with-benefits DHS job) then I do have some sympathy for the TSA employees. The Federal Government has some heavy-duty policies against sexual harassment — I should look into exactly what my annually mandated training has to say on the subject — and I'm pretty dang sure the new invasive pat-downs and scanners violate those policies for both the employees and everyone else that feels uncomfortable or violated by these new procedures (i.e. probably most of them).

[madripoor-rose.livejournal.com]

Went to Alchemia's site....there's something I've wondered about that. Is it only unique views that add ad revenue? Would it help to pledge to visit the site once a day for a week? And does just the page hit count or do you have to click the ads themselves?

[anotherslashfan.livejournal.com]

It seems that every click counts. I visit the page a few times a day anyhow.