Sunday, May 13, 2007

Support Grits' Work With Donation

Grits regulars know I've been unemployed for a few months now after a major project was pulled out from under me unexpectedly this spring. Since then I've picked up some small contract work here and there but am essentially sans income, living off savings y mi esposa, and focusing instead on blogging criminal justice issues at the 80th Texas Legislature.

That's why, after 2.5 years doing Grits as a side project, I've decided to ask readers for assistance to help keep this work going (and more specifically, to pay for some short-term car repairs). A couple of thoughtful readers already noticed that I added the capacity to accept Paypal and credit card donations in Grits' sidebar, and I really appreciate their support. Another TYC employee emailed to say she'd prefer to mail a check to a PO box - I don't have one, but I'll get one set up ASAP then let you know the address.

Grits was a writer's experiment for me that has blossomed into a very significant part of my life, and I appreciate the hundreds of people who come by everyday to read, comment, and share the space. If you read Grits regularly, if you learn things here you don't see anywhere else, if you think this work is important, and if you can afford it, please hit the PayPal button in Grits' sidebar to donate any amount (Paypal payment) or donate $8 monthly (Paypal subscribe) to support Grits' work. Thanks a lot for any help you can provide.

N.b.: One of the buttons in this post wasn't working but those in the sidebar are okay - I'm not sure why (I just set this up over the weekend) but please use the PayPal buttons in the sidebar.

UPDATE: By popular demand, today I went and got a new PO Box. Here's the address:

Scott Henson
603 W. 13th Street, Ste. 1.A-253
Austin, TX 78701-1477

Make sure mail is addressed and any checks are made payable to my name, Scott Henson, not the blog name. Thanks folks!

26 comments:

  1. I think you've got maybe the best Texas left blog going and I'd like to donate when you set up an address.

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  2. You often blog about your lack of employment and the ACLU pulling out of contract with you. Why hasn't your girl at TCJC offered you a job yet?

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  3. A thought for those who can't afford to donate - click the sidebar ad thing a few times - doesn't cost you anything, and every little bit helps.

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  4. @ anonymous, we must know one another since I've never said on the blog it was ACLU that pulled out of that contract. Since you know that, you must also know that TCJC is not funded by a national group like ACLU, and they can't just hire everybody they'd like to. Given that, frankly it makes me think your question wasn't offered with the best of intentions.

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  5. Well, you know what? Just for 4:02 smart allec comments to our friend Grits, I'm going to make my second donation. If others follow my lead, we'll make him a rich man. Only someone in the ACLU would know who his contract was with, and now that I know that, it seems deplorable that you'd set him up like that, offer a contract then pull out knowing his employment status. So here's a hundred bucks Grits, in the name of 4:02.

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  6. Kudos Whitsfoe! I'm doing my $50 as soon as I finish this post. Grits is the best blog I have ever taken time to read....at least 3 or 4 times a day.

    Will do more when I get more.....

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  7. Anonymous 4:02. I'm going to make a suggestion to you. Go to the blog section titled "Kimbrough's privacy concerns awfully convenient". Take a look at the number of posters and how passionate they are about things they care about or believe in (one side or the other). Take a good look. I guarantee you, if you want to take another jab at Grits, that post will seem mild in comparison to what we will have to say to you. Grits has a loyal following here for good reason. If you want to come here and say you disagree with something Grits has posted, fine. Please do and we'll debate all day long on issues of your choice. However, coming here and jabbing at him isn't going to sit very well with us. Just giving you fair warning.

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  8. I'm going to have to disagree with you Texas Liberal. Grits IS the best Texas blog (in my opinion). No disrespect to all the other Blogs out there. We need you too since you each have your own piece to offer. But, Grits has it all; well organized, well informed, easy to navigate, excellent links (internet and video), his comments are opinionated but not unfounded, he allows posters to keep anonymity if they so choose, the information is current and sometimes way ahead of the MSM and let's not forget his blog has some pretty well connected posters and lurkers. Short of being able to click somewhere on his blog and have a coke and a sandwich drop in your lap, he's pretty much got it all.
    Grits, I am sorry for the lost contract with the ACLU. It sounds like they have missed an opportunity to work with a very hard working person. You've done this incredible site without pay until now. I can't imagine what you are capable of in a paid environment. I bet it is very impressive.
    Things happen for a reason. That lost contract may have been the best thing to ever happen to you.
    With great respect,
    Pinpoint

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  9. Reposted from other string:

    Anonymous said...
    Grits, helping you hang in there is really helping ourselves so it's really a no-brainer. Where else can you go to get relevant links to the MSM, legislative hearings and have input from people actually involved in the process? Sometimes it's pretty entertaining too. With all the poetry and funny or exciting stuff I've seen on here, one night's reading is worth the 20 bucks I'd spend going to the movies!
    This is how the world should run- everyone and all the information in one place! If the lege and Perry have any savy, they should send you funds too. I think you may have made or broken some careers here! If nothing else, just from the TYC section alone you should get all the funding they spend on making the internal TYC newsletters since you do a better job than they do reporting what's happening and representing the staff! You rock it Scott! I'm one of those hanging out for the mailing option of sending support so post it as soon as you've got it!

    5/13/2007 11:58 AM

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  10. Grits,
    Catonya said something about a sidebar ad thing. i don't see one anywhere?

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  11. I would very much like to keep this blog going. The information is presented is just what I need at the moment. I would also like to say this blog has some really good writing.

    I would love to be able to express myself as well as "Grits" does.

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  12. Those of us who have had major roles during the campaign to track adn testify in support of imortant criminal justice legislation have been tremendously grateful to Grits for Breakfast for pulling all the information together and making sense of it in an unbelievably cogent way. I will certianly make a donation and hope others will do so as well. I am really sorry that your contract is not still in place to help fund your valuable work.

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  13. This blog has been an awesome resource during the legislative session. Grits, you've saved me tons of time and energy over the past couple months, and I owe you big time. I should probably start tithing!

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  14. Hey Grits- noticed you posting comments today. Thanks as always but STOP! Go to the post office and get a P.O. Box already! Hurry up before I spend your donation on beer and peanuts. Sorry, I meant wine and cheese.

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  15. :)

    Thanks! I'm headed to the capitol at 1 pm to see Ana Correa and Marc Levin honored, and planned to take care of the PO box while I'm out. Check back this evening!

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  16. Just a suggestion Grits, but you might think about getting one of those BIG P.O. Boxes. With your ties and abilities, I bet you get more than money in the mail. I bet you'll be getting some pretty interesting info. in hard copy form from those who want to aid you in your causes and can't do so over email. Big grin :)

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  17. I dropped a bit of coin in for ya.

    I'm pretty against any and all auto-debits but I will drop a dime or more in your box whenever you remind us. Don't feel bad about badgering once per month or quarter...we know what we're paying for.

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  18. Count me in Scott, I'd be more than happy to help out being that you have helped me with the valuable information you post about. Thank you for all you do!

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  19. Just FYI Grits: on the Freeman string, an idea was brought up to have a Grits shirt.
    "I'm a Gritter".
    Could be a money maker with your popularity! I think I'd have to get one myself.

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  20. Any way we can support you anonymously? Wouldn't want you to favor my employer because you know we're buttering your bread...

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  21. Love the "I'm a Gritter" t-shirt idea. Can't you just see a whole slew of us showing up in Austin with our Gritter shirts on? Would be a scream.

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  22. So make them Haines, highly durable, and screened so the message is not washed away during the first wash.

    It ought to be a t-shirt we can remind others of... who will come to us with no idea of what we've been through...

    "I survived the 80th," on the back if you will.

    Hope I do...

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  23. Sign me up for an "I'm a Gritter" T-shirt if you are going to look into that Scott. Navy blue and yes, Haines would be great. Think you might need your avatar picture for the front pocket area (though pockets not a necessity). The bowl of grits and your blog address should work and look pretty good. I think something constructive may have actually come out of the Freeman string with this idea.
    Pinpoint

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  24. A 'Gritter'? Really? I like the concept but I'm not sure I approve of that particular appellation! Any other suggestions?"

    I can do t-shirts at CafePress or someplace easily enough, but the term "Gritter" makes me think of grinding teeth. :-/

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  25. I think "Gritter" was just a play on words. The "Grits" beginning and then adding "critter" (an animal term for country-fied Texas folk). They were talking about being a wolf pack but instead of wolves, calling themself a "Gritter". I thought it was pretty neat.
    And what's wrong with griding teeth? Every time I've heard that term, its always used when someone's working hard.
    So, if you don't like "Gritter", what do YOU like Scott?

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  26. If it's no to "I'm a gritter" how about

    "I had my grits this morning"

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