Let's Talk Money...

Recently my e-mail box has been inundated with shameless pleas for money from some guy named Rob Kall.  I have never met the guy, and of course the logical conclusion is that I don’t know him from a hill of beans.  

I really hate people that are always asking for money.  Obviously they don’t know how hard it is for folks to make a dollar or two these days.  I finally divorced my wife of many years, “Old Blister,” because she always wanted money from me.  

The woman had absolutely no consideration for me or any of my own personal financial needs.  She kept on harping on me that if I would quit smoking I could save a ton of money, and because she was trying to save my otherwise miserable and worthless life, I would be grateful and give her the extra $20 or so a week that she needed.  Then, oh my gosh!  Think of the money that I could save if I would quit drinking.  I tried to get her to understand that the smoking and drinking was absolutely necessary for me to maintain my image as the “Town Drunk,” a profession that she pushed me into by her constant nagging about money and a few other perceived flaws in my personality and life style.  I tried my best to convince her to get a second job so that she could make ends meet, but she just wouldn’t listen. 

I tried my best to appease that woman.  I bought her a dishwasher.  I bought her a washing machine.  I bought her a riding lawnmower.  I bought her every time- and labor-saving device and contraption that I could to make it easier for her to juggle her career and all of her household duties. In the end, she didn’t appreciate a damned thing that I did for her.  I tell you, it ain’t easy being me.

Now, I do understand Mr. Kall’s position and problem.  The Internet isn’t free for those who are providing content for others who can access it for free.  There are costs involved -- major costs.  There are also major investments of time associated with running a website or two.  I know about those costs first hand.

I live in China and I operate two web sites.  One website, nantongmap.net is designed to help Chinese businesses promote their businesses in the English language to foreigners.  I ask them to help sponsor the website by paying 1,000 RMB ($145) per year.  That is a mere 83 RMB ($12) per month -- the profit that they make from selling only 5 beers a month.  You know what they tell me?  “Give me website for three months for free, and then if I make more money from website, maybe I pay you.”  Sorry to say, that option is not available.  If they don’t want to pay and help support something that helps them, then the whole thing can be shut down and then they will have nothing.  

Mr. Kall provides ordinary people with an opportunity have their voices and opinions heard.  He also provides valuable web space so that people can find news and information that is of interest to them, and can impact their lives.  Ultimately, he doesn’t have to do this.  After all, he could, just like my ex-wife, go out and find a second job to support this hobby of his. Unfortunately though, this is actually the equivalent of two full time jobs for him.  

Nothing in life is free.  Just because OpEdNews doesn’t charge an annual membership fee does not mean that people can’t show their appreciation for the forum that they are being provided.  Contributors of articles really should consider making a donation for the opportunity they have to publish their writings that can be disseminated on a wide-scale basis.  Without a site like OpEdNews, your writings may never be viewed by tens of thousands of people around the world, 24/7.  

For those who just read, and occasionally comment on writings, think of your contribution as being the same as paying for a magazine subscription, or sponsoring your local PBS station.  If you enjoy something, and rely on something, you really do have a moral obligation to help ensure that it can continue providing you that enjoyment.

As for myself, I am doing my fair share.  I am sending Mr. Kall some voice recognition software so that he can start doing two things at once.  While he is doing his programming or typing articles, he can also write a second article at the same time using this software.  I’m also sending him a dozen keyboards that I picked up real cheap here in China.  In addition, I have also compiled and sent to him numerous inspirational quotes from Gov. Sarah Palin that will demonstrate to him that God will provide for him because he is doing God’s will.

Something tells me that he is not going to be too appreciative of the efforts I am making on his behalf.  I suspect that he is still going to be flooding my e-mail box with his shameless pleas for money.  Hence, I am asking others to please send him some money -- maybe a lot of money.  If you don’t, I may just have to get a divorce from him.  Then he, and you, will really suffer without my fine articles that are published here on OpEdNews.  

The Old Codger
It ain’t easy being me

This article is unsolicited.  It is freely written because The Old Codger simply hates to see someone having to beg for money for providing a valuable service for others.  Click here to contribute to OpEdNews.com today.