Sadly, it looks like two separate efforts - one for conservatives - and one for liberals - have sprung up.
TruthLaidBear's effort forces you to link to... Instapundit. I'm sure conservatives out there have no problem with this. I do. I know many others that do as well.
A different effort has sprung up to distribute relief effort blogads across the Advertising Liberally network. Read about it a MyDD and at Politics and Technology.
I am inquiring if folks can participate in the TruthLaidBear effort without linking to Instapundit. Or have the ad submitted to the Philly Ad Network in addition to the Advertising Liberally network.
I am also inquiring if we can set up a Philadelphia blog ad effort like the Advertising Liberally one.
Either effort (the conservative, or the liberal) has the right to set up something like this of course. But if neither of these open up - well I am seriously disappointed in the blogosphere today. I am hoping they do so that I can edit this post.
I have probably ostracized myself - and Philly Future - from a large portion of the web in posting this. We've probably lost out on a ton of traffic. If we simply would link to Instapundit (oh and don't you tell me about Instapundit ... puhleeease) for one, or claim we were a liberal blog for the other... Well apologies to our readers.
In any case, if you are a conservative or a liberal, I'm sure you will want to check out those links.
For the rest of the web - for those that just want to help:
Lets do a blogswarm about helping our friends, family, brothers and sisters, who have been hit by Katrina. Let's get the word out loud and clear that we are there for them, and please let your audiences know they should get involved and help. That means not linking to Philly Future - or some other blogger - but linking to resources that will empower people to help.
For now I recommend folks prominently linking to and donating to the Red Cross, but Matt has a comprehensive list of Katrina related links at Tattered Coat, from there you may find another charity to your liking.
Progress:
* N.Z. Bear from TruthLaidBear said that folks *can* participate without linking to Instapundit. I am now asking him to make that clear on his info page.
* Blogads has gotten back in touch with me about starting a similar effort for our Philadelphia Blog Ad Network. I will ask and see if they can start up one for ALL blog ad users. Blogads is a terrific tool for getting ads and PSAs across a wide network of users, and Kari has done a terrific job of putting together a system for coordinated fund raising.
partisan aid
Karl,
I agree with you completely. It really bothers me to see people taking sides and using disaster relief as a way of showing which side can raise more. I appreciate you making the post and having the Red Cross link on the Philly Future front page. What matters now is getting relief to people, not who sends it or what their party affiliation is. Those receiving the aid have far more important things to worry about.
Keep up the good work.
Somebody had to say it --
Somebody had to say it -- cheers for speaking up, Karl.
You don't Have to Link Glenn...
Karl...though there are a few lefty Bloggers on Instapundit's roundup...you DO NOT HAVE to link him to take part in TTLB's Blogburst. Just list your site and what charity you choose and then post on it today. This is (or should be) a non-partisan issue.
If you don't want to do Glenn's list you could start a Philly Future roundup of sites blogging about it...
The bear is busy
I think there's an overload of folks trying to connect to TruthLaidBear, I'll try it later. I posted about Katrina yesterday. . .there is so much coverage and so many "citizen journalists" blogging with direct/personal details that I'm not sure any post I make can add to anyone's information. I have, however, winged it with the resources links by setting up my sidebar (right below my profile) with Katrina Disaster Relief links (AmeriCares, America's Second Harvest and even Red Cross) as well as a "Katrina Lost & Found" with links to missing person's databases & check-in/safe lists.
I'll draw more attention to the missing persons info and links in my Missing Monday Post as well.
charities
I like what billmon at Whiskey Bar as done with this post: Hurricane Relief. I'm gonna make a graphic when I get home from work in PS with as many organizations as possible and image mapped with hyperlinks. If someone has the time and energy now, I'd love to see it and I'd gladly post it on my blog. ARC isn't the only charity out there and I know that many people [myself included] have reservations on sending money to them.
great post, Karl
I think you're exactly right, Karl. If it ostracizes us, so be it. I wouldn't want to be associated with anyone who would be offended by what you wrote.
starting list
I've started a list in my right sidebar of charities involved. Just links directly to charities, no keeping track of who gets who to collect more. Please follow this link and replicate/improve/add to the list via a list on the side of your blog.
No politics necessary, let's just help them out
On my blog I've been tracking the Hurricane's aftermath on New Orleans and have been updating people at-work and away from Cable News on anything that is breaking (as much as I can update between my job and my family responsibilities).
I don't believe that we can politicize, on either side, a national tragedy. It's not right, it's not proper, and any political grandstanding by anybody should not go on. America overcomes its tragedies by working together and getting over petty differences.
I don't care if anyone gives money to the Red Cross or any charity but the idea that Karl took that extra step to put the Red Cross link up and is trying to walk a neutral line is great.
To that, I say thank you!
Liberal Blogs for Hurricane Relief
Karl, I hope you emailed Atrios regarding the blog ad in the top side of his page.
Here's the image...
And here's the link.... http://www.dropcash.com/campaign/hurricanerelief/liberal_blogs_for_hurricane_relief
Left or right doesn't matter.
Helping people does. Why would advertising "the liberal blogosphere" make a difference? Is helping people political?
ANY campaign to help is a good campaign
Wouldn't you agree?
I think I said all I need to say on this in my post. Beyond that - well it just wouldn't make sense.
Start a "Conservative Blogosphere for Hurricane Relief" effort. If it gets the money flowing - then its a good thing.