There are two topics related to today's subject. The first is the dwindling numbers of volunteer fire fighters. The second is an organization that uses FIRE as shorthand for its name. The first of the topics comes from a NYT article from August that I just ran across yesterday; The Disappearing Volunteer Firefighter. The article discusses some of the reasons the numbers are dwindling, primary among them is fundraising. It seems volunteer firefighters have something in common with politicians, but the major difference is volunteer firemen have other careers. Not to mention they still have to train and do the job. It appears they have less and less time to do all three. I have a suggestion. You know that Pentagon Program that gives all that excess military hardware to Police Departments around the country? Why don't we divert those funds to an area that will benefit communities more than another armored MRAP or other such militarized paraphernalia. The Volunteer Fire Departments in the US are in greater need than the PDs. Let's focus on community needs rather than the wet dreams of some Rambo wannabe.
The second topic is the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education aka FIRE. I made an inquiry with several prominent and knowledgeable kossacks and neither were familiar with the organization, but DK is so large and diverse I assume there will be someone who might be familiar with them. They claim to be for free speech on college campuses, but my cursory research reflected what appears to be a libertarian/conservative response to the ACLU who's primary function is to harass college and universities who don't allow students or other organizations to have total and inconsequential access to say anything they want on campus. Among those they've claim to have worked with is Ward Churchill. The founders are Alan Charles Kors and Harvey A. Silvergate. The right for free speech is a right we all hold dear, but we all recognize that with all rights come responsibilities. We've had a campaign for several years now that's holding Rush Limbaugh accountable for what he has every right to say. But we all recognize that what he says has consequences and he can and should be held accountable. As the old saying goes; "you have the right to yell FIRE in a crowded theater, but you're gonna be held accountable for the consequences from the panic you caused." If you know about FIRE or have additional information about their work or you want to correct my initial perception of who they are, feel free to comment below.
On with the games!! Mojo Friday Guidelines
Disclaimer; Kinda like the Pirates Code, they're just guidelines, meant for fun. They aren't hard and fast rules.
1) If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.) 2) Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer) 3) You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically) 4) You don't have to comment to recommend. 5) You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen. It has in numerous forms, I'm flattered!) 6) Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo. 7) TexDem (that's me) is not bound by the guidelines. Neither are you
Mojo Friday Goals
Disclaimer; These are mostly here for nostalgia, the site has changed so much and the servers have been upgraded to the point I don't think we could fuck with the site with 1000 people participating. 2007 it ain't.
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted. B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least. C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3) D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word. E. And always, fun fun fun. F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Woodtick and bjedward. G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips). H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B) I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying. For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.