Fair Warning: Cross-posted at
the place I need to do more writing for
Hi. It's time for another in our irregular series (more fiber, my writing organ needs) on taking our pretty words about social action and doing stuff, and actually making sure we're not big hypocrites.
I read Nick Kristof's most recent column (courtesy of teacherken, who brought it to my attention, and Mary Scott O'Conner, who has kindly provided a public-access Times Select account at My Left Wing), and I was ashamed to note that he singled out an organization and a person for praise who I regard as some of the most frightening people in American politics. He praised them because they weren't just out talking about values - they LIVED them. They worked to make life better for the downtrodden. So, here's another attempt on my part to play a small role in doing just that.
Lead on, MacDuff, and cursed be he who first cries, "Enough!"
So, an overview: Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) are things you do to help people, just because. Maybe they can thank you, maybe they can't. Maybe it's anonymous. All of these are acceptable RAKs. The point is, there's no reason, and you don't expect anything in return.
I first got involved with RAKs with my grandfather, who has a newsletter he sends out with RAKs he hears about. It's great stuff. He sends it out via e-mail, so if you want to subscribe, post your wishes in the comments and I'll give your e-mail address to him. Every RAK posted here goes directly to him for inclusion in the newsletter.
My RAK? I took in a dog. A stray, to be exact - found him on the street. He's gorgeous, and he's fairly well-behaved (still has the occasional accident), and he's very friendly. Without me, he'd almost certainly be dead by now. Nobody thanks me for this, and I can't keep him, so it's not like I get much other than heartbreak out of this, but hey. At least he gets to live.
What RAKs have you committed recently?