Fluevogs for Success?

[emptyell]

In the wake of Fluevoggate I started wondering if it would make sense to do a fund raiser for http://www.dressforsuccess.org/ in honor of Greta.

For those who haven't heard there is a big brouhaha going on over at FTB about the manufactroversy over Greta Christina buying herself a nice pair of shoes. I'm too lazy to do links on my iPad at the moment but if you want to read a whole bunch of stupid about why cancer survivors shouldn't have nice things (at least not if their friends and fans helped them out) you can read the comments at Greta's, Ophelia's and Stephanie's blogs. Of course as I'm sure you've guessed it's not the friends and fans doing the complaining.

[Eowyn Entwife]

For those who haven't heard there is a big brouhaha going on over at FTB about the manufactroversy over Greta Christina buying herself a nice pair of shoes. I'm too lazy to do links on my iPad at the moment but if you want to read a whole bunch of stupid about why cancer survivors shouldn't have nice things (at least not if their friends and fans helped them out) you can read the comments at Greta's, Ophelia's and Stephanie's blogs. Of course as I'm sure you've guessed it's not the friends and fans doing the complaining.

*headdesk*

I don't particularly want to read that stuff, but I suspect I will anyway...

[emptyell]

For those who haven't heard there is a big brouhaha going on over at FTB about the manufactroversy over Greta Christina buying herself a nice pair of shoes. I'm too lazy to do links on my iPad at the moment but if you want to read a whole bunch of stupid about why cancer survivors shouldn't have nice things (at least not if their friends and fans helped them out) you can read the comments at Greta's, Ophelia's and Stephanie's blogs. Of course as I'm sure you've guessed it's not the friends and fans doing the complaining.

*headdesk*

I don't particularly want to read that stuff, but I suspect I will anyway...

I wish I could send you some spare spoons.

[ischemgeek]

TW sexism, classism. Short version: [ Show ]

Short version: People who ask for a helping hand even once can't have nice things, like shoes that won't wreck their joints.

And also: Shoes are a frivolity, even if they're needed for herr job because she's a woman.

[Sylvia Sybil]

Were you thinking cash, or...?

[ceepolk]

I have personally benefitted from this charity.

They take clothing donations, but they are very label conscious when it comes to what they accept. They're only looking for business and work appropriate attire, and they're deathly picky about shoes in particular, amusingly enough. Fluevog was about the lowest quality they had. roll that around in your brain for a little while. I went home with three pairs of shoes and not a one of them retailed for less than $250.

That said, the main thing a personal shopper does is gently try to explain to you that it's all right to take so much stuff, that's what it's there for, and you're not cheating anyone else, and you deserve to have the clothes you're getting. It wasn't just me. There were four of us in with appointments at the same time, and every single one of us said the same thing: "You can't give me all this stuff, I don't deserve it."

They didn't let me out until I had a bit over a full week's worth of work clothes, and I had a second appointment in six months to do it AGAIN for the other season. It kind of blew my mind.

[Avenel]

I have a real affection for this charity. They helped out a friend of mine that had to go back to work after 10 years as a stay at home mom.

[emptyell]

Were you thinking cash, or...?

Well I got impatient so I went over and made a recurring donation in Greta's honor. That may be the simplest to do. They have a box for dedicating the gift.

[Eowyn Entwife]

Were you thinking cash, or...?

Well I got impatient so I went over and made a recurring donation in Greta's honor. That may be the simplest to do. They have a box for dedicating the gift.

That sounds like a very nice idea, especially the dedication. Once we are quite clear on how we pay for the rest of the shower room repair/renovation, I think I'll do something similar.

[Kassiane]

I love this idea. I will be throwing my whopping $5/month their way. In like 10 years they can buy shoes. (not being sarcastic. People fucking deserve help dammit)

[emptyell]

I love this idea. I will be throwing my whopping $5/month their way. In like 10 years they can buy shoes. (not being sarcastic. People fucking deserve help dammit)

Great! Thanks for the support. I love the idea too.

I'm also try to wheedle my way to the folks at Fluevog to see if they are already contributing or would be willing to contribute. Seems like an obvious win-win for them.

[hyperdeath]

This seems like the prime opportunity for a charity drive. We can use the incoherent rage of the Hoggle brigade as free advertising.

ETA:

Just donated to the UK branch of the charity.

[smhll]

This is an excellent idea!

I think I was reading about this on Ophelia Benson's blog at FtB this morning. One woman was really being a jerk (sorry for importing), but she got a big, valuable pile-on. I was thinking "this is what a pile-on should be" because it was all in support of Greta Christina.

[ceepolk]

yeah i'm reading that now. What a horrible, sad, pathetic creature that person is. what a miserable, hostile, uncaring world she lives in.

and how few fucks i give because wow, what an unlikeable douche.

[Koinosuke]

I think I lost my mind reading about this. I would love to participate. I need to restore my sanity.

[emptyell]

Don't forget the dedication to Greta (if you feel so inclined).

If you want to send an ecard her email address* as posted at her blog is: greta (at) gretachristina (dot) com

* Since she has this openly posted over there I assume it is ok to put it here.

[Maistra]

Definitely a fan of this idea!

I think the statement that annoyed me the most about Fluevoggate was "Remember, e-beg for money when there's a cancer scare..." etc.
Since when is HAVING CANCER and invasive surgery a scare?

[Stephen T]

Greta has posted on this.

But some people on Atheism+ have been organizing an interesting response to the non-troversy that’s caught my imagination, and I wanted to spread the word.

Cee's comment is on her blog.

[SubMor]

Oh, FYI: You know that offer I made in response to the non-troversy, to refund any donations made during my cancer fundraiser to anyone who wasn’t happy with how I’ve been spending my money? As of this writing, the number of people who have taken me up on that offer: Exactly zero.

When does the surprise kick in? I'm pretty sure that when you hear this kind of completely unexpected news, you're supposed to feel some kind of surprise. Maybe I'd better go sit down and wait for it.

[emptyell]

Is there any way we can, ethically of course, keep the haters on message? Of course it would be ok if this fizzles but as long as we're manufacturing controversy and promoting a worthwhile cause...

Perhaps on twitter. Never done it myself though. Wouldn't know where to start.

[oolon]

It occurs to me that we could also promote one of the charities that Greta already donated her excess to --> Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk via the Foundation Beyond Belief. http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/LLS-lightthenight

Especially given Renees tweets were a key part of creating the "controversy" and ironically she made reference to her partner having a preliminary diagnosis of Lymphoma... I assume she missed that Greta had given an update to say excess had already gone to that charity and camp quest. But there is a chance they would promote giving to that cause in Renee's partners name and Greta's, I already punted some their way in Greta's name so maybe they could match it for Renee and her bloke.

I would tweet to her but she's blocked me.. After one exchange where I disagreed with her and there were no insults! Freeze Peach!

[sisu]

I would tweet to her but she's blocked me.. After one exchange where I disagreed with her and there were no insults! Freeze Peach!

CENSORSHIP!!!

[Eowyn Entwife]

oolon, you do realize that it would be awfully Christian of us to dedicate our donations to the Lymphoma society as, for example, "A+ chipping in for Renee Hendricks' guy" and emailing that to ... drat, can't find an email address.

I mean wouldn't that be awfully like "Love thy enemy" (Matthew 5:44), "Turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) and "Heap fiery coals on [the enemy's] head" (Romans 12:20)...

Oh well, if we manage to pile in enough cash, maybe we can get the numbers for the "A+ chipping in for Renee Hendricks' guy" campaign published by the charity? Only that would be mean... or would it?

[hyperdeath]

Is there any way we can, ethically of course, keep the haters on message? Of course it would be ok if this fizzles but as long as we're manufacturing controversy and promoting a worthwhile cause...

Perhaps on twitter. Never done it myself though. Wouldn't know where to start.

Over at Greta's article, I've asked if we can put up some kind of banner that plays up to the hater campaign. It would be a shame to waste their free advertising.

Edited to add:

I'd like to thank Abbie Smith, for implying that Greta didn't have cancer at all*. (In a post mocking Greta's choice of shoes, she put the word cancer in scare quotes.) Keep up the good work Abbie!

* True to form, her cronies are now denying any such implication. Their excuses are about as convincing as someone trying to explain away a Mafia threat by saying, "that nice Mr. Corleone was merely commenting on the importance of good fire precautions".

[Cipher]

This is brilliant, emptyell.