A while back Jill told the Jewish version of the tale about the pig (in this telling, a salmon) and the chicken discussing their contributions to breakfast. The difference, the pig/salmon would tell the chicken, was that for her the breakfast involved a donation, but for the herself, breakfast was a commitment.
I, along with a lot of other good bloggers, have decided to move from donation to commitment as regards Meet The Bloggers.
You’ll notice an honest-to-(insert name of appropriate deity here) advertisement near the top of my left-hand column. Underneath the not-too-annoyingly flashing ad is an appeal to: advertise on the MTB Ad Network.
I’ve only been privileged to take part in one MTB session; the one with Roldo Bartimole. I don’t know what the count is up to now but it’s certainly in the dozens and rapidly approaching the 100 mark. (Note to George, you should plan some grand celebration for the 100th.) All of them are creative examples of blog power.
My own support for MTB has been peripheral. I’ve offered verbal and published encouragement to George, Bill, Tim and all the other bloggers who’ve devoted time and financial resources. I’ve dropped cash in the tip jar to help pay for the transcripts and I posted a link to the MTB virtual tip jar some three or four months ago.
When Tim approached me a few weeks ago about joining the MTB ad network, I confess that I at first was hesitant. Not because I have any reservations about the people involved or the quality of their work, but rather because I know first hand the dangers inherent in the siren’s call of advertising.
To accept ads would mean two things to me: first, Have Coffee Will Write would become something of a commercial venture; and second, I would be lending my good name to a group of people I would have to trust.
The second concern was quickly dismissed. I do trust MTB to continue its good work. As to my first concern, however, I had to do further thinking.
The wall between Church and State, Editorial and Sales, can be a thin one. At times it is merely a gossamer nothing. Those publications that have the thickest walls are the ones that do the best work. Yet, the bills must be paid. And so writers and peddlers must work together. I am solely responsible for the content at HCWW. And that will continue.
MTB has not asked me to restrict my content in any way. And if it should happen that I blog about something that offends an advertiser, well so be it. Such offense will not mean one whit to me as long as I have been fair and honest with my readers.
Transparency is important. That is why I wanted to share my thoughts with you, my readers. After due consideration I gladly told MTB that I would participate. And I said, because I beleived in the importance of what it does, I would forego any cut of the advertising money, choosing instead to donate any revenues to the cause; a course I’m pleased to see, other bloggers in the network have followed.
And so, like the pig/salmon, I’ve committed my good name, and the trust of my readers, to fully supporting MTB.
I have no doubt I’m doing the right thing.
My Soundtrack: Black & White New York by Tommy Keene on WOXY.
With the release of video footage this week from the 11 September attack on the Pentagon, the conspiracy theorists are jumping and gibbering about what really happened four-and-a-half years ago. Salon’s Patrick Smith does his usual expert job of ripping holes in their half-truths, distortions and general delusions. Writes Smith:
Today is the 109thn anniversary of the birth of 
I know that this is just another example of 
A 20-year-old man is accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl. He’s out on bail. She’s being held in jail without a lawyer, even though she’s asked for one. What’s wrong with this picture? I found about this via 
The administration, tightly focused on information leaks (other than the ones it likes), is tracking the phone calls of reporters. That’s the claim made by ABC’s 
Would Al Gore really consider running against Hillary in 2008? Hmmmmm… could be. One of the readers over at 
