 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-05 06:14
I haven't been around this site long enough to know everything that is going on within it, so forgive me if I am out of line in any way with this. But:
I was just reading about the student with fibromyalgia and it reminded me of something I have been thinking about, off and on, for a long time. It could deal with handicapped, but depending on degree of participation, perhaps more so with underpriviledged youngsters.
I saw two queries on the BB from kids whose families could not afford instruments for them to learn to play the clarinet. One from a mother, on behalf of her daughter (was one of the two handicapped?), and one from a boy, on his own behalf, both citing financially poor family conditions.
Before anyone thinks it, let me say that even at my son's high school, which is nowhere near being financially depressed, there is a shortage of music instruments that often keeps a number of children from being able to attend music classes, and for sure, for every child whose parents can afford an instrument and private music lessons, there are thousands who can't..
Consequently, there are a number of young-ones with whom we could share the pride and joy we take in our music, if we could only help them to acquire the means to learn.
I have to tell you that I have always been accused of being too stoic, and truly, I am as unemotional as they come, but nine years in and out of combat zones and
50 years of watching children suffer the end result of what adults undertake to do to themselves and those around them have made me very partial to wanting to do something for underpriviledged youngsters who just might be worth the help we can give them.
I know there are a couple of "funds" and/or places where one can donate cash or instruments for the handicapped, underpriviledged, etc., and to tell the truth, I don't really know how they work, but I have developed a dire mistrust for some of these places.
Many years ago, when I worked for a New York Time Affiliated News Group paper, I was assigned to help out a United Way fund raiser in Houma, Louisiana. He drove a brand new Cadillac. I made a comment as to what a nice car it was, and he told me it was a perk from United Way, that fund raisers who were able to reach certain funding goals were given these cars and more that I don't remember.
I figured that, if this were true, for every one of those cars United Way gave away, somewhere, a couple of thousand children could be doing without...
When I asked, I was told by the Paralyzed Veterans' Association fund-raisers that only about three percent of what they raised reached veterans at the actual assistance level. And if I remember correctly, the Red Cross has a similar minute percentage they devote to the actual, direct assistance of people in need.
The rest goes in salaries, expenses, etc... Not that they don't do good, they just don't do enough of it for my money, and there are too many perks and people making several times what several of us make (put together,) and they are doing it on funds people like us give to help the less fortunate.
So, what am I talking about?
I think we, as a group, have the resources to do something good.
Among our ranks are quite a few and enough people who can contribute as little as $100.00 a year to the purchase of inexpensive, but otherwise quality student instruments, and certainly there are also enough repair technicians among our ranks that any such instrument requiring it can be adjusted and put into good playing condition.
I hear all the time people advise others on the BB that they can acquire a plastic student instrument for as little as "under $100.00." If this is true, why aren't some of us helping some of these youngsters who don't have the means to help themselves? (Or whose parents don't have the means to help them?)
We could do this as volunteers and without any recompense for services rendered.
Even though I may sound like it, I'm not a bleeding heart, and I'm not talking about helping everybody that comes along, but if we could help out just a handful of would-be students every year, I think we could make a meaningful contribution.
I realize this is probably over-simplifying it, but (with Mark's blessing,) basically it could work something like this:
Some of us could donate a small amount of money to a central fund (perhaps it could be administrered through Sneezy, as the BB's central anchor;)
Some others could do some repairs (and donate too, if they saw fit;)
A feasible place could be designated to store a small number of any such instruments (again perhaps through Sneezy,) kept on hand to be either loaned out and/or given to whomever the members determine to assist.
When a plea comes in from someone claiming need, one, or more of us who may live within a reasonable distance of them can take a small amount of time to visit the family and ascertain (as much as possible) the veracity of the need and "worthiness" of the specific case.
If enough of us were agreeable, we could test this out on a very small scale within the continental U.S., and see if it could work out.
It really wouldn't require very much time on anyone's part, and I'll be the first one to kick in a contribution.
I know there are also people out there who have a musical instrument which belonged to someone no longer "here," or some such, and who wouldn't mind donating it to a worthy cause such as this.
We are not talking about giving away major professional instruments, here, although there are also college students who are (financially) barely getting by and could use the loan and/or gift of an instrument they can use to pursue their academic endevours.
To provide, or not, for any such college student could be determined with the assistance of college professors who teach such students.
Strange things stick on my mind.
About eight monts ago, or so, I was at a Sam Ash store (where I spend thousands of dollars a year) and a young man came to take advantage of a sheet music sale. He wanted to put the piece on lay-away for a couple of weeks, but the clerk told him he could not get the sale price if he put it on lay away.
Apparently he lived with his aunt, who was pretty poor, and he could not afford the piece right then, or at regular price in two weeks, if it was still available then.
The sadness transmitted through his facial expression ripped me up. I determined to buy it for him, and then someone got my attention, and when I turned around again, the young man had left without the sheet music.
I was extremely upset with myself, because I lost the opportunity to help this kid out. To tell the truth, $10 or so, weren't going to break me in any way, but could have, at that moment, encouraged this young man with the thought that maybe somebody, albeit a stranger, might care whether he plays music or not!
One of the Sam Ash clerks told me that the kid was serious about his music, he was just struggling to eat, never mind buy sheet music.
For the life of me, I can't forget it! Most especially because I consider myself very lucky that my children, to date, never had to struggle like that, and hopefully, never will.
But whether through a "gift foundation" or a "lending depot" of sorts, I think we could make that meaningful contribution I was talking about.
So let's hear from you all.
And now, if you don't mind, I'll just duck as I hit the button to post this spiel, just please, try not to hit me too hard, I bruise easily!
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-10-05 06:36
These are interesting comments which reflect thoughts that many of us have. I got a manual labor job at 14 for 0.40 per hour and was soon able to buy a simple system clarinet at a pawnshop for $7 and can understand the desire of a young person to make music. To this day, I remember the first sound made and what a thrill it was.
The last two instruments I gave to poor persons were promptly pawned for cash, perhaps for food. Good luck!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-10-05 07:13
I applaud your thoughts, but ...
I don't have the time to administer such a program, nor do I want to get involved with the determination of who is "neediest" to distribute the instruments. Let's not forget that the Sneezy BB is not just one country, but many.
Perhaps local "grassroots" efforts might be a better way.
If perhaps I ran Sneezy as a full-time enterprise I could devote the time - but then those $100 donations would be going towards my mortgage ...
"Money magazine gave the American Red Cross the No. 1 position in its ranking of 25 major U.S. charities, which were listed on the basis of how efficiently they spend contributors' money.
Money said the Red Cross dedicated an average of 92 percent of its income to programs over the past three years, a higher percentage than any other group on the list." - http://www.thirdage.com/news/archive/970927-01.html
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-10-05 09:22
Peter -
I, too, applaud your thoughtful consideration of this need. Some of us who frequent this BB do occasionally contribute in this way. I've found that the only way it works to everyone's satisfaction, however, is locally, one on one. Through a school counselor or band director. Or, perhaps, as with you, you see someone or hear something. Something touches your heart. Maybe you seize the opportunity, maybe you miss it. A couple of years ago I contacted a school. Now, when I become aware that a young person is genuinely interested and the parent(s) cannot afford to purchase an instrument, the process begins. Usually within a week they receive an anonymous donation. They're good student instruments that have been thoroughly reconditioned. If the school gets a horn that needs fixin' I'm happy to help out. The child then has an opportunity to participate in a music program that they might otherwise miss altogether. 'Doing business' this way, the possibility of an instrument being pawned for - whatever, is practically nil.
I'm not suggesting this couldn't be done on a large scale; it probably could. However... it just wouldn't be the same.
ron b -
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-05 10:08
It would be a very cold technician who did not have heartstrings pulled in some way every week. So many people have been conned into acquiring instruments of such poor uality that they are simply discouraging for the player. The technician finishes up undercharging - often substantially - for work that is a relatively futile attempt to improve a sour's ear.
What saddens me a great deal is the very rich importers/distributors of these instruments. To me their attitude is similar to that of drug pushers. They get rich while leaving a trail of devastation that affects many students/parents/technicians for decades.
I agree that we can each do something in our own way close to home.
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-10-05 11:11
One suggestion, is to tap into your local community band and see if they are or would be willing to do something along the lines you're suggesting. The community band I play with, does this already through our schools. I can't even begin to account (I'm not the treasurer) the time that's been spent haunting pawn shops, tracking down leads about instruments not being played anymore (they're sitting in Granny's attic), time donated by our local repair technician, and money that's been donated to buy instruments and parts and band members who take the time to check out the instruments and work with the school band directors to see what children are in need of instruments.
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Author: anonymous
Date: 2001-10-05 14:23
I want to add to this although i have not been lurking around here for long. First, i want to say those kids that just might be worth our time definatly are worth our time. I was. I grew up in a foster home. I had no contact with either parent at all 99% of the time. I guess I'm lucky that my band director took the time to care because he was about the only one who did on a continual basis. He wasnt always nice to me, sometimes he was downright harsh, but it was always at teh appropriate time. The point is, alot of kids like me do have decent foster parents when you see them. I had what would have been seen from the outside as one of the best foster parents/families. But they kicked me out twice. For meerly being a kid. I wasnt a bad kid, i was actually one of the better behaved kids i have ever seen. But the only person who I felt truly cared on a continual basis was that one band director who always had a kind word of encouragement, and my instrument was somehting i could play with pride, and the one thing i managed to hold on to while being bounced around from one home to another. That instrument was sold to one of my foster parents for $50 in PERFECT working condition (it was about 1 year old) by a local music store owner/piano teacher. The woman still used the instrument, but as piano was her instrument of choice, she sold it simply so i would have it. So again, I want to say that those kids are worth it, they do need our support and our help, and everyone who can should help out in some way, locally or otherwise.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-05 15:25
Mark,
I have nothing specifically against the Red Cross, I've seen them in action, first hand, and they are very effective by the sheer force of the fact that even three percent of what they collect is still many millions of dollars.
But what most of these organizations don't tell the press, for the sake of appearances and potentially bad publicity, is that most of these organizations list program expenses as part of the actual money they put toward helping people through their programs, and this often includes the perks and high salaries for people who administer those programs, etc.
I donate now and again, simply because, as most fund raisers will tell you very non-chalantly, "It may only be a small percentage, but if we weren't here doing it, even that small percentage would not be available." And they are correct.
There is also no way to avoid the fact that people who are good at what they do (fund raising, program management, etc.) want to live well and provide for their families well, etc., otherwise they would be working for someone else. I've also been told that by people from some of these organizations.
But that is precisely why I think something more effective could be done on a different level (and is being done many places) where a program that is run strictly by volunteers who are not taking a penny for themselves is helping people directly and without any middle persons involved!
Even as I wrote that piece yesterday, I knew it would probably be too complicated a thing to do on a widespread basis, but you guys who wrote in so far are probably correct about that this may be best done on a very localized level, on a strictly one-to-one basis.
Anyway, if nothing else, it would be good if others, who may not have been so before, became actively aware of the fact that it wouldn't take a great deal of time or effort to get, even marginally, involved in some such effort on their own.
Thanks for the comments.
Peter
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Author: Graham Golden
Date: 2001-10-05 15:44
about the charities:
From working with many charity groups I have found the Red Cross to be run very well, and distribute its funds and personnel in a very positive Manner. I don't know much about united way. I have worked most extensively with Catholic Charities (used to be Catholic Social Services) and they are a decent organization as well, although they do allot more world wide with refugees etc and almost all their staff are volunteers, and those that are paid get very minimal amounts, but I do believe they get benefits.
I agree that a grass roots effort would work best to begin with, then it could grow from district, to city, to state to country etc. If you could obtain the sight of a serious financial backer in your community, I would approach possibly band directors of your inner city, badio, suburban slum schools where you know most kids cannot afford musical instruments. and see where it goes from there. If you had it presented right you might get some local music stores, or non musical industries to donate, like banks etc.It might be better to donate the instruments to the schools you know need them, then you wouldn't have to worry about the interview process and deeming someone worthy.
Graham
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-10-05 17:11
It is a blessing and one of our freedoms to have such philanthropic desires. Right here in "River City" [NE Okla] we have a number of organizations, beyond Salvation Army and Red Cross, who attempt to give helps of all kinds to our less-fortunates, including musical pro-bonos. Several of us retirees [and workers having some time available] who have musical skills do provide free or very low cost instruments, repairs, consultation and teaching via our "Concern" , Boys and Girls Clubs, a Lutheran church "band" program, our local symphony orch and by individuals [myself included re: woodwinds]. I'm presently involved trying to recover an old Conn cl for a young mother who wants to play music again. It doesn't require much experience to learn of the manifold problems involved in administrating even a small scale, local program, so I believe, as the above posters have well said, such worthy endeaveors, beyond individual philanthropies, need to be accomplished by trained persons for any chance of success. Don
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Author: Katfish
Date: 2001-10-05 17:11
I applaud the efforts to help get instruments to those that can't afford them, but at the risk of sounding callous, let me say that teaching the handicapped and poor is often frustating and unrewarding.In 32 years of teaching I have taught students of all types. Of the many mentally handicapped, only 2 continued to play through high school. They both benefited greatly -emotionly, socially, and musically. They also contributed musically to the groups they played in.It was a very rewarding experience for me as their teacher. Of the scores of indigent students I have taught only one has continued through high shool. She graduates this year. She is a fine flute-piccolo player. 95% drop the first year. This is not to imply that we shouldn't help poor children have the chance to play an instrument,it is just to point out that after the instrument is in their hands the real hard work begins.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-05 17:34
Ahh, Katfish, If we could only see far into the future!
That is why a "lending depot" might be better than a "gift foundation," in many respects. The recepient does not own the instrument, at least, until they prove to be responsible and willing to accomplish their stated goal.
And you are absolutely correct about the teaching difficulties and percentage of students that follow through, as opposed to those who don't.
Everyone should read Louis Armstrong's biography. He was one of those underpriviledged children who found someone to help him. I realize there may be those out there who don't like that type of music, but even they can't deny the contribution "Satchmo" made to American music.
So, especially in music, for everyone who "makes it," there are thousands who don't. But if you don't go through the "thousands," you may not find the "ones."
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Author: Katfish
Date: 2001-10-06 00:27
Peter, I totally agree. I only meant to point out the hard work involved. It is worth the effort for the few who suceed, but the frustrations are many.
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-10-06 04:50
I live in a "low bucks" area of S.E. Texas and have seen many, many kids sign up for band then have to quit (50-60%) as there were not enough instruments. I have so far fixed up and donated over a dozen clarinets & cornets and a flute to some of these kids. Some have stayed with it and are still playing. At least two horns were pawned by the parents for beer money. A couple of the clarinets were returned to me to pass on to another kid and the parents thanked me several times for letting their kids at least try. It made me feel pretty good. To keep parents from pawning the instruments, I tried to give them to the school, hoping they would add them to the inventory and have the parents simply sign them out. They wouldn't do this as they would have the added expence of maintaining the horns. They said they had had some of the same problems with the school horns ending up "missing". Infact one of the big music stores in Houston won't even rent horns to kids in our school for the same reason. They either come up missing or are returned totally trashed. I like helping kids when I can and it can be VERY rewarding, but at times it can also be very frustrating too.
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Author: Jim
Date: 2001-10-06 04:59
My son is a senior in high school playing clarinet, bass clarinet, piano and now alto sax. In our experience, the cost of the instrument (even a pro level clarinet) is minor in comparison to the related expenses of lessons, music, reeds, transportation and so on. High school marching band is a financial nightmare, at least as practiced in his school (and most others here in NJ.) As I write this he is on a 3 day trip (sort of manditory) with a cost of $308. (Last year's trip was almost $900, he didn't go.) Easily, each marching season has cost us over $1000. Luckily we can afford it and feel that music has been very good for him.
I know something about charities as I am a past president of our local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. The national charities mentioned do indeed have high overhead and may well pay higher salaries and give perks. (Red Cross, United Way and so on do excellent work by the way.) Be aware that it is very legitimate to ask any charity to which you donate for a breakdown of their spending. If you are very concerned about how your donations are used, look for local charities and preferably those with a high rate of volunteer labor. (Better yet, become a volunteer yourself.) Also, religious and fraternal organazations often operate efficient charitable programs. Another question to ask is where your donations will be used. Some charities automatically channel donations back to the area from which they came, others do not. Habitat for example only channels funds to local affiliates when the donor so designates. I would not give to any charity that came to my attention by phone solicitation, and would be wary of mail requests also. As in any financial transaction, it is buyer beware.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-10-06 16:54
As a CPA in Public practice, all too often, I see EXCUSES made for not giving to certain groups. High overhead is the universal statement offered up, coupled with a general lack of distrust for the organizations in question.
In fact, in practice we see many, many individuals who make millions every year who don't give a dime to Charity. All have their excuses, or offer none, as they simply just don't care!
Everybody seems to have an axe to grind at times. Charity begins locally (at home), but our National Organizations deserve attention too.
If anyone feels that too much is going for overhead, just pretend it's MY contribution which is paying the overhead ---- yours is going directly to those in need! There is only so much overhead, right?
best,
mw
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-07 19:29
Willie,
I applaud your efforts and hope that the fact that there are frustrations involved does not deter you from contributing on a one-to-one basis in the future, as you have done in the past.
As I mentioned earlier, even at my son's school, which is nowhere near any sort of a depressed area, there is a shortage of instruments. Not that every parent of every child in that school can afford to buy them instruments, but the majority probably could.
However, I am only using his school as an example, because if his school is not "poor," and the families can encounter problems in this regard, think about what problems the families of kids attending the "poor" schools must be having.
Because there are many families whose problem is not a member's addictions, but lack of a livable wage. All those mothers and many fathers suffer just as much with their children's unrealized ambitions as others who are in a better positions, but still can't provide.
I would venture to say that for every family I know about that is in financial straits due to someone in the family having drug or alcohol problems, there are several who are in that predicament due to being a single parent family or some other kind of tragedy which has nothing to do with addictions.
Most of these people would not think of pawning a child's instrument, whether theirs or a loan, for any reason whatsoever. And what about the ones who returned the instruments with thanks? I'm happy to see they were the greater number, rather than the "pawners."
Thank you for the positive input you provided, it is encouraging. (I am not being sarcastic, by the way!)
Jim,
I am a transplanted Yankee (but a Yankee nevertheless!)
In NY and NJ things are different with music education. Most schools up there that I remember, started children playing "real" instruments (clarinet, saxophone, drums flute, trumpet) at the middle grammar school level, a practice with which I agree.
In Florida a child is lucky to learn kiddie songs in grammar school. Some grammar schools down here badly teach the recorder. Imagine that!
The $900.00 competition you talked about had to be an interstate competition. My kids were and are involved in such intrastate competitions and none have ever cost more than a couple of hundred dollars worth of parent supplied cash to go to those. Then really, only the finals, for which one usually has to travel far and stay a couple of days, at least.
As far as the charities are concerned, I too, agree you can ask for all these accountings, but off and on there have been many accusations of "hiding" financial facts. Especially after having assisted in "charitable" activities I believe this is true.
The following is only an example, it is not a true happening:
If I had a charity and told you that I collected a million dollars, that the cost of collecting that million was $250,000.00, and that I put $700,000.00 towards programs to help people, that can be an absolute true statement.
It did cost that much money to collect it, but:
But did I disclose to you that of the $250,000.00 it cost to collect the $1,000,000.00, I paid myself $225,000 for the month's worth of "work" it took me to collect it?
And of the $750,000.00 I put into the program, did I tell you that:
Of the $750,000.00, another $250,000.00 went to provide transportation to and from work for the program director and upper echelon personnel?
Or that my cousin Henry is in charge of the program and earns $250,000.00 per year?
Or that out of the remaining $250,000.00, $100,000.00 was put into additional training of the upper echelon personnel at a seminar held at Cancun, Mexico?
And that another $100,000.00 went to...Oh my God, I'd better start looking for volunteers, because I ran out of money to administer this program and I'd better put the last $50,000.00 to work for the needy here so I can, at least, claim that some good is better than none!!!
I know that was probably an exageration, and that they are not all like that, but I would rather put my money directly into buying a destitute family a week's worth of groceries, where I can put all of my money to work for them, than rely on a multi-billion dollar organization where 97% of my money will go towards paying someone's perks.
mw,
Very well said. But pretending is a hopeless fantasy. That kind of thinking only encourages the charities to "pretend" it's O.K. to use contributor's money for whatever purpose may suit those who can hide the amounts behind "legitimate" expenditures.
While we are at it, why don't we just pretend that the U.S. Government is using our tax dollars efficiently and that they are not going to continue to spend deficit dollars?
Shame on you, and an accountant, at that!
My mother practiced corporate, internatinal and consular law, while my father was a CPA who also practiced corporate law. I learned too much through them to be told that story.
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Author: jmcaulay
Date: 2001-10-08 15:06
Peter posted, in very small part: "...if I remember correctly, the Red Cross has a similar minute percentage they devote to the actual, direct assistance of people in need."
Peter, as you were speaking about an actual three percent of contributions going to real-live help for people in need, this raises a very interesting question in my mind: Just where did you get that information? Quite frankly, the Red Cross is not one of my favorite charities, but...a 97% overhead? Really, now.... I know factually that some independent fund-raisers take enormous percentages before turning over the balance to the actual charities. However, this should have nothing to do with the Red Cross, which does not use professional contingency solicitors to the very best of my knowledge.
I would truly like to know the source of your information.
As for me, I do not give away instruments. I don't even lend them out, as I used to do (that stopped after it took about six months to get an oboe back from a student who had quit playing it and moved 150 miles away). I no longer believe either course of action to be workable even half the time. My way of assisting is different these days, and I'd prefer to keep it to myself. So I have my own way, and others have their own ways. To me, one-on-one is best. I do not choose to participate in any grand scheme which requires even moderate administrative effort. If some do, I wish them well and hope it works.
And, Peter, I do want to know where you got that "three percent" data regarding the Red Cross.
Regards,
John
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-08 16:38
Two of my degrees are in journalism and photojournalism (the first two were in engineering.)
Some time ago, before I went back to engineering, I did some stints in journalism. At different times, I did some freelance photo work for the Associated Press and the difunct Miami News, was editor of two Central Communications newspapers (I think they have gone out of business or sold out since,) then I was editor at a New York Times Affiliated Newspaper Group newspaper, before I decided I wanted to do pictures again and went to the Miami Herald for several years.
Part of my responsibilities, especially at the NYT rag, was to write editorials.
Editorials require a great deal of research, they can't be written lightly, otherwise the entity writing them, never mind the newspaper, lose credibility. Not everyone has to agree with your viewpoint or your analysis of the facts, but they have to agree that your facts are correct.
When a newspaper loses cedibility, they lose circulation (unless they are a scandal rag,) when that happens the number of ads they can sell and the price they can charge for them diminishes (after all, newspapers are not in the business of publishing the news, but in the business of selling advertising. Publishing the news is a by-product of ad sales and how they get you to buy the paper so you can look at the ads.)
If nothing else, this means life or death to your continued employment, and I mean quickly!
Then, as I said before, at the second NYT newspaper where I worked, I had the distinct pleasure of being assigned by my boss to assist a United Way fund raiser, who finished opening my eyes as to how truly hidden some of the expenditures are, and in what amounts they could be.
And aside from that, when you work close to the news, in a professional capacity, you soak in an amazing amount of information. I am still amazed at the number of things I remember, both trivial and not so trivial.
Let's say that some of the charity giants put in a little more, some put in little less, to actual charitable causes. But nobody puts in nearly a large enough percentage to make it worth my while to foot the bill for the amounts they either pocket, give out as perks, salaries, bonuses and commissions.
I fail to see charitable causes as a business, and charitable organizations are nothing but large, corporate, non-taxable businesses raking in the bucks and practicing every corporate trick in the book to keep what they can, and'or use it to their advantage. That's why they need all the top echelon businessmen, accountants, attorneys and fund raisers who are paid the real big bucks.
As I said, this may not carved in stone, but it is the belief I have formulated through years of being involved and gathered knowledge assimilated.
In fact, one of the major reasons I went back to engineering is that, in journalism, I learned so much that displeased me about things and subjects I had thought nothing of before, that I got disgusted with "humanity-at-large."
I don't believe in giving people a free ride, that only creates welfare states, but if you took just half the money that the giant charities spend on what I would term the "wrong things," you could probably feed all the hungry children of the world, and help adults who want to sustain themselves to have any sort of gainful employment.
The adults who don't want to fall in line with the program can be neutered and their current children taken away to be educated as productive people while the rest of them starve on an island in the middle of nowhere.
Radical, huh? I have mentioned before that, even though it may not seem like it, I am a hard-core conservative and a hawk.
Someone mentioned the Catholic Charities. I am a Catholic, raised in the midst of Jesuits, the Brothers of Loyola (aka "The Soldiers of Christ) The most hard-core and militant of the orders, as I know them.
Their contributions in terms of refugee aassistance has been legendary at times. I have to admit to that. The efforts they have put together, when they have wnted to, have been incredibly well done and productive.
But have you ever been to some of the poorer Latin American countries, where some churches are full of silver and gold ornamentation while the people who contribute their pennies to it live in cardboard boxes covered in clay and eat beans once a day?
Anyway, as per Rudyard Kipling, that is a different story.
What else can I say? I probably should have joined Ralph Nader's group back in the 60's, but I was too young, stupid, and full of myself to care, or even pay attention back then.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-08 16:41
By the way, JM,
I am not talking about lending my own instruments, but of creating an instrument bank, of sorts, to help out those who need it and might be worth the trouble.
So, if you have a way that works, but don't want to make it public for whatever reason, you can still e-mail me personally with any such idea that might help me to do something more intelligent and productive.
Thank you.
Peter
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Author: jmcaulay
Date: 2001-10-09 16:21
Peter, I asked you a straightforward question, which was basically: where did you get the information that the Red Cross has an actual 97% overhead? I asked it three times, in different phrases. You have not answered. Rather, you have provided twenty paragraphs of your life history and philosophizing. Among those statements, you said: "Editorials require a great deal of research, they can't be written lightly, otherwise the entity writing them, never mind the newspaper, lose credibility. Not everyone has to agree with your viewpoint or your analysis of the facts, but they have to agree that your facts are correct." Well, I do not agree with your claim of the "fact" that of all amounts collected, the Red Cross expends only three percent for useful purposes related to their "mission." I have examined some Red Cross financial data, and reputable analysts have found it to look even better than it did to me. Hence, with me, you have lost credibility. I have asked for source information; you have offered platitudes. You have not even claimed protection for your source, as journalists sometimes do. This does not cut it. In any event, the subject has nothing to do with clarinets, and this will be my terminal correspondence on the topic.
Relative to your last posting, you need not re-explain your plan. I read it, and I believe your writing is sufficiently clear that it was understandable. However, I believe my writing also is clear, and I would prefer that it be interpreted as written. For example, my statement "My way of assisting is different these days, and I'd prefer to keep it to myself" evidently did not resonate appropriately with you, for you responded "...if you have a way that works, but don't want to make it public for whatever reason, you can still e-mail me personally..." so I shall elaborate. Keeping it to myself does not mean that I don't wish to make it public, it means that I wish to keep it to myself. To me alone, exclusive of all others. Excluding, in fact, anyone else at all. Every last human being on the planet. In any event, if I don't give instruments away and don't lend them out, what's left? Aha! And I choose not to detail my practice in that area. Why? Primarily because it works for me (and a limited number of others), and I do not wish to have anyone telling me how I could make it so much better if I would only....
Regards,
John
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-10 13:50
John,
If you are still reading this thread, my information came, specifically from reasearch done some 15 or 16 years ago in the process of wrting an editorial and if I could remember the individual sources, I would be, indeed, be a historical genious.
As far as the other question, chill out, I would not attempt to correct your "different way of helping." But since I am obviously trying to find the best way for me to help, I am open to suggestions and wondering what has worked well for others.
Enjoy.
Peter
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-06 08:56
<b>THE</b>
<img src="http://www.uovs.ac.za/apps/KCD/Hypnosis.jpg">
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The Clarinet Pages
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