Sayeth a reader:
Jonah,
While I do not share your affinity for Sci Fi and Star Trek, I have long agreed with you regarding conservative principles and politics. That’s why I find your post encouraging Kevin’s online begging to be very disturbing. Here we have a grown man, husband and father begging for money. And for what purpose? So he can selfishly visit an NR Fundraiser.
I am not opposed to begging when you have no other choice and it’s for an urgent need. But as a husband and father, I am responsible for the well-being of my family. I realize that I cannot have everything that I want. I simply cannot understand how a man begs for money online for such an event. Why doesn’t he save or work for the money? How can he feel no shame for broadcasting such a disgusting appeal?
What kind of people donate money to a stranger just so he can visit an NR fundraiser? Just for the record, my “donation” will go to a worthy cause such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. When you see the plight of those children and their families, it makes it hard to understand Kevin’s appeal, “good dude” or not.
The best way to help Kevin, is to instill a sense of responsibility and pride in him.
(I doubt you’ll post this, but at least I hope you read it.)
[Name withheld]
Me: Okay, if the choice is between giving money to sick kids and Kevin, go with the sick kids. That said, I think this is a bit of an over-reaction. After all, helping Kevin come to the fundraiser is really just another way of donating money to NR — which I do think is a worthy cause.