Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

Not all heroes wear capes.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

People are complicated. Love is not.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

You are here: Home / z-Retired Categories / Site Maintenance / Semi-Annual Balloon Juice Fundraiser

Semi-Annual Balloon Juice Fundraiser

by | 112 Comments

This post is in: 

We’re past the six months since we last rattled the cup for the server costs, and I had hoped ad revenue would cover most of it, but, you know, global pandemic. So if you are in a position to donate, please hit the paypal.

I promise pet pics as soon as we cover them.

That’s right. I am prostituting my animals. Don’t judge.

Update: To make it easier on mobile, I just added the BJ PayPal link as the top item in the hamburger menu.  (WG)

Reader Interactions

112Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    Biden said. “We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today.”

  2. 2.

    MomSense

    Where do I find the PayPal link?

    Silly update on my hair cut- I tried to trim an inch or so off the bottom and ended up giving myself a Rachel.  ??‍♀️

  3. 3.

    D Gardner

    Glad to help, and don’t ever feel bad about asking. The quality of this blog, the intelligence of the writers and the commenters, along with the “family” that I’ve adopted on here, make this the best experience of the day. Fantastic job to all, and belated thanks for all you do.

  9. 9.

    Percysowner

    Set up a recurring payment. I thought I did that last time, but apparently not. This site is worth it.

  13. 13.

    JCJ

    When I clicked in the phone number box a number showed up. No idea if that was Cole’s number or some random jackal.

  14. 14.

    laura

    Done & done!

    @MomSense: when last I got a cut-n-color, I told my stylist fuck the haters, let’s Rachel this thing! And so it was done. That was back on march 13 in the before times. Its significantly mangier now sadly.

  17. 17.

    Mary G

    Put some in, let me know if you don’t get enough. The new website is so great now that I’ve figured it out.

  20. 20.

    narya

    I set up a monthly donation, and if you don’t get enough, i’m happy to throw some extra on top of that.

  23. 23.

    Tdjr

    I’ve been wanting to do this in forever. Been coming here since the first Obama campaign mostly lurking but really enjoying the whole vibe. Set up a monthly PayPal so I don’t have to think about it.

  24. 24.

    middlelee

    Done and I also set up a small monthly donation.  I love this blog so much.  TY  TY  TY

  26. 26.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    I set up a relatively small monthly amount, and will do a larger donation in a couple of weeks. I’m finally getting a handle on my different cash flow in the plague times, but I don’t like to make unexpected outlays until the end of the month, when I know that the money in my bank account doesn’t need to cover something I’ve forgotten about! ;-)

  27. 27.

    Beatrice

    Good timing as I am currently doling out my COVID stimulus payment to worthy causes. I am fortunate enough to still have a job and really not suffering any economic effects so it felt wrong to just put the money in my savings account.

  29. 29.

    Just Chuck

    Sending you a pittance, but it’s monthly.  Don’t spend it all in one place you fat bastard zoopimp.

  30. 30.

    Snarki, child of Loki

    “I am prostituting my animals.”

    They’re all friction-sluts anyway, amirite?

  32. 32.

    Elizabelle

    Done.  I will set up recurring once my new credit card arrives.

    Appreciate this place immensely (although don’t even want to think what else I could have been doing with the time spent here — maybe nothing good …)

    Where’s my Cole pet picture?  (Have you ever thought of sending out photos of your pets??  As who is sponsored?)

    Dear  Ndugu  Lily,  ….

  33. 33.

    Scuffletuffle

    Any jackals who are not presently employed should feel free to stand down for now and let those of us with incomes step up…we are all in this together and can carry eachother when needed.

  35. 35.

    MisterForkbeard

    I’m still employed and very unlikely to lose that in the next year or so. I’m in.

    The monthly donation is a good idea. Maybe this will help keep Steve in steaks and fine, artisinally milked cream.

  36. 36.

    MattF

    Using an ad blocker now, so contributing is not optional any more. I’ll think up a budget category for this, eventually.

  38. 38.

    thruppence

    Sent some in. If our local NPR station asked so tersely instead of weeks of begging, I’d be more inclined to support them more.

  39. 39.

    Elizabelle

    @thruppence:   Eh.  NPR are still “both sides!” weasels.

    I take pleasure in not supporting them.  Nice Polite Republicans.

  42. 42.

    Damned_at_Random

    @Beatrice:  Same here – less the $$ spent for a root canal, I’m contributing to the local food bank with some of the leftovers to this blog and a few political campaigns. Feels good

  44. 44.

    dnfree

    I’ve been doing the monthly thing since the site upgrade. I hope that the total monthly is getting closer to the costs. When this fund drive is over, let us know how close we are to supporting the blog monthly.  And thanks to you and everyone here.

  45. 45.

    geg6

    Just glad I’m still working (even though I now know I despise working from home).  Dropped some in the bucket.

  46. 46.

    CaseyL

    Done. This place has saved my sanity more than once, and is without question a home away from home.

    Wish it could be monthly, but the permanent job I was hoping to move into when my current limited-duration one ends in August just became a victim of the financial crunch in Washington state.  UW has frozen all non-essential new hires.

  47. 47.

    mad citizen

    A bargain at twice the price! Thanks to all involved. This site is truly a festivus for the rest of us.

  48. 48.

    Kent in NYC

    I don’t care how crusty John Cole gets over the years,
    I love the man and love this place.

  50. 50.

    Barbara

    Just sent along my contribution.  Don’t know what I would do without everyone here.

  53. 53.

    frosty

    I’ll donate when I get back from our walk. I give a small monthly to Wonkette. Considering the time I spend here and the benefit to sanity it will be more than that.

  55. 55.

    Another Scott

    I too have been giving monthly to Balloon Juice Intergalactic Industries for a while to make up for running an ad blocker, and because I enjoy spending so much time here.

    Do let us know if you need more.  Things are very different from the Before Times and those of us fortunate enough to not be seriously impacted (yet) can do more.

    Thanks JC, WG and all of the rest of the team.  You’re a treasure.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  58. 58.

    Wolvesvalley

    Done. I’ve been making a small non-automated monthly donation, but here’s a bit extra. Like many others, I regard this blog as my oasis of curmudgeonly sanity.

  59. 59.

    Miss Bianca

    I signed up last month for a monthly donation. ‘Tain’t much, but it’s what I can afford. Thanks for this blog, Cole.

  60. 60.

    zhena gogolia

    I kicked in. I’m so lazy from shutdown that I’m not even asking if I can send a check.

  61. 61.

    Kattails

    Just kicked in a bit, don’t dare do monthly right now because employment situation very iffy. However, I’m about to cash that check with Trump’s obnoxious signature on it, so this and a couple of other donations will help cleanse the cooties.

  62. 62.

    Eighth Cousin

    Just put in a down payment for long time lurking. More to come after checking the sofa and other accounts.
    It’s a good way to put the stimulus to work.

  63. 63.

    montanareddog

    My work contract expires end of August and will likely not be renewed in the light of current  circumstances so I have made a one-off contribution. But if things pan out better I will set up a regular payment. Could not agree more with those who say that this place has kept me sane during this crisis, indeed the 3+ years rolling catastrophe. Cole, the front-pagers and the jackals are hidden world of joy, snark, revelation and kindness, and I am grateful to be able to participate (if mostly passively).

  64. 64.

    MagdaInBlack

    @Scuffletuffle:
    Thank you. You too, Steeplejack.

    Im off work, but with the extra $600 I’m ok. Since Im not buying gas or the snacks we seem to need throughout the work day, I tossed in a bit.
    You all keep me semi- sane. ?

  65. 65.

    coin operated

    Don’t comment much, but drop by every day.  Threw some coin in the bucket…

  69. 69.

    Laura Too

    I donated as much as I could. For all who have left us, and all of us left. I love this place!

  73. 73.

    grandmaBear

    I’m in for a monthly bit.  Have missed seeing those beasts of yours. I think we’ve only seen Steve recently.

  74. 74.

    Miss Bianca

    @eclare: Just curious…does “the Rachel” refer to Rachel Maddow? Or some other Rachel? Or is Rachel the new Karen/Becky?

  76. 76.

    BRyan

    @WaterGirl: when I click on the bj paypal donations link, it gives me a “your donation was already completed” message.   I don’t see that’s happened to anyone else.  Suggestion?

  77. 77.

    Miss Bianca

    @Amir Khalid: You’re in Malaysia and you know more about American pop culture than I do!

    That said, thanks for that! I never watched “Friends” – the only thing I remember seeing Jennifer Aniston in was “Office Space”. (She was great in that.)

  78. 78.

    MomSense

    @Starfish:

    That’s so funny!  I don’t think I could have done it if I had tried to.

    The pay pal link at the top of the page gave me a “you’ve already donated message” so I used the link at the bottom and it worked fine.

  79. 79.

    Steeplejack

    The housecat’s will is still in probate, but, based on what I have been assured by her attorneys will be a sizable inheritance, I have kicked in a little extra in her memory. We spent many an hour surfing the threads here together. Also, she always stood—okay, dozed—in solidarity with Steve and the rest of the menagerie. ✊

  82. 82.

    Steeplejack

    @MomSense:

    I get twinges. I still have a tendency to sleep on “my” side of the bed, and I briefly felt like a monster last week when I started to repurpose her tasteful 5" Corelle food bowls for other uses.

  83. 83.

    Catherine D.

    Tossed in some while I have it. Also recently donated to two local food sources, the local SPCA, and Planned Parenthood of Greater NY. Libtard, present!

  84. 84.

    evap

    I’m in.   We (spousal unit + moi) are spending less  than we used to —  hardly use gas, don’t go out to dinner, no concerts, no travel (a big one for us) etc. — and neither of us is in danger of losing our jobs.  So I’m glad to help.

  85. 85.

    Joy in FL

    Donated. Like so many others have said, this place is mostly what helps me hold on to hope for a decent future for everyone. BJ matters to me every day, and the sense of community I see makes a difference in how I process news and life.

  86. 86.

    MomSense

    @Steeplejack:

    There is something so comforting about the routines we settle into with our beloved pets.  It takes a long time to adjust.

  87. 87.

    Zelma

    I couldn’t do a monthly because I don’t have a PayPal account.  But I’ll try to remember to chip in on a more regular basis.  This is my home on the internet and my sanity preserver.

  90. 90.

    Bunter

    I’m almost a daily lurker, rarely comment and this place is great. Lucky enough to have my job so pitched in a monthly thank you.

  92. 92.

    James E Powell

    Since I got my $1200 I’m swimmin’ in dough like Scrooge McDuck. I tossed some in to keep the fires burning. I was just going to waste it on another effects pedal.

  95. 95.

    laura

    @MomSense: sadly, the gray comes in at the other end. Not since I was 5 have I been brave enough to cut my hair. Nope. Nope. Nope.

  97. 97.

    O. Felix Culpa

    Resuscitated my monthly pittance, which perished for reasons unknown in March.

  98. 98.

    Chris

    Been lurking since mid 08…but I am here every day and even though I rarely comment. I tell my friends..”Hey I read this over at MY blog…” Funny how that works…Tossed in a few shekels..thanks for all you FPers and commenters.

  99. 99.

    J R in WV

    @Catherine D.:

    Tossed in some while I have it. Also recently donated to two local food sources, the local SPCA, and Planned Parenthood of Greater NY. Libtard, present!

    We have kicked in to the B J fund. Have joined SPLC and ACLU as of the day after the Nov 2016 election. Ran into my only remaining cousin locally just a few days later, he too had joined both SPLC and ACLU, a pleasant way to meet up!

    We’ve been Planned Parenthood supporters for a very long time.

    Card Carrying members of the ACLU !!!

  102. 102.

    dexwood

    Late to the party. Who drank all the beer? Done. Thanks for all you’ve given us, Cole.

  103. 103.

    BRyan

    @WaterGirl: same issue (using the hamburger link on ipad), tells me my donation is complete.   But I saw another commenter said that a different link would work, so I will try to find that route.  Or just move to my computer. Thank you!

  104. 104.

    seefleur

    I’ve been lurking here for years. Finally donated a widow’s mite – but hope to be able to make it a monthly donation if all the planets and stars align… Just wanted to let all the jackals know that without being able to read the pithy, bitchy and witty comments here, my day just isn’t complete. Carry on!

    And bring on the pet pics now Mr. Cole! I can say that now without feeling like I’m making an unreasonable demand…

  106. 106.

    Steeplejack

    @BRyan:

    Try the regular “Support Our Site” link—on the right on the desktop site, under the comment box on the mobile site. Worked fine for me earlier.

  108. 108.

    drunkenhausfrau

    Happy to donate. Lurker since Steve gilliard days…  I need help.  How to explain to trumpet family that Rand Paul is an idiot?  Trying not to damage fragile family ties.  Thank you.

  110. 110.

    debbie

    Didn’t see this until now, sorry, but donation completed through Paypal. Thanks.

  112. 112.

    KrakenJack

    Tossed some money into the hat. Still in the “Viewers like you” level of support, however.

    The animals need their own Patreon accounts so they can be fully self-pimping.

Comments are closed.