From a post from Ted Rall on Kickstarter. He’s raised half of what he needs to go to Afghanistan.
My plan to return to Afghanistan this summer is halfway there–more than 140 backers have put up 50% of the $25,000 I will need (I’m also going to spend about $10,000+ of my own money) to get there and around. War zones are crazy expensive, and this is actually the bargain rate for this sort of journalism, particularly when one isn’t backed by a major publication or broadcasting company.
This is the do-or-die phase. I’m halfway there, but there are less than two weeks left. Unless the pace of pledges accelerates, I won’t make it. If you have been considering whether or not to participate, please think about it now!
As always, I remain ready, willing and able to answer any and all questions, comments, concerns, etc. about this project.
To donate, head to kickstarter. If the money isn’t raised, you’re donation is not collected.
It’s at this point Scott Kurtz whips out his wallet, sends Ted on his way, and tells him to be sure to wear his lucky Target brand T-Shirt, complete with the Target logo.
Can we make it a one-way trip?
25 grand??? Is there some 5 star hotel there we haven’t bombed yet?
I have a nice rubber raft with two rolls of duct tape and a rain poncho.
$25,000 won’t cover everything. But it’s a decent start. Warlords and corrupt cops don’t take singles.
haha…but starving artists will.
I do hope you get to go, Ted. Cartooning/Writing in a war zone is a pretty interesting niche. It takes some guts. Just keep your guts intact.
Dear God, please send ted to Afghanistan.
This ‘Afghanistan’ isn’t a real place.
Saddam Hussein made it up using Legos and a PR firm.secretly funded by the CIA.
You’re going to the most dangerous place in the world, according to Forbes Magazine. Thirteen million land mines. Crazed militants who have no moral limits when it comes to killing Americans, especially non-combatants without a military escort…
Good luck.
Good luck Ted.
I used to draw cartoons for the locals in Central America during the mid 1980’s while serving with the US Army. It’s amazing to see their faces light up, despite their extreme living conditions and fears of Sandinista reprisals. It gave then hope that there is something better outside their oppressed world.
Dave, I think Ted would be in more danger from the military escorts than the crazed militants.
You?re going to the most dangerous place in the world, according to Forbes Magazine. Thirteen million land mines. Crazed Americans who have no moral limits when it comes to killing Civilians, especially non-combatants without a military escort?
Good luck.
Isn’t moral relativism a hoot?
@Dave,
The most dangerous way to travel in Afghanistan is with or around Americans. Afghans like Americans personally, but like all occupiers our occupation forces are universally resented.
It would be cheaper to stand in front of a backdrop of Afghanistan that you drew.
Ted wrote: “Afghans like Americans personally, but like all occupiers our occupation forces are universally resented.”
No they’re not “universally resented.” That’s hyperbole.
Some people resent the coalition forces; some don’t care one way or the other; and some are glad they’re there.
That’s straight from the folks I know who have been (or are) deployed there.
Ah, what do they know? Ted’s a REAL professional cartoonist and those army guys are out of their league when Ted’s around, thinking his big ol’ liberal thoughts, make sweeping unsupportable statements about how an entire “country” feels… That’s hard work! LOL
Here in San Diego, I’ve been lucky to entertain the troops in Camp Pendleton and the Marines there wonder what planet our newspapers are reporting from – they’re pretty sure it’s not this one.