Welcome to Reason's Webathon 2012!

Please Help Support Our Efforts to Bring You The Best Libertarian News

Nick Gillespie | 12.4.2012 9:10 AM

I'm happy to announce that today is the starting point for Reason's annual webathon, where we ask readers of Reason.com to support our efforts to bring you the very best in libertarian news, commentary, and video.

Through next Tuesday, my colleague and co-author Matt Welch and I will be blogging about our efforts and highlights from the past year and telling you about our plans for 2013.

Last year, 500 readers ponied up to help and this year we're looking for 800 people who will make tax-deductible donations to Reason Foundation, the 501(c)3 nonprofit responsible for this site, Reason TV, and the print edition of the magazine that's been likened to the bastard child of Jane Fonda and Alan Greenspan by the New York Post, who called us "a kick-ass, no-holds-barred political magazine."

As Reason's publisher, Mike Alissi, has put it, there's a lot of reasons to support Reason, including:

Do you spend more time on Hit & Run than on Facebook? Donate!
Do you find yourself clicking on Reason 24/7 every 5 minutes in search of breaking news? Donate!
Do you have a burning question that only Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch can answer? Donate!

For $100, you get a Reason T-shirt and a one year's subscription that you can keep or gift to your closest friend or enemy who needs to read more about "Free Minds and Free Markets."

For $1,000, you can have lunch with Matt and me in D.C., plus ask us anything for a future edition of our popular "Ask a Libertarian" video series, plus a lot more.

For $5,000, you'll get your name on a tile in our new Los Angeles-based foundation headquarters, which houses a great new Reason TV video studio.

We've got swag for every level of giving, from modest to massive. Go here now to check out the different gifts for different levels and make a tax-deductible donation now!

Your donations allow to keep on doing what we do. We run a lean, mean, fighting-for-liberty machine that is out there every minute of every day, bringing you stories such as yesterday's expose that the most popular anti-drug program in the country, DARE, is basically dropping its anti-pot stance from its materials for kids (they must have gotten around to reading our persistent critiques of their program, and the drug war more generally). And ongoing analysis about how to avoid the fiscal cliff by reducing spending, not dithering over tax hikes. And our invaluable AM and PM links that gather news and views from all over the planet in a tight little digest for you twice daily (where else are you going to find the following stories in a single spot?: Politicians Play Chicken On the Fiscal Cliff, Economists Gloomy About Manufacturing, Riots Over Kim Kardashian).

Please give what you can.

It's been a tough few years, for sure, and 2013 isn't shaping up as any bed of roses. With a new look to Reason's website, a fistful of new people, a great 24/7 news feed, and so much more, Reason is primed to be your voice in the fight for individual liberty and smaller government in every aspect of life.

We're the only ones out there making the case for gay marriage and spending cuts, pot legalization and an end to overseas wars, to opening up our borders not just to foreign goods but foreign people too. We need your help to bring our message of "Free Minds and Free Markets" to more and more people in the next year. Fox News' John Stossel has called Reason "one sane voice fighting tons of nonsense" -and your gift will help make our voice reach more people.

Again, go here to see the specifics of our contribution levels. Even the smallest donation helps and you'll get to see your name up at the banner running at the top of the site (if you like - we respect your privacy, too!).

And stay tuned to Reason.com for an announcement later today about a VERY SPECIAL LIVE WEB EVENT that will take place TOMORROW, DECEMBER 5!

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

NEXT: Poll: Republicans Will Get the Blame if Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Fail

Economics Civil Liberties Science & Technology War on Drugs Nanny State World Webathon

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Colin Fraizer 13 years ago

First? (I gave. I hope you do too.)
Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago

Last year's webcathlon brought us Evening Links. I'm excited to find out what Hit & Run enticements to donation are in store for us self-important registered commenters this time around. Super threading, perhaps? Reverse comment threads? Three-dimensional threads?
1. Archduke Pantsfan 13 years ago
  
  I will donate when Fist is no longer first.
  1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
    
    Well, there ya go ^
    1. Archduke Pantsfan 13 years ago
      
      I meant in General
      1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
        
        There was a time when men of great achievement such as myself were lauded for their successes. Now, captains of industry are regularly demonized by those of lesser accomplishment. Welcome to Obama's America, I guess.
        
        You wouldn't understand, as your title archduke came to you through an unearned birthright.
2. Pro Libertate 13 years ago
  
  Blink tags? In-line video?
  1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
    
    No.
    1. PS 13 years ago
      
      Animated GIFs?
      1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
        
        NO.
        
        PS 13 years ago
        
        Undercoating, can we at least get some undercoating?
        
        JW 13 years ago
        
        Sideboob?
        
        bostonaod 13 years ago
        
        See.. they install that TruCoat at the factory, there's nothing we can do
    2. Pro Libertate 13 years ago
      
      Why not? Why do you fear the expression of ideas?
      1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
        
        Individuality is fine as long as we all do it the same. Static text only.
        
        Pro Libertate 13 years ago
        
        Ah, so you fear those of us with coding skills that you lack. I see.
        
        Describe in single words only the good things that come into your mind about your mother.
3. Lord Humungus 13 years ago
  
  Three-dimensional threads? Fuck that, pussy. Fourth-dimensional!
  1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
    
    Then we would never hear from P Brooks.
4. Auric Demonocles 13 years ago
  
  The edit button!
  
  And of course, mandatory alt-text.
  1. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
    
    "mandatory alt-text"
    
    Hear hear!
5. Cdr Lytton 13 years ago
  
  How about late evening (late night) articles for non-daywalkers. The world doesn't revolve around Eastern time zone. Or weekend links.
  1. Auric Demonocles 13 years ago
    
    That's what Tim is for.
6. db 13 years ago
  
  How about a search function that doesn't suck as much as google's?
Pro Libertate 13 years ago

Caption: "Remember."
Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago

Will the mystery of Lucy finally be solved?
1. Almanian. 13 years ago
  
  Never
2. PS 13 years ago
  
  Nick said he sent her off to a nice farm.
  1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
    
    Oh, well then. That makes me feel beter!
Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago

I wish I could afford to donate at the $666 level, especially since Krampusnacht is tomorrow!
The Late P Brooks 13 years ago

Caption for the first photo:

"I couldn't have done it without you, George."
Restoras 13 years ago

I'll pledge $21.12 if H&R features the cover of that great album on a blog post in the next 48 hours.
The Late P Brooks 13 years ago

Super threading, perhaps? Reverse comment threads? Three-dimensional threads?

Why go halfway? Just institute fully randomized comment placement.
1. SIV 13 years ago
  
  "Promoted Comments".
  
  Pay for favorable comment placement.
  1. Newt Gingrich 13 years ago
    
    Sponsored comments?
    
    Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Almanian. 13 years ago

1) I broke down and gave - but less than last year. FIX THE GODDAMNED LOGIN ISSUES!
2) This place was MUCH better when Lucy Steigerwald was here to join the commenters.
3) For a website called reason.com....
1. Almanian. 13 years ago
  
  Oh, PS, also - breech of contract. I gave $666 last year and never got interviewed by Lucy like you promised. Bad karma for you, Reason.
  1. RBS 13 years ago
    
    Maybe Lucy could interview you for her new blog? She could do an entire series of interviews of H&R commentators.
    1. hamilton 13 years ago
      
      That would be funny and really scary at the same time.
SIV 13 years ago

Here's my pledge

$100 for ending registration and threading.
$200 for firing Poole* and Dalmia.
$300 for all of the above.

*I realize this might be kind of difficult.
1. RBS 13 years ago
  
  I know, how dare Poole try to promote ideas that might (or do!) actually work in real life.
  1. SIV 13 years ago
    
    Works for government. Works for crony government contractors.
    1. RBS 13 years ago
      
      Please, show your work.
2. SugarFree 13 years ago
  
  $100 for ending registration
  
  Do you really miss White Indian that much?
  1. Fist of Etiquette 13 years ago
    
    AS OPPOSED TO THE ECHO CHAMBER REGISTRATION HAS CREATED??? The homogenized, prepackaged and focus group-approved comments that I've had to endure since registration has failed to challenge me, to stimulate my mind. It's a kind of fairness doctrine that should be unacceptable in the open waters of the internet.
    
    I have even resorted to manufacturing dissent to keep my arguing muscle in shape. For instance, this comment.
    1. RBS 13 years ago
      
      What, Tulpa isn't enough? Or that Robert guy with his "fundamental questions" about rape?
    2. PS 13 years ago
      
      I totally agree with everything written above^
      1. PS 13 years ago
        
        Oh fuck you, RBS, you ruined it!
        
        RBS 13 years ago
        
        It's all falling into place...
        
        PS 13 years ago
        
        Ban this terrible sower of chaos and I will donate 10 greenbacks.
BoxyBoxyBoxyBoxy 13 years ago

No shirt in stocky neckbeard size.

:[
LTC(ret) John 13 years ago

I do appreciate the joker who donated under the name "STEVE SMITH RAPE" - just what you want flashing across your screen, Reason!
Warty 13 years ago

But I gave last year! Are you never satisfied???
1. Almanian. 13 years ago
  
  The Kochtopus is never satiated.
2. Auric Demonocles 13 years ago
  
  Warty, I think you would know the answer to that question by now:
  
  "Not by you."
Almanian. 13 years ago

CAPTION (for the first one):

"Hmmm....smells like TEAM spirit."
Rich 13 years ago

a chance to ask Matt and Nick anything

Sorry, until this is tightened up to *guarantee reasonable public answers* from Matt and Nick I will be unable to donate $666.
invisible furry hand 13 years ago

More begging and flattery before i reach for my Mastercard
1. Newt Gingrich 13 years ago
  
  I love the way you manage to survive being trapped in a penal colony with 90% of the poisonous creatures on the planet day after day.
2. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
  
  I truly admire your ability to remain uneaten by dingoes, crocs, giant kookaburras or Labor Party members
T 13 years ago

I gave. It's worth some money to be able to fuck off here instead of working.
sarcasmic 13 years ago

Who wants lunch with the guy who fired Lucy?
1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
  
  I think anyone who donates at the "ask a question" level should ask about Lucy. Get, like, 20 Lucy-related questions into "Ask a Libertarian". Then see Nick & Matt do an Obama and either laugh it off or ignore it.
  1. sarcasmic 13 years ago
    
    "Are you serious? Are you serious?"
    1. nicole 13 years ago
      
      I hate to have to say it, but obviously this is why we cannot have nice things. Nice things like Lucy.
      1. sloopyinca 13 years ago
        
        That's not true, Nicole. Some of us can make a donation and get a lot cooler gift than a t-shirt or lunch with someone. If I recall correctly, you now have the pleasure, for your donation of $215, of having given the middle name to our beautiful baby girl, Reason Sophia Spicer.
        
        generic Brand 13 years ago
        
        Booo! "Sophia"? Damn my poor ass for not being able to afford something epic. Get to work on another baby in the next month or so, so that by the time I get my first scholarship stipend next fall I can afford a real whopper of a middle name!
        
        sloopyinca 13 years ago
        
        We're gonna try again in March. Our goal is to have as many December babies as possible, that way we can screw both the IRS and our children on birthday/Christmas presents.
        
        LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
        
        "and our children on birthday/Christmas presents."
        
        *wince*
        
        I wouldn't know with a wife born on Dec 17 and son on Dec 23.
        
        sarcasmic 13 years ago
        
        My father was born 12/24. He hates Christmas.
RBS 13 years ago

If I donate $25 can I get a copy of Choice?
R C Dean 13 years ago

I'm in.
hamilton 13 years ago

I gave, but I could be inspired to give more if the mysterious Announcement is Lobster Girl related.
A Mathematician 13 years ago

Is it a one on one lunch and can I set the date? I'll be in DC sometime between christmas and new years
iggy 13 years ago

'Do you find yourself clicking on Reason 24/7 every five minutes in search of breaking news?'

That's cute. Reason thinks there are people who actually do this.
1. Auric Demonocles 13 years ago
  
  Wait, there's more to the webpage than HnR?
$park? 13 years ago

I see you were generous enough to start the donations at $100. Some people actually have to work for a living you know.
sloopyinca 13 years ago

Well, we gave reason a chance to do the baby-naming contest in conjunction with this webathon but they* thought it was a lousy idea for some reason. I will now gladly be looking for Nicole's $215 donation that will be made on behalf of Reason Sophia Spicer.

Sorry, Reason people. You missed out on what could have been a much bigger payday and a much more clever webathon hook. But I still plan on being at the Christmas open house in a couple of weeks so I can drink as much free booze as possible and make an ass of myself.

*Well, not the people I spoke with but rather the decision-makers.
1. nicole 13 years ago
  
  There it is, sloopy, scrolling on by. Will forward you confirmation.
  1. Banjos 13 years ago
    
    Thank you, Nicole. If you like, we can mail you a copy of her birth certificate.
    1. nicole 13 years ago
      
      That's quite alright. Thank you!
      1. $park? 13 years ago
        
        You never know when you might need a quick change of identity nicole. Maybe you better think about it a bit before you say no.
2. Banjos 13 years ago
  
  Shouldn't you be at the hospital visiting your doped up wife? The nurse gave me two Vicodins this morning, it turned out to be a bad idea.
  1. Newt Gingrich 13 years ago
    
    Well you're not supposed to crush and snort them both at once. Moderation, Banjos.
3. Ted S. 13 years ago
  
  But I still plan on being at the Christmas open house in a couple of weeks so I can drink as much free booze as possible and make an ass of myself.
  
  Why do you have to go to the open house to make an ass of yourself? You do an outstanding job of that here.
MattJ 13 years ago

I gave last year. I'll probably give this year.

Is there a way to give and NOT get a bunch of fundraising requests from... anyone else?

Can I get an agreement from Reason not to share my name and address with other organizations? Can we get some transparency about whether and with whom Reason does this?
1. $park? 13 years ago
  
  Unfortunately the transparency regarding whom they share your information with comes in the form of various mailings sent to your home address.
  1. MattJ 13 years ago
    
    Sort of. Maybe the Marijuana Policy Project got my name/address some other way.
    
    But I doubt it.
2. sloopyinca 13 years ago
  
  I never got a single solicitation from my donations made in the last few years. Hell, for that matter I never got my subscription filled either.
  1. MattJ 13 years ago
    
    That's weird. They send me the magazine sometimes and I never even asked for it. I used to subscribe (maybe a decade ago?) but I've moved several times since then.
$park? 13 years ago

And then you go through the trouble of donating and they foul up your banner message...
1. db 13 years ago
  
  As if you could get fouler than Ke$ha.
Cdr Lytton 13 years ago

Question for fellow reasonioids-- any other liberty minded organizations that deserve a donation? IJ? ...? Time to do some tax reduction and Reason already got a donation pre-webathon.
1. Kaptious Kristen 13 years ago
  
  The Innocence Project is high on my list. They usually get the most $$ form me. IJ is a very close second.
The Late P Brooks 13 years ago

a VERY SPECIAL LIVE WEB EVENT that will take place TOMORROW, DECEMBER 5!

Hopefully, this will involve STEVE SMITH and White Injun.
1. LTC(ret) John 13 years ago
  
  May I fill in for "Teenaged Girl"?
  
  Ewwww!
2. Newt Gingrich 13 years ago
  
  You're a sick man, Brooks.
Stormy Dragon 13 years ago

I demand a music video of prominent libertarians singing a earwormy anthem about why we should give them our money.

Jackets Across America or something.
hamilton 13 years ago

Actually, I've been thinking about this* and I have to say, if one of the Lovely Parting Gifts for donating were a reason-branded monocle (at, say, the $250 level) you guys would clean up. Clean. Up.

*Yeah, yeah, it's been a slow day.
Ghetto Slovak Goatherder 13 years ago

"Do you spend more time on Hit & Run than on Facebook?"

DAMNIT.

What does the shirt look like?
??? ?????? 12 years ago

Nicest chat and chat Iraqi entertaining Adject all over the world
http://www.iraaqna.com

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