Peter:

Thanks.  Will they bombard me with e-mails and phone calls?  I hate that! I know why they do it but I wish I could opt out.  I give money every year to about 5 groups (and generally end up giving more on cold calls from other charitible organizations because I am a soft touch), and I donate to my various alma maters, and all of them send me more crap than I know what to do with! 

Will do.  I get a ton of spammail from Special Olympics.  I have never gotten one e-mail from "The Human Fund."  That Costanza knows how to run a charity! 

Glad you had a good time, Geoff. I did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and had a great time. Nothing like a family vacation to the beach.

Yes, the problem with giving $$$ to worthwhile causes is that your mailbox ends up getting cluttered with junk mail. I gave some money to the ASPCA last year and I ended up getting on PETA's mailing list. I'd rather throw my money down a hole than give it to those nutjobs at PETA.

Jodi, I think one of those guys in the other thread may be a troll looking to stir up JBF'ers. I suspect he's the same recently banned poster who was SERIOUS! about a lot of things.

Having said that, plenty of long-timers have been behaving badly over there as well. Other than a couple of comments, I'm staying away from it.

Understandable, Bruce.  I think in this thread, most posters are more accepting and it's more laid back as far as attitude.  Some serious matters can be discussed and people get angry; but from what I've seen it hasn't been so much at each other but rather at the topic in question (e.g. Prop 8).

I try to stay out of political threads.  I'm more of an Independent.  Some issues I'm conservative on but most social issues I'm more moderate.  Some people can be infuriating when discussing politics, religion or any of those "hot bed" topics. 

I prefer signing onto the JBF to unwind and get to know other people who enjoy JB's art.  I don't come on to get a lot of grief or tell everyone how right I am.  That had me leave some other forums I used to be on.  Though I haven't met anyone on here, I'd like to think we're all civil acquaintences and would be as such if we met at a convention or other gatherings.

I usually donate to Breast Cancer charities (my grandmother has had it twice, family members have died from it and others are at high risk) but I usually stay below the radar and mainly get mail from the main one I send money to - it's the hospital that took care of my grandmother.  Their cancer ward also provides services for outpatients and trying to raise money for better treatment and research.  Can't argue with sending a little bit that I can to it.