Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
July 12, 2023
Please Support Moon of Alabama

Dear Readers,

twice a year I ask for your help to keep Moon of Alabama going.

Most of you who come here value my analyses. Others are fond of MoA's vivid, if at times overcrowded comment section. I am very proud to host and nurture it, to the best of my abilities. Here is what one of our frequent contributors says about it:

Posted by: bevin | Nov 24 2022 18:45 utc | 17

This website is a tribute not just to the proprietor but to the idea of democracy. The general conclusions reached here over the past nine months (for example) have consistently outperformed the media, the Academy and the political castes which amount to an incredibly expensive and complex and enormously staffed engine designed -in theory at least- to arrive at a realistic assessment of the situation.

As for us here at MoA, where you are about ten times more likely to discover what's going on in the world than in any medium of the dominant class- than the New Yorker, The Guardian, BBC or even the favoured forums of the intelligentsia such as the Reviews of Books, The Economist or Foreign Affairs- here, as in a democracy, anyone can contribute. And just about anything which is not totally irrelevant or offensively obscene, is allowed. Every kind of eccentricity is permitted. The voices of communists are in constant struggle with those of fascists, liberals are welcome. Those who hate Russia are heard from. Those who hate Putin are listened to. Those who believe the SMO is a disaster have a forum. But so do those who believe that all is proceeding according to plan.

And there are no qualifications demanded of contributors. There is no literacy requirement, no Academic Degrees or resumes of experience, closeness to power or personal beauty are judged. All that matters is how close the poster comes to the truth, which, in the end, and usually sooner rather than later, is invariably revealed.

That is the way that democracy works – everyone gets to express opinions and they are judged by the minds they change. Or fail to change.

Here are more reasons why you should consider to drop me whatever you can afford.

I, of course, love feedback like the above. Unfortunately I can not just live on it. I also need to pay for food, rent and other necessities of life.

This site is the full time effort of one person. There is no other income I can rely on. While I live in somewhat better circumstances than Spitzweg's Poor Poet, I am neither rich nor do I indulge in luxuries.


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Every donation to this Poor Poet – be it $5, $50, $500 or more – is welcome and needed. A recurring contribution or sponsorship would be great.

Transaction costs are the smallest when you make a bank wire transfer or mail cash. Send email to MoonofA @ aol.com (remove the blanks) for the necessary details. (They are the same as before.) You can use other means like credit cards when you donate through the PayPal button below. This even without having a PayPal account. (The Moon of Alabama account is in Euro which currently stands at €1 ~ US $1.10 and US $1 ~ €0.91).

Thank you very much!

Bernhard aka b.

Comments

b, Thank you for keeping us together after the Whiskey Bar.

Posted by: beq | Jul 15 2023 0:47 utc | 101

Thoughts on a “riddle inside of an enigma.” The esteemed and honorable “B”
I am struck by your anonymity as I write this using my pen name, forgive the irony. I looked at Scott Ritter’s substack page, Scott’s monthly subscription costs $7. I’m going to pledge a monthly subscription with you in the amount of $10, you have a wider girth intellectually than Scott, whom I respect for being a voice of sanity and reason going against the consensus nonsensical.
I’m curious why you don’t participate and/or avail yourself of YouTube, and various social media platforms. George Galloway, Robbie and Brianna on the Hill, Jimmy Dore, Aaron Mate/Max Blumenthal among others would interview you in a “New York Minute.”
More importantly, your voice deserves a broader audience than those of us who wake up every morning gasping for clarity and reason,I’m speaking of those of us who jump on the Moon of Alabama life raft daily and early.
While I respect your approach, your privacy, and maybe just being “old school,” I wonder why you don’t leverage your voice and platform. If anyone is deserving of a wider audience and bullhorn, its you. I too am old school in many respect–I don’t think chivalry is dead, just on life support. lol–but I do wonder why you don’t use Substack, or interviews with like-minded platforms on YouTube, Rumble and the like?
I’m encouraging you to monetize your brilliance and your generosity, we all appreciate it. And its worth MORE than a typical newspaper or magazine subscription or a daily trek to Starbucks for crying out loud.
Why do you “lay so low?” More and more people need your voice! Don’t be embarrassed or over-think or have trepidation about getting paid righteously for it.
I can assure you that a state of depression and fog would descend upon many..and the world in general…were your voice be lost to the just the DAILY let alone MONTHLY cost of a frappa, mocha, wooby, dooby, cappuccino on ice with a pinch of cinnamon. Feel me?

Posted by: Malik | Jul 15 2023 1:07 utc | 102

Dear b – I have sent you something.
Many thanks for your work. It is so refreshing to read your well researched articles and analysis. It truly keeps one sane in a world of lies and propaganda.

Posted by: Mark | Jul 15 2023 1:35 utc | 103

Not likely, … you throw a hissy fit and ban on trivial issues … then the potential $100 donation goes into my own coffee club… But please keep the free content coming, … lol.
[previously posted in the wrong section]

Posted by: noname | Jul 15 2023 6:06 utc | 104

Donated
Actually was able to get the process to work.
Excellent site.

Posted by: watcher | Jul 15 2023 8:21 utc | 105

FWIW back in November i was so impressed with Bevin’s comment i sent it to all my friends and relatives. Many have been more careful in comments since.

Posted by: watcher | Jul 15 2023 8:23 utc | 106

I had a realization last night that I hope will not offend and might be a helpful recognition of b’s importance to us. I came across an old volume of some of Dostoievski’s letters to family and friends, and was re-reading one of his later ones that was written April 17, 1878 in reply to students in Moscow who had been beaten during a demonstration they initiated in support of colleagues in Kiev. They were beaten by a group they named ‘the butchers’** and wrote to Dostoievski in protest.
I don’t have a copy of the students’ letter, but D’s reply to them is a detailed response reflecting his understanding of the general malaise at the time of the incident, with praise and criticism for both sides of the issue. I found such parallels to our own current situation that I would be happy to discuss the letter in more detail on one of our own open forums.
According to the editor of this volume, copyright 1961, Library of Congress catalogue card number 61-8505, Dostoievski said in one of the letters:
“The truth is, I find it terribly difficult to write letters; I have no talent for it.”
Nonetheless, also according to the editor:
“…the four volume Moscow edition of them, which was completed last year [1960] contains over 900 items…”
So, even during a time of comparative quiescence protestwise in the US, while antagonism towards Russia was in its infancy; and in the Soviet Union, not yet on its last legs; a record was being kept of important ideas about socialism and western influences therof. That, I feel, is what is happening today here and in other important online venues.
We, even in our own stumbling attempts at erudition, carry on the legacy of Dostoievski’s and his fellow writers’ much more fluent critiques of the times in which they lived. The ptb in communism, to its credit, preserved these as carefully as they preserved beautiful icons in their museums. They were able to support students of history, even as history overcame their own efforts to improve on the past.
Please, please, any that are still able here and now, support these efforts! See what great company we keep!! You don’t have to agree with all that is presented here — indeed that would be impossible. But this blog is part of the record of our current age, being a popular response to what is happening. A record is being made, just as it was then.
**So named, as members attacking the students came from a meat processing plant near the University.

Posted by: juliania | Jul 15 2023 10:19 utc | 107

@Hausmeister The link to Paypal here does not function:
Just tested the button above and it does work (Firefox 64 bit Vs. 115.0.1). Also hundreds have already successfully used it.

Posted by: b | Jul 15 2023 15:33 utc | 108

@ b | Jul 15 2023 15:33 utc | 108 who wrote

Also hundreds have already successfully used it.

Good to read b because I was wondering at the seeing paucity of comments so far or maybe I am miss remembering past fund raising effort threads……be well and know you are appreciated

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 15 2023 16:12 utc | 109

@ psychohistorian | Jul 15 2023 16:12 utc | 109
“Also hundreds have already successfully used it.”
No joke – I click on it and nothing happens. Therefore I wrote the browsers details. Now I have to find another way.

Posted by: Hausmeister | Jul 15 2023 16:54 utc | 110

Thank you for your work..
I like the way you keep a low profile, gives you more time to concentrate on what is important.
May you live a long and happy life!
Greetings from me, Ananab
Here, on the blustery west coast of Ireland

Posted by: Ananab | Jul 15 2023 19:56 utc | 111

Sorry, can’t donate due to regulation (error message in paypal). Will find other way to do so.

Posted by: HL | Jul 16 2023 1:16 utc | 112

While I respect your approach, your privacy, and maybe just being “old school,” I wonder why you don’t leverage your voice and platform. If anyone is deserving of a wider audience and bullhorn, its you.
Posted by: Malik | Jul 15 2023 1:07 utc | 102
———————————————
I like things as they are. Old-fashioned should be cool. Many of the bar flies seem to be old fashioned, too. Maybe that is what appeals to us.

Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jul 16 2023 2:32 utc | 113

Posted by: botete | Jul 12 2023 14:58 utc | 6
I would also appreciate a snail mail addy. I refuse to use Paypal, who seem to think it’s their right to tell me what to think. I don’t post much, but I do check your site everyday. I should probably send TBP something as well.

Posted by: The Duchess | Jul 16 2023 5:18 utc | 114

Dear “b”,
Regular donor here.
Once again TY for your incommensurable work.
You met the admiration of many for this achievement of yours here at the bar.
I believe your asking in mid-summer could be improved by one campaign in the fall and another in the Spring instead.
May be Sep and March. Would probably meet more interest.
🙂
Good day, courage and perseverance.

Posted by: Greg Galloway | Jul 16 2023 5:48 utc | 115

Posted by: Hausmeister | Jul 15 2023 17:02 utc | 111
That happened to me too, the first two times I tried ie last two requests, but this time it worked via my card.
I thought it would not but I scrolled down and clicked a couple of extra things and it did work. I can’t remember what I did but scrolling down and checking something did work.

Posted by: watcher | Jul 16 2023 7:20 utc | 116

Donated! Keep the good work, Bernhard!

Posted by: Lubica | Jul 16 2023 7:52 utc | 117

watcher | Jul 16 2023 7:20 utc | 116
Yes, finally I found out this was my own mistake. Some browser details were set wrong. It worked now.

Posted by: Hausmeister | Jul 16 2023 14:29 utc | 118

Donated via PP. Thank for your amazing website and efforts. Thank you also to the great contributors.

Posted by: 3D | Jul 16 2023 15:05 utc | 119

Done! Much appreciate all your research and insightful analysis.

Posted by: Jefe_SD | Jul 16 2023 16:00 utc | 120

Donation sent- thanks again for all your hard work.

Posted by: Innocent Bystander | Jul 16 2023 18:45 utc | 121

I was one of naives.
Never again!
Portal is good, but there are issues…

Posted by: preseren3 | Jul 16 2023 18:47 utc | 122

Appreciate all your work here. I just gave a small donation. I tried my best to avoid using PayPal, but it seems no matter what they were involved in the transaction. I quit PayPal after they started banning people who weren’t supporting whatever narrative the left was pushing at the time. These social media companies are a virus.

Posted by: George O’Har | Jul 17 2023 2:13 utc | 123

Twice a year I have to ask you for your Bitcoin wallet address. Twice a year you decline. Even Black rock has an ETF now. Why do you insist in getting paid in government debt based scrip within the toxic international payment system weaponised to suppress true geopolitical multipolarity?

Posted by: Jacq | Jul 17 2023 3:18 utc | 124

Do you accept rubles?

Posted by: Wank Badger | Jul 17 2023 8:28 utc | 125

Thanks for your analysis. I made a small Euro 25 donation.
One question: How do you get your information?

Posted by: sp | Jul 17 2023 13:59 utc | 126

Done! And will continue as long as your crucial site exists. If only I could take the portion of my Canadian taxes they use for the useless and lying Radio-Canada and add it to my donation for your website…

Posted by: Melkiades | Jul 17 2023 14:18 utc | 127

Do you accept Digital Rubles?
Asking for a friend.
Regards, Turnip

Posted by: TurnipFieldsForever | Jul 17 2023 17:21 utc | 128

Alright, may have been a bit “pi55ed” of in my deleted post.
Can’t say I haven’t gotten some insight from your blog.
We’re all a work in progress after all.
Don’t want to make the perfect the enemy of the good.

Posted by: TurnipFieldsForever | Jul 18 2023 18:34 utc | 129

It is getting harder and harder to find sites that are intelligent and have a reasonable worldwide viewpoint. I greatly appreciate b and MoA and have done so for some time – in fact I really do not know which other site offers so much (and that includes the comments).
Sent something so that the poet can invest in a non-leaky umbrella if he so wishes.

Posted by: Stonebird | Jul 19 2023 7:34 utc | 130

Sorry, can’t donate via a system where I can eventually be tracked down and punished for wrong-think (PayPall, bank transfer, credit card).
Accepting crypto is the only safe – all you need to do is list your wallet address!

Posted by: Datcha42 | Jul 19 2023 13:07 utc | 131

Hallo b! Just tried to send some money, Reply on the google screen: »Your card issuer declined this payment«. Called at Landesbank Berlin (Visa card issuer), the guy could not see anything except that there was a zero payment with Google, he said. He was not able to give any justification or reason as he could only see this »zero payment«. Hearing yesterday Mr Farage in England talking about his present bank account ›difficulties‹ I suspect sth similar here… Will try Paypal now, let‘s see. But maybe you or some other barfly will be able to find out what is going on (if sth is going on)

Posted by: Jörg-M. Rudolph | Jul 19 2023 15:29 utc | 132

Long time reader, first time donor. Thanks for what you do, b.

Posted by: Anders Rho | Jul 19 2023 20:55 utc | 133

What #80 said.
Can’t risk using government surveilled financial sources like PayPall and bank. The future political risk isn’t worth it.
Setting up a crypto wallet and posting your bitcoin address wouldn’t take much time. And open you up to 3x the donations.
Otherwise, HARD PASS despite my great admiration for this blog.

Posted by: Datcha42 | Jul 19 2023 23:52 utc | 134

Just sent my little support. Bank said it should be there in 3 days. Thanks for the impressive work B !

Posted by: Stephane | Jul 20 2023 7:38 utc | 135

I have tried to donate from France via Visa credit card. The transaction was aborted twice with an error message. This almost never occurs for any kind of paiments here. Could you be subject to some kind of restrictions from the european governments? Kindly advise. Appreciate your sound, deep and meticulous reinformation and analysis work.

Posted by: Chevrotin | Jul 20 2023 8:41 utc | 136

It neither worked via the PayPal/credit card option.

Posted by: Chevrotin | Jul 20 2023 8:46 utc | 137

Is it posssible to donate with paypal only?

Posted by: roberto | Jul 20 2023 8:55 utc | 138

We are all aware that Germany is suffering in a deteriorating economic spiral and that energy prices have gone through the roof triggering inflation in a myriad of sectors. That doesn’t mean however that the bad guys like von der Leyen or Scholtz or Baerbock are hurting- the’yre not, because they are pulling the strings and can insulate their own bankbooks and estates, even to the point of rampant corruption (e.g., von der Leyen), but it does mean suffering for this incredible journalist Bernhard, who is at the vanguard of the very, very few in Germany who have not been compromised by the CIA. He is one of the very few hopes for the German people who sincerely want the truth, and domestic and foreign policies that are both honorable and practical for the survival and prosperity of their country.
For this septaguanarian reader, he has been an inspiration and his blog is one of the go-to sites on a daily basis.

Posted by: ed | Jul 20 2023 11:54 utc | 139

I used the credit card option since cancelled paypal last year due to their ‘we can withdraw any amount of funds we like from your account without letting you know first’ policy. I also had problems and at to try a half dozen times, but finally it went through. Some problem with the phone number, I think. Not sure. In any case, a different service might work better, but no doubt b knows best what works for him!

Posted by: Scorpion | Jul 20 2023 12:16 utc | 140

For readers who miss the annual call, a permanent ‘Donate’ link on the home page would be good. It allows people that are impressed by a particular article to send a token of appreciation in that moment.
Here is an example of a simple Donate page (of a free-and-open-source map app), linked from a ‘Donate’ link at the top navigation bar on the home page. It lists a variety of ways to support the project: Paypal, banks, cards, crypto. People can choose their preferred way. If you’re worried about the extra admin that crypto would create – there are very convenient solutions that take care of everything: people send any crypto they want and it will land straight in your USD bank account (or whatever place you choose).

Posted by: Leser | Jul 22 2023 13:10 utc | 141