Sorry to interrupt the flow of news with my personal headaches, but I just found out that PayPal had blocked donations because they wanted more information about me. I just got off the phone with them and they assured me that the account is now fully restored. Why they could not contact me *before* blocking donations they could not explain in any other way than “we are so sorry” (sigh, rolleyes). Whatever – looks like the account is restored. So please, if you have had problems sending in a donation, please try again!
In the meantime, a *HUGE* heartfelt *THANK YOU* from my family and myself to all those who have send in donations: we are immensely grateful to you!
Many thanks and kind regards,
The Saker
Saker Message:
Were they trying to screen out political opponents?
@Afterthought: no, I honestly don’t think so. It’s just the way an arrogant mega-corporation acts: with no manners or consideration. I hope that they are done now and that they will leave me alone to I can deal with my analyses.
Cheers,
The Saker
Like all U.S. corporations they are lying,thieving scum. Remove donations quickly and store somewhere safe.
@Anonymous: Remove donations quickly and store somewhere safe.
I will do that once a day, no worries here.
Many thanks,
The Saker
I tried making a payment but it did not go through this morning. It had to do with my credit card. I think international payments were not allowed. Will talk to my bank and try again.
mindfriedo
@mindfriedo:I think international payments were not allowed.
No, they are definitely allowed, even though PP takes a few days to clear them. But I already have received money from as far as southern Australia, so that works.
Please try again, this morning it was PP which was the issue, and that should be solved by now.
Kind regards and many thanks in advance!
The Saker
Saker, mine appeared to go through without a problem last night.
I ask because Pierre Omidyar has been backing the revolutionary government and he is the main share holder of Pay Pal.
Learn from other victims, never let funds stay in your paypal account. Recommend moving the fund to a real bank account the moment they arrive.
@Anonymous:Learn from other victims, never let funds stay in your paypal account. Recommend moving the fund to a real bank account the moment they arrive.
I did and I have. Moved the money out today, and will do that every morning. I will say this about PP, there website is *terrible* which, combined with their knee-jerk reflex to immediately block an account at the smallest sign of trouble is really a terrible combination.
I will look into Flattr as soon as I have a minute.
And then Bitcoin also, but that looks really complicated and time consuming to do it right. And I am absolutely *exhausted* theses days.
Thanks a lot,
The Saker
We make use of Paypal at work. One of my close associates is responsible for trouble-shooting any issues that might come up and keeping the Paypal account renewed. He is one of those “always calm” people that wouldn’t shorten his sip on his cup of coffee if there were an air raid taking place outside.
But I have heard desperation in his voice on multiple occasions after his going thru an endless parade of Paypal support personnel to get some simple matter straightened out.
Sympathies.
Please add Bitcoin!
You can get into the technical details when you have more time.
Right now you should just sign up with coinbase.com They have over 1 Million accounts and are the biggest MSB dealing with Bitcoin in the US.
You will then receive Bitcoin via Coinbase sell them directly to US-Dollars and receive an ACH transfer the next day. It’s easy and fast.
I pledge to donate as soon as you publish your Bitcoin adress.
@”KN” you have sent me a comment which I think you preferred that I do not post here. It included the words “go to. The only person who can”.
I like your idea. Could you email me a step by step instruction on how to do that?
Many thanks and kind regards,
The Saker
Hi Saker, I know a little bit about bitcoins, I hope this can help you:
While the basics of bitcoin can be understood in days, to truly understand what is going on under the hood so you can avoid all the pit falls, can take years.
Once you know what’s going on under the hood, you’ll come to the conclusion that while the bitcoin encryption itself is safe and sound, its ecosystem (trading platforms, mining groups) are just like the wild west, totally unregulated and unaccountable, and in many ways are much more dangerous than Paypal.
During your bitcoin research you’ll come across many truths, half-truths and pure nonsenses.
But there are two golden rules you can count on:
1. Always use your own bitcoin wallet, NEVER trust any so called ‘online wallets’, you can keep your own coin simply by copying down the hash and the password somewhere in a text file, and yes, that means once you lose that password, the entire bitcoin world loses that coin forever.
2. You do need to move your coin somewhere when you trade it for cash, but keep in mind that any services holding your coins can claim they got hacked and go bust at any moment, this happens all the time, even Mt Gox, the NYSE of the bitcoin world went bust recently.
So I guess it’s ‘trust no one’ as usual.
Out of curiosity:
how much donations do your family need every month to keep economically afloat besides your other incomes?
@Anonymoua:Out of curiosity:how much donations do your family need every month to keep economically afloat besides your other incomes?
Are you really asking this just of out curiosity?
Thanks,
The Saker
Ok let me specify: as many other loyal readers who would like too see this blog keep running it might be helpful to know how much we need to help out. Personally I wouldnt hesitate to contribute monthly, this blog is just as good as any online magazine with political focus. By now it should have generated you some freelance work for papers etc, and if not thats a shame!
@Anonymous:Ok let me specify: as many other loyal readers who would like too see this blog keep running it
Ok. let me try to give you a very honest answer even though I am embarrassed talking about it. There are three issues:
1) Right now, because my wife and I have just started a new business we are having an *acute* temporary cash flow problem. My wife and I have estimated that we would need about 2000 dollars for the next 4 months to to make ends meet for the next 4 months.
2) After that, just to make ends meet and feel more or less at peace with the money issues, I would hope to generate 800 dollars per month.
3) Anything above that would go to pay the credit card bills.
Also – just to give you a full picture: we have no money set aside for kids college (their grades will have to do), no money for retirement, and no savings.
How did that happen? I lost 2 careers in my life: one as a military analyst which I lost to ugly political circumstances (I crimethough) and one as a software engineer due to 9/11. Then I had to spend 12 years homeschooling three kids while my wife was carrying the full burden of brining in money for a family of 5.
Again, you asked and I tried to give you an honest answer even though, frankly, I feel very embarrassed to do so. However, we so many of you sending donations I also feel that you have the *right* to that information. I am not an official “non-profit” – but that is how I will try to behave.
Have I answered your question to your satisfaction?
Many thanks and kind regards,
The Saker
@anonymous: sorry for the typo – I meant “I crimethought”. Not that this is good English anyway :-)
Cheers,
The Saker